Beast Taming: I'm Really Not a Cultivation Master

After touring Professor Yan’s research base and happily accepting ten vials of Cloud Mist No. 9 Potion, Li Qian didn’t head back to the Jade Research Base. Instead, he left the Third Secret Realm directly.

He returned alone. On the way, he saw students coming and going, and from their whispered conversations, Li Qian pieced a few things together. The Newborn Challenge Tournament was really happening, and it was on November 11th.

When Li Qian heard the date, he couldn’t help but purse his lips. ’The organizers are real geniuses,’ he thought sarcastically. Still, when he remembered that this Beast Taming World didn’t have the twisted holiday from his past life—the Zhonghua Family’s so-called "Singles’ Day" that was really just a shopping festival—he figured it didn’t matter.

Previously, when he spoke with Dean Fei and Professor Yan, they had both mentioned this. They said the rewards for this year’s Newborn Challenge Tournament were quite generous. They didn’t know the specifics yet, but it was already enough to get Li Qian excited.

Putting the combat side of it aside, this Newborn Challenge Tournament also had a cultivation competition. Li Qian felt that with his abilities, winning a prize would be a piece of cake.

As for eligibility, he didn’t have to worry about that at all. Dean Fei had already taken care of it for him. He wouldn’t have to participate in any internal selection trials; he was being parachuted straight in.

And so, listening to the chattering discussions of his fellow students, Li Qian soon arrived back at Xianya Garden.

The moment he returned, he was startled to see a shapely figure standing right at his dorm room door. It was none other than Lu Tianjiao’s old flame, Mary Galoway.

"Galoway Tongxue, here to see Lu Tongxue?" Li Qian asked with a smile as he slowly walked up to her.

The girl, who had a delicate face, a high-bridged nose, and sharp, exotic features, turned to the side and stared at him, her gaze intense.

Her cheeks were rosy, a far cry from her previous predicament. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call her a "Goddess."

The "Goddess" took a step closer, looking Li Qian straight in the eye. "No. I’m here, and it has nothing to do with that scumbag."

Li Qian’s expression remained blank, but inwardly he was complaining. ’Women... so petty. Lu Tianjiao saved her, for crying out loud. At most, that cancels out his previous romantic debts to her. No need to hold such a grudge.’

Grumbling aside, Li Qian was still a good host and invited the woman inside.

"So, what brings Galoway Tongxue here?" Li Qian asked, getting straight to the point after pouring her a glass of water.

"Just call me Mary. That’s what all the students call me."

The woman’s hand rested on the cup, a blush coloring her cheeks. "I came here to thank you again, Li Qian Tongxue."

Li Qian looked at her, confused. ’She already thanked me once. There’s no need to do it again.’

He replied politely, "Mary, I already accepted your thanks last time. And the fruit. I appreciate the thought."

"Saving my life can’t be repaid with a bag of fruit," Mary said. "Um, I wanted to ask... Li Qian Tongxue, are you free anytime soon? I’d like to treat you to a meal."

’Just as you’d expect from a girl of the Gaochang Race,’ Li Qian thought. ’She’s so direct with her feelings.’ It was a bit much for him to handle.

Yes, in this situation, at this very moment, if he still couldn’t figure out what this Mary was up to, then he would have transmigrated for nothing.

He’d saved her life, and now she was planning to repay him with her body.

Unfortunately, even though she was "Goddess"-level and attractive enough to blow ninety percent of the girls at the university out of the water...

...Li Qian just wasn’t feeling it.

The last time, she had been parasitized by that bizarre Extraordinary Creature and turned into a humanoid spider. That scene—and all those injuries—had left a deep impression on him.

Now, whenever he faced her, he couldn’t help but be reminded of that image, and it would instantly snap him back to his senses.

It killed any and all romantic thoughts.

So, Li Qian rejected her without hesitation. "Sorry, Mary, but I don’t think I’ll have time lately. The Newborn Challenge Tournament is about to start, and I need to prepare for it."

Rejecting a beautiful woman so directly was a bit awkward—not for him, but for her. That’s why Li Qian had tried to be tactful and make an excuse.

Li Qian had assumed Mary would take the hint and back off, but he never expected that not only would she not retreat, she’d get even more excited. "Li Qian Tongxue, you’re amazing! You’re actually competing in the Newborn Challenge Tournament? That’s perfect, I was planning on going to watch!"

Her eyes were practically sparkling with stars as she looked at Li Qian with adoration. "Well then, I’ll see you there!"

Li Qian felt a major headache coming on. He said awkwardly, "I... uh... I don’t even know where the competition is being held yet."

Mary immediately replied, her voice still full of excitement. From the look on her face, she was already lost in daydreams. "This year’s Newborn Challenge Tournament is at Kansai Beast Taming University! For those few days, all students except for the competitors will have a break. The university already posted a notice."

Li Qian didn’t know what to say. In the end, he could only force a sheepish smile. "Alright, then. See you there."

They chatted for a few more moments before Mary left. Before she went, the woman made a gesture and said, "Go for it, Li Qian Tongxue! I’m rooting for you!"

After Mary was gone, a figure suddenly popped out on the balcony and mimicked her in a cloyingly sweet voice, "Go for it, Li Qian Tongxue! I’m rooting for you, too!"

"Get lost!" Li Qian cursed, looking at Lu Tianjiao’s face.

Watching this guy, whose skin was thicker than a city wall, swagger inside, he couldn’t help but roll his eyes. "If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have gotten tangled up with this girl."

Lu Tianjiao just chuckled, found himself a spot on the sofa, and plopped down. "What’s so bad about getting tangled up with her? Tons of guys would kill for the chance. Let me tell you, Mary’s family is something else. If you married her, you could cut twenty years off your struggle."

Li Qian completely ignored Lu Tianjiao, looked at him, and said in a cold voice, "I don’t want to pick up sloppy seconds."

Hearing this, Lu Tianjiao hurriedly tried to explain. "Bro, don’t get the wrong idea. There was nothing serious between us. Girls from the Gaochang Race are just like that, more open with their feelings. In fact, she’s probably still a virgin."

Li Qian looked at him, his face full of disbelief. "Knowing your character, there’s no way you’d let a piece of meat that was already at your lips get away."

"Back when we were together, we held hands at most..." Lu Tianjiao continued to explain, though his voice lost confidence with each word. "And... maybe some kissing, a little touching, that kind of thing..."

He let slip a key piece of information, but Li Qian’s face only grew darker as he listened. "...that woman is actually pretty conservative at heart. She always interrupts before the crucial step..."

"Alright, just forget I said anything..."

Seeing Li Qian’s face, which had become as cold as ice water, he tactfully changed the subject, worried he might get punched if he kept going. "Right, I just heard. You’re going to compete in the Newborn Challenge Tournament?"

Li Qian went along with it, ending the previous topic. "Yeah. What about you? Didn’t get a spot?"

Lu Tianjiao said proudly, "The Combat Academy isn’t like your Cultivation College. Everything depends on strength. But with my skills, passing the internal selection is no problem at all."

He puffed out his chest, full of confidence. "We’ll go to Kansai Beast Taming University together!"