Beast Taming: I Can Add Points

Not far from the market, two Fish Dragons swam side by side. One was slightly larger, the other slightly smaller. The smaller of the two had a crown of pale gold scales between its horns, and it moved with an innate sense of composure and pride.

—Han Lan’s 250th son, Hai Ri.

Though his position in the line of succession was rather low, Hai Ri’s talent was immense. At his young age, his Real-time Energy Value had already reached Two-star, surpassing many of his older brothers. It was almost a certainty that he would reach Four-star in the future, and he might even have a shot at the legendary Five-star.

Even many Sea Beasts from other clans knew: the next King of the Storm Fish Dragon Race was destined to be Number 250.

After all, Han Lan was so... virile. Who could remember the names of all his children? It was just more convenient to call them by their number.

Every time he thought of this, a melancholic look would cross Hai Ri’s face.

The elder, trailing behind him, offered words of comfort. "Your Highness, you mustn’t be discouraged! Even though you’re Number 250—er, I mean, even though your number isn’t the most pleasant-sounding, it is said that heaven bestows great responsibility upon a great dragon. You are destined for a brilliant future!"

"Thank you for the comfort, but maybe don’t try to comfort me next time..." Hai Ri sighed.

’Still, the elder did have a point. What doesn’t kill me only makes me stronger!’

’In fact, Hai Ri quite admired Xiaolan for daring to disobey their father’s orders and sneak out time and again. He wasn’t nearly as brave.’

’After all, when their father punished Xiaolan, it was just for show. When he punished him, he meant it...’

Seeing the market in the distance, Hai Ri paused. "By the way, did you take those humans to the market this morning?"

"I did," the elder replied.

Hai Ri nodded, a thoughtful look on his face.

He had actually been present when Xue Li evolved the previous night. The terrifying waves and undercurrents had given him a harsh lesson in the Wave-Riding Duck’s power.

He had tried to resist but found it utterly useless... That’s right, he was one of the unlucky souls who had been slammed against the rock wall by Broken Waterfall Judgment.

Although one couldn’t equate the peak Energy during evolution with its normal post-evolution state, that level of power—even if fleeting—was still terrifying.

Only then did Hai Ri understand what it truly meant to be a darling of the sea.

Naturally, from a conversation with his father the King, he also learned of the hardships of Xue Li’s training. Hai Ri felt ashamed. ’As a proud Fish Dragon, my training regimen isn’t even as intense as a Hao Waterfowl’s. I deserve to be weaker than her.’

Now, Xue Li was his G.O.A.T.!

"I’d love to spar with those humans. I’ve heard that besides Miss Xue Li, the others are quite formidable too!"

Hai Ri gazed toward the market with anticipation.

The elder encouraged him from the side. "Then go! Human Beast Tamers have a tradition of sparring. A powerful opponent like yourself will surely pique their interest!"

"Never mind, I don’t have the guts..." Hai Ri flinched.

The elder: "..."

In the eyes of his clan, Prince Hai Ri was the perfect heir to the throne—majestic, proud, composed, and powerful, possessing all the qualities a King should have.

In reality, the guy had social anxiety... At the Dragon Palace the previous night, he hadn’t even dared to ask Xue Li for an autograph or a memento.

’This won’t do,’ the elder thought. ’His Highness needs some tempering.’

’No time like the present. Today’s the day!’

With that thought, the elder nudged Hai Ri toward the market. "Since we’re here, let’s go have a look!"

...

"Tada!"

At a stall, under Shao Ya’s intense scrutiny, Su Zhi reluctantly put on a shell necklace she’d picked out.

To be honest, it was a bit ridiculous. The necklace was clearly not designed for human proportions. It weighed several pounds, for one, and the bottom dangled all the way to his feet, which would make walking a hassle.

Shao Ya, however, was thrilled. She bounced on the balls of her feet like an excited schoolgirl, a wide grin spreading across her face. "Su Baby, you look even cuter now!"

Su Zhi couldn’t help but laugh.

’Is it because the massive necklace makes me look small that I’m "cute"?’ he thought. ’Damn it! A man can’t be "small"!’

The stall owner seized the opportunity to sidle up to Shao Ya, giving her a thumbs-up with its fin.

"Young lady, what an eye! This is a limited-edition necklace, made from shells we got by trading with the Meteor Shell clan. Not only is it beneficial to your health, it can also promote the growth and evolution of Gold Element Pet Beasts! What’s more, the patterns on the shells are exquisite and beautiful, appealing to the aesthetics of many different Races!"

"To celebrate establishing relations with humankind, the Clan Leader has given a special decree: everything today is twelve-tenths of the price! It’s the perfect time to buy! The fact that you picked it out right now... it must be fate!"

Shao Ya cupped her face, looking a little bashful. "Oh, I just picked it out randomly. I’m not that amazing!"

"..." Su Zhi looked at the object in his hand, at a loss for words.

’Beneficial to your health... Does he mean carrying this thing around is supposed to be good for your spine?’

’As for promoting the evolution of Gold Element Pet Beasts, well, no duh. Meteor Shells are a Gold and Water Dual Element resource. Of course they promote the evolution of corresponding Attributes.’

’And if I heard right, "twelve-tenths of the price"... a reverse discount? Seriously... Oh, right. We don’t have to pay. Han Lan is footing the bill, so the merchants can skim a little extra.’

"AWOOWOO~" Seeing her delight, the owner’s fishy face also broke into a wide grin as he went in for the kill.

"Young lady, you’ve come all the way from the human world. Who knows when you’ll have the chance to return? This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! You should take it!"

"Su Baby, should we get it?" Shao Ya pumped a small fist, her expression full of anticipation.

’He’s just flattering you,’ Su Zhi thought, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.

’But on second thought... if I can see through it, how could Shao Ya not?’

’The outcome isn’t what’s important here. It’s the experience.’

"In that case, thank you, owner."

Su Zhi accepted the necklace with a smile.

The two of them exchanged a smile, neither pointing out the shop owner’s transparent sales pitch, nor acknowledging their own little act.