Chapter 001

“Xia, this pair of lovebirds refuses to eat anything. Can you come take a look?”

Xia Muqing put down the duster, brushed off the dust from her hands, and called out loudly, “Coming!”

She walked over quickly, looked at the red and golden little bird in her boss’s hand, gently touched its soft feathers, and lightly scratched its little wings — causing the lovebird to chirp in comfort.

“It’s fine, it just wants to fall in love,” Xia Muqing said with a smile. “Sister Zhu, you should get a few more female lovebirds. Winter is almost over, and spring is coming soon.”

Zhu Ning snorted, “It’s dreaming! I haven’t even found a partner, so why’s it in such a hurry?”

“If it wants to find a partner, let its Beast Tamer help it,” Xia Muqing replied.

After saying that, she attached a golden tag to the lovebird’s crimson claws and placed the drooping little bird back in the garden.

The lovebird spread its wings and flew away with a whoosh.

Xia Muqing’s gaze shifted slightly.

—Attaching the golden tag meant that the lovebird had passed its juvenile stage and was now ready to sign a contract with a Beast Tamer.

The lovebird was a relatively rare mythical beast with decent strength. If a matching female lovebird could be found, the couple would be able to unleash even greater power together. Plus, with its beautiful and adorable appearance, the lovebird was always highly sought after in the market.

Xia Muqing… of course, was very envious.

Unfortunately, she couldn’t afford it.

Take the breeding farm she worked at, for example. A single lovebird would cost around 150,000 star coins, meaning Xia Muqing would have to work for two years without eating or drinking to afford it. That doesn’t even account for the future costs of breeding, contracts, training, and the expenses for “falling in love.”

“Sigh, this is a heavy burden.”

She picked up the duster again, gazing at the spacious roof of the breeding farm, and sighed long and deeply.

—

Xia Muqing had transmigrated here a year ago.

She had spent three days grinding away at a game, completing the entire game and collecting all the illustrations, and when she opened her eyes again, she found herself in a strange new world.

This world was very similar to Earth from her previous life, but with more advanced technology in space travel, long-distance communication, and other fields. Moreover, this world had many magical mythical beasts that could form contracts with humans and share their thoughts.

From history books, Xia Muqing learned that this world was originally just an ordinary technological plane.

Until thirty years ago, a magical comet brushed past the edge of the Milky Way, suddenly exploding into brilliant sparks. Following that, numerous rifts to other worlds appeared on the planet, and mythical beasts descended. Afterward, the profession of Beast Tamers quietly emerged, significantly altering the development of the entire planet.

At this point, Xia Muqing’s heart raced.

Wasn’t this the very worldview of the game she had just completed?

There was also the Mythical Beast Illustrated Handbook that appeared in her mind, which she had painstakingly completed after three days of intense grinding. It clearly recorded the characteristics and evolutionary methods of various mythical beasts. Although Xia Muqing remembered most of it after finishing the game, a good memory still couldn’t compare to having a comprehensive illustrated guide.

With this, she was fully confident that she could become the strongest Beast Tamer!

The only problem was that the Mythical Beast Illustrated Handbook would only unlock after she contracted her first mythical beast.

And Xia Muqing… couldn’t afford even the cheapest mythical beast.

There was no choice, the original owner of this body had lost both parents early and didn’t have any reliable relatives nearby. Just being able to support herself was already difficult, and she didn’t have much savings. However, a year ago, she had been lured into the “Beast Betting” game.

It was a game where mythical beasts were selected from a large number of discarded mythical beast eggs, similar to the “^[1]“Stone betting” (or “gambling on stones”) is a term commonly used in Chinese to describe a practice where people buy raw, unprocessed stones or materials, usually with the … Continue readingstone betting” practice on Earth. In other words, adventurers from different worlds would obtain mythical beast eggs during their explorations, and all mythical beasts were hatched from eggs. However, breeding organizations used life detectors, so the eggs that could successfully hatch were usually picked out, leaving behind either dead eggs or malformed mythical beasts that couldn’t grow healthily.

Heartless merchants mixed a few good eggs with the bad ones and sold them, essentially turning it into a gamble.

The original owner understood this, but she was so eager to contract a mythical beast that she was blinded by the potential profit. In the end, not only did she gain nothing, but she also ended up with a 50,000 star coin loan.

The original owner, feeling hopeless, left the Beast Betting arena and, in her confusion, bought a bottle of sleeping pills.

When she woke up, she had become Xia Muqing.

With nothing but a barren home and heavy debts, Xia Muqing inherited this mess.

If it weren’t for her quick thinking and the breeding knowledge she had learned from the game, helping her find a job at a breeding farm to pay off the debt, she probably would have been hauled away by the creditors by now.

“Xia, aren’t you supposed to be in your third year of high school this year?”

Zhu Ning’s words pulled Xia Muqing out of her thoughts. She turned around and nodded, “Yes, just two more months.”

