Chapter 104 - 103: A Familiar Routine
Beast Master Association.
The central battlefield.
Bai Qiucha, who was waiting outside the door, was once again drawn in by the massive stir from inside, growing ever more curious about the ongoing battle.
Listening to the hubbub, it seemed that Master Mo Guan was genuinely pulling out all the stops. It looked like Bai Qi’s pace of improvement had far exceeded her own estimation.
After all, how could someone capable of defeating her be just an average person!
Crack!
The door slowly opened. Bai Qiucha immediately rushed forward, only to see Mo Guan emerge with a solemn expression on his face.
Behind Mo Guan, President Qin, on the other hand, wore a broad smile and was continuously chatting with Bai Qi.
President Qin, in a good mood, patted Bai Qi’s shoulder, saying, “Well call it a day with the evaluation. Go back and rest well. There’s a press conference in a few days, and we don’t want you to appear worn out.”
“Okay, President.”
Bai Qi nodded mechanically, still pondering his earlier battle.
The Withering Divine Sword indeed broke through the Undying Golden Body of the Golden Armor Giant Spirit during the battle, but midway through the strike, Alpha had some trouble controlling the trajectory of the oversized sword and diverted it to the side.
The complexity of blending two abilities was indeed a little high… no, it might be due to low proficiency.
But mastering this Super Skill certainly wasn’t easy!
Bai Qi shook his head slightly in disappointment, while Mo Guan, watching him, felt as if he had swallowed a fly — his discomfort increasing considerably.
Though that sword strike had merely grazed the Golden Armor Giant Spirit’s scalp, causing no harm at all, the outcome was far less satisfying than if the Giant Spirit had taken a full-on blow from the Withering Divine Sword.
If it weren’t for Bai Qi’s low level, and the fact that he was only here to evaluate Alpha, Mo Guan would have not hesitated to compete with Bai Qi today.
“Lao Mo, let’s go. We haven’t drunk together in a long time. Tonight, we’ll have a grand feast, my treat!”
Having a splendid day, President Qin grabbed a frowning Mo Guan and headed straight to his office, leaving Bai Qiucha utterly confused.
All the grim faces suggested that the evaluation didn’t go well…
But why was President Qin laughing so heartily then?
Confusing.
Giving up on the matter, Bai Qiucha turned to Bai Qi and asked, “Can you tell me about your beast’s new evolved form?”
Bai Qi, still brooding over his fight mistakes, countered, “New evolved form? Which one are you referring to?”
Which one? So, there’s more than one?
Bai Qiucha was taken aback. She was about to inquire further, but noticed that Bai Qi had already wandered off.
“Nevermind, I will ask him next time.”
Shaking her head in disappointment, Bai Qiucha made her way toward the Tower of Gratitude.
Upon Bai Qi’s suggestion that he study runes, Bai Qiucha had invested a lot of time into it.
However, it seemed he didn’t have much of a knack for runes; just looking at them gave him a headache.
With the word that Bai Qi had developed a new evolved form, he had intended to take a look and perhaps glean some insight, but now that Bai Qi had left, he resigned himself to continuing his attempted breakthrough.
Jiuding Mall.
“Hello, may I assist you with something?”
Just as Bai Qi stepped into the Jiuding Mall, an elegant female receptionist immediately rushed forward to welcome him.
“I’d like to see if there’s a large-scale energy system available for purchase.”
The receptionist’s eyes lit up, her smile beaming brighter, “We at Jiuding Mall are one of the Federation’s largest mechanical marketplaces. We certainly have energy systems. However, could you specify the magnitude of the one you are seeking?”
Bai Qi pondered this for a moment, “It doesn’t need to be anything huge. An Ark Level should suffice.”
Ark, Ark Level?
You planning on constructing a battleship or something?
The receptionist’s smile instantly froze before she awkwardly explained, “Apologies, sir. Ark Level energy is considered a strategic resource and requires a report to be filed with the Beast Master Association.”
“Simply report to the Association? That’s good, I thought it would be quite the hassle.”
Upon hearing the receptionist’s response, Bai Qi was finally able to relax.
Considering the destructive power of Alpha and Husky in their current states, their training areas needed careful design, certainly requiring substantial energy.
Improving the growth environment for the Angel’s Flower and the other plants transferred from Danggu Mountain were also energy-intensive.
Furthermore, considering Schuck’s gradually progressing mastery over mechanical blueprints, the number of pieces of equipment that would be needed was set to increase. Therefore, Bai Qi decided to directly opt for an Ark Level energy system.
Although there were higher levels of energy systems like Catastrophe and Star, those were beyond his imagining.
Poor!
Still, poor!
Bai Qi sighed, and the receptionist beside him finally reacted, saying, “Then, sir, may I show you to our energy area?”
“Thank you.”
Bai Qi nodded, intending to follow when a hand suddenly grabbed his shoulder, attempting to pull him away.
However, thanks to Bai Qi’s routine torments by the Evolution Egg and Alpha’s recent breakthrough to Mid-Level Lord — which had given him a significant burst of adaptive physical enhancement — Bai Qi merely shook a little before shaking the hand off.
