Beastmaster: I'm really just a forest ranger

Chapter 373 The Reclusive Master in the Farm?

Upon learning that Chen Yuan had decided to let Tie Touwa complete his advancement here, Huo Hong did not show much surprise on his face, but simply nodded knowingly.

He had long been aware of Chen Yuan's exceptional talent in the field of pet research through various channels, so it seemed perfectly reasonable for this genius researcher to develop new advancement conditions.

His thoughts shifted, and he suddenly noticed the stone's curious face. He pursed his lips, then asked with some anticipation, "Advisor Chen, would we be fortunate enough to stay and observe Ironhead's advancement process?"

Amei, who was standing next to her, was quietly taking out a piece of jerky from her small backpack and munching on it. When she heard this, she blinked. It seemed that the advancement ceremony that all beast tamers looked forward to was not as real as the jerky in her hand.

Stone became instantly excited. His eyes widened, his face filled with longing, and he nodded repeatedly in agreement.

Chen Yuan looked at them and smiled heartily:

"Of course, this is nothing to keep secret. I happen to need some witnesses. However, the resources needed for the advancement will not arrive until tomorrow, so I'm afraid I'll have to go back to the farm to rest today. I'll have to trouble you to wait another day."

The advancement ceremonies for the first three little ones were all conducted in full view of the public, and the exclamations and cheers from the crowd effectively boosted the little ones' sense of pride.

Huo Hong quickly calculated the deadline for submitting the task in his mind and immediately nodded: "No problem. It's worth waiting any amount of time to observe Consultant Chen's pet's advancement!"

"That's good."

Chen Yuan nodded, then called to the others and their pets, preparing to leave the cave first.

"Roar"

Seeing that everyone and their pets were about to leave, the two armored rhinoceroses finally breathed a long sigh of relief. Their tense bodies relaxed, and their eyes revealed the relief of surviving a disaster.

But Chen Yuan suddenly turned around and looked at them, startling the two big guys so much that their bodies trembled inexplicably.

Chen Yuan smiled and said, "I'll trouble you to continue guarding this place today, and prevent other pets from barging in and damaging the environment."

"Roar"

Meeting pairs of intimidating eyes, the two large creatures, though unwilling, nodded solemnly.

After passing through a deep, dark passageway and several forks in the road, the group finally returned to the cave entrance an hour later.

Bathed in the warm afternoon sun, Chen Yuan looked at Youmi sitting on Tie Touwa's shoulders.

The little guy had somehow become friends with Tie Touwa, and before long, he was sitting casually on the latter's shoulders, a privilege that no other farm member had ever enjoyed.

"Coo-choo~"

At this moment, Youmi was constantly gesturing with her claws, her cute demonic antennae swaying back and forth, her slender tail swinging up and down, and her large amber eyes staring intently at the Iron-Headed Baby, her eyes full of anticipation.

Upon closer inspection, Chen Yuan suddenly burst into laughter.

It turns out that Youmi, who loves playing pranks, is trying to persuade Tietouwa to leave with her and find a place to live together.

At that time, Youmi will be responsible for providing advice and strategies, while Tietouwa will be responsible for providing the physical labor.

The two forces combined will surely grow stronger and create a brilliant future in these vast mountains.

"Crack."

Iron-Headed Kid stared straight ahead, his voice cold and stern, and resolutely refused.

The outside world is too dangerous; it needs to get back to the farm as soon as possible.

It has been away from its post for too long, and it is inevitable that some wild pets with ill intentions will covet the spiritual plants inside the farm. This is a potential hazard that must be taken seriously.

"Grrrrrrrr!"

Upon hearing this, Yumi, her face full of resentment, excitedly waved her claws, her demonic tentacles flashing with a faint purple light. She then flew around Ironhead Baby, trying to persuade him with earnest words.

Working on a farm is so boring!

We can do whatever we want outside, without any restrictions, embracing freedom!
"Crack."

No matter how much Youmi tried to persuade him, Tie Touwa remained steadfast in his gaze and resolute in his attitude.

He was just an ordinary farm worker whose only duty was to guard the gate and maintain farm security.

"Chirp."

Seeing that she could not persuade her, the parched Youmi drooped her head listlessly, her two antennae on her head quickly dimmed, and even her long tail drooped weakly behind her.

