Li Qian watched Xiaohui soar freely through the air, feeling a wave of emotion.
’After completing its evolution, it must be pretty excited right now, too,’ he thought.
This was evident from the way it circled endlessly, letting out chirps of "CHIRP, CHIRP" from time to time.
Watching Xiaohui in the air, Li Qian let out a long sigh.
’This is an Emperor Level Pet Beast,’ he mused.
Although Li Qian was confident that with the help of his Golden Finger, he could definitely develop more Pet Beasts with Emperor Level Potential in the future.
But since the Extreme Fierce Sky Escape Eagle was his first, he couldn’t help but feel his heart flutter with excitement.
Just as Li Qian was watching his Pet Beast, his heart filled with emotion, an unfamiliar voice suddenly spoke up. "This Pet Beast... it looks a bit like the Sky Escape Eagle developed by Professor Yan of Shazhou Beast Taming University."
Startled by the sudden voice, Li Qian quickly turned toward its source.
There, on a ridge between the fields, a middle-aged man of about forty with a small mustache was also looking up at the sky.
To be more precise, he was watching Xiaohui soar through the air.
"Who are you?" Li Qian asked, a flicker of alarm in his eyes.
’I just got here and I know I scanned the area. There was no one around. So when did this mustached man appear?’
’He moves like a ghost!’
’It’s like he materialized out of thin air!’
’To appear so strangely, completely bypassing my senses... this man is no simple character.’
’His background, his power... he must be formidable in every way.’
The mustached man didn’t answer. Instead, he tore his gaze from the sky and looked at Li Qian.
"Young man, do you have any idea how dangerous it is to use a Transmission Center’s long-distance Teleportation Array for an evolution?"
Hearing this, Li Qian’s wariness lessened, though he remained on guard.
’Since he mentioned the Transmission Center, he’s basically revealed his origins.’
’He’s almost certainly a Federation expert stationed at the Zhonghai City or Qianshan City Transmission Center.’
Having deduced the man’s likely identity, Li Qian let his guard down and apologized without hesitation. "Sir, I was ignorant of the risks and acted rashly. I apologize for any trouble I’ve caused the Transmission Center."
’Setting aside the terrifying power of this man who’s likely from the Federation’s Transmission Center, a simple matter of right and wrong, this was my fault.’
’When you’re outmatched and in the wrong, you back down.’ So Li Qian did, decisively.
’He’s a Federation expert, after all, not some rogue cultivator. He probably won’t split hairs over something like this,’ Li Qian reasoned.
’Besides, judging from the mysterious expert’s tone, even if Xiaohui’s evolution did affect the Teleportation Array between Zhonghai City and Qianshan City, the impact was probably minor.’
’And thinking about it more, he had to admit he hadn’t thought things through deeply enough.’
Professor Yan’s research data had detailed the evolution from a Gray Bean Dove to a Sky Escape Eagle, and it had emphasized the role of a Teleportation Array. But it never specified *what kind* of Teleportation Array to use.
Perhaps not a public transit Teleportation Array, but one specifically designed for research experiments.
’No, not perhaps. Most likely.’
Besides, an Extreme Fierce Sky Escape Eagle wasn’t the same as a regular Sky Escape Eagle. With its Potential breaking through to the Emperor Level, the spatial fluctuations it caused would be far more intense.
The mustached man ignored Li Qian’s apology and pressed on with his own question. "You still haven’t answered me. Is that the Sky Escape Eagle developed at Shazhou Beast Taming University?"
Seeing that the man didn’t seem too concerned and likely wouldn’t press the issue, Li Qian breathed a silent sigh of relief. He answered respectfully, "You have a sharp eye, Sir. This is indeed a Pet Beast I evolved based on Professor Yan’s Sky Escape Eagle research, with a few slight modifications."
"Slight modifications? I doubt it’s that simple."
The mustached man chuckled as he looked at Li Qian. "What’s the name of this eagle? Its Racial Potential seems extraordinary. I’d say it has already broken through to the Emperor Level."
Li Qian replied with renewed respect, "Your insight is incredible, Sir. Xiaohui just finished evolving. This Evolutionary Form is called the Extreme Fierce Sky Escape Eagle. Its Potential has indeed broken through to the Emperor Level, though it only just reached Tier One Emperor."
If before he was only ninety percent sure, Li Qian was now one hundred percent certain.
’This mustached man is definitely a big shot. His Beast Taming Talent certainly isn’t the Eye of True Sight. To be able to determine Xiaohui’s Racial Potential based on sight and experience alone... that’s frighteningly impressive.’
"Only just reached Tier One Emperor? Just reaching the Emperor Level at all is incredible!"
The mustached man’s gaze on Li Qian grew more and more appreciative. "What’s more, this Extreme Fierce Sky Escape Eagle possesses the Space Element. And what’s truly rare is that you’re so young—you must be a student. Tell me, which Beast Taming University do you attend?"
Li Qian didn’t hesitate to explain his situation. "You’re mistaken, Sir. I just graduated from high school, so I’m not a university student yet. But I have signed an enrollment agreement with Shazhou Beast Taming University and will be starting there in September."
After explaining his situation, Li Qian seized the opportunity to ask, "May I ask your name, Sir?"
"Hahaha... A high school graduate. Interesting, very interesting..."
"It’s been many years since we’ve seen a high school graduate like you. Old Pu really lucked out."
The mustached man laughed heartily, made his remark, and then finally introduced himself. "My name is Li Sukuai."
Although he wasn’t sure who this "Old Pu" was—none of the instructors he’d met from Shazhou Beast Taming University had that surname—Li Qian still called out respectfully, "Elder Li."
Not forgetting what had happened earlier, Li Qian asked, "Um, Elder Li, was the impact of Xiaohui’s evolution on the Teleportation Array severe?"
Li Sukuai waved his hand dismissively. Just as Li Qian had guessed, he wasn’t concerned about it.
"It wasn’t a big deal. I’ve already taken care of it for you."
Hearing this confirmation, Li Qian couldn’t help but let out a long sigh of relief. He thanked him again, "Thank you so much for your help, Elder Li!"
"So, how do you plan on repaying me?" Li Sukuai countered playfully, the moment the words of thanks left Li Qian’s mouth.