What does it mean when a pet evolves incorrectly?

The twenty-second day after defeating Zhou Ming.

The Beast Tamer Association Building in Qinglan City.

Sunlight streamed through the tall glass curtain wall, illuminating the spacious and bright first-floor lobby with unparalleled clarity.

The hall was bustling with people coming and going.

Beastmasters of various ages and dressed in colorful costumes moved about, either alone or in small groups, in front of the signs, self-service terminals, and various service windows.

The display walls around the hall scroll through the latest Beast Taming news, quest rankings, and important notices from the association.

Lin Chen followed the flow of people into the hall.

His purpose for this trip was very clear—to obtain certification as a junior beast tamer.

As we all know, the status and rank of a Beastmaster are not only a symbol of strength and honor, but also directly linked to real social welfare and social status.

For example, when buying pet items, the discount will jump from 5% to 3%.

Therefore, as long as the conditions are met, any rational Beastmaster will get certified immediately and enjoy the benefits of leveling up as soon as possible.

Concealing one's strength and playing dumb to outmaneuver others—in the face of scarce resources and fierce competition, that's something only found in novels.

Lin Chen was no exception.

He arrived at the reception desk and it was soon his turn.

Lin Chen handed over his Beast Tamer ID.

The staff member behind the counter was a young woman with a professional yet indifferent expression.

She took the ID, swiped it skillfully on the reader, and quickly scanned the information that popped up on the screen.

When she saw the "Registration Date" and "Current Authentication Status", she paused for half a second, her gaze lingering slightly on Lin Chen's young face, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes.

Registration time: 44 days ago.

After a slight surprise, the staff member regained their professionalism, quickly typing on the keyboard to bring up the authentication process.

The staff member spoke at a standard pace: "Mr. Lin Chen, the basic requirements for the Junior Beastmaster certification are: owning two or more contracted pet beasts, with at least one reaching the second tier in strength. The certification method is a practical assessment. After passing the assessment, your information will be updated after review, and the relevant benefits will be automatically activated."

Lin Chen nodded.

According to the rules he learned in advance, the core part of the Beastmaster level certification below the professional level is the practical assessment.

After all, a Beastmaster's level represents not only the strength of their mental power, but also their overall combat ability.

The assessment usually takes the form of the applicant sending out their pet to battle against the examiner.

The examiners will assess the applicant's command, adaptability, and pet training level based on the battle process.

To win is, of course, to pass.

Even if you are outmatched, as long as you can hold out until the allotted time and demonstrate adequate skill, you will pass.

It sounds simple, but every year quite a few people get stuck at this stage.

Moreover, the higher the level of a Beast Tamer, the more difficult the certification process becomes. This is the fundamental reason why many middle-aged people are stuck at the intermediate Beast Tamer level for their entire lives.

Firstly, a sufficient number of contracted pets must be available, but each additional contracted pet incurs additional expenses, which is difficult for ordinary beast tamers to bear.

Secondly, although some beast tamers have contracted with pet beasts, these pet beasts may be more support-oriented and not good at combat, making it difficult for them to pass the combat test.

As Lin Chen was pondering, the staff member's voice forcefully pulled him back to reality: "Okay, please proceed to the assessment preparation area number 13 on the sixth floor and wait."

The elevator ascended smoothly.

The layout of the sixth floor is quite different from that of the lobby on the first floor. It is very quiet, with alloy doors marked with numbers on both sides of the corridor. Each door has an observation window, which is obviously a special test and battle room.

Lin Chen found preparation area number 13, pushed open the door and went in; it was empty.

About five minutes later, another door was pushed open, and a man in his early thirties with an almost rigid and serious expression walked in.

He held a thin electronic tablet in his hand, his gaze fixed directly on Lin Chen, and without any pleasantries, went straight to the point:

"I am Wu Zhen, your examiner for this primary certification."

His voice, like his expression, was flat and monotonous.

"Hello, Examiner Wu." Lin Chen stood up and nodded politely.

Wu Zhen nodded slightly in response.

