"Is it really a Moon Rabbit? It's so adorable!"Mu Xiaoxiao leaned in, her eyes sparkling like stars, wanting to pet it too.

  Who would have thought? The little white rabbit, which had just seemed gentle and docile, suddenly became alert. It ground its teeth, making a clicking sound, clearly forbidding anyone else from touching it.

  "Don't be scared, this is Sister Xiaoxiao," Bai Wushang comforted softly, like a doting father.

  Mu Xiaoxiao retracted her hand resentfully. Only then did the little rabbit snuggle back into Bai Wushang's arms, nuzzling against him.

  "Congratulations on formally contracting a pet beast. It seems your compatibility is very high."Jiang Lingyue frowned slightly, studying the little creature intently. "It's just a bit of a pity. Moon Rabbits have no natural evolution path. Their growth potential is limited; it might hold you back."

  "Is that so?"Bai Wushang gazed at the attribute panel reflected in his eyes, a subtle, inscrutable smile playing on his lips.

  [Name]: Twin Moon Rabbit / Normal Form (Contracted)[Race]: Demon Beast Realm · Beast Type · Moon Rabbit Clan Variant[Life Level]: Peak Juvenile Body Stage[Bloodline Quality]: Elite Level 1-Star[Status]: Joyful[Intelligence]: High[Traits]: Silver Moon Pupil / Twin Symbiosis[Skills]: Moon Shadow Clone, Moonlight Baptism[Gourmet Cells]: × (Host's contracted partner, cannot be hunted)

  No matter how you looked at it externally, this little rabbit was the textbook image of a Moon Rabbit. It couldn't be easier to recognize.

  But Bai Wushang, relying on his miraculous Cognitive Eyes, knew crystal clear that things weren't that simple.

  In the food chain of the extraordinary world, Moon Rabbits were among the lowest-ranking and most common creatures, easily spotted in grassy plains at night.These small animals possessed almost no combat ability, only having minor talents for healing and evasion. If forced to classify them, they could only be defined as support-type pet beasts.In fact, very few people would actively contract such an extraordinary creature as a pet beast. Usually, it was female Beast Tamers with average talent who liked fluffy, cute creatures, treating them as the softest, cuddliest bed companions.

  "I didn't expect even someone with Senior Jiang's perception would misjudge. This little one has quite a few secrets, huh? Just like her Iceflame Fox, it's actually a variant species..."Bai Wushang's thoughts wandered as he considered many things.

  The so-called "mutation" referred to a rare phenomenon where an extraordinary creature, during its natural growth process, deviated from its original bloodline.This phenomenon could be innate and hereditary, or it could be acquired later due to environmental or other factors.In the field of extraordinary biology, mutation was a vast and complex subject. For a Beast Tamer seeking a simple understanding, it could be evaluated from two dimensions.

  The first dimension was based on the "actual result."Mutation didn't always make a creature stronger; it was equally possible for a mutation to result in a weaker state.Therefore, based on the actual outcome, mutations could be classified as "benign mutations" and "malignant mutations."

  The second dimension referred to the "degree of mutation."Different degrees of mutation would determine the classification of the extraordinary creature's race.For example, if only the skin color changed, or a new organ grew, resulting in minor changes to traits and skills – in such cases, even if the individual differed from the original species, the mutation's extent was small, and it wouldn't change the original racial branch.Conversely, if the degree of mutation was significant, causing a complete change in the creature's appearance, with attributes and abilities forming a stark contrast to the original race, this would lead to the creature being redefined, often becoming an entirely new species.In fact, the vast majority of species evolved this way. Mutation was a core factor driving the proliferation of species.

  Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

  Like Jiang Lingyue's Iceflame Fox, Bai Wushang could boldly speculate based on its attribute panel that it originally belonged to the Red Fox clan. It was precisely because of mutation – undoubtedly a significant, likely benign mutation – that it became a completely new breed. It might even be the only one of its kind in the world.

  "I can roughly guess the direction of the Iceflame Fox's mutation. Either it reversed from fire attribute to ice attribute, or it possesses ice-attribute flames. Of course, the possibility of having both ice and fire attributes simultaneously cannot be ruled out...""...But how exactly did this Twin Moon Rabbit mutate? Its appearance is identical to a normal Moon Rabbit, except for the extra trait 'Twin Symbiosis'. What does that mean? Does it share its body with another Moon Rabbit soul? Or does it have some kind of transformation ability, allowing it to change into a second form?"A flurry of chaotic thoughts rushed through Bai Wushang's mind.

