The environment of the iron bamboo breeding base is different from that of the Ice Plains City breeding base; here, there is only a high mountain bamboo forest area.
In this world, Shi Yu always encounters many things that defy reason.
For example, environments that would never be adjacent on Earth can be seamlessly integrated here.
But upon closer examination, one can find that this is all due to the special powers of extraordinary creatures influencing the outside world.
The environment of this iron bamboo breeding base is relatively normal, at least more so than the Ice Plains City breeding base.
The soil is fertile, the forests are lush, the iron bamboo grows well, and there is an abundant water source with a clear spring flowing, making it the ideal living environment for iron-eating beasts.
At this moment, Shi Yu has already entered the breeding area with the caretaker Lin Xiuzhu.
Although there is only one cub left, it still needs to be seen; one can't just wait another year for a new batch of iron-eating beast cubs to grow up.
Life is not easy, Shi Yu sighed...
In the iron bamboo breeding base, there are not only iron-eating beast cubs but also many adult iron-eating beasts. However, Shi Yu had reserved a cub.
For a novice beastmaster like him, the ability to contract with a pet beast cub is the limit.
While adult iron-eating beasts can also be contracted, Shi Yu clearly lacks the confidence to do so.
"Iron-eating beasts... are indeed very lazy."
On the way, Shi Yu saw many iron-eating beasts scattered around, all of them sleeping.
Some were sleeping in grass nests, some were hugging tree trunks, and some were sleeping on tree branches, all unexpectedly quiet.
"It's not yet their active season. At this time, larger iron-eating beasts are generally more quiet, but the smaller ones are more lively."
Lin Xiuzhu said as she walked ahead. Indeed, under her guidance, it wasn't long before Shi Yu saw an iron-eating beast that was clearly much smaller.
It was less than a meter long, not very large in volume, and about one year old, at the stage where it had just left its mother to live independently.
The iron-eating beast cubs reserved by beastmasters are generally at this age, as cubs that are too young are difficult for beastmasters to care for.
"Is this it?"
Seeing this small iron-eating beast, Shi Yu's heart bloomed with joy, feeling that his three months of waiting had not been in vain.
This iron-eating beast cub had soft black and white fur, a short tail that wagged, and was very cute.
At this moment, it also noticed Shi Yu and Lin Xiuzhu. With its round cheeks and large black eye circles, its eyes looked at them with a lively and serious expression.
"Yes," Lin Xiuzhu nodded.
"It seems normal to me," Shi Yu said.
As soon as he finished speaking, the iron-eating beast cub's gaze immediately shifted away from the two, as if it didn't want to be disturbed. It then charged forward on the spot, "bang" hit a tree trunk, and was bounced back, rolling several times on the ground before stopping.
Shi Yu added, "Alright, it doesn't seem very smart."
Lin Xiuzhu also helplessly covered her forehead and said, "This iron-eating beast cub had some issues at birth and was not born smoothly, making its constitution slightly weaker than other iron-eating beast cubs."
"Compared to its peers, all the other iron-eating beasts had already awakened their hardening ability by the age of one, but this one has yet to awaken it."
Generally, the earlier a pet beast of the same species awakens its racial skill, the better its innate talent. Conversely, those that awaken slowly have poorer talent, which is why this iron-eating beast was left behind.
"Because of individual differences, its personality has also become different from other iron-eating beasts."
Iron-eating beasts, like pandas, spend half their day eating and the other half sleeping.
In most cases, iron-eating beasts are very gentle, often covering their faces with their front paws or lowering their heads to hide their true appearance, rarely attacking other creatures.
Therefore, they are highly recommended for novice beastmasters to raise.
However, this iron-eating beast, due to its unique experiences, first developed more slowly than its peers, lacking the skills it should have, and then was left behind, causing a significant change in its personality.
It became anxious.
So it began to change its habits, becoming abnormally disciplined and training hard on its own, hoping to awaken its hardening ability and become stronger as soon as possible.
It is a rare iron-eating beast with dreams and not lazy, unfortunately, just lacking in talent.
After evolving, iron-eating beasts have relatively high intelligence compared to other pet beasts.
The tree collision earlier was its way of training its body strength.
"In other words, this iron-eating beast cub has particularly poor talent but is very hardworking and diligent, with nothing but ambition?" Shi Yu summarized and then smiled.
