"So, the Legion competitions in recent years have mostly been battle royale style, based on large maps. It's like throwing competitors into a designated area to 'raise gu'; whoever comes out on top is the badass."

"Still, this format focuses too much on luck and randomness. All in all, that's just how it is. I guess the upcoming Legion competition will probably be another battle royale."

"In situations like that, it's closest to a real engagement in the wild..." Su Anyong suddenly stopped mid-sentence, as if a hen had just clutched his throat, and he seemed to realize something.

As he seemed to expect, Su Ping's quiet voice finally came through. "Su Anyong, you sure know your stuff."

Su Anyong let out an awkward chuckle. "Hey, didn't I tell you? I enlisted back in the day and hung around in the Beast Tamer Legion for a few years."

"Oh, so hanging around for those few years clued you in on the current Legion competition rules?" Su Ping didn't believe him.

Su Anyong continued, "Can't I have comrades? What does a little squirt like you know about deep camaraderie?"

"Such deep camaraderie, yet in all these years, I haven't seen anyone come looking for an old comrade like you for a reunion?"

Su Anyong promptly changed the subject. "Alright, your stepmother's awake. We'll talk later. Also, if you really manage to get the Wanmu Wolf to place first in the Legion competition, I'll bring your stepmother along to deliver a present!"

"Hey, what kind of present—"

BEEP. BEEP. BEEP.

Su Ping curled his lip as he listened to the dial tone. This old geezer is definitely someone special. And there's a very good chance he is either directly from the Beast Tamer Legion or some kind of official. Of course, maybe he used to be, but Su Ping didn't know what his situation was now. He couldn't be bothered to ponder it further; the old man would tell him eventually.

Tossing his phone aside, he started his meditation.

Now that the cultivation of the Pet Beast was complete, he also needed to earnestly practice meditation to catch up on the Realm he'd fallen behind in.

After all, the professional Beast Tamer assessment Qin Xiaoxue had told him about for next year still weighed on his mind.

「The night slowly passed.」

「Come morning, over a hundred kilometers away at the Beast Tamer Legion base.」

The most central courtyard of the Forest Wild Army Command Center.

A special aircraft arrived, and two figures descended from the sky.

Standing there in military uniform with a beaming smile was Commander Zhao, flanked by a few other commanders who were also grinning at the newcomers. "President Qin, President Liu," Commander Zhao said, his face wreathed in smiles as he saw them arrive, "you honor our Legion with your guidance. We've hardly given you the welcome you deserve, forgive our lapse, forgive our lapse."

The two arriving figures were none other than Qin Erlong and Liu Fuhai.

Although local and Legion jurisdictions didn't overlap, for significant events like this competition, it was common to communicate. This competition certainly qualified.

Moreover, and most importantly, one was the spouse of a key figure from Magic Capital Academy, while the other was a steadfast reformist in the Breeder Association. Both were undoubtedly comrades in the same camp as Old Zhao.

This time, the Legion was initiating preliminary reforms, especially concerning elite Pet Beast cultivation, so naturally, these two had been invited to observe.

"Hahaha, we're just here to join the excitement. But you, Old Zhao, you're making a significant move this time. It looks like *that person* is finally ready to free up their hands and start cleaning house, eh?" Qin Erlong said this quite openly, not bothering to lower his voice at all. In fact, he even raised it slightly, glancing with a smile at the few other figures who had arrived.

Commander Zhao naturally understood his meaning. Damn, having a powerful wife really means you can say whatever you want, huh? He's speaking so recklessly!

Liu Fuhai chimed in, "Heh, after the reforms of the Breeder Association and the Beast Master Association are complete, the next targets will be the Legion and the education system. Old Zhao, you're firing the first shot here!"

Commander Zhao said, "Alright, let's not stand out here in the wind. Let's go inside."

Qin Erlong could speak without reservation, and Liu Fuhai wasn't afraid either. However, at this major Legion base, the most important military installation in the east, there were some things Commander Zhao definitely couldn't say publicly.

The other commanders, those who were in the same faction and on good terms, came to greet Qin Erlong and Liu Fuhai. The rest departed promptly. Neither Qin Erlong nor Liu Fuhai paid them any mind.

Among these people, some were individuals backed by certain prominent Families, while others were those who had lost out due to the recent internal reforms. But in the end, they were all just like a mantis trying to stop a chariot—their efforts were futile.

