Chapter 6: Dark Pet
Spiritual Seed Experiment Report.
Quantity: One thousand and eight units.
Strength: Capable of controlling wild mice (up to one foot in length).
Trait: Able to control multiple Beasts. If the Beasts are of the same species, the later ones are easier to control.
If the multiple Beasts are of different species, the difficulty of control increases with each one, and eventually, the Spiritual Seed cannot be successfully implanted.
(Speculated Reason: The mutated Spiritual Seeds originally belonged to a single entity. Even after splitting apart, they still maintain a special link. Controlling different Beasts may affect this link, ultimately weakening the Spiritual Seed’s function.)
Solution One: It is recommended to use Beasts of the same species as much as possible. When the number is sufficient, they can form a decent fighting force.
Solution Two: Find a way to fuse the numerous Spiritual Seeds in the Spiritual Sea—currently forming a nebula—back into one entity. (At present, the probability is zero; there is a much greater chance of becoming someone else’s research subject.)
Advantages: The death of a Beast does not affect the Beast Tamer, and new Spiritual Seeds can be restored quickly. (Note: When the number of deaths exceeds a certain limit, intense headaches occur, presumably because the mass death of Beasts affects the Beast Tamer’s Spiritual Sea—a normal phenomenon.)
“Finally done summarizing.”
Looking at the form in his hand, Zhou Ming finally let out a sigh of relief. For the past few days, he had been mentally exhausted working on this report.
The store manager, Sister Wu, even thought he was sick and was planning to give him a few days off.
However, Zhou Ming declined her kind offer. His work wasn’t delicate or demanding, and since he already planned to resign, he wanted to work a few more days to earn a bit more money.
After all, having money in hand was the ultimate rule. Without it, even daily life would become a problem—let alone pursuing other goals—unless he dared to take on dangerous jobs.
The next day, at Dog’s Home, inside the manager’s office.
“Zhou Ming, are you really quitting? You know this job, though tiring, is enough for you to make a living. You could also slowly learn about pets and prepare for your future development.”
Facing Zhou Ming’s resignation, Sister Wu earnestly tried to persuade him.
She knew his situation very well—she understood that the young man before her wanted to pursue the path of a Beast Tamer. But for Zhou Ming, that path was far riskier than simply keeping this job.
Although living an ordinary life might be dull, it was safe. And Zhou Ming’s Beast Taming aptitude was only barely passable.
At the desk, Zhou Ming showed no impatience. He knew she was speaking for his own good—she just didn’t understand his current circumstances.
“Sister Wu, I’m still young. I don’t want to wait until I’m old to regret it. I want to give it a try.”
A classic reply—and Sister Wu was momentarily speechless. Even though she had a thousand things she wanted to say, she couldn’t. After all, everyone had dreams once.
“This is ten thousand Alliance Coins. It’s all I can help you with.”
“Thank you, Sister Wu.”
Looking at the woman who had taken great care of him, Zhou Ming bowed deeply on behalf of both himself and his predecessor, then left the Dog’s Home Pet Shop.
As for what to do next, Zhou Ming already had a plan.
Leaving the noisy pet market, he followed the street into a nearby alley—this time, he was going to purchase his own Beast.
As for the sparrows and white mice he used before, they all met the same end—as test subjects. Zhou Ming had granted them a painless and humane death.
Knock, knock.
At the deepest part of the alley, Zhou Ming knocked on a door before him.
“What do you want?”
A young man with long, scruffy hair and a roguish look opened the door, glanced at Zhou Ming, and spoke lazily.
“I want to buy a Dark Pet.”
“What Dark Pet? I don’t sell that here.”
The moment he heard the words “Dark Pet,” the long-haired youth immediately waved his hands and tried to close the door.
“Hey, brother, no need to rush! You’re really turning down business delivered to your door?”
“What are you doing? Let go, or I’ll call someone!”
Seeing Zhou Ming holding the door open, the long-haired youth’s face darkened as he threatened him.
“What’s going on, Long Hair?”
A stern voice came from behind the youth.
“Brother Snake, you’re not doing business anymore?”
Hearing the familiar-sounding call from inside, Zhou Ming quickly shouted.
“Open the door.”
Hearing what seemed like a familiar voice, the man inside ordered the youth to open up.
“Who are you?”
When the door opened, the man called Brother Snake saw an unfamiliar face. His brows immediately furrowed.
“Brother Snake, you may not know me, but I know you. I’ve worked across the street for two years.”
Zhou Ming quickly explained and stated his purpose.
“I want to buy a Dark Pet—an Ironthread Snake.”
“Haha, so it’s a paying customer!”
“Long Hair, you just tried to turn a guest away!”
Smack!
A slap landed squarely on his underling’s head.
“I—I thought…”
“Thought what? Get lost!”
After scolding his subordinate, Brother Snake turned back to Zhou Ming.
“New kid—doesn’t know the ropes yet.”
“No problem. I just want to buy an Ironthread Snake for fun. Does Brother Snake have any?”
“Of course. I don’t have every Dark Pet, but when it comes to snake-type Dark Pets, there isn’t one that I, Brother Snake, don’t have. It’s just…”
He rubbed his fingers together—a universal gesture.
“Mm.”
Zhou Ming opened his pocket slightly, revealing a stack of Alliance Coins—about ten thousand.
“Please, brother, this way.”
Money talked. Seeing that Zhou Ming was a genuine buyer, Brother Snake immediately welcomed him inside.
“Bring out an Ironthread Snake for this gentleman to see.”
Brother Snake was straightforward. Since the customer had made his request, he didn’t ask further and directly told his men to fetch the goods.
About one foot long and as thick as chopsticks, its body was covered in tightly interlocking scales with a metallic sheen. Its slightly triangular head bore two small, reddish eyes like mung beans.
Looking at the glass box before him, Zhou Ming knew this was exactly what he needed—the Ironthread Snake.
The Ironthread Snake wasn’t a Ferocious Beast but a new species of snake that had mutated from a native Blue Star serpent.
Besides its exceptional agility, its greatest strength lay in its venom.
Of course, “terrifying” was a word only ordinary people would use.
But for its level, the Ironthread Snake’s venom was still potent enough to deserve it.
Its venom mainly caused paralysis. Once bitten, the victim’s entire body would go numb, muscles weakening to the point of immobility. Many who were poisoned died from cardiac paralysis.
If enough venom was used, it could even cause short-term paralysis in low-level Ferocious Beasts—and that was precisely what Zhou Ming wanted: a snake that could threaten low-tier Ferocious Beasts.
“How much for one?”
“Thirty thousand.”
“Brother Snake, are you kidding? Since I came to you, of course, I know its market price.”
Facing Brother Snake and his two underlings, Zhou Ming didn’t back down and directly called out the overcharge.
“Of course, that’s the price for outsiders. Since we’re both in the pet trade, twenty thousand—for you, that’s my lowest price.”
Brother Snake raised two fingers before Zhou Ming, as if to show his sincerity—this was his final offer.