Beast Taming: My System is Bugged

While Gu Ming was in secluded Cultivation inside his room, he suddenly jolted awake, feeling a shadow of fear taking root within him.

Gu Ming looked down at his phone and saw Elder Huo had posted a message in the "Secluded Cultivation Group Chat":

"Students, the university is leading the research on the critically injured and near-death Terror Executioner.

"If any of you experience any strange symptoms, crush your Teleportation Stone immediately. Our response team is on standby around the clock and can teleport to any location on campus to provide aid."

Seeing this message, Gu Ming knew the Terror Executioner had been brought out.

The Seed of Shadow from the future had also arrived in the present, invading the body of every Beastmaster who had laid eyes on the Terror Executioner.

Gu Ming activated his Divine Sense Sword Body and swept it through his own.

The shadow of fear didn’t dissipate. It lingered, impossible for his Divine Sense Sword Body to simply purge. At best, he could only use his Ultimate Thought to suppress the fear and resume practicing the Cyan Pine Cultivation Technique.

Even Gu Ming found his Cultivation somewhat strenuous, to say nothing of the students who hadn’t mastered Ultimate Thought.

「In the outside world.」

Although news of the Terror Executioner was circulating in elite circles, it hadn’t reached the internet, so panic had yet to spread.

The news everyone received was that Wenquxing University had taken the lead by exploring the third basement level of the Yichuan Ruins, becoming the nation’s foremost archaeological pioneers.

As a result, members of the Array Society became hot commodities, and the Outdoor Exploration Club was thrust into the spotlight.

The presidents of both clubs had to deal with countless inquiries from outsiders and applications for new membership every day.

As for news of the "Quasi-Path Level Breathing Technique," the university had yet to publish a formal paper.

However, some media outlets had already begun reporting on the Quasi-Path Level Breathing Technique.

This also caused countless pairs of eyes from off-campus to become fixed on Gu Ming’s residence.

...

「One week later.」

Gu Ming emerged from his secluded Cultivation.

His aura was contained, but his gaze was even more profound.

The moment he stepped out of his dorm, Elder Huo, who had been waiting for a long time, escorted him to a new research group’s conference room.

Inside the conference room, besides the university’s top brass, there were several outsiders with sharp gazes and deep, profound auras.

They were introduced as special commissioners from the Royal Monuments Management Bureau.

"Gu Ming."

A sharp, capable-looking commissioner with gold-rimmed glasses got straight to the point.

"Your performance in the Yichuan Ruins was astounding.

"The Bureau places great importance on Cyan Treasure’s breakthrough with its Breathing Technique.

"For the sake of all humankind’s great endeavor in exploring these ruins.

"We sincerely invite you to join the Monuments Management Bureau to work with us toward a greater future."

"Furthermore, upon joining the Bureau, we will grant you corresponding honors and a priority allocation of resources."

Though his words were polite, the pressure was unspoken but clear.

The university leaders present also turned to look at him, their gazes holding neither expectation nor curiosity—only cold, emotionless scrutiny.

Gu Ming took a deep breath. ’The real test is here,’ he thought.

Cyan Treasure had put on a dazzling display at the Yichuan Ruins.

Compared to Mianmian’s Perception Talent, which was akin to resonating with ancient Divine Beasts, Cyan Treasure’s Quasi-Path Level Breathing Technique was what humanity most urgently needed at this moment.

Gaining a one-year head start was equivalent to being countless years ahead of everyone else.

Gu Ming understood the reasoning perfectly. ’Whoever empties the ruins first gets the most valuable resources. Latecomers will only get the leftovers. They’re trying to recruit me by offering me a position as a public official. To the Royal Family, a mere position and some rewards are nothing at all. In fact, I’m supposed to be deeply grateful for the opportunity. After all, an ordinary person without connections could never dream of getting into the Royal Monuments Management Bureau.’

But Gu Ming didn’t really want to switch jobs. He already had a position at the Cultivation Method Company.

