Chapter 17: Hunter
“Hey.”
Just as Zhou Ming was leaving the library, preparing to head back to his residence, he suddenly heard a strange voice from behind him. It sounded like someone was calling out to him.
When he turned around, he saw a handsome boy with short, tousled hair staring at him with a hostile expression.
No—calling him a “boy” wasn’t quite right. It would be more accurate to say “young man.” That faint trace of budding facial hair revealed that he had already stepped into adolescence.
“What is it?”
Facing the unfamiliar youth before him, Zhou Ming asked in mild confusion.
“Stay away from my sister. She’s not someone you should be involved with.”
Upon hearing that, Zhou Ming immediately realized what was going on.
“You’re Sister Yun’s younger brother, Xiao Lei?”
Zhou Ming had a rough idea about Xiao Yun’s family situation.
The Xiao family had also come from the outer city, but Xiao Yun had a younger brother with an extraordinarily high talent for Beast Taming. When Xiao Lei was just fourteen, he had already succeeded in sensing his Spiritual Sea.
Not only had he sensed it earlier than most people, but his Spiritual Power was also naturally stronger than others’.
At fifteen, upon graduating from middle school, he successfully condensed his Spiritual Seed and was specially recruited by Yunhai University. His tuition and expenses were fully covered, and he even received additional resources each year for his training.
Because of Xiao Lei, the Xiao family had been transferred to the inner city of Qinshan Base and provided with stable jobs.
Xiao Yun worked as a receptionist at the library, which might not seem like much on the surface—
But in truth, it was a steady government position. The workplace was safe, transportation was provided, and there were all kinds of benefits.
If Xiao Yun wished, she could easily live a peaceful, uneventful life working there.
“I don’t care how close you are to my sister, but you’d better stop approaching her.”
As he spoke, an Ice Wolf about shoulder height to Xiao Lei—roughly the size of a calf—appeared in Zhou Ming’s field of vision. Its snow-white fur glistened with a cold sheen, its body lean and powerful, and its sharp claws and fangs radiated a bone-chilling frost.
“Grrr…”
Sensing its master’s hostility, the Ice Wolf crouched low, baring its teeth with a low growl.
Seeing that the Ice Wolf looked ready to pounce at any moment, Zhou Ming’s eyes narrowed sharply. Beneath his clothes, the Ironthread Snake coiled around his body was ready to bare its deadly fangs.
“Hmph, that’s the difference between us.”
Xiao Lei didn’t issue an attack command. He only gave that arrogant remark, then recalled his Ice Wolf and turned away.
The nearby pedestrians, seeing that no conflict had broken out, immediately let out sighs of relief. After all, when experts fought, it was the ordinary people who suffered—such incidents weren’t rare.
Still, once Xiao Lei left, they immediately began murmuring about the Ice Wolf. Such a rare Beast was hard to see, even within the inner city.
Although Qinshan Base had a population of three to four hundred thousand, there were only around twenty to thirty thousand Beast Tamers.
After accounting for the hunting groups and official tamers under the base’s management, the chance of encountering a Beast Tamer in the inner city was already slim—let alone one possessing such a powerful and rare Beast.
“Little brat.”
Although Zhou Ming was only a few years older than Xiao Lei, seeing the boy act so self-important made him want to give him a good lesson.
After Xiao Lei left, Zhou Ming frowned slightly, noticing the curious gazes from around him. Without a word, he boarded an electric tram at random, planning to transfer at the next stop.
He didn’t think much about why Xiao Lei had suddenly returned from Yunhai Beast Taming University.
But what Zhou Ming didn’t expect was that, after arriving home, his phone suddenly rang.
It was a cheap, low-end phone he had bought only to stay in touch with Xiao Yun and Wang Yan. It wasn’t good for much else—but the ringtone was certainly loud enough.
He didn’t need to guess. It was Xiao Yun calling.
As soon as he answered the call—his phone didn’t even have a caller ID—her anxious voice came through.
Apparently, word of what had happened at the library had reached her. She immediately realized that her recently returned brother must have caused trouble again.
After scolding Xiao Lei, she had quickly called to check on Zhou Ming, asking if he was all right.
Zhou Ming comforted her for a while, finally convincing her not to come over to check on him.
“Looks like someone’s going to suffer some sisterly punishment tonight.”
As he hung up the phone, a mischievous smile crept across Zhou Ming’s lips.
He knew Xiao Yun’s personality quite well—gentle on the outside, but firm and decisive within. Xiao Lei sneaking around to threaten him without permission would definitely earn him a proper scolding.
“Still, that’s some enviable talent and Beast he’s got.”
Zhou Ming gave a fair evaluation before putting the matter aside. He went straight to bed—there were things waiting for him tomorrow.
……
The next day, in the inner city of Qinshan Base.
This time, Zhou Ming didn’t go to the Qinshan Library near the southern district. Instead, he headed north—to the Hunter Guild.
The Hunter Guild had a history tracing back to the founding of the Blue Star Alliance. It was a semi-official organization.
Its main purpose was to mobilize civilian combat power to fight against Ferocious Beasts and other non-human races.
Any citizen of the Blue Star Alliance could apply to become a Hunter by presenting personal identification, allowing them to accept bounty missions issued by the guild.
In addition to earning bounties, Hunters could also accumulate Guild Points, which could be exchanged for equipment, Beast Tamer knowledge, and even rare resources and materials for Advancement and Profession Transition.
The purpose of this system was not only to motivate Hunters—but also to discover unregistered, naturally developed Wild Beast Tamers.
Wild Beast Tamers referred to those with average talent and insufficient resources who, for various reasons, had managed to condense a Spiritual Seed and become Beast Tamers on their own—just like Zhou Ming.
Having missed the best period for formal study and lacking resources to enter a Beast Taming University, they gathered resources and knowledge through hunting and self-exploration.
There was another reason some chose to become Wild Beast Tamers—they didn’t want to be officially registered by the Alliance. Such people usually had secrets they wished to hide.
As Zhou Ming stepped into the bustling Hunter Guild Hall—filled with rough-looking people, most clad in leather armor or combat uniforms—he remained calm and composed.
Some idle Hunters, noticing the ordinary-looking youth among them, began sizing him up curiously. But Zhou Ming didn’t mind at all.
Perhaps out of curiosity—or simply to test the newcomer’s courage—some Hunters began idly playing with their daggers and combat knives. It wasn’t just to scare off naïve rookies, but also to amuse themselves.
Ironically, these intimidating Hunters were among the few who actually had a moral bottom line in this profession.
As for firearms, due to strict weapon control laws, all ranged weapons were stored at designated facilities by the city gates.
Zhou Ming turned back to the onlookers and gave them a calm smile, silently expressing that he was ready.
He had already gathered information about the Guild and its members in advance. Knowing that these veterans meant no real harm, he simply smiled in return.
“Whistle, whistle.”
Seeing Zhou Ming’s composure, a few of those Hunters whistled in approval.
“Not bad, kid.”
“This one’s all right—not scared off.”
“Hahaha.”
As if reminded of something, laughter rippled through the hall.
“I’d like to apply to become a Hunter.”
At the front counter, Zhou Ming stated his purpose.