After the experiment ended, Jiang Xing not only verified the personality hypothesis, but also refined the evolution data of the Rainbow Dragon Hatchling.
For example, through controlled comparative experiments, he recorded the number of times Golden-Patterned Koi attempted to leap the Dragon Gate before evolving, and determined that:
"Dragon-type energy and moves can greatly increase the probability of evolution, but they are not a necessary condition."
Those brave fish that had not mastered the move Outrage, nor used Water Dragon Cubes, although slower by a few days, still successfully transformed into dragons.
That wild Rainbow Dragon Hatchling was the strongest piece of evidence.
After all, wild fish didn't have a wild Jiang Xing feeding them wild cubes or using wild Technical Machines on them.
In addition, by examining more Rainbow Dragon Hatchlings, he also recorded another of their talents:
[Fearless Heart — Immune to all intimidation-type effects; cannot fall into states such as flinching, fear, or stat reduction.]
Among the various moves used by Pet Beasts, there are many special ones like Dragon Might, Intimidate, and Scary Face, as well as related talents.
Some Beast Tamers even build entire teams around these mechanics—"intimidation teams", specializing in suppressing opponents through fear.
The Rainbow Dragon Hatchling's Fearless Heart talent was clearly the natural counter to such strategies, providing extremely strong resistance.
However, in terms of versatility, it still couldn't compare to Unceasing Heart.
Revival was simply too overpowered.
...
"Student Jiang Xing."
After the Dragon Gate Conference ended, although many visitors were still reluctant to leave, they could only recall their Golden-Patterned Koi and exit the site under official clearing orders.
Chang Feng, a Champion Beast Tamer affiliated with the authorities, called out to Jiang Xing with a burning gaze—while unconsciously glancing up at the dragon swarm in the sky.
"This time, you've successfully evolved quite a number of Rainbow Dragon Hatchlings…"
"Not many. Just a bit over three hundred."
Jiang Xing noticed his expression and immediately raised his guard.
According to the research rules of the Beast Taming world, once a researcher publishes evolutionary results, all funding obtained and all Pet Beasts cultivated during the process belong entirely to the researcher.
In other words, these hundreds of Rainbow Dragon Hatchlings were not public assets—they were Jiang Xing's private property.
This Champion better not be thinking of taking advantage.
"I still need to study the subsequent forms of the Rainbow Dragon Hatchling. Every single one is extremely valuable. So there's no need to talk about selling."
Using over three hundred Rainbow Dragon Hatchlings solely for research might sound excessive.
But the reality is that not all Pet Beasts possess unlimited evolutionary potential.
Just like in most species, there are different evolutionary stages—many Pet Beasts exhaust their potential after a single evolution and remain stuck in that form.
Some stop after a second evolution.
Only a small portion can reach their final form—and those are the truly valuable potential seeds.
At present, the Rainbow Dragon Hatchling's Species Tier is Commander Tier Mid. It must first reach the Monarch Tier before it can advance to the Overlord Tier.
In other words, there are at least two more evolutionary stages ahead.
To study future forms, Jiang Xing naturally needed to prepare a sufficient number of specimens.
"Don't worry, I'm not asking you to give them up," Chang Feng said with an awkward smile.
"You're the discoverer of the Rainbow Dragon Hatchling and have successfully raised an entire dragon swarm—you must understand it extremely well."
"On behalf of the Beast Tamer School of Yuzhong City, I'd like to propose a collaboration."
"We hope to place a batch of high-potential Golden-Patterned Koi under your care, provide corresponding funding, and have you train and raise them."
"Occasionally, we would also arrange for some Novice Beast Tamers to come here and select partners to form contracts…"
Jiang Xing found this increasingly familiar and couldn't help but say: "A breeding facility?"
"Exactly." Chang Feng smiled. "We have similar partnerships with top-tier breeding facilities, and we've even placed some Pet Beasts at Dr. Xu's research institute."
"The main goal is to support talented Novice Beast Tamers from ordinary backgrounds—so they too have the opportunity to obtain high-quality Pet Beasts."
Civilian Beast Tamers lacked the advantage of family support.
Thus, showcasing talent through competitions and battles, earning recognition from schools, and receiving training opportunities—this was their best path forward.
Many official Beast Tamers had risen step by step in exactly this way.
If Jiang Xing hadn't become a researcher, he might have walked the same path.
Thinking of this, he nodded without hesitation.
"No problem."
"Thank you for your understanding!"
Chang Feng's face lit up with joy.
Those qualified to host official breeding partnerships were all top researchers—never short on funding, but always short on time.
They usually had no interest in spending energy cultivating Pet Beasts for others.
Jiang Xing agreeing so readily—truly worthy of being Dr. Xu's student.
...
The official breeding collaboration was just a minor episode.
Jiang Xing returned to the research institute with the dragon swarm, handed over feeding duties to Li Lingyin, and then secluded himself to refine his papers—
Although he had only conducted a single experiment, he was able to produce two separate papers:
[Evolution Conditions of the Rainbow Dragon Hatchling]
[Validation Process of the Personality Hypothesis]
These were two distinct academic achievements.
It was just that the former served as supporting evidence for the latter, which is why they were completed together.
Jiang Xing pulled an all-nighter, organizing experimental data and completing both papers, then hurried to Xu Hai Research Institute to submit them to his teacher.
Dr. Xu carefully reviewed them and nodded.
"Very good."
The tension Jiang Xing had been holding finally eased, and he said excitedly: "Thank you, Teacher!"
"No need to thank me. I only taught you the basics. You were the one who conceived and completed this research," Dr. Xu said, setting the papers down. "Do you have any preferred research prefix?"
"Me? A researcher?" Jiang Xing was stunned.
In the Beast Taming world, the title of researcher carried weight comparable to a doctorate—extremely prestigious and rare.
Many scholars who had worked for years and contributed to multiple major projects still hadn't earned the title, remaining assistants.
And yet, he had completed just one project and could skip seniority entirely?
Dr. Xu saw through his thoughts and shook his head.
"The researcher title values originality, not seniority. Without your own ideas, no matter how many projects you join, you remain an assistant."
"You independently designed and completed this research and achieved significant results—that is enough to prove your qualification."
Jiang Xing suddenly understood, rubbing his hands excitedly.
"You and Senior Sister both specialize in water—I want a water-type prefix too!"
"Water-type? The Rainbow Dragon Hatchling is a Light Dragon—where does water come from?" Dr. Xu laughed.
Jiang Xing scratched his head awkwardly.
Pet Beast evolution was full of possibilities—especially at the base stage, where forms were not yet fixed. It wasn't unusual for attributes to completely change after evolution.
He just hadn't expected that a creature that came from water would end up having absolutely nothing to do with water.
"So the initial evolution drives everything—and then just flies off on its own, huh…"
After joking, Dr. Xu picked up an invitation from the table and placed it in front of him.
"The researcher title will take some time to process. You can think about it slowly."
"This is an invitation to the Shanghai Evolution Conference. Although registration closed a few days ago, I signed you up in advance."
"Take this and attend the conference—just present your results."
"If you win the Best Achievement Award, you'll receive a very substantial reward."
Jiang Xing's eyes lit up as he immediately took the invitation.
The system task had already required him to attend an academic conference and present his findings.
He had been wondering which one to choose—yet Dr. Xu had already arranged everything.
So this is what it feels like to have a mentor backing you…
"Thank you, Teacher!"
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