Chapter 677 - 299: The Bonfire Party and News of the Donghuang Conference

The night is deep.

A large full moon hangs in the ink-blue sky, and the nearby mountain range under the night looks like a giant Pet Beast lying down.

The open space near Xuanhe Village is brightly illuminated by a huge bonfire. The crackling firewood snaps and pops, the jumping tongues of fire licking the night, casting gentle, dancing light on the faces of the people seated around it and their inseparable Pet Beasts.

The uproar of the intense competition during the day has long since dissipated, the air filled with the aroma of roasted meat and the fresh scent of burning pine branches, laughter resonating in everyone’s hearts.

This is the final event that Zhang Hao had planned—the bonfire party.

When the competition ends, all participants and villagers can join the grand bonfire party, proclaiming the complete end of the first Qinling Riding Competition with songs and dances.

As many netizens predicted, Chen Yuan did not disappoint, becoming the double champion of both the fun race and the speed race, with Fallen Meteor Horned Beast’s thrilling last-minute comeback being a hot topic for numerous netizens.

This was Fallen Meteor Horned Beast’s debut in public, showcasing a nearly perfect performance, leaving countless netizens deeply impressed by this vigorous and mighty Pet Beast.

Many people conceived the idea of contracting a similar Pet Beast, but upon researching, they realized Fallen Meteor Horned Beast only resides in the core area of Qinling, quickly abandoning the thought.

The core of Qinling remains a forbidden zone for most Beastmasters.

Many daring Beastmasters who ventured in encountered dangerous Pet Beasts, sustaining injuries at best, or facing fatalities.

As the double champion of this riding competition, Chen Yuan is undoubtedly the main character; yet, he did not conspicuously take the first place spot, instead casually sitting cross-legged near the bonfire on the ground, allowing the bright flame to illuminate his face, a relaxed smile hanging on his face.

The cold wind occasionally howls by, making the flames sway, sketching out the shape of the wind.

Most villagers are nonetheless ordinary people, even with the bonfire for warmth, are unable to stay outside late at night, thus returning home early to rest.

Some contestants, deeply fatigued after two days of competing, also rested early, while some participants who had taken leave to attend the event hurried back to work as soon as the competition ended.

Ah, even as Beastmasters, they are at most advanced oxen and horses.

Chen Yuan squints his eyes slightly, leaning against Fallen Meteor Horned Beast’s vast body on the ground, resting his head on its soft brown fur.

This great contributor to his championship is now resting with closed eyes, breathing evenly, occasionally swinging its sturdy tail, creating a swirl of snow dust, seemingly savoring today’s championship joy in its dream.

Chen Yuan says nothing, enjoying the rare quietness of the night together with Fallen Meteor Horned Beast, his fingers unconsciously combing through its soft mane, the flame flickering in his tranquil eyes.

Spark quietly perches on his shoulder, its magnificent feathers silently radiating profound and splendid luster under the firelight, occasionally brushing Chen Yuan’s nape with its tail feathers.

"Aw-aw-aw!"

Wherever Cola goes, it’s always the best atmosphere crew member; it summons the Puppy Team members to play around the village.

The performance of the Puppy Team yesterday made it very satisfied, deciding to take them deeper into Qinling tomorrow, to find some tasty fruits to enjoy.

When the members of the Puppy Team feel tired, Cola becomes a lively brown whirlwind, excitedly darting around the bonfire, occasionally coming to Chen Yuan’s side, brushing its fluffy big head against his hand, satisfied with a scratch or two before running off.

Cradled in Chen Yuan’s arms, the petite and adorable Sprite is snoozing—it curls its body into a snowball, its fluffy soft snow-white fur glowing warmly under the firelight, occasionally opening its deep ocean-blue eyes to a slit, dazedly watching the flickering flames and bustling crowd, along with Boss Cola running everywhere.

It occasionally emits a couple of tender grunts, soon falling into deep slumber amidst the noisy environment in Chen Yuan’s embrace.

Not far away,

Lu Ran stands with arms folded, leaning against a tree stump, his slightly tilted chin expressing an arrogance not belonging to a runner-up, while the bright flame colors his sharp outlines with a layer of gentle warmth.

Red Hoof Colt silently stands by his side, its fiery-red hooves glistening warmly under the bonfire glow. Its gaze occasionally falls on the sleeping Fallen Meteor Horned Beast, eyes showing complexity, lowering them, its tail swinging despondently.

As Red Hoof Colt’s Beastmaster, Lu Ran keenly senses Red Hoof Colt’s mood change.

He lightly strokes its thick mane, his gaze leaps past the bright bonfire, sweeping over Cola running around it, Spark grooming its feathers on Chen Yuan’s shoulder, finally landing on Chen Yuan, eyes flashing a fleeting complex light, but ultimately, a smile curling at his lips, his voice defiant: "The competition is over, the champion has emerged, no need to dwell on the mistakes during the race."

"Let’s come back next time."

"Anyway..."

He pauses, lifting his right hand, fingers running through his dense dark-red hair: "Anyway, he can’t be the champion every time."

Zhuang Jianbai sits silently in a corner, compared to the collapse of his state of mind after losing once, he has improved significantly, even able to calmly converse with other competitors.

Also students from Yunhua Beast Taming Academy, Zhuang Jianbai and they have engaged in delightful conversation, continually addressing their puzzlements on the journey to become stronger.

As the absolute number one in Yunhua Beast Taming Academy, and a top four contestant of the Da Feng Cup, Zhuang Jianbai possesses the qualification to resolve queries.