The Vanishing Imprint, Royal Beast Academy

Chen Chang'an's masterful acting moved all the villagers to silent tears.

Watching Chen Chang'an and his companions, their hearts ached with sympathy.

Gu Fengyao and Gu Xian'er were utterly dumbfounded—how could anyone pull off such a maneuver?

Their understanding of Chen Chang'an reached new heights.

Great wisdom!

This was a man of profound intelligence!

To resolve the dilemma before them without shedding a drop of blood—what brilliance was this?

Initially, Gu Fengyao and Gu Xian'er had assumed Chen Chang'an would either resort to force or simply leave when faced with these ordinary villagers.

Yet, he chose instead to blend seamlessly among them.

Not only did he extract the information he sought, but he also reduced them to heartfelt sobs of pity?

What kind of divine strategy was this?

However, this also revealed how simple and sincere most people were in the Beast God Continent.

"Child, you haven't eaten yet, have you?"

"Come, let’s go to my home. I’ll prepare some food for you."

"Look at you all—starved to the point of looking gaunt."

"And these two young ladies… are they too grief-stricken? They seem a bit dazed."

"Don’t despair. In the Beast God Continent, there’s still a chance for you to become Beast Tamers."

"Though your age might disqualify you from being Chosen Beast Tamers, there are other ways."

Hmm?

Other ways?

Another piece of information uncovered.

"Auntie, is it true there are other methods?"

"Look at them—ever since their companion beasts died, they’ve lost all appetite, barely eating. They’re practically numb with sorrow." Chen Chang'an swiftly chimed in, shooting the two a meaningful glance.

Gu Fengyao and Gu Xian'er had no choice but to play along, nodding with vacant, sorrowful expressions.

Nearby, Da Huang was barely holding back laughter. If not for Chen Chang'an’s sharp glare, the dog would’ve burst out cackling.

"Wait… that’s odd. Your marks… they’ve disappeared?"

Suddenly, the village chief stared in shock at Chen Chang'an and the others—the marks on their foreheads had vanished without a trace.

How strange!

Could it be… the Beast God himself was moved by their plight?

"The Beast God is truly benevolent."

"Your sincerity must have touched him, so he erased your marks. Now, no one in the Beast God Continent will target you."

"Praise the Beast God! We are grateful!"

The abrupt change left Chen Chang'an and his companions stunned. Just like that… gone?

The Beast God’s power was beyond comprehension.

"Da Huang, did you sense anything unusual just now?" Chen Chang'an transmitted silently.

"Nothing. If even we were fooled, this Beast God is no ordinary being."

"I’m starting to believe he might’ve reached the Tenth Tier."

"But…"

Da Huang’s expression twisted in doubt. Tenth-Tier beasts were undeniably formidable.

Yet Chen Chang'an’s soul was immensely powerful—his perception, though not as wide-ranging as Da Huang’s, was razor-sharp. There was no way he’d miss something like this.

Either the Beast God used no technique at all… or his methods were simply unfathomable.

Either way, the vanished marks meant the Beast God had noticed them.

Unlike these gullible villagers, the Beast God wouldn’t be so easily deceived. So why remove their marks?

Unless… the Beast God was just as naive?

"Ahem… I know the Beast God is merciful, a truly great being."

"But I was wondering—how can these two become Beast Tamers?"

"You mentioned there are other ways?" Chen Chang'an pressed curiously.

"Of course! Not every Beast Tamer in our land is a Chosen one raised in the Beast God Mountains."

"We have many Beast Taming Academies here."

"Students who graduate with distinction earn the right to enter the Beast God Mountains and seek companion beasts."

Beast Taming Academies?

Who knew such institutions existed in the Beast God Continent?

"Then… do you know where the Beast God resides?"

"Or how one might meet him?"

"What an honor it would be to stand before the Beast God!"

The villagers nodded fervently. In the Beast God Continent, who wouldn’t yearn to see their deity?

It was the highest glory imaginable.

"The Beast God isn’t someone you can just meet on a whim."

"He hasn’t appeared in over ten thousand years."

"Ah… folks like us will never have that chance."

The village chief sighed helplessly. Meeting the Beast God was every resident’s dream—yet few were granted the opportunity.

Chen Chang'an could tell these villagers were too ordinary to possess deeper knowledge.

Extracting this much information was already a feat, so he didn’t press further.

To learn more, they’d need to visit larger cities—perhaps even the greatest Beast Taming Academy in the land.

One thing was certain: these villagers were genuinely kind. They prepared a lavish dinner for Chen Chang'an’s group.

Though the food wasn’t extravagant, it was the very best they could offer.

Among them, Chen Chang'an relaxed completely, his smiles warm and sincere.

Even Gu Fengyao and Gu Xian'er softened, playing and laughing with the village children.

"Honestly, this kind of life isn’t bad—self-sufficient, carefree."

"Look at their smiles. Not an ounce of pretense." Chen Chang'an remarked lightly.

"What? Thinking of retiring?"

"That’s not like you. You’d never last." Da Huang teased.

"It’s a good life, but not for me."

"Nor is it mine to keep."

"Da Huang, this Beast God is peculiar, shrouded in secrets."

"Finding him won’t be quick work."

Chen Chang'an took a swig of the villagers’ homemade liquor—far from exquisite, yet oddly satisfying.

"I know. No need to rush."

"So what’s the plan? Head to the top Beast Taming Academy and gather intel?" Da Huang asked.

"For now, that’s our only lead."

"Such a place might bring us closer to the Beast God—and to the answers we seek."

In the Beast God Continent, power wasn’t divided among factions. Instead, the Beast Taming Alliance reigned supreme—a coalition of academies, large and small.

The Chosen Beast Tamers, of course, stood apart, revered above all.

However, such individuals are few in number. Most people are trained later through Beast Taming Academies.

Every person in the Beast God Continent aspires to join a Beast Taming Academy, and the higher the academy's rank, the more difficult it is to gain entry.

Early the next morning, Chen Chang'an and his companions left the small village.

Chen Chang'an did not leave them any gifts, as his possessions might bring more harm than good.

After all, "treasures invite thieves"—if certain people were to see these items, they could bring disaster upon the villagers.

The Beast God Continent is vast, yet not overwhelmingly so, with fewer than a hundred cities in total.

The largest among them is the Beast God City.

This was the first major city to emerge on the Beast God Continent, and over time, it grew ever larger and more bustling.

Naturally, the Beast God Academy within Beast God City became the sacred land in the hearts of all beast tamers.

After all... this was the first Beast Taming Academy ever established, founded by the decree of the Beast God himself.