C6 The News of the Selection Competition

Jiao Yuanju was aware that his lack of blood points meant he needed to hunt down a Mutant Beast.

"I need to find a way to venture into the wilderness. Eoldrai and I just aren't strong enough yet!"

A true Combat Pet Master is incredibly powerful in their own right. As the pet evolves, so too does the master's strength. Indeed, Jiao Yuanju had noticed a significant enhancement in his sensory perception and reflexes following Eoldrai's first evolution.

The following day, when Jiao Yuanju entered Class 7, the memory of Eoldrai's valiant display lingered among many. Their class monitor was undeniably formidable!

Jing Mowen alone observed Jiao Yuanju in silence, his heart filled with deep-seated loathing. If not for Jiao Yuanju, he was convinced he would have been the class monitor.

But Jing Mowen was no fool. The previous day's demonstration of Jiao Yuanju's Combat Pet's prowess was not lost on him—the venom of that peculiar green snake had nearly claimed his life.

After considering the situation, Jing Mowen clenched his jaw, holding back his fury, and vowed coldly, "I will find an opportunity for revenge!"

Pei Chang's arrival was abrupt. He surveyed the room before his gaze settled on Jiao Yuanju and Zhen Heyi. He then declared, "Today marks the beginning of classes. We'll have two theory sessions in the morning and two cultivation sessions in the afternoon. Starting today, everyone will begin learning wilderness combat skills from military instructors!"

A chorus of despairing groans filled the room, quickly followed by a buzz of conversation. The Combat Pet Master's military training program was a relatively new educational approach, introduced within the last two years to address the formidable strength of Mutant Beasts, against which ordinary military forces paled in comparison.

Yet, even the most powerful Combat Pet Masters were vulnerable without their beast pets. Many had fallen in battle, leaving their pets to revert to their wild instincts and flee back to the wilderness. Consequently, all Combat Pet Masters academies now emphasized not only theoretical knowledge but also the development of personal combat skills to support military operations.

Among the crowd, Jiao Yuanju remained unfazed, even pleased. This was exactly the opportunity he was looking for. If he could be selected to join the military, he'd have the chance to slay numerous Mutant Beasts. The beasts he killed could be exchanged for money. With enough strength, he'd have a continuous flow of income.

What he craved most at this moment was power and wealth!

Pei Chang observed the reactions of everyone, his gaze lingering on the ever-smiling Jiao Yuanju with a hint of curiosity. He could empathize with the children's aversion to hardship and understood why Zhen Heyi wasn't surprised—her privileged upbringing had exposed her to such realities early on. But what was the reason behind Jiao Yuanju's joy?

Pei Chang went on to announce, "The second order of business: in two weeks, the school will host a Combat Pet Master selection tournament. The top ten winners will not only receive a cash prize, but they'll also have the chance to join a beast tamer squad, embarking on joint missions with the city's military forces!"

This revelation left the entire class speechless. Missions on the front lines were fraught with peril, yet they were the Combat Pet Master Academy's most enticing draw. Many military leaders had cut their teeth in such battles, and shining there meant catching the eye of the Puwhary Alliance.

In a world where the global population had drastically declined, Combat Pet Masters with formidable fighting prowess were the cornerstone of any military force. For those who distinguished themselves among their peers, the sky was the limit for their future prospects!

Once Pei Chang had departed, their theory instructor took his place, delving into the foundational principles and combat strategies of a Combat Pet Master. But Jiao Yuanju was too preoccupied with strategizing for top performance to pay attention.

At the end of the lesson, Jing Mowen approached Jiao Yuanju with a menacing tone, "Jiao Yuanju, this afternoon, do you have the guts to face off against my cousin?"

Jiao Yuanju raised an eyebrow, "And who might your cousin be?"

"I know this one!"

The class buzzed with excitement, "Captain, his cousin is a celebrity in our year. He's the leader of Class 1, Jing Dehai. Rumor has it he's already an elite."

Brimming with pride, Jing Mowen boasted, "My cousin is a prodigy. On his very first day, he took down all the toughs in Class 1. He's even got a pre-emptive invite from the principal. After the tournament, he's set to join the Combat Pet Squad!"

The class was taken aback—Jing Dehai was Jing Mowen's cousin, which explained his overconfidence!

Suddenly, the looks cast toward Jiao Yuanju shifted from trust to a blend of disbelief and mockery.