Beast Tamer: Why is the intelligence system a game announcement?

Chapter 1 The Psychedelic Insects are in the area

"Classmates, have you heard the story of the Elf King? In the second year of the Yuanhe era..."

Inside the Ningcheng Beast Taming Base, the principal of Ningcheng No. 1 Middle School was giving a passionate speech. Unfortunately, it was all just platitudes that everyone knew by heart.

They talked about things like the upcoming college entrance exam, cherishing one's youth, and the harmonious coexistence of spirits and humans, without mentioning anything of substance.

Lin Wu listened for a while, then glanced at the classmates beside her. Most of them were asleep, slumped over, but they were all patient.

After all, this was the last time he would give such a speech before the college entrance examination, and everyone chose to give this old man with a bad reputation one last bit of respect.

Moreover, today is the day of my coming-of-age ceremony.

Even the students are already enthusiastically discussing whether the three starter Pokémon at Ningcheng Beast Taming Base are better: Lake Spirit, Fire Hound, or Vanilla Turtle.

After all, after this speech, everyone can form a contract with their initial spirit at the Ningcheng Beast Taming Base and become a Beast Tamer.

Thinking of this, as a transmigrator, Lin Wu secretly felt a surge of anticipation for his upcoming career as a beast tamer.

Lin Wu, a transmigrator, arrived here about a week ago. In the past week, he has gained a general understanding of this world.

This is a world where humans and elves coexist harmoniously.

All things can possess a spirit. Mountains and rivers, grass and forests, from furnace fires to lava, from beasts to birds, and even the machines created by humankind, can all give birth to a spirit… and this extraordinary wisdom that rises from all things is called a spirit. And the pinnacle of these spirits is called the Spirit King.

The Elf Kings also possess a unique "ecological realm." This ecological realm transcends the material world, where elements interact and are simultaneously supported by the elves.

Here, elves follow designated paths to elevate their rank within the ecosystem. Through repeated rituals, they advance, supporting more ecosystems and climbing the food chain until they reach the realm of the Elf King. The pathways required for an elf's evolution are known as "evolutionary sequences."

Lin Wu, on the other hand, transmigrated into the body of a high school senior in Ningcheng, a small border town in the Eastern Federation. He was an orphan and was facing the upcoming college entrance examination.

Fortunately, he was not without support.

He has cheat codes.

Lin Wu stared at the void in front of him, his expression somewhat subtle.

[Announcement: Game Content and Balance Adjustments]

[Due to damage to the Fire-type Pokémon King's core, the destructive power and speed of Fire-type Pokémon such as Infernape have been reduced.]

The price of materials required for some evolution sequences has increased, affecting Pokémon such as Lake Spirit, Water Orchid, and Thunder Horse...

The resale price of Vanilla Turtle products will be reduced due to market saturation. Please take note, Vanilla Turtle players.

【…】

For the sake of game balance, we hope all players can understand this balance adjustment.

This is what makes forest mist so special.

After transmigrating, Lin Wu obtained a panel called "[Beast Master Game Announcement]", which would refresh with various announcements to remind Lin Wu of what had happened recently, or what was about to happen.

However, Lin Wu looked at the announcement from a week ago on the panel and couldn't help but show a troubled expression.

I understand your horse.

It's still Sima's doing. The three most famous starter beasts at Ningcheng Beast Taming Base have been nerfed to the bone, all their few remaining strengths are gone, and they haven't even been buffed. What kind of balance adjustment is this?

Forget it, I can't afford it anyway.

Thinking about this, Lin Wu felt a little better.

Just then, the principal finally finished his lengthy speech. Lin Wu looked up and saw an application form handed to her.

"Application Form for Spirit Contract at Ningcheng Beast Taming Base"

After glancing at the title, Lin Wu understood that it was time to choose her initial Pokémon.

Generally, most people would choose one of the three starter Pokémon at this point: Infernape, Lake Spirit, Vanilla, or Turtwig. However, the Ningcheng Pokémon Training Base isn't without other Pokémon...

"Hey, Lao Lin, what are you planning to choose?"

Suddenly, a round head and a flat face came closer, right in front of Lin Wu's eyes, and asked a question. Lin Wu raised his eyelids and recognized the person.

