Beast Taming: I Can Add Points

At first, Wu Bao was a little nervous, but he gradually relaxed as they chatted.

He’d heard that this editor, Er Shang, had also been an author and even a moderator for the Qi Point forums. Despite being an e-commerce tycoon earning millions a year, he’d chosen to become a security guard just so he could write—a shortcut that let him skip 30 years of struggle... He later became an editor.

Although his own books had only seen average success, he found his true calling after becoming an editor, launching numerous hit novels.

[Er Shang]: Your book is quite refreshing. It’s written from a Pet Beast’s perspective, and there are very few books like it on all of Qi Point. Even the ones that exist are missing something.

[Er Shang]: Are you a Beast Tamer, by any chance? Or do you work in the Beast Taming industry?

’No, I *am* a Pet Beast...’ Wu Bao thought, but he didn’t say it out loud.

Qi Point was very strict about the minimum age for a contract. Anyone under eighteen needed a guardian’s permission to sign.

’What if Er Shang finds out I’m only one year old and stops me from writing?’

’Tsk. Now that I think about it, I guess I’ll have to find a way to borrow Su Zhi’s dad’s ID card...’

[Wu Bao]: Sort of.

[Er Shang]: Okay, great. According to Qi Point policy, once you upload your Pet Beast’s profile, you’ll be eligible for a series of benefits. These include, but are not limited to, a 1.2x multiplier on creation points and an invitation to the annual gala once your novel achieves Premium status. You can check the documents in the Author’s Corner for more details. If you have any questions, just let me know, okay?

[Wu Bao]: Got it! Thanks, boss!

[Er Shang]: As for your book, I don’t have much to critique right now. Your pacing is excellent. The dialogue is a little stiff, but it’s not a major issue. Just stick to your outline and keep writing.

[Er Shang]: During the new book period, update with 4,000 words a day—no more, no less. After it goes premium, update as much as you can without sacrificing quality. That’ll make it easier for me to get you on the recommendation lists.

[Wu Bao]: Understood! I’ll do my best!

[Er Shang]: Good. I wish you the best of luck with your writing.

[Wu Bao]: So... do I still need an ID card for the contract?

[Er Shang]: Of course you do.

[Er Shang]: Let me know once you’ve submitted the contract info, okay? I’ll line up some recommendations for you.

[Wu Bao]: Uh, okay.

After his chat with the editor, Wu Bao scratched his head. What a pain in the ass.

He’d gotten a contract offer for his very first novel, and while he was overjoyed, the actual process of signing had become an insurmountable mountain.

He didn’t have an ID card, and Su Zhi wasn’t of age yet, so the only option was to use Su Zhi’s dad’s. But he couldn’t just openly ask to borrow it—that would blow his cover, wouldn’t it?

’I’ve got to use it secretly... make no sound...’

But how was he supposed to steal it? He was so huge he couldn’t even fit through the front door.

Wu Bao stomped his feet in anguish, banging his head on the ground. He’d always been proud of being bigger than Yu Bao, but now, he thought being a scrawny mutt like him might not be so bad after all.

A moment later, Wu Bao raised his head, a fire of determination igniting in his eyes.

’For the contract... I *must* learn Doubling!’

·

「Pearl Harbor.」

"ARF-CHOO—"

Yu Bao, in the middle of dinner, let out a massive sneeze. Kibble flew out of his bowl, and a few pieces landed in Xiaoyue’s bowl next to him.

Yu Bao scratched his head, puzzled.

’Why’d I suddenly sneeze like that?’ he wondered. ’Is that idiot Wu Bao cursing my name again?’

’Hah, let him curse all he wants. I’m out at a training camp with Shan Bao, while he’s stuck doing hard time in the garage.’

Su Zhi struggled to suppress his laughter as he ate.

Xiaoyue shot the dopey puppy a disdainful look before resignedly eating the stray kibble along with her own cat food.

The Pet Beasts ate, as did their Beast Tamers.

A harmonious scene unfolded in the living room. Thinking of the grueling days ahead, everyone unconsciously slowed their pace, savoring the meal.

Su Zhi looked up thoughtfully. "So, you think Fang Yuan will show up?"

"WHAM—"

The words were barely out of his mouth when the front door swung open. A fair-skinned young man walked in—it was Fang Yuan.

"Hey," Fang Yuan said, waving his hand with his usual deadpan expression. "We meet again."

The other three shot Su Zhi suspicious looks.

"Long time no see!"

Su Zhi gave Fang Yuan a wry wave.

’Speak of the devil,’ Su Zhi thought. ’Come to think of it, meeting Wu Bao in the Ancient Jing Forest was uncannily similar. Could my Beast Taming Talent actually be the power to make my words reality?’