  "Regardless, this little one's mutation is definitely leaning towards benign. A normal Moon Rabbit at the peak Juvenile Body stage would only have a Bloodline Quality around Common Bone Level 2-Star. This Twin Moon Rabbit has jumped a full eight minor ranks to reach Elite Level 1-Star, far exceeding the average upper limit for the Juvenile Body stage. Many Mature Body stage creatures can't even match her..."

  "Alright, don't be too disheartened. Natal Summoning primarily focuses on compatibility. Aptitude, talent, and potential are separate matters. This Moon Rabbit might not become a powerful combatant for you, but it will surely be your closest companion!"Jiang Lingyue assumed Bai Wushang's silence stemmed from dissatisfaction with the pet beast. She couldn't help but frown slightly as she offered this reminder.

  "Huh?"Bai Wushang was slightly taken aback and quickly explained:"No, that's not it... I'm just overjoyed to finally have a pet beast... It's just... thinking about how muddled the whole process was, from awakening my soul power to contracting a pet beast now, I still feel a bit dazed..."

  Since Jiang Lingyue hadn't discovered the little one's unusual nature, Bai Wushang saw no need to expose the secret himself. He chose his words carefully and diverted the topic.

  Jiang Lingyue's expression softened slightly. Her clear, pure eyes glanced at Bai Wushang, but she didn't dwell on the topic. Instead, she said:"Alright, pack up and let's get going. We need to reach the academy before noon."

  "Oh, okay."Bai Wushang stood up and tried to retract the little creature into his Book of Covenant. The cover of the book had now changed to a silver and white pattern, looking much better.However, the little one was very unwilling, insisting on snuggling in his arms.After several tries, Bai Wushang gave up. Seeing the little creature so dependent on him actually made him quite happy.

  "Little Ice!"Jiang Lingyue suddenly called out sharply.

  The originally lazy Three-Tailed Iceflame Fox instantly pricked up its ears, landed on all fours, and let out a cry towards the sky."Wuuuuu~~~~~"

  Rings of blue icy mist rose from its surroundings, enveloping it in the center, spinning faster and faster.After more than ten seconds, the ice mist dissipated, revealing a massive, pale-blue Three-Tailed Iceflame Fox standing tall, seven or eight meters long.It wore an ice crown, its eyes radiating majesty. Its fur was completely free of dust. Describing it with words like "holy" or "noble" seemed somewhat inadequate.Bai Wushang also noticed that the Iceflame Fox's three tails were a gradient blue – lighter near the base, deepening to a sea-like dark blue at the tips, quite beautiful.

  "This is its true form." Jiang Lingyue tapped the ground lightly with her toes and easily leaped onto the fox's back. Her voice, however, carried a hint of apology. "But Little Ice doesn't like others riding on its back, so I'll have to trouble you two to hold onto its tails."

  "Kyuu~"The little rabbit in Bai Wushang's arms widened its eyes, staring blankly at the beautiful fox that now filled its entire field of vision.!(;?o?)

  Through their contract connection, Bai Wushang vaguely sensed the little rabbit's surprise, but strangely, the dominant emotion was envy. He found it inexplicably amusing.

  "If you work hard, maybe you can grow this big too. Then I won't have to worry about not having a mount...""Kyi Kyi!" The little one stomped its foot seriously, as if promising to try its best.

  ...

  Under the blazing sun, across the golden desert, the blue Three-Tailed Iceflame Fox sometimes shifted and leaped, sometimes sprinted at high speed.Bai Wushang and Mu Xiaoxiao each clung to a large, fluffy tail, suspended halfway in the air, experiencing a sensation akin to a rollercoaster ride.Along the way, they saw swarms of Black Ant Beasts migrating, a Gray Rock Python lurking in the sand attempting an ambush, a Cloud Vulture catching a Steelwire Sparrow, and even spotted a Harpy Sphinx in the distance!

  Until, finally, on the distant horizon, a magnificent, imposing azure city came into faint view.