A quiet courtyard somewhere in Yanjing.
Su Muchen's grandfather, Su Qingcang, was leisurely sipping strong tea, his eyes glued to the news broadcast.
Suddenly, the screen of the specially-made phone on the table lit up.
Following a crisp "ding-dong," a message quietly arrived.
Initially, Su Qingcang didn't pay it much mind, giving it only a casual glance.
However, in the next second, his gaze froze.
"Boom!"
It was as if he had been struck by a bolt of electricity, and he suddenly stood up from his chair.
The steaming teacup in his hand, due to his abrupt movement, crashed heavily onto the table.
Tea splashed everywhere, instantly soaking the hem of his clothes, but he seemed completely unaware.
He stood there like a wooden statue, eyes wide open, his face full of shock and confusion.
Moments later.
Su Qingcang came back to his senses, his hands trembling uncontrollably.
The wrinkles on his face bunched up in excitement, yet they blossomed into an incredibly radiant smile.
Just then, there was a gentle knock on the door.
In walked a tall, imposing elder, his old friend Long Yuanzhi.
Like him, Long Yuanzhi was one of China's top ten legendary Beast Tamers.
He was currently serving as the commander of the Central War Zone, one of China's five major war zones.
Long Yuanzhi entered the room and immediately noticed his old friend's almost out-of-control excitement, leaving him utterly puzzled.
Just as he was about to ask.
Su Qingcang beamed with a bright smile and said:
"Hey? Isn't this Big Dragon? What brings you to my house so late instead of sleeping?"
"Ha... How did you know my good grandson contracted a Qilin, a real Qilin!"
As he spoke, he patted Long Yuanzhi's shoulder.
His pride was almost written all over his face.
At first, Long Yuanzhi was bewildered by his old friend's sudden enthusiasm and inexplicable words.
But when he grasped the content of Su Qingcang's words, his eyes widened instantly, his expression freezing.
Then it turned into deep shock and envy, his mouth slightly agape.
"This, how is this possible..."
Seeing Long Yuanzhi's dumbfounded look, Su Qingcang felt even more triumphant.
"I'm telling you, Big Dragon, Muchen has been extraordinary since he was a child, with exceptional talent.
Not only did he self-awaken his Beast Tamer Talent, but he also reached Black Iron Rank Five in three days and contracted a Qilin.
Ah, that's a Qilin, and just contracting it allowed my good grandson to undergo the Muscle Cleansing Technique. I wonder if my old man's assets can even support it."
Long Yuanzhi finally regained his composure, but hearing his old friend's words again, he couldn't help but roll his eyes.
Yet, in his heart, Su Qingcang's words stirred up a storm.
Not to mention the Qilin.
Such an existence is truly rare and elusive.
Throughout China's history, only figures like the First Emperor and the Heavenly Khan have had mythical beasts like those in legends.
These are beings that, although known and heard of, are unattainable for a lifetime.
Others simply can't compare, nor do they have the desire to.
But cultivation speed is something every Beast Tamer must deal with.
Advancing to Black Iron Rank Five in three days!
Even with herbal baths from a young age, even with the Qilin's Reversal Feeding, such talent is terrifying.
How long did it take me to reach Black Iron Rank Five after awakening my Beast Tamer Talent?
Wasn't it seven days?
Hiss~
I can't even compare to that...
Long Yuanzhi took a deep breath and said, "Old Su, you know the weight of a Qilin in the Beast Tamer world.
With the current international situation being unstable and various forces surging beneath the surface.
Domestically, it's not all solid either. Some people, for their own interests, might do something outrageous."
Upon hearing this, Su Qingcang replied nonchalantly, "Everyone knows there's money in the bank, but who dares to rob a bank in recent decades?
In China, unless those few old guys make a move, who can harm my grandson even a little?
If anything happens to my grandson."
Su Qingcang's eyes suddenly turned sharp, exuding a powerful aura.
"Hmph, let your son arrest me then, I won't resist.
The culprit of a few extermination cases should help your son advance further!"