Youmi was willing, but Tie Touwa was heartless.

Chen Yuan smiled slightly and suddenly interjected, "You've been trying to persuade me for so long, why don't you come and work on our farm?"

Although Yumi's combat power is unremarkable, its ability to conceal itself may play a unique role in certain special scenarios.

"Coo-choo!"

Upon hearing this, Youmi shook her head violently, her expression resolute.

Work?

I, Yumi, will never work in this life, the next life, or the life after that!
Chen Yuan continued, "Alright, you can go now."

"Goo-choo?" Yumi was taken aback when she heard this, and her eyes widened.

Chen Yuan's voice continued, "The clues you provided were very helpful to me, and I am very grateful to you, but this cannot directly compensate those who were tricked and robbed by you. In view of the losses caused by your previous thefts, I will compensate everyone in the town on your behalf."

Yumi froze completely, staring blankly at Chen Yuan, seemingly not expecting him to do this, nor that he would so decisively send her away.

Could it be that all the jobs this despicable human is offering are fake?

Am I not as good at my job as other pets?
Damn, damn, damn!

Youmi puffed out her cheeks angrily at Chen Yuan, and her demonic tentacles suddenly shone brightly. But then she suddenly remembered something, her expression froze, and she let out a long sigh.

“You’re free now. Go wherever you want. I won’t stop you.” Chen Yuan smiled at Youmi. “But don’t keep stealing. If you’re really starving, go and earn food through labor. I believe everyone would be happy to do so.”

Upon hearing this, a complex and unreadable emotion flashed in Youmi's big eyes, including surprise, confusion, and perhaps a hint of barely perceptible shame.

It opened its mouth, but ultimately said nothing. It simply lowered its head, and its small figure slowly blended into the shadows beside it, disappearing from sight.

Seeing that Youmi had gone invisible, Chen Yuan nodded: "Alright, we'll head back now. Goodbye."

Afterwards, Chen Yuan led Huo Hong and the other two, along with a group of pet animals, back to the farm.

However, a moment later, the air at the cave entrance distorted slightly.

Youmi didn't really leave. It concealed itself and followed the group furtively, its large amber eyes filled with intense curiosity and an emotion that even it couldn't quite explain.

It didn't know what it wanted to do; it just subconsciously followed Chen Yuan and the others, and its figure disappeared into the wind and snow once again.

During the journey, Huo Hong and the other two learned about Youmi's story from Chen Yuan and exclaimed, "This little guy isn't so bad after all."

Chen Yuan nodded: "Yes, it's just a little mischievous, but it's already quite good compared to those ferocious pets."

The group chatted along the way and returned to the familiar farm several hours later.

Ironhead did not rest immediately. Instead, like a dutiful guard, it carefully and meticulously inspected the farm inside and out. Only after confirming that every fence and every corner was safe and sound did it seem to truly relax. It silently walked to the gate post that it had been guarding for who knows how long, stood there like a rock, and entered working mode.

Huo Hong and his two companions were once again deeply shocked by what they saw.

This Ironhead, who displayed terrifying strength in the cave and slew the Armored Rhinoceros with a single blow, returned to the farm and the first thing he did was patrol and guard the gate?
At this moment, a light brown figure rushed out of the courtyard like the wind. Cola ran quickly to Chen Yuan, affectionately nuzzled Chen Yuan's hand, and then curiously looked at Huo Hong and the other two, especially the Azure Hunting Dog beside Huo Hong: "Awooo?"

Cola circled the Azure Hound several times, scrutinizing it closely from head to toe. After confirming that the hound posed no threat to him, he turned back to Chen Yuan's side.

"Wang"

The Azure Hound, however, was under immense pressure. When it met Cola's scrutinizing gaze, its body tensed up as if facing a ferocious beast.

Looking at the energetic Kele before him, whose aura was even more unfathomable than when they last met, and then comparing him to the Qinglan Hunting Dog beside him, who was also excellent but clearly far inferior, Huo Hong couldn't help but feel a sense of helplessness again: The gap is really getting bigger and bigger.
After strolling around the farm for a while, seeing the thriving and vibrant spiritual plants and all sorts of energetic pets, Stone's fighting spirit began to stir again.

