Beast Taming: I'm Really Just a Forest Ranger

Chapter 156 - 124: Hope for Spark’s Advancement

After the performance match ended, the preliminary round began promptly at one in the afternoon.

Due to the large number of participating beastmasters, the arena was divided into multiple zones, allowing several beastmasters to battle simultaneously.

Unfortunately, the average level of the preliminary matches wasn’t ideal, with frequent mistakes and the pet beasts mostly being Tier One, often turning into a battle of novices.

Not only did Chen Yuan feel bored, but even the audience started yawning.

Having just watched an extremely exciting performance match, it was an unbearable contrast for all spectators to now watch such low-level competitions.

However, as a guest of the performance match and having shone brightly on stage, Chen Yuan was warmly welcomed inside and outside the arena.

Many spectators sought out Chen Yuan for photos or autographs, and Chen Yuan never turned them down, often taking the chance to pet their pet beasts, making the most of the opportunity.

If they didn’t have their pet beasts with them, Chen Yuan would even suggest, "Why not let your pet beast out and take a group photo together."

When today’s matches concluded, Chen Yuan returned to the hotel and found his social media filled with private messages from friends, colleagues, relatives, and classmates.

The messages mostly expressed shock about Chen Yuan participating in the performance match and performing excellently.

Even classmates with only ordinary past relationships inquired about how to nurture pet beasts and hoped he could give them some pointers.

Chen Yuan selectively replied until he saw a message from Zhang Hao, and chuckled.

Zhang Hao: "?"

A simple question mark carried a profound meaning.

After thinking for a while, Chen Yuan replied with a question mark as well.

Zhang Hao quickly responded, "Yuan, you damn rascal, you should have told me about such a big event earlier."

Chen Yuan laughed, "If I told you in advance, soon the whole village would know."

Zhang Hao: "Still, you shouldn’t have kept it from me! If I had known earlier, I could have asked you to help advertise a bit."

Chen Yuan: "?"

Zhang Hao: "Like wearing a shirt printed with Good Fortune Farmhouse during your match."

Chen Yuan: "Get lost."

Chen Yuan even noticed classmates and friends posting old photos with him in their circles, captioned with something like, "I once had dinner and sang songs with the number one beastmaster in Baokun City..."

After gaining fame, Chen Yuan found that others’ attitudes towards him changed significantly.

He shook his head, deciding to ignore these matters, and instead dialed Chen Weiyi’s number, "Grandpa, have you eaten yet?"

The old man chuckled, "I have."

After a pause, he continued, "Your performance today was excellent, everyone saw it."

"Everyone?" Chen Yuan was taken aback.

The next moment, a cacophony of sounds reached his ears.

"Crack."

Big sis is invincible!

"Dian Dian!"

Well done, Cola!

"Quack quack quack quack!"

Remember to bring back some tasty snacks when the farm owner returns.

Duck is hungry.

"Cluck cluck cluck～"

The little chicks also sent greetings to their goddess over the phone.

"Awoo awoo awoo!"

Hearing the voices of its companions, Cola rushed over at breakneck speed, snuggling up to the phone.

"Quack quack quack!"

"Dian Dian Dian!"

Soon, Cola completely dominated the phone, enthusiastically chatting with the little ones left on the farm.

Chen Yuan gave a helpless smile.

After a long time, Chen Yuan, having finished his washing up, lay on the bed browsing the Taibai Cup event comments section, finding very few on the preliminary rounds, with most netizens discussing the performance match and himself.

"I would call this the strongest performance match."

"A champion of the performance match is still a champion!"

"Truly a battle of the strong, but it’s a pity that Advisor Shi’s pet beast style matches his own, unable to counter the cunning tactics of Advisor Chen."

"If Advisor Shi’s face were a bit rounder, he could make it onto the must-eat list in Shu Province."

"I noticed Advisor Chen really loves pet beasts; his affection for them far surpasses other beastmasters, petting every single one he sees."

"Except for snake-type pet beasts; there was a beastmaster with a Frost Snake wanting to take a photo with Advisor Chen, and he turned away and ran."

"Got it, sending out a snake-type pet beast ensures victory against Advisor Chen."

Looking at the netizens’ comments, Chen Yuan, stroking Cola’s smooth fur, laughed heartily.

"Huh?"

The twin-flower concubine, with a cold expression, looked over but, seeing Chen Yuan’s attention fully on his phone, turned back to watch a video on the spare phone—on the quality and moves of wood-type pet beasts.

"As everyone knows, wood-type pet beasts are different from others, lacking powerful attack moves, but they can master many quality skills, like Sweet Fragrance, Wood Entanglement, and Poison Strike..."

"By reasonably combining these moves, you might unlock a new way of battling with wood-type pet beasts."

The twin-flower concubine watched attentively, nodding lightly occasionally, her eyes shining.

It also wanted to train hard to claim victory in the competition for "Mom!"

On the other side,

as Chen Yuan was browsing netizen comments, he received a call from Chen Wenhao.

"Little brother, how do you have time to call me?"

"Bro, I’ve got news about the Fiery Sun Wood you mentioned," Chen Wenhao said bluntly.

Chen Yuan sat up suddenly, a gleam in his eyes, "Really?"

