Chapter 6

The Black Ant Forest spans over eighty miles in circumference.

When twenty thousand people entered, it was like a handful of sand scattered into a vast lake, quickly disappearing without a trace.

Chen Fan held Xiao Bai in one arm and a fish spear in the other, striding swiftly through the forest.

After walking for about three to four miles, he stopped, found a clearing in the forest, and gently set Xiao Bai down.

The route he chose was marked as relatively safe on the Qian Du map.

So, along the way, he did not encounter a single iron-eating black ant.

Xiao Bai lay on the ground, looking up at Chen Fan with her large, sparkling eyes, which were as dazzling as sapphires.

Chen Fan opened the Beast Tamer Forum and, following the instructions, narrowed his eyes, focused his mind, and connected with his Beast Tamer Space.

Beneath and above their feet, two hexagram arrays shimmering with flowing light appeared.

The two hexagram arrays sandwiched Chen Fan and Xiao Bai in between.

The steps for signing a Beast Tamer contract on the forum were quite complex and would take some time.

But as soon as the two hexagram arrays activated, a prompt from the "Beast Tamer System" popped up...

[Beast Tamer Space opened. Do you wish to sign a contract with the Ragdoll Cat Xiao Bai?]

Chen Fan was overjoyed: "The system can directly sign a contract with a Beast Tamer? Then there's no need for the complicated procedures afterward!"

Without hesitation, he clicked "Yes."

As soon as he clicked "Yes," Chen Fan's left index finger stung, and a drop of fresh blood welled up.

That drop of blood flew out from his finger and fell into the hexagram array beneath his feet.

The hexagram array immediately began to rotate slowly...

"Blood as the medium, the array as the contract."

"With my blood as the bond, I establish an eternal and unbreakable bloodline contract!"

A voice echoed in Chen Fan's mind.

As Chen Fan's drop of blood fell and merged into the array beneath his feet,

The two hexagram arrays rapidly spun, emitting a golden glow that condensed into a white sheet of paper burning with golden flames, appearing between Chen Fan and Xiao Bai.

The paper was covered with blood-red text, which was very peculiar.

But both Chen Fan and Xiao Bai instantly understood its content.

In the next moment...

A series of soft, childlike murmurs suddenly echoed in Chen Fan's mind.

"I really want to eat that chicken leg. When will the master give me that chicken leg?"

"No, I should let him eat it. This forest seems very dangerous. If he doesn't eat enough, what will he do if he encounters a monster?"

"I really want to eat fish..."

"For some reason, I feel like I can grow very big in the future, as big as that fire-spewing giant ant."

"If I can grow that big, I can carry the master, so he won't be so tired."

These were Xiao Bai's thoughts?

I can hear Xiao Bai's thoughts?

No wonder Beast Tamers can work seamlessly with their beasts; they can communicate telepathically!

Chen Fan's expression changed slightly, and he sent his thoughts: "Xiao Bai?"

Xiao Bai was taken aback: "Huh? What is it?"

"Xiao Bai..." Chen Fan squatted down and continued, "We've relied on each other in the past. Now we've come to this strange world together, and we need to support and help each other even more."

"I want to sign a blood contract with you. Are you willing to be my partner?"

"Okay!" Xiao Bai blinked, nodded, and raised her little paw, gently pressing it on the paper burning with golden flames.

The paper instantly turned to ashes, transforming into countless points of starlight that merged into the void.

At that moment, Chen Fan felt his soul connect with Xiao Bai's.

It was a strange, warm feeling.

Then...

A virtual panel appeared in the Beast Tamer Space.

[Beast Tamer Name]: Ragdoll Cat Xiao Bai

[Combat Level]: Level 1 (Just Awakened)

[Race Level]: Low Awakening

[Beast Tamer Attribute]: Lightning

[Beast Tamer Weakness]: Fire

[Race Skill]: Lightning Cat Claw+ (Consuming system energy can increase skill proficiency)

[Beast Tamer Status]: Happy

[Beast Tamer Preferences]: Likes to stay in Chen Fan's arms or on his shoulder, enjoys being petted on the head by Chen Fan

[Potential Level]: Six Stars

[Requirements to Break to Level 2]: 5 pounds of fresh fish meat (Level 1 and above), 1 Level 2 fish crystal core, 10 energy points. Usage steps: ...