He took a deep breath, ran up to Chen Yuan again, and once more extended the challenge: "Advisor Chen, please fight me! This time, I promise."

Amei tugged at Shi Tou's sleeve, and Huo Hong was about to speak up to stop him. Chen Yuan looked at Shi Tou's fearless spirit, then at the equally spirited and combat-ready Silver Armored Mantis beside him, and smiled helplessly.

It's a youth version of a fighting maniac.

He looked around, his gaze finally settling on Sprite, who was lazily licking its paws by the fishpond.

"Sprite," Chen Yuan called out, "come and spar with it, but be careful."

Stone's Silver Armored Mantis is at the second tier, almost the same level as Sprite. Sending Sprite into battle shouldn't seriously damage the child's confidence.

Upon hearing the sound, Sprite looked up, glanced at Stone and Silver Mantis with her light blue eyes, slowly stood up, shook her fluffy fur, and walked gracefully and calmly to the open space in the center of the yard.

Although the opponent wasn't the expected Cola or Steelhead Grub, Stone was still extremely excited: "Thank you, Consultant Chen! Silver Mantis, let's go!"

The silver-armored mantis also roused itself, its sickle-like legs crossing over each other, producing a crisp rubbing sound.

The battle begins.

"Silver Armored Mantis, strike first, Charge Blade!" Stone's eyes narrowed, and he took a deep breath, determined to seize the initiative in the battle.

Although the other party is just an ordinary member of the farm, they have been trained by Consultant Chen and must be treated with caution.

The Silver Mantis's form blurred instantly, and like a silver lightning bolt, it traversed a considerable distance in a flash, suddenly appearing in front of Sprite's side.

The next moment, the silver-armored mantis's arms flashed with cold light as it slashed out in a crisscross pattern, the cold light suddenly bursting forth.

However, Sprite was surprisingly calm. Without Chen Yuan's command, it did not move its position casually. It simply opened its mouth and exhaled an extremely cold breath like icy mist.

A chill!

The biting cold air didn't attack directly, but rather precisely covered all possible attack paths and evasive spaces of the Silver Mantis. The moisture in the air instantly condensed into countless tiny ice crystals, and the temperature plummeted.

The silver-armored mantis's lightning-fast attack seemed to have crashed into an invisible and extremely cold spider web, its speed suddenly slowed down, its movements became stiff, and the effect of the attack was instantly neutralized.

Upon seeing this scene, Shi Tou immediately sensed something was wrong.

Just as the Silver Mantis froze, Sprite moved.

Its figure moved forward like a ghost, its icy claws carrying a chilling force that could tear through the low temperature, before suddenly lashing out.

Ice Crack Claw!
Click!

The claw strike, imbued with chilling energy, struck the silver-armored mantis's breastplate precisely, the icy energy instantly penetrating it.

Clang!
The silver-armored mantis let out a painful cry as its body was heavily knocked back. Its breastplate was instantly covered with a layer of white frost, and its aura weakened considerably.

Seeing this, Huo Hong couldn't help but cover his forehead and let out a long sigh.

The gap in strength was too large, and the result was a foregone conclusion.

Sure enough, the ensuing battle was almost entirely one-sided.

Sprite didn't even use any more skills; relying solely on the control of Frost Breath and the precise strikes of Ice Crack Claw, she easily defeated the Silver Armored Mantis, whose movements were hampered and unable to utilize its speed advantage, in just a few rounds.

Soon after, the silver-armored mantis collapsed to the ground, its body covered with a thin layer of frost.

"Gah!"

"call out!"

"Giggle!"

The little guys, including Runrun Duck and Dian Dian Flying Cat, who were watching the battle in the yard, immediately cheered and applauded Sprite's victory.

Stone stood there blankly, staring at the incapacitated Silver Armored Mantis, his face filled with immense confusion.

He had thought the fight would be evenly matched.
Shouldn't this winter dog just be an ordinary farm member?
Seeing his apprentice's dejected state, Huo Hong felt a pang of pity and quietly approached Chen Yuan, lowering his voice to ask:
"Consultant Chen, do you have any pets on your farm that are... well, less powerful? Like, those that have just hatched?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Yuan glanced around his yard—the imposing Cola, the unfathomable Spark, the Sprite who had just easily won, the Iron-Headed Kid guarding the gate, and the yawning Runrun Duck.
He smiled helplessly and answered very sincerely, "Sprite is indeed the weakest in terms of regular combat strength in our farm."

