Chapter 525: Background Character in the Beast Taming World (3)

What can be done? The little kitty is so cute and innocent, of course she must be pampered.

Shen Yao was helpless, raised her hand and rubbed Xiao Guai's head, coaxing in a low voice, "Alright alright, don't go in the water again, in a bit we'll go home."

Xiao Guai's age is not great, the Xuanbai Swift Shadow Cat is famous for its long lifespan, a pet beast still in its juvenile period is just like a human child just born.

"Meow"

But tail hurts, uncomfortable

"Go warm by the fire first"

Shen Yao lit the fire pile to the side, left Xiao Guai facing the flames shaking her tail, herself stood up and came to the riverside to pick up fish and collect the net.

Counting the silver fish Xiao Guai captured through self-sacrifice, Shen Yao's harvest this time was not bad.

On the spot, using the fire to roast two until cooked for Xiao Guai as snacks for compensation, the rest all processed well and packed into net bags, Shen Yao waited until Xiao Guai's fur became dry before returning to the drop-off spot.

At this time there was already a bus waiting here, Shen Yao fastened the cat rope used for fixing on Xiao Guai, then swiped her card and walked to the middle position, stopped and sat down.

Xiao Guai leaned against Shen Yao's leg licking paws and grooming fur, Shen Yao closed her eyes to rest her spirit, only waiting for the time to arrive, the bus to start and return to the suburbs.

The afternoon arrival home time was still early, thinking that today's harvest in the dense forest was not bad, Shen Yao took out the Fire Feather Chicken placed in her space, directly in the courtyard plucked feathers and processed it.

The dead Fire Feather Chicken carried a unique fishy smell, the moment it appeared it attracted Xiao Guai meowing non-stop.

Fragrant, so fragrant, so fragrant so fragrant

Xiao Guai lowered her head using her nose to sniff everywhere, wishing she could press her whole cat face onto the Fire Feather Chicken.

"Xiao Guai"

Shen Yao called out sternly, even though Xiao Guai acted pitifully selling misery, she was still mercilessly chased back to the living room.

No way, little kitties' discipline is generally not high, if not disciplined during the juvenile period, once they enter the next stage it will become even more unruly.

Shen Yao plans to be a human Beast Tamer, if the pet beast cannot completely obey her commands, in the future entering secret realms or wild dense forests, there is a very high probability both will meet with mishap.

Precedents are commonplace, and every Beast Tamer is also strictly required, a Beast Tamer who cannot completely control their own pet beast, will one day be eliminated by the cruel world.

Beautiful fire feathers fell in large handfuls onto the ground, the fishy smell in the small courtyard instantly became stronger.

At this time Shen Yao was incomparably fortunate that the surrounding residences had no people, otherwise she simply could not escape a disturbance warning.

Xiao Guai at some unknown time had already run back to the living room cat nest, curled up and fallen asleep, the purring sound sounding very rhythmic.

Shen Yao continued processing the Fire Feather Chicken in her hand, three in a row all smoothly skinned.

Feathers packed into bags sent to space temporarily ignored, the remaining white Fire Feather Chickens left out one for Xiao Guai as dinner, the extra two chopped with kitchen knives, then put into the refrigerator freezer.

By the time all these matters were busy finished, the sky outside had already darkened.

Shen Yao stretched a lazy waist, moved her faintly somewhat sore body, tilted her head and called the awakened Xiao Guai, "Eat."

"Meow"

Xiao Guai circled the clean Fire Feather Chicken twice, then let out a wu-ao sound, fiercely bit down on the Fire Feather Chicken's head chewing with crunchy sounds.

Pet beasts' daily food besides the specially developed energy rations officially researched, is just some wild pet beast meat.

Even because pet beasts need to maintain wildness, the meat entering their mouths does not need to be cooked, except for a small portion of herbivorous pet beasts which are a bit troublesome, other pet beasts' three meals a day are very easy to solve.

But the problem also lies here, most pet beasts have very large bodies, their own energy consumption is also very prominent (especially after exercise running and jumping).

A normal pet beast, the food needed for three meals a day is simply enormous.

This also leads to most ordinary Beast Tamers living relatively straitened days, because all money earned is taken to raise pet beasts, if there is wild ambition to go further, the resources needed are even more massive.

Taking Shen Yao as an example, every month besides the official subsidy and school subsidy, her parents' side also subsidizes, despite this, Shen Yao's money is only just enough to cultivate a Xuanbai Swift Shadow Cat, if at this time she still wants to contract a new pet beast (hypothetical situation and not considering mental endurance limit), what awaits her is a one-stop service of dropping out, selling house, selling life.

Don't think every time going to the wild to hunt is as profitable as today, most of the time they can only break even, even have the possibility of losing their lives, only when lucky or a small portion of time can there be such harvest.

Just look at Xiao Guai able to eat a whole Fire Feather Chicken in one meal, ordinary people would despair, this is only a Yellow Tier pet beast, what about the higher Xuan Rank, Earth Rank?