First route, ordinary evolution path: Ragdoll Cat → Bloodthirsty Cat → Starry Shadow Cat; from Low Awakening to Medium Awakening, required materials and methods...

Second route, hidden mutation evolution path: Ragdoll Cat → Phantom Lightning Cat → Purple Lightning Cat King → Thunder Devouring Sky Cat King → ...; from Low Awakening to Medium Awakening, required materials and methods: 10 pounds of fresh fish (Level 2 and above), 1 Level 2 lightning attribute monster crystal core, 3 Level 2 (and above) fish crystal cores. Usage steps: ...

Looking at the panel, Chen Fan was deep in thought.

After Xiao Bai became his Beast Tamer, the virtual panel underwent some changes.

The word "monster" changed to "Beast Tamer";

The virtual panel was fixed in the Beast Tamer Space;

A plus sign appeared after Xiao Bai's skill, indicating that system energy could be consumed to increase skill proficiency;

A progress bar appeared below "Lightning Cat Claw"... This was Xiao Bai's skill proficiency!

As Chen Fan examined it, an explanation also appeared...

[The proficiency of a Beast Tamer's skill can be increased by using energy or through repeated training.]

[The higher the proficiency of a skill, the higher the accuracy, the faster the speed, and the greater the power.]

Chen Fan focused and saw that Xiao Bai's "Lightning Cat Claw" currently had a proficiency of 1.

The maximum proficiency is 100, and the progress bar is full at 100.

In other words, to purely use system energy to increase Xiao Bai's skill proficiency, 100 energy points are needed.

Chen Fan didn't mind using energy to help Xiao Bai reach the maximum proficiency of her Lightning Cat Claw.

The problem was that the system currently only had 20 energy points.

At that moment...

Chen Fan felt a strange force transmit from Xiao Bai to himself.

"Boom!"

Chen Fan's body trembled slightly, and his joints crackled!

"This is... after signing the contract, the Beast Tamer's power is nourishing the Beast Tamer Master!"

Chen Fan realized this, and he gently clenched his fists.

He had read a lot of information about Beast Tamers and knew that Beast Tamer Masters and their beasts promote each other and grow together.

The Beast Tamer Space of a Beast Tamer Master contains the power of the master's bloodline and soul, which can help the beast grow and break through quickly;

Each time the beast's combat level and race level increase, it also nourishes the Beast Tamer Master's star power, significantly boosting the master's star power.

Xiao Bai had just awakened and was only Level 1, so the nourishing power this time didn't seem too strong.

But Chen Fan still felt a significant increase in his own strength!

He could clearly feel a strange power flowing rapidly through his limbs and body!

This was star power!

Chen Fan walked to a large stone covered in moss, took a deep breath, and then struck the stone with a heavy palm...

"Boom!"

The stone shook violently, and from the point where Chen Fan's palm landed, cracks spread out in a spider web pattern in all directions!

"..."

Chen Fan looked at his palm, his eyes full of disbelief!

He had thought that since Xiao Bai was only Level 1, the nourishing power she provided wasn't too strong, but he hadn't expected that a single palm strike would almost shatter the stone!

Such power...

Even before his穿越, even with a large iron hammer, he might not have been able to achieve this with all his might!

And this was without knowing how to use star power!

If he learned how to channel star power, the power of that palm strike would likely increase even more!

Chen Fan gratefully rubbed Xiao Bai's head: "Xiao Bai, thank you. My strength has increased significantly, and I can feel the flow of star power within me."

Xiao Bai closed her eyes in enjoyment and gently patted Chen Fan's arm with her little paw.

Chen Fan smiled and pointed to a small tree five meters ahead: "Xiao Bai, use your 'Lightning Cat Claw' to attack that small tree."

Xiao Bai looked at Chen Fan with wide eyes, then at the small tree.

Then, she gently waved her little paw.

There was no movement.

It was just a normal paw wave.

"..."

Chen Fan scratched his head: "It's not like that. Focus your mind and think, do you have a skill called 'Lightning Cat Claw'? Your paw can release lightning power?"

