20: Chapter 20 Bloodline Suppression! Three Skills?!

As Jiang Yun and the Fire Dragon Fish drew closer to the Earth Profound Turtle,

Jiang Yun's calf muscles were already tense; every step he took was extremely difficult.

The Earth Profound Turtle's pressure was like a physical wave; the closer they got to the core area, the more powerful the pressure became.

The Fire Dragon Fish stayed close to his side. The fire clouds surrounding it had long lost their previous heat, flickering like a candle in the wind. The force of its tail fin striking the ground grew weaker, and even the crimson luster on its scales had dimmed.

"Just half a meter left..."

Jiang Yun's gaze was fixed on the Earth Profound Turtle's rock-patterned feet. Just one more step forward, and he would cross the finish line into the "two-meter range."

But this half-meter felt like an insurmountable chasm.

He mobilized the last trace of Beast Taming Power in his body, trying to push himself forward, but his knees remained motionless. Instead, due to the excessive force, a wave of numbing pain washed over him.

He still couldn't take that step.

"What's going on? Why did the pressure suddenly change?"

"Rock-Armored Turtle! Stand up!"

"Wind Wing Bird! What are you doing?"

Right at that moment,

a series of exclamations suddenly erupted from behind, breaking the silence of the Training Ground.

Jiang Yun instinctively turned his head and saw, not far away...

The Wind Wing Bird, which had been struggling, suddenly seemed to have all its strength drained. Its wings slumped to the ground, its head buried deep in its feathers, and its entire body trembled uncontrollably.

The Ice Crystal Rabbit curled into a ball, its ears pressed tightly against its back. Its emerald-like eyes were full of terror, and it didn't even dare to look up.

Even the Rock-Armored Beast, the most pressure-resistant, lay on the ground whimpering softly, its limbs pressed tightly to the floor as if hiding from some terrifying existence.

All the students were stunned, thinking that Coach Lin had ordered the Earth Profound Turtle to increase the pressure.

Only Coach Lin's expression shifted instantly from composed to shocked.

Being heart-to-heart with the Earth Profound Turtle, he knew better than anyone that this sudden "pressure" was not released by the turtle at all.

In fact, even his Earth Profound Turtle was trembling slightly.

A hint of wariness flashed through his normally calm eyes.

Coach Lin's heart tightened as an unfamiliar aura reached him through the contract connection.

The aura wasn't massive, but it carried a sense of disdain originating from the depths of its Bloodline. It was like the low growl of an ancient Vicious Beast awakening; a mere sweep of it could make low-rank Vicious Beasts instinctively submit.

"Is this... Bloodline Suppression?!"

Coach Lin's breath hitched for a moment. His gaze swept across the field like a searchlight, finally locking onto the Fire Dragon Fish beside Jiang Yun.

The source of that aura was actually emanating from this seemingly ordinary Black Iron Third Tier spirit beast?!

In his fifteen years of coaching Core Students, he had seen nearly a thousand Vicious Beasts, yet he had only felt this kind of aura on two special occasions.

The first time was at the C City Beast Tamer Association's collection hall, where he saw a Silver Moon Wolf with a Royal Bloodline.

The second time was at the Federal Beast Tamer Competition, where he saw a Clear Water Flood Dragon with an Ancient Bloodline.

Only Royal Vicious Beasts, or spirit beasts with Ancient Royal Bloodlines, could suppress other Vicious Beasts through Bloodline Power, even if their own Realm was far inferior!

But the Fire Dragon Fish was clearly just a Black Iron Third Tier mutated spirit beast. How could it possess the Bloodline Suppression that only Royal Vicious Beasts had?

"Could it be a hidden passive skill?"

"Doesn't that mean this Fire Dragon Fish already has three skills?"

"A Black Iron Third Tier spirit beast with three skills!!?"

A thunderclap exploded in Coach Lin's mind.

Ordinary spirit beasts with Gold-rank Aptitude have two Innate Talent Skills at most. Those with three skills are all top-tier beings starting with Diamond-rank Aptitude!

If the Fire Dragon Fish not only had Fire Domain Cage and Flame Breath but also the hidden passive skill "Bloodline Suppression"... then the value of this fish far exceeded the scope of "Gold-rank Aptitude"!

He couldn't help but recall the information mentioned in the records.

This Fire Dragon Fish was picked by Jiang Yun from the Unappraised Beast Eggs at the Nurturing Center.

At the time, he thought Jiang Yun was just lucky, but now it seemed that luck had nothing to do with it!

A Fire Dragon Fish with Bloodline Suppression could never be an ordinary mutated Vicious Beast. Perhaps... a more startling secret was hidden within its Bloodline?

