Beast Taming: I Can Add Points

"You’ve gone to great trouble to come ashore. I am very happy that the Clan Leader has such a keen eye for the bigger picture!"

With the negotiations concluded, Shen Zechuan chuckled and patted Han Lan.

"Not at all. The fate of the world is a responsibility shared by all races!" Han Lan replied, nodding eagerly as a single, imperceptible bead of sweat trickled down his forehead.

’Although they had only known each other for a few minutes, Shen Zechuan was already the human he respected most.’

’For someone as esteemed as the Grand Alliance Leader to fly all the way from Alliance Headquarters just to greet him perfectly embodied the principle of courtesy. It showed the man was willing to treat him as an equal, not as a mere vassal.’

’As for the other reason... on the way to the negotiating table, Shen Zechuan had "accidentally" summoned his Pet Beast, giving Han Lan a little Five-star shock.’

’Then, Shen Zechuan had immediately apologized, feigning embarrassment. "This Pet Beast of mine is lazy by nature. It’s the weakest on my team, but instead of trying to improve, it’s always trying to sneak out to play. How embarrassing to have the Clan Leader see this."’

Han Lan: "..."

’This was why his feelings for Shen Zechuan were "respect," not "admiration."’

’Because the man could persuade with courtesy, but he could also persuade with reason...’

However, even though the humans had clearly held the upper hand during the negotiations, the resulting treaty was largely beneficial to both sides. In some of the finer details, the humans had even been more considerate of the Fish Dragons’ needs, which made the representatives of the Fish Dragon Race truly feel their sincerity.

Now that the diplomatic summit had come to a successful conclusion, Han Lan was filled with emotion.

The Fish Dragon Race and humans had actually always had some minor interactions, but this was the first time they had formally established diplomatic relations.

On one hand, he was of course moved by the humans’ sincerity; on the other, he also had a faint feeling that the return of the Abyssal was perhaps even more serious than he had imagined.

On their way out, Han Lan looked toward Shen Zechuan. "Your Excellency, Grand Alliance Leader, going forward, humanity will share its intelligence on the Abyssal with the Fish Dragon Race, correct?"

"Of course. Since we are now allies, that is our responsibility," Shen Zechuan replied with a smile.

"By the way, I heard you specifically mention an Advanced Beast Tamer named Su Zhi?"

Han Lan nodded. "Yes. Su Zhi and his companions found and returned my daughter to me. I am very grateful to him."

"A Tier Four Beast Taming Space already? That kid is moving fast. He’s even making an old man like me feel a bit rushed."

Shen Zechuan laughed heartily, a look of expectation in his eyes.

Han Lan asked, "How does humanity plan to reward Su Zhi? Among the Fish Dragon Race, clansmen who perform great meritorious deeds receive their rewards from me in front of the entire race."

"Actually, humans do things in much the same way."

Shen Zechuan met his gaze with a meaningful look. "However, I don’t plan to publicize Su Zhi’s deeds with great fanfare."

Han Lan nodded in understanding, quickly grasping Shen Zechuan’s meaning—as a rising star, Su Zhi didn’t yet possess absolute power, so keeping a low profile was a form of protection.

"Of course, he won’t be short-changed on rewards. It’s just not convenient to do it openly, so we’ll do it quietly," Shen Zechuan said with a smile and a raised eyebrow.

The ever-sharp Han Lan understood perfectly and joined him in a hearty laugh.

"Well then, since our business for today is concluded, I shall take my leave. We will come ashore tomorrow at the agreed-upon time. Your Excellency, Grand Alliance Leader, until tomorrow!"

"Very well. Clan Leader Han Lan, you must be exhausted from managing countless affairs. We shall meet again tomorrow!"

The two parties went their separate ways.

On the way back, Chang Xi glanced behind them before sidling up to Han Lan. "My love, if you were to spar with Alliance Leader Shen’s Pet Beast, what are your chances of winning?"

Han Lan sighed with emotion. "Not even a one-in-ten chance. Even against his weakest Pet Beast, I would be killed in an instant."

Chang Xi was shocked. "He’s that strong? But haven’t you already reached the Quasi-Five-star Realm?"

Han Lan shook his head. "A Quasi-Five-star is still not a True Five-star. It’s like how an uncrowned king is still not a true king. If I had been contracted to Alliance Leader Shen, perhaps I would have had a hope of breaking through to the Five-star Realm?"

He paused.

"Speaking of which... how is our boy Hai Ri doing? Is he still so socially awkward?"

Chang Xi gave him a knowing look. "Yes. It’s just as you’d expect."

"Sigh... I almost wish he were a little more arrogant. He and Xiaolan are polar opposites."

Han Lan felt a headache coming on.