Xiao Bai looked at Chen Fan, then at the small tree, and then, gathering her courage, she swung her paw forcefully...

Still, there was no movement.

"..."

Chen Fan opened his mouth, but then closed it.

Right...

The system had 20 energy points after activation.

He should use some of the energy to help Xiao Bai increase her skill proficiency!

Chen Fan focused and clicked the plus sign after "Lightning Cat Claw" on the virtual panel.

[Consumed 1 energy point to help Xiao Bai increase proficiency by 1 point.]

[Consumed 5 energy points to help Xiao Bai increase proficiency by 5 points.]

...

After adding 10 points to Xiao Bai's "Lightning Cat Claw," her proficiency reached 11.

The energy bar still had 10 points left.

Chen Fan wasn't sure how difficult it would be to obtain more energy, so he reserved 10 points.

Because after catching fish, helping Xiao Bai level up from 1 to 2 would require 10 energy points.

Chen Fan stopped and said to Xiao Bai, "Xiao Bai, try again. Use 'Lightning Cat Claw' to attack that small tree... Focus your mind and believe in yourself!"

Xiao Bai looked at her little paw, then at the small tree, and gently waved her paw...

"Crack!"

A lightning claw shot out of nowhere, grazing the small tree and striking a large tree seven meters away, creating a scorched pit!

"Meow (Scared)!"

Xiao Bai, surprised by her own power, jumped into Chen Fan's arms.

"Don't be afraid, don't be afraid. This is your skill, Xiao Bai. You're very strong!"

Chen Fan was both surprised and delighted.

The power of lightning was indeed formidable!

Not only was it fast, but it also had high destructive power!

Chen Fan carried Xiao Bai over to check.

The pit in the large tree was about the size of his fist.

If this had hit a person...

A Level 1 Xiao Bai had such terrifying attack power?

However, the small tree was only five meters away, and the accuracy seemed a bit off.

"Come on, Xiao Bai, practice a few more times. The more you practice, the more familiar you'll become with the skill."

Chen Fan carried Xiao Bai back to the original spot and indicated for her to attack the small tree two meters away.

This time, Xiao Bai was much more proficient. Her two little paws moved left and right, and each time she waved her paw, a lightning claw shot out, moving incredibly fast!

However...

Nine lightning claws all flew past the small tree.

Not a single one hit.

"Meow (Am I that bad)..."

Xiao Bai looked at Chen Fan timidly, a bit embarrassed.

Chen Fan laughed: "Xiao Bai, you're so strong, how can you be bad?"

"This skill is new to you. Being able to use it so proficiently is already impressive."

"Practice makes perfect. The more you practice, the better your accuracy will become."

Encouraged by Chen Fan, Xiao Bai started waving her paw at the small tree again.

This time, she didn't rush but stared at the small tree for a while before lifting her paw and gently waving it...

"Boom!"

A lightning claw struck the small tree, and the five-centimeter-diameter tree trunk snapped with a loud crack!

"Success!"

Chen Fan picked up Xiao Bai and laughed heartily.

Xiao Bai also meowed happily.

The two of them practiced "Lightning Cat Claw" on the small trees in the clearing.

Chen Fan learned about the attack power and maximum range of Xiao Bai's Lightning Cat Claw.

Xiao Bai also became more adept at using it, with her accuracy improving significantly.

Not only that, but she was gradually learning to control the power of each attack.

However, after using the Lightning Cat Claw dozens of times, Xiao Bai's spirit became a bit listless, and her head drooped weakly.

Chen Fan could also feel that Xiao Bai's strength seemed to be greatly depleted.

He quickly took out the chicken leg he had received at the square: "Xiao Bai, let's rest for a while. Eat this chicken leg, and then I'll take you to catch fish!"

"Catch fish!" Xiao Bai's eyes widened, and she perked up.

She took the chicken leg with both paws, ready to eat it.

But just as she was about to put it in her mouth, she suddenly stopped.

She looked at Chen Fan intently, then offered the chicken leg to him: "Eat, eat..."

Hearing this in his mind and seeing the scene before him, Chen Fan felt a lump in his throat, almost tearing up.