Beastmaster: I'm really just a forest ranger

Chapter 377 A Sharp Heart! An Invincible Heart!
Night had fallen, and the cold wind was growing increasingly biting.

The aftershocks of the battle gradually subsided, but the air still seemed to retain the incomparably sharp edge of Steel Slash and the unwilling whimpers of Winter Dog.

Chen Yuan looked at the silent Zhuang Jianbai. Although he couldn't truly empathize with him, he could imagine the intense emotional turmoil Zhuang Jianbai was experiencing at that moment.

Being defeated by Spark and his ilk is tolerable, but being defeated by Ironhead is unacceptable.
However, it must be said that Ironhead's strength has greatly improved after advancing, and he can even defeat the Winter Hound, which is slightly higher in level than him, with ease and without any difficulty.

With his current strength, Tie Touwa is fully capable of becoming Chen Yuan's fourth pet beast and accompanying him in battles.

However, Chen Yuan knew Tie Touwa's thoughts and ambitions well. Before he could split a mountain in two with a single stroke, Tie Touwa would never rashly venture into the outside world.

At the same time, a question arose in Chen Yuan's mind: Why wasn't Tie Touwa frozen just now?
Is it because the body underwent some changes after advancing to the next level?

Or is there some other unknown reason?
A thought flashed through Chen Yuan's mind, but he kept his doubts to himself. Then he extended an invitation to everyone: "It's getting late, and everyone is hungry. Let's go get something to eat together."

The group nodded silently and followed Chen Yuan to the Good Luck Farmhouse in the town.

After a while, the large courtyard was brightly lit by warm lights and a campfire. The long wooden table was filled with steaming farm dishes: fragrant stewed chicken, glistening braised fish, refreshing cold mountain delicacies, and a large basket of freshly baked, steaming handmade flatbreads.

"Come, come, sit down."

"You're all Yuan-ge's friends, so make yourselves at home here," Zhang Hao warmly invited everyone to take their seats.

The courtyard quickly became lively.

After a long day of traveling and watching the games, the students were starving, and they began to feast, praising the delicious food. Huo Hong and his two companions chatted with Chen Yuan and Zhang Hao, and the atmosphere gradually became lively.

The campfire crackled, dispelling the chill of the night.

However, on the edge of this bustling and warm place, Zhuang Jianbai sat alone in the shadows of a corner.

Several small dishes were laid out in front of him, but he hardly touched them. Instead, he held a wine glass and gulped down one glass after another of the locally brewed, spicy sorghum liquor.

The bitter wine burned his throat and stomach, but it was nothing compared to the stinging pain and bitterness in his heart.

The image of defeat replayed in his mind again and again, the calm yet powerful figure of Steel Slash Earth King pressing down on his heart like a boulder. The final, unwilling and weary look in the eyes of the Winter Dog was like a knife twisting in his heart.

Wang Yuan looked at Zhuang Jianbai with concern several times. His lips moved, but he didn't say anything to comfort him. He knew that the latter needed time and space to process this setback on his own.

He thought for a moment, then took the initiative to steer the conversation in a slightly higher voice: "Advisor Chen, speaking of the upcoming Donghuang Tournament, have you heard about the latest competition format?"

These words indeed attracted everyone's attention, and even Zhuang Jianbai, who was drinking in silence, subconsciously pricked up his ears.

Chen Yuan shook his head: "No, I've been busy training in the Qinling Mountains lately and haven't been paying much attention to outside information."

Wang Yuan cleared his throat and said in a loud voice, "According to the latest news, this Donghuang Tournament will adopt a regional system to select talents more fairly. Beastmasters from the same region will be dispersed into different 32 regions. For example, Consultant Chen and Brother Zhuang are both from our Qin Province. They will definitely not meet in the points stage. They will only meet in the knockout stage."

After a brief pause, he met the pairs of attentive eyes and explained in detail: "The entire competition process is divided into three stages: the points tournament, the knockout stage, and the final."

