Let's not even mention the realms beyond Platinum-tier.
Just focusing on Platinum-tier mystical beasts—typically, only one Platinum-tier mystical beast emerges from a population of ten million. And this single Platinum-tier beast, even at level 1, possesses base attributes far surpassing those of a Bronze-tier beastmaster. Rumor has it that the base stats of a Platinum-tier beast are at least ten times higher than those of a Bronze-tier beastmaster.
"These things are usually taught to you after you enter college," Jia Yunwan said lazily. "But I'm telling you now in advance, only because you're the only genius in our class."
"To put it plainly, our school has twenty-one classes in the senior year, and this year, there are thirty geniuses in total. Tsk, if only our class had one more."
Li Miao silently closed her mouth.
Fortunately, the topic quickly passed, and Jia Yunwan didn't dwell on these frustrating matters.
The first half of her life had been smooth sailing, and the only setback in the second half was the class Li Miao was in—
A top-tier beastmaster instructor couldn't even nurture a single top-tier beastmaster seed? And this despite having abundant resources at her disposal.
Now, the only promising student in the entire class was right beside her. Thinking about Li Miao's spirit sense, which was well over two hundred, Jia Yunwan suddenly felt reassured.
With this, perhaps her father… wouldn't scold her anymore?
Jia Yunwan sighed and then patted the mystical beast beneath her.
"We've arrived."
Fengfeng let out a long cry, as if returning to its nest, and in an instant, it drew the attention of the flying birds on the island below.
One after another, bird-type mystical beasts circled around it, chattering noisily as if greeting their leader, the noise making Li Miao's ears buzz.
Finally, Fengfeng let out another cry, and the birds slowly settled down.
Li Miao and Jia Yunwan landed together with Fengfeng on the beach of the massive island below.
Erha, probably seeing the ocean for the first time, went wild the moment it jumped onto the sand.
One moment it was doggy-paddling in the seawater, the next it was madly digging in the sand—simple and joyful, like a little bee buzzing around honey.
Li Miao barely had time to remind it to be careful before watching Fengfeng return to the summoning array, its form shifting from solid to phantom before dissipating completely.
"Where… is this?" she asked Jia Yunwan.
"My home."
Li Miao rubbed her ears.
"Sorry, teacher, I think I misheard. What did you say this place was?"
"I said, this is my home."
Jia Yunwan rolled her eyes. "What? Is my home really that shocking to you?"
Absolutely.
Li Miao might as well have stamped the word "tycoon" on Jia Yunwan's forehead.
Her classmates had guessed Jia Yunwan was wealthy, but they never imagined she was this wealthy!
An entire freaking island!
And it was Jia Yunwan's home!?
Li Miao silently clung to Jia Yunwan's arm.
"What are you doing?"
Jia Yunwan was startled by the sudden gesture.
"Teacher, what do you think of me?"
Li Miao said earnestly, "I can run, jump, and make you laugh. I'll do anything to make you happy. Even if you want to pluck the stars from the sky, I'll—"
"Shut up."
Jia Yunwan pushed her face away, expression dark. "I'm not into women. Get lost."
"No, no, I was just asking—teacher, do you happen to need a best friend?"
"Scram."
"Alrighty then."
Li Miao promptly let go, standing obediently behind Jia Yunwan. "But teacher, are you sure you won't reconsider? I genuinely think we'd be perfect together."
"Scram."
Li Miao pouted, feigning hurt. "Fine, if you don't want me, you don't. But why so harsh~? I'm just a child, how can you be so mean to a child?"
Jia Yunwan laughed in exasperation.
Since when was Li Miao this shameless?
Though…
She didn't exactly hate it.
"Enough messing around. Call your mystical beast over. My dad sent someone to pick us up."
As soon as she finished speaking, a military-green off-road vehicle appeared before them. Its high chassis and rugged lines made Li Miao gasp in awe once more.
"Holy crap! The limited-edition Off-Road X78!"
"Didn't expect you to know your cars~"
Jia Yunwan patted Li Miao's head before heading toward the vehicle. "Let's go."
Li Miao eagerly followed, making sure to call Erha along before leaving.
Erha turned around and, seeing its master about to leave with Jia Yunwan, immediately abandoned its playtime and bounded over. With a leap, it pounced onto Li Miao, who had just settled into her seat.
Li Miao clutched her stomach. "...Erha, I swear, one of these days, you're going to be the death of me."
That pounce had nearly knocked her intestines out.
Thankfully, she'd received Erha's base stat feedback, which enhanced her own defense and stamina. Otherwise, she'd already be in the ICU.
Erha's ears drooped like airplane wings. "Awoo..."
I didn't mean it~
Master, master, don't be mad! I won't do it again!
Li Miao side-eyed the Husky. "That's what you always say. And yet?"
"Hmph!"
Erha whimpered, tail drooping sadly.
Li Miao absentmindedly ruffled its head, then brushed the sand off its fur.
"Alright, I'm not mad. Stop sulking."
Erha didn't quite believe her—but…
She's petting me!
Master is petting me!
Instantly revitalized, Erha sat upright in the backseat, its tail wagging like a hyperactive spinning top, never pausing for even a second.
Jia Yunwan pretended not to notice the interaction between the girl and the dog in the back.
Sitting in the passenger seat, she lazily glanced at the "person" in the driver's seat.
"Why you? Where's my dad?"
The "person" in the driver's seat wobbled like jelly.
Startled, Li Miao caught the sight from the corner of her eye—the next second, the humanoid driver visibly morphed into a transparent, gelatinous mass.
Her jaw dropped involuntarily.
Th-this… this…
A mystical beast is driving!?
D-does it even have a driver's license!?
Before she could voice her question, the beast let out a sound.
"Rai!"
Hold on tight.
Somehow, Li Miao understood the meaning behind the utterance.
And the next moment, the car accelerated wildly, the speedometer maxing out instantly.
In almost no time at all, Li Miao and Erha tumbled into a tangled heap, clinging to each other and trembling.
The driving skills… were practically on par with Jia Yunwan's.
No way, no way—
A thought struck Li Miao—
Was Jia Yunwan's driving taught by this mystical beast?!
Just as she pondered this, Jia Yunwan spoke from the front. "Brother Rai, your skills are as sharp as ever."
"Rai!"
The Slime jiggled excitedly again, making Li Miao's heart race.
It extended two pseudopods, morphing them into hands to sign rapidly—weird and slightly terrifying.
Slime: Of course! After all these years of driving, did you expect anything less?
Slime: Remember back then? You learned your driving from me~
Slime: See? My skills haven't dulled one bit!
Li Miao: "..."
Having understood the gestures, she shut her eyes in agony.
I don't know if your driving's gotten worse, but I do know one thing.
Erha and I are probably…
Going to die.
Because, while you were busy signing, a massive tree trunk appeared right in front of you—
And the car's about to crash into it!