"Do you know? After confirming this news, I really wanted to keep you here at all costs!" Shi Gui Fang sighed after learning the truth behind the surprise, her voice tinged with excitement.
Hearing this, Li Qian didn’t think much of it and playfully quipped, "At all costs? Does that include you?"
"If you chose to stay, that could be arranged." The petite woman was taken aback for a moment but recovered quickly, her tone becoming suggestive.
"Ahem..." Li Qian coughed lightly, an irrepressible look of embarrassment flashing across his face. He had been purely joking, not thinking anything of it, and never expected the woman to actually run with it.
"Tee-hee... I’m just kidding..." Seeing the fleeting embarrassment and panic on Li Qian’s face, Shi Gui Fang suddenly burst out laughing. Her laughter instantly broke the tense atmosphere.
"Besides, even if I couldn’t get you to stay, it doesn’t mean we won’t have other opportunities to work together." The petite woman continued, her words leaving Li Qian somewhat puzzled.
She continued without pause, explaining, "I’m sure that with your talent, it won’t be long after you get to a Beast Taming University that you’ll have your own research lab or Cultivation Base. When that happens, we can sponsor it."
A look of sudden understanding dawned on Li Qian’s face. He thought it was a very real possibility, as it was one of the conditions of his enrollment at Shazhou Beast Taming University.
"Then I’ll look forward to collaborating with Sky Realm Cultivation Base again." Li Qian was open to such a partnership.
So, he replied with a positive smile.
However, coming back to Zhonghai City to do research at the Sky Realm Cultivation Base during summer or winter break was basically out of the question.
Not that Li Qian had ever considered it.
After one last glance at the Extreme Fierce Sky Escape Eagle soaring high above, Li Qian decided not to linger. He chatted a little longer with the petite woman, then turned and strode away from the Sky Realm Cultivation Base.
He’d been here for over a month, and overall, it had been a very pleasant and comfortable stay.
Shi Gui Fang had created an ideal environment for him, allowing him to focus solely on his research without any interruptions.
It was certainly much more comfortable than his time at Gao Yaxin’s Changfeng Cultivation Base.
For that, Li Qian was rather grateful to Shi Gui Fang.
But their time together had run its course, and all good things must come to an end.
Watching Li Qian’s retreating back, the petite woman clicked her tongue, at a loss for words.
She was well aware that her Sky Realm Cultivation Base was merely a shallow pond, far too small to contain a Flood Dragon like Li Qian.
’In the future, maintaining a connection and continuing to work together would be the best possible outcome.’
’If a partnership doesn’t materialize, I wouldn’t be surprised either.’
’Once Li Qian truly demonstrates his Potential and talent, he won’t lack for partners.’
’It would become extremely difficult for a small Cultivation Base like Sky Realm to secure a partnership with him then.’
’The family backing me, however, stands a much better chance.’
Shaking her head, Shi Gui Fang tried not to dwell on it, but a flicker of resentment soon sparked within her.
Her grandaunt, Shi Yulian, was a professor at Zhonghai Beast Taming University.
Zhonghai Beast Taming University was known as one of the best Beast Taming Universities in the entire Dongxia Federation.
It was on par with Kyoto Beast Taming University.
And yet, such a prestigious institution had missed out on Li Qian, a Genius Cultivator the likes of which only appears once in a century.
The thought frustrated Shi Gui Fang.
If Li Qian had enrolled at Zhonghai Beast Taming University, they would surely have a much better working relationship.
And collaboration would be so much more convenient.
Staring at Li Qian’s retreating figure, she pulled out her phone without a moment’s hesitation.
She dialed her grandaunt’s number.
On the other end of the call, Shi Yulian listened to her niece’s rant, her expression one of resignation.
While she held Zhonghai Beast Taming University in high regard, Shi Yulian couldn’t help but feel that missing out on a Genius Cultivator like Li Qian was an immense loss for the institution.
For that very reason, simmering with frustration, she decided she would find an opportunity to give those old-timers at the university a piece of her mind.
Especially those smug admissions officers.
After leaving the Sky Realm Cultivation Base, Li Qian wasted no time, heading straight for the Zhonghai City Transmission Center.
Guided by a staff member, he was soon brought before the head of the Zhonghai City Transmission Center—Li Sukuai!
Upon meeting Li Sukuai, Li Qian handed over three Beast Taming Balls. "These are the three Extreme Fierce Sky Escape Eagles I cultivated during my stay. Time was limited and the success rate isn’t high, so I only managed to produce three."
Of course, there had actually been four. The last one, naturally, had gone to Shi Gui Fang.
"To cultivate three Extreme Fierce Sky Escape Eagles in such a short time... it seems we’ll have to re-evaluate the value of this evolution method of yours," Li Sukuai said, his voice tinged with surprise.
Li Qian didn’t say much, just smiling faintly and replying humbly, "Just luck. I got lucky."
His words made it clear that he wished to remain low-key.
Li Sukuai understood his intention immediately and nodded. "Rest assured. I won’t breathe a word to anyone about you mastering the evolution method for an Emperor-level Potential Pet Beast."
Hearing this, Li Qian gave a wry smile. "You don’t have to go that far. The ultimate purpose of an evolution method is to be used to its full potential, not to be selfishly hoarded or left to gather dust on a shelf."
This was true for the Extreme Fierce Sky Escape Eagle, and it was true for the Tidal Sea Spirit as well!
"Emperor-level Pet Beasts like the Extreme Fierce Sky Escape Eagle and Tidal Sea Spirit are always in high demand."
"Never mind anyone else; our Transmission Center alone will take as many as you can provide."
"Of course, it wouldn’t be right to hog them all for ourselves, so we wouldn’t mind if you have other partners," Li Sukuai said magnanimously.
This raised Li Sukuai even higher in Li Qian’s estimation.
Li Sukuai had saved him at a critical moment last time, a debt Li Qian felt deeply. He had half-expected the man to leverage that favor for some kind of repayment.
Yet, he hadn’t mentioned it at all.
There was another matter that Li Sukuai feigned ignorance of, which also improved Li Qian’s impression of him.
He must have known that Li Qian had evolved four Extreme Fierce Sky Escape Eagles.
After all, Li Qian had used the special, dedicated Teleportation Array provided by Li Sukuai for the evolution just a few days prior.
With Li Sukuai’s capabilities, he had to have detected exactly how many Pet Beasts were evolved!
But when Li Qian presented him with only three, he asked no questions, showing his complete respect.
He didn’t inquire about the whereabouts of the last Extreme Fierce Sky Escape Eagle at all.
The two chatted for a while longer before Li Qian, not wanting to waste any more time, headed straight for the underground Teleportation Array.
This time, his destination was Yunlan City.
Li Sukuai had given him a VIP card that granted him three free trips on the Teleportation Array every month.
’It would be a waste not to take advantage of such a great perk.’
The school year was about to start, so he planned to spend a few days at home before heading to Shazhou Beast Taming University to report for enrollment.