Beast Taming: I'm Really Just a Forest Ranger - Chapter 294 - 181: Only One Goal—Champion_2

“Spark, are you interested in joining the competition?”

Spark stared intently at Chen Yuan, without responding.

Chen Yuan continued, “Don’t worry about my opinion, right now I’m asking you, tell me your true thoughts.”

Spark’s eyes flickered, and it nodded under Chen Yuan’s gaze.

“I see, both of you actually want to join the competition.” Chen Yuan’s expression was somewhat complex.

He only realized something until now.

He has always tried to avoid intense and frequent Pet Beast battles, but the little ones’ thoughts are different from his.

Run Run Duck might hate battles, but Spark and Cola never reject or resist, and even enjoy the fun of fighting.

It seems he has imposed his thoughts on the little ones.

This shouldn’t happen.

“Why do you want to join the competition?” Chen Yuan pressed on.

“Woof woof woof!”

Cola jumped in front of Chen Yuan, its tail wagging back and forth, providing the first answer.

To show off!

To show off!

I want to show off!

Well, this fits Cola’s personality.

Chen Yuan held down the dog’s head and turned to look at Spark, “And what about you?”

Spark wouldn’t join the competition just to show off, right?

Spark carefully thought for a long time, gently flapped its wings, and gave an answer: “Tweet~”

“Because of me?” Chen Yuan was taken aback.

Through Mind Sensing, Chen Yuan keenly captured Spark’s thought—it wants to join because of him.

“Tweet tweet.”

Spark first stared at Chen Yuan, its deep blue eyes like the deep sea, then deliberately turned away, avoiding his gaze.

Chen Yuan asked, “Why join because of me?”

“Tweet…..”

Spark looked back at Chen Yuan, its gaze mixed with a hint of grievance, and for a moment their eyes locked.

In that instant, Cola felt somehow like the odd one out, and irritably scratched its head.

“Tweet tweet tweet~”

In response to Chen Yuan’s continued questioning, Spark provided its answer.

Because it noticed that Chen Yuan thoroughly enjoys the battle process, it wants to join more competitions.

Chen Yuan shook his head with a smile, “I enjoy battles? That’s impossible.”

He doesn’t reject battles, but far from enjoys them.

But when Chen Yuan watched his own competitive battle recordings, seeing his spirited self on the field, waving enthusiastically to the audience, he couldn’t help but fall into deep suspicion: “Do I really like battling?”

More accurately, he seems to, like Cola, quite enjoy being under the spotlight, enjoying the cheers of thousands.

To put it more bluntly, he also quite likes showing off.

Chen Yuan silently looked at Cola, and coincidentally Cola also looked back, and human and dog stared at each other, big eyes to small eyes, the room falling into an eerie silence.

Chen Yuan finally broke the silence, “Then let’s join the competition.”

“Woof!”

Cola’s eyes lit up, instinctively jumping over, its extended tongue aiming for Chen Yuan’s face.

Chen Yuan reached out to block Cola, his expression serious, “Since we’ve decided to join, we must do our best.”

“Championship, our goal is the championship.”

There’s a saying online: Once you step onto the Beastmaster’s path, your goal becomes singular—championship.

Chen Yuan, though a half-baked Beastmaster, felt this saying made sense.

A Beastmaster who doesn’t want to be a champion, what’s the difference with Run Run Duck?

In fact, during this period, Zhou Xu and Chairman Wang had openly and secretly expressed hopes for him to join the Qin Province Beastmaster competition multiple times, and several friends also inquired if he was joining.

Chen Yuan was mainly concerned about two issues: First, the tedious competition process could take up too much time, delaying his mountain and forest protection activities;

Second, once performing well in the competition, he might face the same situation as after the performance match, wherever he goes, people calling him Advisor Chen.

But since both Spark and Cola want to join, then let’s join; they’re part of the family and have the right to express their thoughts.

Moreover, Chen Yuan heard Zhou Xu mention that the competition process for Association Consultants seems different from ordinary Beastmasters, significantly reducing battle instances.

Chen Yuan successfully convinced himself, thus extended his right hand, “Let’s work hard together.”

“Woof!”

Cola’s eyes sparkled, extending its paw to place on Chen Yuan’s right hand.

“Tweet~”

Spark’s wings pressed on the dog’s paw.

