1:45 PM.
The nursery was still being cleaned.
Ye Bai, now wearing a white lab coat, led the Chameleon Silkworm to the school's experimental building.
This afternoon's class was a special session in preparation for the Young Scale Cup, focusing on the cultivation of pet beasts. Only students who had passed the school's selection and were aiming for research positions were allowed to participate.
It was essentially a focused mentoring session.
Shenshan Middle School had clear goals—after failing to place in the top three in previous provincial rounds of the Young Scale Cup, the school invested heavily and hired Zhang Lingxue to improve their performance.
To boost student participation, the school significantly increased the prize incentives.
Place in the top three at the provincial level: rewarded with level-3 resources.
First place in the province: choose your own level-3 resource.
Third place nationally: receive level-4 resources.
The rewards were so generous that even Principal Liu Hang was moved.
The Young Scale Cup and Phoenix Hatchling Cup are held at different times. The former, which emphasizes nurturing—such as injury treatment and pet evolution—requires more preparation time.
Doing well in the Young Scale Cup makes it easier to get into competitive pet-training majors in university.
Excellent breeders can easily make millions per year, which is why talents with the Eye of Insight are considered elite, born with every advantage.
Only 20 students were selected for training, but four instructors were assigned to teach them.
Zhang Lingxue, as the organizer, introduced the instructors:
> "Hello, everyone. This course is exclusively for Young Scale Cup participants. It's entirely free."
> "Let me introduce your instructors."
> "To my right is Ms. Suna, logistics director of the Secret Realm at our school. She specializes in emergency treatment of pet beasts and is a certified Level-3 Breeder."
Ms. Suna, serious in demeanor, had long orange hair and freckles. She wore a handcrafted flower wreath and was followed by a puppet-like pet beast carrying various rare fruits and vegetables—essentially a mobile farm.
> "Next is Mr. Guan Yusheng, head of the Secret Herb Center. He's an expert in herbal medicine combinations for pet treatments. He's also a Level-4 Pharmacist, skilled in creating potions to relieve negative conditions."
Guan Yusheng was around 40, dressed casually, with a gentle and refined presence. Behind him stood a towering Tree Spirit, a forest ranger-type beast known for its plant affinity and fierce defense of nature.
> "To my left is Director Xie Yuan, our school's dean—known as a living encyclopedia. He's in charge of setting and explaining the test questions."
Director Xie, with a hawk-like nose and stern appearance, waved silently, making everyone tense.
> "I'm Zhang Lingxue. I think many of you know me already. I'll be handling lessons on pet beast evolution. If you have questions in that area, come to me."
> "Today's class is mainly for introductions. The teachers are extremely busy, so please make the most of each session. If you miss anything, ask your classmates for help."
> "Director Xie, I'll hand it over to you."
After that, Zhang Lingxue and the others left, leaving Director Xie alone with the students. He already had the student profiles on hand.
Wearing silver-rimmed glasses and exuding an academic aura, Xie Yuan began to speak in a hoarse, deep voice:
> "Classmates..."
He suddenly looked up, sharp gaze sweeping across the room.
> "If you don't work hard today, you'll be sleeping on the streets tomorrow."
"Success comes from 100% sweat. To do well in the Young Scale Cup, you must be well-prepared."
"Here are the real past questions I've compiled and the areas likely to be tested. Take one and read it."
He grinned—like a devil—and Ye Bai could almost imagine a demon tail swaying behind him.
Pet beasts handed out thick stacks of materials to each student.
A mountain of books landed on Ye Bai's desk.
He casually looked at the first one:
"Five Years of Young Scale, Three Years of Simulation."
Another one: "Young Lin's Question Bank."
There were twelve thick books—encyclopedic in scope, covering everything from astronomy to biology.
All the students looked as if they had bitten into bitter melons.
If Director Xie wasn't still standing there, they would probably be groaning with their heads buried.
> "Students, hardship builds character."
"I have a real test bank here. If anyone can finish all of it, you won't need to attend my classes."
Ye Bai's eyes lit up instantly.
A chill ran down Director Xie's spine, as if he were suddenly being watched by a predator.
> "Strange... why do I suddenly feel a chill on my neck?" he muttered, touching his collar.
At that moment, Ye Bai calmly put down the book and raised his hand high.
> "Director Xie, I'd like to apply for the real test bank."