Jumping ship to the Royal Monuments Management Bureau meant not only an unfamiliar environment, but his future compensation and treatment would also be a huge question mark.

Besides, he knew that ’a capable person can make a living anywhere.’

The alternative for them was to halt their current operations and push their own Pet Beasts to cultivate a Breathing Technique and refine it to the Quasi-Path Skill Level.

But Gu Ming knew it wasn’t that simple.

’Why is there a Skill Level called Perfection for Cultivation Techniques and Skills? And why is there an even higher level beyond Perfection? The reason is that for an ordinary Cultivation Technique, reaching Perfection is the true end point. It’s the absolute peak of that technique, with no room for further progress. But going beyond Perfection signifies a new breakthrough in that particular Domain of the Dao. This wasn’t something that even a Pet Beast with incredible aptitude could easily imitate. Otherwise, honorifics like ’Founding Patriarch’ wouldn’t exist, nor would people risk their lives reading in the Hall of the Great Dao just for a chance at Enlightenment. When Cyan Treasure’s Breathing Technique broke through Perfection to reach the Quasi-Path Level, it meant that any subsequent modified versions originating from it would find it extremely difficult to surpass the limits of Perfection. After a Daoist Skill reaches Perfection, the number of ’Paths’ one can take beyond it is finite. Once a Pet Beast forges one path, that path is taken, and there is one less available for others. The path Cyan Treasure has taken is most likely a very versatile one. If others want to innovate and forge their own new path, it will require immense effort.’

The Royal Monuments Management Bureau didn’t want to bother with all that, nor did they want to waste time.

Simply securing Gu Ming and bringing him into their fold was the easiest, most direct solution.

’Surely, Student Gu Ming wouldn’t refuse this stable royal position that so many people yearn for, would he?’

As these thoughts ran through the Royal Special Commissioner’s mind, a faint smile touched his lips. He looked at Gu Ming as if welcoming a new colleague.

Gu Ming pressed his lips together. After a few seconds, he spoke four words: "I need to think."

The special commissioner was taken aback for a moment, then grew pensive.

’What is he hesitating for? This is a much better deal than his job at that company.’

"Are you worried about the breach of contract penalty from the Ruan Family’s Cultivation Method Company? Don’t be. The Bureau can directly facilitate your transfer. The Ruan Family’s company won’t stand in your way."

The commissioner paused, assuming this was Gu Ming’s concern.

’The Ruan Family has connections at Court, and the Bureau is also acquainted with their top leadership. It’s just a simple matter of a personnel transfer. Once the higher-ups have a word, they can poach Gu Ming with no effort at all. However, such a forceful transfer would undoubtedly cause resentment on Gu Ming’s part. So, getting him to switch jobs voluntarily was more reasonable and followed proper procedure.’

"Ahem, allow me to first report on our research group’s situation."

Seeing both sides had fallen silent, Elder Huo stepped in to break the ice.

"The university has now eliminated the Terror Executioner, but the Seed of Shadow has not yet dissipated.

"Based on our observations over the past few days, the shadow of fear is no longer growing, which should mean the situation has stabilized.

"Therefore, all students will be able to move about freely for the time being.

"Of course, just in case, it’s best not to stray too far from campus. The Teleportation Stones in your possession all have range limitations."

In the back of the room were the other students who had been part of the Yichuan Ruins exploration.

They had all been waiting for news about the Terror Executioner, and upon hearing that it had been eliminated, they breathed a collective sigh of relief.

Gu Ming was somewhat surprised by this, and Elder Huo’s words interrupted his train of thought.

The Seed of Shadow inside him had indeed stopped growing, but he was surprised the university had actually managed to kill the Terror Executioner.

’Was it because someone at the university had an incident?’

Gu Ming scrolled through the system’s past commentary.

While he was in seclusion, the system continued to update its log entries as usual.

Sure enough, Gu Ming found two historical entries detailing an outbreak of the Seed of Shadow that had caused chaos on campus.

They were time-stamped three and a half days ago.

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