“Chirp chirp~”

Count me in too!

Cola whipped up a whirlwind, whisking Twin Flower Concubine to fly upwards, finally landing on Spark’s wings.

Before anyone noticed, night had fallen.

Chen Wenhao suddenly called:

“Brother, there’s a change of plans, no need to pick me up from the airport.”

“What happened?”

“Originally, we were to fly to Phoenix City first, engage in academic exchange with Yunhua Beast Taming Academy, and then head to Baokun City.” Chen Wenhao carefully explained, “But the teacher prioritized the Qinling research activity, rescheduling the academic exchange to a week later, we’re going directly to Baokun City by high-speed train.”

Chen Yuan nodded in understanding, “Then I’ll wait for you in Baokun City.”

“Yeah, we’ll arrive midday tomorrow, meeting at the Association, don’t forget the surprise I prepared for you.” Chen Wenhao said.

Chen Yuan was somewhat curious, “What’s the surprise?”

“You’ll know when you arrive tomorrow.” Chen Wenhao kept him in suspense.

After hanging up, Zhou Xu promptly sent a message, hoping he would go to the Association building before noon tomorrow to meet with the academy headquarters’ research team before leading them into Qinling.

This was a prearranged plan, Chen Yuan readily agreed, and sent a message: “I’m preparing to join the Qin Province Beastmaster competition.”

Zhou Xu: “!!!”

Zhou Xu: “I’ll arrange immediately!!!”

Simultaneously,

A high-speed train departing from Shanghai and passing through Baokun City slowly pulled away from the station.

This research event was led by the Beastmaster Association headquarters, arranging meals, lodging, and transport throughout, with ample activity funding, allowing Chen Wenhao to sit in the business class.

Second-class seats are for ordinary people, business class for the wealthy, and first-class for the unlucky ones who didn’t snag a second-class seat.

Chen Wenhao sat next to Professor Song, on the unfolded table laid a stack of paper documents, marked starkly in bold black letters—the deep investigation into Qinling anomalies.

“Stop looking, have a good rest, or chat with them.” Professor Song’s voice sounded by his ear, following advice, Chen Wenhao obediently placed the documents back in his backpack.

“Whew~”

He deeply exhaled, rubbing his brow, suddenly feeling a wave of exhaustion.

He prepared extensively with his teacher for the Qinling research activity, busy day and night, not having a proper rest for quite some time.

Fortunately, he’s finally heading home.

From the first moment aboard the train, Chen Wenhao was filled with anticipation.

This carriage was just conveniently booked by their group, with Professor Song, Chen Wenhao, another fellow apprentice, five students from the Combat Type, and two members from the Investigation Department, totaling ten people.

Chen Wenhao looked back, the carriage was very quiet, everyone was occupied with their own activities, either watching shows, playing games, or resting with eyes closed.

However, one female student was particularly different, gazing eagerly at the fleeting scenery outside the window.

Night had long fallen, her dark eyes immersed in the night, never shifting her gaze.

“Hello, I’m Jiang Wenning.” Jiang Wenning reached out voluntarily, while an ice-blue tail climbed upon her shoulder, revealing its silver-white body.

“Sticky rice, don’t be naughty.” Jiang Wenning pulled aside Sticky Rice’s tail, then embraced the elegant and slender Ice Crystal Illusion Cat in front of her, “This is my Pet Beast, named Sticky Rice.”

The Ice Crystal Illusion Cat’s eye colors were different, its left eye ice blue, the right pale purple.

Chen Wenhao’s mind instantly brought forth detailed information on this Pet Beast, secretly speculating, “When the Ice Crystal Illusion Cat’s rank improves to Morning Star, perhaps it will gain Spirit Attribute.”

His thoughts passed quickly, and he nodded slightly, “Hello, I’m Chen Wenhao.”

After a straightforward self-introduction, the conversationally challenged Chen Wenhao prepared to conclude the brief exchange.

Suddenly, a cheerful voice resounded by his ear, “I know you; you’re Mr. Song’s prized pupil.”

Chen Wenhao’s tone was exceptionally calm, “You’re too kind, I’m just a regular student.”

Jiang Wenning’s eyes sparkled, her lips curving slightly upwards, “Do you have a brother?”

“Hmm?”