Zhu Ning stroked her chin, “Third year of high school… you’ll have to choose your major soon. How about it, are you interested in applying for the Beast Taming department and later studying breeding?”

Xia Muqing nodded vigorously, “I’ll definitely apply for the Beast Taming department. But as for breeding… sorry, Sister Zhu, I’d rather become an adventurer.”

In this world, students began to learn about Beast Taming in high school, similar to Earth’s course selection and division into science and humanities tracks. Students with Beast Taming potential, after a year of study and training, could apply to related departments at universities specializing in Beast Taming.

The conditions for entering the Beast Taming department were simple: one, they had to have their own contracted mythical beast, and two, they had to demonstrate their ability to train mythical beasts in the upcoming exam in two months.

Contracting a mythical beast ahead of time was strictly forbidden as it was considered cheating. For students whose mental powers were still developing, it was akin to forcing growth, which was harmful to their long-term career development. Therefore, everyone searched for their contracted partner during the summer vacation before entering university.

Zhu Ning had long noticed Xia Muqing’s affinity for mythical beasts and had always wanted her to apply for the breeding department and later join her breeding farm to help expand and strengthen the business.

Unfortunately, every time, Xia Muqing only smiled and declined.

Her ambition didn’t lie there.

“Breeding is so good! You get money, status… Why do you have to be so stubborn?” Zhu Ning crossed her arms and rolled her eyes, “What’s so great about being an adventurer? It’s just about exploring different realms, right? You know that those spaces are filled with wild mythical beasts, and they’re dangerous! The death rate for adventurers was over 10% last year…”

Zhu Ning rambled on for quite a while.

These were all familiar topics, and Xia Muqing had already developed immunity to them.

“Alright, Sister Zhu, maybe when I become a Beast Tamer, the adventurer death rate will go down?” Xia Muqing joked.

Zhu Ning: “…”

Seeing that Xia Muqing wouldn’t listen, she helplessly shook her head and then asked, “How much money have you saved up now?”

Xia Muqing curved her lips into a smile. “I’ve saved up 30,000, which should be enough to buy a mythical beast.”

Zhu Ning really took good care of her. Over the past year, she had given Xia Muqing quite a few bonuses under various pretenses. Not only had Xia Muqing paid off her debts, but she had also saved up a decent sum.

After all, one of the conditions for applying to the Beast Taming department was to have a contracted mythical beast of your own.

“I’m planning to buy a little caterpillar,” Xia Muqing said excitedly. “Or a mini bee? Koi fish would also be nice. I can’t afford the golden-tailed or red-tailed ones, but I can buy a white-tailed one and train it slowly.”

The price range for mythical beasts varied greatly, with ultra-rare ones going for millions of star coins. But for more common species like the ones Xia Muqing mentioned, generally 20,000 to 40,000 star coins would be enough.

They just had a bit less potential.

However, Xia Muqing wasn’t worried at all. She knew well that many common mythical beasts in the game had hidden evolution routes. If raised well, they could easily rival the higher-tier species.

People looked down on common species, but that only showed that current scientific research on mythical beasts was still shallow. Did they know that the mini bee could evolve into the Mother of All Insects, or that the koi fish could evolve into a Golden Sky Dragon?

There were no useless mythical beasts—only ignorant Beast Tamers!

Xia Muqing’s expression was very relaxed.

However, her optimism, in Zhu Ning’s eyes, seemed very blind.

“Contract a little caterpillar and you still expect to become an adventurer? Be careful, you might die without even knowing how.”

Zhu Ning rolled her eyes. “Fine, fine, I can’t just watch you throw your life away. If it really comes to it, I’ll buy you a mythical beast.”

Xia Muqing paused. “Sister Zhu?”

Zhu Ning tapped her fingers thoughtfully. “Let me think… There’s still a red-tailed monkey in the garden. Last time, Boss Wang mentioned there’s a batch of sunflowers that are about to mature…”

Bang!

Suddenly, the door to the breeding farm was forcefully kicked open, and a young man stormed in, carrying a black bag. He tossed the bag onto the counter with a loud thud.

“What kind of garbage are you selling?” he shouted. “This little bastard is so weak! Give me a refund!”

Xia Muqing’s attention was drawn by the noise. She turned around and froze in place.

“Liu Pan?”

The young man turned his head when he heard his name, furrowing his brows.

“Xia Muqing?”

Liu Pan was Xia Muqing’s classmate, from the same year, and his family could be considered middle-class. He was also rather arrogant.

This didn’t matter much, Xia Muqing would never proactively provoke him. However, not long ago, the school offered financial assistance for impoverished students. Xia Muqing applied for it as needed, but when she submitted the form, it was accidentally blown away by the wind and landed right at Liu Pan’s feet.

Liu Pan immediately mocked her: “Oh, a poor beggar.”

