Beast Taming: My System is Bugged-Chapter 86 - 85: Mrs. Gu: Who is this girl?

Cyan Treasure was poised on the sand, flicking its forked tongue. Inside its body, the Grass Spiritual Root sank deep into the "soil" of its Dantian, exuding a faint aura of connection with the earth.

After checking on the hamster’s situation, Teacher Zhang switched to hands-on combat training, personally directing the Ice Heart Fox to battle the Little Cyan Snake.

Don’t be fooled by the fact that the Ice Heart Fox was a support-type Pet Beast with no combat specializations. Its Two-star Level physique was more than enough to overwhelm the Little Cyan Snake.

If the Little Cyan Snake wanted to beat the Ice Heart Fox, it couldn’t just passively take hits; it had to attack first.

Cyan Treasure was the first to strike. With a flash, its body transformed into a shadowy blur, shooting toward the Ice Heart Fox so fast that it kicked up clouds of sand.

WHAP!

Cyan Treasure was sent flying.

The Ice Heart Fox was like an ice sculpture; faced with Cyan Treasure’s swift assault, its feet didn’t move an inch. A layer of frost appeared on its paw, faintly connecting to the Cold Qi in its Dantian. The sight made Cyan Treasure’s heart pound wildly.

Cyan Treasure was inwardly stunned. It had assumed the Ice Heart Fox would attack with its paws, so it hadn’t struck the fox’s body directly.

As it turned out, it was the Ice Heart Fox’s shadow that struck, coalescing into a mass of Ice Qi and slapping it from the side.

"Cyan Treasure, focus on using your Body Technique to dodge the Shadow-Tracing Ice attacks! The Ice Heart Fox’s shadow is its arm."

The midday combat practice lasted a full hour. With its Ice Soul Synchronization and Shadow-Tracing Ice Skills, the Ice Heart Fox could completely dominate a Zero-star beast using its skill advantage, even as a support-type Pet Beast.

Of course, if the Little Cyan Snake evolved to One-star and its Body Technique improved to the Master Level, the outcome of the battle could be reversed.

...

Gu Ming watched the battle, feeling the stark reality of the gap between them in actual combat.

’In my imagination, the Little Cyan Snake’s eyes would flash like lightning, its movements fluid and agile.’

’It would weave effortlessly between the enemy’s attacks, find an opening, and circle around to its opponent’s back. Then, it would open its mouth, bare its sharp fangs, and bite down hard, injecting venom into the enemy Pet Beast.’

However, the reality of the battle was a completely different story.

The Ice Heart Fox was running circles around the Little Cyan Snake, relying solely on its experience and skill advantage.

And this wasn’t even the kind of pressure a true combat-type Pet Beast would bring.

’Without the system’s help, the Little Cyan Snake’s future potential is indeed limited.’

Watching this, it really hit Gu Ming just how fragile a Basic Type Pet Beast was when facing a High-star Level Potential Pet Beast or a true combat expert.

They were so fragile they couldn’t take a single hit; one touch and they could be knocked out.

’If the Little Cyan Snake’s Body Technique can’t reach a level where it can completely dominate Pet Beasts of the same rank...’

’...let alone a grand stage like an international competition...’

’...it could easily be defeated by stronger Pet Beasts even in the college entrance exam tournament.’

[Combat process between Cyan Treasure and the Ice Heart Fox has been recorded.]

[Current environmental information has been recorded.]

[The Ice Heart Fox’s Pet Beast information has been recorded.]

After recording the Ice Heart Fox’s template, Gu Ming felt a sense of assurance.

’I’ve got my training material for tonight.’

When it was time for their afternoon classes, Gu Ming and Lu You left the shop together.

Behind them, Teacher Zhang quietly took out his phone and sent a short video of the day’s training to a mysterious three-person group chat.

This small group was named the "Gambling Gods Trio," and its members were none other than Mr. Gu, Mrs. Gu, and Teacher Zhang himself.

Teacher Zhang posted in the group:

"The special training at noon is complete. The Little Cyan Snake’s combat instincts are quite good, and its mastery of its Body Technique exceeded my expectations.

"The Little Cyan Snake hasn’t evolved yet, so its greatest strength hasn’t become apparent. That will take another month or two. He probably won’t be able to take first in the grade on the monthly exam.

