Divine Beast Creator

Chapter 2358 - 2359: The Journey

Perhaps it’s because the year-end is approaching, but the Maomu City’s high-speed rail station is crowded with travelers. Compared to the usual crowds heading to various wilderness areas, this time it’s mostly folks returning home.

"So many students, how strange. The academy has been on break for a while, why are they only just starting their journeys now?"

Feng Yuan looked around at the travelers, puzzled. This crowd was mainly young people, most accompanied by one or two Spirit Beasts. One glance at their aura tells you they’re academy students, though some are returning from afar, while others are transferring through Maomu City.

Logically, they should have left when the holidays began, right?

"Not everyone is like you, without worries about Beast Taming resources. Even during the holidays, the academy hasn’t stopped issuing tasks. For them, staying at school to take on tasks and earn resources for nurturing is very important."

Qi Chen looked at Feng Yuan helplessly and explained. It’s quite simple, even he and Dou Yanlan have been executing academy tasks during this time. Though their strength isn’t particularly outstanding, it all depends on whom you compare to.

At least among their peers, their skills can be ranked at the top level, so the tasks issued by Maomu Academy aren’t beyond their reach.

Of course, tagging along with Feng Yuan for some fun doesn’t have much impact. After all, a lot of resources have been collected previously. Qi Chen and the others execute academy tasks simply to be prepared for anything.

Compared to endless training in the Data Domain, actual combat is irreplaceable. Some things, even the Data Domain can’t simulate real effects, let alone gain rich combat experience while obtaining resources.

If it weren’t for the approaching year-end, Qi Chen estimated most students would still be executing academy tasks.

"Speaking of tasks, the academy seems to have issued a temporary emergency summons task."

Dou Yanlan suddenly remembered something and looked at Feng Yuan. She felt this emergency summons task seemed odd, as if something was off, but couldn’t pinpoint the issue.

"Emergency summons? They wouldn’t halt other tasks, would they?"

Feng Yuan paused, then looked at Dou Yanlan puzzled. Because he didn’t rely on the academy’s resources, or if needed, he wouldn’t have to exchange credits through task completion, Feng Yuan didn’t closely follow academy tasks.

"Not exactly, just reduced the total amount of other tasks."

Dou Yanlan shook her head as she spoke. Feng Yuan frowned and checked the academy’s task list on his phone. Though mostly non-urgent tasks are shown, it was enough to deduce some things.

Feng Yuan only found the emergency summons task there, none of the regular welfare tasks for student credits.

As for the emergency summons tasks, they came with clear warnings. Not only were there strength requirements, but it also required students from this school and had strict time constraints. It even had rare punitive measures for violating task rules.

At first glance, these tasks seemed like a wartime state. However, Feng Yuan knew wartime conditions were much stricter. The pile of restrictions and requirements seemed a bit strange.

Noticing the location, he thought of something and shook his head with amusement.

"I get it. This concerns Drudgeon, or rather, Gululing. I suspect Maomu City’s manpower is lacking, so they’re temporarily recruiting from the student body to fill gaps."

"Manpower shortage?"

Qi Chen and Dou Yanlan looked at Feng Yuan with confusion as he smiled and said.

"Don’t forget that this year’s resource battle is quite troublesome. It’s taken away some manpower there. The issue with Gululing can’t be handled just by Cha Mu Town, it’s taken away more manpower. As year-end nears, maintaining order in city districts lacks personnel. With both parts occupying manpower, temporarily recruiting students to fill gaps is quite normal."

"I see."

Upon hearing this, Dou Yanlan reacted immediately. The resource battle initially caused manpower strain, but back then, it was barely manageable through overtime or staff adjustments. Now, with Gululing suddenly added, it became utterly unmanageable.

They couldn’t magically produce more manpower for allocation, so they relied on Maomu Academy’s students for help.

No wonder the emergency summons task contents seemed familiar; they’re essentially Maomu Special Service Team’s daily patrol and order maintenance, now recruiting from the academy shows their shortage.