Must know pet beast rank and appetite are directly proportional, and also directly proportional to their body size (not absolute), the stronger the pet beast the more money needed, Beast Tamer has no money cannot contract excellent pet beasts, simply a closed logic loop.

Shen Yao processed Fire Feather Chicken for an afternoon, really had no appetite to eat, simply took some pastries and food left earlier from the refrigerator, then enjoyably washed a hot water bath, followed by sleeping.

The furry thing in her arms at some unknown time appeared and left, Shen Yao's head muddled, still it was the ringing sound outside the main gate that woke her.

"Meow, meow meow meow"

"Meow meow"

Shen Yao moved her eyes, turned her head looking at Xiao Guai who had already run upstairs.

Spreading both hands open in a big character shape, Shen Yao smiled and embraced the big cat head before her, "Uncle Li delivered the processed meat and energy rations."

"Meow"

Delivered, so fragrant, want to eat.

Shen Yao listening to the little glutton's remarks, again a good bout of rubbing before willing to get up.

Since Xiao Guai says fragrant, then taste this time's delivered energy ration flavor.

Filled a full large basin of energy rations, Shen Yao half-squatted on the ground letting Xiao Guai eat, herself sent the processed meat to another freed-up refrigerator.

Officially processed and hers yesterday only plucked feathers are not the same, all meat from wild hunting returns contains trace toxicity in the body, these for pet beasts are indispensable seasonings, similar to last night Xiao Guai ate Fire Feather Chicken, she felt numbing and spicy very satisfying.

But these unprocessed meats eaten by humans, will cause body poisoning symptoms, causing irreversible huge damage to people.

Officially processed meats are products that have already removed the vast majority of toxicity, ordinary people can eat with peace of mind, for pet beasts count as tasteless food, can eat but just not delicious.

Energy rations are officially launched artificial rations that can replace pet beast normal food intake at a certain ratio.

Otherwise going to secret realms or the wild, cannot possibly carry thousands of catties or tens of thousands of catties of food at once.

Moreover pet beasts eating needs time, when pet beast body size larger consumption more, using energy rations to feed both convenient to carry, and can shorten the time pet beasts spend on this.

Otherwise those Earth Rank pet beasts as big as a small mountain would do nothing all day, just eat three meals and sleep.

"Meow meow"

Sour sour sweet sweet, delicious delicious

Xiao Guai buried her head and licked the whole basin until it shone brightly, obviously very satisfied with this flavor.

Shen Yao raised her hand and rubbed Xiao Guai's cat head, then poured some more energy rations for Xiao Guai.

The energy rations she exchanged were at a ratio of one to ten, meaning Xiao Guai originally needed to eat a fire-feather chicken weighing over a hundred jin to fill her belly, but now she only needs about ten jin of energy rations.

On top of this, the Official had other energy rations at varying ratios, but regardless of price or anything else, the current exchange was the most cost-effective.

…………

No need to go to the wilderness, and no plans to go out.

For the next few days, Shen Yao stayed at home preparing the things she would take back.

Having booked a private car back to Chun City in advance, Shen Yao was busy until the time arrived.

"Xiao Guai, we're leaving."

"Meow."

Coming, coming.

Xiao Guai dragged her food ration out the door, Shen Yao carried her packed luggage downstairs, checked the empty refrigerator and clean kitchen once more, then went to the door and got into the pre-booked private car.

A van pulled by a Mortal Tier Swift Wind Wolf, its rear loaded with the items Shen Yao wanted to take, and Xiao Guai already jumped up front.

"Sister Shi."

"Xiao Yao."

Shi Ling, a Beast Tamer of a Mortal Tier Swift Wind Wolf, worked at a Government Department and was a colleague of Shen Yao's father.

Because she had elderly people and children at home to support, after finishing her daily work, Shi Ling would use her spare time to run private trips.

After all, Swift Wind Wolves were famous for their speed, making them the best choice whether for hauling goods or picking up people; having developed for hundreds of years in the Beast Tamer world, due to the complete change of surrounding terrain and landforms, the technology side could not develop much anymore, and now apart from the Government using modified public buses, most people traveled relying on various pet beasts.

Shi Ling earned quite a bit every day relying on the Swift Wind Wolf's ability; if their relationship weren't good, Shen Yao might not have been able to book her.

"This time going back, I won't return again until the New Year."

Shi Ling looked to be around thirty, with a round face that looked kind and gentle when she smiled; her family lived in the same community as the Shen Family, and Shen Yao was often taken around by the Swift Wind Wolf when she was young.

"Yeah, school is busy, and there are practical arrangements when I go back," after speaking to Shi Ling, Shen Yao threw a piece of fire-feather chicken meat to the Swift Wind Wolf, "Da Bai, long time no see."

"Woof."

