As for visiting the military's breeding base, Chu Yi had no intention of going, nor had he made any move to do so. He had prepared his excuse long ago: Bika's Mutated Evolution was entirely due to its "special bloodline," his own clever training, and a dash of good luck.
What Chu Yi found rather regrettable was that the Fireball Mice were no longer of value to him. Crimson Shadow couldn't enhance any of Bika's attributes; instead, a few "cups" of it were now stored in the "kitchen" of his Heaven-Eroding Feast.
"YIP!"
Bika buried its face in the lunchbox, eating with gusto.
Having advanced to the second stage, its form was delicate and beautiful. It boasted a coat of gorgeous reddish-brown fur that fluttered in the countryside breeze, tiny sparks dancing around it. Its belly was snow-white, its limbs long, and black stripes on the outside of its legs extended to its paws. It was no longer as small and frail as it had been at first; amidst its cuteness, there was a clear look of agility.
This Red Fox has no contract markings. Could it be the little Red Fox from this morning? Zhang Han paused, a flicker of doubt in his eyes. He scanned it with his Star Bracelet, but the information was completely blank; its owner had set it to private.
Apart from one's own contracted Pet Beasts, owners also had the right to set privacy for some adopted Pet Beasts. For example, in the Federation's registry, Bika was listed as belonging to Chu Yi.
"Um... excuse me, would you mind if we joined you for a meal?" Lin Xiaomeng asked with a smile. She was looking for an excuse to get closer, wanting to have a deeper conversation with this Beast Tamer.
The other three's eyes lit up. Isn't this a great opportunity to cozy up to someone powerful? Don't forget we have a mission this afternoon; we definitely need to ask for some serious advice!
"I'd advise you to keep your distance," Chu Yi said, raising his head and giving them a cursory glance. "It's very dangerous here."
Through his contracted eyes, his field of vision was vast, and he had caught a faint stirring. Having killed so many Fireball Mice, given their nature, they definitely wouldn't let this go easily.
However, the group of four assumed he was rejecting them. Their expressions turned awkward and rather unpleasant. They just stood there, watching Chu Yi and Bika happily devour their food, which only made them hungrier.
Just then, Bika's ears twitched. It crouched low, detecting movement in a patch of farmland directly ahead.
"Ahead, one o'clock, fifteen meters," Chu Yi announced, having pinpointed the location.
The next instant, "YIP!" Bika slightly adjusted its direction and charged forward rapidly. It transformed into a moving fireball, one paw igniting with flames as it smashed fiercely onto a raised mound of earth.
BANG!
The Fireball Mouse, which hadn't even fully emerged, was blasted apart along with the patch of dirt, exploding into a shower of blood mist.
"Low-rank skill, Fierce Claw!" Zhang Han's pupils contracted as he called out the name of the move.
The others also stared at the Red Fox in astonishment. Fierce Claw is an excellent low-rank skill! Besides its high attack power, it also inflicts Fire Element damage. This Red Fox actually learned it! And judging by its destructive force, its proficiency isn't low either.
"Watch out!" Lin Xiaomeng warned.
Cornstalks rustled and leaves trembled as a dozen Fireball Mice emerged. Sparks gathered in their mouths as they prepared to unleash Fireball Technique. Some among them were even second-stage.
Faced with this sudden onslaught, Lin Xiaomeng was somewhat bewildered. This expert actually attracts Fireball Mice to attack him, and in a group! He truly is an expert; his treatment is completely different from us rookies.
However, facing such concentrated firepower, the battle wouldn't be easy.
Bika remained in place, motionless, making no attempt to dodge. Chu Yi didn't shout the "Quick, dodge!" Divine Technique either.
"Why isn't it dodging? There are so many fireballs; the hit rate is bound to be high!" someone in the group exclaimed.
Amidst their astonished cries, the dozen or so fireballs slammed into Bika, exploding in a cloud of earth that enveloped its figure.
When the dust settled, a faint light shimmered from within.
"This is..." Zhang Han could no longer maintain his composure, his eyes widening in disbelief.
