What does it mean when a pet evolves incorrectly?

The next day, early morning.

"So, you're not coming to the office for the foreseeable future?" Li Haotian's voice came through the phone.

Lin Chen nodded: "Yes, Uncle Li."

Li Haotian fell silent.

Early in the morning, Lin Chen informed Li Haotian that he had become a junior beast tamer and joined the Special Defense Bureau, or more precisely, the Rift Investigation Department, and conveyed Zeng Chuan's suggestion—now that he had confirmed his joining the Rift Investigation Department, his temporary assistant work could be suspended.

During this period, Lin Chen only needs to focus on training and studying at home. As for the final work of the internship and related procedures, Zeng Chuan will send someone to directly contact Li Haotian to handle them.

"Good lad, you've really got it!" Li Haotian's voice was loud and proud. "Then let's find a place tonight and have a good get-together to celebrate you becoming a junior beast tamer."

After a pause, his voice was filled with emotion: "Old Lin really has a good son."

After hanging up the phone, Lin Chen held his phone, his gaze falling on the lush greenery in the neighborhood, lost in thought.

The monthly special training fund of 50,000 yuan had already been deposited and was quietly lying in his account.

With the training fees paid by Zhou Ming and some miscellaneous subsidies, his personal account balance has now reached a dizzying figure—90,000 yuan.

Ninety thousand.

For him not long ago, this was an unimaginable sum of money.

This means he no longer has to worry about the energy cubes and energy liquids needed for the daily training of Flameclaw and Tsukuru, and can even plan to purchase some better quality items.

Moreover, you no longer have to agonize over buying skewers, and you no longer have to let the Flameclaw Beast happily eat skewers while you drink water and fill your stomach on the side.

Of course, if you want to buy rare breeding resources that can truly and significantly enhance a pet's potential and promote its evolution and growth, 90,000 yuan is still far from enough.

"To become an intermediate beast tamer within six months..."

Lin Chen repeated the assessment targets from the agreement in a low voice.

This agreement is less of a simple training contract and more of a high-stakes gamble for both sides.

Zeng Chuan bet that his growth rate was worth investing resources in early observation and training. Once he completed the assessment targets and became a formal operator, the training resources invested would increase several times over.

"Startups really do have money," Lin Chen couldn't help but exclaim.

As a newly established department, the Rift Investigation Department lacks everything except money.

Just as his thoughts were wandering, his phone sent him a text message.

Sender: Qiming Beast Taming Academy.

Lin Chen's gaze sharpened, and he immediately clicked on it.

The brief message was concise and formal:

[New Student Notice from Qiming Beast Taming Academy]

Dear Lin Chen:

Congratulations on becoming a member of Qiming Beast Taming Academy! The academy will officially open for new student registration on August 25th. All new students must complete their registration and accommodation arrangements before this date.

Important Notice: This year's freshman entrance examination will officially begin on August 29th. The results of this examination are crucial; please prepare well in advance and get into the right mindset.

For detailed schedule and competition rules, please refer to subsequent announcements on the college's official website.

Looking forward to seeing you at Qiming!

"Registration is on August 25th, and the freshman competition is on the 29th."

Lin Chen silently recited the key date, his eyes flashing.

Today is August 18th, and there's still about a week until registration.

In other words, he would be leaving Qinglan City, where he had grown up, in a week and heading to an unfamiliar city—Qiming City.

As evening falls, the city lights begin to twinkle.

Inside a quiet private room at a mid-to-high-end restaurant in Heyang District, known for its ambiance and cuisine.

Lin Chen and his family of three, along with Li Haotian and his son Li Heng, sat around a round table.

Several exquisite appetizers and cold dishes were already laid out on the table, and the air was filled with the enticing aroma of food.

As soon as Li Heng saw Lin Chen, he rushed over excitedly, grabbed Lin Chen's shoulder, and looked him up and down with an exaggerated expression, asking in a complicated tone, "Brother Chen, my dad said you're a beginner beast tamer now?"

Lin Chen nodded: "Yeah, it was just verified the day before yesterday."

"Holy crap!"

Li Heng let out a strange cry, released his grip, took a half step back, and put on a pained expression: "We have a traitor among us!"

"Everyone else is still struggling and learning during their apprenticeship, and you've already become a junior beast tamer without a word?"

"Isn't this betraying the revolution?!"

Lin Chen smiled and replied, "Actually, I used a cheat code."

"Tch." Li Heng turned his head away.

After a round of laughter and banter, the atmosphere quickly warmed up.

Everyone sat down and began to eat and chat.

The conversation naturally revolved around Lin Chen's upcoming trip to Qiming Academy and his joining the Special Defense Bureau.

As an elder and someone with experience, Li Haotian gave many instructions on precautions, while Lin Jianjun and Liu Hui were more concerned about their son's upcoming life living alone away from home.

After several rounds of drinks and several dishes, the atmosphere became increasingly lively.

Li Haotian wiped his mouth, took out a beautifully wrapped square gift box from his bag, and handed it to Lin Chen:

"Uncle Li said he would give you a gift when you become a junior beast tamer."

He paused, his expression becoming complex: "I just didn't expect this day to come so soon."

It happened so fast that he wasn't prepared at all.

Lin Chen quickly stood up and accepted the gift box with both hands: "Uncle Li, you're too kind. I'm so grateful for your care and guidance during this time."

"We're family, no need for formalities." Li Haotian waved his hand, gesturing for him to sit down. "Open it and see if you like it."

Lin Chen nodded and opened the gift box amidst the curious gazes of the crowd.

Inside the box, on a black velvet lining, lay a bracelet.

The bracelet is roughly the same as the one Zhang Zhi is wearing, but it is more exquisite in appearance and has a few extra buttons of unknown purpose.

"Is this an energy detection bracelet?" Lin Chen's eyes lit up as he recognized the item.

"Yes, it's the latest model, the Falcon-III. It has good accuracy and stability, and long battery life. A full charge can last for a month," Li Haotian introduced with a smile, a hint of pride in his eyes. "Now that you're a junior beast tamer, you'll need it a lot."

"Thank you, Uncle Li!" Lin Chen said sincerely.

He had been eyeing the energy detection bracelet for a long time after learning about its existence, but he hadn't bought one due to its high price.

"If you like it, that's good. Give it a try and see how it goes," Li Haotian said with a smile.

Lin Chen nodded slightly and put the bracelet on his right wrist.

The metal clasp clicked shut, feeling cool to the touch, but quickly warmed up to body temperature.

Following the instructions, he pressed the button on the side of the dial with his finger.

"drop."

With a soft electronic beep, the LCD screen lights up instantly, switching from the standby clock interface to a simple UI with a circular crosshair icon in the center and simple operation prompts below.

Lin Chen raised his wrist and aimed the bracelet at the Flame Claw Beast, which was happily gnawing on a specially made pet bone.

He pressed the confirmation button on the dial.

The data on the wristband screen jumped rapidly, followed by a standard synthesized voice echoing in the quiet private room:

Pet name: Flame Claw Beast.

Attribute: Fire.

"Racial Rank: Intermediate Transcendent".

"Strength Level: Second Tier, Fourth Stage"

Hearing the sound from the bracelet, Li Haotian smiled and said, "How's it? Pretty good, right?"

The words had barely left his mouth when Li Haotian belatedly realized something was amiss. He abruptly looked up at the Flame Claw Beast, his gaze freezing at that moment:

"Second-order, four-stage?"

(Academy Chapter Begins)