Beast Taming: The Beginning of Hatching an Ancient Dragon

Chapter 16: The Mighty Little Rabbit

Like other magical beasts, the Four Seasons Deer herd also stopped grazing when they saw Li Chang’an approaching. However, since there was an evolved leader-level deer in the herd, the younger deer did not immediately flee. Li Chang’an left a few low-level wood elemental crystals as a token of gratitude before heading toward the location he had heard about. Only after Li Chang’an had traveled ten miles away did the Four Seasons Deer herd resume their grazing. The leader of the herd, the Summer Flame Deer, picked up the wood elemental crystals Li Chang’an had left with its mouth and placed them near a few newly born fawns. It then glanced in the direction Li Chang’an had departed.

After walking for half an hour, Li Chang’an encountered many peculiar wood elemental magical beasts, but he still hadn’t found the wooden house mentioned by the Four Seasons Deer. After another ten miles, he finally spotted a giant tree in the distance, surrounded by numerous ordinary trees. Although this small grove wasn’t large, it was quite troublesome. The trees themselves weren’t the problem—it was the thick underbrush of thorny shrubs covering the ground.

Which cursed wood elemental magical beast planted so many thorns here?

Li Chang’an couldn’t let Mao Mao use its prison flames to clear a path, as the smoke would likely draw attention, and he’d end up sitting on a metal bench with his smart bracelet seamlessly switching to silver. Just as Li Chang’an was at a loss, a burst of fire shot from behind him, opening a small path leading into the grove. Turning around, he caught a glimpse of a Summer Flame Deer disappearing into the distance.

Indeed, leader-level magical beasts possess a considerable degree of intelligence, unlike transcendent-level beasts that act purely on instinct.

With a sigh of admiration, Li Chang’an walked along the path the Summer Flame Deer had cleared, extinguishing several embers along the way. When he reached the base of the giant tree, he found a hole large enough for a magical beast twice his height to pass through. Nearby, there was a pool of clear spring water.

“There’s indeed a Thorn Bear in its awakening phase inside the tree hollow, but unfortunately, it seems unable to resist the aura emanating from its own body,” Li Chang’an muttered with a deep sigh. If even he couldn’t withstand the aura, there was no way he could fight alongside Mao Mao. Just as he was about to turn back, his peripheral vision caught a glimpse of a white figure.

It was a rabbit with snow-white fur and emerald-green limbs, holding a wooden ladle and fetching water from the spring. The rabbit’s ears were particularly unique—shaped like leaves. Li Chang’an pondered for a moment. Leaf-shaped ears were a characteristic of the transcendent-level magical beast, the Double-Leaf Rabbit. However, the Double-Leaf Rabbit’s fur was entirely emerald-green, whereas this rabbit only had green limbs.

A mutation?

The thought crossed Li Chang’an’s mind. The little rabbit didn’t seem frightened by his aura. More importantly, it displayed high intelligence, even using a wooden ladle to fetch water. Li Chang’an quietly approached the rabbit.

After finishing its task, the rabbit turned around and saw a large shadow looming over it. With the sun behind him and his faint aura, Li Chang’an’s face was cast in deep shadow.

The rabbit: Σ(☉▽☉”a!

Li Chang’an: (￣︶￣).

The rabbit kicked its legs and tried to run, but Li Chang’an was quick. He grabbed the rabbit by the scruff of its neck and lifted it into the air. Despite being suspended, the little creature didn’t cower. Instead, it fiercely beat Li Chang’an’s arm with its small wooden ladle. Unfortunately, after his physical enhancements, Li Chang’an only felt the rabbit’s attacks as light and gentle taps.

Seeing the rabbit being captured, the Thorn Bear inside the tree hollow rushed out, baring its teeth and growling, seemingly threatening Li Chang’an to release the rabbit. In response, Li Chang’an summoned Mao Mao. The mixed-blood dragon’s aura overwhelmed the Thorn Bear, causing it to faint on the spot.