"The points-based tournament is a one-on-one battle format. Each Beastmaster sends out a pet beast to fight against other contestants in the same region in a round-robin format. One point is awarded for each win, and no points are awarded for each loss. Finally, the top two contestants with the highest points in each region advance to the knockout stage. In total, there will be a total of 64 contestants advancing."

"In the knockout stage, the battle format will become two-on-two, which will put even more emphasis on combination and cooperation. At this stage, losing just one match will result in elimination until you advance to the finals where only eight players remain."

"And in the final stage, it will be a top-level three-on-three all-out competition, and the ultimate winner will be the champion of the first Donghuang Tournament!"

"Tsk tsk, this is the first edition, it's truly unprecedented! Whoever becomes the champion will easily bring glory to their ancestors and even go down in history!"

Everyone listened with great interest, nodding in agreement. Yet, the last sentence stirred their blood and filled them with passion. They seemed to already imagine the glorious scene of becoming the champion of the Donghuang Tournament and being admired by thousands.

Chen Yuan nodded, indicating that he understood.

Since we've chosen to participate in the Donghuang Tournament, we must have only one goal—to win the championship.

Wang Yuan was very satisfied with everyone's reaction. He nodded and then said, "It is said that each region will have about thirty spots for the competition. In total, the number of participants nationwide is expected to reach about a thousand. There are a lot of participants, so the competition will be extremely fierce."

Chen Yuan nodded in agreement.

Every participating beast tamer is a top performer in their region, a genius beast tamer among thousands.

Even if it's one in ten thousand, you can still find many, many more in the vast Eastern Empire.

This vast land has no shortage of geniuses.

Hearing this, Shi Tou couldn't help but interject, looking excitedly at Huo Hong: "Master, you'll be participating this time too, right?"

Huo Hong tilted his head back slightly, took a sip of wine, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes, and said firmly, "Of course I'll participate. How can I miss such a good opportunity to hone my skills?"

If he can achieve certain results and make a name for himself at the Eastern Empire Tournament, it will help him go further in the bounty hunting field.

Stone's eyes lit up, and he immediately pumped his fist excitedly: "Great! With your strength, Master, you're sure to achieve great results!"

Upon hearing this, Huo Hong smiled but remained silent.

He considered it a success if he could advance to the knockout stage.

Wang Yuan smiled and nodded, then changed the subject, her tone becoming more serious: "However, the opponents from other regions should not be underestimated. Several top contenders for the championship have been identified online, and they are the most competitive beast tamers in their respective regions."

He counted on his fingers: "For example, Li Tianyun from the headquarters of the Donghuang Beast Taming Academy. He has always been the undisputed number one in the academy and is quite famous online. His contracted Windwalker Tiger has long since advanced to the Morning Star quality Burning Wind Howling Tiger. It is said that he can control the burning wind, tear everything apart, and is extremely ferocious!"

"And there's Ye Sheng from the Imperial Capital Beast Tamer Association. He's the first high-level beast tamer in our Eastern Empire, so his prestige goes without saying. Moreover, he has extremely rich practical experience and has never been defeated since his debut. He's widely regarded as the hottest candidate for this year's champion!"

"There's also Su Lan from Shanghai. She has a contract with an extremely rare Tide Diva and is also a favorite to win the championship."

"besides."

Wang Yuan paused, then turned to Chen Yuan with utmost respect: "Of course, there's also our Qin Province's pride, Advisor Chen. You are widely recognized as a favorite to win this year's Donghuang Tournament, and you belong to the same tier as the previous contestants."

Upon hearing these names, Chen Yuan merely smiled slightly, picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said nothing more. His expression remained calm, as if those renowned rivals were no different from ordinary people.

"Ow~"

Cola, who was gnawing on a chicken leg nearby, suddenly looked up, her sharp eyes gleaming, and then waved her oil-stained paws, looking menacing.

Forget about the favorites to win the championship, with my dog ​​General on the front lines, I'll tear them all to shreds!
The dinner gradually came to an end amidst everyone's casual conversation.

After eating and drinking their fill, Chen Yuan got up to say goodbye and returned to the farm to rest. Huo Hong and his two companions, along with Zhuang Jianbai and the others, stayed in the guest rooms of the farmhouse under Zhang Hao's arrangement.