The smooth progression of this outsourced elite cultivation competition was proof of that!

Back in the command headquarters office, Commander Zhao poured tea for his two guests before saying with a smile, "The competition officially starts tomorrow. I'm afraid I'll have to trouble you both to spend the night here."

Qin Erlong laughed. "Cut the crap. You just want Old Liu and me to intimidate those restless elements within the Legion, don't you?"

Vice President Liu waved his hand. "Don't drag me into this. I'm just here to watch the show. If there's any fighting to be done, you guys can handle it."

After saying this, Vice President Liu quickly asked, "Old Zhao, let me ask you something."

Commander Zhao nodded. Although Vice President Liu was only at Monarch Peak, and his actual combat prowess as a Beast Tamer was indeed inferior, his status as a Breeder was not to be underestimated. Old Liu was at Monarch Peak, true, but his network of connections was second to none!

Forest Wolves were one of the most common types of Pet Beasts. As one of Dragon Nation's renowned Forest Wolf Breeders, Old Liu had encountered countless powerful individuals who favored them. Breeders, especially high-level, renowned ones, were formidable for this very reason. Therefore, Commander Zhao didn't dare to treat Old Liu with anything less than utmost respect.

"Ask away!" Commander Zhao prompted.

"This time, will the external Breeders responsible for the outsourced cultivation also be coming to observe the competition?" Liu Fuhai asked, blinking.

Commander Zhao nodded. "Naturally. These are the masterpieces of various Breeders, after all. Our Legion has allocated considerable resources, so we certainly want them to see our sincerity and the results of their own expertise!"

Liu Fuhai wasn't concerned about sincerity. He quickly asked, "I've heard about the Breeders for the Snow Wolf, Sand Wolf, Hunting Wolf, and Shadow Wolf. For the Sand Wolf, Young Yang from our Jianghai Province Breeders Association and I personally supervised part of it. The Snow Wolf is supposedly handled by a Senior Breeder from Beiyuan Province. I've also heard bits and pieces about the Hunting Wolf and Shadow Wolf. But what's the situation with this Forest Wolf?"

Although Liu Fuhai hadn't specifically inquired during this period, with such a major event happening in the Legion, Breeders in several neighboring provinces and cities in the eastern region had caught wind of it. Yet, concerning the Forest Wolf Breeder, not a single piece of information had leaked out, from top to bottom.

Liu Fuhai was puzzled. Normally, such a Breeder should be at least Intermediate Level, if not Advanced Level. Across the entire Dragon Nation, weren't the most skilled Forest Wolf Breeders located in Jianghai Province and its surrounding areas? Yet, he hadn't heard a thing.

Commander Zhao also paused for a moment. Looking at Old Liu, he finally realized something and asked, "You don't know?"

"Know what?" Liu Fuhai looked genuinely clueless.

He had indeed been extremely busy lately. He was assisting Yang He with the cultivation of the Desert Wind Wolf (from the Sand Wolf project), accompanying the exchange Breeders from Huaiyang Province, and organizing materials for the Breeder competition scheduled for the end of the year. With the official President of the Breeder Association away, all these responsibilities had fallen onto his shoulders, keeping him incredibly busy.

Scratching his head, Commander Zhao finally understood why the old fellow had spoken as he did earlier. "The Breeder for this Forest Wolf Troop is from your Jianghai Province. And it seems they're from Linzhou City, too."

"Ah?" Liu Fuhai raised an eyebrow.

Meanwhile, Qin Erlong, who was standing to the side, seemed to have thought of something, a flicker of understanding in his eyes.

Old Zhao didn't want to elaborate further with Old Liu. After all, he had only glanced at the document himself, and it would be difficult for him to recall one specific name from the dozens listed. So, he said directly, "How about this: in a little while, later this morning, the Breeders from various locations will be returning to the Legion base with the Pet Beasts whose cultivation is complete. Why don't you go and see for yourself then? Wouldn't that solve it?"

Liu Fuhai frowned but didn't object, simply nodding in agreement.

However, Old Liu clearly didn't notice the teasing glint in Qin Erlong's eyes, which suggested he had already figured something out.

「Meanwhile, on the outskirts of Linzhou City, Su Ping had already boarded a vehicle with Zhang Lie and the others, excitedly heading towards the Legion base.」

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