"It’s not... wait, why were they released?"
Captain Yan looked at Qi Chen with suspicion and said,
"Because they have not committed any crimes, they’re just an ordinary folk organization researching how to quickly strengthen Spirit Beasts."
"Quickly becoming stronger? This..."
Seeing Qi Chen looking at him, Feng Yuan shook his head and said,
"It shouldn’t be the Transcend Sect, just a coincidence."
"What Transcend Sect? They’re just a small organization formed by some students from the Beast Taming Academy who haven’t graduated yet. I don’t know why Captain Yang is so cautious."
Recalling the crazed Transcend Sect before Feng Yuan corrected him, Qi Chen didn’t know how to explain, and Feng Yuan curiously looked towards Captain Yan and said,
"Why do they call themselves the Transcendence Organization? Ordinary people wouldn’t choose such a name, right?"
"They said they chose this name because they hope to transcend existing limitations and become stronger more quickly."
"A bunch of power-seeking fellows, huh? Makes sense, that name is most likely to be used by those types. But they’ve really blundered into the line of fire..."
Feng Yuan said with a suppressed laugh, already imagining the angry look on Captain Yang’s face, just coming back from dealing with things in Luo’an City and then discovering a new organization called Transcendence suddenly popping up.
"Is there something wrong with the word ’transcend’?"
Captain Yan felt somewhat bewildered. It made sense for Feng Yuan, after all, being personally requested by Captain Yang to help indicated some mutual understanding, but Qi Chen certainly didn’t seem to know Captain Yang. Yet, Qi Chen seemed to understand the reason for Captain Yang’s strange reaction, which made Captain Yan even more perplexed.
"You could ask Captain Yang about that, if he’s willing to tell you."
"Let’s not talk about this matter. You’ve already registered for this year’s Maomu City Beast Taming competition, right?"
"Though I didn’t register myself, I’m indeed a contestant."
"If you’re saying I should participate, our teacher has already mentioned it to me."
Looking at Feng Yuan with some confusion, Captain Yan said,
"I don’t recall notifying your teacher. How did she know?"
"Teacher Yan told me. It’s not really a secret, is it?"
"It’s Xiao Chen who asked her to tell you, isn’t it? That’s fine. Unless there are unforeseen events, the competition will start on the 28th. Just come early for the opening ceremony in the morning and patrol around with the others."
"By the way, Elder Li will personally oversee the competition, so don’t even think about pulling any tricks or cheating."
While speaking, Captain Yan quickly scanned the report handed over by Feng Yuan, and after a moment of silence, he said,
"Let’s leave things in the Data Domain at that. Don’t enter the Data Domain for a while; it would be problematic for me if someone found out."
Understanding the hint, Captain Yan sighed and said,
"You better keep out of these matters. Having too many people watching you is not good for you."
"I know, but curiosity gets the best of me sometimes~ Besides, it’s not a big issue, I can take care of myself."
Seeing Feng Yuan’s unconcerned demeanor, Captain Yan sighed, repeated some instructions to him, informed him that he needed to be there this weekend as well, and then turned to leave.
"Elder Li is personally hosting the competition... But it makes sense, given the current situation in Maomu City, it’d be trouble without an Elder managing things."
As he spoke, Feng Yuan patted Qi Chen on the shoulder and said,
"See, this time the competition is overseen by an Elder from the Elder Council. Aren’t you considering participating?"
Seeing Qi Chen’s excited yet hesitant expression, Feng Yuan smirked and said,
"Is it because you haven’t asked Dou Yanlan? Shall we go and ask her now?"
"No! I’ll ask her myself!"
Watching Qi Chen fleeing in a panic, Feng Yuan spread his hands and picked up Xiao Ji,
"Let’s go have dinner."
Arriving at the dining hall and hearing everyone still discussing the events in Luo’an City, Feng Yuan placed Xiao Ji on his head and said,
"I wonder what dishes are available today. Are you planning to eat your own food or try something here during the meal?"
"I heard that just yesterday, the dining hall opened a new Spirit Beast food service window. Do you want to try it?"
After hesitating for a bit, Xiao Ji chirped several times seeming to decline. Feng Yuan said with some surprise,
"You don’t want to try? What if it’s delicious?"
