Chapter 282: Chapter 278: On the Eve of Release

Beast Master Association.

“You’re saying, the anomaly around the valley was caused by a Dream Vine parasitizing a Knowledge Ancient Tree?”

President Qin looked a little surprised after reading Bai Qi’s report.

Initially, he sent Bai Qi to investigate because there weren’t any indications of strong life sources in the area. If he had known there was a Knowledge Ancient Tree there, he would have sent a higher level Beast Master.

Bai Qi nodded and said, “Yes, but that Knowledge Ancient Tree is now dead. There shouldn’t be similar situations in the future.”

“I see, but we can’t just leave the remains of the Knowledge Ancient Tree out there. I’ll send people later to clean up the mess.”

President Qin put down the mission report in his hands and asked, “By the way, where is the Dream Vine now?”

“Um, I felt that the Dream Vine was rather unique, so I brought it back for research.”

Bai Qi awkwardly scratched his head, “As the Beast Master who completed the task, I have the right to decide what to do with the rewards, right?”

“Why are you so nervous? I wouldn’t ask for just a Dream Vine.”

President Qin laughed after hearing this and asked, “By the way, I got a memo from the Thirteenth Bureau. The Spirit-Control Orb should be officially distributed in a few days. As the creator, do you have any thoughts?” “Thoughts?”

Bai Qi tilted his head in thought, “Is there a charge for the Spirit-Control Orb?”

President Qin froze for a moment and said, “You already have four core patents, including the Spirit-Control Orb, do you still need to worry about money?”

Can you blame me? My pets at home are quite spendy, casually buying Epic Materials to strengthen themselves. If I don’t earn more, how can I handle that in the future?

Bai Qi helplessly shrugged, his face a picture of reluctance. President Qin seemed to understand something and didn’t say anything more.

Carrying out so many studies does consume a lot.

Well, I’ll try to help Bai Qi apply for some research funds when I find the time. The better Bai Qi does, the more beneficial it is for the Association.

President Qin pulled out a file and handed it to Bai Qi, “This is the preliminary implementation plan for the Spirit-Control Orb. After being verified, every untalented individual can receive one for free from the association, and choose one from three listed pets for a contract. Additional Spirit-Control Orbs will be up to them to purchase.”

Bai Qi nodded in satisfaction at the news. He had initially suggested a quantity limit to the Thirteenth Bureau, but for those without talent, contracting one pet would be their limit. Giving them one was enough.

“What about others… um, Beast Masters who also can’t contract beasts anymore? Can they have one, too?”

President Qin looked somewhat relieved at the question and nodded, “As long as they are certified by the association, yes.”

As he said so, President Qin brought out his Green Leaf Ball and said, “Speaking of which, I should thank you. I never thought I’d be able to contract a seventh pet in my lifetime, and you made it possible.”

Saying this, President Qin gently tossed out the Green Leaf Ball. A huge beast with a metallic sheen appeared before Bai Qi.

[Name]: Steel Helmet Rhino

[Nature]: Steel

[Bloodline Level]: Mid-Level Lord

“A Mid-Level Lord? How did you manage to contract it, President?”

Seeing the clearly high-level Steel Helmet Rhino, Bai Qi was somewhat surprised. Meanwhile, President Qin held his head high and said, “I’m a Master of the Sunrise Level, after all. I can deal with a Lord creature. It’s just that this Green Leaf Ball you made can’t store enough Spirit Power, otherwise, I might have tried a King-level creature.”

“Sorry I held you back…”

Bai Qi sighed in resignation, then began to study the Steel Helmet Rhino more carefully.

Compared to Zhuge Chen’s Arctic Ice Wolf, which clearly looked like it was raised by humans, President Qin’s Steel Helmet Rhino had an obvious trace of wild ferociousness. However, it looked visibly scared when it saw President Qin. “Uh, President, may I askhowyou tamed this Steel Helmet Rhino?”

“Of course, I’m planning to popularize this method.”

President Qin nodded and said, “It’s really simple, first, beat the Steel Helmet Rhino half to death and heal it, then repeat it several times. It will seek you out for a contract.”

Bai Qi: “…”

President, aren’t you afraid the Beast Protection Association will complain about you?

Oh, wait, the Steel Helmet Rhino was originally a ferocious beast, so it’s fine.

“But, President, aren’t you a support Beastmaster? Why did you choose a Steel Helmet Rhino? It’s supposed to be an offensive type, isn’t it?”

Bai Qi watched the Steel Helmet Rhino, looking like a scared puppy under President Qin’s clutches, and couldn’t help but ask.

“Right, all my previous six pets were support types. Nowthat I’m older, I suddenly wanted to have an offensive type.”

President Qin nodded and said, “With the support of my six other pets, even if the Steel Helmet Rhino cannot level up with me, its combat strength might not be weaker.”

Well, boy, were they trying to pile on six to one, forcibly stacking to create a pet beast full of BUFFs?

Oh, masters at the Sunrise Level sure are capricious.

“Speaking of which, the enhancement of pet beasts contracted with the Spirit- Control Orb has always been a problem. Do you have any good ideas on your end?”