Coach Lin's heart beat faster and faster. His eyes were full of shock and curiosity as he looked at the Fire Dragon Fish, with even a hint of disbelief.

He now understood even better why the Principal placed such importance on him... This youth without Beastmaster Talent had likely contracted an extraordinary monster... Meanwhile,

Jiang Yun also realized what was happening in an instant.

He noticed that this peculiar aura didn't seem to be released from the Earth Profound Turtle, but from the Water Dragon Fish beside him... That aura!

It was being released by the Fire Dragon Fish!

He had a contract connection with the Fire Dragon Fish.

He could clearly feel a warm energy surging within the Fire Dragon Fish, and this sensation was transmitted to him through the contract connection.

It caused the heavy pressure to instantly lessen by more than half!

Jiang Yun recalled the Fire Dragon Fish's data entries.

He quickly determined that this was likely the Fire Dragon Fish's fourth skill.

Bloodline Suppression!

What surprised him even more was that this eruption hadn't been triggered by his command at all—the Fire Dragon Fish seemed to have its own judgment. Sensing its master was in trouble, it had proactively activated the Bloodline Suppression skill!

"With a Pseudo-Dragon Bloodline, its Intelligence is actually this high..."

Jiang Yun felt a surge of emotion. Taking advantage of the moment, he mobilized the recovered Beast Taming Power in his body and merged it with the Fire Dragon Fish's Bloodline aura.

This time, a flaw finally appeared in that invisible, terrifying pressure.

He took a deep breath, bent his legs slightly, and using the buffer provided by the Bloodline Suppression, he fiercely took a step forward!

*Slap!*

His foot landed firmly on the ground within the two-meter range of the Earth Profound Turtle. The crisp sound of the footfall was exceptionally clear in the silent Training Ground.

Instantly, the pressure of the Gold-rank Spirit Beast receded like a tide. Jiang Yun felt his whole body lighten as if a thousand-pound weight had been lifted. His tense muscles suddenly relaxed, and his body even swayed uncontrollably.

The Fire Dragon Fish also breathed a sigh of relief. The fire clouds around it brightened again, and it affectionately rubbed its head against his wrist as if asking for credit.

The surrounding students immediately noticed this scene.

Exclamations from the students rose and fell one after another.

Their faces were full of disbelief.

"He... he succeeded?!"

"This guy was actually the first to do it..."

"My god, I thought he was a loser just now, but now it seems... I was the one who was blind!"

...Those students who had previously mocked Jiang Yun as a lucky loser were now flushed with embarrassment, wishing they could crawl into a hole.

They had tried their hardest but couldn't even get within three meters of the Earth Profound Turtle, yet this Beast Tamer without talent they looked down upon had been the first to complete the challenge.

Jiang Yunyun waved her small hands excitedly: "Brother! You're amazing!"

Only Xiao Ling, lying on the ground, stared fixedly at Jiang Yun's back, his eyes full of resentment and jealousy.

He had just pushed himself to the limit to mobilize his Beast Taming Power, even going as far as to use a Forced Command on the Magic Claw Wolf. However, not only did the Magic Claw Wolf fail to help him share the pressure, but because of the shadow left by its previous defeat to the Fire Dragon Fish, it developed a strong rejection of the Beast Taming Power, nearly causing him to suffer a Backlash.

Seeing Jiang Yun succeed now, his chest felt like it was blocked by a ball of fire, burning him all over. "Why... why can this loser do it?!"

Jiang Yun ignored the gazes around him. He knew that the Fire Dragon Fish's Bloodline eruption just now had been very draining. Although that aura was brief, it had nearly drained all the fire attribute power stored within the Fire Dragon Fish.

Under the prolonged pressure suppression,

his own Beast Taming Power consumption was also terrifying.

Both he and his spirit beast needed to recover now.

He immediately raised his hand. A flash of red light appeared as he recalled the Fire Dragon Fish into the Beast Taming Space. "Recover well in there."

Given the terrifying characteristics of his Beast Taming Space, he believed the Fire Dragon Fish would fully recover very soon.

Having done all this, he sat cross-legged on the ground, closed his eyes, and began to regulate his breathing.

The high-pressure confrontation just now had exhausted his Beast Taming Power. He even felt a faint stinging pain in his brow—a sign of overextending his Beast Taming Power.

Coach Lin walked up to Jiang Yun. Seeing his steady manner as he regulated his breathing, the admiration in his eyes almost overflowed.

He had originally thought Jiang Yun just had a high Comprehension Ability, but now it seemed this youth could not only quickly grasp the true essence of Beast Tamer Synergy but also contract such a special spirit beast. More impressively, he didn't show the slightest pride after succeeding, instead immediately caring for his spirit beast's condition.