"Prince Hai Ri is a good kid in every way. If he could just overcome this social awkwardness, he’d be perfect. Then I could rest easy passing the throne to him when I’m older..."

As they chatted, the couple swam back to the Dragon Palace.

Seeing that the Fish Dragons were all swimming toward the market, Han Lan looked curiously at a Guard. "What’s all this about? Is there something special at the market that’s drawing everyone in?"

"ARF!"

The Guard explained that Prince Hai Ri was about to spar with their human guest, and everyone had gone to watch the spectacle.

In truth, he wanted to go watch too, but he was stuck on guard duty... *whimper*...

Han Lan’s eyes lit up.

’My socially awkward, blockheaded son is actually being this brave today?’

’My son, Hai Ri, has the bearing of a Great Emperor!’

The excited Han Lan didn’t bother returning to the Dragon Palace, pulling his wife straight toward the market.

When they arrived, the area around the market was already packed with Fish Dragons, and even some stall owners from other Sea Races. Since everyone was watching the match, no one was buying anything, so they might as well join in the fun.

Luckily, a body of water isn’t like dry land; even if the space at one level is full, you can just float up. After weaving through the crowd for a moment, Han Lan found a rocky ledge with a good view.

Han Lan was already bursting with joy inside.

’His blockheaded son, who had always been such a headache, wasn’t showing a single sign of stage fright, even surrounded by so many of his kin. It seemed Prince Hai Ri had matured!’

On the hastily cordoned-off fighting stage, Prince Hai Ri wielded his Terror Wave Riding Lance, launching a relentless barrage of attacks at Yu Bao. Yu Bao, in turn, calmly evaded with Desert Concealment, occasionally summoning a Yellow Earth Wall to disrupt Prince Hai Ri’s charges.

The back-and-forth was spectacular. Each time Prince Hai Ri launched an attack or Yu Bao managed a successful dodge, a huge cheer would erupt from the crowd.

The Fish Dragon Race is naturally warlike, so sparring matches were a common sight. However, their methods were usually simple—it was basically a contest of who was stronger and who could make a bigger splash. There wasn’t much finesse to enjoy.

A tactical battle this brilliant was a rare sight. How could they not be excited?

"Our Hai Ri is so naturally gifted! To think he’s already mastered the Terror Wave Riding Lance to the Tier Three level! He should be able to win this spar easily, right?" Chang Xi was never stingy with praise for her proudest son.

Han Lan watched the spar for a while before shaking his head. "I wouldn’t be so sure."

Chang Xi was puzzled. "But that Yu Dian Farm Dog is clearly being overwhelmed by Hai Ri. It’s done nothing but dodge and defend this entire time."

"You’re not wrong, but you’re missing the crucial point. Take a closer look at their movement patterns," Han Lan patiently explained to his wife.

"See it now? A few of Yu Bao’s dodges have been identical. I don’t think that’s accidental. It’s a deliberate attempt to bait out Prince Hai Ri’s habitual attack patterns, which it can then use for a targeted counter-attack."

Chang Xi was astonished. "But that would require incredibly quick thinking and powerful Perception, wouldn’t it? Besides, Hai Ri is very sharp himself. If he notices Yu Bao’s intent, he’ll surely counter it."

"Perhaps... Yu Bao is just one step ahead and will secure victory before he even realizes what’s happening," Han Lan mused, closing his eyes.

"ARF!?"

Back on the stage, having just completed another attack, Prince Hai Ri also noticed an indescribable sense of repetition.

’No matter what, this isn’t good for me. I have to find a way to change the rhythm...’

"WOOF!" Amid his thoughts, Yu Bao suddenly lunged forward, looking ready to fight to the death.

Startled, Prince Hai Ri instinctively beat his fins to counter, only to realize it was just a feint. Seeing his panicked reaction, Yu Bao decisively pulled back its attack and moved to the left.

Prince Hai Ri instantly locked onto it.

’Heh, my balance isn’t off!’

Relying on muscle memory, Prince Hai Ri instinctively accelerated, charging ferociously toward Yu Bao.

But to his surprise, Yu Bao dodged with impossible smoothness, letting the full-force blow slide right past.

’This couldn’t be a simple reflex. After a few exchanges, I’d gotten a basic grasp of Yu Bao’s upper limits. I had only launched that full-power attack because I was certain Yu Bao wouldn’t be able to dodge it.’

’The fact that Yu Bao could dodge meant it was all premeditated. It had been waiting for me to make my move!’

’How...? Was I seen through so completely!?’

Prince Hai Ri hurriedly turned to face his opponent, only to see sand gathering beside Yu Bao, forming the shape of a Battle Saber. Coated in a Golden Light, it shot straight for him.

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