Beast Taming: I'm Really Not a Cultivation Master

"I’ll go!" After hearing Li Qian’s analysis, everyone’s eyes lit up, and Chujiang River immediately volunteered.

"That won’t work. It’s not just you—none of us six Dominator Level Beast Masters can go. We already pose a threat to the Demon Dragon Rhinoceros, so it would never let us get near. We’d be met with a ferocious counterattack." Elder Tie shook his head, voicing his opinion.

"Let’s at least try," Chujiang River said, unconvinced.

With that, while the others kept the beast distracted, he made his move, stealthily creeping closer.

"Watch out." Li Qian saw the Demon Dragon Rhinoceros’s gaze suddenly flick toward Chujiang River and immediately shouted a warning.

"Back!" Chujiang River was a decisive man. The moment he saw the Demon Dragon Rhinoceros notice him, he shot backward without a shred of hesitation.

BOOM!

Just a second after Chujiang River retreated, a massive, crimson Energy Ball shot out, slamming into the spot where he had just been standing.

Chujiang River narrowly dodged the attack and couldn’t help but let out a long sigh of relief. ’That was too close. If not for Li Qian’s warning and my immediate retreat, I’d have been obliterated by that crimson Energy Ball.’

"Elder Tie, you were right. I’m afraid none of us six can get past it!" While relieved to have dodged the attack, Chujiang River was overcome with a sense of helplessness.

"The Demon Dragon Rhinoceros may be a Magical Beast with little to no reasoning, but that doesn’t mean it can’t perceive danger. On the contrary, its senses are incredibly sharp, especially when someone attempts to approach its weak spot. This isn’t intelligence; it’s the instinct of an Extraordinary Creature. The stronger the creature, the stronger this instinct. That’s why the six of us can’t get through," Elder Tie nodded in agreement, elaborating further.

As he spoke, he subtly glanced over at Chu Xiran, Zhu Bingqing, and Niu Fenjin.

’Since the six of us pose too much of a threat to get past it, our hopes naturally fall on those three.’

As for Li Qian, Elder Tie didn’t even consider him.

’He’s the Genius Cultivator our Shazhou Beast Taming University is about to invest so much in. How could we possibly let him risk his life?’

"Maybe... I could give it a try..." Niu Fenjin said timidly, his voice lacking conviction.

’According to Elder Tie, the six of them can’t get through. That leaves the three of us, Li Qian, and the people from the Public Security Bureau.’

’Li Qian is just a high school student, and technically, he’s not even involved in this. There’s no reason to put him in danger. As for Zhu Bingqing and Chu Xiran... they’re girls.’

’And the people from the Public Security Bureau... aside from Director Peng Zhongyan, the rest have limited strength. Even the Director himself is just barely adequate.’

’Even if they managed to get in, they probably wouldn’t be much help.’

’So, when all is said and done, I’m the most suitable person for the job right now!’

"Are you sure you can handle it?" Seeing Niu Fenjin looking eager to try, like a man marching to a noble death, Li Qian couldn’t help but ask.

"Er..." Niu Fenjin froze, then turned to look at Li Qian, baffled and confused, not quite understanding the meaning behind his words.

"The Demon Dragon Rhinoceros is an Emperor Level Extraordinary Creature, and a Magical Beast on top of that. Even if you get to its weak point, are you capable of actually breaking through it?" Li Qian sighed. He didn’t want to discourage Niu Fenjin, but he had to voice his concern.

"If the first strike fails, it will be on high alert. We might not get a second chance," Li Qian added, stressing the gravity of the situation.

His words plunged everyone into silence.

After a moment of reflection, they all realized Li Qian’s concerns were valid.

’This is a rare opportunity, maybe our only one. We can’t afford to act rashly. We need a solid plan.’

"I..." Niu Fenjin, who was already timid and had only stepped forward out of necessity, felt a surge of indignation at Li Qian’s words. But just as he was about to retort, he stopped short.

Because after a moment’s thought, he had to admit he wasn’t one hundred percent certain he could actually break through the Demon Dragon Rhinoceros’s weak point.

"I’ll go." Seeing Niu Fenjin’s bravado suddenly deflate, Chu Xiran knew he wasn’t confident and stepped forward without hesitation.

"My Snowfield Wolf has recovered a good deal of its stamina. Plus, the Ice Element has a natural advantage against the Dragon Element. If I go, I should be able to break through the Demon Dragon Rhinoceros’s weak point," she added, perhaps to persuade the others.

Everyone fell silent after hearing Chu Xiran volunteer. Clearly, they still didn’t think the odds were good enough.

An awkward silence descended upon the group.

"ROAR!" Just then, the Demon Dragon Rhinoceros roared again, launching an Energy Ball that exploded high in the sky.

Though it didn’t hit anyone, the terrifying power of the attack made everyone’s head turn.

They could clearly see its entire head had now emerged, and even a large portion of its neck was sticking out.

"We’re out of time," Li Qian said, shaking his head at the sight.

"Actually, there’s an even more suitable person here. That’s right—me!" He pointed to himself, speaking in a deliberately casual tone.

’Of course, at the end of the day, it’s not like I have any other choice.’

’If I had a choice, I wouldn’t go on this kind of mission for anything in the world.’

’It’s an Emperor Level Demon Dragon Rhinoceros. Even with a clear shot at its weak spot, there’s no guarantee of inflicting a serious injury.’

’If the first strike doesn’t succeed, the consequences will be unimaginable.’

"I can take eight Frostfire Salamanders into the Unstable Rift with me. The combined power of their attack is not to be underestimated," Li Qian continued.

There was something else he left unsaid.

’At the very least, their combined power is far beyond what Chu Xiran’s Snowfield Wolf can produce.’ He decided against saying this, as it would have been too discouraging.

"Absolutely not!" Before anyone else could react to Li Qian’s offer, Elder Tie shot him down, his tone firm and unwavering.

The others snapped to their senses and also shook their heads instinctively.

The Demon Dragon Rhinoceros was terrifyingly strong, its destructive power immense. If it broke through the Unstable Rift, all of Lingshui City would face an unspeakable catastrophe.

But when weighing that foreseeable catastrophe against the risk Li Qian would be taking, it was hard to say which was the greater potential loss.

Given the cultivation Talent Li Qian had displayed, if he continued on his current trajectory, his future contributions to the human Beast Taming Realm would be immeasurable.

"You don’t have to worry. I wouldn’t have suggested it if I wasn’t reasonably confident," Li Qian said, a faint smile playing on his lips as he sensed their hesitation. "On the surface, I’m the weakest one here—the least likely to attract its notice!"

"I’ll go with you. Our chances will be better if we work together!" Chu Xiran didn’t try to stop him. Instead, her voice was firm, ready to fight by his side.