7: Lightning Mouse

"Jump over it. Right."

Inside the Chenyang Pet Store, Luo Chen's voice rang out.

The two Radiant Hounds followed Luo Chen's command, leaping over the increasingly high obstacles in front of them.

After testing their maximum jump height, Luo Chen noted in his notebook that the maximum jump height for a three-month-old Radiant Hound was 2.3 meters.

The notes also included details like a maximum speed of 3 meters per second and a jump distance of 2.5 meters, appearing like a comprehensive physical assessment for the Radiant Hounds.

Once the testing was complete, Luo Chen gained a thorough understanding of the Radiant Hounds' current physical attributes compared to the more generalized data found online.

However, this data didn't seem to have much practical use for breeding the Radiant Hounds; it was mostly just to let them have some fun and vent their excess energy.

Luo Chen inadvertently noticed the Lightning Rat glancing at the two Radiant Hounds with utter disdain before returning to its cage to fake a nap.

[race: Lightning Rat

Rank: Three-Star Ferocious Beast

Type: Elemental Type - Lightning Type

State: Lazy

Aptitude: Good

Skill: 1. Lightning Bolt (Yellow Grade): The Lightning Rat can release lightning through its tail to cause damage to targets.]

Luo Chen returned the two Radiant Hounds that had assisted him with the testing back to their cages, then lightly tapped on the Lightning Rat's cage.

"I'll let you stay comfortable for two days. Once I become an Apprentice Breeder, I'll start training you."

The Lightning Rat was entirely white, with irregular silver curves covering its body, and was about the size of a palm.

Hearing Luo Chen's 'threatening' words, it nonchalantly turned its face toward the inside of the cage, pointing its butt at Luo Chen.

Luo Chen was almost moved to laughter by the unique personality of this Lightning Rat, but he decided to set this 'grudge' aside for later. When the time came, this Lightning Rat would learn who the real boss was.

Although Luo Chen was prepared to reopen the Chenyang Pet Store, the sign outside still read 'Temporarily Closed'.

Since he hadn't yet obtained his Apprentice Breeder qualification, it naturally wasn't the right time to reopen the shop.

After a simple cleanup, Luo Chen went back to studying knowledge related to Beast Mastering.

Today's lesson was on the general distribution of wild beasts around Qingyang City.

The most dangerous places around Qingyang City were naturally the nests of several King Beasts. These King Beasts were all creatures that had emerged from various secret realms adjacent to Qingyang City.

Indeed, not only could Beast Masters of this world enter secret realms to obtain various rare materials, but beasts could also come to the outside world through Secret Realm Gates.

Fortunately, most Secret Realm Gates opened in remote wilderness areas and rarely opened directly within cities.

Otherwise, humanity would have suffered even more catastrophic losses under the onslaught of beasts, and the current situation of relying on cities as the primary defense against beasts would be difficult to maintain.

Beast Ranks are classified as: Ferocious Beast, Spirit Beast, and King Beast.

As the third stage of beasts, King Beasts generally lead a pack. Within a King Beast's territory, it means there will be a higher concentration of Spirit Beasts of the same species gathered together.

Therefore, one must avoid King Beast territories when traveling.

Twenty miles south of Qingyang City, there is a King Beast Species named the Falling Feather Roc King. It has a murderous nature and should never be provoked lightly.

Fifteen miles to the west is the King Beast Chi Yan Fire Lion. Fifteen and thirty miles to the east are the King Beasts Sun Reflection King Lotus and the Jade Moon Azure Carp, respectively.

To the north, three King-level secret realms lie across the landscape, and the King Beasts within could emerge to wreak havoc on the human world at any time.

Luo Chen frowned unintentionally. Qingyang City was essentially surrounded by beasts. One should know that on the surface, the strongest people in Qingyang City were only three King-level Beast Masters.

With so many King Beasts eyeing the area just near Qingyang City, what about the further wilderness? There would likely be even more King Beasts.

Luo Chen finally began to understand why the people of this world stayed within their cities; the outside world was truly much more dangerous than he had imagined.

