69: Chapter 69 Li Haotian's Gift

The next morning.

"So, you won't be coming to the office for a while?" Director Li Haotian's voice came through the phone.

Lin Chen nodded. "That's right, Uncle Li."

Director Li Haotian fell silent.

Early in the morning, Lin Chen told Director Li Haotian that he had become a Primary Beastmaster and joined the Special Defense Bureau—or, more accurately, the Rift Investigation Department—and relayed Senior Agent Zeng Chuan's suggestion: since he was now confirmed to join the Rift Investigation Department, his work as a temporary assistant could be put on hold.

For the time being, Lin Chen only needed to focus on training and studying at home. As for the finishing touches of his internship and the related paperwork, Senior Agent Zeng Chuan would send someone to coordinate directly with Director Li Haotian.

"Good lad, you've really done it!" Director Li Haotian's voice was loud and full of pride. "Let's find a place tonight to get together and celebrate you becoming a Primary Beastmaster."

After a brief pause, his voice was filled with emotion. "Old Lin really has a good son."

After hanging up, Lin Chen held his phone, his gaze fixed on the lush greenery in the residential complex, lost in thought.

The monthly special training fund of 50,000 yuan had already arrived and was sitting quietly in his account.

Added to the sparring fees paid by Zhou Ming and various miscellaneous subsidies, his personal account balance had reached a staggering figure: 90,000 yuan.

Ninety thousand.

For him just a short while ago, this was an unimaginable fortune.

This meant he no longer had to worry about the energy cube and energy liquid needed for the daily training of his Flame Claw Beast and Songsong Dog; he could even plan to purchase some higher-quality products with better results.

Moreover, he wouldn't have to hesitate when buying skewers anymore; he wouldn't have to watch his Flame Claw Beast happily eat skewers while he filled his own stomach with water on the side.

Of course, if he wanted to purchase the rare cultivation resources that could truly significantly enhance a pet beast's potential and promote evolution and growth, this 90,000 yuan was still far from enough.

"Become an Intermediate Beastmaster within six months..."

Lin Chen whispered the assessment goal from the agreement.

This agreement was less of a simple training contract and more of a two-way gamble.

Senior Agent Zeng Chuan was betting that his growth rate was worth the investment of early resources for observation and training. Once he completed the assessment goals and became a full-fledged agent, the cultivation resources invested would increase several-fold.

"A startup department is certainly wealthy," Lin Chen couldn't help but exclaim.

As a newly established department, the Rift Investigation Department lacked everything except money.

Just as his thoughts were drifting, a text message popped up on his phone.

Sender: Qiming Beast-Taming Academy.

Lin Chen's gaze sharpened, and he opened it immediately.

The content of the text was concise and formal:

[Qiming Beast-Taming Academy Freshman Notification]

Dear student Lin Chen:

Congratulations on becoming a member of Qiming Beast-Taming Academy! The academy is scheduled to open for freshman registration on August 25th. All freshmen must complete their enrollment registration and accommodation arrangements before this date.

Important Note: This year's freshman entrance Freshman Grand Competition will officially kick off on August 29th. The results of the competition are of vital importance; please prepare in advance and adjust your state of mind.

For detailed schedules and competition rules, please follow subsequent announcements on the academy's official website.

Looking forward to seeing you in Qiming City!

"Registration on August 25th, Freshman Grand Competition on the 29th."

Lin Chen silently recited the key dates, his eyes flickering.

Today was already August 18th, and there was about a week left until the registration date.

That meant that in one week, he would be leaving Qinglan City, where he had grown up, to head to an unfamiliar city—Qiming City.

Evening, the lights were coming on.

In a quiet private room of a mid-to-high-end restaurant in Heyang District, known for its environment and cuisine.

Lin Chen's family of three, along with the father-son duo Director Li Haotian and Li Heng, sat around a round table.

Several exquisite appetizers and cold dishes were already on the table, and the tempting aroma of food wafted through the air.

