Beast Taming: the More the Better

More than four days on the road had left Su Ping exhausted, both mentally and physically. Although the harvest was great, the feeling of traveling by car every day was not particularly comfortable. However, having finally returned to Linzhou, Su Ping let out a slight sigh of relief—though only a very slight one. The gains from this trip were immense! Not to mention anything else, the explosive increase in his spiritual power realm alone was unexpected for Su Ping.

Paired with the meditation during this period, his spiritual power broke through two levels in succession. From the previous Elite Seventh Rank, his level skyrocketed at an unimaginable speed to Elite Ninth Order. Just half a year ago, he was an ordinary Beast Tamer who had just awakened; half a year later, the elevation of his realm was beyond his expectations.

Su Ping could feel it. This Space Absorption characteristic is becoming more and more handy. The more he used it, the more proficient he became. This later led to an improvement in absorption efficiency, and the magnitude of the increase in spiritual power also saw a slight enhancement.

It was clear, though, that the greatest benefit to Su Ping from the more than twenty absorbable Secret Realms was undoubtedly the expansion of his Beast Taming Space. Compared to the previous space of less than three hundred square meters, Su Ping's Beast Taming Space had more than doubled during his days away. An immense area of over six hundred square meters, it was already the size of a small plaza. Su Ping absolutely believed that even some Commander Level Beast Tamers would find it difficult to possess such a large Beast Taming Space.

However, Su Ping also felt that with the large increase in absorptions, the subsequent expansion of the Beast Taming Space area was far less significant than before. Nevertheless, the Origin absorbed hadn't diminished at all. Although he hadn't yet formed a new Space Characteristic, Su Ping estimated that it would happen soon. Many of the Space Characteristics of the ancient Beast Tamers in Linzhou were primarily of the Nature Type, related to forests and trees. These were the characteristics he absorbed the most. Although they varied, their essence was fundamentally the same. This was evident from the lush, grassy environment that had appeared on the new expanse of land within Su Ping's Beast Taming Space.

However, after a brief rest, Su Ping didn't remain idle. He first checked on Old Sha's situation; evidently, there was still no progress with the Skill Fusion. Nevertheless, Su Ping took Old Sha out for some activity.

In the four days he was away, work on the botanical garden had already begun. With ample funds, it had to be said, the construction progressed rapidly. In just four days, the garden and orchard discussed with the designer studio were completed. All the small interior facilities were polished and finished. Even the Rouge Powder Peach Blossom Smile and the Blade Ginkgo had settled into their respective spots. These were two of the botanical garden's projects initiated before the barren mountain venture. In addition to the peach blossoms and the Blade Ginkgo named A Yin, there were also a great number of ordinary and Elite Level Plant-based Pet Beasts.

The garden was primarily for ornamental Pet Beasts. These Pet Beasts didn't repel human contact and could be approached. The orchard, on the other hand, focused on Pet Beasts from which fruit could be picked. Of course, picking fruit from these Plant-based Pet Beasts was vastly different from picking from ordinary fruit trees. It followed the same principle as fishing. However, in the future, the orchard would only require an admission fee. Whether the hundreds of various fruit-tree Pet Beasts, including the central Blade Ginkgo, would drop 'Iron Apricots' would depend on the visitors' skill. Anything was permissible as long as it wasn't forceful. Of course, if someone wanted to use force, the combat-type Plant-based Pet Beasts, such as the Saber Haloxylon guarding the botanical garden paths, would probably be very welcoming.

Compared to the Heart of Water, the construction of the botanical garden was undoubtedly even more complicated. These two areas were the focus for the past few days; the rest were still under construction and not worth seeing.

Su Ping brought Old Sha here to fulfill a promise. In the Forest Heart branch garden of the botanical garden, at the center of the vast garden, stood the 'Heart of Flowers.' The peach blossoms began to truly tremble; within their spiritual power formation, voices could be heard emanating from the garden's center. Under the blessing of the 'Language of Nature,' the peach blossoms felt a joy they had never experienced before.

Meanwhile, upon hearing that Su Ping would take Old Sha away for a while, the peach blossoms were reluctant. However, they were finally satisfied after being assured that upon his return, Su Ping would make up for the missed blessings of the 'Language of Nature.'

Su Ping also patrolled the rest of the Forest Heart, which was being extensively developed; the other Plant-based Pet Beasts showed no particular reaction.

However, one Plant-based Pet Beast seemed quite unhappy. This Pet Beast was none other than the relatively special Hundred Birds Wutong Tree. The reason the Hundred Birds Wutong Tree was unhappy was simple: in the forestry area, far from the city, it often attracted various birds that would circle it. However, since arriving at the Heart of Woods, such occurrences had become rare.

