41: [Sixth Round]
“The Sixth Bureau, also known as the ‘Breeding Bureau,’ and officially as the ‘Bureau for the Assurance of Advanced Talent in Breeding and Cultivation Technology.’”
“It is one of Eastern Splendor’s highest-level institutions. There are a total of six such institutions, each corresponding to two of the twelve Chinese zodiac signs.”
“The First Bureau corresponds to the Rat and the Snake, and is known as the ‘Exploration Bureau.’ It is divided into the Snake Faction and the Rat Faction, with the Rat Faction being much harder to join than the Snake Faction.”
“This is because the Snake Faction uses a ‘destructive’ exploration method, requiring only a certain level of strength.”
“The Rat Faction, however, employs a ‘continuous’ exploration method, which demands unique talents. It is said that at its peak, there were only eleven members.”
“The Second Bureau corresponds to the Tiger and the Dragon, and is known as the ‘Military Diplomacy Bureau.’ It’s not about military and diplomacy; it’s about military diplomacy.”
“It also has a Tiger Faction and a Dragon Faction.”
“You might think the Dragon Faction is stronger than the Tiger Faction, and while that’s true, the Dragon Faction’s strength isn’t in individual power, but in its networking ability.”
“Everyone in the Dragon Faction has extraordinary pet beasts they are allied with, at least Overlords, which is equivalent to Legendary-level.”
“The Third Bureau corresponds to the Ox and the Horse, and is known as the ‘Plant Protection Bureau,’ also nicknamed the ‘Ox-Horse Bureau.’”
“The ‘plant’ in Plant Protection doesn’t just refer to plants; it refers to all materials. Everyone in this bureau possesses special Catalysis or protective abilities.”
“Moreover, they are all rich women. If a handsome young man like you were to snag one, you wouldn’t have to work hard for the rest of your life.”
Li Wen was indeed a little tempted, but after some internal struggle, he decided to maintain his dignity as a man.
“Next is the Fourth Bureau, which corresponds to the Rabbit and the Sheep, and is known as the ‘Medical Care Bureau.’”
“It’s not good for a young man like you to stay single. Most of the people there are beautiful women. If all else fails, go find one there.”
As Old Li laughed, he felt a few years younger, enjoying the feeling of teasing his excellent junior.
Li Wen: This old geezer is really bad, trying to corrupt my Dao heart. Women are nowhere near as interesting as Beastmasters.
Seeing that Li Wen had no shy reaction, Old Li continued to speak on his own.
“The Fifth Bureau corresponds to the Pig and the Dog, and is known as the ‘National Protection Bureau,’ officially the ‘Bureau for the Safeguarding and Assurance of National Territory and Security.’”
“You might be wondering, even with the Sixth Bureau, that’s only six. Why did you say there are still six more?”
“Because there’s also the Seventh Bureau, the ‘Machinery Bureau,’ which doesn’t correspond to any zodiac sign and was founded by the Mechanical Pioneer.”
“Finally, the Sixth Bureau corresponds to the Rooster and the Monkey, and the standards for the Rooster Faction and Monkey Faction are also different.”
“The Rooster Faction has extremely high demands for achievements. All Master-level Beastmasters are probationary members of the Rooster Faction, including your teacher.”
“Perhaps it’s because he hasn’t been able to get in himself that he’s too embarrassed to tell you. He’s still too young.”
Li Wen thought about his teacher’s personality, “Hmm, that’s entirely possible.”
“As for the Monkey Faction, in addition to having certain achievements, they must also possess special related talents. Your teacher's achievements are sufficient, but unfortunately, he doesn't have a breeding talent.”
“But you are different. The Creation Evolution talent is perfectly suited for breeding. Not only can it assist in improving energy utilization efficiency, but it can also add more possibilities, like a creator.”
“It seems that becoming your pet beast is also a blessing, isn’t it, my two little ones?”
“Bud~”
“Ying~”
Ya Bao, who was lying on Li Wen’s head, and Qing Yan, who was perched on his shoulder, responded from the heart. Although they could be mischievous at times, they were mostly good.
“I look forward to the day you surpass Lin Yan. I have a premonition it won’t be too far off.”
“What are you waiting for? You can go. I don’t have any rewards for you here.”
...List of those who passed the retest
First place, Li Wen, 100 points
Second place, Wu Lituan, 98 points
...Until the fifth place, the teacher’s name was prominently displayed. After two failures, he finally succeeded.
He immediately teared up and hugged Lu Chen, who was beside him, to share his excitement.
But Lu Chen couldn't understand this feeling of finally achieving something after diligent effort, not to mention his emotional intelligence.
His first thought after his first failure was, “It doesn't matter, I’ll definitely succeed next time anyway.”
However, he finally did something decent; he didn't say anything hurtful. He just let the other person hug him, not understanding, but respecting.
In any given event, countless different reactions will emerge; this is the nature of all sentient beings.
Wu Lituan asked with a dejected expression, “Teacher, how can there be a perfect score in the retest?”
“Are you questioning it? Although it’s realistic, based on my understanding of those old geezers, they wouldn’t possibly show favoritism. As they would say, it’s the integrity of a ‘pauper scholar.’”
“I know you might not believe it, but I saw it with my own eyes. His answer truly deserved that score.”
“How should I describe it to you... Hmm...”
“He provided an over-the-curriculum answer to a standard question.”
Master Chen tried his best not to describe it too specifically, as this student was still young, and he feared a greater blow to him.
OS: Am I supposed to tell you directly that he created a whole new path? I even find it absurd. What kind of luck did Lin Yan have?
“Alright, a temporary failure is nothing. Entering the Sixth Bureau is your ultimate goal. Not comparing yourself to others, but your own strength is key.”
Wu Lituan nodded, seemingly accepting the advice and no longer dwelling on the retest results... A week later, the complete data and related materials for the Shuang Tou E Quan (Two-Headed Dire Dog) appeared in his mailbox. Only then did Li Wen remember he had a paper to write.
These past few days, besides occasionally giving his pet beasts some extra food, he had been optimizing their training methods. The ‘birdcage’ training method was no longer providing them with significant improvement.
After several attempts, he finally decided to let the two of them train themselves. Ya Bao focused on swinging the leaves on its head, while Qing Yan imitated it nearby using Insect Silk.
Although it seemed like nothing had been accomplished, there were still gains. Just last night, Li Wen noticed his senses had become even clearer.
His Beastmaster level had broken through to three, and he also gained an additional contract slot, though he hadn’t yet decided which pet beast to choose.
Now, writing his paper could wait. He was going on a trip with his teacher... No, an inspection, that’s right.
“Son, don’t go hungry while you’re out.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll take good care of myself.”
“Uh... I meant, don’t let Ya Bao and Qing Yan go hungry.”
Li Wen: ???
So, I’m at the bottom of the family hierarchy.
“Okay, I won’t let them go hungry even if I do.”
“Bud~”
“Now that’s a good Beastmaster!”
“Ying~” Qing Yan expressed agreement.
After a ten-minute walk, they arrived at the agreed-upon location.
Lin Bufan: “Ready? Then, get on the bird.”
“No, Lu Chen, you switch places with Li Wen. I’ll be more comfortable with him next to me.”