Beast Taming: I'm Really Just a Forest Ranger

The air wave dissipated, but the late wind swept across every corner, making the leaves sway and rustle.

The Shadow Owl treaded on swaying branches, its crimson eyes quietly watching below. Suddenly, it spread its dark wings and silently flew into the air, overlooking everyone from a broader perspective.

The Cyan Wind Hunting Dog abruptly raised its head; its sharp eyes, like those of a hawk, seemingly pierced through the thick black night, locking onto the Shadow Owl rising upward, but instead of a warning growl, it sent a signal with its wagging tail.

The Flowing Cloud Sparrow, perched on its back, swiftly took flight, using the cover of night to conceal itself, finally slipping into the dense foliage, locking its dark eyes on the Shadow Owl in the sky.

"Another Poison Spore landmine."

A flash of surprise passed from the Twin Flower Concubine, as Li Junyue lowered his gaze to the small pit formed by the explosion of a purple mushroom, speaking in a deep tone, "These guys love using poison."

"Yin-yin~"

The expression of the Twin Flower Concubine was not as cold as usual, raising its purple eyes with keen interest towards the front shrouded in darkness.

It seemed to be expecting something.

Chen Yuan had also heard of the notorious "Poison Spore landmine," knowing the sinister and nauseating nature of this move.

Once planted, the Poison Spore lasts for hours, even one or two days.

Most importantly, this thing can remain invisible; unless stepped on, it’s difficult to find it in dense forests.

The Twin Flower Concubine once showed keen interest in this skill but found disappointment as only Fungal Pet Beasts could master it.

In Yun Province, where Fungal Pet Beasts are abundant, beastmasters inevitably deal with "Poison Spore landmines," and surely have rich experience in handling them.

So Chen Yuan turned to Li Junyue, "How do you deal with this kind of situation?"

Upon hearing this question, Li Junyue’s eyes glimmered, responding in a deep voice, "Poison-type Pet Beasts, with patience, can detect the Poison Spore."

"Mush-mush!"

The Honey Mist Umbrella Spirit shook its light cyan mushroom umbrella vigorously, its pea-sized eyes sparkling as if to show off to everyone that it could do this.

"The Honey Mist Umbrella Spirit is Lin’s pet beast, ensuring our safety during field missions." Li Junyue introduced its role to Chen Yuan and his companions, considering the urgency of the situation, speaking at a rapid pace.

"Cough-cough." Lin puffed out his chest, smiling reservedly yet proudly, letting out a casual cough to draw their attention.

"The Honey Mist Umbrella Spirit can absorb poison mist and transform it into healing mist, and it can help locate traps like Poison Spore landmines."

"But it requires some time."

After a slight pause, Li Junyue stretched his right hand forward, the Ink Tree Spirit stepped forward with its massive frame: "In similar emergencies, the Ink Tree Spirit paves the path by moving directly forward, even if it steps on a Poison Spore landmine, it doesn’t matter, leaning upon the Honey Mist Umbrella Spirit to promptly absorb the poison mist."

Chen Yuan was momentarily speechless.

Such a simple and direct solution.

Making the resilient Ink Tree Spirit pave the way, being hit by an explosion is fine so long as the poison mist doesn’t spread.

Upon saying this, Li Junyue couldn’t help but sigh, "It’d be great to have a pet beast that could easily detect Poison Spore landmines."

Chen Yuan glanced at the Twin Flower Concubine, asking, "Can you do it?"

The Twin Flower Concubine always practiced poison skills at home, its proficiency skyrocketing, mastering poison beyond most Poison-type Pet Beasts.

"Yin-yin."

The Twin Flower Concubine’s eyes flickered; it rose gracefully from Chen Yuan’s shoulder, ignoring the long skirt hanging down, its queenly gaze sweeping in all directions, an intangible aura suddenly spreading.

Then,

It turned sideways, pointing to a spot on the ground, Chen Yuan instantly understood, calling out to Cola, "Cola, give it a try."

"Roar-roar!"

Cola responded, hearing its owner’s voice continue, "Be careful."

Cola looked towards the direction pointed by the Twin Flower Concubine, its light brown fur suddenly fluttered, its majestic body quickly dashed out.

Running across the ground, its moving limbs almost turned into remnants, pausing momentarily on each spot it landed.

In the next instant,

Cola’s speed was so fast it barely felt the touch beneath its feet, but a purple mushroom materialized behind, exploding violently with a "boom."

The explosion echoed behind, spreading light purple mist, but Cola had already long fled the scene.

"Yin-yin."

The Twin Flower Concubine’s gaze flickered; it waved its petal-like hands, dissipating the light purple mist into invisibility.

"Mush..."

This left the Honey Mist Umbrella Spirit, ready to feast, disappointed and crestfallen.

Meeting the surprised gaze of everyone, Chen Yuan smiled slightly, "Looks like we have a way to counter this mushroom array."

"Roar-roar-roar!"

"Yin-yin."

The Twin Flower Concubine first finds the Poison Spore landmines, while Cola rushes in with roars to step on the mushrooms, the spreading poison mist eagerly absorbed by the Honey Mist Umbrella Spirit.

"Captain Li, a Shadow Owl is trailing us."

Suddenly, a team member came to Li Junyue’s side, speaking in a low voice.

"Hmm." Li Junyue nodded imperceptibly, then made sure everyone was ready for incoming threats.

They were in the open; their opponents hidden. Yet, the Investigation Department faced the New Star Association with absolute advantage; as long as they were cautious, thorough in their approach, and equipped properly, they could completely overwhelm the other party.

The opponents had a trailing Shadow Owl, and they had tracking Cyan Wind Hunting Dogs and Flowing Cloud Sparrows;

The opponents deployed poison-mist beasts, while they had the countering Honey Mist Umbrella Spirit.