"...Although you exaggerate a bit, it's roughly like that," Lin Xiuzhu said.
"Don't worry, it just has poor innate development. If it can be raised in a beastmaster space, it can be adjusted later."
Moreover, such a disciplined iron-eating beast is quite rare.
This kind of personality is generally a plus.
Of course... there are also drawbacks to this personality... Lin Xiuzhu muttered to herself, such as irregular eating habits leading to excessive eating.
After all, to train, nutrition must keep up.
"I'll take it."
Although normal iron-eating beasts are great, Shi Yu didn't really want a pet beast that just eats and sleeps, which is too lazy.
He's lazy enough on his own.
It doesn't matter if the talent is good or bad, after all, he has a skill catalog.
As everyone knows, effort + cheats is the way to go.
"Have you decided?" Lin Xiuzhu looked at Shi Yu in confusion, as most beastmasters are very concerned about their pet beasts' talent.
Otherwise, this iron-eating beast cub wouldn't have been left behind.
"I appreciate this hardworking personality... I feel it will get along well with me."
Yes, the self-training moves are all prepared.
"So, are there any discounts?" Shi Yu still couldn't let go of the idea of a discount.
Lin Xiuzhu was speechless, but knowing Shi Yu's background, she understood his situation.
She said, "This iron-eating beast sleeps less, so it needs more food to supplement."
"There are no price discounts... We treat every iron-eating beast equally, but if you choose it, we can give you an extra month's supply of iron bamboo."
The iron bamboo breeding base is not only a breeding ground for iron-eating beasts but also produces iron bamboo, one of their favorite foods.
Iron bamboo is as hard as steel, a mutated bamboo species, and is the core food for training iron-eating beasts to master their hardening ability. It is not cheap, and iron-eating beasts have a large appetite.
A month's supply of iron bamboo is indeed a good bonus, as it is a necessity.
"Thank you," Shi Yu thanked her.
Lin Xiuzhu nodded. Since Shi Yu had made his decision, she walked up to the small iron-eating beast, which was a bit dazed from the collision.
"Eleven, finally a beastmaster has chosen you. Are you happy?" She squatted down and smiled at the small iron-eating beast.
The iron-eating beasts here all have their own number, including the cubs. This special iron-eating beast cub is number eleven, so the caretakers here generally refer to it as Eleven.
The small iron-eating beast silently sat up and then looked at Shi Yu in the distance, blinking its eyes.
Although it was happy to be recognized by a beastmaster, it was too late!
It sat on the ground, raised its arms, and let out a howl.
Iron-eating beasts, never to be enslaved!
It can grow and become strong on its own!
After saying that, it got up and tried to run, planning to escape in front of the breeding base staff.
Iron-eating beasts, fearless!
Beastmasters, unnecessary.
Then, before it could start running, it was grabbed by the neck and lifted up by Lin Xiuzhu.
Shi Yu, who has telepathic abilities: "..."
Not bad, very spirited.
On the other side, Lin Xiuzhu sighed and pressed the problematic iron-eating beast to the ground.
Although she is a girl, her strength is unexpectedly great.
She is definitely a beastmaster; after contracting with a pet beast, the pet beast's strength also feeds back to the beastmaster, enhancing the beastmaster's mental and physical abilities.
While it doesn't reach the level of fighting extraordinary creatures bare-handed, it can easily defeat Earth's martial arts experts and athletes.
"Listen, after becoming a beastmaster's pet beast, your growth rate will be several times faster, and the hardening ability you couldn't awaken before will quickly awaken."
"Not only that, but you will have a more comfortable resting environment and a more diverse diet, far better than staying here."
Lin Xiuzhu seriously explained to the iron-eating beast cub, possibly due to her telepathic ability or from playing the role of an iron-eating beast for too long, the iron-eating beast could understand her words.
After she finished speaking, the iron-eating beast cub was stunned.
It looked at Shi Yu with a blank expression.
Shi Yu, after a moment of silence, said, "Room and board included."
Only when there's money, Shi Yu added mentally.
The iron-eating beast cub let out another howl, its expression more confused and conflicted.
Saliva uncontrollably dripped from the corner of its mouth.
In the end, the temptation of the benefits a beastmaster can bring outweighed its will, and the iron-eating beast cub reluctantly nodded.
Can't resist...
Iron-eating beasts, never to be enslaved, fearless, unless... room and board are included.