95: The status of trainers

Inside Lingnan Academy, a surging crowd swarmed beneath the teaching buildings, excitedly heading towards the same place.

Upstairs, in a certain classroom, a beautiful woman stood by the window, her gaze complex as she looked down upon the hurried crowd. Behind her, a youth watched her.

What do you think is the fundamental reason for humanity's survival in this world overrun by Yao Beasts?

This question somewhat stumped Xie Ning.

Instinctively, he wanted to say it was because Demon Tamers fought for humanity, but he felt Yan Ruyu's question wouldn't be that simple.

"Is it because of Breeders?"

Yan Ruyu nodded slightly.

"During the dark century after the resurgence of Spiritual Qi, Ancient Martial Artists created a sliver of hope for Hua Country, sparing us from being swallowed by Yao Beasts like other nations, until Demon Tamers appeared and ancient martial arts withdrew from the stage of history.

In the following century, Demon Tamers developed rapidly, repelling the Yao Beasts, allowing us to establish our own defensive lines and enabling people to live safely within them. But powerful people, their ambitions swell!" Yan Ruyu said this, her hands clenching hard, leaving fingerprints on the window frame which creaked and groaned.

Xie Ning paid no mind to this detail; he was listening intently to Yan Ruyu's words.

"Demon Tamers, inflated by desire, forgot the contributions Breeders made to the evolution of their Demonic Beasts. They looked down upon Breeders who lacked physical strength. Evolution could be coerced or bought with incentives; few paid, and those who did paid little," Yan Ruyu recalled that history, her tone melancholic. "At that time, there were even instances of Breeders starving to death. Many Genius Breeders died within the safe human defensive lines before they could contribute to the cause of Demon Taming."

Images Xie Ning had once seen online about famines surfaced in his mind: emaciated people, withered skin, sunken eye sockets... He only felt a chill run through his body, shivering as he asked, "...What happened later?"

"Later?" Yan Ruyu narrowed her eyes. "Retribution... came."

"You must understand, when you stop striving for progress, you've already lost. Because the environment around you is growing stronger, while you remain stagnant. Those inflated desires blocked the path for Demon Tamers to become stronger, but they didn't know that the wild Yao Beasts were growing more powerful through mutual predation!"

"Disaster ultimately arrived. In the 188th year of the Demon Taming Calendar, humanity's strongest were only at the Gold Rank, while the Yao Beasts evolved their first Platinum Rank Monarch. It led the Yao Beasts in a counterattack against Hua Country's defensive lines. Humanity was in grave danger..."

"That was a catastrophe. Humanity paid a painful price for its arrogance. Five cities were destroyed, nearly ten million humans became food for the Yao Beasts. Only then did humanity suddenly awaken to its folly. Powerful Demon Tamers, fearless of death, used their lives to slow the Yao Beasts' advance. Meanwhile, they urgently requested Breeders to accelerate research on new evolution plans."

"Fortunately, even in that era where Breeders were not respected, some Demon Tamers, driven by their passion for evolution, endured hunger and hardship, tightening their belts, and researched the first Monarch-rank evolution plan. For the first time, they evolved a creature from Hua Country's legends—the Dragon."

Boom!

Xie Ning's heart shook, feeling his whole body surge with excitement.

Yan Ruyu glanced at Xie Ning's state and nodded slightly, continuing, "That battle lasted a long time. The sky cracked, the earth split, mountains were flattened, and rivers ran dry. In the end, Hua Country's strongest fought the Yao Beast Monarch to a draw. They signed a peace treaty, allowing Hua Country's humans to survive. From then on, people no longer dared to disrespect Breeders."

Xie Ning finally understood why Breeders could apply for guardians. It wasn't about being prepared for danger in times of peace, but about learning from bitter experience.

The treatment of Breeders reminded Xie Ning of scientists from the pre-Demon Taming era, who dedicated themselves to research and contributed to humanity. Yet, if they lived in a slightly better house, people would gossip. In contrast, singers, dancers, and actors made fortunes, and no one said they shouldn't.

Breeders are no less than the scientists of the Demon Taming era.

Thinking this, Xie Ning couldn't help but sigh inwardly: Now, in the 601st year of the Demon Taming Calendar, Breeders have gained sufficient respect. Yet even so, evolving a single Lord Rank Demonic Beast is only worth about what some people earned per episode for a TV drama back then.

Xie Ning looked at Yan Ruyu and asked again, "So, Teacher, you told me not to provide free evolutions unless absolutely necessary, to maintain the respect Breeders deserve?"

The latter first nodded, then shook her head. Under his puzzled gaze, she slowly said:

"You're partially correct. Not providing free evolutions isn't just about purely maintaining the status of Breeders. It's also to encourage Breeders to continue their research. Every powerful evolution plan isn't obtained easily. Only with sufficient prestige and monetary rewards can all Breeders remain motivated forever. After all, Breeders aren't Saints either, right..."

"You must always remember that humanity's stability doesn't lie in the abilities of Demon Tamers, but in the strength of Breeders. A race can only endure if it sufficiently respects those among them who silently contribute the most behind the scenes."

Xie Ning's expression turned serious. He stood up and solemnly bowed to Yan Ruyu. "Thank you, Teacher."

He finally knew where his problem lay.

Because his evolution plans came too easily, his knowledge of Demon Taming came too effortlessly, so he had forgotten that being a Breeder is a profession requiring sweat, labor, countless attempts, adjustments, and dedicated study to achieve.

Xie Ning had also read some history of the Demon Taming Era. He never understood before why those seemingly powerful nations were torn to shreds by the claws and fangs of Yao Beasts. Now he knew.

"Hmm, you should go and take a look too. See how others breed. Don't work behind closed doors."

"Yes." After speaking, Xie Ning packed his things and followed the crowd heading downstairs.

Yan Ruyu watched Xie Ning's departing back, frowning slightly.

She couldn't bear to see a promising seedling wasted in her class, yet she feared that if she invested her heart, she might nurture more trouble... Until Xie Ning's figure disappeared around the corner, she let out a soft sigh and left the classroom.

Let nature take its course... The Breeder's public evolution class had requisitioned the challenge arena's venue.

On a vast challenge platform, over fifty students stood under the guidance of an instructor.

The area around the challenge platform was already packed to the brim with swarming students. Looking out from the platform across the crowd, the sea of bobbing heads below spread like ripples on a river's surface, extending all the way to the corner. Even several nearby buildings were crammed with these students.

Mo Yu looked at the dense crowd and couldn't help but click her tongue. "My goodness, so many people..."

"Naturally. Many students at the Monster Taming Academy are very much looking forward to our public class." A slightly androgynous, magnetic voice sounded. Then a middle-aged woman with short brown hair and simple, neat attire walked over, looking at her warmly.

Mo Yu giggled and called out, "Teacher~"