"As you are both combat-type Beastmasters, how about giving your son some extra lessons on the weekends?

"While I specialize in developing cultivation plans, my guidance in practical combat training can’t compare to yours."

At that moment, Mr. Gu and Mrs. Gu were also reading the messages in the small group chat.

Seeing Teacher Zhang’s message, Mr. Gu casually replied, "No problem. I’ll take him to his grandfather’s place for some training this weekend.

"By the way, is the monthly exam in two weeks?"

Teacher Zhang replied:

"That’s about right."

"But that’s only two weekends, just four days of training," Mrs. Gu typed. "Is that enough?"

You could tell Mrs. Gu was still a little worried about her son’s progress.

Teacher Zhang knew this was no time to pour cold water on their hopes. He needed to encourage them and build their confidence, so he said:

"For a middle-class family, that might not be enough.

"But for a smart kid like Gu Ming, there’s no need to overdo it.

"A bit of high-quality, targeted training is far better than dozens of days of grinding.

"Most of the time is spent on conditioning and drilling techniques. A few sessions of high-quality, real combat per month is more than enough."

There was one thing he didn’t say.

Ordinary middle-class families don’t necessarily have a Five-star Beastmaster on hand.

With guidance from a Five-star Beastmaster, a few months of training would be enough for Gu Ming to pull far ahead of the competition.

"Then for everything outside of combat practice, we’ll leave him in your hands, Teacher," said Mr. Gu.

When it came to combat, the couple were indeed experts. Teacher Zhang’s words had hit the mark, and the corners of Mr. Gu’s mouth curled up slightly.

However, before his smile could widen, Mrs. Gu pinched him.

Turning his head, Mr. Gu saw the reproachful look on his wife’s face.

"What are you talking about, taking him to Grandpa’s? Aren’t you afraid he’ll spill the beans?"

Grandpa doted on his eldest grandson. Years ago, he would secretly visit, bringing lots of snacks and expensive clothes that didn’t match the family’s feigned financial status.

Thankfully, the Hidden Mist Butterfly was there to blur anything that might give them away; otherwise, who knows what would have happened.

"That was years ago.

"This frugal upbringing plan has been going on for over a decade. Dad has long since resigned himself to it.

"Don’t worry. Dad isn’t an unreasonable person," Mr. Gu said, shaking his head.

Despite his words, Mrs. Gu still felt it was too risky.

’Gu Ming is already a senior, with only a few months until graduation.’

’Grandpa might think that since the frugal upbringing plan is almost over, he might as well end it a few months early and just tell his grandson the truth.’

’Worst-case scenario, he’ll see that Gu Ming bonded with a Little Cyan Snake and drag our grandson to the city to get a new Pet Beast on the spot!’

’No, going back to their old home is still too risky.’

But Mr. Gu pointed to the video on his phone and said:

"See that girl training with our son? Why don’t we invite her to the special training at Grandpa’s house too?

"If a classmate is training with him, Dad won’t do anything reckless. Our family has to save face, after all. He won’t expose the secret right away and make things awkward for the children."

Mrs. Gu nodded. That made sense.

But then she realized something.

’When I was watching the video just now, I was so focused on Cyan Treasure and our son that I barely noticed the girl next to them. I thought she was just a bystander.’

’But looking closely... huh? Why is she walking so close to our son?’

The girl’s bangs were so long they nearly covered her glasses. She habitually kept her head lowered, hiding her eyes and giving off a shy, timid impression.

Judging from her posture and demeanor, she was clearly the type of timid, cautious girl who would normally shrink into a corner by herself.

Mrs. Gu simply couldn’t figure out how such an introverted girl had gotten so familiar with her son, to the point where they were now this close.

Full of questions, Mrs. Gu immediately @’d Teacher Zhang in the group, eager to get to the bottom of it.

Teacher Zhang then had to take some time to explain the two’s relationship, as well as the innovation in the Cultivation Technique he had been about to bring up anyway.

After Teacher Zhang’s long voice message finished, the group chat fell silent, as if someone had hit the mute button.

A minute later.

Mrs. Gu sent a voice message containing just a single word:

"Huh?"