Listening to Su Qingcang's somewhat resolute words, Long Yuanzhi pondered and realized his worries might be excessive.
After all, those capable of such things are seasoned individuals who have weathered countless storms.
How could they easily do something so foolish as to provoke Su Qingcang, this protective "tiger"?
Thinking of this, Long Yuanzhi couldn't help but smile wryly and shake his head, self-mockingly saying, "Seems like this old man was overthinking."
Su Qingcang laughed heartily, patting Long Yuanzhi's shoulder.
"Alright, let's not talk about unhappy things. Let's talk about something cheerful."
Long Yuanzhi was taken aback by this sudden change, responding with a puzzled "Hmm?"
Su Qingcang's face was full of smiles, his eyes gleaming with mischief, "My grandson contracted a Qilin, that's a huge cause for celebration.
As his granduncle, you should show some gesture, right?"
Hearing this, Long Yuanzhi's face turned dark, his mouth twitching slightly.
Not buddy.
Are we really doing this?
Su Qingcang, as if not seeing his expression, continued counting on his fingers, "Dragonblood Fruit, Spirit Marrow Elixir, Star Iron, you can just give whatever.
Our friendship, how about a few dozen pounds!
Even if it doesn't have a big impact on the Qilin's growth, it's nice to have as a snack.
As an elder, you can't be stingy."
Long Yuanzhi widened his eyes, looking at Su Qingcang's matter-of-fact expression, feeling speechless.
***
Meanwhile.
In Magic City.
At the dining table.
Su Lin and Su Muchen, father and son, were savoring a sumptuous dinner.
Though casual, it was still clean.
But the young Qilin was different.
After devouring an unknown number of Spirit Stones.
Seeing Su Muchen and his father eating, it flew over to join in the fun.
Even with a napkin around its neck, its rough eating habits left it covered in soup and juice.
Su Muchen and his father didn't mind.
After all, it's still a child.
They just occasionally used napkins to wipe the young Qilin's body.
"Muchen, what are your plans afterward?
For the preliminary test in a couple of days, will you use the young Qilin directly, or go to Yanjing to contract with your grandfather's Earth-Shaking Divine Ox's child and use it for the test?
Given your bond from growing up together, even if there's a big cultivation gap, you should be able to command it freely."
After finishing the meal, Su Lin wiped his mouth and got to the point.
"The young Qilin is fine." Su Muchen immediately responded.
Su Lin asking this was quite normal.
Friends who often nurture beasts know that the infant stage can't be trained.
After all, it's just born and hasn't adapted to this world.
It needs some time to transition out of infancy.
This time varies, some only need a few minutes, the longest no more than a day.
But this is a Qilin.
Though Su Lin doesn't know how long a Qilin's infancy lasts.
According to records.
The Black Dragon, the Lifebound Beast of the First Emperor, had dragon offspring with an infancy of half a year.
In Su Lin's view, the Qilin and dragon, both mythical beasts, should have similar situations.
And training is very important.
After all, this isn't a game, even a Lifebound Beast, without coordination and training.
There will be issues in command.
For example: the brain wants to sleep, but the fingers open a game?
However, what Su Lin doesn't know is.
The young Qilin now possesses the Ever-Changing entry.
This entry brings significant changes to the young Qilin.
Just now, when Su Muchen used a napkin to wipe it.
He could clearly feel the varying hardness of the young Qilin's scales each time.
According to his estimation, by tomorrow, the young Qilin should be out of its infancy.
Moreover.
Su Muchen pointed to the young Qilin happily eating nearby and said:
"Dad, is it possible that the infancy of a Qilin is different from other Spirit Beasts?"
Seeing this, Su Lin smiled, "True, I might be overthinking. Such a divine beast shouldn't be viewed with common sense.
Being able to eat on its own, even in infancy, some simple training shouldn't be an issue.
The last time, the owner of the Thunder Roar Training Club gave me a membership card, I think it's at the East Mountain Villa.
No use letting it go to waste, I'll have someone bring it to you tomorrow."
Proofreader & Editor: Peter Pan