Perhaps one also had to constantly worry about whether these beasts would launch a coordinated siege on the city. Such things had apparently happened to other cities before.

Because a child of a wealthy family had somehow obtained a King Beast cub from a secret realm, and who knew that the cub was the offspring of the uncrowned king of that entire realm.

As a result, all the beasts in the secret realm swarmed out, launching a frenzied retaliation against the city.

Although they didn't actually breach the city in the end, the city had to pay a very heavy price. In the national city rankings, that city's Rank once dropped significantly.

After briefly reviewing this information, Luo Chen felt a sense of urgency for some reason. He suspected that the secret realm where the Luo Yuheng couple was trapped was at least a King-level secret realm.

He needed to improve his strength as quickly as possible to investigate the secret realm. However, he believed that the Luo Yuheng couple would not die easily in that Han Hai Secret Realm.

Because Luo Yuheng was, after all, close to advancing to a King-level Beast Master, and being a Breeder himself, he could check the information of beasts within the secret realm in advance.

This could effectively help them avoid encountering beasts they couldn't handle. He now believed more strongly that they were likely just being blocked by high-level beasts and were temporarily unable to escape.

Though his reason told him this, his emotional worry could not be faked. Luo Chen gave a soft sigh.

He put down the terminal in his hand, fed the little ones again, and checked their status.

After eating a simple meal himself, he went to rest early. Tomorrow he would participate in the Apprentice Breeder assessment, so getting enough rest was very important.

The night passed peacefully. The next day, Luo Chen got up early to get ready. He first let the three Fragrant Rabbits soak in the Transformation Pool.

To his surprise, he found their realms had all reached Three-Star Ferocious Beast. Satisfied, he set off for the Breeder Center to take the assessment.

The Breeder Center was located in the heart of Qingyang City, not very far from Chenyang Pet Store—only about two or three streets away.

It was still early, so Luo Chen strolled there with Xiao Maoqiu. When they arrived at their destination, they found a long queue already forming at the entrance of the Breeder Center.

Judging by the length of the line, there must have been several hundred people. Those waiting were a diverse group of all ages.

From twelve-year-old children to elderly men who looked to be in their sixties or seventies, it was truly an eye-opening sight for Luo Chen.

On the contrary, there weren't many people in Luo Chen's age group taking the assessment. Luo Chen conscientiously stood at the back of the line, quietly waiting for the Breeder Assessment Center to open.

"Brother, how many times have you come for the assessment?"

Just as Luo Chen stood still, a chubby young man next to him, decked out in gold and silver, spoke to him with familiar ease.

"First time," Luo Chen answered honestly.

The chubby guy looked like he understood. "No wonder. I was thinking your face looked unfamiliar."

From his tone, he seemed like a regular here.

Luo Chen couldn't help but ask, "How many times for you?"

Hearing the question, the chubby guy wasn't embarrassed at all. Instead, he said openly, "Sixth time. This Breeder assessment is just too hard."

Too hard? Luo Chen was a bit puzzled. From the information he had found online, it seemed that as long as one had awakened the 'Eye of Truth' talent, there shouldn't be any difficulty.

How come this chubby guy hadn't passed after six attempts? And what was the deal with that elderly man?

Luo Chen was now a bit lost, wondering if he should believe the information about the assessment he had found online.

At the same time, a trace of nervousness rose in his heart. He absolutely had to pass this assessment; otherwise, his entire plan would be disrupted, which he could not allow.

Seeming to notice Luo Chen's sudden nervousness, the chubby guy comforted him with the tone of someone who had been through it all:

"It's only your first time; it's no big deal if you don't pass. Just consider it gaining experience. See that white-haired old man over there?"

The chubby guy surreptitiously pointed toward the oldest man there. Luo Chen nodded to the chubby guy, indicating he saw him.

"I've heard others say he's been taking the exam for most of his life and still hasn't passed, so don't put too much pressure on yourself."

Luo Chen's mouth twitched. Great, now his pressure was even higher.

He looked suspiciously at the chubby guy next to him. Was this guy trying to demoralize his competition in advance?