As soon as Li Heng saw Lin Chen, he rushed over noisily, threw an arm around Lin Chen's shoulder, looked him up and down with an exaggerated expression, and said in a complicated tone, "Brother Chen, my dad says you're a Primary Beastmaster now?"

Lin Chen nodded. "Yeah, I just got certified the day before yesterday."

"Holy crap!"

Li Heng let out a weird cry, let go, took a half-step back, and made an expression of deep sorrow: "There's a traitor among us!"

"Everyone else is still struggling in the apprentice stage, and you've quietly become a Primary Beastmaster just like that?"

"Isn't that betraying the revolution!!!"

Lin Chen responded with a smile. "Actually, I cheated."

"Pfft." Li Heng turned his head away.

After some joking around, the atmosphere quickly warmed up.

Everyone took their seats and chatted while eating.

The conversation naturally revolved around Lin Chen's upcoming trip to Qiming Beast-Taming Academy and his joining the Special Defense Bureau.

Director Li Haotian, as an elder and someone with experience, gave many words of advice, while Lin Jianjun and Liu Hui were more concerned about their son's upcoming life on his own.

After a few rounds of drinks and food, the atmosphere became even more lively.

Director Li Haotian wiped his mouth, took a beautifully wrapped square gift box from his bag, and handed it to Lin Chen:

"Uncle Li said I'd give you a gift once you became a Primary Beastmaster."

He paused, his expression becoming complicated. "I just didn't expect this day to come so soon."

So fast that it caught him completely off guard.

Lin Chen quickly stood up and took the gift box with both hands. "Uncle Li, you're too kind. I owe a lot to your care and guidance during this time."

"We're family, no need for such formalities." Director Li Haotian waved his hand, signaling him to sit down. "Open it and see if you like it."

Lin Chen nodded and unwrapped the gift box under the curious gazes of everyone.

Inside the box, resting quietly on a black velvet cushion, was a bracelet.

The general style of this bracelet was similar to the one on Zhang Zhi's wrist, but it looked more refined and had a few extra buttons with unknown functions.

"Is this an energy detection bracelet?" Lin Chen's eyes lit up as he recognized the item.

"Yes, the latest Falcon-III model. It has good accuracy and stability, and a long battery life—it can last a month on a full charge." Director Li Haotian introduced it with a smile, a hint of pride in his eyes. "You're a Primary Beastmaster now; you'll be able to use it often."

"Thank you, Uncle Li!" Lin Chen thanked him sincerely.

Ever since he learned about the existence of energy detection bracelets, he had coveted one for a long time, but due to the high price, he had held off on buying one.

"As long as you like it, try it out and see how it works." Director Li Haotian smiled.

Lin Chen nodded slightly and put the bracelet on his right wrist.

The metal clasp clicked shut with a "click." The touch was cold, but it quickly adapted to his body temperature.

Following the instructions, he pressed the button on the side of the dial with his finger.

"Beep."

Accompanied by a slight electronic beep, the LCD screen lit up instantly, switching from the standby clock interface to a simple UI. In the center was a circular crosshair pattern, with simple operation prompts below.

Lin Chen raised his wrist and aimed the bracelet at his Flame Claw Beast, which was happily gnawing on a special pet beast meat bone.

He pressed the confirm button on the dial.

The data on the bracelet's screen jumped rapidly, and then a standard synthesized electronic voice echoed in the quiet private room:

"Pet Beast Name: Flame Claw Beast."

"Attribute: Fire."

"Race Rank: Mid-level Extraordinary."

"Strength Rank: Second Order, Fourth Stage."

Hearing the sound from the bracelet, Director Li Haotian smiled. "How is it? The results are pretty good, right?"

Just as the words left his mouth, Director Li Haotian belatedly realized something was wrong. He suddenly looked up at the Flame Claw Beast, his gaze freezing in that moment:

"Second Order, Fourth Stage?"

(Academy Arc Begins)