6: Misty Forest
Two and a half hours later, Su Yuan and the others finally arrived at their destination.
As Su Yuan stepped out of the bus, a wave of wilderness air immediately rushed over him.
Looking up, he saw an endless forest stretching out before him.
Towering trees stood tall, each at least dozens of meters high, with countless massive trunks that would require three or four people to wrap their arms around.
Above this forest, a thin layer of mist lingered, swirling like Immortal Qi.
Su Yuan looked at the Misty Forest ahead, a look of novelty appearing on his face.
He had lived his entire life within the iron-walled protection of Tianyang City and had never seen the world outside.
“Is this the Misty Forest? It's so spectacular!”
“After living in Tianyang City for over a decade, I've finally seen the outside world.”
“Whoa! A beast's roar just came from inside, did everyone hear that?”
“The mist swirling over the forest makes it look like a fairyland. Misty Forest—it truly lives up to its name!”
“Ha! My path to greatness begins right here in the Misty Forest!”
...
The others had even stronger reactions than Su Yuan upon seeing the Misty Forest after getting off the bus.
Like Su Yuan, they had never left Tianyang City in their lives.
Now, seeing the Misty Forest and knowing they were about to face Vicious Beasts in combat, they were naturally excited and agitated.
“Hmph, a bunch of country bumpkins who've never seen the world, making such a fuss.”
At that moment, Li Ming, standing at the front of the crowd, glanced back at everyone and sneered at their behavior.
Li Ming, Shi Qianying, and the others hadn't taken the bus; they had arrived in their own private luxury cars.
By Li Ming's side were two Beastmasters with powerful auras following him.
The uniforms they wore indicated that they were also members of the Thunderbolt Security Group.
Near Li Ming were several other figures, including Shi Qianying.
These people were all scions of the few major Families in Tianyang City. Although they were joining the other students from Tianyang No. 1 High School for practical training,
they had been dropped off by private cars and arrived at the edge of the Misty Forest ahead of the others, rather than riding the bus.
“Su Yuan!”
Right then, Shi Qianying, who was standing at the front, searched through the crowd and finally spotted Su Yuan, immediately waving and calling out to him.
Shi Qianying’s shout attracted many gazes.
The school belle of Tianyang No. 1 High School naturally drew a lot of attention.
“This girl Shi Qianying... I guess I'm going to be the target of a lot of boys' jealousy again.”
In the crowd, Su Yuan heard Shi Qianying calling him.
He looked up and, seeing her excitedly waving and walking toward him, thought helplessly.
Just as Su Yuan expected.
Following Shi Qianying's greeting, many people looked toward Su Yuan.
Some boys had originally thought she was greeting a female friend, but when they realized her target was a guy like Su Yuan,
the looks they gave him were filled with envy and a fair amount of jealousy.
Among them, Li Ming was the most obvious.
Watching Shi Qianying walk cheerfully toward Su Yuan, and remembering how she had ignored his own attempts to strike up a conversation earlier,
Li Ming felt a sharp pang in his heart.
However, when Li Ming’s gaze fell upon the beast taming bracelet on Su Yuan’s wrist, a strange light flickered in his eyes.
He quickly adjusted his expression, regained his composure, and also walked toward Su Yuan.
“Su Yuan, I heard you contracted a Blastoise and that the school specifically sponsored you to evolve it into a Water King Turtle. That's an Extraordinary quality beast, congratulations!”
Meanwhile, Shi Qianying arrived in front of Su Yuan, her hands behind her back, her delicate face showing a hint of bashfulness as she spoke.
After her Beast Taming Talent was tested, Shi Qianying had been taken home to contract the first life-bound beast her Family had prepared for her.
For the past month, she had taken a leave of absence from school, being taught by the Family's elder Experts who guided her in nurturing her beast.
The two hadn't seen each other for a month, which was why she was so happy to see him.
“Thanks, but my beast hasn't finished evolving yet. It's still just a Rare quality beast,”
Su Yuan said with a smile and a nod, acknowledging her congratulations.
“Evolution Materials for Extraordinary quality beasts are quite rare. If you're missing any Materials, you can ask me for help.”
“My Family is in the beast-taming business, so finding rare resources might be easier for us than for the school!”
Hearing that Su Yuan's Blastoise hadn't finished evolving, Shi Qianying spoke to him carefully.
“No need, I've gathered most of the evolution resources. I have leads on the remaining rare ones and have already commissioned someone to buy them.”
“Once this practical training is over, my Blastoise should be able to complete its evolution.”
