Beast Taming: I Can Add Points

"Yu Bao has only temporarily conquered the Gold Element Energy within his body; he hasn’t truly been accepted by that Energy. If this step were to be fully completed, he should have another evolutionary form, different from a Yu Dian Farm Dog’s."

Su Zhi’s eyes widened. "You mean, two Evolutionary Types?"

"That’s right. Two switchable Evolutionary Types."

Luo Sen’s tone was quite calm. "You may find it incredible, but during the early Classical Era, Pet Beasts with two or more Evolutionary Types did exist. They just gradually faded from the Beast Taming Realm over time."

"If Yu Bao can completely earn the acceptance of that Gold Element Energy, he will be the first person... no, the first dog since the end of the Classical Era to possess multiple Evolutionary Types."

"The first dog!" Su Zhi gave Yu Bao a thumbs-up.

Yu Bao hadn’t expected to be so badass either. His eyes sparkled, and he was so pleased with himself he was practically bubbling over.

’I knew it! I have the bearing of a Great Emperor!’

"It wasn’t a perfect outcome, but at least things landed safely. In any case, congratulations on your Pet Beast’s successful evolution."

Qiu Yulian slowly rose to her feet and gave Su Zhi a light smile. "Since everything’s taken care of, you should head back. I have high hopes for you, you talented kid!"

"Oh, right. So, you’re not leaving?"

The beauty in the pink robe leaned in close. "Does Little Su Zhi not want me to go~?"

’No, I just wanted to bum a ride...’ Su Zhi instinctively took two steps back, his face flushing hot again without him realizing it.

For a mature woman like Alliance Leader Qiu, wrapping a naive young boy like him around her finger was easier than breathing.

’Damn it! Why do I always run into these dangerous women!’

"Haha~ Little Su Zhi, you’re so easy to fluster."

Qiu Yulian covered her mouth with a light laugh. "Alliance Leader Luo and I still have some private matters to discuss, so I’m afraid we can’t give you a ride."

’So that’s why...’ Su Zhi nodded. "Well, we’ll be heading back then. Goodbye, Elder Qiu! Goodbye, Elder Luo!"

"Goodbye." Luo Sen grinned, revealing a mouthful of crimson teeth.

"Don’t forget what you promised me. And come visit whenever you’re free~"

"..." Su Zhi turned and walked away, instinctively quickening his pace.

’He had to admit, the Divine Strategy Alliance was a great place to get information and resources for free. But as for visiting often? Forget it!’

"Whine?"

"That’s right. It’s past mealtime, so there’s probably no food left."

"A-whine..." Yu Bao’s head drooped, and he pulled back his little pink tongue.

’I can’t believe I have to go hungry right after evolving.’

"Don’t worry, I’ll just buy you a double portion of feed. The shops that sell it should be open 24/7."

Seeing the little guy’s pitiful expression, Su Zhi couldn’t help but smile.

’Even though Yu Bao looked much more imposing and handsome now that he was bigger, the way he acted all cute and spoiled was somehow even more adorable than before. Maybe this is what they call *gap moe*.’

"I’m the one who’s really going to be hungry," Su Zhi sighed, wondering if he should just buy some bread for himself later.

’But he didn’t want bread.’

’I’m craving Kung Pao chicken and scrambled eggs with tomato...’

When he reached the main entrance and saw the drizzling rain and overcast sky, Su Zhi’s mood grew even gloomier.

’How careless of me. I forgot my umbrella.’

’So now I’m cold *and* hungry...’

"Su Zhi?"

"Hm?" Su Zhi turned at the sound of his name.

Long, bright white hair and a pair of azure eyes came into view. A girl jogged toward him from a nearby rest area, dressed in a loose, sky-blue hoodie and a pale white skirt.

Watching her approach, his gloomy mood suddenly cleared, as if the sun had broken through the clouds.

Su Zhi asked curiously, "What are you doing here?"

"If I didn’t come, a certain someone would have to go hungry."

The girl brought her hands out from behind her back, producing two meal boxes as if by magic.

Su Zhi’s eyes lit up. He instinctively reached for a box, then pulled his hand back slightly in mid-air.

The girl blinked with a light smile. "It’s fine, they’re both the same!"

Su Zhi nodded, the corners of his lips turning up slightly.

The meal box in her left hand was slightly damaged, and some sauce had seeped through a crack, staining the plastic bag a reddish color.

So Su Zhi took the box from her left hand, leaving the cleaner, more intact one for her.

"Nice, this looks delicious!"

Su Zhi said with a nod, though it was unclear if he was talking to himself or to her.

Shao Ya tilted her head with a small smile but said nothing.

Outside, the sky was overcast, and it was raining.

The young man and woman found a table and chairs near the research center entrance and enjoyed their simple, hot lunch.