Hearing Xiao Ji’s refusal, Feng Yuan looked amusedly at the Dreaming Dragon Baby who was eagerly gazing at him and said,
"Okay, I’ll take you to taste some later, and if it’s good, it can even improve Big Cat’s diet."
Seeing the Dreaming Dragon Baby happily darting around in the air, Feng Yuan shook his head with a smile, when Zhong Liuyan’s voice came from behind,
"The food in the school cafeteria can’t possibly be tasty, right?"
"What if it is~ Xiao Ji, you didn’t refuse because you guessed this situation, did you?"
Xiao Ji gave a somewhat guilty chirp as if to confirm, and Feng Yuan reached out to pet Xiao Ji, saying,
"Rare for you to become shrewd, huh~"
Hearing Xiao Ji’s delighted chirp, Pei Yu curled his lips in disdain and said,
"Normal spirit beasts wouldn’t be fooled, right? Only that gluttonous dragon would believe this."
The Dreaming Dragon Baby disdainfully glanced at Pei Yu, coiled around Feng Yuan’s neck, and rubbed his hard head against Feng Yuan. Somewhat annoyed by the Dreaming Dragon Baby’s headbutting, Feng Yuan pushed the dragon’s head away and said,
"If you keep acting up, I’ll make you eat kibble!"
"By the way, could you guys wait for me? I have something I want to ask you both, we can talk over the meal."
Feng Yuan suddenly remembered something and said to the two, prompting a curious nod from Zhong Liuyan,
"Sure, we’ll save you a spot over there."
Seeing Pei Yu’s disgruntled expression, Feng Yuan smiled, turned around to get his food, and carrying his dinner, accompanied by the impatient Dreaming Dragon Baby, came to the newly opened Spirit Beast food window. The Dreaming Dragon Baby first sniffed eagerly, but its face quickly fell. Feng Yuan nudged the unmoving Dreaming Dragon Baby and said,
"Order whatever you want to eat."
Although somewhat disappointed, the Dreaming Dragon Baby still pointed at several dishes with its tail. Signaling the Dreaming Dragon Baby to hold the tray, Feng Yuan thought for a moment and then asked Xiao Ji,
"Is there nothing you want to eat?"
Hearing the continued refusal chirps from Xiao Ji above his head, Feng Yuan handed over his tray and said,
"Help me get a bit of this and that, okay? Not too much."
The lady serving the dishes hesitated upon seeing Xiao Ji perched on Feng Yuan’s head but adjusted the food on Feng Yuan’s plate to make room for the items he’d pointed out.
"Here, have a taste~ At least you’ll know what it’s like, right?"
The Dreaming Dragon Baby looked at the pitiful amount of spirit beast food on Feng Yuan’s plate, then at its own tray heaping with food, and suddenly felt satisfied. Noticing the Dreaming Dragon Baby’s expression, Xiao Ji chirped disdainfully, and the Dreaming Dragon Baby proudly shook its body. Feng Yuan quickly said,
"What are you doing! Don’t spill the food!"
As he sat down at the spot Zhong Liuyan had saved, with the Dreaming Dragon Baby beside him, Pei Yu looked at Feng Yuan with dissatisfaction and said,
"What did you want us for?"
Giving Pei Yu a sidelong glance, Feng Yuan calmly replied,
"Not you, I’ve got something to discuss with Zhong Liuyan."
"You have something with me?"
Zhong Liuyan looked puzzled at Feng Yuan while Pei Yu glared suspiciously, and seeing that Xiao Ji hadn’t touched the food on the plate, Feng Yuan said in resignation,
"Now that it’s been served, just finish it."
Seeing Xiao Ji start to taste the food, Feng Yuan turned to Zhong Liuyan and said,
"It’s mainly about the Beast Tamer competition in Maomu City."
"The Beast Tamer competition? I’m not participating in that, you should talk to him, shouldn’t you?"
"What bad scheme are you cooking up now!"
Pei Yu looked increasingly dissatisfied with Feng Yuan who replied calmly after glancing at Pei Yu,
"I’m not scheming anything; I just wanted to invite her to form a team and compete together."