The little rabbit, however, performed much better than the clumsy Thorn Bear. Although Li Chang’an could clearly feel its body trembling, the rabbit’s eyes remained fixed on him.

Not bad, quite courageous!

Li Chang’an set the rabbit down and had Mao Mao act as a translator. Mao Mao, a noble ancient dragon, never expected that after forming a contract with Li Chang’an, its most frequent role wouldn’t be in battle but as a translator. With its inherited memories, Mao Mao was essentially an encyclopedia of magical beasts, and for Li Chang’an, its knowledge was far more valuable than its combat abilities.

With Mao Mao’s translation, Li Chang’an successfully struck up a conversation with the rabbit. This mutated Double-Leaf Rabbit had been raised by the Thorn Bear’s mother and considered the Thorn Bear its sibling. Perhaps because this lineage of Thorn Bears was herbivorous, it was gentler but also more timid compared to its kin. The thorny shrubs outside the grove had been planted by this Thorn Bear. Although it had lost the robust physique typical of its species, it had gained stronger control over wood elemental energy, effectively transitioning from a close-combat fighter to a forest shaman.

The little rabbit was responsible for finding food for the timid Thorn Bear and occasionally prepared rough spirit food, which had honed its dexterity in using its forelimbs. Hearing this, Li Chang’an’s eyes lit up. He then explained his intentions to the rabbit. Unsurprisingly, the rabbit refused, citing concerns that the Thorn Bear might starve to death if it left.

Li Chang’an pondered this. Based on the rabbit’s description of the Thorn Bear as a “useless lump,” such a scenario was indeed possible. The Ecological Research Institute didn’t interfere much with the ecological park, focusing more on observation and recording. The magical beasts’ mix of trust and fear toward humans was the result of generations of researchers balancing discipline and rewards.

“So, if I find a suitable caretaker for this big oaf, you’re willing to come with me, right?” After Mao Mao relayed Li Chang’an’s words, the rabbit thought for a moment and nodded. Seeing this, Li Chang’an’s estimation of the rabbit’s intelligence rose another notch.

“Mao Mao, go wake up that Thorn Bear pretending to be dead.” Following Li Chang’an’s order, Mao Mao approached the Thorn Bear and delivered two swift punches, startling the bear so much that it leaped three feet into the air! It was hard to imagine such a tall, clumsy bear could jump so high. Mao Mao growled, signaling the Thorn Bear to follow. The Thorn Bear, acting like a wronged wife, reluctantly shuffled over to Li Chang’an.

In the gazes of both the rabbit and the Thorn Bear, Li Chang’an detected frustration and resentment from the rabbit and grievance from the bear. The intelligence of these two magical beasts far exceeded that of ordinary awakening-phase beasts. Only the leader-level Summer Flame Deer he had encountered earlier could rival them.

Li Chang’an addressed the Thorn Bear, “Show me all your abilities.” Mao Mao growled twice, and though the Thorn Bear shivered, it complied under Li Chang’an’s calm gaze. A yellow beam of light, green specks, and a slowly growing thorny vine appeared in sequence before the Thorn Bear.

“Solar Beam, Slow Catalysis, and this…” Li Chang’an’s eyes sparkled with amazement. If not for the Thorn Bear’s timidity, he would have considered taking it home. He sensed an amplifying effect from the slowly growing thorny vine. This was an aura skill that could enhance the attack power of nearby allies. Who would have thought this big, clumsy bear had the potential to be a forest shaman?

The Thorn Bear’s awakened talent was [Totem Amplification], which enhanced the effects of aura skills. This bear’s talent is too good. The best-case scenario for a contractor would be inheriting the Thorn Bear’s talent, allowing for dual amplification with the bear in the future. At the very least, they could gain Solar Beam as an additional attack method. [Slow Catalysis] was one of the most suitable abilities for students looking for good job prospects in the future.

However, finding the right candidate to take care of the Thorn Bear was no easy task. An ordinary person would waste its potential. Who should I choose? Slowly, the image of a cheerful young man surfaced in Li Chang’an’s mind.

Oh! I almost forgot about you, Lao Bai!