Beast Taming: I Can Add Points

At such a critical moment, with both sides on the brink of a fight, Su Zhi’s opening line had a strange theatrical flair that was, frankly, a bit ill-timed.

However, the moment he spoke, Han Lan’s eyes fell upon the Little Sea Serpent in his hands, and his pupils instantly constricted.

The massive wave stirred up by the Fish Dragon Group was upon them.

Han Lan zipped in front of the massive wave. A powerful, pale-blue light flared, and in an instant, the entire surge of water collapsed back into the sea, becoming perfectly still and calm, as if it had never existed.

Water Element High Level Commander Skill, Storm Fish Dragon Racial Skill: Still Water.

A terrifying wave, powerful enough to level the entire Storm Strait, was neutralized just like that.

Xiaolan!

Han Lan swiftly swam to the shore, stretching out his long neck, his eyes filled with desperation.

"HISS!"

The Little Sea Serpent was also excited. Wiggling its tail, it tried to swim back and reunite with its dad.

Then it discovered it couldn’t move.

Remembering that Su Zhi was still holding it by the scruff of its neck, the Little Sea Serpent’s head drooped listlessly.

Han Lan’s gaze shifted, locking onto Su Zhi. His eyes turned ice-cold, brimming with murderous intent.

"I know you’re anxious, but try not to be."

Su Zhi handed Xiaolan over to Yu Bao, then folded his arms. "Have you ever considered the possibility that she’s not actually your daughter?"

"ROAR!"

Han Lan’s eyelid twitched. He raised a massive forelimb and slammed it into the water, sending a huge splash into the air.

How dare you insult me!

However, seeing Xiaolan held in Yu Bao’s mouth, Han Lan found he couldn’t act. After his outburst, he resentfully sank back into the water, glaring at Su Zhi with eyes that flashed with rage.

Young human, state your terms. What will it take for you to return my daughter to me?

Su Zhi answered without a second thought. "It’s simple. Have your clan cease its attack on Pearl Harbor."

Fine!

Han Lan flicked his tail, and the Fish Dragon Group behind him immediately began to slowly sink into the water, leaving only the upper halves of their heads exposed—this was the body language the Storm Fish Dragons used to signal a truce.

Receiving a nod from Su Zhi, Yu Bao slowly opened its mouth.

"Hiss?"

The Little Sea Serpent landed on the ground with a soft THUD. It took two steps toward Han Lan, then glanced back, as if to see if Yu Bao was going to grab it again.

’What an adorably clueless creature...’ Su Zhi was suddenly at a loss for whether to laugh or cry.

"HISS!"

The Little Sea Serpent slipped into the water and deftly zipped over to Han Lan’s side, nuzzling against him again and again.

"Roooar..." Han Lan gently nudged her with his enormous head, his affectionate growl carrying a hint of admonishment.

You silly child, why do you keep running off on your own? What if something dangerous had happened...

"HISS!" Hearing his words, Xiaolan pouted and twisted her body impatiently in the water.

’I just want to be an Ocean Ranger!’

’What’s so fun about being cooped up in your Dragon Palace all day? I want to travel on my own! I want to become stronger! I want to become the most powerful Ocean Exotic Beast there is!’

For a moment, Han Lan didn’t know how to placate his daughter. He just floated there, completely at a loss, as Xiaolan fussed and splashed around him, playfully slapping him with waves.

He was the spitting image of a middle-aged, stay-at-home dad struggling with a generation gap.

’So this is the mighty Fish Dragon King? An expert at Water Control, but not so much at daughter control...’ Su Zhi again found himself unsure whether to laugh or cry.

"Ahem, sorry to interrupt."

Su Zhi blinked. "Could I ask when you... uh, gave birth to Xiaolan?"

’That sounds a little weird,’ he thought, ’since he’s obviously a male Fish Dragon...’

Han Lan looked at him. Three months ago, while my wife and I were traveling through the Pearl Harbor Area, she gave birth to my two hundred and fifty-sixth daughter—Xiaolan.

Su Zhi’s mouth fell open in a daze. "You’re that... prolific?"

Han Lan raised his head proudly. That’s nothing! I was even more impressive in my youth!

"Well, you certainly haven’t lost your touch..."

’So, even Exotic Beasts like being complimented on their performance in *that* department,’ Su Zhi thought, again torn between laughter and tears.

"So that brings me to my question: Were you there when Xiaolan was born?"

I was not.

Han Lan shook his head.

We Storm Fish Dragons reproduce by laying eggs. After hatching, the young use the surrounding Energy aura to actively seek out their parents and reunite with them.

Su Zhi asked curiously, "You just lay your eggs like that? Aren’t you worried other Sea Beasts will eat them?"

Han Lan chuckled coldly. They had best weigh whether they can bear the retaliation of our race.

"So you’re saying... when your wife lays a clutch of eggs, they all pretty much hatch?"

Correct.

"Then do you remember how many offspring you had in total before your travels in the Pearl Harbor Area?"

I remember it clearly. Two hundred and forty-one!

"And during your travels in the Pearl Harbor Area, how many eggs did your wife lay?"

Fourteen!

"...And could you tell me again what number daughter Xiaolan is?"

My two hundred and fifty-sixth daughter.

"..."

Huh?

Han Lan paused, realizing something wasn’t quite right.

And so, Han Lan and Su Zhi both turned to look at Xiaolan.

"Hiss..." Xiaolan scratched her head in confusion.

’After she’d broken out of her shell, she saw that the eggs nearby had already been shattered for a little while. Her older brothers and sisters were gathered around her own egg, waiting.’

’The moment she hatched, they all called out for her to join them in finding their mom and dad.’

’And so, Xiaolan happily followed her brothers and sisters on the journey home...’

’So, she wasn’t a Storm Fish Dragon after all??’

So, it was all a misunderstanding.

Han Lan smiled and waved a fin.

The crowd of Fish Dragons behind him looked at their Clan Leader with pained expressions.

’What was all this for? We spent all this time getting beaten up to find his daughter, only to find out she’s not even his biological kid...’

It doesn’t matter. It happens often enough that we of the Fish Dragon Race end up raising young of the Sea Serpent Race, and vice versa.

Han Lan affectionately patted Xiaolan’s head.

Xiaolan is still my daughter. That will not change. If you wish to remain with the Fish Dragon Race when you grow up, our clan will welcome you. If you wish to leave, Dad will respect your choice.