7: Chapter 7 Going Home

"The contract is complete. Let's prepare for the next step!"

Li Qing said loudly, "Next, I will explain how to store your pet beasts. This is a basic skill you must master."

"There are two main storage methods: Tattoo Symbiosis and Spatial Containment."

"Tattoo Symbiosis is the most common and basic method. The contracted pet beast is converted into an energy form and stored in a specific part of the Beast Tamer's body, forming a contract tattoo. In this state, the life auras of the pet beast and the Beast Tamer are linked; they breathe together and grow together, even sharing life to a certain extent. However, please note that a person can only have one pet beast in an 'Active Tattoo' state at a time—meaning it is deeply connected to the Beast Tamer, can be summoned at any time, and grants the Beast Tamer some of its ability traits. Other contracted pet beasts must 'slumber' within their tattoos and cannot provide any buffs. Most Beast Tamers rely on this method before reaching the Star-Glow Rank."

"Spatial Containment is a higher-level method. It requires the Beast Tamer to reach the Star-Glow Rank, possess sufficiently strong spiritual power, and cultivate the 'Innate Method'—which is obtained when a Star-Glow Rank pet beast awakens its ancient inherited memories upon breaking through to the Star-Glow level. Using this as a foundation, one can open up a unique 'Beast Taming Space' within their body. A Beast Taming Space not only provides a better environment for a pet beast's rest and growth, but spaces formed by certain special Innate Methods can even accelerate a pet beast's cultivation, purify its energy, and even promote evolution! This is the hallmark of the path of the strong. But before reaching the Star-Glow Rank, do not be overly ambitious."

After finishing the explanation, Li Qing waved his hand. "Now, try storing your pet beasts as tattoos. Concentrate and guide them through the soul contract link."

The students all began to try.

For a moment, lights flickered as various beast-shaped tattoos, some clear and some blurred, appeared on arms, chests, backs, and other locations.

Lin Hai's Battle Tiger turned into a vivid tiger head on his left shoulder, leaving him incredibly excited.

Qin Ce also gave it a try.

With a thought, he contacted the Qingluan through the contract link. The Qingluan nodded obediently, its body turning into a streak of cyan-gold light that vanished into Qin Ce's chest with a 'whoosh'.

The next moment, an exquisite, elegant, and lifelike tattoo of a Qingluan spreading its wings appeared on his chest. The lines were clear, and there was a faint cyan glow flowing through it, looking much more solid and spirited than the other students' tattoos.

At the same time, he immediately felt a light and agile power spread from the tattoo throughout his body. His five senses seemed slightly sharper, and his body felt a bit lighter. This was the physical enhancement brought by the Qingluan's possession.

At this moment, the Qingluan was still in its juvenile state, so it didn't provide many ability buffs. Once the Qingluan truly grew up, Qin Ce could even become as powerful as a ferocious beast.

When Lin Hai saw that Qin Ce immediately received elemental power buffs after the possession, the tiger head on his shoulder suddenly didn't seem so great anymore, and his eyes were full of envy.

Seeing this, the look of appreciation in the eyes of Li Qing and Old Zhou grew even stronger.

For an ordinary pet beast to achieve such a state, it would have to reach at least the Black Iron rank.

"Alright!" Li Qing clapped his hands and announced, "Today's awakening ceremony is officially over. Your information has been recorded in the Federal Beast Tamer Network. Next, you will be assigned to different Battle Academies for four years of intensive study and assessment based on your contract situation, Soul Seed quality, and academic grades. In seven days, please check the official website and report to your assigned Battle Academy. Now, dismissed!"

The crowd began to move. Some students were jumping with excitement, some were full of self-satisfaction, and others boarded the buses with a hint of regret to leave the warehouse and return to school.

On the way back, Lin Hai was still chatteringly marveling at Qin Ce's 'good eye' and the Qingluan's divinity.

Qin Ce just listened with a smile, but his thoughts had already drifted far away.

His home was in Yuntai Town, a small town under the jurisdiction of Fengling City.

Tomorrow, he should go back and tell his mother and sister this good news.

Sensing Qin Ce's emotions, the Qingluan on his chest warmed slightly, sending feelings of dependence and closeness that filled his heart with warmth and strength.

The road ahead was long, but at least he had taken the first step with absolute firmness.

...

The next day.

Qin Ce and Lin Hai took a bus together back to their hometown—Yuntai Town, located within the outer defense perimeter of Fengling City.

The bus traveled along the bumpy road, and the scenery outside the window gradually changed from neat suburban farmland to a more wild landscape.

Towering stone walls wound in the distance; that was the main defense perimeter of Fengling City.

Small settlements like Yuntai Town were scattered in the buffer zone outside the main city walls, guarding the main city like satellites.

As the bus entered the town entrance, Qin Ce looked out the window.

The so-called 'town' was more like a small military fortress.

The ten-meter-high walls were built from a mixture of grayish-black alloy and coarse rock, their surfaces covered in metal spikes to prevent climbing and marks from energy burns. Figures of patrolling Beast Tamers could be seen atop the walls, their pet beasts either perched or soaring, keeping a vigilant watch on the wilderness outside.

The buildings inside the town were mostly low and sturdy, and while the streets weren't very wide, they were planned quite neatly.

People walked in a hurry, their faces carrying the caution and resilience characteristic of those who have lived on the edge of crisis for a long time.

The air was filled with a faint smell of gunpowder, metal, and the rank scent of magical beasts wafting from the distant wilderness.

Overall, there was a special... sense of tension.

This was a microcosm of humanity's struggle for survival under the threat of magical beasts.

The bus arrived at the station.

"Finally back. Even though the city is nice, it's still more comfortable here." Lin Hai sighed in relief and then said somewhat impatiently, "Brother Ce, I'm heading home to share the good news first. Let's get together later!"

"Okay, take it sl—" Before Qin Ce could finish, Lin Hai had already vanished in a flash.

Shaking his head, Qin Ce also turned and walked toward his home in the western part of town.

Just as he reached the old neighborhood where his home was, he saw familiar neighbors hanging out laundry in front of their doors and children chasing each other in the open spaces.

"Xiao Ce is back?!"

"How was the awakening ceremony? Was it a success?"

The neighbors greeted him warmly.

Qin Ce's mother was very popular in the town, and he was essentially raised before everyone's eyes.

"It was a success," Qin Ce responded with a smile.

"Oh, that's wonderful! Our town has produced another Beast Tamer!"

"Sister Qin is truly blessed!"

Amidst a flurry of congratulations, Qin Ce walked to the front of his small courtyard.

It was a small yard enclosed by three single-story houses, with vines climbing the walls and a small vegetable patch planted in front of the door. Although simple, it was kept spotlessly clean.

...