Chapter 10: Capturing Screaming Mushroom

Bai Qi had practically gone through all the F-rank tasks, yet he still hadn't found a mission that caught his interest.

Maybe he should just pick a few random tasks to alleviate his financial pressure?

Just as Bai Qi was preparing to succumb to reality, an E-rank task appeared on the mission board.

In contrast to the F-rank tasks that mostly dealt with trivial matters, E-rank tasks tended to carry a degree of risk, so only professional Beast Masters usually had the qualifications to accept them.

However, it was surprising to Bai Qi that such an E-rank task would appear on the mission board for apprentice Beast Masters.

[E-rank Task]: Eradicate the Screaming Mushrooms

Screaming Mushrooms were a kind of plant-attribute beast, with a racial skill of shrieking. They mostly grew on the periphery of the Undead Hill, hiding in the mud and only popping up when people approached.

If someone wasn't prepared in advance, they could easily faint from the mushrooms' screams. If no other person happened to find them, by the time they woke up, they would likely be met with a swarm of undead creatures.

Why would the Beast Master Association send an apprentice Beast Master on such a task? Had the staff gone mad?

With questions brewing, Bai Qi carefully read the task information and finally understood.

Recently, due to the surge of undead popularity in Gusu City, the Beast Masters venturing into the Undead Hill had increased. They inadvertently carried out spores of the Screaming Mushrooms, resulting in a part of the fields on the outskirts of Gusu City being overrun by these mushrooms.

The reproduction rate of the Screaming Mushrooms was extremely fast. In a short amount of time, they surpassed the traditional 'four pests', causing much trouble for the farmers.

Therefore, several neighboring villages released a joint task asking Beast Masters for assistance in handling the situation.

This is it!

After reading the task information, Bai Qi immediately accepted it without any hesitation.

While the screams of the Screaming Mushrooms were troublesome for most beasts, to undead creatures like Alpha, they were basically useless. Moreover, the task was not located in the Undead Hill, making the mission much simpler.

Bai Qi put away the task board, ran to the female receptionist to register his information, and then waited by the side for others.

Although there was no threat from an undead beast master, the menace of a horde of Screaming Mushrooms was still considerable. Thus, Bai Qi couldn't handle the task alone and needed to wait for others to form a team.

Shortly afterward, four more individuals accepted the task. Bai Qi also received a notification to gather outside the Beast Master Association.

The four were around the same age as Bai Qi, and they seemed to know each other. They were in the middle of an enthusiastic conversation when Bai Qi arrived.

Seeing Bai Qi approaching, a tall youth with a cheerful smile on his face came up and said, "Hi, my name is Gao Cheng. Are you also a Beast Master who's accepted the Screaming Mushroom task?"

"Hello, everyone."

Bai Qi nodded, greeting the group. The other two also replied in kind.

"Let's introduce ourselves first."

Gao Cheng indicated himself first, "Gao Cheng, apprentice Beast Master, Level One First Stage Fire Armor Scorpion, proficient in Fiery Pincers Strike and Scorpion Tail Sting."

"Han Jian, apprentice Beast Master, Level Zero Stage Five Ice Crystal Toad, proficient in Ice Crystal Shot."

"Wei Ze, apprentice Beast Master, Level Zero Stage Five Emerald Centipede, proficient in Venomous Wrap."

"Wu Lan, apprentice Beast Master, Level Zero Stage Five Carbon-tailed Snake, proficient in Fire Star Tail Swing."

Has the influence of the Five Poisons Cult spread to the Other Realm as well? He seems to not fit in very well...

Bai Qi couldn't help but think to himself. He then introduced himself, "Bai Qi, apprentice Beast Master, Zero Stage, Sixth Level Shadow Bone Spike, proficient in Bone-breaking Reformation."

As soon as Bai Qi finished speaking, the group fell silent.

"Your beast doesn't have any attack skills?"

Gao Cheng looked at Bai Qi somewhat speechlessly, unsure of how to advise him. Bai Qi scratched his head awkwardly, "Well, there is one, but it's at a very low level, so I didn't mention it."

"You can't go on like this. It's tough to pass the professional Beast Master exam unless your beast has a couple of impressive attack skills."

Gao Cheng earnestly offered Bai Qi some advice. Looking at the sky, he said, "The client has already prepared protective tools for us. Unless anyone has any objections, we should get going."

The group exchanged glances, and since no objections were raised, they got into a car led by Gao Cheng, heading for the outskirts of Gusu City.

Gao Cheng was quite enthusiastic, providing advice for the mission throughout the journey. He didn't exclude Bai Qi just because his beast had no attacking skills. The group of five quickly got acquainted.

Bai Qi, observing the seasoned Gao Cheng, asked, "Brother Gao, your beast is already at the First Stage, why haven't you taken the professional Beast Master exam?"

Hearing Bai Qi's question, the other three showed curiosity too.

To become a professional Beast Master, the primary prerequisite was for their beast to reach the First Stage. Otherwise, they would not be eligible for the assessment.

Gao Cheng sighed, "I've already taken the exam three times but failed each time."

"Is the professional Beast Master exam that difficult?"

Bai Qi was slightly worried. He had planned to go to the Undead Hill outside the city after becoming a professional Beast Master. It now seemed like it would be a difficult task.

Gao Cheng solemnly nodded, "The professional Beast Master exam tests not only your ability to handle beasts but also your wilderness survival skills. It's not as simple as battling."

Wilderness survival skills?

Bai Qi had heard about it, but he had always thought the exam would only theoretically test these skills. Now, it seemed he had oversimplified it.

Seeing the others grow a bit disheartened by his words, Gao Cheng quickly tried to lift their spirits, "But you can still give it a try. Although it tests wilderness survival skills, it's not very hazardous, and it would be good to familiarize yourselves with it."

Wei Ze looked at Gao Cheng and asked, "So, Brother Gao, will you be participating in the next exam?"

Gao Cheng nodded, "Of course, I've spent a lot of time preparing for it. I don't think there should be any problems."

"Well, we probably won't. It seems like we don't have enough time."

The Beast Master Profession upgrade exams generally occurred once every three months, and the next exam was in half a month. They certainly wouldn't have enough time to prepare.

"By the way, Bai Qi, judging by your outfit, you must also be a student at Star Mechanics Academy. Why haven't you contracted a mechanical beast?"

Bai Qi shrugged, "I'm a mecha martial arts student. I only contracted my beast recently and didn't have time for other things because of some special reasons."

You only contracted your beast a few days ago and are already at level six? And you are from a non-combat major? What were they doing all this while..?

The four combat-major students looked at each other in silence...