Beast Taming: My System is Bugged-Chapter 109 - 108: Surprise

Because Ma Tianba’s flight had caused such a huge commotion, as Gu Ming and the others were coming down the mountain, they happened to be intercepted by school teachers who were heading up.

Even though Gu Ming and Lu You wanted to lie and keep a low profile, there was no hiding the fact that their two Pet Beasts had already stepped into the One-star Beast Realm.

The teachers only needed a glance to sense the two Pet Beasts’ immense progress. It was impossible to hide.

This also meant the earth-shattering commotion from earlier was definitely related to the two of them.

Fortunately, Gu Ming had his family with him. He played dumb, so the teachers had no choice but to latch onto the Gu Family Parents, asking endless questions.

Gu Ming took advantage of the gap to lead the socially anxious Lu You away from the crowd and back to the school’s athletic field.

"Sorry for dragging you all over the place this weekend. We didn’t end up training much."

The original plan was to train for two days, but after just half a day of practicing Military Boxing, they entered an Evolution phase that consumed the entire weekend.

Lu You shook her head. She had a lot she wanted to say, but in the end, her social anxiety was too overwhelming. All her feelings were condensed into two words: "Thank you."

’If it weren’t for Ma Tianba and the Gu Family, how could her Mouse Treasure have ever had such an opportunity?’

’This is a once-in-a-lifetime miracle. If it weren’t for this weekend, I don’t know when Mouse Treasure would ever have been able to Evolve.’

Although Lu You’s tone was subdued, Gu Ming was used to it and could tell that she was actually very happy. Her current state was just a result of her social anxiety.

’Come to think of it, when I took her to explore the ruins on the back mountain and when we were in her hometown, I never saw her this socially anxious.’

Gu Ming wanted to ask.

But seeing that she had reverted to her usual socially anxious self, he didn’t press the issue. He just nodded and said,

"From here on out, just focus on diligently practicing the Earth Shifting Technique and the Breathing Technique. You should understand the process for Mana Evolution by now.

"If you meet the requirements for Two-star Evolution, you can find Teacher Zhang and have his Ice Heart Fox freeze your Pet Beast’s Inner Core to undergo Mana Evolution. It’s a very reliable path for Evolution."

Gu Ming’s words touched Lu You.

But the Two-star Evolution path for a Sunflower Seed-eating Hamster was very difficult. It was a Peak that could only be reached by giving it one’s all.

And so, in Lu You’s mind, the One-star Level was Mouse Treasure’s final stop.

’I can’t even imagine evolving any further.’

But with Gu Ming’s encouragement, she could still try to push for that goal.

After all, there were still a few months until the college entrance exams.

The mention of eating made Lu You pause, an indescribable feeling welling up inside her.

’That’s right, food... Mouse Treasure is in desperate need of food.’

If it ate a normal diet, its body would have a hard time accumulating the necessary reserves for Evolution.

Generally speaking, from the research papers she’d read on the Evolution of High Tier Pet Beasts, a Sunflower Seed-eating Hamster needed to consume what amounted to a year’s worth of food.

In other words, after reaching the One-star Level, it would take a year to properly develop its body.

Every aspect—its muscles, meridians, Mana, and more—had to be honed.

If one could afford a rich diet, this time could be shortened, but she couldn’t afford that.

She only had a few months. No matter how she looked at it, it seemed impossible to break past its current limits.

’Then again,’ she thought, ’Mouse Treasure bathed in that Holy Water in the woods. That was its first time.’

It was said that when an un-evolved, Zero-star Level Pet Beast bathed in this kind of Holy Water, which contained sacred power, its aptitude for Cultivation could be greatly improved.

The resources Mouse Treasure had now were far better than those of an ordinary Sunflower Seed-eating Hamster. This meant its starting point was already very high.

’If only my family could give me a little help...’

’In just a few months, it might actually be possible to push for a Two-star Evolution.’

Lu You bit her lip, not saying anything more. She just turned and headed toward the cafeteria.

’It’s still noon, so it’s early. I have to eat quickly, then get back to the training grounds at the Pet Beast Store. I need to use every moment I have to train.’

Gu Ming, walking beside her, naturally noticed the small gesture of her lowering her head to bite her lip.

’She still seems really anxious.’

Gu Ming was curious about what she was thinking and subconsciously glanced at the system.

[You have used your Sincerity Finishing Move on Ma Tianba. Favorability has increased!]

[Ma Tianba has decided to give you a lift, as the forbidden zone and the abyss are both quite dangerous.]

[You have returned to school and found that your severely socially anxious classmate has grown even more anxious.]

[Mouse Treasure has reached the One-star Realm, but the cost of raising it cannot keep up with the new goal.]

[Faced with your suggestion, she is willing but lacks the means, and feels quite dejected.]

Gu Ming was speechless.

’What the hell is a "Sincerity Finishing Move"?’

’Whatever, I’m not going to get hung up on that.’

’As for Lu You... it seems I put a little too much pressure on her.’

Gu Ming had only mentioned it in passing. He wasn’t short on resources at the moment, so continuing his Cultivation until the college entrance exams was no problem for him.

But it was different for Lu You.

She was the one who truly came from a humble background. She had to pinch pennies at every turn just to afford Mouse Treasure’s high-intensity Cultivation and resource absorption.

Gu Ming didn’t say anything more and went to the cafeteria to eat with Cyan Treasure.

Over the course of the meal, Gu Ming thought of a solution.

Lu You’s difficulty was the lack of financial support, but after the paper on the Earth Shifting Technique was published, that might not be the case anymore.

For Basic Skills like these, the subscription fees generated by the paper would be more than enough to support her for a while.

The more fundamental the Cultivation Technique, the more subscribers it would attract, and thus the more income it would generate.

While it wouldn’t make her rich overnight, it would be more than enough to support a standard Pet Beast like a Sunflower Seed-eating Hamster.

When Gu Ming brought this up in the cafeteria, Lu You was momentarily stunned.

She remained in a daze all the way until she was at her part-time job in the Pet Beast Store. It was only when she heard Manager Ruan’s question that she snapped out of it.

Manager Ruan said teasingly,

"Just now, I saw a beam of light shoot into the back mountain behind our city’s high school. You two wouldn’t happen to be the cause of that commotion, would you?"

Manager Ruan wasn’t near the school, but she had pieced it together from the signs and various rumors from within her clan.

After all, only major powerhouses could cause such a stir. Normally, these two were just ordinary students. How could they possibly create a commotion that looked like a Six-star Level Pet Beast was flying by?

That beam of light had blasted apart the clouds, a disturbance that had alarmed every High-star Level Pet Beast in the entire city.

Beastmasters from several prominent clans had mobilized, using their networks to find out whose Pet Beast it was. They almost mistook it for a powerful Fierce Beast charging into the city.

Thankfully, the light came and went in a flash. It was gone without staying in the city for more than a few seconds, which left everyone baffled.

Manager Ruan had only been casually probing them.

She didn’t expect both of their expressions to change so drastically as they frantically waved their hands in denial.

Lu You had the guiltiest conscience; her face was an open book.

Gu Ming’s reaction was more composed—he just kept waving his hands. She, however, was waving her hands and shaking her head.

It was precisely Lu You’s extremely guilty reaction that surprised Manager Ruan.

"I was just teasing you two. Don’t tell me it’s actually true?"

After she said it, even Manager Ruan herself started to doubt.

Gu Ming’s awkwardness and Lu You’s nervousness were all the proof she needed: that celestial light from earlier had something to do with them.

Even though their Pet Beasts were only at the One-star Level... wait. They were One-star!