Outside, the engine of Zhi Yan's four-seater convertible purred like a feline on the prowl.
Lin Fang climbed in with a faint cough, tugging at the seatbelt as he thought to himself. "It's a damn Cragan. Even the entry model is worth 2 million credits. This one should cost atleast 4-5 million. Just how rich is this girl…"
He didn't say anything, though. Didn't ask questions. He just sat there, one leg awkwardly crossed over the other, as Zhi Yan hit the accelerator.
They left Huaxi City behind soon after, driving past the outskirts into a greener district. The buildings thinned out. Wide roads turned into narrow ones.
Eventually, they turned onto a private road lined with peach blossom trees. At the end of the road stood a pristine villa, grand but not too fancy. White stone, bronze detailing, and the kind of peace only wealth could afford.
They stepped out of the car.
And Lin Fang, still awkward, followed Zhi Yan through the ornate gate.
The courtyard opened before them like a canvas painted in still life. Wind rustled the leaves. Birds chirped from somewhere unseen. But in the center of it all, two people were locked in combat.
One was a middle-aged woman, her salt-streaked hair tied in a high bun, movements graceful yet firm. Her eyes were steady and cold.
The other was a young man, perhaps in his twenties, lean and confident, the sleeves of his combat jacket rolled up. His hair was dyed a silver ash, similar to the woman's.
And in between them were the lightning Jaguars.
One is larger, bigger than the car Zhi Yan and Lin Fang just rode.
The other one seemed smaller and younger, but it looked quite aggressive, trying to attack the larger counterpart again and again, only to get swatted away every time.
Lin Fang's pupils narrowed without meaning to.
In his vision, faint lines shimmered.
Lightning Jaguar
Grade: Rare
Level: 46
*
Lightning Jaguar
Grade: Rare
Level: 32
His brows furrowed at those details, not the level but their grade.
"Rare?" he muttered under his breath. "And still could climb to that level?"
These beasts weren't Legendary. Not even Epic. Just Rare. And yet, the pressure they exerted was enough to make the air feel charged.
Basically, the system rates the monsters with grades such as Common, Uncommon, Rare, Epic, and Legendary.
Until now, Lin Fang only thought their potential was tied to their grade. Just looking at his own pets proves that theory. The Panda Kings are of legendary grade and have a level 50 max potential. On the other hand, Lei Fei is of Epic grade but has a level 40 max potential.
Then how come this rare grade Lightning jaguar has a better potential than his thunder eagle?
Lin Fang could only feel like there should be more to this grading system.
Meanwhile, the young man charged forward with a fist, alongside the beast. His fist is crackling with electric sparks, a very rare scene for a monster tamer.
The woman, however, jumped high in the air with her leg raised to her head. The larger Jaguar charged forward to push away the younger one.
It was at this moment, the young man caught sight of Zhi Yan by the courtyard gate. A look of surprise appeared on his face. "Yan'er?"
"Where in the hell are you looking, you brat?" The shout from the woman turned his attention, and his face paled for a bit as her kick was about to land on his face.
The sharp heel struck the man right in his forehead, crashing him to the ground with blood spurting out.
"Argh…"
But then in the next second, the wound was closed as if it didn't exist, and pain subsided, while the younger Jaguar yelped as its forehead split.
Immediately, medics, guards in sleek black uniforms, rushed in with a stretcher. The younger beast was carefully lifted, its tail twitching weakly.
Lin Fang stood silently beside Zhi Yan as both monster tamers turned toward them, waiting until both of them reached.
Zhi Yan bowed slightly, her voice was soft and respectful. "Auntie. It's been a while."
The older woman nodded with a calm, calculating eye. "You are here." Her voice seemed neutral. Then her gaze moved to Lin Fang. "Who is this young man?"
Zhi Yan glanced sideways as she calmly responded. "He is a friend. He wants to register as a Hunter. I came here for some advice, Auntie."
The woman raised a brow but said nothing for a long moment. Then she spoke. "You don't have a shred of mana in you, though."
Zhi Yan nodded before Lin Fang could respond. "Yes. He doesn't. That's exactly why I brought him here. After all, you know a lot of people in the city, hunters who don't have mana either."
Lin Fang took a respectful step forward and gave a short, firm bow. "Elder Xiao, I am indeed a plainfolk. But I still wish to become a Monster Tamer."
Jiang Fei, the silver-haired young man, let out a sharp laugh, hearing that. "Without mana, you want to be a Hunter?"
Lin Fang didn't flinch at that. He simply raised his head and met his gaze. "I'm raising a beast already. It'll take time to grow, but one day, it'll be strong enough to protect me. I don't need mental commands to guide those I've raised with my own hands. I can become a tamer instead."
Jiang Fei stared for a second, then burst into full laughter, tossing his head back. "Hahaha! Yan'er, where did you dig up this fool?"
Zhi Yan's expression darkened at once.
"Jiang Fei," she said sharply as if her words cut through like a blade. "Don't you dare talk like that about my friend."
Jiang Fei's smile faltered at her tone. Even Lin Fang blinked in surprise at her outburst.
Elder Xiao sighed. "Ah Fei's words are harsh," she said slowly, "but not baseless. Only a fool would try to become a tamer without any mana. Without mana, a tamer wouldn't have complete control over their monsters. Tamers aren't those individuals who just command monsters. They go through a strict evaluation to get their license. They don't need to be physically and mentally fit; they need to be strong enough to face a monster on their own. And your friend here doesn't even seem to have much muscle strength. He is bound to fail. Even if he has a slim chance, the Association will do everything they can to fail your friend, unless he possesses an innate soul."
Lin Fang remained still without giving any reaction to her words. However, in his head, he wondered. "I need to check the internet later to find what this innate soul means, later on."
Zhi Yan, meanwhile, bowed deeply to the woman. "I understand. I'm sorry if this seemed like a waste of time. If you do not wish to help, we'll take our leave."
Before Elder Xiao could respond, she turned with her fingers wrapping around Lin Fang's hand.
"Come on," she said softly, but firmly. "Let's go."
Lin Fang didn't resist.
He simply followed.
Jiang Fei's gaze darkened as he watched them, especially their hands holding one another.
The girl, who once said that she would marry him after growing up, is now holding hands with someone else, particularly a trash with an unreasonable dream. His blood naturally boiled in anger.
His jaw clenched. "Are looks everything now?" he muttered under his breath, fists curled. "She snarled against me for the sake of that trash?"
It was then that the woman spoke aloud. "Wait."
Zhi Yan and Lin Fang stopped, and Jiang Fei also turned to look at his mother.
Elder Xiao stood with her arms crossed. "Young man, since you're really set on going down that path…" she said to Lin Fang, "I'll recommend you to someone."
Lin Fang listened in surprise.
Xiao Ru then said flatly. "His name is Li Changfeng. He's affiliated with the Zero Guild. Tell him that Xiao Ru sent you. He'll know what to do."
Zhi Yan's eyes softened. "Auntie…"
Elder Xiao didn't look at her. "Just go."
Lin Fang bowed again, this time lower. "Thank you, Elder."
Zhi Yan followed with her own bow. Then they left the estate together, their pace calm but swift, neither speaking for several minutes as they walked past the gates and climbed into the car.
The wind blew gently over the estate, but it couldn't quite cool the quiet fire that erupted in Jiang Fei, who watched them leave together.
He clenched his fists tightly. "She can't fall for him," he muttered again, a tremble in his voice now. "She can't… there's no way I will let it happen. Zhi Yan is mine, and whoever comes between us, I'll…"