Heavy rain ended on the fourth day.
The sun still shone.
"Be careful when climbing the mountain, don't waste too much time on the road, run quickly if you encounter danger..."
Chen Weiyi's voice continuously lingered in Chen Yuan's ears, but he didn't find it annoying; he simply lifted his head with a smile: "I know, Grandpa."
After placing the prepared dried food and water into his backpack, Chen Yuan picked up the scythe and waved at the old man: "Then I'll head out now."
"Come back early." Various thoughts surged in the old man's throat, ultimately transforming into four simple words.
"Woof woof woof!"
Already eager, Cola barked twice at Chen Weiyi, then dashed out the door without looking back, surrounded by a gentle breeze, quickly disappearing into the distance.
Woof woof woof! Today I'm leading the way!
"Chirp."
Spark, perched on Chen Yuan's shoulder, nodded reservedly, then tidied its slightly messy feathers with its beak, gazing towards the distant rolling mountains, its deep blue eyes shimmering.
"Then I'll leave leading the way to you today." Chen Yuan said to Spark as he walked out of the farm.
Spark slightly lifted its head, eyes narrow with focus gazing ahead, then gently flapped its wings, riding the wind up.
It scanned the surroundings for quite some time, eventually glimpsing familiar landmarks from its vague memories, and flew towards the left front.
Cola barked at Spark soaring in midair, then looked down at its limbs in disappointment.
When will I grow wings?
"Keep up, Cola."
Its owner's voice suddenly rang out, prompting Cola to shake its head, break into a carefree grin, instantly casting off its dismay, and quickly followed behind Chen Yuan.
Whether it was the twittering birds on the branches or the butterflies dancing between the grass, they all piqued Cola's intense interest.
It was only when Chen Yuan called that it raced back to his side.
However, just out of Xuanhe Village, Chen Yuan received a text message:
[Dear Chen Yuan, congratulations on becoming a member of the Baokun City Beastmaster Association. May you prosper on the journey as a Beastmaster.
For detailed information, please visit the Beastmaster website: www.yushoushi.com]
Chen Yuan was stunned for a moment: "The application was approved?"
He then signaled the two little ones to halt for a moment, logged onto the Beastmaster website to investigate.
The website's page was notably simple, prominently displaying current Association members: 1351.
Below were several sections, namely [Personal Center][Beast Taming Knowledge][Task Hall][Beastmaster Rights and Responsibilities]
Chen Yuan clicked into [Personal Center]:
[Name]: Chen Yuan
[Age]: 25
[Level]: Initial-tier Beastmaster
[Affiliated Association]: Baokun City Beastmaster Association
[Contribution Value]: 0
Most sections were self-explanatory, but the last section, Contribution Value, caught Chen Yuan's particular attention.
Gobbling up the other three sections, he finally understood the significance of Contribution Value.
In the [Beast Taming Knowledge] section, relevant knowledge about Beastmasters was listed, knowledge Chen Yuan mostly already knew.
But besides that, there were two crucial contents—Spirit Plant and Extraordinary Creatures.
In the Spirit Plant page, hundreds of Spirit Plant's basic data were cataloged, including images, morphological characteristics, growth environment, effects, and so on.
Chen Yuan perused for a long time, finding his goal for this trip—Blazing Fruit.
Blazing Fruit: Level-two resource, contains abundant Fire Attribute energy, greatly beneficial for Fire Attribute Extraordinary Creatures. (Information incomplete, can be supplemented)
Once supplemented with correct information, the Beastmaster Association will reward Contribution Value based on the importance of the information.
Similarly, if unknown Spirit Plants are discovered and reported to the Association, Contribution Value will also be awarded.
After all, there were still large blank areas on the Spirit Plant page.
"Evidently, the higher-ups have long been prepared for the Spiritual Energy Revival; they possess related information, though not complete." Chen Yuan speculated.
As for the Extraordinary Creatures page, it also cataloged hundreds of Extraordinary Creatures' basic data, including names, attributes, temperaments, and so forth, but blank areas were prevalent.
Yet there was one piece of information Chen Yuan found particularly intriguing:
Flame Cloud Falcon: Normal——Elite (advancement conditions missing, upload to earn Contribution Value.)
Gale Hunting Dog: Normal——Elite (advancement conditions can be purchased with Contribution Value)
Chen Yuan tried purchasing, and immediately a message popped up—insufficient Contribution Value, unable to purchase.
Prepared for this outcome, Chen Yuan's expression remained unchanged, rubbing his chin, murmuring: "Doesn't this mean I can upload Flame Cloud Falcon's advancement conditions, then use the earned Contribution Value to purchase Gale Hunting Dog's advancement conditions?"
Realizing this, Chen Yuan's eyes gleamed: "It seems Contribution Value is very important, must find ways to accumulate more."
"From what it looks like, discovering new Spirit Plants and Extraordinary Creatures, supplementing known Spirit Plants and Extraordinary Creatures' details, all earn Contribution Value."
"Next is uploading advancement methods for Extraordinary Creatures."
"Finally, completing tasks issued by the Association."
In the [Task Hall] section, Beastmasters could accept tasks issued by the Association to earn Contribution Value upon completion.
However, when Chen Yuan set his location to Baokun City, he found no tasks available for now.
"Then for now, I can only supplement Blazing Fruit's details and upload Flame Cloud Falcon's advancement method." Chen Yuan thought.
With that, Chen Yuan clicked to upload Flame Cloud Falcon's advancement method, instantly a message appeared:
Currently, only three methods can supplement advancement method:
1. Go to the local Beastmaster Association, complete the Extraordinary Creatures' advancement ritual witnessed by staff.
2. Record advancement video, awaiting verification.
3. If no advancement resource is available, opt to upload advancement conditions, the Association will complete the advancement ritual.
[Note: The Association's work is overwhelming, if deliberately uploading false information, once detected, Beastmaster status will be revoked for life]
[Note: According to successful upload of advancement conditions, the first hundred Beastmasters will receive substantial Contribution Value]
Suddenly, Chen Yuan's eyes lit up, without caring about other matters, he quickly pocketed his phone, pointed straight ahead toward the forest, and yelled at the two little ones: "Gogogo!"
This substantial Contribution Value, Chen Yuan had made up his mind to get it!
Cola, although not understanding why its master suddenly became excited, followed suit with an enthusiastic howl, dog barks echoing incessantly, stirring a flock of birds.
Spark glanced at Cola while grooming its feathers, suddenly soared high, its fiery silhouette darted forward quickly.
In midair, it looked down at Chen Yuan, issuing a clear chirp: "Chirp!"
Keep up, Beastmaster!
"Alright, alright." Chen Yuan quickly sprang up, dusting off his pants, striding forward.
"Woof!"
Two gusts of wind swirled by Cola's side, making its body light and agile, galloping along the mountain path.
The sun grew increasingly intense.