In Locke, beast taming begins with a black pot.

Chen Xun raised the small black pot he was carrying.

The little black pot was dozing in Chen Xun's arms when it was suddenly lifted up. The lid shook and it groggily sprayed out a mud bubble.

A bubble floated onto Lin Bei's glasses and popped with a "pop," covering his face with mud.

Lin Bei: "..."

Chen Xun: "Sorry, it just woke up and is a bit grumpy."

Lin Bei wiped his glasses, not angry at all, but even more excited: "Is this mud spray? It's amazing! Can I touch it?"

Are you sure?

Chen Xun glanced at him: "It has a bad temper."

"It's okay, I like elves, I like all kinds."

Lin Bei cautiously reached out and touched the lid of the small black pot.

The little black pot felt comfortable being touched and rubbed against Lin Bei's palm.

The little black pot was touched by a stranger, and although the intimacy level remained unchanged, the user was happy.

Chen Xun looked at the prompt on the panel and his lips twitched.

This pot of soup is quite enjoyable.

The line moved forward slowly.

Chen Xun and Lin Bei chatted while waiting in line.

Lin Bei is a talkative person, but he speaks very logically and doesn't annoy people.

He was the top student in his grade at Jiangcheng No. 2 Middle School, and ranked second in the city in theoretical courses, second only to Chen Xun.

The sprite is a green-blue creature with two spirit slots.

"My talent is average."

Lin Bei adjusted his glasses and said calmly, "But I believe that diligence can make up for lack of talent. By combining theory with practice, you can always find a path that suits you."

Chen Xun nodded.

This guy has a good attitude.

After waiting in line for nearly an hour, it was finally Chen Xun's turn.

Behind the registration desk sat three teachers, two men and one woman, all wearing the uniforms of the Capital Beast Taming Academy, with serious expressions.

"Name."

"Chen Xun".

"Where are you from?"

Jiangcheng No.1 Middle School

"Sprite quality, number of spirit slots".

"Blue, 3 spirit slots."

The three teachers simultaneously looked up at Chen Xun.

With 3 spirit slots and blue quality, it's considered top-tier among this year's new recruits.

"Summon your spirit; we need to verify this on-site."

The female teacher spoke, her voice cold and clear.

Chen Xun placed the small black pot on the registration desk.

The little black pot had fully woken up, and with the lid slightly ajar, it curiously peered at the three teachers.

The female teacher picked up the elf detector and scanned the little black pot.

drop……

【Elf: Little Black Pot】

[Attribute: Earth]

[Quality: Blue]

[Level: 2]

【Special Feature: Mud Armor】

……

The female teacher stamped the form and handed him an admission ticket.

"Meet in front of the main building at 8:00 AM tomorrow to take the entrance test."

"The test consists of three parts: a written theoretical test, a demonstration of the Pokémon, and a real-world battle."

"You'll be accepted if you're ranked in the top 100 overall. Good luck!"

Chen Xun took the admission ticket and turned to leave.

Lin Bei was still in line when he called out to Chen Xun, "See you tomorrow, Chen Xun!"

Chen Xun waved his hand and walked out of the main building.

As soon as I stepped out of the school gate, I saw Old Man Han squatting by the roadside, looking utterly hopeless.

His white shirt had several footprints on it, and his hair was disheveled, making him look like he had been beaten up by a group of people.

"What's wrong with you?"

Chen Xun walked over.

"fine."

Old Han raised his head and forced a smile that looked more like a grimace: "I just received a few kind greetings from some old friends."

Chen Xun squatted down and looked at him: "I think he's a creditor."

Old Han was silent for a while, then sighed: "Back then, I was indeed... not very popular at the Beast Taming Academy in the capital."

Chen Xun sneered: "Security guards are chasing you for debts, your colleagues are chasing you for money, and you call that being unpopular?"

"That's just youthful impetuosity."

Old Han scratched his head: "Back then, I spent a lot of money researching item spirits. I borrowed some from colleagues and some from friends. Later, the research failed, and I ran out of money, so... I ran away."

"Running away?"

"I just... went to Jiangcheng to hide for a few years."

Old Han spoke of it casually.

But Chen Xun could sense that those days were not easy for him.

But you're a deadbeat!

"So you're coming back now? Aren't you afraid they'll come after you?"

"What are you afraid of?"

Old Han stood up, dusted off his pants, and said, "At worst, I'll just run the route again. I'll have the experience now."

Chen Xun: "..."

Are you even proud of being a defaulter?

"Let's go back to the hotel first."

Chen Xun turned and walked back.

Back at the hotel, Chen Xun placed his admission ticket on the table and stared at the words "Capital Beast Taming Academy" for a long time.

The entrance exam is tomorrow.

He wasn't afraid of the written theory exams; his grades in theory classes had always been excellent.

Even when the elf is on display, there's nothing to fear. Although the little black pot looks like a kitchen utensil, its blue quality speaks for itself, and no one dares to underestimate it.

The only thing that needs to be taken seriously is actual combat.

He didn't know who his opponent would be, or what the opponent's Pokémon's attributes, level, or skills were.

None of those who managed to register at the Beast Taming Academy in the capital were pushovers.

There might be geniuses with 3 spirit slots, blue or even purple quality spirits, or rich kids who have received elite education since childhood.

What makes him, a poor boy from Jiangcheng, think he can compare to others?

Chen Xun sensed the location of the fourth spirit slot in his mind, and the fourth white light that flashed across the spirit testing stone on the day of the awakening ceremony appeared in his mind.

Was it just his hallucination?

8:20 a.m.

All students participating in the test gathered in the main auditorium.

More than two thousand people filled the auditorium to capacity; as far as the eye could see, all you could see were the backs of their heads.

Chen Xun was squeezed in the middle, surrounded by people on all sides. The air was filled with various shampoos, perfumes, and the unique scent of elves.

He held the small black pot in his arms, the lid tightly closed, as if afraid it would be knocked off by someone.

"That's way too exaggerated."

Lin Bei stood on tiptoe to look ahead, and could only see a sea of ​​heads: "Two thousand people are competing for one hundred spots. It's even more competitive than the college entrance exam."

"At least you can fill out college application forms after the college entrance exam."

Zhao Lei chimed in from behind, his voice muffled: "If you don't pass this exam, you're out of luck; you won't even have a chance to be transferred."

Su Qianqian, being the smallest, blushed from being squeezed and said, "Could you guys please move aside? I can hardly breathe."

Chen Xun glanced around, then reached out and pulled Su Qianqian in front of him: "Stand here, I'll shield you."

"Thank you!"

Su Qianqian gave him a grateful look.

Zhou Mingxuan, standing nearby, scoffed, "Tendering the ladies? You'd better worry about yourself first, or you'll get eliminated in the first round."

Chen Xun ignored him.

It's a waste of time to say a single word to someone like that.

It was exactly 8:30.

An elderly man in a white coat walked out onto the stage in front of the auditorium.

With gray hair and wearing gold-rimmed glasses, he looked to be in his sixties, but he was in good spirits and walked with a steady gait.

A silver-white elf, resembling an owl, perched on his shoulder, its eyes gleaming with a ghostly blue light.

[Sprite: Silver Owl]

【Attribute: Cute】

[Quality: Purple]

[Level: 58]

Chen Xun's pupils contracted slightly.

Purple quality, level 58.

The old man's strength is that of a master-level beast tamer.

"Quiet!"

The old man spoke, his voice not loud, but it could be heard clearly throughout the entire auditorium.

The more than two thousand people fell silent instantly.