Chapter 2: Initial Entry into the Association

Lin Fan panted as he chased Taotie through the streets. The Nine Underworld Ghost Caravan raged over the city, its nine heads constantly spewing venom. Wherever it passed, buildings were corroded and the streets were filled with people fleeing in panic.

"Mortal, stay close." Taotie looked back at Lin Fan, "Let this seat show you its true strength."

Before Lin Fan could reply, the Taotie had already leapt up and turned into a black shadow rushing towards the Nine Underworlds Ghost Carriage. Its size continued to expand during its flight, and in the blink of an eye, it became as huge as the Nine Underworlds Ghost Car.

"Roar!" The Taotie let out a roar that shook the heavens and the earth, and the nine heads turned towards it at the same time, spewing out venom.

The Taotie didn't dodge and opened its bloody mouth, surprisingly swallowing all of the venom. The Nine Underworlds Ghost Car seems to be enraged, and the nine heads simultaneously let out ear-piercing screams as they pounce towards Taotie.

"Mortal, watch this." Taotie's voice resounded in Lin Fan's mind, "This is the true power of this seat!"

Only to see the Taotie's body suddenly erupt in dazzling black light, its size expanding once again, surpassing the Nine Underworld Ghost Caravan in the blink of an eye. The nine heads opened at the same time, revealing the densely packed sharp teeth inside.

"Swallow the sky and devour the earth!" The Taotie let out a roar as all nine heads simultaneously bit into the Nine Underworlds Ghost Car.

The Nine Underworlds Ghost Car let out a mournful scream as all nine heads were swallowed by the Taotie one bite at a time. Its body quickly dried up and finally turned into a ball of black gas that was sucked into the Taotie's belly.

Lin Fan watched this scene dumbfounded until the Taotie changed back to its original size and landed in front of him.

"Good taste." Taotie licked his lips, "It's just a bit salty."

Lin Fan: "..."

Just then, several figures descended from the sky. The leader was none other than the man from the Imperial Beastmaster Association from before, and he was followed by Su Yuqing and a few Imperial Beastmasters in uniform.

"This is incredible..." The man looked at Taotie, his eyes filled with shock, "To be able to tackle the Earth Realm 5-star Nine Underworld Ghost Carriage so easily..."

Su Yuqing was also shocked, "This... Is this really the strength of a Mythic Grade Spirit Beast?"

The man took a deep breath and turned to Lin Fan, "Student Lin Fan, I officially invite you to join the Imperial Beast Master Association. With your talent, you will definitely be able to become a top Imperial Beast Master in the future."

Lin Fan hesitated, "That... Are there any benefits to joining the association?"

The man smiled, "First of all, we will provide you with professional training to help you quickly improve your strength. Secondly, the association will provide you with a generous stipend, enough to feed your... Uh, spirit beasts."

Lin Fan glanced at Taotie who was licking his paws and sighed, "Alright, I'll join."

Just like that, Lin Fan officially became a member of the Imperial Beast Master Association. The man brought him to the association's headquarters, a tall building hidden in the center of the city.

"This is the headquarters of the association, on the surface it is an ordinary office building, but in reality..." The man pressed the elevator button, "The underground is the real core area."

The elevator slowly descended, and Lin Fan felt some discomfort in his eardrums. When the elevator doors opened again, he saw a huge underground space.

"Welcome to the Imperial Beastmaster Association's headquarters." The man smiled, "This is the largest Imperial Beastmaster training base in the country, as well as the most important research facility."

Lin Fan stared dumbfounded at everything in front of him: a huge training ground where all kinds of Spirit Beasts were being trained; a transparent laboratory where researchers were studying the genes of Spirit Beasts; and rows and rows of classrooms filled with Imperial Beastmasters who were studying.

"First of all, we need to conduct a detailed test on your spirit beast." The man led Lin Fan to a laboratory, "So that we can determine its specific rank and ability."

In the lab, several researchers were busy. When they saw Taotie, they all showed surprised expressions.

"Is this the Mythic Grade Spirit Beast?" A female researcher wearing glasses asked.

The man nodded, "Yes, please complete the testing as soon as possible."

The researchers began to get busy, and various instruments were aimed at Taotie. Lin Fan looked at Taotie with some concern, fearing that it would be impatient.

However, Taotie was surprisingly cooperative, and even commented on the researchers: ''This mortal's glasses are good, but the prescription is a bit high. That mortal's white coat is too ugly, I suggest replacing it with a red one..."

Lin Fan: "..."

The test lasted for two whole hours. When the results came out, everyone was stunned.

"This... This is impossible..." The female researcher wearing glasses trembled, "According to the test results, the energy level of this spirit beast has reached... 7 stars of the Jupiter Realm!"

The man sucked in a breath of cold air, "Jupiter Realm 7 Star? That's a rank second only to Lord Li Tianming!"

Lin Fan was also stunned, "Taotie, you're that powerful?"

Taotie yawned lazily, "This seat has long said that a mere Nine Underworlds Ghost Carriage is nothing? If it hadn't been sealed for too long, this seat would be even stronger."

The man excitedly grabbed Lin Fan's shoulders, "Student Lin Fan, you are simply a genius! The association will definitely train you with all its might!"

Just then, a majestic voice sounded, "What's going on?"

Lin Fan turned his head to look, only to see a middle-aged man in a black suit walk over. His face was serious and his eyes were sharp, giving off a feeling of unruffled authority.

"President!" The man hurriedly saluted, "This is student Lin Fan, he has just awakened and summoned a mythical spirit beast of 7 stars of the Jupiter realm!"

A flash of surprise flashed across the president's eyes, but he quickly regained his composure, "Not bad. Student Lin Fan, welcome to the Imperial Beast Master Association. I am the president, Chen Tianming."

Lin Fan nodded his head somewhat nervously, "Good day, President Chen."

Chen Tianming sized up Lin Fan for a moment, then said, "Since you have such talent, then you can directly enter the elite class. Su Yuqing, you take him to go through the formalities."

Su Yuqing nodded, "Okay, President."

Just like that, Lin Fan officially became a member of the Imperial Beast Master Association. Under Su Yuqing's guidance, he went through various formalities and received the association's uniform and badge.

"This is your dormitory key." Su Yuqing handed Lin Fan a key, "Elite class trainees all live in the association's headquarters for the convenience of training and learning."

Lin Fan took the key and asked with some apprehension, "That... Is the elite class difficult?"

Su Yuqing smiled, "Don't worry, with your talent, you should be able to adapt quickly. However..." She glanced at Taotie who was munching on snacks, "You need to find a way to control your spirit beast, it just ate all the cafeteria's inventory."