"So, we..."

Qi Chen looked at Feng Yuan, hesitating. Feng Yuan chuckled and said.

"You want to help; it’s harmless."

"This, though, they might not lack us two, but you..."

"If they genuinely need me to take action, they’ll surely contact me directly, so I’m not inclined to go knocking."

He shrugged, explaining to Qi Chen’s questioning gaze. Unlike ordinary students, Feng Yuan could achieve more. But because of this, he believed if Maomu Special Service Team needed his help or tasks only he could handle, they’d contact him directly rather than vaguely list them at the academy.

After all, being this familiar, if there is a request for help, there’s no issue opening the topic.

If they didn’t approach him, it meant they didn’t deem it necessary to inconvenience Feng Yuan.

"You’re right. In that case, let’s go then."

Upon hearing Qi Chen, Feng Yuan was surprised and scrutinized Qi Chen as he said.

"I thought you might say you’d return to help～"

"Not possible. They’re not short on us two, no need."

Rolling his eyes, Qi Chen replied disapprovingly. Though knowing Feng Yuan’s statement was likely the truth, Qi Chen wasn’t planning to stay and assist the Special Service Team.

After all, the academy has many students. He and Dou Yanlan aren’t indispensable. At least, comparing to others, Qi Chen didn’t see himself as so vital.

"Hmm, you’re right. Hopefully, there’s no trouble in Baiman City."

Feng Yuan couldn’t help feeling a bit uneasy. If something unexpected happened there, it’d be troublesome.

"It’s all down to luck."

Veronia glanced at Feng Yuan and remarked. Feng Yuan scratched his head and laughed awkwardly; Qi Chen wanted to comfort him but was unsure how. There was no choice, wherever Feng Yuan went, incidents seemed more likely.

"Last Cha Mu Town trip had no issues; perhaps this one will be the same."

Dou Yanlan spoke up, resolving Feng Yuan’s predicament. As Feng Yuan and the others entered the station, waiting for their train, Maomu Academy’s task underwent a change, expanding from current students to include alumni, though it required evaluation.

"You could totally let Agunas help with opening a Space Gate; the scenery along the way isn’t great."

Veronia stood by the window, watching outside scenery flash by, remarking to Feng Yuan. Feng Yuan chuckled, hugging the Eggshell Chicken-shaped Xiao Ji and said.

"I feel this way gives the trip meaning. Space Gate arriving at target spot for clock-in and then rushing to the next place, is it truly amusing?"

"Monotonous scenery along the way isn’t that great either."

Veronia glanced at Feng Yuan, replying discontentedly. Qi Chen and Dou Yanlan tactfully didn’t engage in Feng Yuan and Veronia’s debate, as there was no right or wrong.

"Ah Chen, what do you think?"

Dou Yanlan leaned to Qi Chen’s ear, whispering the question. Initially, Qi Chen didn’t realize what she meant; with her hint, he grasped the inquiry.

Scratching his head, Qi Chen glanced at Feng Yuan ahead and quietly said.

"I think... this way is nice too. Despite the trip wasting time, perhaps some unexpected surprise awaits us on the way."

"And you?"

With a subtle smile, Dou Yanlan didn’t answer, gazing at the fleeting scenery outside as if pretending not to hear Qi Chen’s query.

Just as the train entered a tunnel, a sudden screeching brake sound echoed, forcibly halting the train within.

Before the passengers reacted, the train’s lights abruptly went out with a pop. If not for the air conditioning and ventilation systems still running, Feng Yuan would have thought the train had completely shut down.

"Is this the surprise you were anticipating?"

Veronia gave Feng Yuan a mischievous look. The lights out had no impact on them. Nearly every Beast Tamer’s beast could use a lighting Ultimate Move, let alone Veronia being a Divine Beast.

Similarly, many people had their beasts light up the carriage. This unexpected event made everyone wonder what was going on.

"Let’s go check what’s happening."

Sighing, Feng Yuan got up and said. In this situation, getting clarity was the only option.