When a Beast Tamer forms a contract with a Spirit Beast, the human is the dominant party. The level of Spirit Beast a Beast Tamer can handle is generally determined by their mental strength.
For students like Wang Mu, the most they can usually manage is the offspring of Elite-level Spirit Beasts. Attempting to contract with a stronger beast would lead to mental exhaustion or even death during the process.
Once a Spirit Beast is acquired from a Breeder Association or breeding facility, the contract must be signed immediately. This is a strict rule established early in the formation of modern civilization to prevent accidents, trafficking, or illegal resale. Even Heavenly King-level Tamers must abide by this regulation.
As a Commander-level Spirit Beast, the Green Wood Sprite is usually reserved for students with extraordinary mental strength or those able to afford rare treasures to assist with the contract. Otherwise, it is nearly impossible to bond with it successfully.
Zhu Tao, a Primary Breeder, had advanced through the ranks: Junior, Intermediate, and Senior Breeder, before passing the Quasi-Master Breeder evaluation. After gaining enough experience and demonstrating the ability to consistently raise Commander-level Spirit Beasts, he finally achieved his current status.
Although he appeared middle-aged, he was actually around seventy or eighty years old. His judgment was sharp. Without any instrument, he had already seen that Wang Mu's mental strength was exceptional—more than enough to contract with the Green Wood Sprite.
Still, Zhu Tao valued talent and preferred to be cautious. That was why he led Wang Mu to the area of plant-type Spirit Beasts. These were relatively gentle. Even if something went wrong, the damage could be controlled.
Now, Wang Mu reached out and touched the Green Wood Sprite, channeling his mental strength through physical contact to initiate communication.
Mental communication was the most direct method. Even if the creature had limited intelligence, even if it only possessed a basic instinctual consciousness, it could still understand intent. Wang Mu conveyed a simple thought:"Are you willing to come with me?"
Even though he had lived two lives, Wang Mu was nervous. A Commander-level Spirit Beast like this would normally cost at least ten million credits. But in reality, such creatures weren't bought with money alone. One needed to offer something that interested the breeder, and even then, add money on top of that to seal the deal.
His family had been saving for more than ten years and still couldn't access this level of Spirit Beast. That was why Wang Mu worked so hard, entering Shanhai Breeder Academy at age fourteen and graduating at sixteen. Graduation required a combined total of 150 points across various evaluations.
Those points could then be used to purchase initial resources at the academy. Most chose Spirit Beasts. Wang Mu, however, already had his, and didn't have the means to cultivate a second one—so he would use the rest for development resources instead.
All of this hinged on one thing: a successful contract.
As Wang Mu stood there, caught between anxiety and anticipation, the Green Wood Sprite swayed dramatically. Its fine roots retracted into the ground, and five thick tree roots slowly lifted its entire body upright. It had quite literally uprooted itself.
Although the Green Wood Sprite had limited intelligence, it expressed its agreement through action.
A powerful verdant light bloomed between them. Their life forces intertwined, and a contract was formed. Before Wang Mu could even examine its traits, a wave of Wood Spirit energy surged through him. His mental strength was drawn upon, his physical body reinforced, and his affinity with Wood-element energy increased.
This was the feedback received from forming a bond with a Spirit Beast. As the Spirit Beast levels up or evolves, the Beast Tamer continues to receive feedback and gains strength. In the early stages, Tamers rely heavily on their Spirit Beasts in battle, but at higher levels, Tamers themselves become powerful combatants.
The contract was fair. A Tamer could also grant abilities to their Spirit Beast. But for Wang Mu, this was less important. His unique talent, Sharing, allowed him to selectively pass and receive abilities without needing to follow the usual path.
Recovering from the overwhelming sensation, Wang Mu immediately activated his Sharing ability to examine the Green Wood Sprite.
Green Wood Sprite (Young Form)Level: 0Bloodline: Commander-levelTalents:
Wood Spirit Energy Affinity (Intermediate, Mid-grade)
Earth Spirit Energy Affinity (Intermediate, Low-grade)Talent Spells:
Rooting (Proficient)
Whiplash (Beginner)Inherited Spell:
Energy Beam (Beginner)Sharing Level: Max
So that was the reason this Green Wood Sprite leaned toward the energy-focused path. It had inherited an energy-type spell. Wang Mu could now Share all of its abilities—something he had never experienced before.
His father's Phoenix-Eye Butterfly, for example, had a Sharing Level of only 3. It allowed him to Share talent spells up to the Proficient level, and other spells only up to Beginner. There were always limits.
Spells themselves followed a progression: Beginner, Proficient, Mastery, Control, Perfect, and Innovation.
This Green Wood Sprite, however, had instantly reached the maximum Sharing Level, likely due to the direct contract with Wang Mu.
Zhu Tao's voice broke the silence."I know you're happy, but don't celebrate just yet. You plan to build an ecosystem around this Green Wood Sprite, right? One hundred and fifty points won't be enough."
His words were like cold water, but Wang Mu smiled."Thank you for the reminder, Teacher Zhu. With this Green Wood Sprite, there will be fewer obstacles. My parents also plan to support me."
