Beast Taming: I'm Really Just a Forest Ranger-Chapter 99 - 97: Forest Ranger in the Mountains

"Did we really win?"

Seeing the Silver Armored Mantis lying on the ground, Zhou Xu was still a bit incredulous. He rubbed his eyes and spoke in a daze.

How come this is different from what he imagined?

Moreover, the ease with which Spark defeated the Silver Armored Mantis was much like how the Silver Armored Mantis defeated that rampaging Tier Two Pet Beast.

Equally effortless.

But Su Quan is a captain-level figure in the Investigation Department. It’s worth noting that there are less than ten captains within the department now, all of them are intermediate Beastmasters.

Originally, he just wanted Su Quan to test Chen Yuan’s strength, after all, the latter is merely a Forest Ranger. Although talented, his battle experience is certainly far inferior to the former.

Yet within a few minutes, the battle situation had completely changed.

The Silver Armored Mantis was no match for the Flame Cloud Falcon at all.

Zhou Xu’s gaze kept shifting between the two, his thoughts turbulent, murmuring: "This isn’t a difference of command or tactics."

"But a real difference in hard strength."

The strength displayed by the Flame Cloud Falcon undoubtedly surpassed the Silver Armored Mantis by quite a bit.

He turned his head to look at Wang Jianping, ready to voice his thoughts, only to see the latter intently watching Chen Yuan, his mouth involuntarily slightly curling up.

Zhou Xu remained silent, but Wang Jianping murmured aloud: "If we keep progressing at this speed, it won’t be long before our Association becomes proud because of him."

"No." Wang Jianping shook his head, "We are already proud because of him."

...

"I lost." Su Quan came back to his senses, quickly walked to the Silver Armored Mantis, and took the Healing Ointment from Tao’s hands to apply it personally.

This Healing Ointment is quite pricey, but it can effectively and quickly treat various injuries.

Su Quan’s movements were especially gentle and meticulous, not missing any blackened spots.

At the same time,

Chen Yuan also used the ointment handed by Tao to tend to Spark’s wounds, warmly saying: "Thank you for your hard work, Spark, you performed incredibly well this time."

As a qualified Beastmaster, you must fully address the emotional value of your Pet Beast.

"Chirp~"

Spark felt the coolness of the ointment as it was applied to its wings and affectionately nuzzled Chen Yuan’s cheek.

At this moment, Su Quan had finished applying the ointment and withdrew the Silver Armored Mantis to rest in the Pet Beast space.

In the Pet Beast space, the Pet Beast’s injuries will heal at a faster rate.

He slowly walked toward Chen Yuan, extending his right hand, a thin smile appearing on his previously calm face: "Allow me to introduce myself, I’m Su Quan, captain of the seventh squad in the Investigation Department."

Chen Yuan shook his hand: "Chen Yuan, currently a Forest Ranger."

Upon hearing ’Forest Ranger,’ Su Quan raised an eyebrow, surprise flashing across: "A Forest Ranger?"

Without waiting for Chen Yuan to respond, he adjusted his startled thoughts and stated his real intent: "Chen Yuan, interested in joining the Investigation Department?"

"I can directly recommend you. As long as you pass the identity information verification, I guarantee you’ll be appointed as captain directly."

Chen Yuan’s expression froze.

Another olive branch?

Just then, Wang Jianping coughed heavily and walked over to the two unhurriedly, saying: "Captain Su, this might not comply with the regulations."

Su Quan grinned: "Chairman Wang, you should know better than I that regulations are for the mediocre, exceptionally talented individuals like Chen Yuan can entirely disregard all regulations."

Upon hearing this, Wang Jianping frowned and said solemnly: "Chen Yuan is currently an advisor at our Baokun City Beastmaster Association, and also holds a Forest Ranger position, hence cannot join the Investigation Department."

He suddenly felt regret asking Su Quan to help examine Chen Yuan’s capability.

Su Quan waved a big hand: "These are not issues, our Investigation Department can help resolve them."

Saying that, he fixed his intense gaze on Chen Yuan, eyes burning: "With your current talent and capability, joining the Investigation Department ensures you enjoy the highest-standard training, accelerating your growth."

"Sorry Captain Su, I have no intention to join the Investigation Department for now, I just want..." Chen Yuan reluctantly smiled, expressing his desire to stay in the mountains.

"That’s such a shame." Su Quan sighed quietly and, under Wang Jianping’s watch, handed over a business card: "This has my contact details. If you change your mind, reach out right away."

"Our entire Investigation Department welcomes such a talent as you."

Chen Yuan hesitated slightly, seeing Wang Jianping nod gently, he accepted the business card: "Alright."

"Chairman Wang, I shall take my leave now." Su Quan waved at the trio, turned, and left the battle room.

Chen Yuan hurriedly called out: "Captain Su, please wait."

Upon hearing this, Wang Jianping’s face changed slightly, clenching his fists, and some inexplicable nervousness surged within him.

Captain Su directly turned around, smiling: "Changed your mind?"

"No, I want to observe your Silver Armored Mantis up close." Chen Yuan shook his head.

Su Quan: "?"

Moments later,

After Su Quan departed, Chen Yuan turned his head to Wang Jianping, reasserting: "Chairman, I won’t leave Qinling."

Wang Jianping looked at Chen Yuan, expression complex: "Actually, Captain Su is right, the Investigation Department is a suitable choice, with stronger support than the Association, but..."

He paused, sighed: "They undertake the most dangerous missions."

Chen Yuan was silent for a moment.

