The next day.
News about the suspected return of the Medicine God dominated every major media headline.
Forums and discussion boards were in an uproar, all speculating about the true identity behind the magatama mask.
Scrolling through the endless theories on his phone, Luo Bing let out a soft sigh.
"Looks like the white mask is forever tied to the identity of a genius alchemist now. I won't be able to use it casually anymore."
After that brief lament, he headed confidently to Qingteng High School, once again gathering at the central plaza.
At a glance, there were far fewer students than yesterday.
Those missing were the ones who had failed to awaken any talent—students who were now permanently cut off from the path of becoming Beast Tamers.
"Today will be the final lesson Qingteng High School gives you."
As Chu Wentian spoke, he pointed toward a massive teleportation gate erected at the center of the plaza.
"Beyond this gate lies your chance to find a spirit beast that belongs to you."
"As your initial pioneering spirit beast, your choice is crucial. It may very well determine the direction of your entire life."
"You are fortunate. The Federation has made an exception and allowed this year's students to capture spirit beasts in the outer region of the Valley of the End."
As soon as those words fell, unease rippled through the crowd.
"The outer region of the Valley of the End? Isn't that only semi-developed?"
"I've heard there are often un-tamed alien beasts roaming there. I don't even have a Guardian Spirit Beast—I wouldn't stand a chance."
"Don't look at me. I do have a Guardian Spirit Beast, but if a high-tier alien beast wanders out from the deeper regions, I'd still have no choice but to run."
"I brought plenty of high-tier capture balls, but… the success rate is painful."
Watching the restless crowd, Chu Wentian smiled calmly.
"No need to panic. High risk naturally means high reward."
"According to internal intelligence, divine beasts have been appearing frequently near the outer region of the Valley of the End recently."
"If any of you can successfully contract one, your future achievements will be limitless."
That single sentence reignited the crowd instantly, as if they had all just locked onto a divine beast and decided that even the heavens couldn't stop them.
"Let's gooo!"
Only spirit beasts born at S-rank could be called divine beasts.
Such beings were exceedingly rare.
Most S-rank spirit beasts reached that level only through long-term cultivation.
Among the crowd, Luo Bing smiled inwardly.
Isn't this basically a divine starter beast prepared just for me?
All he needed to do was beat it down—
Then implant that thing.
"System, give me a thousand credits' worth of flesh buds."
"Purchase complete. 1,000 Magatama spent. Flesh Bud ×10 acquired."
The only question was whether his current Mountain Bronze Tier 9 strength would be enough to handle it.
To be safe, he needed to find a way to upgrade the Rinnegan to Lv.2 soon.
With Shinra Tensei and Universal Pull, wouldn't crushing enemies across tiers be as easy as drinking water?
"After you finish contracting your spirit beasts, the recruitment teachers from each academy will be waiting outside the Valley of the End."
"You may head directly to your desired university for evaluation."
As his voice faded, students ahead began entering the teleportation gate one after another.
Soon, it was Luo Bing's turn.
The outer region of the Valley of the End was filled with bizarre, twisted vegetation.
Numerous tents had been set up nearby—clearly belonging to the university recruiters.
There were also students from other high schools.
They had arrived earlier than Qingteng's group and had already settled in.
After all, some people might be staying here for several days.
Everyone looked as if they were on a camping trip, supplies fully prepared.
As Luo Bing was about to step into the valley to search for his destined partner—his spirit beast—
He was stopped by none other than Huang Tengfei.
"What are you doing here?" Huang Tengfei sneered.
"I already asked my family. You don't even have the ability to contract a spirit beast."
"Not worth explaining to you," Luo Bing replied dismissively.
He had no interest in wasting time on small fry like this. Their level of thinking was simply too low.
Thinking he had hit a sore spot, Huang Tengfei grinned.
"Heh, flustered already? Just wait. When I contract a divine beast, you can stand there and envy me."
"Xiao Luo! Why did you hide it from me?! Are we still brothers or not?!"
Suddenly, a clear, familiar voice rang out.
Luo Bing turned around.
Cheng Shiya stood there with a heartbroken expression, raising her small pink fists toward his chest—
Ora ora ora!
"Don't listen to his nonsense. I'm fine now."
Luo Bing felt a headache coming on.
Women really were troublesome.
After unlocking the Animal Path, he had already learned the basic Summoning Technique.
He didn't even need capture balls.
However, summoning required mutual acknowledgment from both sides to form a contract.
It wasn't as brutally efficient as flesh buds—but it preserved free will.
No mind control. No constant manipulation.
Far less mentally taxing.
"You're lying! I already asked my dad—this is impossible!"
"You still want to hide it from me? Do you even treat me as a brother?!"
Cheng Shiya puffed out her cheeks, glaring at him.
Beside them, Huang Tengfei wore a delighted, spectator's expression.
Once Cheng Shiya was thoroughly disappointed and heartbroken, he'd swoop in—
Comfort her.
Conquer her fragile heart.
Then send photos to Luo Bing as a final humiliation.
Just imagining it made him giddy.
At that moment, Cheng Shiya pulled out a golden capture ball from her chest and handed it to Luo Bing.
"I stole this from my dad. It's a Golden Collector's Edition Master Ball."
"Maybe it can help you contract a spirit beast. Take it."
"I can't accept this," Luo Bing was about to say—
But seeing her stubborn little expression, he could only accept it with tears in his heart.
When Huang Tengfei saw that the goddess was willing to hand over a family heirloom just to help Luo Bing—
His vision went dark.
A loud buzzing filled his head, like ants crawling everywhere.
He promptly collapsed by the roadside.
Capture balls were essential tools for contracting spirit beasts.
They were also consumables—each throw carried a chance of success.
Failure meant the ball shattered.
As spiritual tools, capture balls had quality tiers.
The higher the tier, the higher the success rate.
Master Balls were Epic-tier.
They had a 99% success rate on spirit beasts below S-rank.
And a terrifying 30% success rate even on S-rank divine beasts.
Golden Master Balls were also collector's items.
Rounded up, one was basically worth a divine beast.
Incredibly precious.
No wonder Huang Tengfei fainted from jealousy.
"Can I go with you?" Cheng Shiya asked eagerly.
Luo Bing shook his head. "No need. I brought my own tent."
Her face flushed instantly.
"That's not what I meant! I meant contracting spirit beasts together!"
"That's even more of a no," Luo Bing refused mercilessly.
He had a lot to do later.
Some techniques in the Xinyue Shop required points to exchange.
And points could only be earned by killing alien beasts.
Bringing Cheng Shiya along would restrict him.
There were abilities of the Rinnegan he didn't want to expose yet.
And with her current strength, she'd likely slow him down.
Of course—
That didn't mean he thought she was just a useless vase.
"Are you planning to flirt with girls from other schools behind my back?!"
Cheng Shiya planted her hands on her hips, her face darkening.
Luo Bing hurriedly waved his hands.
"How could that be? My brother is already this good-looking—why would I be interested in other women?"
Then he gently patted her head.
"Be good. Listen to Dad."
"Mmm…"
Cheng Shiya hummed softly, eyes half-closed as she enjoyed the head pat.
Then—
Her brain finally caught up.
"…You took advantage of me again!"
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