Beast Taming: I Can Add Points

As he carefully sensed the cracks on the Sea Stabilization Array, Hai Ri’s eyes shot open.

Yu Bao had slightly adjusted the vibrational frequency of the dust particles, making them similar to parts of the Sea Stabilization Array’s own frequency.

Yu Bao was trying to crack the Sea Stabilization Array’s "password"!

’And you call this a goofy-looking mutt?’

"Woof!"

Yu Bao suddenly unleashed another Lightning Five-Chain Whip, flinging a Quicksand Shield at Hai Ri.

Hai Ri tried to counter with a High-pressure Water Gun, but found it couldn’t break through. He decisively switched to close combat, opting to use brute force to overcome the technique.

At the same time, a violent tide surged around Hai Ri, clearly visible to the naked eye even in the deep sea.

A Water and Wind Element Low Level Commander Skill, Dragon Roar Devouring!

A ring of bubbles rapidly expanded outward from Hai Ri, forcing the restless Yu Bao to retreat again.

On land, this Skill would have been released as a circular shockwave—a classic area-of-effect Harmful Technique. But here, surrounded by water on all sides, the diffusion range became a 360-degree sphere with no blind spots. It was a true area-of-effect attack!

"Woof!" Yu Bao hadn’t expected Hai Ri to have such a move. He hastily used Desert Concealment to fall back a few steps, his gaze complex as he sized up Hai Ri.

Hai Ri also retreated several meters, pondering for a moment in thought.

[Assignable Attribute Points (Yu Bao)... 0.15]

"Woof." "Awoo."

You’re strong. I can’t think of a way to win, so let’s just say I lose this fight.

At almost the exact same moment, the dragon and the dog spoke in unison.

Then, both looked up in a daze, stared at each other for a moment, and broke into wide grins.

"Woof-woof." Yu Bao expressed that the AOE attack was just too much to handle; there was no way for him to play sneakily.

Hai Ri scratched his head, embarrassed. This was supposed to be a friendly little spar, but he’d had to pull out a bunch of his trump cards just to fight to a draw. It was actually a bit shameful to think about...

But the onlookers couldn’t see all these intricacies. All that mattered was that it was awesome.

Cheers and roars of support rang out, dedicated to the Fish Dragon Race’s strongest rebel, and also to the brilliant human guest.

Yu Bao took out his ancestral sunglasses and put them on, basking in the crowd’s adoring gazes.

Hai Ri froze. Only then did he realize just how many people were watching—even his father the King and his mother the Queen were here. His heart skipped a beat, and he hid behind Yu Bao.

’Crap! Wasn’t this just a casual spar?’

’Why are so many of my clansmen watching?!’

’I’m gonna die!!’

...

Then, Hai Ri belatedly realized that he had apparently been fighting in front of this many people the entire time.

’Maybe striking up a conversation with a stranger, or being watched by a huge crowd, isn’t such a big deal after all?’

"Woof," Yu Bao said, patting him earnestly.

’My silly friend, congratulations on your growth.’

"Awoo!" Hai Ri’s eyes sparkled as he shook his good brother’s paw.

’Thanks, coach!’

As soon as the spar ended, Su Zhi ran over to Yu Bao with a delighted look and scooped him up. "Yu Bao, your Skills... they’re not affected underwater?"

"Woof!"

Yu Bao indicated that he couldn’t use his Fire Element ones, but his Earth Element Skills were basically unaffected!

"Even just the Earth Element ones are amazing..." Su Zhi murmured, curious despite his delight.

Normally, the use of Earth Element Skills should be somewhat hindered in water; that was determined by the nature of the Attribute itself. The only exception would be for a dual Water- and Earth-Element Pet Beast, which would be born with the ability to harmonize the two Attributes.

However, this harmony came at the cost of weakening each individual Attribute. For example, an Earth Element Skill cast by a dual Water- and Earth-Element Pet Beast would definitely not be as effective as one cast by a pure Earth Element Pet Beast.

’So what was the deal with Yu Bao?’

’I joked before that Yu Bao was a seal, but he couldn’t actually be one, could he...’

Su Zhi couldn’t figure it out for the life of him. When he turned his head, he finally saw Han Lan and Chang Xi and hurriedly bowed. "My apologies, I was so excited just now that I didn’t see you..."

Han Lan, however, was overjoyed and waved his fins. [It is of no concern! I am very pleased that you could spar with Hai Ri! This child has always been timid and shy. For him to break through his shell today is all thanks to your kind enthusiasm. I owe you all another favor!]

Hai Ri looked flustered and shy. [Father...]

Han Lan: [...]

The group burst out laughing, and a cheerful atmosphere filled the marketplace.

Han Lan and Chang Xi inspected the various stalls. Hearing that Su Zhi and his friends had a very good shopping experience made them happy as well, and they nodded repeatedly.