Zhu Tao's expression softened. He didn't want a promising Breeder to be held back by early setbacks. His own breeding facility was far away, located in Jidi City, seven cities from Shanhai, and specialized in Ice-element Spirit Beasts. He wouldn't be able to offer much help later.
Still, hearing Wang Mu's words made him genuinely pleased, even if he didn't show it."Fine. I've already arranged a plot for you in Shanhai City's western district. You can use it for the next twenty years. After that, it's up to you. Don't tell me something that small is beyond your abilities."
Wang Mu was taken aback and wasn't sure how to respond."Teacher, I—"
He caught himself and bowed respectfully."Thank you, Teacher Zhu. I'll work even harder. When the time comes, I'll visit you in Jidi City."
The land of Shenzhou was vast. Without sufficient strength, one could not even travel between cities. For Wang Mu to say that, it showed real ambition. Zhu Tao instinctively wanted to rebuke him, but this time, something held him back. He simply glanced at Wang Mu."I'll be waiting."
Zhu Tao was always busy. His visit to Shanhai City was partly to fulfill teaching duties, but also to consult with a Breeding Master here. After sending Wang Mu out of the breeding building, he departed.
Wang Mu could no longer contain his excitement. He embraced the Green Wood Sprite following beside him."Let's go home."
The Green Wood Sprite swayed slightly. It felt its master was walking too slowly and wondered if it should take the lead.
Sensing this, Wang Mu chuckled."Haha, you're right. You're a Commander-level Spirit Beast after all. Even as a plant-type, you're quicker than me and more comfortable close to the ground."
He gently placed the Spirit Beast down.
Although the academy grounds were quiet, there were still a few students present. When they saw Wang Mu walking out with a Green Wood Sprite, their eyes widened with envy. That was a Commander-level Spirit Beast. Shanhai Realm had only offered two contract opportunities this year—and now one was already gone.
A few more perceptive individuals realized that if Wang Mu had been granted such a Spirit Beast, his future prospects were incredibly promising. Befriending a rising Breeder early on could save decades of effort and might even open doors to founding a large family.
Of course, approaching him too eagerly would be inappropriate. Timing mattered.
In this world, people are allowed to drive by the age of fourteen and are considered adults at sixteen. Wang Mu had driven himself to the academy. The Green Wood Sprite seemed uncomfortable in the vehicle but sat quietly.
Wang Mu activated the car phone and started a video call."Mom, is Dad home today?"
His mother's face appeared on screen. She looked about thirty, though she was actually fifty-two. Thanks to spirit beast contracts, even those with minimal cultivation retained youthfulness. In this world, a two-hundred-year lifespan was considered normal, and people often married and had children much later.
She didn't answer his question right away. Instead, her eyes landed on the tree-like figure behind Wang Mu."Is that your Spirit Beast? You graduated?"
"Yeah. I earned enough points. Teacher Zhu let me choose one myself. It's a Commander-level Green Wood Sprite. If Dad's home, we should celebrate. I also need his help with something."
His mother froze for a second before her face lit up."Our Mu Mu really is amazing! Wait right there, I'm calling him now. Even if he's out, he'll come back for this!"
Wang Mu laughed as the screen went black. He looked at the Green Wood Sprite beside him."We'll be home soon. Unfortunately, our house isn't on the first floor. You might not like it much, but bear with it. We'll move to the west district tomorrow."
Shanhai City was famous across Shenzhou for its Shanhai Realm and three top-tier Breeding Masters. The city was prosperous beyond belief, but Wang Mu wasn't concerned with any of that right now. Half an hour later, he stepped through the door to see his parents standing by the couch, waiting.
"Dad, Mom, I'm back."
Their eyes weren't on him. They were locked on the Spirit Beast. Wang Lingfeng's face was filled with amazement."It really is a Green Wood Sprite. I've only seen them in illustrated manuals before."
Wang Mu walked over and handed them a card."You said that if I really wanted to pursue a Breeder's path, you would support me. I made that decision when I was five. You've been saving for me for eleven years. There's 3.48 million on this card."
Jiang Meiqin handed over her own card."I win this time. Mine has 4.39 million. That's 7.87 million in total—not quite enough. Lingfeng, should we think about buying a storefront?"
Wang Mu quickly said,"It's enough, Mom, Dad. Teacher Zhu Tao already arranged land in the west district for me. I have usage rights for twenty years."
Wang Lingfeng sighed."Your teacher is a good man. But this is also because of your hard work. He invested in your potential."
"It's a pity he's too busy for us to even thank him properly."
Wang Mu saw the dishes on the table and smiled."I'll repay him in the future. For now, let's eat. If the food gets cold, it'll be a waste of Mom's cooking."
"Then let's eat first."
The three sat down together.
In a household with a Beast Tamer, one would expect large appetites, but there were only three dishes and one soup on the table. It wasn't due to a lack of effort or importance. Jiang Meiqin, a Spirit Chef, had used high-quality ingredients in precise combinations.
Take the blanched shrimp for example. It was made from a Level 1 Spirit Beast, the White Scale Shrimp. Wang Mu used to struggle even with the smallest ones. But now, thanks to proper ingredient pairing and his recent enhancement, he could eat much more.
When a family eats together, silence is not awkward. The laughter that filled the house that night was enough.