Zhou Xiaoming froze like a statue. So this was the legendary bond of brotherhood?
"Brother Pi, how much do you want?" Zhou Xiaoming asked.
Despite being the school punching bag with a weak personality, his family was actually quite well-off.
His parents weren't Beast Tamers, but they owned a medicine shop specializing in rare medicinal materials, including ingredients from dimensional spaces.
"Money? How crude! Does your Brother Pi look like that kind of person?"
A cunning glint appeared in Chen Shu's eyes. "I want to discuss a business deal with your family."
Zhou Xiaoming blinked in confusion. "Brother Pi, what business could you possibly have with my family?"
"Don't worry about the details. Just introduce me when the time comes," Chen Shu said.
As a part-time potion maker at 666 Potion Company, he had a daily surplus of Strength Potions that his slime could no longer absorb. He needed a reliable shop to sell them and acquire other materials, but the main obstacle was his lack of a Potion Master license, which was required to legally purchase ingredients from dimensional spaces.
Zhou Xiaoming's family medicine shop was naturally his first choice.
"Sure, but whether they agree isn't my problem," Zhou Xiaoming nodded. "Also, don't tell my parents about the bullying."
"You're too soft. When things happen, tell your teachers and parents - they have ways to handle it."
Chen Shu patted Zhou Xiaoming's shoulder and walked away.
Perfect timing - he'd been planning to deal with Zheng Yi anyway. Now he needed a proper strategy.
Chen Shu wandered onto the playground, hoping to trigger some system options.
Aimlessly walking, he suddenly heard noise from the auditorium.
"Oh right, today's when the college entrance exam results come out." He remembered.
Following tradition, graduating seniors returned to school one last time.
Chen Shu headed toward the auditorium.
Inside, all the graduated seniors had gathered while Nanjiang Second High's principal gave a speech on stage.
Despite being deeply disappointed with this year's results,
The principal still droned on with the usual graduation platitudes about 'spreading your wings' and 'remembering you're Second High alumni' - as if anyone could forget the trauma.
"Hmm? Both Zheng brothers are here?"
Chen Shu's eyes narrowed, spotting Zheng Nan and Zheng Yi whispering suspiciously in the back.
"Looking that sketchy, they're definitely plotting something evil."
Chen Shu slipped into the row behind them, suddenly fascinated by his shoelaces. Amazing how much tying they needed when there was quality gossip nearby.
"Brother, you scored 590 on the exam! You'll definitely get into a key Beast Taming university."
"Too bad I choked on the liberal arts section, otherwise I could've aimed for a famous university."
For Beast Taming students, China's universities were ranked into three tiers—Famous, Key, and Regular¹—which were far more numerous and prestigious than their liberal arts counterparts, signaling that Beast Tamers were the true talents of the new era.
"Still pretty good. At least you can choose a good major, and the family will definitely support you," Zheng Yi said.
Zheng Nan nodded. Though slightly disappointed, he was satisfied with his score.
"By the way, has that Chen Shu kid given you any trouble?" Zheng Nan suddenly remembered.
"No, I've been traveling in groups. Even if he wanted to, he couldn't," Zheng Yi gritted his teeth.
Remembering Chen Shu bagging his head and the mysterious 40,000 yuan loss on the black market made his teeth itch with rage.
"Brother, you're a Level 6 Beast Tamer. When are you going to teach that brat a lesson?" Zheng Yi asked.
"That kid's not simple. He beat Wu Li into the hospital."
Zheng Nan stroked his chin thoughtfully.
"Wu Li's a Level 4 Beast Tamer!" Zheng Yi exclaimed.
Though Wu Li's contract spirit was also F-rank potential, a Level 4 spirit should easily handle a regular person.
"That Chen Shu brat isn't a Level 1 Beast Tamer. He's at least Level 3, and has been hiding his strength all along," Zheng Nan explained.
"Damn, what a schemer."²
Zheng Yi cursed internally. If he could beat Wu Li, he could probably beat Zheng Yi too.
The Beast Taming Class 3 monitor losing to Class 5's worst student?
"When we strike, we hit hard."
Zheng Nan's expression turned vicious. Despite being a fresh graduate, he was petty and couldn't tolerate being crossed.
"Vicious little punks."
Chen Shu thought from behind, catching every word.
"Brother, I need the bathroom."
Suddenly, Zheng Yi stood and headed for the restroom.
The gods of mischief were smiling today!
Chen Shu rose from his seat with the predatory grace of a cafeteria aunt who'd just spotted someone trying to take extra portions.
His backpack zipper wasn't fully closed, revealing a blue bag with the character for "urea" peeking out.
Zheng Nan glanced back, catching Chen Shu's silhouette. It seemed familiar but he couldn't place it.
"I love to pee pee, feeling so free~"
Zheng Yi hummed cheerfully in the bathroom, doing that weird little dance guys do at urinals when they're in a good mood.
Mid-stream, a figure in his peripheral vision made him jerk so violently he peed on his own hand. But wet fingers were the least of his worries—his recurring nightmare had just walked through the door.
A urea bag covered his head again, followed by a barrage of punches.
"Mother f***er, Chen Shu!!!"
Zheng Yi thrashed wildly, trying to escape the cursed bag, but it was useless.
Chen Shu was much stronger, completely overpowering him.
He prepared to drag Zheng Yi into a stall for a proper beating.
Just then, a skeleton appeared wielding a sharp bone knife, green ghost fire burning in its eye sockets.
Though subdued, Zheng Yi could still summon his contract spirit.
"Cut him!" Zheng Yi commanded the skeleton soldier.
BANG!
In his darkened vision, Zheng Yi felt the ground shake, then the skeleton went silent.
"Goo-ji..." The golden slime had ballooned into a three-meter monstrosity, using the skeleton soldier as its personal cushion.
CRACK! CRACK!
Bones crunched like potato chips beneath its massive posterior. The slime just sat there with a drowsy expression, apparently finding skeleton bones quite comfortable for a mid-battle nap.
"My contract spirit's injured?"
Zheng Yi panicked. That fast? Instant kill?
No time to worry about the skeleton - he was being dragged into a stall.
"Help! HELP!"
"Scream all you want. You can scream till your throat breaks and no one will save you!"
Chen Shu grinned wickedly, looking every bit the villain.
"Throat Breaker..." Whether his brain short-circuited or he'd lost it, Zheng Yi actually started calling for "Throat Breaker."³
BANG!
Chen Shu's punch instantly shut him up.
"Huh? Feeling pretty clever, aren't you?"