Jiang Xing invited everyone to the research institute as guests, and even specially arranged a picnic gathering—clearly, it wasn't as simple as it appeared on the surface.
He had already informed Dr. Xu and Senior Su in advance about the Auspicious Cloud Qilin secretly sneaking food and drinks here, and asked for their cooperation in luring it out—
The Auspicious Cloud Qilin was a true legendary Pet Beast, with a Species Tier above the Mythical Tier!
Even though this one was still underage, its Power Level had already reached the current limit of human Beast Tamers—that is, beyond the peak of Overlord Level, at the threshold of the Demi-God Level…
Of course, Jiang Xing and the others were researchers, not purely combat-oriented Beast Tamers.
Compared to strength, they cared more about the Auspicious Cloud Qilin itself.
A legendary rare Pet Beast—if it could be used as a research subject, it would be a dream come true for all researchers!
Even Dr. Xu had never managed such a thing. Otherwise, the Auspicious Cloud Qilin in the Pet Beast Encyclopedia wouldn't still have so many unknown entries.
Thus, upon learning of Jiang Xing's plan, Dr. Xu and Senior Su immediately agreed.
During the meal just now, they had already been directing their Pet Beasts to secretly coordinate—launching subtle mental interference against the Auspicious Cloud Qilin, increasing its craving for food, while carefully observing the surroundings to break its invisibility…
In truth, when Jiang Xing first proposed the plan, the two of them had some doubts.
After all, it was a legendary Pet Beast. Even if it was a bit gluttonous, how could it possibly be lured out by food…
And yet—it actually worked!
What on earth had Jiang Xing put into those cubes?!
Heh. Cube technology.
At this moment, a mix of surprise, joy, and disbelief filled the crowd as they stared at the pink-blue qilin that had "appeared out of thin air."
Under everyone's gaze, the little qilin's expression froze. Its body stiffened, then it tilted and collapsed onto the ground—playing dead.
If I can't see you, then you can't see me…
For a moment, silence fell over the scene. Even Jiang Xing couldn't hold it in anymore.
What, trying to scam me? I didn't drug the cubes!
At least… I didn't put in any knockout agents.
Naturally, Jiang Xing wasn't going to let the Auspicious Cloud Qilin get away with playing dead.
He opened the lunchbox, took out another plate of energy cubes—this time wind- and psychic-type—and although made from entirely different ingredients with a slightly different flavor, they were just as delicious.
He placed the plate right in front of the Auspicious Cloud Qilin's nose.
Under everyone's watch, the qilin struggled to hold on—but in the end, it couldn't keep up the act. Giving up its self-deception, it shot up in an instant and swept the entire plate clean.
Just as it had finished eating and hadn't yet had the chance to escape—
Jiang Xing brought out yet another plate of cubes, smiling broadly. "Want more?"
A Pet Beast's bottom line is like a human's—it gets broken bit by bit.
Starting from sneaking free meals, the Auspicious Cloud Qilin had gradually let itself go. Now it had completely dropped all restraint and let out a crisp cry.
"Ah-li!" Give me food!
"Here." Jiang Xing didn't hesitate and handed it over directly.
Watching it devour the food with gusto, he then opened the large lunchbox, revealing rows of neatly arranged energy cubes inside.
Smiling, he said, "Little qilin, the fluff you gave me earlier is actually extremely valuable—far more than the value of this food."
"You really don't need to sneak around. You can eat openly and honestly."
"I can also make many different kinds of food, with all sorts of flavors… If there's something you like, you can just tell me. I'll make more for you."
"After all, you've already paid for your meals."
Jiang Xing didn't try to use the cubes to threaten or manipulate the Auspicious Cloud Qilin into forming a contract and becoming his Pet Beast.
After all, the fluff it had left behind earlier was worth at least several hundred million—possibly even billions.
If he accused it of stealing "precious cubes" that cost only a few hundred thousand…
Jiang Xing couldn't bring himself to cross that line.
Moreover, although the Auspicious Cloud Qilin looked cute, small, and approachable, its Power Level had already reached the Demi-God Level!
Even a Legendary Beast Tamer might not be able to detain it easily.
If he tried to take advantage of its guilty expression to forcefully subdue it, and it became offended and simply walked away—no one would be able to stop it.
So Jiang Xing chose sincerity.
He let it become a proper guest, able to appear openly.
That way, as long as Jiang Xing could continue producing excellent food, it would keep coming back.
I'm not even a Beast Tamer. Whether there's a contract or not doesn't matter at all.
With that thought, Jiang Xing spoke: "By the way, my current technique isn't mature yet. The food I make can only be considered normal quality."
"In the future, I might be able to produce excellent—or even perfect-quality cubes!"
The Auspicious Cloud Qilin had still been hesitating.
Before leaving home, its parents had told it to stay away from human Beast Tamers and never let itself be deceived—so it had been sneaking food every day.
But now, hearing there could be even more perfect cubes, it instantly threw its parents' warnings out of its mind.
Beast Tamer?
This person isn't a Beast Tamer—he's a chef!
"Ah-li!!" (I want all of it!)
Even without a contract, as a psychic-type divine beast, the Auspicious Cloud Qilin could still make people understand its cries.
Jiang Xing smiled and pushed the large lunchbox toward it.
"Come on, keep eating."
"Ah-li!"
The Auspicious Cloud Qilin let out a happy cry and immediately lowered its head, devouring the food.
At that moment, the Rainbow Dragon Hatchling flew over and called out: "Mu~" (I want to eat too!)
The Auspicious Cloud Qilin remembered how it had been stealing the hatchling's food every day and felt a bit guilty. It moved aside half the lunchbox.
"Ah-li~" (Half for you.)
"Mu!"
The Rainbow Dragon Hatchling cheered, buried its head into the lunchbox, and began enjoying the feast as well.
Seeing the hatchling and the qilin happily eating together, Jiang Xing felt completely satisfied.
A legendary Pet Beast—successfully subdued!!
What, you say there's no contract?
Subduing its stomach might be even more effective than subduing the beast itself!
"Jiang Xing, I suddenly remembered—your thesis still has many issues." Dr. Xu stared at the Auspicious Cloud Qilin, his eyes practically glowing.
He coughed lightly. "As your teacher, I've decided to stay here for a few days and guide you properly."
This proved that even a Beast Taming Doctor couldn't resist the charm of a legendary Pet Beast.
Jiang Xing immediately replied, "Teacher, just treat this place like your home."
"Junior, there are still some parts of your method for nurturing Golden-Patterned Koi that I don't quite understand." Su Muli looked directly into Jiang Xing's eyes. "May I stay for a few days and learn from you?"
That was a lie.
A top-tier researcher and a King-Class Beast Tamer—how could she possibly not know how to raise Golden-Patterned Koi?
Thinking of all the support she had given him over time, Jiang Xing couldn't refuse. "No problem, Senior. I'll prepare a room for you right away!"
"Junior…" Li Shun had just started to speak when three sharp gazes immediately shut him down.
Although the Auspicious Cloud Qilin had agreed to be a guest, it didn't mean others could freely study it.
He ran a breeding farm—did he really think he could come here and get a share of the benefits?
"…I have something to take care of, so I'll take my leave. Lingyin, I'll leave you in his care."
"Leave it to me."
Defeated in this silent struggle, Li Shun left the research institute with tears in his eyes.
As for his daughter, Li Lingyin stayed behind. Blinking, she stared eagerly at the two Pet Beasts.
The little dragon hatchling, the little qilin—so cute!
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