He looked down and operated the tablet for a few moments, seemingly checking information, then looked up at Lin Chen and said succinctly:

"You should know the rules. First, send out all your contracted pets to demonstrate to me. Once the assessment begins, defeat the pets I send out for the assessment, or survive three minutes of attack, and you will pass. Any questions?"

"No." Lin Chen shook his head.

"Alright." Wu Zhen said no more, took two steps back to make room, and said, "Please summon your pet."

With a thought, Lin Chen connected with the Beast Taming Space, and the Flame Claw Beast and the Pine Pine Dog appeared one after the other.

Wu Zhen nodded and recorded the information: "Hmm, Flameclaw Beast and Pinedog."

"Your pet meets the basic requirements. Next, we'll proceed with the battle assessment. I will send out a pet of suitable strength for the assessment. You only have one chance. Are you ready?"

"We can start anytime," Lin Chen nodded.

The two arrived at the battlefield, separated by a distance, and began their preparations.

The pet beast that Lin Chen sent out was naturally the Flame Claw Beast.

With a thought from Wu Zhen, a dazzling summoning light appeared:

In the light, a pet beast, about the size of a large dog and resembling a rat but exceptionally robust, appeared in the arena.

Its entire body is covered with short, hard, brownish-gray fur, and a pair of enormous, exaggeratedly large incisors with a cold, metallic sheen extend from its mouth, almost longer than its head.

Its limbs are short and strong, its claws are sharp, and its small eyes are alert.

【Species Name: Giant-Toothed Mountain Rat】

[Attribute: Earth]

[Race Level: Intermediate Transcendent]

The Giant-Toothed Mountain Rat is a common super-level pet beast, known for its amazing bite force and digging ability, and its fighting style is direct and fierce.

"The assessment begins!" Wu Zhen announced without any preamble, and started the timer at the same time.

"squeak!"

The moment the words left his mouth, the Giant Tooth Mountain Rat let out a sharp cry, its thick hind legs slamming into the ground, transforming into a blurry shadow as it charged fiercely toward the Flameclaw Beast at the other end of the arena.

It lowered its head, pointing its pair of gleaming, massive teeth forward with an imposing air.

The Flameclaw Beast calmly locked onto its target, its limbs slightly bent and its center of gravity lowered.

Just as the Giant Tooth Mountain Rat rushed to within a few meters of him, the Flame Claw Beast's eyes narrowed, and its right forepaw shot out like lightning. The tip of the claw suddenly burst with a sharp white light, and the condensed energy made the claw seem to extend a few inches. With a slight shriek that tore through the air, it struck the side of the Giant Tooth Mountain Rat's pair of giant teeth that were charging towards it with perfect accuracy!

Clang!

A sound like metal clashing suddenly rang out, and sparks flew at the point where claws and teeth clashed!

The giant mountain rat's fierce charge suddenly came to an abrupt halt, its body swaying unsteadily. With just one strike, it suffered a severe injury.

But the Flameclaw Beast's counterattack did not end there.

The Flameclaw Beast locked onto the easily repelled Giant Tooth Mountain Rat, its chest swelled slightly, and dazzling orange flames surged in its mouth, causing its body temperature to rise rapidly.

"Gaku!"

The next instant, a thick, orange pillar of fire roared out from the Flameclaw Beast's wide-open mouth, shooting straight at the swaying Giant Tooth Mountain Rat.

boom!

The explosion, though not particularly violent, rang out in the battle room, but its power was extremely concentrated, and the flames instantly engulfed the giant-toothed mountain rat.

"squeak!!!"

A piercing scream rang out!

The giant mountain rat's massive body was blasted backward and slammed heavily onto the floor.

Upon closer inspection, the giant mountain rat's brownish-gray fur was charred and curly in large patches, its chest was torn open, and its breath was extremely weak.

It struggled to get up, but its limbs twitched, and it eventually collapsed helplessly, emitting a weak wail, clearly having lost its ability to fight.

Wu Zhen glanced at the unconscious Giant Tooth Mountain Rat, then looked up at the clock hanging on the wall:

Just 15 seconds have passed since the start of the assessment.

In 15 seconds, it defeated the Earth-type pet, Giant Fang Mountain Rat, which had an attribute advantage.

He was silent.