It's quiet at night.

In the guest room, Zhuang Jianbai lay on the bed, tossing and turning, unable to fall asleep.

The bright moonlight shone through the window lattice onto his face, illuminating his furrowed brows and bewildered eyes.

The crushing defeat during the day, the powerful competitors Wang Yuan mentioned, and the unfathomable strength of Consultant Chen all swirled in his mind like a revolving lantern.

He sat up abruptly, scratching his hair in frustration.

What exactly is the difference between him and Consultant Chen?
In terms of talent, he was the number one in Yunhua Beast Taming Academy. He successfully awakened his spiritual power on his first meditation and his mental strength was honed much faster than others.

In terms of effort, he has never slacked off since becoming a Beast Tamer, leaving early and returning late every day, and has even witnessed the Beast Taming Academy at four in the morning.

In terms of background, he and Consultant Chen both came from remote mountain villages, and their starting points were almost the same.

But why is every challenge so ruthlessly crushed?

He couldn't understand it, he just couldn't understand it. A deep sense of powerlessness and self-doubt, along with the darkness outside the window, almost swallowed him up.

He exhaled a deep breath, his voice tinged with bitterness.

The winter dog, sleeping on the rug at the foot of the bed, keenly sensed its owner's emotional fluctuations and movements. It immediately raised its head, letting out a soft whimper, its icy blue eyes looking at him with concern.

It stood up and slowly approached, gently rubbing its cool, moist nose against Zhuang Jianbai's hand hanging by the bedside, silently expressing its comfort.

Zhuang Jianbai lowered his head, looking at his companion's concerned eyes, and felt a warmth in his heart. He reached out and rubbed its fluffy head, and said softly, "Can't sleep? Come with me for a walk."

He put on his coat, gently pushed open the door, and the winter dog quietly followed behind him. The two of them quietly blended into the biting cold wind outside.

Zhuang Jianbai subconsciously tightened his collar, and the breath he exhaled instantly turned into a cloud of white mist, dissipating into the cool air.

The moonlight, like water, spilled over the quiet town, casting long shadows of houses and trees. All was silent except for the soft whistling of the cold wind rustling through the bare branches.

He had no destination; he simply followed his instincts, tiptoeing out of the farmhouse and, under the moonlight, inexplicably walking slowly toward the farm.

Along the way, he couldn't help but mutter to himself again, as if asking Winter Dog, or perhaps asking himself: "Tell me... what exactly is the difference between us and Consultant Chen? Why does it feel like no matter how hard we try, we can't catch up with him?"

His voice sounded exceptionally clear, yet also exceptionally lost, in the stillness of the night. The winter dog couldn't answer, but simply moved closer to him, warming him with its body and emitting a comforting whimper.

Before they knew it, they had arrived at the gate of Chen Yuan Farm.

Zhuang Jianbai stopped in his tracks, about to peer through the fence at the tranquil farm, but his gaze was immediately drawn to the scene near the gate, freezing in place.

Under the clear, bright moonlight, amidst the still-lingering drizzle, the Steel-Slaying Earth Lord, who had defeated the Winter Dog with overwhelming force during the day, was still not resting.

It stands silently in the wind and snow, wielding its pair of ferocious and terrifying steel blades time and time again in the most standard posture.

Its movements were meticulous and incredibly precise; every slash, horizontal cut, upward thrust, and lunge contained a unique rhythm and explosive power. The blade tip sliced ​​through the air, emitting an extremely subtle yet sharp hissing sound.

The swirling snow was easily torn apart and dispersed by the sharp force of the air, forming a small, eerie vacuum around it.

It wasn't playing around, nor was it venting; it was engaging in extremely arduous and focused extra training at night.

Taking advantage of the cold, snowy environment, it hones its combat skills and control over its power. Its azure eyes gleam with a calm and determined light in the darkness, and it is completely immersed in training.

Zhuang Jianbai stared at this scene for a long time, as if he had been frozen in place.

The cold wind brushed against his cheeks, but he felt no chill; instead, a surge of intense heat and profound awe welled up within him.