He saw the reddish-brown Red Fox standing there, completely unharmed. Moreover, a cross-shaped spark was now coalescing on its forehead.
WHOOSH!
Bika let out a low growl. The cross-shaped spark, carrying a frenzied torrent of air, erupted into a thick beam of light! Everywhere it passed, the ground was scorched.
"A rare skill, Burst Gun!!" Lin Xiaomeng gulped, her voice filled with disbelief.
Burst Gun absorbs fire damage and converts it into an explosive Fire Element attack. It's a skill for turning the tables against stronger opponents—an ultra-rare skill! Pet Beasts that comprehend this skill are incredibly few and far between, as it demands exceptionally high Element strength and combat talent.
BOOM—
A massive shockwave, accompanied by soaring dust and smoke, erupted.
The dozen or so Fireball Mice, directly facing this destructive pillar of fire, were scared out of their wits and sent flying into the air. We poor mice, blasted sky-high!
"YIP YIP!"
Bika was very pleased with the destructive power of its attack. It immediately hopped in front of Chu Yi, licked his palm, and wagged its fox tail back and forth, looking thoroughly smug.
Chu Yi smiled and gently stroked its head. "Well done, Bika."
Actual combat was an important path for a Pet Beast's growth. Chu Yi had pumped Bika full of so many potions that he worried its foundation might be unstable, like those characters in novels who get knocked down with a single hit. Moreover, without a Beast Taming Space, he couldn't communicate telepathically with Bika.
Fortunately, Bika's performance was brilliant; it used its level and skills to launch what could only be described as a higher-dimensional assault.
"So... so strong," Lin Xiaomeng stammered, finally reacting, momentarily at a loss for what else to say.
Another of her companions was silent for a moment. Then, as if having made a great decision, he walked over to a patch of corn, silently took off his outer pants, and pulled his underpants over his head. This was, apparently, a sign of respect for the strong.
"No wonder its information is set to private. With such high talent, comprehending both Fierce Claw and Burst Gun, and still uncontracted—who wouldn't be envious?" Zhang Han remarked, his face full of admiration.
But the next moment, as he looked at Bika, a thought stirred within him.
Something's not right! Such high talent, yet it's not contracted? Isn't he worried that after all this effort raising it, it might just run off? If you have a Pet Beast you favor but don't contract, once it hits a rebellious phase, it might run away, play disappearing acts, or even get snatched by other Beast Tamers. There are plenty of cautionary tales about that.
「Later that afternoon.」
Bika galloped freely through the fields, running rampant. It was like a max-level character on a killing spree in a newbie village.
Whenever Chu Yi spotted a Fireball Mouse's location and pointed, Bika would instantly understand and strike like lightning. The efficiency was astounding.
So, the militiamen patrolling the farmlands simply started following behind them, each carrying a burlap sack. Chu Yi would call out a location, Bika would knock the Fireball Mouse unconscious, and the militiamen would bag it and drag it away. It gave one the distinct impression of an assembly line.
The village chief offered 100 Federation Coins for the pelt of a single Fireball Mouse.
And so, Chu Yi led this group, sweeping from the eastern fields to the western, from the north gate to the south gate. Everywhere they went, they were met with stares from the local Beast Tamers as if they were seeing ghosts.
It's just a beginner mission! Do you have to be so overly competitive? Are you trying to grind us all into dust?!
Little did they know, Chu Yi was doing this to provide Bika with real combat experience, extract ingredients for his Heaven-Eroding Feast, feed souls to his Ghost Hand, plunder evolution points, and make a small fortune on the side. With so many benefits from a single endeavor, why wouldn't he go all out? This filled Chu Yi with motivation.
Damn it all! Chu Yi thought with grim determination. Compete! Everyone just keep competing! I'm going to out-compete every last one of you! This field... no, all the Fireball Mice in this entire village are mine!!
The villagers were also delighted. Not only was the major threat of the Fireball Mice being eliminated, but they could also earn money by processing the pelts.
The village chief was ecstatic. For such a low-reward mission, we actually managed to hire a genius Beast Tamer who does so much work! What a great philanthropist!