The Heart of Woods was not far from Linzhou, only a little over ten kilometers away, which explained the relative scarcity of birds. Flying Pet Beasts are the primary type of Pet Beasts that Beast Tamers in human cities guard against. After all, completely preventing flying Pet Beasts from entering is very difficult, even for Air Force Beast Tamers, so cities often have measures to repel bird-type flying Pet Beasts. Over time, naturally, not many bird-type flying Pet Beasts frequented the areas around the city. For the Hundred Birds Wutong Tree, which liked birds, this was undoubtedly a disappointing matter.

The Hundred Birds Parasol is also an extremely rare Plant-based Pet Beast, even scarcer and more precious than the Rouge Powder Peach Blossom Smile, mainly because of its enormous attraction to birds. Because of this, Su Ping unexpectedly had an idea.

In the future, I could also collect some flying bird-type Pet Beasts. After all, to light up the Myriad Spirit Beast Atlas, with so many types of flying Pet Beasts, it's impossible not to get involved with any of them. But birds also have a disadvantage: it's unrealistic to keep them caged all the time. Many such Pet Beasts would rather die than be deprived of their freedom. However, often after being caught and released, they just fly away. Now, with this Hundred Birds Wutong Tree that attracts flocks of birds, it's worth trying to see if these birds will be as heartless as those ungrateful fish, impossible to domesticate.

With this thought in mind, Su Ping's interest was piqued. But obviously, he had no time for it now, so he promised with a smile, "Don't worry, I'll get you a yard full of bird-type Pet Beasts in the future! Just don't complain about too many bird droppings then!"

RUSTLE!

After receiving the Wutong Tree's joyful reaction, Su Ping finally left the botanical garden, which was still under construction and cultivation. Bird-type Pet Beasts... those aren't urgent for now.

Su Ping always took things one step at a time. My knowledge of Plant-based Pet Beasts is still so limited. Not to mention the other Wolf Pets Old Liu had promised to send him. Even with the Myriad Spirit Beast Atlas, he figured he would need to study for a while. Only after achieving certain results and understanding would he dare to venture into other areas.

Furthermore, Su Ping's main focus next would not be on Plant-based Pet Beasts or other Wolf Pets; it was to return to Paperman and Forest Wolf. With his realm breakthrough, Xiao Qing's realm had officially advanced to Elite Sixth Rank, and Little Paper was once again a level higher than him, reaching Elite Tenth Stage.

The matter of Paperman was for the Special Beast Taming Forces mentioned by Commander Zhao, scheduled for after the Spring Festival. Last time Leng Ye visited, Su Ping had heard more about this from him. Although he couldn't be one hundred percent certain, Su Ping was fifty to sixty percent confident. If nothing unexpected happens, the special unit Leng Ye mentioned—which is going to explore the Heavenly Tomb in the future—is very likely the same special forces Commander Zhao is now looking to form.

Originally, Su Ping had wanted to give it a try. Now, with the secrets of the Heavenly Tomb involved, he was even more keen. Although I don't want to personally go in and see, if I can train and cultivate a Pet Beast corps that can enter, that would also meet the conditions. Paperman can now complete the first stage of Attribute evolution, but meeting the requirements of the Special Beast Taming Forces might still be difficult. The challenge lies in the fusion with other forms!

During this time, Su Ping had done some research on this. The mechanical bodies of mechanical Pet Beasts fit very well with his idea for the paper form. It would be best to research several other fusion body forms to perfectly unleash their combat abilities. That would increase my chances in the selection for Breeders of the special forces. I just don't know if Leng Ye will go. Will he be surprised to see me participating in the selection?

The research on Forest Wolf is, naturally, for Xiao Qing's further evolution. I've already pretty much figured out some general research directions for Xiao Qing. Now it's time to go to Magic Capital and see what this so-called Crown Wolf Emperor, the highest and most luxurious evolution for a Forest Wolf, has to offer! This will help verify Xiao Qing's evolution. Rong Qiu said back then that once Xiao Qing reached Elite Eighth Stage, we could start the research. I've also flipped through the research on the Cold Water Wolf she gave me, gaining some experience in cultivating Poison Type Wolf Tribe Pet Beasts! I'm just waiting for the breakthrough; then I can look for her and the so-called Rong Family when I have time.

「Two days drifted by after returning to the Heart of Woods.」

Finally, on the sixth day after Qin Xiaoxue's last phone call, with four days remaining until the Crown Wolf Emperor's evolution as she had mentioned, Qin Xiaoxue's call came through. The special aircraft named Cloud Soarer once again appeared in the skies above the Heart of Woods.

And so, accompanied by Liu Fuhai, who had long been prepared, Sun Chaoju, who could barely be considered a sponsor, and most importantly, Old Sha, Su Ping set foot for the first time on the journey to Magic Capital, one of the largest cities in Dragon Nation.