The other three welcomed him as well.

With Fang Yuan’s arrival, the top four of the Huai City League, plus Cao Mingyu, were all accounted for.

"CHIRP!"

Lilith popped out from behind Fang Yuan, resting a claw on his shoulder and waving at the others.

"CHIRP?"

Hearing a sound so similar to its own, Shan Bao poked its head out curiously to look at Lilith.

Lilith looked back at Shan Bao with equal curiosity. The two Pet Beasts circled, sizing each other up, before tilting their heads in unison.

"Your second Pet Beast has such a high Real-time Energy Value already... Incredible."

Fang Yuan shook Su Zhi’s hand, his eyes filled with surprise and admiration.

"Don’t get complacent, though. Lilith and I will be right on your heels."

Su Zhi smiled broadly. "Mm. Welcome."

[Pet Beast: Lilith (White Flame Battle Spirit)

Attribute: Fire, Telekinesis, Fighting Element

Race: Low Level Elite

Real-time Energy Value: 3086]

Lilith’s Real-time Energy Value was also quite high, almost the limit for a Low Level Elite Race.

Although the severe damage to her Nether Flame Body had delayed Lilith’s training for a considerable time, through their joint efforts, she and Fang Yuan had finally bounced back.

The two had once been rivals with conflicting philosophies. Su Zhi’s parting words, "See you in the arena," had been a challenge not just for victory, but a clash of their Daos.

But now, that barrier between them was gone.

His "Welcome" wasn’t just a greeting to a new team member, but a sign of genuine acceptance.

Su Zhi shook the box of chicken nuggets in his hand. "Have you eaten? If not, have some. It’s Crazy Thursday."

Fang Yuan put down his luggage, his expression as deadpan as ever. "I’ve eaten."

"GROWL~~"

Fang Yuan: "..."

Su Zhi: "Heh."

Fang Yuan pursed his lips, grabbed a chicken nugget, and, under everyone’s watchful eyes, stuffed it into his mouth.

Suddenly, a shrill bell blared through the room. It sounded something like a school bell, only much more piercing.

It was followed by a gruff voice echoing through the space:

"All cadets participating in the team competition training camp, assemble at Battle Hall Three within five minutes! All entrances to the Battle Hall will be sealed in five minutes!"

"Fuck."

Suddenly, the chicken nugget in Su Zhi’s hand lost its appeal.

Five minutes later, the group appeared in the Battle Hall, panting slightly.

A look around at the other cadets revealed a similar sight: all of them were bent over, hands on their waists or knees, panting for breath. Every face was a mask of resentment.

The hotel was nearly half a kilometer from the Battle Hall as the crow flies; you wouldn’t make it in time if you didn’t run. And that wasn’t even the worst part—it was dinnertime, so many had been forced to abandon their meals and sprint over.

’This is a team competition, not boot camp, so what’s with the emergency assembly? They won’t even let us finish dinner. What kind of bullshit is this?’

Everyone fell silent when a tall Alliance Member with a head that gleamed under the lights walked into the Battle Hall.

He wore the largest-sized Alliance Member uniform, but even its loose sleeves couldn’t hide the explosive lines of his muscles. A single glance was enough to feel an instinctive sense of intimidation.

His dark gold Alliance Member badge glinted under the spotlights:

Name: Ke Yan

Alliance Member Number: 00111313

No one doubted that he could punch any one of them into the wall with a single blow—so deep they’d have to be scraped out.

"At ease."

"Attention!"

Ke Yan’s voice wasn’t loud, but it was resonant and powerful, like a lion’s roar, commanding instinctive obedience.

’I’ve never felt an aura this intense, not even from Alliance Leader Shang Duantie,’ Su Zhi thought. ’Of course, he might just be deliberately holding back. It’s always the kind-looking ones who are the real monsters...’

"Let me be brief."

Ke Yan cleared his throat, his eyes sweeping over the cadets who had been whispering most vigorously moments ago.

Those caught in his gaze reflexively shrank back.

"Some of you who attended the summer camp might recognize me. I am Ke Yan, a Lead Member of the Cui Feng Alliance, ID number 00111313. For the duration of this camp, I will be your instructor for the Shanyou Division team competition."

"Due to policy adjustments within the Common Defense Alliance, starting this year, all team competition training camps will be conducted according to military standards. For the next few days, emergency assemblies, high-intensity drills, and sudden crisis simulations will be your daily routine! So don’t you fucking complain to me. If you can take the heat, you train. If you can’t, then get lost. Go on, run home and play house!"

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