Having just enjoyed an easy victory during the day, the fact that he could still train so diligently and self-disciplinedly, almost to the point of self-torture, tonight speaks volumes about his perseverance and his unwavering pursuit of strength.
Suddenly, a flash of insight, like lightning, cleaved through all the confusion and entanglement in his heart.

All his confusion, resentment, and self-doubt seemed to find their answers at that moment.

He stood there, stunned, for a long, long time, before finally letting out a sigh filled with complex emotions.

"I see. In the early hours of the morning when everyone else is sound asleep, you can train hard on your own. Perhaps this is the seemingly small but actually huge difference between me and Consultant Chen."

He understood that while their talent and effort might be comparable, the constant challenge to their own limits, the endless thirst for power, and the self-discipline and perseverance ingrained in their bones were the real reasons why Chen Yuan and his pets were able to continuously break through and stand at the top.

He didn't go forward to disturb them, but silently watched the steel figure constantly wielding its blade in the moonlight and snow for a very long time.

Finally, he turned around and silently disappeared into the returning night with the Winterhound. His steps seemed heavier than when he came, but also more determined.

Silent all night.

June 19th, Saturday, sunny.

In the early morning, sunlight gently shines through the thin clouds, bathing Xuanhe Town in its warmth.

Chen Yuan woke up early, washed up, and strolled out of the small house into the courtyard bathed in the morning light.

The winter air was still fresh, and the flowers and plants in the plant garden were covered with glistening dewdrops. Several pea chickens were leisurely pecking at the food on the ground.

His gaze quickly fell on the farm gate, where Ironhead still stood quietly at his post like the most loyal guard. The morning light cast a warm halo on its silver-gray metal body, and its uniquely shaped metal helmet and steady posture gave people an extremely reassuring and reliable feeling.

Chen Yuan walked up to Tie Touwa with a gentle smile on his face.

He recalled how Ironhead had emerged unscathed from the Frost Dog's Frost Domain yesterday, even showing complete immunity to the freezing effect, and his curiosity was piqued once again.

Is this a characteristic of a stubborn kid?
Or is it the effect of a racial skill?

Looking at the boy with the iron head, Chen Yuan said gently, "Let's do an experiment."

Ironhead's pair of azure eyes flickered, and he emitted a deep, submissive hum: "Kah."

Chen Yuan thought for a moment, then beckoned to the Frost Ox not far away: "Come over and help me out, use your Frost Breath on it."

The small, docile Frost Ox approached, slightly raising its eyes to gaze at Iron-Headed Boy, before opening its mouth and spewing out a concentrated stream of white frost.

Wherever the cold air passes, the moisture in the air instantly condenses into tiny ice crystals, and the ground is even covered with a thin layer of white frost.

The next moment, the icy breath struck Ironhead's breastplate solidly, making a hissing sound, and cold mist spread out.

However, Ironhead only trembled slightly, its body temperature plummeted, and it was covered with a layer of frost, but it still stood firmly in place, its movements without the slightest hesitation or stiffness.

This extreme cold, powerful enough to freeze even a third-tier pet, seemed to have little effect on Ironhead. Although it could have some effect on it, it couldn't freeze it.

Clearly, the evolved Ironhead has extremely high resistance to ice-type skills, and this resistance is enough to make it immune to the negative effects of ice-type skills—freezing.

Chen Yuan carefully observed the scene before him, a hint of understanding flashing in his eyes, but this was followed by even greater curiosity: "Is it just extremely high resistance to ice damage? Or does it also have extremely high resistance to the negative effects of other skills?"

He immediately began further testing.

"Spark, use Flame Surge on it, but control its power," Chen Yuan said, turning to Spark.

"Chirp."

Spark let out a soft cry, opened its mouth and spat out a slender flame that emitted a scorching heat, accurately hitting Ironhead's breastplate.

The extreme heat of the surging flames instantly turned the affected area bright red. Iron-Headed Boy was severely injured and let out a muffled groan of pain as his body began to tremble uncontrollably.

