"A Divine Envoy of the Ancient Divine Teachings!" Hearing Li Qian’s words, Comrade Lao Sun looked over at Elder Liao, who was now a mangled mess. The shock on his face was plain to see.
He truly never imagined that Elder Liao, who had worked so diligently by his side for so many years, would turn out to be a Cultist of the Ancient Divine Teachings.
A fine sweat broke out on his forehead as he considered the man’s likely objective.
Without a doubt, looking back from how things turned out, the man had painstakingly schemed to remain by his side, most likely for Sun Ruirui.
An expression of deep regret crossed Comrade Lao Sun’s face at the thought that his own carelessness could have brought harm to his closest relative.
Now, he finally understood why Li Qian had been so impolite, why his words had been so barbed.
"To think he’s a Cultist of the Ancient Divine Teachings... It’s really... aigh!" Comrade Lao Sun didn’t doubt Li Qian’s words. After all, Li Saint was right beside them; he wouldn’t let the young man spout nonsense. He looked again at the unconscious form of Elder Liao on the ground, murmured emotionally, and then couldn’t help but let out a long sigh.
That one long sigh was filled with a multitude of complex emotions.
Li Qian saw the forlorn look on Comrade Lao Sun’s face. He didn’t kick the man while he was down with more taunts, but instead remained silent.
He knew full well that of everyone present, no one was more devastated by this turn of events than Comrade Lao Sun.
’After all, they had been together day in and day out for so many years. How could there not be some sort of bond?’
"How is he?" Comrade Lao Sun gestured toward Elder Liao on the ground. His lips moved hesitantly before he finally managed to ask the question.
"Don’t worry, he’s not dying." Li Qian also glanced at the collapsed form of Elder Liao, his voice turning cold. "He’s a Cultist. I won’t let him die that easily."
Savagely beating him up was just a way to vent his anger. Next, Li Qian planned to hand him over to the Public Security Bureau. He’d let them give the man a thorough interrogation and see if they could pry anything of value out of him.
As for the man’s final fate, Li Qian wasn’t the least bit worried. Once he was in the hands of the Public Security Bureau, a pleasant outcome was impossible.
"Thank you. For saving Ruirui, you’ve basically saved me, too!" Having grasped the full picture, Comrade Lao Sun gave Li Qian a deep, grateful bow.
He knew full well what Sun Ruirui meant to him, and he understood even better the role Li Qian had played in this whole affair.
It was no exaggeration to say that Li Qian had saved him.
If Li Qian hadn’t acted decisively at the critical moment to resolve the issue with Sun Ruirui’s Apocalypse Seer: Ocean Calamity, his niece would have likely been turned into a Talent Blood Essence by the time he got back.
That’s right. When an Apocalypse Seer’s Life Energy is completely devoured by their own Beast Taming Talent, all that remains is a Talent Blood Essence—the very thing the Cultist, Elder Liao, had been after all along.
At this thought, Comrade Lao Sun couldn’t help but let out a long, shuddering breath.
"Forget it. Just try to be a better judge of character in the future." Li Qian waved his hand, putting on a magnanimous air.
Nearby, a faint smile touched Li Sukuai’s lips as he watched the scene unfold.
’He’d always felt that Li Qian’s disposition was too mature, not at all like a recent high school graduate. Now, seeing his reaction, he finally saw a bit of a young man’s temperament.’
’He dares to love and to hate; he’s talented, courageous, magnanimous, and broad-minded, yet he holds fast to his own principles. He really is an excellent young man.’
Just as Li Qian and Comrade Lao Sun were speaking, Sun Ruirui, who had been standing as still as a statue, finally stirred.
She slowly opened her eyes, and Li Qian clearly saw that, unlike before, her pupils had transformed into a jewel-like sapphire blue.
They looked as if they held a pool of tranquil ocean water.
It seemed that if you stared into them for too long, you could drown.
"Brother Qian, I really awakened! Thank you, Brother Qian..." Opening her eyes to see Li Qian and her third uncle beside her, the young girl exclaimed in delighted surprise.
"The first thing you say when you open your eyes is ’Brother Qian’? Can’t you see that your third uncle is here, too?" Hearing how the girl addressed Li Qian and seeing her eyes remain fixed on him, Comrade Lao Sun couldn’t help but sound a little sour.
"Isn’t it perfectly normal for her to thank her savior? Or should she be thanking you, her clueless biological uncle?" A smug smile played on Li Qian’s lips as he couldn’t resist another jab.
Li Sukuai, who was standing nearby, sized her up for a moment before nodding slightly. "Very good. After awakening the Ocean Calamity Talent, your Spiritual Power has shot straight up to Dominator Level!
And the Potential of this Pet Beast of yours is also quite extraordinary.
Cultivate it well and develop more practical combat Skills, and its true fighting strength will absolutely surpass that of an ordinary Dominator Level."
After offering his brief assessment of the newly awakened Sun Ruirui, Li Sukuai prepared to leave. He turned to Li Qian and said, "Student Li Qian, I have other business to attend to, so I can’t stay. Remember to find me at the Transmission Center for tea when you have time. Don’t forget, we’re partners."
With that, his figure vanished in an instant.
It was as if such a person had never been there at all, leaving the others slightly stunned.
Li Qian, however, wasn’t surprised in the slightest. ’He was well aware of the kinds of abilities Li Sukuai possessed.’
’Never mind his other Pet Beasts; the Phantom Deep Space Butterfly alone could accomplish this with ease.’
"Ruirui, congratulations on successfully awakening a terrifying Talent like Ocean Calamity. When you become a genius Beast Master, famous throughout the entire Winter-Summer Federation, don’t you forget about me, okay?" Li Qian said in a joking tone.
"Brother Qian, you’re my savior. I wouldn’t be here today without you. How could I ever forget you?" Sun Ruirui blinked, gazing at Li Qian with a peculiar emotion stirring in the depths of her eyes.
She continued without pausing, "Oh, right, I remember you said you’re about to enroll at Shazhou Beast Taming University, Brother Qian. In that case, maybe I’ll apply too, and see if I can go to Shazhou Beast Taming University with you..."
The instant the words left the girl’s mouth, Sun Hongyi’s expression changed. He immediately cut in, "Ruirui, you must be cautious about this! You can’t make such a rash decision. Choosing a university is a lifelong commitment!"
"Your third uncle here has some connections in Zhonghai City. I’m also a professor at the Zhonghai Beast Taming University Cultivation College, so putting in a good word won’t be a problem. I’m sure that with your Talent, our very own Zhonghai Beast Taming University would be more than happy to have you."
Li Qian wasn’t the least bit surprised by Comrade Lao Sun’s persuasion.
’Never mind how far Shazhou Beast Taming University was from Zhonghai City.’
’The mere thought of him and Sun Ruirui spending their days together was probably enough to give Comrade Lao Sun sleepless nights.’
Sun Ruirui frowned at his words. She wanted to argue back, but she ultimately suppressed the urge to make a snarky retort, deciding to save her third uncle some face.
’As for whether she would stay in Zhonghai City to study, that was something she needed to think about... mainly, she had to consider Comrade Lao Sun’s feelings!’