HCB Ch. 41 - Chapter 41: Read More Books, Read More Newspapers
Ch. 41 - Chapter 41: Read More Books, Read More Newspapers
"The defense test begins now!" Director Liu announced from above.The Gatling gun in the exam hall transformed, its muzzle glowing with a faint blue light as the internal rubber bullets were replaced with special ammunition.
First to undergo testing was once again Xu Xiaoyu's Fire Bird.
Director Liu gave a reminder, "If your contract spirit can't handle it anymore, recall it immediately!"
Though such situations were extremely rare. Once a contract spirit's defense was breached, the test would be considered complete and the Gatling gun would automatically cease fire.
Xu Xiaoyu nodded slightly as the other students retreated over a hundred meters away.
"Rat-tat-tat-tat!"
The Gatling gun's barrel began spinning, constantly emitting blue light with intimidating momentum.
The Fire Bird planted itself on the ground, eyes half-closed in serene indifference.
Clearly, this level of attack posed no threat to it.
The Gatling gun's barrel accelerated again, and the bullet intensity seemed to change as well.
As the difficulty increased layer by layer, the Fire Bird's expression shifted from calm to serious, until it finally let out a sharp cry when a bullet hole appeared on its chest.
"The test is complete! Defense rating: B!"
The proctor called out while recording Xu Xiaoyu's score.
One by one, other contract spirits stepped forward to undergo the defense test.
Compared to the previous two assessments, defense scores were generally lower.
Besides Xu Xiaoyu, only two others achieved B-rank, with many receiving only an E-rank evaluation.
Students went up one after another. Chen Shu remained last as always, not getting his turn until all other students had finished testing.
The golden slime appeared like a large golden ball, eyes tightly shut with drool trickling out — clearly deep in dreams.
Fang Ke said, "Chen Shu, wake up your contract spirit."
Today's defense test was extremely important — no room for mistakes.
If he got another F-rank evaluation, Chen Shu would definitely be done for.
"No need, let's just start like this." Chen Shu shook his head, directly refusing.
The golden slime had the Thick Armor talent — its effectiveness tripled while sleeping, and its Sleepy talent also increased defense partially.
In other words, a sleeping slime was at its hardest.
"Begin." Director Liu nodded.
The other students also turned their gazes over, focusing on Chen Shu's slime.
In this final exam, Chen Shu could definitely be called a dark horse. Whether his attack power or Beast Tamer level, both ranked at the top of the grade.
In fact, many students had never even heard of Chen Shu before.
After all, he'd been sleeping in regular classes just a month ago, only recently coming to sleep in Beast Taming class instead.
"Rat-tat-tat-tat!"
The Gatling gun began spinning again with blue light flashing at its muzzle, but the golden slime remained completely motionless as its thunderous snoring battled the gunfire for dominance, creating the world's most bizarre symphony.
"Uh... this..."
Everyone was dumbfounded. This scene shocked them all.
The Gatling gun's intensity gradually increased, quickly rising from the lowest F-rank to B-rank.
Unlike the Fire Bird, the golden slime's defense wasn't instantly breached — it continued snoring away.
"Goo-ji..."
Suddenly, the slime's mouth gaped open in a massive yawn, and when some bullets shot directly into its mouth, it smacked its lips and actually swallowed them down.
Many people's eyes bulged, watching this scene in disbelief: "Is this really the supposedly weakest slime?"
Though it belonged to the special category of contract spirits, slimes definitely couldn't be called rare.
Among F-rank contract spirits, slimes made up at least 30% — not limited to golden ones, but coming in all colors.
How could such a weak contract spirit have such outstanding performance?
The audience couldn't accept this reality.
The B-rank barrage continued for nearly a minute without breaching the slime's defense.
"Could we be seeing an A-rank defense contract spirit?" Director Liu's eyes narrowed as he wondered.
But just as the Gatling gun was about to increase its attack level, the golden slime suddenly vanished.
"Huh? What happened?" Everyone looked at Chen Shu in confusion.
At this moment, options appeared before Chen Shu's eyes again.
[Option 1: Honestly admit the slime can't take it anymore.]
Completion reward: Slime defense +5%
[Option 2: Act mysterious and maintain mystique.]
Completion reward: Unlock new potion blueprint - Defense Potion
[Option 3: Stride out of the Beast Taming Arena dramatically, leaving a cool silhouette.]
Completion reward: Speed Potion
Did this even need consideration?
Options one and three were only temporary boosts. The potion blueprint was the most lasting benefit.
Chen Shu looked at everyone else with a completely calm gaze and declared: "B-rank attacks? Just this? Just this? I bet even A-rank attacks would be nothing! Teacher, just record the score—this A-rank attack, I, King Pi, won't even bother testing!"
"..."
Everyone fell silent. Seriously, could he show off any harder?
But for the moment, they really couldn't tell if the slime could handle A-rank attacks or not.
"Defense rating: B!"
The proctor finally recorded his defense rating.
Though it was the same rank as Xu Xiaoyu's, when evaluating comprehensively, the teachers would naturally consider his defense score to be higher.
"Today's Beast Taming Department examinations have concluded successfully. Your final exam scores will be sent to your phones."
Director Liu announced: "I hope you all have a pleasant summer vacation!"
Finally, he took a deep look at Chen Shu, his impression of this student already profound.
The contract spirit was bizarre, and the master took even more unconventional paths — impossible not to remember.
Everyone in the exam hall was in good spirits. Though some test results weren't ideal, thinking about the upcoming summer vacation lightened their moods considerably.
Of course, most people were still discussing Chen Shu and his slime.
Some even came specifically to ask him for advice.
"Brother Chen, Brother Chen." A ponytailed girl ran over.
"No need to be so polite, just call me Uncle." Chen Shu waved his hand dismissively.
The girl didn't process this, instead asking, "I wanted to ask how you train your contract spirit to be so powerful."
Chen Shu stroked his chin and said with utmost seriousness, "Read more books, read more newspapers, eat less snacks and sleep more."¹
"Chen Shu, come with me!" Fang Ke called out.
Just as Chen Shu was about to continue his nonsense, Fang Ke suddenly called him over.
"Remember, definitely make your contract spirit read more. Awaken its wisdom — my slime can already use a smartphone."
The girl stood frozen, her brain short-circuiting. So she should make her contract spirit read books and newspapers?
Chen Shu and Fang Ke left the exam hall and went to the school's sports field.
"Confident about making the special training class?" Fang Ke asked.
"One part hard work, nine parts destiny. I'll only know when results come out."
Chen Shu crossed his hands behind his head, looking completely relaxed.
He felt absolutely no pressure. In just one short month he'd become a Level 5 Beast Tamer. What heights would he reach in another year?
"You really are calm." Fang Ke's mouth twitched, then he sighed: "I misjudged you before. I didn't expect your talent to be so strong."
"Talent is important, but it's not the most important thing." Chen Shu suddenly grinned, looking up at the sky.
"Oh? You think it's hard work?" Fang Ke asked doubtfully.
How could it be hard work? Obviously it was the cheat system!
Chen Shu just smiled mysteriously, leisurely leaving the sports field.
The setting sun cast its light down, stretching Chen Shu's shadow very long, very long.
Fang Ke's eyes held a dazed look, as if seeing the future’s greatest Beast Tamer.
¹ "多讀書多看報，少吃零食多睡覺" (Read more books, read more newspapers, eat less snacks and sleep more) — A play on the famous Chinese saying about self-improvement through education. Chen Shu twists this legitimate advice into absurd pet training instructions, particularly ironic since his slime gets stronger by sleeping.