Chen Yue followed the directions and arrived outside the city gates.
The scenery outside the city was a stark contrast to what was inside. The towering skyscrapers he was used to seeing were nowhere to be found. Instead, lush greenery grew wildly in all directions.
With the invasion of the secret realms, the flora and fauna of Earth had also been greatly affected. As a result, plants and animals here were significantly larger than those of his previous life. However, perhaps due to the relatively short duration of exposure, Earth hadn't yet spawned fearsome beasts on par with those found within the secret realms.
Still, rumors had it that federal researchers were investigating the possibility of contracting native Earth beasts, though no official developments had been released yet.
As Chen Yue pondered his route, he noticed many beast tamers summoning their beasts or mounting hoverbikes and similar tools. Since they were all heading in the same direction, he surmised the secret realm must be located that way.
Watching others' beasts and hover vehicles, Chen Yue couldn't help but feel a little envious.
Sigh… when will I have my own transportation? Maybe contracting a rideable beast wouldn't be a bad idea.
He started mentally planning for his next contracted beast, but for now, he had no choice but to rely on his own two feet.
"But before that, I'd better summon Bastet first."
With a flash of silver light, Bastet appeared as Chen Yue summoned his Silver-grade Contract Book.
He gently stroked Bastet's head, and the cat-like creature purred contentedly in response.
Bringing Bastet out wasn't a whim; it was a calculated decision. From what Chen Yue had researched, once outside city limits, the federal government's authority over beast tamers dropped significantly. A beast tamer could easily kill someone without leaving a trace.
For his own safety, summoning Bastet was the obvious choice.
Feeling a bit more secure with Bastet by his side, Chen Yue picked up his pace toward the entrance of the Sacred Light Secret Realm.
To protect civilians, cities were generally built far from secret realms. Even this so-called "close" destination still took him nearly an hour of running to reach.
Fortunately, his physical strength had improved due to feedback from Bastet's growth, so this kind of aerobic exercise was no big deal.
The staging area outside the realm had no permanent structures, only some makeshift installations—but the federal government still maintained a presence.
Every secret realm entrance was guarded by beast tamers whose strength matched the realm's danger level. For this low-tier Sacred Light Secret Realm, a Gold-ranked beast tamer had been assigned.
Slowing his steps, Chen Yue looked at the makeshift outpost. Bastet, sensing the growing crowd, leapt into his arms.
"Need one defense-type tamer for our team—anyone?"
"Looking for attack-type tamers to team up!"
"-1 healer-type tamer! DM if interested!"
Hearing the constant shouting around him, Chen Yue briefly felt like he'd walked into a video game. But after thinking about how diverse beast tamer talents and beast abilities were, he understood the chaos.
After all, versatile beasts like Bastet, who were strong in both offense and defense, were rare.
Scanning the bustling crowd, Chen Yue approached a group of four—led by a burly bald man.
"Hello, I'd like to join your team."
He got straight to the point.
The bald man gave Chen Yue a quick once-over, then shook his head.
"You haven't graduated yet, have you? Go home. Secret realms aren't places for kids like you."
Unbothered by the rejection, Chen Yue calmly replied, "Don't be so quick to turn me down."
Just as he was thinking of how to prove himself, a short, squinty-eyed young man behind the bald leader interrupted rudely.
"Why the hell so much talking? Didn't you hear him? Beat it already!"
The bald man frowned at the interruption. "Don't mind Hans, he just—"
"Captain!" Hans cut him off. "What's the point of wasting time? Let's just chase him off!"
With that, he summoned his Bronze Contract Book. "Let me show you the gap between us. Maybe then you'll stop dreaming!"
A flash of white light revealed a green-skinned creature that looked like a raccoon but with slightly odd features.
Chen Yue sighed inwardly. Did I even say anything? You're just begging to be humiliated.
Not out of arrogance, but from the confidence Bastet's growing power gave him.
He used his True Sight talent to scan Hans' beast.
[Name]: Wood Raccoon
[Stage]: Growth Stage 12%
[Potential]: Elite Grade
[Attribute]: Wood
[Skills]: Dash, Claw
[Description]: A limited potential beast whose only attack is its claws.
[Evolution Route]: None
Chen Yue sneered inwardly. This is probably the most useless beast I've seen since I transmigrated.
His expression clearly annoyed Hans. "What, kid? Afraid to fight? If so, then get lost!"
The bald man sighed. "Hans really needs to work on his temper, or it'll get him in trouble one day…"
The other two team members looked on indifferently.
Chen Yue wasn't one to tolerate provocations. With a thought, Bastet's eyes lit up—Flash Step activated.
In an instant, she appeared before the Wood Raccoon, delivering a sharp Light Claw. The beast was launched backwards with a yelp.
Wood-type beasts usually had decent defense, but before it could land, Bastet blinked again and slashed once more.
After a few quick exchanges, the Wood Raccoon was knocked unconscious, possibly worse.
Hans stood frozen, jaw agape. The others were equally stunned.
Still not satisfied, Chen Yue summoned his Silver-grade Contract Book and said calmly:
"Farewell."
Without another word, he turned and walked away, leaving the group in a daze.
As he disappeared into the distance, the bald man shouted angrily:
"Hans! I told you to control that temper! Look what you've done!"
The other two chimed in behind him,
"Yeah, Captain! We should kick him out! He's going to get us into serious trouble one day!"
Hans didn't argue. He quietly retrieved his unconscious beast, turned around, and walked away—but there was a dark glint of resentment in his eyes.