Besides these, there might only be eggs that haven't hatched yet.

But what's the deal with battling against pet eggs?
Huo Hong: "."

He fell silent, patted Chen Yuan on the shoulder, and sighed deeply.

My dear disciple, failure is an inevitable part of facing Consultant Chen. Even someone as powerful as Zhuang Jianbai went through this. Just accept your fate.

After a while, Chen Yuan looked at the still somewhat dejected Shi Tou and tentatively suggested, "How about... letting him have a competition with the farm's Bean Chicken?"

"Cuckoo~"

Upon hearing this, the surrounding Bean Chickens flapped their wings vigorously, their excited cries rising and falling.

I'll do it! I'll do it!
Huo Hong's lips twitched, but seeing Chen Yuan's serious expression, he finally nodded silently.

DouDou Chicken may seem weak, but it is, after all, a DouDou Chicken from Consultant Chen's farm, and may be different from others.

However, to the surprise of Huo Hong and Chen Yuan, Shi Tou was only confused for a moment before quickly recovering and rekindling his fighting spirit.

He clenched his fist, his eyes brightening again, and said loudly, "It's okay, I'll win next time if I lose this time! Consultant Chen, I will definitely train harder and become as good as you in the future!"

Chen Yuan smiled and nodded.

Good, let's not let the Bean Chickens undermine this child's confidence.

As night fell, Chen Yuan invited Huo Hong and the other two to have dinner at the farm.

When Chen Yuan saw Amei and Shitou devouring their food like a whirlwind, their astonishing appetites seemingly capable of swallowing a whole cow, his hand holding the chopsticks paused slightly, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

Huo Hong, watching from the side, blushed deeply, so embarrassed he wanted to disappear into the ground. He repeatedly explained, "This child is still growing, and he trains quite rigorously."

Chen Weiyi, on the other hand, was all smiles and didn't mind at all. In fact, he was very happy, his eyes narrowing into slits as he kept putting food on Amei and Shitou's plates: "Eat more, eat more. Young people should be able to eat a lot. Only by eating a lot can they have the strength to do things!"

The older generation seems to really like children who can eat a lot.

at the dinner table,
Stone wolfed down his food while curiously looking around.

His gaze suddenly fell on Chen Weiyi's feet, where a particularly small, even somewhat round and cute, Hanliu ox was lying.

This cold-blooded ox was several sizes smaller than any of the others he had seen outside. It was docilely rubbing against the old man's trouser leg, chewing its food carefully, and looked completely defenseless.

Stone's mouth was full of food, and he mumbled indistinctly, "Hmm, this Frost Bull looks so small. My Silver Mantis has recovered, maybe I can beat it."

Although his voice was soft, everyone present was a beast tamer and had excellent hearing.

Upon hearing this, Chen Yuan revealed a strange smile and turned to look at the smiling old man.

A thought flashed through his mind, and Chen Yuan smiled at Shi Tou and said, "Why don't we give it a try?"

Stone's eyes lit up, and he quickly finished the rice in his bowl, wiping his mouth: "I'll give it a try!"

One minute later.

The entire farmyard seemed to have instantly entered the polar winter. A surging cold current, far more terrifying and powerful than the chill of Sprite, seemingly capable of freezing everything, suddenly erupted from the center of that petite, frigid cow!
In an instant, the ground was covered with a thick layer of hard ice, and the spiritual plants in the courtyard were covered with thick icicles. The air seemed to be about to crack from the cold.

Just as it recovered and was about to launch its attack, the silver-armored mantis didn't even have time to react. It was frozen solid in its forward-charging posture, becoming a lifelike ice sculpture. Even the slightest movement of its wings was frozen in that instant.

Stone:"."

His expression froze completely, and he fell into a state of utter existential doubt.

The old man didn't even utter a word of command; he still maintained a smiling expression.

Everyone says that pet battles are difficult, but the old man doesn't think so.

Isn't it just about letting your pet use its skills and then waiting for the battle to end?
Huo Hong glanced silently at the kind-looking old man beside him and suddenly felt that this seemingly ordinary old man was shrouded in a mysterious aura of a reclusive master.

(End of this chapter)