"SNIFF, SNIFF." Yu Bao gently nudged Xiaoyue with his head, then started circling around him.

’Big Bro, you’re so tiny now!’

"Meeeow." Xiaoyue lay on his side, expressionless, watching Yu Bao—who was now double his size—run circles around him.

’It’s not that Big Bro got smaller. It’s that you got bigger.’

Yu Bao leaned down again, burying his head against Xiaoyue’s chest and wagging his big tail back and forth. Xiaoyue couldn’t push him away, so he sighed in resignation and began to lick his fur.

’This silly puppy grew bigger, but his mind didn’t grow up at all.’

’Now I can’t even push him off. If he decides to get rough, there’s probably nothing I can do.’

’No, this won’t do. At this rate, I’ll never be able to maintain my dignity as Big Bro...’

’I have to evolve, and fast!’

"Yu Bao is such a handsome doggie now~"

Shao Ya gently scratched Yu Bao under the chin, then looked over at Su Zhi. "Su Baby, are you free the day after tomorrow?"

Su Zhi asked, "Isn’t the day after tomorrow the summer camp grand finals?"

On the last day of summer camp, just like the friendly spars held within the camp, the major alliances would hold friendly competitions between their respective camps. This was known as the summer camp grand finals.

There were no prizes or rewards for the grand finals. It was essentially a relaxed Pet Beast Battle event, intended to foster mutual understanding rather than determine who was the strongest. As a result, the atmosphere was always pretty pleasant.

"The finals will definitely be over by the afternoon," Shao Ya said with a blink. "And in the evening?"

"I don’t have anything planned for the evening. What’s up?"

"Remember to wait for me in the Flying Shadow Alliance’s central garden in the evening!"

The girl winked with a mischievous smile and didn’t elaborate.

’Her again...’ Su Zhi rolled his eyes. He remembered how she had been all mysterious with him on the subway earlier, and she still hadn’t told him what that was about.

’Damn it! I’ll get her back for this someday!’

The girl winked mischievously, and the boy puffed out his cheeks in a pout.

They stared at each other for a moment, then both broke into smiles and wolfed down the rest of their food.

"Let’s go."

Shao Ya stood up. Seeing Su Zhi staring at the rain, hesitant to go out, she leaned in close to his ear and whispered with a small laugh:

"Let me guess... Su Baby forgot to bring an umbrella~"

"Mm..."

"That’s okay, because I brought one~"

With a soft FWOOMP, a clear umbrella opened, sheltering them both.

Su Zhi lowered his proud head and huddled under the umbrella. The warmth of her body radiated from beside him, feeling cozy in the rain.

"Ready to go, Su Baby?"

"Yeah, yeah, let’s go."

’Sigh. Played by a dangerous woman again.’

Su Zhi glanced over at the girl beside him.

Because she was a little shorter than him and the umbrella was quite small, she had to hold her arm out straight just to barely keep him covered.

As a result, one of her shoulders was getting slightly damp from the rain.

"Here, let me."

Su Zhi took the small, clear umbrella from her. He put his arm around her and held the umbrella high above them both.

This time, it was Shao Ya’s turn to be stunned. When she came back to herself, she realized she was completely enveloped in his warmth.

The girl quickly turned her head away. Only then did she truly feel how tall the boy she was always calling "Su Baby" was—tall enough to shield her from the wind and rain.

Su Zhi: "I was going to ask if you were touched, but you just smacked me in the face with your hair."

Shao Ya: "Pfft... my bad~"

The sound of the pitter-patter grew louder. Sharing one umbrella, the two of them walked off into the expanse of gray rain.

The rain was still falling.

But no one was getting soaked.

"Thanks for walking me back, Su Baby!"

In front of the Divine Strategy Alliance dormitory, the girl hopped out from under the umbrella to stand beneath the entryway’s eaves. She waved goodbye to Su Zhi. "You can keep the umbrella for now! Just give it back to me later!"

A corner of Su Zhi’s mouth twitched up. "Now that I have it, you expect me to give it back?"

"Oh? Does Su Baby have a thing for collecting my umbrellas? In that case, you can have it."

Su Zhi: "..."

The girl covered her mouth, laughing quietly for a moment. Then she darted back under the umbrella, wrapped her arms around his shoulders, and gave him a gentle hug.

This time, it wasn’t sudden. There was no sneak attack, no little plot he couldn’t defend against. It was just a normal hug.

Holding the umbrella, Su Zhi stood perfectly still, feeling her warmth draw near, press against him, and then pull away.

"Bye bye!"

The hug finished, she turned and ran, her figure vanishing into the hallway.

Su Zhi smiled softly. He held up the umbrella she had left him and walked alone into the rain.

’My face feels a little hot. Then again, maybe that’s just summer for you. It’s still hot even when it rains, right?’

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