2: I've decided on you!

In the jungle, Grass-type and Insect-type Yao Beasts are always the most numerous, followed by Rock-type and Water-type.

Kicking a tree trunk randomly could shake down a pile of low-Rank insects.

These things are at the bottom of the Yao Beast hierarchy, pitifully weak.

Without special cultivation, an ordinary person could stomp a large number of them to death.

The trouble is, many Insect-type Yao Beasts are venomous, and you could easily suffer an unexpected setback.

"An Insect-type beast pet..."

Bai Ye shook his head; this type wouldn't work.

Although they are the choice of many novice Beast Tamers, they are too fragile.

Once injured, they would need to lie in the beast taming space for half a day just to recover.

Their lifespan is also severely limited; even Overlord Level insect beast pets struggle to reach the lifespan of an ordinary human.

This was completely incompatible with his Talent.

He looked up at the Blue-striped Worm lazily crawling on a leaf, his face full of disdain.

Forget about the Secret Realm; even in the park outside his house, shaking a tree would knock a few of these down. Nobody would want them, even if they were free.

"The first choice must still be a Grass-type Demonic Beast."

Bai Ye had made up his mind.

"As long as their roots are in the soil, they can continuously recover from injuries and restore stamina. They are a perfect match for my 'Bond Nexus'."

He carefully pushed aside the bushes in front of him, searching for any Demonic Beasts that might be hiding inside.

To survive in this wretched place, contracting a Demonic Beast was the only way out.

"Tch, more Blue-striped Worms!"

Bai Ye impatiently flicked off a Blue-striped Worm that had crawled onto the back of his hand.

Did this Secret Realm poke a bug nest? Even a Blood Scythe Mantis would be better!

His palm was covered in the sticky mucus the Blue-striped Worm had sprayed out in fright.

It had virtually zero toughness; it wasn't even worth using to make clothes.

He casually tore off a leaf to wipe his hand.

Just then, a faint purple brilliance instantly seized his entire attention.

It was a plant, shaped much like an orchid, its slender, soft stems and leaves swaying gently in the breeze.

Its deep purple leaves were dotted with silver-like flecks, and its petals were transparent, carved like crystal, emitting a faint blue light.

[Name]: Ghost Orchid

[Attribute]: Grass-type

[Gender]: Male/Female

[Aptitude]: Common

[Rank]: Mortal Low-Rank

[skill]: Fragrant Pollen (Elementary Stage) (Proficiency: Mastery)

[skill Description]: Sprays a small amount of pollen, producing a certain healing effect, ineffective against creatures above the Extraordinary Level.

[Talent]: Photosynthesis (White)

[Possible Evolution Paths]:

Ethereal Glow Spirit Orchid: Ghost/Grass-type (Aptitude: Rare Mid-Rank)

Blazing Flame Flower Spirit: Fire/Grass-type (Aptitude: Rare Mid-Rank)

Thunderous Spirit Branch: Lightning/Grass-type (Aptitude: Rare High-Rank)

Steel-Heart Gold Orchid: Metal/Grass-type (Aptitude: Commander Low-Rank)

Ghost Emperor Myriad Orchid: Ghost/Grass-type (Aptitude: king mid-grade)

...[Species Description: Rumored to be formed after the death of a Sprite, it is actually just an ordinary orchid genus Yao Beast. It is difficult to evolve, and Extraordinary Level Ghost Orchids are extremely rare.]

[Assessment]: A relatively rare Ghost Orchid.

In order to survive in this sunless area, its skill usage frequency far exceeds that of its peers, making it the only surviving Ghost Orchid in this forest.

If it were to grow in a normal environment, there is a high probability it would become an Extraordinary Level Ghost Orchid.]

I choose you!

Bai Ye's heart pounded. He rushed to the Ghost Orchid in a couple of strides and brought his nose close to the petals for a sniff.

A clear fragrance entered his nostrils. His slightly heavy legs instantly felt much lighter, and a sense of comfort permeated his entire body.

The trees in this forest blocked out the sky and sun, preventing any sunlight from entering, so the Ghost Orchid's Photosynthesis Talent was essentially useless.

Its survival depended entirely on relying on the skill 'Fragrant Pollen'.

Harsh environment, super strong recovery ability, and not yet sentient... Could there be a more perfect tool beast than this?!

Of course, this was also because he had no choice in the Secret Realm.

If he were outside, he would definitely choose a better one.

But now, he wasn't in a position to be picky.

"But it doesn't matter anyway."

Bai Ye chuckled.

"With the Evolution Illustrated Compendium, even if it's just rotten grass, I can cultivate it into an Overlord!"

beast pet Aptitude is divided from low to high into: Flawed, Common, Outstanding, Rare, Commander, King... Ranks are: Mortal, Extraordinary, Elite, Lord, Warlord... And Beast Tamers are simply divided into Rank One to Rank Nine, with an additional Beast Taming Slot gained for every Rank ascended.

Aptitude doesn't represent everything; there are certainly people who raise King-level Aptitude beast pets into trash.

But to cultivate a Common Aptitude beast pet into a Lord would require resources sufficient to bankrupt ninety-nine percent of people.

But he, Bai Ye, had a cheat.

Time was pressing, so Bai Ye no longer hesitated. He reached out and stroked the Ghost Orchid's petals, immediately initiating the Contract Ritual.

A light blue circular Magic Array instantly unfolded beneath the man and the plant.

The Ghost Orchid's leaves gently swayed, and its roots also emitted a soft blue light, complementing the brilliance of the Magic Array.

A strange connection was established in Bai Ye's mind.

He could sense the Ghost Orchid's nascent consciousness, which, besides confusion, contained mostly joy at finally being able to leave this wretched place.

The light from the Magic Array dissipated.

The contract was successful!

From now on, he was a Rank One Apprentice Beast Tamer.

With a thought from Bai Ye, the Ghost Orchid glowed white and vanished into thin air, having been stored in his beast taming space.

A Rank One Beast Tamer's beast taming space was pitifully small, only large enough to hold a miniature plant like the Ghost Orchid.

A slightly larger beast pet would feel cramped inside.

But for the Ghost Orchid, this was practically heaven.

There were no other plants competing for nutrients, and it could continuously recover its stamina.

But before it could enjoy it, the warm current nourishing it suddenly vanished, replaced by the barren soil from before.

"Xiao Lan, as my beast pet, there's something you need to understand."

Bai Ye re-planted it back into the original hole, stroking its crystal-like petals with a benevolent smile.

"Your task is simple: get beaten up a few times every day, then return to the space to sleep and level up."

As soon as he finished speaking, Bai Ye flicked his finger lightly.

With a "snap," a small clump of pollen along with a tiny petal was forcibly flicked off.

Almost simultaneously, he immediately recalled the damaged Ghost Orchid into the beast taming space.

[Your Ghost Orchid experienced an overwhelming battle, suffered a helpless defeat, and has now returned to the beast taming space.]

[Judging Ghost Orchid injury...]

[Talent 'Bond Nexus' triggered! Absorbed beast pet Attribute: Ghost Orchid.]

The next second, a weak yet pure stream of Life Energy surged through the contract into Bai Ye's limbs and body.

The stamina he had just expended was fully replenished, and his body felt slightly lighter.

He could even feel that his Affinity for plants had increased by a notch.

This was the 'Bond Nexus'.