"But maintaining a good relationship with them will surely be beneficial, you’ll have chances to collaborate in the future."

"Let’s not discuss this further." Wang Jianping noticed Chen Yuan’s shifting mood and wisely changed the topic: "We’ll upload this battle video to headquarters now, it probably won’t take long to pass verification."

"It’s getting late, let’s have dinner together today."

"At the restaurant on the fifth floor."

Chen Yuan nodded: "Then I’ll take you up on the offer, Chairman."

"This isn’t a trouble at all." Wang Jianping patted Chen Yuan’s shoulder, speaking gently: "I should thank you for bringing two big surprises to the Association."

Chen Yuan smiled without saying a word.

Zhou Xu suddenly said, "Chairman, Captain Su has sent a message asking me to send him the battle video."

Wang Jianping said, "Send it to him; he’s probably planning to review it."

"Never mind him, Xu, you upload the video. I’ll take Advisor Chen to the restaurant first."

...

Sitting in the back of the off-road vehicle, Su Quan operated his laptop, forwarding the battle video sent by Zhou Xu to a contact labeled "Boss."

He also sent a message: "Boss, are you busy? Can you help analyze the strength of this Flame Cloud Falcon?"

Boss: "1."

Seeing the reply, Su Quan closed his eyes and quietly recalled the battle scene earlier.

After a while, sweat covered his forehead.

His command had not made any mistakes from beginning to end, only hesitating slightly on whether to pursue victory after the Silver Armored Mantis hit the Flame Cloud Falcon with "Blade of Assault."

After all, this was just a skill test fight, and the head of the opposing association was watching.

Apart from this detail, he made no other mistakes.

Su Quan didn’t believe this detail led to his defeat; even if he pursued victory and achieved results, it couldn’t directly incapacitate the opponent.

On the contrary, the combat power of the Flame Cloud Falcon was significantly higher than that of the Silver Armored Mantis, making every attack extraordinarily lethal.

Just as he was reviewing, his phone rang, and he immediately opened his eyes.

Boss: "You lost the battle for two reasons."

"First, the Flame Cloud Falcon’s skill proficiency is very high, and Flame Surge is nearing Master Level. Also, it seems to have consumed many cultivation resources, making the fire-type moves far more powerful than usual."

"Second, steel attribute Pet Beasts have a natural disadvantage against fire attribute Pet Beasts."

Su Quan nodded silently; these were also the two important reasons he believed.

Boss: "What’s this person’s status? Can we recruit him into our department? We can offer him a team leader position and top-tier cultivation specifications."

Su Quan sent a message with a bitter smile: "Boss, stop dreaming. He’s just a forest ranger, only wanting to stay in the mountains."

Boss: "?"

...

September 19th, Friday.

The weather was cloudy.

Upon waking, it was almost noon.

Chen Yuan groggily opened his eyes, instinctively reaching for the phone under his pillow, and pressed the unlock button, squinting against the dazzling light.

After a moment, a text message popped up:

[Dear Mr. Chen Yuan, congratulations on passing the Intermediate Beastmaster Certification. From now on, you are the eighty-eighth Intermediate Beastmaster at the Donghuang Beastmaster Association Headquarters. May your future on the Beastmaster road be a bright journey.

In recognition of your outstanding contributions, you will receive five hundred Contribution Value.

——Donghuang Beastmaster Association Headquarters]

Five hundred Contribution Value!

Chen Yuan’s eyes immediately lit up as he opened the Beastmaster Association’s official website:

[Name]: Chen Yuan

[Age]: 25

[Level]: Intermediate Beastmaster

[Association]: Baokun City Beastmaster Association

[Contribution Value]: 766

Including the leftover Contribution Value from before and the continuous contribution obtained from the Flame Cloud Falcon’s advancement requirements, Chen Yuan’s total Contribution Value now exceeds seven hundred, enough to purchase two third-level resources.

A thought crossed his mind when Zhou Xu called:

"I’ve been notified that you’ve become an Intermediate Beastmaster."

Chen Yuan nodded and smiled, "I saw the news too."

"Congratulations, congratulations, the first Intermediate Beastmaster in Baokun City." Zhou Xu’s tone was filled with laughter.

After a slight pause, he continued, "However, the second Intermediate Beastmaster should appear soon."

"Second one?" Chen Yuan asked.

Zhou Xu nodded in response, "Our association currently has two advisors, you being one of them. The other advisor is likely to become an Intermediate Beastmaster soon."

"He’s quite a bit older than you but has a high Beastmaster talent and was the first to successfully meditate in Baokun City."

"He cares a lot about appearances and is very competitive. If he finds out you became an Intermediate Beastmaster before him, his reaction will likely be intense."

"What’s this advisor’s name?" Chen Yuan asked.

"Shi Gang."

Chen Yuan said, "Sounds like a very solid name."

Zhou Xu said softly, "A fitness enthusiast, his arms are thicker than our thighs."

Chen Yuan gasped and changed the subject, "I’ve heard there’s a genius Beastmaster in Baokun City named Zhuang Jianbai."

Zhou Xu waved, "That’s just the obvious genius Beastmaster. The real geniuses are like you, not widely known but exceeding the talent of the former."

Chen Yuan, feeling slightly buoyed by Zhou Xu’s praise, lightly coughed and said, "Zhou, you’re giving me too much credit."

Zhou Xu shook his head, "Currently, the most outstanding Beastmasters gather in three places: the Investigation Department, the Beast Taming Academy Headquarters, and various local Beastmaster Associations."

"You are an exception."

"The forest ranger in the mountains."