Could this be another troublemaker?
Turning around, Bai Qi saw an arrogant-looking man scrutinizing him.
“I thought the top student in the two cities’ joint exam would be some formidable figure, turned out it’s just an ordinary character like you. What a letdown.”
“Xia Xuan losing to you was simply careless.”
Really now…
Rendered speechless, Bai Qi glanced at the man, immediately turned around, and followed the saleswoman. “Do you have any ongoing promotions here, like any discounts…”
Seeing Bai Qi blatantly ignoring him, Wu Yi couldn’t help but turn livid. He hastily stepped in front of Bai Qi, saying: “Young man, don’t be so arrogant. I’m this year’s provincial exam top scorer, far superior to the likes of you from some remote city.”
So, he came here for attention?
“Sorry, I don’t know you, and I don’t have the time to entertain you. If you’re bored, go right out the door and turn left into the Haoli Dojo. There’s a group of burly men there who can entertain you for an entire day.”
After saying that, Bai Qi intended to brush past Wu Yi. But Wu Yi clearly had no intention of letting Bai Qi off so easily, he snorted: “My family owns a share in Jiuding Mall, believe it or not, I can make your purchase fail.”
“You own shares in it?”
Upon hearing this, Bai Qi’s expression changed, he looked at Wu Yi in surprise.
Wu Yi reveled in Bai Qi’s reaction, he nodded satisfactorily: “Of course, you’d better treat me nicely if you want to buy something here.”
“Do you have the authority to write off the bill?”
Caught off guard by Bai Qi’s question, Wu Yi hesitated, instinctively recalling the conversation about the Energy System earlier.
Although his family owned a share in Jiuding Mall, his share was minuscule. He could let go of purchases amounting to a few tens of millions, but the cheapest Energy System was priced at more than tens of millions. If his dad found out, he would undoubtedly yell at him.
“So, you can’t.”
Seeing Wu Yi hesitant, Bai Qi sighed disappointedly.
As expected, only Xia Xuan would prove useful. Not everyone could turn into a wealth dispenser.
“Wait, I ll write it off. But you have to spar with me first!”
Oh, here comes the familiar trap again?
Bai Qi raised his eyebrows, saying: “Fine, I’ll spar with you. If I lose, you can do whatever you want with me. If I win, I get a Catastrophe-level Energy System for free.”
“Catastrophe Level? Weren’t you just asking about the Ark…”
Wu Yi’s statements were cut off by Bai Qi’s contemptuous look.
“Catastrophe it is then, I won’t lose anyway!”
Although Gusu City had seen a surge in recent years, the overall level of Beast Masters could not be compared to that of the provincial cities.
“Then it’s settled, whoever backs out is a dog.”
Awooo?
(What has the dog done to you? Is it right to disparage a dog like that?)
Once Bai Qi made this statement, Wu Yi found himself at a loss for words. Facing the direction of the Jiuding Mall’s battlefield, he trudged along, and Bai Qi calmly followed him.
Arriving at the battlefield, Wu Yi cleared all the referees and spectators, even shutting down the surveillance systems.
The news of Xia Xuan losing to Bai Qi twice had spread through their circle because of employee whistleblowers. Wu Yi naturally wouldn’t repeat this blunder.
“To save time, we ll conduct a ivl match. Whoever’s pet beast loses its combat capability first, loses.”
“No problem.”
Bai Qi nodded, and both of them began to summon their pet beasts.
Due to the recent fight, Alpha’s energy value was down to about 20% to 30%, roughly around 30 to 4.0 thousand, so it appeared somewhat lethargic.
In contrast, as soon as Wu Yi’s Array appeared, it illuminated the entire field with a dazzling light. Bai Qi had to shield his eyes.
“How is it? As a person from a small city like yours, you probably haven’t seen a high-end pet beast like Goddess Butterfly.”
Looking at the gigantic white butterfly in front of him that radiated a blinding light, Wu Yi was completely infatuated.
Such a beautiful, elegant, and powerful pet beast was the perfect match for a genius like him.
Well, Xia Xuan didn’t count.
“Light department?”
Upon seeing this, Bai Qi was somewhat surprised. Compared to the Undead Department, the number of Light Department pet beasts was relatively smaller. Apart from their rarity, the other big issue was their cultivation materials.
But rich young masters like these, who didn’t lack money, could indeed afford to breed them.
“Let’s start then.”
Looking at Wu Yi, who was confident of his victory, Bai Qi signaled for the match to start.
“Ha- A beast from the Undead Department dares to compete with my Goddess Butterfly. What a humbling experience.”
After observing Alpha’s Crystal Skeleton, Wu Yi’s worries had completely disappeared.
Even if it was a Legendary Pet Beast, under the same level, the Light Department suppressed the Undead Department. If he still lost, he might as well dig a hole and bury himself in it.
“Let’s begin then.”
Wu Yi gestured to signify the start of the match and immediately gave the Goddess Butterfly instructions without waiting for Bai Qi to react.
“Goddess Butterfly, activate the Lament of the Light Goddess!”