Xia Muqing’s best friend, Xu Ling, was there too. Xu Ling had a fiery temper and immediately slammed her hand on the table: “How can you talk like that? Doesn’t your family have anyone left to teach you manners?”

The two of them exchanged harsh words, and the argument was so heated it seemed like the sky would fall. As a result, Xia Muqing and Liu Pan officially became enemies.

Now, seeing Xia Muqing again, Liu Pan’s face showed nothing but disdain: “So it was you, this poor beggar, who sold it to me. No wonder it’s trash.”

“Hey, give me a refund right now, understand? Or I’ll file a complaint!”

The black bag that had been thrown to the floor trembled, the zipper slowly opened, and a small white ball of fur crawled out.

Xia Muqing immediately recognized it. It was a Gale Hound.

The Gale Hound was a very strong mythical beast. It was powerful, loyal to its master, relatively easy to contract, and its temperament was gentle, making it a popular choice for people looking to get their children a beginner beast.

On the market, a regular Gale Hound cost around 100,000 star coins, which would take Xia Muqing an entire year of work to afford.

Zhu Ning had also arrived, and upon seeing the trembling Gale Hound, her brows furrowed.

“Excuse me, customer, please don’t say such things. Every mythical beast we sell is carefully raised with great effort.”

“Besides, this Gale Hound is pure white with no mixed colors, meaning its bloodline quality is excellent. How could it possibly be trash?”

Liu Pan snorted from his nose.

“Bloodline quality? That’s nonsense.”

“The Gale Hound you sold me has inferior traits: cowardice, or fear!”

—

Traits were innate characteristics and talents that many mythical beasts were born with.

Some traits were extremely rare and powerful, like “Energy Conversion” or “Limit Breakthrough,” which Xia Muqing had collected in her bestiary, but there were also inferior traits, like the “Fear” trait Liu Pan was mentioning.

This trait was somewhat like personality, though not exactly the same. Mythical beasts with the “Fear” trait would indeed show more signs of timidity, and if their bond with their Beast Tamer wasn’t strong enough, their loyalty could be lacking, causing them to avoid battles or even flee in the face of danger.

“How could it be fear?” Zhu Ning asked, incredulously. “This little one is just a bit timid. It’s always been well-behaved.”

Liu Pan took a card from his pocket and coldly said, “Here’s the video of its simulated training session at the institute. You can see for yourself.”

Hearing this, Zhu Ning was speechless.

Beast Tamers and Breeders were two different professions. While Zhu Ning could help a mythical beast grow healthily, she couldn’t guarantee that every beast she sold would be skilled in battle. Blue Star didn’t have equipment to test traits, and it was impossible to precisely determine each mythical beast’s talent. It all relied on the Beast Tamer to gradually nurture and discover their potential.

Liu Pan pointed at the video: “Look, this thing doesn’t even dare to fight! If I really contracted it, what would you have me use for the exam in two months?”

Zhu Ning: “Calm down, don’t rush! I did warn you when you bought it that it’s a bit timid, and you didn’t raise any objections. Besides, Gale Hounds are different from other mythical beasts, even without a contract, they will recognize their master. If you act like this, you’ll just make it sad—”

Liu Pan: “Inferior traits and being timid are two different things! I don’t care if it’s sad! Refund me, now!”

He was causing a huge commotion, and many mythical beasts in the park were drawn over by the noise.

Xia Muqing saw the little Gale Hound on the ground trembling like it was shaking off dust. It was huddling with its head down, trying to squeeze itself into the shadow of a crack.

Mythical beasts were very intelligent, and after contracting, they could even communicate with their Beast Tamers. At this moment, every word Liu Pan said could be understood by the little Gale Hound.

Its jet-black, clear eyes were shaking, and its eyelids were filled with tears. Its little nose kept twitching, and a faint, weak whimper escaped its throat.

Xia Muqing felt as if the softest part of her heart had been poked.

Seeing the little Gale Hound looking so sad and wronged, she felt a sharp pang of sympathy and couldn’t help but lean down and gently rub its little head.

Suddenly, her spine trembled sharply.

A flash of golden light appeared right in front of her.

—

Meanwhile, Liu Pan was still arguing loudly.

Zhu Ning felt a headache coming on. She repeatedly explained to him that according to the rules, sold mythical beasts couldn’t be refunded, and that cowardice could be gradually overcome with training — but Liu Pan was completely unwilling to listen.

As they were at an impasse, a clear voice suddenly rang out from beside them.

“Sister Zhu, would it be alright if I buy this Gale Hound?”

Both Liu Pan and Zhu Ning turned to look.

They found Xia Muqing already holding the little Gale Hound in her arms, gently wiping away the tears from its eyes.

Zhu Ning was shocked. “Xia?”

Xia Muqing spoke softly: “A returned inferior mythical beast can’t be resold. For safety, aggressive mythical beasts must be disposed of, and that would be too pitiful.”

“Sister Zhu, didn’t you say you’d give me a mythical beast? This one will do.”