President Qin put away his steel-armored rhino, saying, “With the initial popularization of the Spirit-Control Orb, there might not be any problems. But once the Spirit-Control Orb becomes widespread, conflicts are bound to arise.”

People don’t suffer from scarcity, but from inequality. If there was none from the beginning, it would be alright. But after a Spirit Controller successfully forms a contract, they’re bound to compare themselves to Beast Masters, and all sorts of melodramatic issues will probably start appearing.

Bai Qi shook his head and said, “The contract between a Spirit Controller and a pet beast is pretty lenient. After the pet beast evolves, it’s up to the Spirit Controller to cultivate and manage their relationship with it, in order to keep it by their side. After all, a forced bond isn’t a sweet one.”

“That’s right, we can only leave it be for now.”

President Qin nodded and said, “But spend some effort improving the Spirit- Control Orb. If you manage to break through today’s limitations, your contribution to mankind’s history won’t be any less than those great emperors.”

” Chairman, aren’t you placing me on too high a pedestal.”

At these words, Bai Qi sighed helplessly. Why did all these leaders love to lure him with empty promises?

Stand shoulder to shoulder with great emperors?

Let’s discuss it when I become a Titled Legendary.

Regardless of whether President Qin had mentioned it or not, Bai Qi had no intention of halting the improvement plan for the Spirit-Control Orb.

Apart from increasing the storage limit of the Spirit Power Storage Device, Bai Qi was recently committed to researching specific Spirit-Control Orbs for different natured pet beasts.

Such as the Ground Orb for Ground System beasts, the Sky Orb for the Flying System, and the Wave Orb for the Water Department…

These special orbs that had added specific natured runes based on the original Spirit-Control Orbs could theoretically increase the success rate of forming contracts.

Once ordinary Spirit-Control Orbs became widespread, Bai Qi planned to gradually release these special orbs, which he was sure would sell like hotcakes.

What a pity, Nicholas’s Jade Imprint couldn’t become commonplace. Otherwise, the effect would be even better.

Oh, what about a limited edition?

Or holding a lottery?

Bai Qi’s brain was running wildly, and a complete business plan gradually took shape.

“Chairman, is the production of the Spirit-Control Orbs handled by the Federation?”

President Qin nodded and said, “The first batch of Spirit-Control Orbs was produced by the Thirteenth Bureau’s military factories, but I guess that they will gradually delegate the power to some corporations that major in Mechanical Engineering.”

“But, at most, they would only delegate the production of the Spirit-Control Orb’s shell. The Thirteenth Bureau would never hand the Spirit Power Storage Device to others.”

Bai Qi somehow hadn’t noticed anything, but President Qin knew very clearly what a significant strategic symbol Bai Qi’s Spirit Power Storage Device represented.

In the battles of Beast Masters, in addition to relying on pet beasts, using talents is also an important part. When a Beast Master uses their talent, it consumes both physical strength and spirit power.

Physical strength can be supplemented with potions, but replenishing spirit power solely with potions puts a considerable burden on a Beast Master’s body.

Once Bai Qi’s Spirit Power Storage Device was born, Beast Masters could store their spirit power in advance and extract it when needed.

Although a device that can reabsorb stored spirit power hasn’t appeared yet, President Qin was positive that the research department of the Thirteenth Bureau is definitely working overtime to develop one.

“I see… does Wuhou Corporation have production qualifications?”

Upon hearing this, Bai Qi finally understood and immediately thought of Zhuge Chen’s family.

“Probably not, Wuhou Corporation didn’t initially major in Mechanical Engineering, plus they’re already handling the farm for Spirit-Control Orb beasts. The Thirteenth Bureau won’t hand over the production of the Spirit- Control Orb to them again.”

“Alright then.”

Bai Qi sighed disappointingly. He originally planned to not let any water flow into others’ fields and give all the special orb manufacturing rights to the Zhuge family, saving him the trouble of further negotiations with the Thirteenth Bureau. It seemed that was too wishful thinking.

“However, I can roughly guess who the Thirteenth Bureau will hand the production of the Spirit-Control Orb to, and you are familiar with them,”

President Qin laughed, while Bai Qi reacted after a brief moment of confusion. “Xia’s Group?”

Although Xia’s Group is an emerging powerhouse within the Federation, they major in Mechanical Engineering. Moreover, the second son of Xia’s Group, Xia Yan, has a position in the Thirteenth Bureau, and even the military standard pet beast, Broken Army, is produced by Xia’s Group, it would only be natural for them to hand over the Spirit-Control Orb production to them.

“Correct, it’s Xia’s group.”

President Qin nodded and then revealed a strange smile, saying, “But after all, you invented the Spirit-Control Orb, so I presume the Thirteenth Bureau will ask for your opinion as a reference.”

“So, quite a few people might come to see you in the next few days. You better be prepared.”

“Come to see me?”

Bai Qi thought on that, while President Qin patted his shoulder, saying, “Don’t be soft-hearted when good benefits are delivered to your doorstep.”