The Swift Wind Wolf's fur was pure white without a single stray hair, its slender body paired with upright limbs; whether in appearance or ability, it was famous throughout the community.

After swallowing the fire-feather chicken meat in one gulp, Shi Ling told Da Bai to drive steadily, and then this van pulled by a Mortal Tier Swift Wind Wolf ran like the wind.

Xiao Guai lay beside Shen Yao's leg with her eyes closed, her beautiful tail swaying back and forth.

Shi Ling looked at Xiao Guai with envy, thinking the Shen Family couple still spoiled their child; a Yellow Tier Pet Beast cost ten-plus times a Mortal Tier Pet Beast, and the Xuanbai Swift Shadow Cat was not only expensive but rare, yet they bought it just like that.

One must know that when this matter first spread, the entire community's residents were all surprised.

Who let the Shen Family couple have three children? If the Eldest Brother was given a Yellow Tier Pet Beast, what if the other two also awakened successfully?

At current pet beast prices, it wasn't easy to buy another Xuanbai Swift Shadow Cat.

Actually, Shi Ling still misunderstood the Shen Family parents' ability; buying Xiao Guai could only be called snagging a bargain.

Xiao Guai was seriously ill and at death's door, worthless; Shen Yao's parents couldn't bear her pleading, so they took out a sum of money to gamble once—if they lost, they'd just switch to a Mortal Tier Pet Beast.

As it turned out, luck was on their side (with a bit of miracle), Xiao Guai's health improved and returned to normal, everyone was happy.

However, the Shen Family couple didn't leak this matter outside; after all, the gamble was too big—if someone else tried to imitate and lost, they'd definitely come to cause trouble for them.

One must believe in human diversity; despite Blue Star humans' numbers sharply decreasing for various reasons, several billion were still more than enough.

Abnormal cases were even commonplace; the Shen Family also considered the trouble they might face, so they tacitly accepted what Shi Ling and others said.

Family members just need to know they got a bargain; no need to shout it to the whole world.

…………

The Swift Wind Wolf traveled fast for an hour, and they entered a relatively suburban, more prosperous city.

Tall buildings paired with clean streets, with various pet beasts appearing around.

Shi Ling sighed that Chun City's location was too remote; one must know that the urban areas near the center of Yu Province were far livelier than Chun City.

"If you can stay outside, don't come back," Shi Ling advised Shen Yao earnestly, thinking what development could the old home have? For decades no Di Rank Beast Tamer had emerged, the resources allocated every year were decreasing, and those with ambition wouldn't be willing to stay here.

Shen Yao just smiled and said they'd see after graduation; talking about this now was too early.

Did she really think the outside was so easy to get by in? Everywhere had complex interpersonal relationships.

Xincheng Community

Shi Ling parked the car downstairs and helped Shen Yao move the items to the doorstep.

The fee had been settled; Shen Yao waved her hand, smiling as she saw the other off.

Click—

The door lock opened; no one was home at the moment, Shen Yao's parents were at work, and her younger siblings were at school.

Shen Yao organized the things she brought back, then threw herself onto the sofa to rest.

Xiao Guai carried the cat bed back to the bedroom and started her daily sound sleep business.

At noon, Shen Yao's mother came home from work, saw the cat hair on the floor and the figure on the sofa, and hurried to wake her up.

"Mom."

Shen Yao rubbed her eyes, her voice sounding a bit hoarse.

"Your father keeps asking when you're coming back," Shen Yao's mother stuffed the pastries in her hand to her, all flavors Shen Yao loved, "How is the countryside? The Government Department said there's a small Beast Tide, and the suburbs aren't allowing people to live there recently."

Shen Yao pinched a piece of pastry and put it in her mouth, "It's fine, I brought long-hoofed sheep and fire-feather chicken meat; I'll make some for us to eat tonight."

The extra can be given to neighbors and relatives at home; you all go to the countryside less, the city is safe.

Shen Yao's mother smiled and said, "Got it, little housekeeper."

Shen Yao hehehed twice and told Shen Yao's mother not to mind, "The Government said there's a Beast Tide, it'll probably happen, just don't know which areas will be affected."

Beast Tides, well, count as a specialty product of the Beast Tamer world; as long as there are large human settlements (provinces, cities, districts, counties, towns, villages), Beast Tides will appear.

Generally the affected area isn't large, and most in the Beast Tide are Mortal Grade Pet Beasts with limited lethality; a small portion form quite terrifying Beast Tides, but that doesn't happen often.

The Beast Tide Shen Yao's mother mentioned was mostly a good opportunity for Official and individual Beast Tamers to sharpen their teeth; after all, there are so many Mortal Grade Pet Beasts, killing once could harvest a lot of meat, whether selling or keeping for themselves, it's very cost-effective.

"Who knows, but this time the scale isn't large, so there's no opportunity to inquire."

Mother Shen shook her head with a sigh, turned around, and walked into the Kitchen to make lunch.