Zhou Tong is a well-known rich kid among the senior students at Ningcheng No. 1 High School. He is also a top student and has a good understanding of the knowledge points related to Pokémon.

Their relationship is pretty good, they're practically inseparable.

However, it's not unusual for high school seniors to share the same pair of underwear.

"Hypnotics, I guess."

Lin Wu twirled the pen twice, pressed the cap, making a clicking sound, and said casually.

But Zhou Tong's face showed a look of astonishment.

"Wait a minute, hallucinogenic bugs? What are you doing making a contract with that area?"

He blurted out the answer without thinking, and Lin Wu's lips twitched as she looked at Zhou Tong.

You've been talking too much, little bro.

"What do you know? I call this a more cost-effective option."

Lin Wu immediately retorted, and at the same time, filled in the name of the hallucinogenic insect on the application form.

"Come on, the title of Ningcheng's No. 1 District isn't just for show!"

Zhou Tong rolled his eyes: "We still haven't found a Bug-type Elf King, making Bug-type almost the worst type. And the Psychedelic Bug is also at the bottom of the Bug type, with almost no offensive capabilities. What were you thinking when you chose Psychedelic Bug?"

Because it's cheap!

Lin Wu thought to himself, and clicked the pen cap back on.

In this world, those without the Spirit King are destined to be inferior to other attributes, and unfortunately, this is the case for the Bug type.

However, precisely because of this, the price of Bug-type Pokémon has become outrageously low.

And the price of the psychedelic insect is even lower!

This is also one of the reasons why Lin Wu valued it. Having lost both his parents, he really didn't have much money to support the three royal families.

Even so, the decision to produce the psychedelic insects was made only with the help of government subsidies and low-interest loans.

"Hey, Lao Lin, are you serious? If it's really not working out, how about I lend you some money to upgrade to the top three?"

Zhou Tong frowned and spoke, his round face turning somewhat like a bitter gourd.

"Forget it, I actually think quite well of the psychedelic bug."

Lin Wu said casually, but his eyes were fixed on the game announcement in the void.

In fact, he had another reason for choosing the psychedelic insect.

[Event Announcement: A small number of mutated sprites have appeared!]

[Dear Ningcheng players, a very small number of mutated spirits have appeared at the Ningcheng Beast Taming Base. Interested players are encouraged to go and capture them as soon as possible!]

Below this announcement from a week ago, there was also a map that thoughtfully marked the locations where the Pokémon could be found.

Upon seeing this announcement, Lin Wu was surprised to discover that this area and the ecosystem of the hallucinogenic insects were completely duplicated...

From that moment on, Lin Wu knew he had to find out what was going on.

"Really? You're not one of those people who believe psychedelic worms have a future, are you?"

Zhou Tong made a sarcastic remark, and then said:

"Sigh, never mind, I can't argue with you. But if you really want to contract the hallucinogenic bugs, you can go and see the person in charge of the breeding area."

"I heard he's a pretty skilled beast tamer? Maybe you could ask him for some advice."

"Okay, thanks."

After Lin Wu finished speaking, he saw everyone getting up and heading towards the target Pokémon breeding area. He then stood up as well and waved to Zhou Tong.

"I'll be going now, see you later."

After saying that, Lin Wu left the auditorium, leaving Zhou Tong watching Lin Wu's retreating figure and muttering to himself.

"No, why on earth is he so unwilling to accept the contract...?"

........................

Twenty minutes later.

Standing at the entrance to the psychedelic insect breeding area, Lin Wu looked at the tightly locked door and the psychedelic insect ecological area behind it, and fell silent for a moment.

And deep down, I wondered if I had come to the wrong place.

What am I doing here? Is this still the Ningcheng Beast Taming Base?

Behind the door was a wild, untamed jungle, oblivious to the nature of the world, and an environment that looked like a primeval jungle, untouched for who knows how long.

In front of the door is the reception area, where a girl has an open comic book covering her head.

Lin Wu looked down at the comic book on the girl's head, the title of which was "Forbidden Love: The Psychedelic Bug and the Trainer".

Lin Wu looked troubled.

After a long silence, Lin Wu silently took a step back. At the same time, he looked at the girl with a hesitant expression on his face.

Hmm, this person seems to be the receptionist in charge of contracting hallucinogenic insects...

Is this really the person I'm looking for?

Should I wake her up?