Eternal Beast Taming Family

"Find two three-year-old purple irises, three five-year-old blood-growth grasses, and a piece of bright jade."

Chu Jingyu's eyebrows twitched slightly. "Ancestor Chu, what are these materials for?"

"Required for the evolution of Phosphorescent Butterfly." Chu Mu's voice was indifferent, revealing neither joy nor sorrow, as if the evolutionary path he spoke of was merely ordinary to him.

Upon receiving the answer, Chu Jingyu's expression became even more excited, and his hands trembled slightly as he bowed to the substantial book on the octagonal table.

"Yes, Ancestor Chu, I will definitely find the materials tomorrow."

"Hmm." Chu Mu responded softly, and the luster on the stone book subsided into stillness, with no further unusual changes.

The room remained silent for a while before Chu Jingyu sat down in his chair again.

"Evolutionary path..."

He murmured something softly, and there seemed to be some emotion brewing in his eyes.

Looking at his absent-minded father, Chu Qinhui asked softly, "Father, Xiaofan just contracted a Source Beast. Can he really evolve immediately?"

Although I never contracted a Source Beast to become a Contract Master, I was exposed to things about Source Beasts from a young age.

Logically speaking, shouldn't Source Beasts only begin to evolve their race after reaching their racial limit?

Upon hearing Chu Qinhui's words, Chu Jingyu's excited expression gradually calmed down, and he pondered for a moment before speaking.

"Not necessarily. The reason why source beasts usually seek the path of evolution only after reaching a bottleneck is that excess energy is accumulated inside their bodies, which lowers the threshold for evolution considerably."

It's not that one can't evolve while still growing; it's just that aristocratic families typically wait until their racial potential is exhausted before beginning evolution, thus maximizing the use of the family's resources.

Chu Jingyu's gaze unconsciously drifted to the physical book, and his tone softened subconsciously, "Perhaps Ancestor Chu doesn't care about these things."

Looking at his father's expression, Chu Qinhui could tell that his father was also gambling, but they didn't know what they were gambling on.

Upon careful consideration, it seems that the Chu family doesn't have anything that the Chu Ancestor would covet.

……

The next morning.

The snow outside seemed to have stopped last night, leaving only snow up to Chu Shengfan's calves.

Chu Shengfan followed his grandfather out the door with a somewhat nervous expression, his feet sinking into the snow.

Last night, his grandfather told him about his duty today and also about buying materials to evolve his source beast, "Phosphorescent Butterfly".

All his knowledge of source beasts and contract masters came from his grandfather, so naturally he believed whatever he was told.

The thought of taking on the initial responsibilities of the family starting today filled Chu Shengfan with excitement, anticipation, and a nervous sense of whether he could do things well.

Such a temperature would certainly be bone-chillingly cold for ordinary people.

However, as a mortal-level contract master, he always felt a warm current flowing from his heart to his limbs and bones, and he was not afraid of the coldness of the world.

He now seemed to understand why those contract masters always referred to ordinary people as mortals.

Instead of using an oxcart, the grandfather and grandson walked to town, but the journey took no less than the last time they set off by oxcart.

Once inside the town, apart from the snow-clearing workers, it was difficult to see any other pedestrians on the streets. The sudden change from bustling activity to desolation made Chu Shengfan feel somewhat uneasy.

Walking down the street, every household had its doors and windows tightly shut, with wisps of smoke occasionally rising from the rooftops, but Chu Shengfan heard mostly coughs.

It is likely that the sudden change in weather caught some people off guard, leading to some illnesses.

Chu Jingyu walked silently ahead, carrying a basket on his back. After a while, he suddenly spoke up, "If this weather continues, people will die soon."

Chu Jingyu spoke suddenly, and Chu Shengfan let out a soft "Ah?" Realizing his grandfather was talking to him, he asked in confusion.

"As long as we work hard, it shouldn't be too bad. This year is a bumper harvest, so we can just consider it an early winter."

Chu Jingyu seemed amused by Chu Shengfan's words, "Do you think it's like in the village? As long as it's a good harvest year, you can eat the stored grain when you're hungry, and you can work hard to go up the mountain to chop firewood when you're cold. As long as you work hard, you can always survive."

"Isn't that right?" Chu Shengfan asked, somewhat puzzled.

"This town isn't all rich people and contract masters; there are plenty of craftsmen who have lost their land. Business is tough in the cold weather, but the prices of grain and firewood keep rising."

With meager savings to begin with, they could only cut back here and there, and in doing so, they developed health problems. When the time came for medical treatment, it would be a huge expense, which they couldn't afford. They could only endure it, leaving their fate to chance.

From his grandfather's simple words, Chu Shengfan could sense that the townspeople were not as wonderful as he had imagined.

He felt his throat was a little dry. "Then why do they still live in town?"