“Mhm, that’s good then!”
“Qianying, Su Yuan, long time no see!”
While Su Yuan and Shi Qianying were talking, Li Ming approached them, greeting them with a face full of smiles.
Despite this, Li Ming’s eyes remained fixed on Shi Qianying.
As Su Yuan and Shi Qianying looked at him, Li Ming continued:
“Qianying, the Thunder Cat my grandfather prepared for me has already evolved into a Lightning Tiger, reaching Extraordinary Seven-Star quality.”
“Furthermore, its Rank has reached Common Level 5. As long as we don't face an Extraordinary quality Vicious Beast, my Lightning Tiger is capable of fighting above its level!”
“Why don't the two of us team up for this practical training?”
“That way, even if we run into a powerful Vicious Beast, I can protect you.”
After Li Ming finished speaking, he looked at Shi Qianying with a faint smile, waiting for her answer.
When mentioning his beast's current Rank and quality, Li Ming's face was full of pride, his head tilting up unconsciously in an arrogant manner.
Li Ming had overheard most of the conversation between Su Yuan and Shi Qianying.
He knew Su Yuan’s Blastoise hadn't finished evolving.
He was saying this specifically for Su Yuan to hear.
A Blastoise usually only had around Rare Five-Star quality, and even if it evolved into a Water King Turtle, it would only be Extraordinary Three-Star quality.
A Water King Turtle would be slightly inferior to his Lightning Tiger, let alone an unevolved Blastoise.
“The practical training organized by the school is meant for us to face Vicious Beasts in combat ourselves.”
“Li Ming, do you see me as some useless decorative vase that needs your protection?”
“Also, don't call me ‘Qianying.’ We aren't that close!”
Shi Qianying was unmoved by Li Ming’s invitation; instead, she spoke to him with a hint of disgust.
“No, that's not what I meant, listen to me...”
Shi Qianying’s reaction caused Li Ming to panic, and he waved his hands frantically, trying to explain.
However, before he could finish, he was interrupted by the whistle marking the start of the training.
The surrounding students quickly dispersed upon hearing the whistle, heading into the Misty Forest.
At that moment, Shi Qianying turned to Su Yuan and said:
“Su Yuan, the training has started. I'll be going ahead.”
“I hope you have a good harvest on this trip. See you later.”
Shi Qianying’s tone when speaking to Su Yuan was much softer.
She had no interest in hearing Li Ming’s explanations and didn't want to spend another second near him.
After saying goodbye to Su Yuan, she picked an unoccupied direction and walked quickly into the Misty Forest.
As for Li Ming, she didn't even acknowledge him.
Watching Shi Qianying enter the forest, Su Yuan also chose a path where no one else was going and walked in on his own.
From beginning to end, Su Yuan hadn't said a single word to Li Ming; as he headed for the forest, he simply brushed past him as if he weren't there.
“Su Yuan!!!”
“We'll see about that!!!”
Watching Su Yuan's back as he completely ignored him and walked into the Misty Forest, Li Ming's anger flared, and any joy from his sense of superiority vanished.
Even after Su Yuan's figure disappeared into the dense trees, Li Ming continued to stare in that direction, unable to calm his rage for a long time.
“Young Master Li.”
It wasn't until the two Beastmasters from the Thunderbolt Security Group reminded him that Li Ming snapped out of it.
Only then did he realize he was the only one left outside the forest.
“Remember the direction that guy Su Yuan went. Tell the brothers below to take 'good care' of that kid!”
Regaining his composure, Li Ming glared viciously at where Su Yuan had left and whispered to the two men beside him.
Then, without further delay, he also walked into the Misty Forest.
“Brother, Young Master Li is jealous.”
“They're all young; it's normal to fight over a girl.”
“Should we follow Young Master Li's orders and have the brothers take 'care' of that Su Yuan kid?”
“Su Yuan is an A-Rank Genius Beastmaster; the teachers from Tianyang No. 1 High School will definitely be keeping an eye on him!”
“We can have the men put some pressure on him, but we absolutely can't go too far. We must ensure his safety!”
“Understood.”
After Li Ming entered the forest, the two Beastmasters from the Thunderbolt Security Group spoke in low voices before taking out their communicators to send a message.
Big Grey Wolf Book Source Reminder: For special reasons, the group was forced to disband! A new group has been rebuilt. Group 1 (298732622), Group 2 (1062268835). To avoid losing contact, tg: t.me/dahuilang888. This message will be displayed until tomorrow noon!