Chu Xiran simply smiled, unbothered.
She stated her position frankly. "I am a graduate of Jiangnan Beast Taming University, that’s true. But before anything else, I’m your teacher."
"As your teacher, I want you to choose the path that’s best for you. Now that you’ve made your own choice, and without being influenced by me, I couldn’t be happier for you."
They exchanged a few more words before hanging up, as Chu Xiran had more important matters to attend to.
At that very moment, she was in a private room at a Beast Taming Cafe not far from Lingshui City Beast Taming High School.
Inside the private room with Chu Xiran were Zhu Bingqing and Niu Fenjin.
All three of them wore rather serious expressions.
"You must already know about the explosion the night before last," Chu Xiran began, bringing them up to speed. "As far as I know, there was another attack yesterday at noon. The assailants were from the Mechanical Desecration Association again, but the Public Security Bureau foiled their plan ahead of time, which is why there wasn’t a big commotion."
Zhu Bingqing nodded and added, "I’ve received confirmed intel from my family. The Mechanical Desecration Association’s target is most likely the Sealed Land."
Niu Fenjin’s usual carefree demeanor was gone, replaced by an equally serious expression.
He speculated, "If we let them keep probing, it won’t be long before they figure out that Taoyuan Villa in the North Suburb is just a decoy."
"If they shift their focus, they’ll find the real Sealed Land sooner or later."
"So, do we have a countermeasure?" Chu Xiran asked, her gaze sweeping over Zhu Bingqing and Niu Fenjin.
Zhu Bingqing pursed her lips, her tone tinged with resignation. "They call us the guardians assigned here by our families, but in reality, we’re just three grunts standing guard. We can handle minor threats, but against a powerful Cult Organization like the Mechanical Desecration Association, what can we do besides report back to our families?"
Niu Fenjin then complained, "I don’t even know what the hell is sealed in there, or why the Mechanical Desecration Association is coveting it."
Ignoring Niu Fenjin’s complaint, Zhu Bingqing stated her thoughts directly.
"Let’s do our part and leave the rest to fate. We just have to do our jobs."
In truth, this was the mission her family had assigned her.
To keep a close watch on the situation in Lingshui City and report back at the slightest sign of trouble.
The meeting didn’t last long. After enough time to finish a cup of coffee, the three of them left the Beast Taming Cafe and went their separate ways.
Not long after they had gone, a young man in a waiter’s uniform and black-rimmed glasses emerged from a corner of the cafe.
He gazed in the direction they had left, his attention finally settling on Niu Fenjin. The corner of his mouth curled into a faint smile.
He suddenly reached up and tapped the top of his glasses, then spoke abruptly. "Huang Shiqi, it’s confirmed. The three of them are most likely descendants of the Sealed Land’s Guardian families."
The instant he finished speaking, invisible to the naked eye, a line of text appeared on the surface of his glasses: "Then we’ll use them as our way in."
...
The day after Zhou Chubin and Ai Xiaolian departed, Xue Huaiyu left as well.
Before she left, she made a special trip to the Cultivation Base to go over a few things.
"...Someone will be by soon to deliver the invitation letter, handwritten by the principal, and your special admission notice. Once you receive them, just report to Shazhou Beast Taming University on time..."
Li Qian, of course, agreed without hesitation.
Since he had already promised to attend Shazhou Beast Taming University, he wasn’t about to go back on his word.
Three days after Xue Huaiyu’s departure, a plain-looking little old man arrived at the Cultivation Base.
The old man was short and wiry, looking no different from an old farmer.
This was the man who delivered the invitation letter, handwritten by the principal of Shazhou Beast Taming University, and the special admission notice to Li Qian.
What’s more, he stayed.
That’s right—he was the bodyguard Shazhou Beast Taming University had arranged for Li Qian, a Beast Master whose power was at least at the Dominator Level.
’Honestly, you really couldn’t tell just by looking at him.’
It just goes to show you can’t judge a book by its cover.
’This was a good thing, though. The more unassuming he appeared, the more likely he’d be overlooked. At a critical moment, that could provide the element of surprise.’
As for the strength of this forgettable-looking old man, Li Qian had no doubts whatsoever.
Because after they met, he had spotted a small, crimson snake on the old man’s shoulder.
Li Qian stared for a moment before he finally recalled what kind of Pet Beast it was: a Purgatory Viper, a Pet Beast with Dominator Level Potential.
A dual-attribute Dark and Poison Element!
Furthermore, from the fleeting aura it gave off, he could tell that this Purgatory Viper’s power was definitely beyond the Commander Level.
It had most likely reached the Dominator Level, though it was impossible to tell which stage.
And this was just one of the old man’s Pet Beasts. With his strength as a Dominator Level Beast Master, he had surely contracted more than one.
From this, Li Qian could deduce that the old man’s strength was formidable; he was likely not someone who had just recently reached the Dominator Level.
"How should I address you, Senior?" Li Qian asked, his attitude becoming much more respectful after recognizing the old man’s power.