Chu Jingyu looked at the town mayor's mansion not far ahead, stopped, and straightened his and Chu Shengfan's clothes, explaining softly as he did so.

"It's not so easy to buy back lost land. Otherwise, it's all about saving face and reputation. Everyone has their own difficulties and their own calculations."

I'm telling you all this so you understand that you shouldn't just focus on the surface; who knows what kind of filth and depravity is hidden beneath?

Don't easily trust others in town. Think things through carefully, observe and listen more, speak less, and avoid unnecessary actions.

Faced with his grandfather's nagging, Chu Shengfan showed no impatience whatsoever, but obediently said, "I know, Grandpa, I will be careful."

Chu Jingyu nodded in satisfaction at his grandson's obedience, then strode back toward the town mayor's mansion.

He informed the guards at the gate of his purpose, and soon led the grandfather and grandson into the mansion.

It was the same room where I last met the chief of security, and it was Zhang Yu who received the grandfather and grandson.

Perhaps the "Misty Ghost" from yesterday had brought him considerable benefits, for he now looked quite radiant. Upon seeing the grandfather and grandson, he proactively greeted Chu Jingyu with a smile.

"We meet again, sir."

Chu Jingyu cupped his hands in greeting. "Lord Zhang, today, as agreed, I've brought my grandson to serve. Xiao Fan, come and let the lord take a look at him."

Seeing a child about 1.5 meters tall with a youthful face beside Chu Jingyu, Zhang Yu was clearly surprised, even though he knew that Chu Jingyu was sending his grandson to work.

However, he thought that Chu Jingyu's grandson should be at least twenty years old, but the child in front of him looked to be only about twelve or thirteen years old, which was a bit too young.

His stunned expression lasted for a second. He clapped his hands beside him, then adopted a gentle expression, bowed slightly, and asked Chu Shengfan:

"What's your name?"

Chu Shengfan followed his grandfather's example and bowed slightly. "Replying to your question, sir, my name is Chu Shengfan, Chu with two wood radicals, Sheng with an earth radical, and Fan with a few dots."

"Shengfan, that's a good name. How old are you this year?"

"Twelve years old in actual age, thirteen years old in traditional age."

Just as he had guessed, Zhang thought to himself, "From today onwards, you'll be on duty alone. Aren't you afraid?"

Chu Shengfan looked puzzled. "Why are you afraid? I'm already twelve years old. As the eldest son in the family, I'm capable of shouldering the responsibilities of the family."

Upon hearing Chu Shengfan's answer, Zhang Yu felt a pang of shame. What was he doing when he was twelve or thirteen? Probably still walking cats and playing with dogs.

After clearing his throat twice, Zhang Yu continued, "I heard from your grandfather that you've already formed a contract with a Source Beast. Can I take a look?"

Chu Shengfan turned his head slightly to look at his grandfather, and only after Chu Jingyu nodded slightly did he summon the "Phosphorescent Butterfly" from the space.

Gazing intently at the butterfly that reflected a faint, colorful glow, Zhang Yu stared at it for two seconds before recognizing which kind of source beast it was.

"It's a phosphorescent butterfly! This kind of medicinal beast is indeed very suitable for the logistics department. Shall I take you to your future workplace now?"

Chu Shengfan kept a straight face, trying his best to appear more mature. "Thank you for your trouble, sir."

Seeing this stark contrast, Zhang Yu couldn't help but chuckle, a smile spreading across his face. To avoid being seen by Chu Shengfan, he stepped out the door first.

After passing through the connecting corridor, the three arrived at another courtyard, where a plaque read "Logistics Department".

As Zhang Yu walked in, staff members who were checking supplies immediately came forward, their faces full of obsequious smiles as they asked, "Lord Zhang, is there anything you need?"

Zhang Yu remained calm, pointed to Chu Shengfan behind him, and said, "Didn't you say someone was coming to work in your logistics department? I've brought him here."

The staff member with the mustache smiled and said, "How could we trouble you to deliver it personally? Just let us know, and we'll go get the person."

Then he followed Zhang Yu's hand and looked behind him, where he saw a little boy who was about 1.5 meters tall. He fixed his gaze on him for a moment, and then his gaze naturally moved to Chu Jingyu behind Chu Shengfan.

Then he frowned slightly. He was getting a bit old, but since the mayor arranged it himself, he could just keep it there as a mascot.

So he eagerly walked up to Chu Jingyu, cupped his hands in greeting, and said, "My name is Bai Liangshu. I don't know your name, sir. Please forgive me in the future."

Chu Jingyu put his hand to his forehead and pointed to the area in front of him, "The one who's here to take up the post is him, my grandson."

Bai Liangshu, with his mustache, his expression frozen, turned and looked down at Chu Shengfan with disbelief in his eyes, his tone somewhat sharp.

"He's coming to take the position?"