97: Chapter 97 Lin Chen, Become My Student

Chapter 97: Lin Chen, Become My Student

The red sun broke free from the horizon's shackles, casting its bright light onto the wilderness that had endured a night of clamor, and illuminating the market near the gathering point.

In front of a steaming breakfast stall, Lin Chen and his group sat around a wooden table with their breakfast laid out before them, eating with great relish amidst the cool air of the early wilderness morning.

Once the meal was finished, it was time to part ways.

Beifeng Academy, where Li Heng and Xiaoya belonged, was in a different direction from Qiming Academy, so they needed to head to another transportation hub to board a specialized aerial mount.

"Brother Chen, Sister Su, Xiaoxiao, we'll be heading off then." Li Heng stood up, a satisfied smile on his face. "This time was truly thrilling! Don't forget to call me next time there's such a good opportunity."

Zhou Ming remained expressionless.

Xiaoya also stood up and bowed politely to everyone: "Thank you all; I really troubled you with taking care of me last night."

Li Heng added, "Brother Chen, let's get together next weekend. You must come this time."

Lin Chen glanced at Xiaoya, who was standing close to him, and teased, "You should focus on accompanying the person by your side first; we can get together anytime."

Upon hearing this, Li Heng chuckled, reached out, and gently put his arm around Xiaoya's shoulder, tacitly agreeing.

Xiaoya's face turned red instantly, and she quickly lowered her head.

Zhou Ming stared at the two of them intently, his expression gradually becoming serious: "Li Heng, don't slack off in your daily training. I've already found a way to deal with the Stone Armor Lizard; just wait and see how I defeat you next time."

Upon hearing this, Li Heng raised an eyebrow, then lifted his chin to meet Zhou Ming's gaze, a curve forming at the corner of his mouth: "Rest assured, you will always be the one I've defeated; you were in the past, you are now, and you will be in the future!"

"You!!!"

Hearing this, Zhou Ming's face flushed red, and he immediately shouted, "Li Heng, let's battle right now!"

After some playful bickering, Li Heng and Xiaoya left, and the four of them—Lin Chen and his group—boarded the pre-booked Cloud-Winged Giant Roc.

The giant roc spread its wings, gliding over the awakening wilderness and cities below, flying toward the academy.

When they returned to Qiming Academy, it was nearly noon.

The sun was shining brightly, and the academy was filled with students rushing to the cafeteria or back to their dormitories after class.

After an entire night of high-intensity exploration and battle, even the energetic Beast Tamers couldn't help but feel deeply exhausted at this moment.

Everyone parted ways at the school gate, returning to their respective dorms to get some sleep and recover their energy.

Lin Chen, whose physical fitness was no longer what it once was, only felt a slight mental drain, while his body remained full of energy, with no hint of sleepiness.

He didn't return to the dormitory but instead headed straight for the South District training ground.

There weren't many people at the training ground at noon. Lin Chen found a relatively secluded corner and focused his thoughts.

A flash of summoning light flickered, and the elegant figure of the Radiant Moon Spirit Cat appeared before him: "Meow~"

Lin Chen focused his thoughts and silently recited in his heart: "Use the skill learning devices for Cat Punch and Cats Eye on Gatomon."

The next moment, a massive amount of information regarding the two skills flooded into the Radiant Moon Spirit Cat's mind.

The Radiant Moon Spirit Cat didn't move. Having learned [Puppy Roar], it already knew that Lin Chen was the most, most, most incredible Beast Tamer in this world.

In an instant, countless key points regarding force application, energy circulation, and practical combat applications became clearly presented in the Radiant Moon Spirit Cat's consciousness, as if it had been enlightened.

The Radiant Moon Spirit Cat closed its eyes slightly, its triangular ears twitching.

A moment later, it opened its eyes again: "Meow~"

In just a moment, it had initially mastered these two skills.

"Let's try Cat Punch first," Lin Chen said.

The Radiant Moon Spirit Cat nodded, took a few light steps forward, and stood still in front of the energy target.

It didn't attack immediately, but instead slightly adjusted its breathing and posture, as if digesting the newly acquired techniques in its mind.

The next moment, its seemingly slender forelimbs suddenly blurred!

Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish!

In an instant, the Radiant Moon Spirit Cat unleashed four claw shadows as fast as lightning, with trajectories difficult to discern!

Each claw shadow was not merely a physical attack; the tips of the claws were faintly covered in a layer of condensed Normal-type energy. The claw shadows struck the heavy target almost simultaneously!

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

The target emitted a continuous series of dull thuds and shook violently.

Lin Chen nodded thoughtfully: "Hmm, a Mid-level skill."

As for the other skill, Cats Eye, the effect was different. The effect of Cats Eye was to intimidate opponents with a gaze as sharp as a knife, with a probability of causing affected enemies to fall into confusion or even attack each other. It was a very practical and powerful crowd control and interference skill.

Watching the Radiant Moon Spirit Cat demonstrate the two new skills, Lin Chen nodded with satisfaction.

In this way, the Radiant Moon Spirit Cat's skill system could be considered initially complete.

It had Cat Punch and Light Blade Slash for melee, Bewitching Whisper and Cats Eye for crowd control, and Phantom Charge for dashing, which was enough to handle most complex combat environments.

Moreover, the positioning of the Radiant Moon Spirit Cat and the Flame-Spine Tyrannosaur was different.

The Flame-Spine Tyrannosaur was positioned as a heavy-armored, heavy-attack unit for frontal charges.

The lithe Radiant Moon Spirit Cat was better suited for a high-speed, agile, guerrilla-raid positioning, using skills to constantly kite opponents and gradually gain an advantage in battle.

With different positioning, the two couldn't be specifically compared.

But if the two were at the same strength level, and there were no other external factors interfering, the Flame-Spine Tyrannosaur would find the agile Radiant Moon Spirit Cat to be a major headache.

"The next step is to continue improving Nuomi's strength level and enriching its practical combat experience, so it can possess the ability to stand on its own as soon as possible."

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but ponder the two leagues that Captain Ye Xuan had mentioned.

In the subsequent exchanges after that day with the School Team, Captain Ye Xuan indicated that the rules did not prohibit participating in both competitions simultaneously, nor was there any explicit regulation stating that a Beast Tamer must personally appear on the field.

However, the schedules of the two events partially overlapped. Even if he became an Intermediate Beastmaster before the competition, he would still have to selectively give up one of them.

But Lin Chen didn't want to give up the system's generous rewards, so a bold idea formed in his mind:

Let the Radiant Moon Spirit Cat represent him in the early stages of the Freshman Exchange Tournament, while he would take the Flame-Spine Tyrannosaur to go all out in the University League.

This way, he could participate in both competitions simultaneously and maximize the system task rewards.

Once the schedules of the two leagues diverged, he would then personally participate in the Freshman Tournament.

The key to this plan was that the Radiant Moon Spirit Cat must possess sufficiently powerful strength as soon as possible, enough to go far in the Freshman Tournament, or even break into the finals on its own.

"The road is still long—"

Lin Chen took a deep breath, his gaze becoming even more determined.

"Let's continue to work hard, Nuomi."

"Meow!"

After spending over an hour in the training ground bonding with the Radiant Moon Spirit Cat over the new skills and conducting some basic training, Lin Chen returned to his dormitory.

After returning to the dormitory, he took out his phone and logged into the personal service interface of the Beast Tamer Association's official website.

In the "My Applications" column, he found the business application regarding "Information Confirmation and Collection of the Flame Claw Beast's New Evolutionary Form."

The status still displayed as "Accepted, awaiting on-site verification (Estimated queue time: 2—4 weeks)."

The degree of the association's busyness was evident, especially when it involved important matters that required the coordination of multiple experts and rigorous process verification; it was normal for it to be a bit slow.

Lin Chen skillfully opened a new application page and began filling out the information confirmation application regarding the Radiant Moon Spirit Cat.

A moment later, the application status changed to "Submitted, awaiting preliminary review."

After finishing this, Lin Chen leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes to rest.

Time passed gradually.

Inside a laboratory in the Research Department of Qiming Academy.

Several precision instruments were humming lowly, and complex data streams were flowing across the screens.

Students wearing white lab coats were carefully conducting an experiment under the guidance of an old professor with graying hair.

