Chu Chen gazed at the Beast Taming Ring in his hand, his eyes glinting with a fierce passion. The ring was a starry blue color with many intricate engravings, and in its center was set a transparent crystal stone around two carats in size.
The Beast Taming Ring was different from storage equipment; it could only be used to store living creatures. Typically, Beast Masters used it to capture Star Beast cubs. Its price was slightly lower than storage equipment, but it was still beyond what Chu Chen could afford at present.
Chu Chen carefully placed the Beast Taming Ring into his pocket and quickly left the Daoist School.
He had intended to stay and observe a Soul Warrior level battle to gain some combat experience, but after the recent intense fight, combined with the Thunder Ant affair, he no longer had any interest in staying. The pressing matter was to settle the Thunder Ant.
Half an hour later, Chu Chen returned home. As he pushed the door open, he saw Father Chu and Mrs. Chu sitting comfortably on the sofa watching TV.
"Why are you back so early today?" Mrs. Chu asked, somewhat surprised to see her visibly tired son.
Chu Chen smiled in response, "The Daoist School held an exhibition match today. After the match, the schoolmaster told me to come home early to rest."
"Did you participate as well?" Father Chu asked, a bit surprised.
"Yes, I got lucky and won first place."
"Haha, you're being modest. What do you want to eat? Your dad will whip up something for you," Father Chu laughed.
"No need for the trouble; I already ate at a hotel."
"Come over and sit with us, son, and tell us about your competition," Mrs. Chu said.
Chu Chen was about to refuse but suddenly remembered the Thunder Ant matter, so he sat beside Mrs. Chu and briefly recounted the exhibition match. However, when it came to the Thunder Ant, he spoke at length, including how Fang Tao used to beat and verbally abuse it, as well as how it was abandoned.
After hearing Chu Chen's story, Mrs. Chu's cheeks flushed with anger.
Father Chu, on the other hand, sighed, "That Thunder Ant really has a strong combat will, rare even in our City Defense Army. It's a pity to meet such an unappreciative Beast Master. If I had such a guardian beast, I would certainly nurture it well."
Chu Chen nodded at the response and then asked Mrs. Chu, "Mom, what do you think?"
Mrs. Chu responded solemnly, "I agree with your dad. This Thunder Ant is really pitiful. If it had a different Beast Master, it might have had a splendid life."
Hearing this, Chu Chen's face lit up with joy. The foundation was laid, and now it was time to witness a miracle.
Without hesitation, Chu Chen took out the Beast Taming Ring and released the Thunder Ant.
Seeing the sudden appearance of the Thunder Ant, both Father Chu and Mrs. Chu were taken aback, clearly surprised by this unexpected event and momentarily unable to accept it.
Father Chu, being part of the City Defense Army, recovered quickly and instinctively summoned his guardian beast.
Father Chu's guardian beast was an adult Crimson Flame Wolf, whose aura had reached the peak of the War General Level. Unfortunately, its quality was only Elite Level Lower Grade; otherwise, it would have broken through to the Commander Level two years ago. This was one of the reasons Father Chu hadn't reached Soul Master Level yet.
As soon as the Crimson Flame Wolf appeared, it locked its gaze on the Thunder Ant, emitting a low growl as if warning the Thunder Ant.
The Thunder Ant remained unmoved, lying quietly as if treating the Crimson Flame Wolf as mere air. It wasn't afraid of death, let alone a Crimson Flame Wolf.
Mrs. Chu promptly stood up, her face full of worry, and said, "Son, come over here; it's dangerous there."
Seeing this, Chu Chen gestured reassuringly, "Don't be nervous; this is the Thunder Ant I mentioned. I plan to adopt it."
The two of them were stunned again; Chu Chen's decision was too abrupt.
"This is foolish. The Thunder Ant has limited potential. Do you plan to stay stuck at the Soul Warrior Level like me?" Father Chu said sternly.
Chu Chen could only patiently explain his reasoning.
After an hour of persuasion and analyzing the pros and cons, Father Chu and Mrs. Chu reluctantly agreed to temporarily take in the Thunder Ant. Of course, there were conditions, such as Chu Chen not signing a contract with the Thunder Ant without permission and that any interaction with the Thunder Ant must be in Lei Yao's company.
With his parents' consent secured, Chu Chen finally felt his heart relax. He crouched down, gently touching the Thunder Ant's head and softly said, "From now on, this is your home."
The Thunder Ant shivered slightly, and its once dim eyes showed a glimmer of color. Regrettably, it only lasted for a moment before returning to their original state.
Chu Chen noticed everything but wasn't disappointed. Instead, he was thrilled. He wasn't afraid of the Thunder Ant's indifference, only afraid of no response. Now that it had reacted, he felt confident about building a bond with it.
Chu Chen planned to seize the opportunity to further open the Thunder Ant's heart.
"Let me give you a name. We can't keep calling you Thunder Ant, can we?" Chu Chen gently stroked the Thunder Ant's head, speaking softly.
The Thunder Ant's expression remained unchanged, as if it hadn't heard Chu Chen's words.
Chu Chen wasn't bothered by this and continued, "I understand that your heart has died, but I hope you can rise from the ashes. Let the past be the past, and the future is bright. Don't you want to see more distant, beautiful scenery?"
Apparently moved by Chu Chen's words, the Thunder Ant's eyes once again showed a hint of color.
Seeing this, Chu Chen's face lit up with joy. He didn't hesitate, quickly saying, "Rise from the ashes. From now on, you'll be named Nirvana. I am willing to be the flame that allows you to be reborn. Trust me; no one will hurt you again. I will make you strong and let you stand on top of the world, trampling on all who have harmed you."
Listening to Chu Chen's passionate words, the color in the Thunder Ant's eyes gradually deepened.
At this moment, two small ants, one black and one white, appeared in its mind.
The white ant said, "Nirvana, what a good name. I'm so touched that you can become strong in the future, so strong that no one can bully you anymore. Trust him quickly."
However, the black ant held a different view: "Don't trust him. Have you forgotten how Fang Tao abandoned you? Humans are unreliable, and death is the best return."
The white ant symbolized rebirth and hope, while the black ant represented the past and despair.
In its mind, the two ants argued endlessly. After an unknown period, the black ant seemed to have won, and the Thunder Ant's eyes turned gray once more.
In reality, the Thunder Ant had chosen the black ant, its inner fire for rebirth nearly extinguished.
Chu Chen sighed in disappointment but quickly suppressed it.
He understood that it was impossible for the Thunder Ant to accept him immediately, but he was confident in himself.
The education from his previous life taught him the value of persistence. To move the Thunder Ant required not just time but also unwavering determination.
Chu Chen brought some food for Lei Yao and Nirvana.
Seeing the food, Lei Yao devoured it immediately, while Nirvana looked at it and remained still.
Chu Chen was a bit helpless. He couldn't just force-feed it, could he?
Whether driven by how delicious Lei Yao seemed to find the food or by its own hunger, Nirvana finally opened its mouth to eat.
Though it only took a few bites, Chu Chen was delighted nonetheless, as it signaled hope.
Father Chu and Mrs. Chu were also relieved. Based on the current situation, it seemed Nirvana would likely accept Chu Chen, reducing their guard against it considerably.