Chapter Thirteen

The teacher whistled into the air, and a white horse with wings as large as a swan’s soared toward them, beating its wings and treading on nothing. The White-Winged Pegasus—this was a creature with the potential of a king, its snowy wings and soft, flowing mane exuding purity and elegance. To describe it among king-tier beasts: it possesses both beauty and strength. Its attributes are varied; if you desire a dark aesthetic, look to the Night Pegasus. If you seek vibrant colors, the Radiant Rainbow Pegasus awaits. Want a creature that traverses land, sea, and sky? The Oceanic Pegasus is your answer. As for its combat prowess, don’t ask too much. A mature king-tier beast needs no defense—its strength is self-evident.

In that moment, Cheng Yuan remembered the advertisements for Pegasus he had seen as a child. Pegasus fulfilled the fantasy of the splendid horse and fine attire, making for a superb mount. Yet, its combat ability was low; most king-tier beasts could bully it, and even lesser creatures might harass it. Sometimes, it was nothing more than prey kept by other king-tier beasts within their domains. Wealthy folk loved these creatures, but Cheng Yuan never expected that his weathered, experienced teacher would favor such a beast.

Teacher Gan noticed Cheng Yuan’s expression—one of disbelief at his choice—and tapped Cheng Yuan’s head. “There are no weak monsters, only trainers who fail to nurture them. My White Yi is stronger than you imagine.” Seeing Cheng Yuan’s acquiescent look—“Alright, you’re the teacher, whatever you say”—Teacher Gan felt his blood pressure rise. Did this boy’s face speak for him? “How about this: I won’t bully you. If your little tiger becomes king-tier and defeats White Yi before you graduate high school, I’ll give you a gift.” “Deal,” Cheng Yuan replied.

Teacher Gan wasn’t worried about Cheng Yuan achieving king-tier so quickly. Even if the boy’s talent was extraordinary and he raised his Weijin White Tiger to king-tier before graduation, a newly ascended king was no match for White Yi, a veteran, exceptional Pegasus. Teacher Gan was confident he wouldn't lose.

Grabbing Cheng Yuan, Teacher Gan leapt onto the Pegasus’s back, seized the reins, and with a tug, the Pegasus took flight. “I recall your house is on Willow Street.”

The speed of White Yi was impressive. What would have taken ten minutes by bicycle was covered in three, just as Cheng Yuan’s mother stepped out with her grocery basket. Upon seeing Teacher Gan’s Pegasus, she was surprised, “So fast?”

Cheng Yuan clambered down from the horse. The king-tier Pegasus was large, with a shoulder height of two meters—getting down was a challenge. Teacher Gan, relying on the physical prowess of a king-tier beast trainer, jumped down nimbly and even showed off with a somersault.

Though the teacher arrived early and the groceries were yet to be bought, a home visit took priority. At worst, she could order delivery. Cheng Yuan’s mother invited the teacher inside, not anxious but curious about the sudden visit. She ushered him into the living room, brewed a pot of tea, and asked, “Teacher, is there something about my son?”

The teacher sipped his tea and said, “Your little tiger knocked a classmate’s Cloud Smoke Sparrow out of the sky in one strike during class.” Cheng Yuan’s mother’s eyes widened, “Did he ambush it?” “No, he used the Tiger Roar Thunder Voice attack.”

Her eyes widened further, “Impossible. Even its father can’t use the Tiger Roar Thunder Voice, so how could it?” The teacher glanced at Cheng Yuan, “Show us.” Cheng Yuan nodded, tore a page from his backpack, crumpled it, and said to the little tiger, “I’ll throw the ball, you use Tiger Roar Thunder Voice to hit it.” The little tiger nodded.

Cheng Yuan tossed the ball, the little tiger opened its mouth, and in the next second a shattering sound rang out. Cheng Yuan blinked at the broken white porcelain vase, as the paper ball landed on the tiger’s head. “Mom, wasn’t that the gift you meant to send?” His mother nodded, then calmly said, “It’s fine, just a few thousand. I’ll talk to your father.”

She picked up the little tiger, “Little one, how did you do that?” The little tiger chattered for a while, but Cheng Yuan’s mother, whose contract beast wasn’t a tiger, and with her husband absent, couldn’t understand a word.

That evening, Cheng Fu returned home, tired, accompanied by his adult Weijin White Tiger. Upon entering, he saw a pair of men’s shoes at the door—not his own. A guest? Changing his shoes, he entered the living room and was greeted by a refined stranger, his wife seated on the opposite sofa, both apparently watching something.

Meanwhile, the Weijin White Tiger strode over, snatched up the little tiger, and carried it away as the smaller creature tucked its tail between its legs. Cheng Yuan’s parents exchanged information, and Cheng Fu was dumbfounded. Golden armor was one thing, but what in the world was Tiger Roar Thunder Voice? He turned to Cheng Yuan, who was still playing games. “How did you train it?”

Cheng Yuan put down his phone and rolled his eyes, “Dad, my daily training isn’t hidden. You watch me train the little one every day—how could you not know?”

Cheng Fu rubbed his chin, “It makes no sense. I know Nana’s talent, and though Old Zhao’s Fatty has good talent, it’s not this miraculous.” Cheng Yuan said, “That’s why I’m curious how it’s so diligent.”

A few minutes later, the little tiger returned, tail high. Cheng Yuan glanced at it, and both the humans and the two tigers exchanged looks, reading his intent: “Still training?” “Yow.” “Alright, carry on then.”

Now everyone realized Cheng Yuan wasn’t urging the little tiger to train; it was nearly free-range. So where did its motivation come from? The teacher wasn’t sure. Two hours passed, Cheng Yuan glanced at the little tiger, then grabbed its scruff, picked it up, and carried it off like a plush toy.

The teacher asked immediately, “Why not keep training?” Cheng Yuan glanced at the clock, “Six to ten, that’s about four hours. Time to rest.” The little tiger yawned, growing lazy. Cheng Yuan took it back to his room. “With this progress, we should be able to switch training routines in three days. Well done today.” The little tiger’s eyes gleamed with pride, as if to say, “Of course.”

Cheng Yuan hugged the little tiger, speaking as if chatting, “Just thinking about how big you’ll grow gives me a headache. My bed’s so small. If you end up as big as your mother, it’ll be fine, but you’re male—it’ll be troublesome.” The little tiger yowled, turned away, and closed its eyes.