Professor Li Jingming walked with his hands behind his back between the lab benches, his stern gaze sweeping over the operations of every student: "How many times have I said it? Your movements must be slow, you must be careful, you must..."

Watching this group of flustered students, Professor Li sighed heavily, then shook his head and muttered to the air: "Sigh—you all really are the worst batch I have ever taught."

Upon hearing this, the students all became as silent as cicadas in winter, lowering their heads and acting submissively, operating with even greater caution.

Professor Li walked to the window, watching the bright sunshine outside and the vibrant scene within the academy, feeling inexplicably annoyed.

If he hadn't seen a truly supreme genius, he might have been much more tolerant of these students with decent aptitude.

But... sigh.

With such research talent, instead of becoming a researcher and making a name for oneself, he insists on staying in the Combat Department to become a crude Beast Tamer.

Suddenly, a shrill phone ringing interrupted the oppressive atmosphere in the laboratory.

Professor Li frowned, walked over to pick up his phone, and glanced at the caller ID—it was one of his proudest students from many years ago, who now held a senior management position in the Research Department of the Qiming City Beast Tamer Association.

Professor Li walked to the corridor outside the laboratory and answered the call.

"Hello, Little Chen? What made you think of calling me?" Professor Li's tone softened slightly.

From the other end of the line came a respectful male voice: "Teacher, did I disturb you?"

"No."

"That's good. Teacher, has our academy recently produced a research genius?"

Hearing this, Li Jingming instinctively glanced at the clumsy students in the laboratory and replied grumpily: "Where would there be a genius? They're all just a bunch of idiots."

"Ah, they're far worse than you were back then."

The student sounded puzzled: "But my end shows that a junior has applied for confirmation of information on a brand new pet beast form. The data shows this junior is only 18 years old, likely a freshman."

Hearing this, Li Jingming suddenly realized, but then sighed deeply: "Oh, so you're talking about Lin Chen."

"He is indeed an out-and-out research genius. He discovered the brand-new evolutionary form of the Flame Claw Beast all by himself, but it's a pity..."

Speaking of this, Li Jingming sighed heavily, his voice low: "It's a pity he's in the Combat Department and didn't join our Research Department."

However, the student on the other end of the phone became even more confused. He interrupted Li Jingming: "Wait, Teacher—you said Lin Chen is in the Combat Department? I know about the Flame Claw Beast evolutionary form; it's mentioned in the application. But—"

The student's voice paused, seemingly re-confirming the information on the screen, and then he asked tentatively in a tone full of uncertainty: "Teacher, the application I see here—it's not just the Flame Claw Beast."

"This student, Lin Chen, submitted an application for confirmation of a brand-new evolutionary form for the Songsong Dog half an hour ago."

"What??!!"

Half an hour later, Lin Chen arrived at the laboratory.

The indoor lighting was bright and soft, and outside the floor-to-ceiling windows was the lush scenery of the academy, forming a sharp contrast with the cold, hard metal instruments and the experiment tables piled high with data inside.

Just as he walked in and was about to ask Professor Li the specific reason for summoning him, he saw Li Jingming turn around.

Professor Li's graying hair seemed even messier than the last time they met, and his eyes, hidden behind his frames, were startlingly bright. He couldn't wait to speak: "You're here, quick! Quickly summon that pet beast of yours called the Radiant Moon Spirit Cat and let me see it!"

He didn't even wait for Lin Chen to answer, and immediately explained at a very fast pace: "It's like this, the Association staff member responsible for reviewing pet beast new form information happens to be a student I taught before."

"After he saw the application you submitted, he immediately contacted me to ask about the situation and asked me to directly carry out the information confirmation work."

Lin Chen realized upon hearing this: "So that's how it is. Sorry for the trouble, Professor Li."

The summoning light appeared, and the elegant figure of the Radiant Moon Spirit Cat slowly solidified.

"This is the Radiant Moon Spirit Cat—"

Li Jingming almost trotted up to the Radiant Moon Spirit Cat, but kept a certain safe distance.

He bent down, his gaze like the most precise scanner, carefully observing the Radiant Moon Spirit Cat in front of him from head to toe.

