"Ye Bai's Thousand-Change Silkworm has an incredibly strong defense and has passed the assessment."
"Who's up next?"
Many students were itching to try. They summoned their pet beasts one after another, eager to show off in front of the crowd.
Most students brought out pet beasts like Hedgehog Pigs, Boxing Rabbits, and Variety Silkworms.
There were also some more unusual ones—like Small Fangs and Fluorescent Jellyfish.
The Fluorescent Jellyfish was especially rare, with five tentacles and a body that could emit intense light.
Its body color changed depending on its mood—green when happy.
When it's really cheerful, it especially likes to sit on its master's head.
This quirk had become an internet joke. People teased that its pet masters were being "cuckolded" by their jellyfish.
Its current master was a hip-hop-styled girl who had just transferred to Shenshan Middle School.
"Teacher, let me go next!"
"My Variety Silkworm has great defense too—no worse than Ye Bai's!"
A student raised his hand confidently, determined to prove that his Variety Silkworm was top-tier and establish himself as the class's alpha.
He had learned that Ye Bai usually kept to himself and rarely participated in class activities—
so he assumed Ye Bai wasn't a threat to his status.
"Alright, Wang Hu, you're up."
Wang Hu had a square haircut and thick eyebrows.
Unlike Ye Bai, who looked like a carefree glutton, Wang Hu gave off a sharp, disciplined air—almost like a young elite soldier.
Wang Hu grinned slightly and declared, "My name is Wang Hu. My talent is a C-level Defense Enhancement, which multiplies a pet's defense."
"Variety Silkworm, use Harden to boost your defense!"
A white glow appeared over the Variety Silkworm. Just as it was about to finish, the glow suddenly intensified—
this was Wang Hu's talent activating, boosting the strengthening effect even further.
Spectators nodded in approval. Wang Hu looked solid—he should pass the test with ease.
Zhang Lingxue raised an eyebrow, amused.
Hah. This guy thinks Vine Cat's attack is easy to take?
Talent like Defense Enhancement only shows real power at high levels.
Even with full boosts, his Variety Silkworm wouldn't withstand a random strike from Vine Cat.
That's the difference in tiers.
"Vine Cat, use Seed Spray!"
A flash of emerald light streaked across the air.
The Variety Silkworm's eyes widened in terror.
It knew this was it.
This was too much. It couldn't take this hit.
Judging by the glowing, dense energy around that seed—
Nope. No way. Not happening.
Why, pet master? Why would you do this to me?
Beads of sweat formed on the silkworm's head.
It was just a baby. Why should it bear this kind of pressure?
Meanwhile, Wang Hu was still cheering it on.
"Come on, Variety Silkworm! You've got this!"
More sweat poured from the silkworm's tiny face.
Its pupils dilated in despair.
"No way. Don't hype me up! You're dragging me down with you!"
The seed hit.
Boom!
The Variety Silkworm was launched in a clean arc like a baseball.
It crashed down and tumbled several times, dust and bruises all over.
The entire audience went dead silent.
"What the hell?"
That Seed Spray was way too powerful.
How did Ye Bai's silkworm block that without a scratch?
Only now did everyone realize just how outrageous the Thousand-Change Silkworm's defense truly was.
Zhang Lingxue turned to Wang Hu.
"Quickly return your silkworm to its pet space—it'll recover faster in there."
Wang Hu waved his hand, opening a vortex that sucked the silkworm back in.
Meanwhile, Ye Bai's Thousand-Change Silkworm was happily sitting beside Li Chen, munching on a carrot with a big grin.
Its dorky appearance even looked a little... cute to some of the girls watching.
"Wang Hu, good defense. You pass."
Zhang Lingxue checked off his name on the assessment form, a bit unenthusiastically.
Wang Hu walked back, face dark.
As he passed Ye Bai, he shot him a furious glare.
Ye Bai understood—Wang Hu resented him now.
Wang Hu's silkworm and defense talent were good, but up against the Thousand-Change Silkworm, he was completely overshadowed.
As the assessment continued, most of the remaining pet beasts took minor injuries.
Only the girl with the Fluorescent Jellyfish and Li Chen's Boxing Rabbit managed to completely block Vine Cat's attacks.
Ye Bai took note of that.
The Fengchu Cup required a team of three.
It was near impossible to go it alone.
So, Ye Bai began considering potential teammates.
"Alright, that concludes the assessment."
"When you return home, make sure to train hard."
"Your bond with your pet is crucial. A pet master is a companion—not a tyrant."
"Ye Bai, stay behind. The rest of you are dismissed."
Ye Bai raised a brow, curious why Zhang Lingxue had asked him to stay.
But before he could say anything, he noticed his Thousand-Change Silkworm bouncing off after Li Chen.
Ye Bai's face twitched. His fists clenched.
"You little punk... Get back here. Right now."
The silkworm ignored him, trailing Li Chen like it was smitten.
Ye Bai had no choice—he activated his trump card.
A large vortex opened behind the silkworm.
Feeling the suction, the silkworm looked back at Li Chen, teary-eyed.
It let out a heartbroken whimper.
It was the kind of sorrow that could move a stone to tears.
Like Romeo without Juliet.
Like salty soda without the salt.
Ye Bai remained expressionless as he forcibly summoned it back.
The Thousand-Change Silkworm was used to being unruly. Ye Bai knew it needed a serious lesson soon.
"Ye Bai," Zhang Lingxue said, "I'm conducting a reproducibility experiment on the Variety Silkworm."
"I need an assistant."
"I hope you can accompany me to the lab and help out."
Ye Bai nodded. This was exactly the kind of opportunity he was looking for—to learn more about pet beast cultivation and prepare for the upcoming Youlin Cup.
Without further delay, Zhang Lingxue led Ye Bai to her research institute.