"Mhm," Chen Wenhao nodded lightly and continued, "I’ve been gathering information, and today a clue turned up."

"Bro, have you heard of Red Stone Mountain?"

Chen Yuan shook his head, "Never heard of it."

"It’s actually Flame Mountain in the Fire State of the Eastern Border, referred to as Red Stone Mountain in ancient texts," Chen Wenhao explained.

"Is the Fiery Sun Wood located there?" Chen Yuan quickly asked.

"It seems so," Chen Wenhao replied.

After a brief pause, he carefully chose his words and then slowly said, "A while ago, a professor took his students to Red Stone Mountain for research. They discovered a piece of wood burning with fire and brought it back for study. It turns out this wood greatly benefits Fire-type Pet Beasts, making it a third-level resource."

"I’m fairly certain it’s the Fiery Sun Wood," he confirmed.

"Bro, I don’t even know where you learned about this type of wood. I’ve searched all the ancient records and found no mentions," Chen Wenhao remarked.

Chen Yuan ignored his question and asked, "Is it possible to buy the Fiery Sun Wood now?"

Chen Wenhao shook his head, "They only brought back one piece of Fiery Sun Wood, which is being used for research."

"As for other places, there’s currently no information on the Fiery Sun Wood."

Chen Yuan pondered, "So, to acquire the Fiery Sun Wood, I’ll have to start with Red Stone Mountain?"

"Yes," Chen Wenhao nodded, "Either pay a hefty price to hire Beastmasters from there to search, or go personally."

Chen Yuan decisively shook his head.

Paying an astronomical price for third-level resources was certainly unimaginable.

Even if he had the money, he wouldn’t waste it like that.

"Do you have more information about Red Stone Mountain? I plan to go look myself," Chen Yuan inquired.

"Bro, I knew you’d want to go personally. You’re someone who’d rather walk for an hour than take a taxi," Chen Wenhao chuckled.

Chen Yuan laughed, "If I don’t save, how will I help you get a wife in the future?"

Chen Wenhao lightly coughed to change the subject, "Bro, since the Spiritual Energy Revival, many areas of Flame Mountain have truly ignited with unquenchable flames."

"Now it truly lives up to its name, Flame Mountain."

"Combined with the barren hills and high perceived temperature, only Fire-type and Rock Pet Beasts can survive in such an extremely special environment long-term."

Chen Yuan was puzzled, "What do they eat to sustain their daily activities?"

"Bro, you don’t know about this?" Chen Wenhao was also surprised.

"No idea," Chen Yuan shook his head.

"Looks like the Beastmaster Association hasn’t done a great job spreading this common knowledge." Chen Wenhao commented before explaining, "Spiritual Energy and Level 1 resources."

"Spiritual Energy provides the basic energy needed for activities, complemented by the very common Level 1 resources, ensuring wild Pet Beasts aren’t worried about going hungry."

Compared to Level 2 and Level 3 resources, Level 1 resources are very common, so common that Chen Yuan couldn’t bother to collect them.

The main point is, Level 1 resources only slightly benefit ordinary-quality Pet Beasts, and are negligible for elite-quality Pet Beasts.

But since Level 1 resources can provide the energy needed for activities and fill the stomach, they become the best choice for both herbivorous and carnivorous Pet Beasts.

"So that’s how it is..."

Chen Wenhao’s answer finally solved a long-standing mystery for Chen Yuan—why there were no mutual killings among many wild Pet Beasts.

Take the Flame-tailed Fox and Ice Dew Rat for instance, two seemingly incompatible Pet Beasts, yet they live peacefully together.

With no worries over food, conflict diminishes.

"Let’s not stray off topic, let’s continue discussing the situation at Red Stone Mountain...."

....

After hanging up, Chen Yuan immediately bought a plane ticket.

"Catch the high-speed train to the provincial capital tomorrow morning, then fly directly to the Fire State."

Due to participating in the show match being a special case, Chen Yuan’s forest protection work was postponed for a week, giving him several days of vacation.

Additionally, since the Fiery Sun Wood was crucial for Spark’s advancement, its success depended entirely on obtaining the Fiery Sun Wood.

Chen Yuan had to personally make a trip to Red Stone Mountain.

"What a shame....."

It was a shame he couldn’t stay in the stadium to earn Source Points. The method to earn them there was effortless and risk-free, almost like getting them for free.

But to ensure Spark advanced smoothly, Chen Yuan had to immediately set off for the Fire State.

"Let’s get to bed early today. We’re going somewhere far tomorrow," Chen Yuan said.

"Ooh?"

Upon hearing this, Cola got excited, its round eyes fixated on Chen Yuan.

"Ooh ooh ooh!"

Is there delicious food there?

Is there fun to be had there?

Seeing Cola’s excitement, Chen Yuan hesitantly said, "Cola, you might not like that kind of place."

With flames and barren hills, if Cola ran wildly, it might burn its feet.

As for the Twin Flower Concubine, she’d probably feel even worse.

"But Spark would love it," Chen Yuan turned and looked at Spark.

That kind of environment is a paradise for Fire-type Pet Beasts.

Just then, an unknown call came through, and a familiar voice reached his ears: "Advisor Chen, it’s time for drinks."

Chen Yuan’s face froze.

Oh no, he forgot about this.