While observing, he asked Lin Chen: "Student Lin Chen, what are its attributes?"

"Is it convenient to disclose its skills?"

"Is there a big change in personality after evolution compared to before?"

Questions were thrown out like a barrage of cannon fire, but Lin Chen was well prepared and answered them one by one.

Professor Li listened extremely carefully, nodding from time to time, his fingers quickly recording on the small notebook he carried, the light in his eyes growing brighter and brighter.

This observation and inquiry lasted for nearly an hour.

Professor Li seemed untiring, circling around the Radiant Moon Spirit Cat again and again, observing carefully from every angle.

Finally, Professor Li collected enough data.

He slowly straightened up, let out a long breath, and turned his gaze to Lin Chen, who had been patiently cooperating.

"Student Lin Chen." Professor Li's voice was a bit dry. He shook his head, his tone revealing an almost dreamlike disbelief: "You have truly given me a huge surprise."

He paused, looked at Lin Chen's calm young face, and added with a smile: "And it's only been a little over a week since the last surprise—"

Lin Chen replied politely: "You flatter me, I just have better luck."

He also felt that researching two evolutionary forms in such a short time was quite outrageous, and as a porter for the system, his knowledge accumulation in this area was very shallow. Facing many of Professor Li's professional questions, he could only be vague and try his best not to speak.

As long as he spoke less, he wouldn't be caught with too many loopholes.

Professor Li looked at the polite and humble Lin Chen, his eyes filled with deeper emotion.

Although he spoke less, this was the best evidence of being down-to-earth and working hard.

Speak less, do more; no wonder he could achieve such accomplishments at such a young age.

He restrained his emotions and looked serious: "Then, regarding the Radiant Moon Spirit Cat, do you also intend to choose not to make it public and keep it for your own use, like last time?"

Lin Chen nodded decisively: "Yes."

This answer seemed to be within Professor Li's expectations, and the expression on his face did not change at all.

"I understand."

Professor Li walked to the window with his back to Lin Chen, his deep gaze fixed on the campus outside the window, and his voice slowly sounded: "Once I finish the basic information verification here, the official review process at the Association will accelerate. In at most a week, these two brand-new evolutionary forms will be officially registered in the Pet Beast Illustrated Handbook and made public to the entire Federation."

He turned around and stared at Lin Chen: "By then, everyone will know that a freshman named Lin Chen has independently researched two brand-new evolutionary forms. This will be bombshell news enough to shake the entire research world."

Speaking of this, Professor Li looked stern: "Fame, honor, and attention will surge toward you like a tide. Major top research institutes in the Federation, various large enterprises—countless forces and individuals will try every means to contact you, recruit you, and win you over. They will throw unimaginable olive branches at you and promise conditions that ordinary people dream of."

"However." He changed the subject, his eyes fixed on Lin Chen, "You should be very clear that achieving such amazing results at your current age will inevitably be accompanied by countless criticisms, doubts, and even malicious speculation."

"There will be people who doubt the authenticity of the data, investigate the truth of your so-called independent research, and may even use various means to test or pressure you, trying to dig out your secrets. These troubles will far exceed your imagination."

"Are you ready?"

Lin Chen's expression did not change.

He certainly knew about the troubles Professor Li mentioned, but the world crisis was coming, and he didn't care about the outside world's disturbances at all.

At worst, I'll just let it all out!

Professor Li looked at Lin Chen, whose expression remained normal, and admired his temperament. Then he took two steps forward, his gaze frank: "I don't care if you have secrets, nor do I care about what method or shortcut you took to research these two forms. The field of evolution itself is an ocean full of unknowns and miracles; any possibility exists."

"I only care about the results, only care about the truth itself. The Flame-Spine Tyrannosaur and the Radiant Moon Spirit Cat are real; their power, potential, and stability are the best proof."

He looked at Lin Chen's eyes, which were as calm as an abyss, and said word by word: "Therefore, I have a proposal."

Lin Chen looked up and met Professor Li's gaze.

Li Jingming took a deep breath, a smile appearing on his face: "Lin Chen, become my student."

At this moment, Zhao Honggang, who was far away in the wild, suddenly sneezed: "Huh?"