The Strongest Dragon in the Era of Beast Taming

The National Trainer Cooperative Competition allows a competing team to have one substitute and one emergency substitute.

Unlike a regular substitute, who can be rotated in normally, an emergency substitute only qualifies to participate in the competition if the regular substitute suddenly cannot take part; otherwise, they can only watch from slightly closer backstage.

Yet, for such a spot that could not even guarantee a chance to compete and was merely a reserve name on the Rosewood College team list, some upperclassmen were willing to offer Level VI resources and even mentioned that they were willing to negotiate a higher price if necessary.

This matter gave Margaret Yule a clearer understanding of David Jones’s status at Rosewood College.

“What Level VI resources?” David Jones said, a trace of curiosity showing in his eyes.

“Level VI B-tier Extreme Cold Poison Sand. Upon consumption, it can grant ice-type pets partial poison properties in their ice-type skills and corrode the opponent’s Arcane Force. However, the side effects can cause the pet’s temperament to become slightly aggressive and irritable,” Margaret explained.

“Ee?” (Aggressive and irritable?)

Rainbow blinked, confident in its ability to control its emotions; how could mere poison sand affect its temperament?

“Let’s forget about trading resources. The capable rise to the top, and the weak fall behind. If they want to be on the team list, they need to show their strength. Besides, aside from the team competition, I also plan to participate in this year’s Crown Competition. I don’t have the spare energy to deal with these trivial matters.”

Margaret Yule: “???”

A look of astonishment appeared on her face, then she carefully said, “Isn’t the Crown Competition a bit too soon for you?”

The champions and even the top ten of each Crown Competition are King-Trainers without exception.

In Margaret’s eyes, while there was no problem for David Jones to make it through the preliminaries, making it into the top hundred seemed somewhat difficult. It might be better for him to focus all his energy on the team competition.

“It’s not too soon for me; I’ve made ample preparations,” David Jones said expectantly.

The trip to Umbral had fundamentally enhanced his strength. To David Jones, the National Trainer Cooperative Competition, which only college students could participate in, seemed no different than shooting fish in a barrel, far less exciting than the Crown Competition, where the strong gather.

Although Margaret did not agree with him, she didn’t offer any further advice.

She might have her own opinions, but she never contradicted what David Jones decided.

David Jones suppressed the excitement surging in his heart, took a deep breath, and began to ask for Margaret’s opinion.

“What do you think about having Jackson Grant as the vice-captain?”

After pondering for a moment, Margaret responded truthfully, “Senior Grant is the president of the Highland Battle Club, so he should have no problem handling team matters.”

“Good, then I’ll let him be in charge of selecting team members. I have only two requirements: one is that they are strong enough, and the other is that they are sufficiently obedient.”

Margaret nodded slightly and relayed David Jones’s requirements to Jackson Grant.

“Oh, by the way, I want Rossetti Lindwood to join the Purple Haze Club; please arrange that as well,” David Jones said as he picked up his teacup and took a sip, drawing an eye roll from Margaret.

“Rossetti Lindwood, I’m going to be in seclusion for a few days. During this time, you need to listen to Margaret and not cause any trouble,” David Jones said, pausing for a moment.

“But remember one thing: not causing trouble doesn’t mean we are afraid of trouble. If anyone dares to bully you, just break their dog legs. I’ll take responsibility for any issues.”

Rossetti Lindwood nodded obediently, her demeanor betraying nothing of the fact that she was a humanoid tyrant capable of punching to death a Class VI King Beast with a single blow.

“Rossetti Lindwood is very strong; she can help you deal with danger,” David Jones said, tilting his head towards Margaret.

Unfortunately, the national theoretical exam for trainers had already ended, and in a few days, it would be the day for Rosewood College’s practical assessment. Otherwise, he really wanted Rossetti Lindwood to participate in the college entrance exams and become his junior sister, so she could interact more with people her age and not be focused on challenging her master all the time.

“How strong is she?” Margaret Yule asked curiously.

She didn’t sense any dangerous aura from Rossetti Lindwood, but instead, she was quite curious about the beast that was twenty centimeters long and resembled both a crocodile and a dragon.

From its aura, this odd-looking turtle-dragon seemed to be just a lower-level Class I creature, but the threat it posed to her was no less than Bluny when it was at Class II.

“Aside from me, I reckon no one on the Myrtle List could be a match for Rossetti,” David Jones thought for a moment and decided that this explanation would be easier for Margaret Yule to understand and accept.

As for outright saying that Rossetti was a King-level power, that depended on whether Margaret Yule would believe it.

Surprise flashed across Margaret Yule’s eyes.

No wonder David Jones couldn’t resist taking on such a student with such terrifying talent and strength.

The only thing that made her uncomfortable was where exactly had David Jones found this arrogant young girl who looked down on everyone else.

Indeed, that was correct.

After a thorough inspection, Margaret Yule could clearly perceive that besides David Jones, Rossetti paid no attention to anyone else, her aura of disdain for all almost went unnoticed by her before.

“Rossetti will be in your care for these few days,” David Jones said softly.

A Trainer needed to be in a safe place when undergoing an Arcane Star Breakthrough to Class VI and could not be disturbed.

Otherwise, distraction could easily lead to being burned to death by the fire of arcane star, which was also why David Jones had been suppressing the thought of breaking through.

When it came to safety, there were few places in the Flowery Kingdom that could match the Tower of Refining Beasts at Rosewood College, a legendary treasure of great renown.

“You can count on me,” Margaret Yule said, patting her full chest, then she took Rossetti’s arm, who looked back reluctantly.

Watching their departing figures, a brilliant Star Ring suddenly appeared in David Jones’s hand.

“I wonder if there’s a Blacksmith specialized in unlocking Star Ring space locks inside Rosewood College.”

After murmuring to himself, David Jones put away the Mechinery Dragon in the backyard and headed for the Tower of Refining Beasts.

For David Jones, winning the team competition would be a piece of cake, but if he wanted to go a step further and win the Crown title in the Crown Competition, his current strength was far from sufficient—he needed to become even stronger.

…

Arcane Star Realm’s ninth layer.

David Jones had returned to the familiar cultivation room. This time, without the interference of the Illusionary Dragon, he easily immersed himself into the state of cultivation.

Shortly, a day passed in the blink of an eye.

During this time, David Jones didn’t use Dragon-Wielding to strengthen himself but practiced the Taikoo Black Dragon Chart through Calm Mind, bringing his essence, breath, and spirit into optimal condition.

Honing the blade won’t delay the work of chopping wood!

Even though David Jones had the Rosewood Leaf, which increased his chances of reaching King status by three percentage points, the Spirit Realm of the Green tier with a five percent chance, and the Heavenly Arcane Star and Golden Emperor Body, representing a Class VIII Legend’s entry ticket.

The combination of these three brought his chances of breaking through to Class VI of the arcane star to an astonishing ninety-nine percent, but he still did not let his guard down, fearing an unexpected upset.

“The day to become a King is today!”

Looking at the little guys cheering him on, David Jones smiled confidently, closed his eyes, merged the Rosewood leaf with his psychic power, and ignited the third fire of arcane star.