Weixian,
"Remember to listen to Master Shi when you’re at the academy, don’t make him angry, and don’t bully your junior students..."
"Oh, I know already!"
Su Bamboo put on her faded sneakers, took a few steps forward, turned around and waved, her smile as bright and charming as the sunlight streaming onto the stairs: "Mom, I’m leaving!"
"Okay, take care on the way..."
Before she finished speaking, there was a loud bang, and the door was slammed shut heavily. Mrs. Su shook her head helplessly, "This child is always so impatient."
Su Bamboo jogged away from the stairs, her movements nimble, her white and skinny figure bursting with the youth and vitality of a girl about seventeen or eighteen years old. Her forearms swung rhythmically as she braved the biting cold wind and moved forward.
The neighbor who was walking towards her warmly asked, "Little Bamboo, heading to the academy again?"
Su Bamboo shifted her gaze and smiled brightly, "Yes, Mrs. Sun."
"When you go to school in Phoenix City next semester, don’t forget us elders who have watched you grow up."
Su Bamboo withdrew her gaze, her voice light and quick, "Don’t worry, Mrs. Sun, I’ll come back every semester to see you all."
After saying goodbye to Mrs. Sun, Su Bamboo continued jogging, leaving the community behind.
Even though it was Friday, having already passed the entrance examination to Yunhua Beast Taming Academy, she did not need to keep attending classes at school and could wait patiently for the next semester to start.
But Su Bamboo isn’t one to idle around.
December in Weixian brought harsh cold winds, so Su Bamboo tightened her sweater, turned her head to look at the Wooden Panda clinging on her shoulder, and smiled slightly: "Feeling cold? Want to hide in the Pet Beast space for a while?"
"Roar~"
The Wooden Panda waved its little paw and shook its head.
Born strong, it didn’t need to shy away from this cold wind.
Differing from the Wooden Panda Chen Yuan met in the bamboo forest, this Wooden Panda was only palm-sized, delicate and small, like a little figurine.
"Then hold on tight, I’m going to speed up."
With these words, Su Bamboo took a shallow breath before assuming a running posture, arms swinging, dashing forward.
"Roar~"
The Wooden Panda tucked its sharp claws into its plump paw pads, cautiously gripping Su Bamboo to avoid being thrown off.
Because of the strong wind and cold weather, although it was morning, there were few pedestrians on the streets, further adding to the desolation of this small county away from bustling areas.
After running at full speed for a while, Su Bamboo, panting heavily, paused for a rest.
Standing here, she raised her head and looked ahead, clearly seeing a graffiti wall across the street.
Every time she saw the image on the wall, Su Bamboo couldn’t help but feel a surge of emotion.
In the image, a figure stood in the center holding a glorious championship trophy, a majestic Gale Hunting Dog at the left baring its teeth towards the front, and a Flame Cloud Falcon flying on the right, its gaze proud and disdainful.
One person, two pets, the image was very simple, yet had made this place a famous spot for photos.
"Let’s go."
Just like always, Su Bamboo stared at the painting for a while before, once she had recovered most of her strength, carrying on with the Wooden Panda.
At the bus stop, in various bulletin boards, congratulatory messages remained visible - Warm congratulations to Advisor Chen Yuan for winning the championship in the first Da Feng Cup, bringing glory to Baokun City!
Like Taibai County, Weixian is under the jurisdiction of Baokun City, but this remote county south of Qinling Mountains is even more obscure than Taibai County.
Yet when Chen Yuan progressed in the Da Feng Cup and became more well-known, Weixian shared in the glory.
Moreover, in the corner there was another congratulatory message: Warm congratulations to our county’s Beastmaster Advisor Shi Gang for making the top four in the first Da Feng Cup, bringing honor to Weixian!
Being a native of Weixian, Shi Gang’s outstanding achievement was a source of pride for all its residents, but in front of the overwhelming victory of champion Chen Yuan, Shi Gang’s achievement seemed insignificant.
Thankfully, the people of Weixian did not forget Shi Gang, celebrating his achievement in many corners.
Continuing forward for a few minutes, Su Bamboo turned into a small alley and arrived at a wooden door, knocking lightly.
The wooden door opened from inside, and the young man who answered glanced at Su Bamboo and immediately stepped aside: "Senior Sister!"
Su Bamboo nodded, walking in with her long strides and casually asked, "Is Master here?"
"Master is here." The young man nodded first and then added, "By the way, Senior Sister, the Senior Uncle is here too."
Senior Uncle?
Su Bamboo’s eyebrows twisted, and although she had no concept of who the Senior Uncle was, she suddenly remembered a series of rumors about Master, and her eyes shrank with surprise, "You mean Advisor Shi?"
Seeing the young man nod, Su Bamboo’s eyes lit up with excitement, she hurriedly strode into the courtyard.
Though called a courtyard, it was actually two training grounds, not too big or small, where academy apprentices could train and spar.
Although it was morning, most apprentices had already arrived at the academy, bringing along their Pet Beasts for serious training.
At a glance, although the races of these Pet Beasts varied, they shared one common trait - their large size.
Apprentices were either jogging with these huge creatures or lifting giant stones continuously, or practicing skills to grow bigger or smaller.
"Senior Sister!"
When Su Bamboo arrived at the training grounds, apprentices immediately greeted the famed Senior Sister, but she was too occupied with meeting the Senior Uncle to pay them much attention, simply nodding before quickly walking by.
Though her age was among the youngest in the academy, being one of the first to join and having the deepest qualifications, coupled with the highest talent, she was recognized as Senior Sister.