This was the state of mind an outstanding Beast Tamer should have.

"Perhaps... this youth without Beastmaster Talent really can create a different kind of miracle."

Coach Lin thought to himself.

There was a bit more expectation in his gaze toward Jiang Yun.

As time passed, more and more students began to benefit from the residual Bloodline Suppression of the Fire Dragon Fish.

Although that aura had weakened, it still made the Earth Profound Turtle's pressure a bit softer.

Combined with the "Beast Tamer Synergy" method Jiang Yun had shared earlier, many students successfully established a power connection with their spirit beasts and began to move forward slowly.

Half an hour later, Jiang Yunyun, holding the Sky-Swallowing Rabbit, shuffled step by step into the two-meter range of the Earth Profound Turtle.

Her small face was flushed red, her forehead was covered in sweat, and the Sky-Swallowing Rabbit also looked weak.

But Jiang Yunyun's eyes were full of excitement: "Brother! I did it too!"

Jiang Yun opened his eyes and smiled, rubbing her hair. "Well done. Sit down quickly to regulate your breathing and recover."

Other students also completed the challenge one after another.

Only those students with poor Compatibility with their spirit beasts remained trapped, including Xiao Ling.

Xiao Ling's Magic Claw Wolf had completely lost its ability to resist. It lay motionless on the ground, and no matter how Xiao Ling hit or scolded it, it only let out low whimpers.

Xiao Ling trembled with rage, but he could only watch helplessly as others completed the challenge. Eventually, he even gave up struggling and slumped on the ground, gasping for air, his eyes filled with anger and resentment.

His hatred for Jiang Yun grew even more.

The sun set, and evening arrived.

Coach Lin finally recalled the Earth Profound Turtle.

Standing in the center of the Training Ground, he looked at the students before him and said solemnly, "Most of you did well in today's training. Especially Student Jiang Yun, who not only was the first to achieve a Breakthrough but also grasped the core truth of being a Beast Tamer: a Beast Tamer and their spirit beast are always one. Only through mutual trust and shared power can you break the limit."

"Naturally, those who didn't pass shouldn't be discouraged. The Rapport and trust between a spirit beast and its Beast Tamer don't just rely on talent; they are determined by the Beast Tamer's attitude toward their spirit beast."

Coach Lin gave Xiao Ling a meaningful look.

"This isn't something that can be achieved overnight; it requires growing and bonding with your spirit beast through future Actual Combat."

At this point, he paused, his gaze sweeping across the field, his tone carrying a hint of anticipation. "The timing of you becoming Core Students is quite fortunate. Tomorrow, the school will arrange a special course for all Core Students from every class—a trip to the Misty Forest outside C City for your first-ever Field Combat Training."

"Field combat?!"

"Is it fighting against real wild Vicious Beasts?"

"Great! I've been wanting to try that for a long time!"

"I've long heard that wild Vicious Beasts are extremely ferocious. I want to see just how ferocious they are."

The students instantly erupted in excitement, their faces full of thrills and anticipation.

Their previous battles were either sparring with classmates or challenging the "docile Vicious Beasts" raised by the school.

They had never truly faced a Vicious Beast in the wild.

These Vicious Beasts, grown under the pressure of survival, were not only stronger in combat but also used various techniques like sneak attacks and camouflage. They were opponents that could truly hone one's strength.

Jiang Yun also opened his eyes, equally full of anticipation.

He knew that field combat would not only allow the Fire Dragon Fish to grow and increase its strength faster but also provide access to more resources.

The school's monthly subsidy was far from enough for the Fire Dragon Fish's consumption. He had to find ways to obtain resources himself to boost its strength.

The bodies, scales, and claws of wild Vicious Beasts were all precious Materials that could be exchanged for Spirit Stones, and there was even a chance of encountering rare and valuable Materials.

It could be said that danger and opportunity coexisted.

Coach Lin looked at the excited students, his tone turning serious. "Remember, the wild is not the Training Ground. Vicious Beasts will not show mercy. Before setting out tomorrow, make sure to check the supplies in your Beast Taming Space and bring Healing Potions and Signal Flares. If you encounter danger, send a signal immediately, and I will be there as soon as possible."

"Understood!"

The students replied in unison, their voices filled with anticipation.

Jiang Yun also began calculating his supplies for tomorrow.

Thinking of the five hundred Spirit Stones he got from Xiao Ling, he could just sell them and exchange them for federal currency.

Then he could purchase the items he and his sister needed for this trip.

Jiang Yun couldn't help but glance at Xiao Ling, who was still slumped in the distance looking incredibly pathetic, and felt a touch of gratitude for the other's contribution...