Starting with the Broken-Winged Frost Butterfly: Beast Taming

On January 31, the sun shone brightly in the sky, and a vast sea of ​​clouds stretched out before them.

Zhongdu University, South Campus, Shy Grass Square.

In preparation for the annual secret realm training, the area has been cleared out in advance. As far as the eye can see, the light pink lawn is packed with people, and each person is accompanied by at least one pet beast.

"Is he Zhu Ran?"

"This person lost their first life contract a long time ago, has a C-level aptitude, and comes from a very ordinary family. How did they suddenly rise to become a campus celebrity?"

"They've already started their own companies, what an amazing life! There aren't many people at Zhongdu University who haven't heard of those four words. Sigh, I really want that little tiger cutie, but I just can't get it..."

When the black-haired youth in dark purple battle armor appeared in the square, a large number of eyes swept over him, and countless people whispered among themselves.

This is the most talked-about person at Zhongdu University in the last two months!

While everyone else was still attending classes as usual, he was doing live streams and building a base, enjoying immense success!

"Zhu Ran, you're so slow. You don't need to be the last one to appear, do you?"

A crisp, melodious sound mingled among the crowd.

Zhu Ran turned his head and saw the girl holding a small badger with a heater in her arms. She was dressed in a red battle suit, the fabric of which clung to her body and outlined her full curves. Her smile exuded the unique sweetness of youth.

"Miss Shang."

Zhu Ran said helplessly, "We still have half an hour before we leave. Is it possible that you arrived too early?"

"Someone arrived two hours ago."

Shang Yunying waved her little fist and glanced at the Hercules Frog.

At this moment, Xiao Ji's back was piled high with bulging bags. Just what was visible to the naked eye included metal baskets, sealed boxes, leather bags, chains, animal skin blankets, toolboxes... all crammed full.

But it was effortless; its round, frog-like eyes looked straight ahead, its steps were steady and light, and the cargo on its back did not tip over. It was calm and reliable throughout the journey.

"This squire is quite good; he can carry things and fight, making him very cost-effective."

"Compared to Miss Shang's mount, it's nothing but a drop in the ocean."

Zhu Ran looked behind Shang Yunying.

It was a savage beast with four hooves on the ground, its entire body covered in fish scales that shimmered silver in the sunlight, exuding an indomitable and dashing aura.

[Race]: Fish-scale Horse

[Attribute]: Water/Light

[Life Level]: Mature

[Bloodline Strength]: B

[Core Talents]: Scaled Armor Bearing Weight/Rock Steadfast/Unfazed by Long Distance/Dazzling Flowing Light/Water-Walking Meteor

[Racial Skills]: Light Reflection/Silver Impact/Layered Scale Defense/Scale Peeling Technique

[Status]: Peaceful

Fish-scale horse, of the water and light types, is skilled at long-distance travel.

Its "scale armor" gives it a defense that is impervious to piercing and slashing, and it is strong enough to carry heavy loads.

"Rock-solid" enhances riding comfort, eliminating worries about bumpy journeys;

"Fatigue-free for long distances" gives you the stamina to run long distances, allowing you to run for a day and a night and still breathe evenly;

"Water-walking Meteor" means that when encountering water, whether it is a stream or the deep sea, one can walk on the waves at a speed faster than on land;

"Dazzling Radiance" is a talent derived from the scale armor. Anyone who stares at the scale armor for a long time, whether human or beast, has a chance to be stunned and reveal a weakness.

Zhu Ran sighed slightly; this was another rare B-grade beast, worth around 60.

Anyone else would have signed a life contract and devoted themselves to nurturing him.

But in Miss Shang's eyes, only the "stove-warming badger" receives all the pampering, and the second life contract remains unfulfilled.

The fish-scale horse, carrying four suitcases on its back, was clearly an elite mount specially acquired in preparation for the trip to the secret realm.

"Where's the Broken-Winged Frost Butterfly? It's usually so clingy, but on such an important day, it's shyly hiding away?"

Shang Yunying scanned her surroundings and looked up at the sky, but still couldn't find that icy blue figure. Her eyes were filled with doubt.

Liang Baizhou, who was traveling with him, also perked up his ears upon hearing this, as it was the question he was most concerned about at that moment.

"I fed Xuexi some ice-type spiritual materials, which caused a subtle change, and she's asleep now."

Zhu Ran concealed the crucial clue and calmly explained.

He was satisfied that he could concoct the potion before the assembly date.

Unfortunately, the third stage reversal took too long to complete.

Zhu Ran had no choice but to put Xiao Die Die into his life contract card and rush over to meet up with her.

As for when he will wake up?

Based on the efficiency of energy fusion, Zhu Ran estimates it will take another three to five days.

Before Xuexi fully awakens, he and Liang Baizhou must remain discreet and never act out of curiosity or explore dangerous areas.

"That's so perfunctory."

Hearing Zhu Ran's vague explanation, Shang Yunying snorted:

"The word 'subtle' itself is subtle!"

"You're not secretly researching flawed evolution again, are you? Otherwise, why would you be messing around with something as important as the secret realm training?"

Quite clever... but was immediately exposed. Zhu Ran shrugged, acting as if nothing had happened.

The truth will eventually come out.

When Xuexi awoke, she was in perfect condition, with no more cracks in her bloodline.

Whether it's the wealthy Mrs. Shang or Mr. Liang, they will naturally be dumbfounded, and then slowly accept it.

"Let's not talk about that. Is that Miss Yu's partner over there?"

Zhu Ran noticed that Shang, Qin, and Yu were currently separated.

Shang Yunying's partner Qin Yin, along with Yu Manrong and another girl in white with a pure face and petite figure, were chatting together.

Beside the girl in white stood a humanoid beast even more robust and tall than the Hercules Frog, its muscles bulging like plates of armor, its eyes fierce, and its whole body exuding an aura of dominance that forbade outsiders to approach.

"Yes, she's a junior from medical school who applied for early training, so she's participating in our cohort."

"Isn't her 'Guardian Ape' cool? A defensive-type mature B-rank, paired with Rongrong's 'Mighty Bird,' their offense and defense complement each other perfectly, making them a golden combination."

Zhu Ran nodded in agreement.

Xiao Ji stared at the guard ape, gesturing with his arm muscles in the air, and was slightly shocked to find that he was actually "small".

"Congratulations, senior!"

Mei Hui kept stealing glances at Zhu Ran.

As their eyes met, she smiled excitedly, took Yu Manrong and Qin Yin's arms, and walked quickly toward them.

"Xiaomei is your biggest fan."

Shang Yunying said in a low voice, "She tried to buy Little Tiger from us at a high price, but we cherish it so much that we would never sell it."

The voice just fell.

Mei Hui had already stood in front of him, her hands clasped together, her petite body leaning forward as she cautiously pleaded:

"Senior Zhu, could I possibly buy a cute little tiger from you? I see Rongrong and the others showing off their pets on WeChat Moments every day, and the jealousy is making me unrecognizable. I don't want to have insomnia anymore, please..."

From those eyes, Zhu Ran sensed an almost obsessive devotion and longing.

She is also a friend of the three major investors, making her a suspected fourth wealthy woman.

Zhu Ran considered it briefly, then smiled and said:

"After the training is over, I'll leave you one, and you'll get a 20% discount."

"Yay!" Mei Hui jumped up with joy, her cheeks flushed, and her smile was exceptionally bright.