30: Chapter 30 Trainee Instructor, Bai Muxue

The next day, at the Chang City Breeder Association.

"Now, I will announce the list of those who passed the first round of the competition."

"Bai Muxue, Yang Jian, Xu Xiaohan, Su Ming, Lin Fan, Ye Yu..."

After reading names for about a minute like he was reciting a menu, the examiner finally looked up, shifting his gaze from the list to the hundreds of candidates below.

"The thirty people whose names were called, follow me to participate in the final nutrient solution refining. Those who succeed will pass the assessment."

Nutrient solution refining, huh...

Bai Muxue felt a bit nervous inside. She mostly possessed theoretical knowledge, and this was her first time attempting the practical work.

The second round of the assessment tests for Junior Breeder-level nutrient solution. Passing it allows one to become an Apprentice Breeder, but what if you want to learn more recipes?

Then join the Federation's Breeder Association. The Federation is selfless; as long as it doesn't involve top-tier spirit beast evolution recipes like dragons or phoenixes, joining the Federation Breeder Association—provided your breeding level is high enough—allows you to learn the rest.

You can learn all other spirit beast evolution recipes, such as those for Flood Dragons or Earth Dragons—recipes strong enough to dominate in some small or even medium-sized cities.

Of course, there is another possibility: if you have a good teacher, you can skip all the previous steps entirely.

The second round of the exam was much stricter than the first. Each person had an individual assessment room, and the invigilator present was, at the very least, a Junior Breeder.

Once you successfully pass the Breeder Association assessment, you become an Apprentice Breeder. At this stage, Breeders are only permitted to produce and sell nutrient solutions.

You are not allowed to accept orders for evolution liquid in any form. If you do so and it causes an accident for someone else's tamed beast, besides paying sky-high compensation, your hands will be severed for five years, and you will be prohibited from undergoing arm reconnection or reconstruction at a spirit beast hospital during that five-year period.

"This is the recipe for Junior Breeder-level nutrient solution. It only lists the types of spiritual herbs; you must determine the quantities and how to blend them yourself."

"The exam duration is fifteen minutes. Taking the recipe marks the start of the exam."

Without hesitation, Bai Muxue immediately picked up the recipe from the table.

Spirit Flower, Water Treasure Grass, Red Fruit, and water.

The recipe for Junior Breeder-level nutrient solution was very simple, consisting of only three spiritual items plus water.

With just a glance, the correct proportions appeared in Bai Muxue's mind. She immediately took half a Spirit Flower, one stalk of Water Treasure Grass, and two Red Fruits from the shelf nearby, then returned to the workstation to ignite the burner.

At the same time, she drew five hundred milliliters of water and poured it into the refining pot.

When the invigilator nearby saw Bai Muxue's decisive actions and noted that the materials she had selected were all the 'correct answers,' his eyes widened uncontrollably.

"So fast? She knew the answer after just a glance?"

The examiner silently looked down at the timer in his hand; hm, only one minute had passed.

When he looked up, he could already smell a faint, sweet fragrance. As an examiner, he knew very clearly which step she had reached.

Refining the Red Fruit and blending it with the Spirit Flower; this step needed to continue for five minutes, and then...

"This girl has such a clear train of thought. A Junior Breeder-level nutrient solution usually takes about ten minutes, with the extra five minutes allotted for candidates to think while gathering their ingredients. Yet, she has already reached this step... Which high school is this top student from?"

Indeed, the examiner was already wondering which high school Bai Muxue was a top student at; otherwise, it would be difficult for a normal person to possess such decisive execution and clear analytical ability.

However, he could not rule out the possibility that she had a teacher and had already practiced making Junior Breeder-level nutrient solution under guidance.

Time passed bit by bit. Ten minutes later, one hundred milliliters of pale green liquid were carefully poured by Bai Muxue into a test tube using a special funnel.

"My assessment is finished."

Plugging the test tube with a wooden stopper, Bai Muxue calmly turned to look at the examiner.

The examiner said nothing, only giving Bai Muxue a slightly complicated look before stepping forward to pick up the test tube and examine it.

The color was normal, the scent produced during refining was correct, and there were no flaws in the refining or filling steps.

This girl… she must have been trained by a teacher, right? Otherwise, how could she be so proficient?

However, this thought only flashed through his mind; the examiner's only concern was whether she could pass the test.

"Bai Muxue, your assessment is concluded. This is your Apprentice Breeder certificate. From now on, you can refine and sell Junior and Intermediate-level nutrient solutions in any city within the Federation, in your capacity as a Federation Apprentice Breeder."

"This is the recipe for an Intermediate-level nutrient solution, as a reward for passing the assessment. As for the remaining rules of the Breeder Association, they will be sent to you later via our association's dedicated app; remember to scan the code to download it."

"Furthermore, Apprentice Breeders can enjoy a five percent discount when purchasing spiritual items from shops owned by Federation-certified spiritual item companies."

As he spoke, the examiner pointed to the bottom right corner of the certificate, where there was a QR code. The front of the certificate was printed with the words 'Apprentice Breeder.'

Bai Muxue, having accepted the certificate, understood that the document itself wasn't actually important. What mattered was downloading the application and completing real-name verification on it; only then would she truly become an Apprentice Breeder.

The certificate existed simply to make it more convenient for Breeders to verify their status when necessary.

Hmm, she even had to paste the photo on the certificate herself.

"I will now take you back from the assessment floor."

"Thank you."

After offering a polite word of thanks, Bai Muxue followed the examiner back to the first floor of the Breeder Association, where the examiner left her.

Stepping out of the Breeder Association, Bai Muxue let out a breath.

"Apprentice Breeder… it's still not enough. I must become a Junior Breeder before the final exam, otherwise, it would be too embarrassing for my teacher…"

Thinking of this, the corners of Bai Muxue's mouth lifted for a moment. "Now, I should have a source of income, which can also help relieve some pressure on Mom."

"Hmm~ Time to go home and share this good news with Qin Ding and Mom."

At Qin Ding's home.

Looking at the twilight sky, Qin Ding stared in great distress at Da Hei, who looked aggrieved, as if it were enduring something.

"Earth Dog… are you actually hungry, or are you just craving food? Tell me the truth."

"Awoo…"

[Boss, I'm really hungry. That pork doesn't keep me full at all; I get hungry again immediately…]

Upon hearing this, Qin Ding seemed to understand something.

Although the farmed pigs were also spirit beasts, they were a breed specifically cultivated by humans. Their levels were fixed at Level 1, a trade-off for producing more meat and being easier to raise.

"Is it because the meat pigs' spiritual power level is too low that Earth Dog gets hungry so easily?"

Just then, Qin Ding's phone suddenly rang. It was an unknown number.

[Mr. Qin, your custom weapon has been completed ahead of schedule. Please let us know when you would like to come and pick it up.]

The custom weapon was ready? Didn't they say it would take a month? It had only been about ten days, right?

But immediately afterward, looking at the hungry Da Hei and considering the call about the completed weapon, an immature idea suddenly popped into Qin Ding's mind.