Following beside them, Su Zhi had the strange feeling that he was accompanying a national leader on an inspection tour to observe the people’s lives.

Compared to humans, who might have more unwritten rules and regulations, the atmosphere of the Fish Dragon Race was very open. Even with their Clan Leader here on inspection, it didn’t affect anyone’s business in the slightest. Su Zhi even saw that female Fish Dragon from the "seven hundred dried fish for two rounds" incident successfully find a customer...

[By the way, have any of you seen that child, Xiaolan?] Han Lan suddenly asked.

"Ah!" Su Zhi quickly snapped out of his thoughts about the female Fish Dragon’s affairs and shook his head. "No. Xiaolan’s missing again?"

Han Lan sighed. [That child is always a handful. Never mind, I’ll just have my subordinates look for her. You all must be exhausted from wandering around all morning. Please, follow me to the Dragon Palace. I have specifically consulted a human chef and prepared some fine seafood for you all!]

"In that case, we’d be honored to accept," Su Zhi and his friends said, smiling at each other.

"Um, I have something to take care of. I’ll go eat later!"

Shao Ya waved to Su Zhi. "Su Baby, make sure you eat well, okay!"

"Got it."

Su Zhi watched her swim gracefully into the distance, then cleared his throat and said in a low voice, "Clan Leader, I also have something to attend to..."

Han Lan gave him the knowing smile of an experienced man. [Go on, then. It’s truly an enviable age.]

Su Zhi gave a sheepish chuckle and swam off, tailing Shao Ya.

Then Han Lan turned his head and saw a slightly unhappy Chang Xi.

Han Lan started to sweat. [Er, dear, I didn’t mean you were old...]

Chang Xi: [I didn’t say you did. If that’s not what you meant, why are you explaining yourself?]

Han Lan was helpless. [I was just making a passing comment. How did that become an explanation...?]

Chang Xi shot him a glare.

Han Lan raised his hands in surrender.

·

·

「The coral reef.」

Xiaolan’s eyes sharpened as she launched a ferocious attack.

’Take this! Strong Current Strangulation!’

An undercurrent, clearly distinct from the surrounding water, churned in the deep sea, viciously smashing the target to pieces. Broken fragments littered the area, making for a rather bloody scene.

Unnamed Rock HP -100. Fatal wound!

"Hiss~" Xiaolan spun around twice in excitement.

This was the first time she had hit a target with High-pressure Water Gun from over ten meters away. She felt awesome.

Now, all of Xiaolan’s Skills were Tier Two. For a little one who had only been born a few months ago, this was an unimaginable level of achievement.

’Father always thinks I’m weak, but I’m actually super strong!’

"Oorah!" A head suddenly popped up from behind the coral reef, paws dangling at its sides, looking like a groggy, waking bear.

"Hiss!" Xiaolan was scared stiff, tactically retreating a few steps. When she saw it was Bai Mao, she let out a huge sigh of relief and affectionately snuggled into her arms.

’Shao Ya!’

"I knew I’d find you here again!" Shao Ya laughed, rubbing the little one’s head. Then she rubbed Xiaoyue’s head next to her, giving them both equal attention.

Only then did Xiaoyue nod in satisfaction.

Shao Ya sat down, holding Xiaolan. "Training by yourself out here?"

"Hiss!"

Xiaolan nodded excitedly, then picked up a few of the rocks she had shattered to show Shao Ya.

Shao Ya smiled and scratched the little one’s chin. "So strong~! You’ve been training for so long, you must be tired, Xiaolan. Why don’t you go eat first? You’ll have more energy to train after you eat."

"...Hiss." Xiaolan hesitated for a moment, then shook her head.

’Not eating.’

Shao Ya patted her horn. "Is it because of Han Lan Clan Leader?"

"Hiss." Xiaolan nodded, puffing out her cheeks.

Her father had been away on official business in the morning, so she had stayed in the Dragon Palace for a while. But now that he was back, she didn’t want to see him, so of course she ran off.

Shao Ya tried to coax her. "But if you don’t eat, where will you get the energy to defy your father? Don’t you think so, Xiaolan?"

Xiaolan’s expression became hesitant.

But after struggling for a moment with the temptation of food, she still shook her head, refusing to yield.

’This is... the pride of a Sea Ranger!’

"Alright... you’re very strong-willed, Xiaolan!"

Seeing that she couldn’t coax her for now, Shao Ya smiled helplessly. "In that case, you keep training, and I’ll go get something for you to eat. How does that sound?"

"Hiss!"

Xiaolan happily flicked her fins and rubbed against Shao Ya.

Xiaolan went back to practicing her Skills. Shao Ya got up and headed toward a nearby patch of seaweed to pick some fruit, but her eyes suddenly widened, and she tackled Xiaolan to the ground.

"SWISH!"

A stream of black water grazed past her, shearing off a few strands of her bright white hair.

·

·