In Locke, beast taming begins with a black pot.

Do you know my parents?

Chen Xun was somewhat surprised.

He had known Old Man Han for so many years, but he had never heard him mention it.

"More than just acquaintances."

Old Han sighed, his eyes becoming somewhat complicated: "Back then, your parents were the most dazzling geniuses in the school, even more famous than you are now. The three of us entered the Pokémon Research Institute together, and then..."

He paused abruptly, then said, "Forget about the past. When are you planning to go to the capital?"

"the day after tomorrow!"

Chen Xun revealed his plan: "The entrance exam for the Capital Beast Taming Academy is at the beginning of next month. I'll go there in advance to prepare."

"Perfect timing, I'll go with you!"

Old Han slapped his thigh: "I haven't been back to the capital for a long time, I'll go back and visit some old friends while I'm at it."

Chen Xun looked at him warily: "What do you want? I don't have any money for you to freeload on."

"Who's trying to freeload off you?"

Old Han puffed out his beard and glared: "I'm worried about you! The capital is a mixed bag, the shady dealers are ten times more ruthless than in Jiangcheng, and there are more swindlers than elves. You're just a greenhorn, unfamiliar with the place, you'll get sold out and still be helping them count the money!"

"and……"

He lowered his voice: "The Black Tower organization's headquarters is in the capital. You're in such a high position right now, and you're with a special item spirit. They've been watching you for a long time. It's too dangerous for you to go alone."

Chen Xun remained silent.

For a moment, it was unclear whether Old Man Han was protecting him or simply traveling along the same route.

The main problem is that Old Man Han is practically useless now, with a combat strength of 0.5. It's uncertain who will protect whom if danger really arises!

However, the Black Tower organization has been capturing special spirits for experiments, and his little black pot is definitely their target.

With that old fox Han around, at least we're safer.

Moreover, it can be used to block a knife in a critical moment.

Thinking of this, Chen Xun smiled and asked, "Are you really going with me?"

"Is that even possible?"

Old Han patted his chest and said, "I have some connections in the capital. I can't say anything else, but I can definitely protect you, kid. Besides, I know where to buy the cheapest energy crystals in the capital, and I also know where your parents lived back then."

Chen Xun agreed: "Let me make this clear from the start: you'll have to pay for your own travel expenses, and we'll split the bill for meals. Don't even think about owing me any more money."

"Don't worry, don't worry!"

Old Han grinned so hard his eyes narrowed into slits: "This time it's on me! You won't have to pay a single penny!"

Fatty Wang, listening from the side, looked on with envy: "Brother Xun, I want to go to the capital with you too!"

Chen Xun patted him on the shoulder: "You should study hard at Jiangcheng Beast Taming Academy first, and train your white-haired lazy man to evolve. When you can beat me, I'll take you to the capital to make a name for yourself."

"It's a deal!"

Fatty Wang clenched his fist, his eyes resolute: "I will definitely work hard. Once I evolve into the Sleepy King, I'll come to the capital to find you. Then, the two of us brothers will be invincible!"

Two days later.

Jiangcheng Railway Station.

Chen Xun stood at the entrance of the station, carrying a backpack and a cage containing a small black pot in his hand.

Old Han was carrying a huge, tattered cloth bag on his back, so heavy that he couldn't straighten his back. No one knew what strange things were inside.

Fatty Wang came to see them off, and he cried his eyes out.

"Brother Xun, you must call me when you get to the capital!"

"Uncle Han, you must take good care of Brother Xun!"

The little black pot poked its head out of the cage and sprayed a tiny mud bubble.

"Alright, alright, it's not like we're facing life and death."

Chen Xun hugged Wang Pangzi: "Study hard and wait for me to come back."

He turned around and walked into the station entrance with Old Man Han.

The train slowly started moving, carrying the two people, heading towards the capital.

Chen Xun looked at the scenery rushing past the window, his mind filled with a myriad of thoughts.

Everything in Jiangcheng was left behind.

Old Han sat opposite Chen Xun, took out a braised chicken from his tattered bag, tore off a chicken leg, and handed it to him.

"Don't look so gloomy. There are so many fun places in the capital. Once we're settled, I'll take you to eat the best spicy hot pot. I guarantee even Xiao Heiguo will be drooling with envy."

The little black pot got excited when it heard about the spicy hot pot in the cage, and the lid opened and closed with a "clattering" sound.

The straight-line distance from Wuhan to the capital is more than 3,000 kilometers.

A regular train takes three days and three nights to travel, while the latest "Kunpeng" energy spaceship only takes twelve hours.

Of course, the price is also proportional to the speed.

A second-class ship ticket costs three thousand yuan, which is almost half a month's living expenses for Chen Xun.

As for first class and business class?

Chen Xun didn't even glance at it.

In Old Han's words, "That place is for those rich fools who have too much money to spend. For us ordinary people, squeezing into a second-class seat is just fine. It's all about value for money."

Chen Xun looked at the second-class cabin in front of him, where even turning around was difficult, and his lips twitched.

Value for money?

This is clearly an airborne sardine can.

The narrow passageway was packed with people, and the air was filled with a mixture of smells: instant noodles, sweat, and elf food.

The snoring of the middle-aged man next to me was so loud that the chair was shaking slightly.

The older woman across the street was holding a clucking turkey and feeding it sunflower seed shells.

Just outside, separated by a layer of tempered glass, lies the first-class cabin.

Through the glass, you can see that the other side has spacious leather sofas, each person has their own small table, and flight attendants in uniforms serving tea and water.

The business class seats further up have private rooms, which reportedly include a private Pokémon battle room and a hot spring pool.

"See that?"

Old Han, munching on a braised chicken foot, mumbled, "That's just how realistic the world is. The rich drink red wine and enjoy the scenery up there, while the poor squeeze into the aisles and eat instant noodles down there. When you become a master beast tamer, you'll be sitting in business class every day, having flight attendants peel garlic for you."

Chen Xun rolled his eyes: "Let's not even talk about whether I can become a Beast Taming Master. You should pay back the two thousand yuan you owe me first. And the money for your boat ticket, wasn't that deducted from the testing fee I gave you last time?"

Old Han froze instantly, his face flushed, and he said stiffly:

"What do you mean by 'deducting'? That's called 'advance payment'! I'm taking you to the capital to broaden your horizons. What's a little money like this? When we get to the capital, I'll treat you to a Manchu Han Imperial Feast!"

"Come on, you said you'd treat me to spicy hot pot last time, but I ended up paying for it anyway." Chen Xun exposed him mercilessly: "I've figured it out now, you're a liar."

Just then, the ship's loudspeaker came on.

"Dear passengers, this is now free time. Second-class passengers may enjoy a two-hour sightseeing tour on the deck. First-class and business-class passengers are free to explore the entire day."

As soon as the broadcast ended, Old Man Han couldn't sit still any longer and grabbed Chen Xun:

"Come on, let's go! Let's go up to the deck and broaden our horizons! Let me tell you, the deck of the Kunpeng is famous for its beautiful women. Many rich heiresses like to sunbathe on the deck."

Chen Xun looked disgusted: "I knew you weren't taking me to broaden my horizons, you were taking me to see pretty girls."

"What are you saying!"

Old Han said righteously, "I'm just letting you experience the local customs and culture of the capital in advance! Besides, what's wrong with looking at beautiful women? It's pleasing to the eye! It's better than smelling instant noodles down there, right?"