In no time, a tiny burn mark was left on the Iron-Headed Boy's breastplate, but it did not show any signs of "continuous burning".

Chen Yuan nodded thoughtfully, first healing the Iron-Headed Boy's injuries, then looking at the Morning and Evening Flower Fairy and saying, "Try the toxin penetration of the humic poison and the sedative effect of the sweet fragrance."

As the Morning and Evening Flower Fairy gracefully flew out, she raised her hands lightly, and several purplish-black poisonous spores drifted toward Iron-Headed Boy, attempting to penetrate his metal shell upon contact; at the same time, an extremely sweet and cloying fragrance with a strong drowsy effect spread out, enveloping Iron-Headed Boy's entire body.

Neither the poisonous spores nor the sweet fragrance seemed to have any effect on Ironhead. It stood quietly in place, its eyes still clear and calm, showing no signs of falling into confusion or coma after being poisoned.

After a series of tests, the results were very clear.

Ironhead will suffer physical or energy damage from these skills, but it is completely immune to the negative status effects such as freezing, burning, poisoning, and sleeping that come with these attacks.

"This"

Chen Yuan looked at the test results, which were not actually very rigorous, and his eyes lit up with surprise.

Being immune to negative effects means that Ironhead can fight without any worries, without being restricted by the opponent's control skills and continuous damage effects, and can devote all his mind and strength to the ultimate attack.

With a thought flashing through his mind, Chen Yuan opened the data panel of the Ironhead and instantly discovered that the latter's racial skill [Sharp Heart] had increased its proficiency slightly.

Chen Yuan's eyes lit up, and he immediately made a judgment: "So all of this is thanks to the Sharp Heart!"

The series of tests just now were actually the result of the "Sharp Heart" skill working silently, preventing the Iron-Headed Kid from being affected by negative effects, while his proficiency gradually increased in the process.

Unlike other actively used skills, this should be a very rare passive skill.

Chen Yuan's eyes flickered, and he muttered to himself, "If Ironhead wants to improve his proficiency in this skill, wouldn't he have to go through a series of self-torture operations?"
Just then, Tie Touwa seemed to have gained a clearer understanding of his own changes through this series of tests: "Crack."

Ironhead said that the passive effect of [Sharp Heart] is not limited to this.

Iron-Headed Kid remained silent for a moment, seemingly deep in sensing the source of his own power, before slowly replying, "Crack~"

In addition to being immune to a series of negative effects, it can also clearly feel that its blades are sharper, the power of its Steel-type moves is higher, and it even found that it was easier to chop rocks during last night's training.

This isn't an improvement from advancement, but rather a passive effect brought about by [Sharp Heart].

Upon hearing this, Chen Yuan was overjoyed.

The so-called "sharp heart" is actually about forging a mind that focuses on offense, eliminates all distractions, and pursues ultimate sharpness!
This is practically a divine skill tailor-made for stubborn kids who are obsessed with practicing a single skill and only focus on offense without any defense.

Ironhead's defense relies on the thick steel armor it gains after advancing, while its attack depends on its indestructible steel blade. It doesn't need fancy control skills or additional defensive skills.

【Sharp Heart】perfectly compensates for its shortcomings that may be affected by negative effects, and brings its attack strengths to the extreme, making it a truly single-minded, unstoppable, ultimate blade that only needs to cut down everything!

“This skill is perfect for you.” Chen Yuan couldn’t help but reach out and pat the Ironhead’s cold and hard arm armor. “With this skill, you can fight more freely in the future.”

Sensing the farmer's joy and affirmation, the Iron-Headed Boy's metal head tilted up slightly, a barely perceptible curve, and his azure eyes gleamed faintly.

It finally managed to gain a foothold in this perilous world, and from then on, it no longer needed to be cautious or walk on thin ice.

but.
Iron-Headed Boy gazed at the distant, rolling mountains, gripped his sharp blade tightly, his eyes resolute, and his voice low: "Crack."

But it can't be as arrogant and unrestrained as its predecessor, Coca-Cola, because there are still too many powerful competitors in this world.

Until you become invincible, you should just stay home and guard the gate.

(End of this chapter)