Beast Taming: I'm Really Not a Cultivation Master

Chapter 251: Chapter 227: Willingly, Mission Feedback 1

After hearing what Shi Yulian had to say, the weight on Li Qian’s mind eased considerably. He now understood why Li Sukuai’s expression had soured upon seeing the Void Blood Bat.

The three of them chatted for a while longer before Shi Yulian prepared to leave. Before she left, she advised him to maintain a good relationship with Li Saint.

Li Qian readily agreed. Even if Shi Yulian hadn’t mentioned it, he would have latched onto such a powerful connection anyway.

Most importantly, it seemed Li Saint’s impression of him was also quite good.

Shi Yulian left. The moment she was out the door, Shi Gui Fang spoke, her voice tinged with envy. ”You’re so lucky.”

Li Qian knew what she meant. He just smiled and didn’t respond.

’Lucky?’

’Maybe I am!’

After all, the experience had broadened his horizons considerably. It was just that the mental fortitude he had painstakingly built up yesterday now seemed to have gone to waste, leaving him at a loss for whether to laugh or cry.

After composing himself, he wasted no more time and threw himself back into his research.

He discovered that constant thinking, keeping his mind running at high speed, was also a great help in enhancing his Spiritual Power—it was nearly as effective as Meditation.

Though he hadn’t measured it, Li Qian could tell from his own condition that his relentless thinking and research had already led to a substantial increase in his Spiritual Power.

He had very likely already broken through to the Mid-Tier Elite level. This was evident from how his thoughts had been growing increasingly agile during his recent research.

Of course, Li Qian knew this was only the beginning. For now, his Spiritual Power still lagged behind the power progression of Qizai and Xiaoliu, shackling their growth.

After two days of contemplation with no results, Li Qian decided to return to Hongqiao Manor in search of inspiration.

True to his decisive nature, Li Qian arrived at Hongqiao Manor the very next day. This time, Elder Liao’s gaze was even more vigilant upon seeing him.

He looked like an old farmer worried about a wild animal ravaging his vegetable patch, an exasperatingly funny sight.

Li Qian considered going over to reassure him, but after a moment’s thought, he dismissed the idea.

’There’s no need to explain. I’ll be leaving Zhonghai City to attend university in Shazhou City soon. The chances of us crossing paths again are slim.’

Just like last time, the two found a spot in the manor and began to chat in a relaxed, leisurely manner.

Their conversation covered many topics, from their recent lives and cultivation knowledge to issues concerning the evolution of the Golden Pearl Bud.

Li Qian wore a constant smile; he felt happy and very much at ease chatting with Sun Ruirui.

For some reason, being with this girl, who was only a year his junior, made him feel completely relaxed.

It was a feeling he never got when he was with Tu Jiaojiao, Li Lanying, Zhao Xiwei, Gao Yaxin, Shi Gui Fang, or Wu You.

They talked all morning, but he still hadn’t found any new leads. Without standing on ceremony, Li Qian stayed for lunch at Hongqiao Manor.

The food at the manor was excellent, not much different from the Sky Realm Cultivation Base. Li Qian ate with great satisfaction. The only unsettling thing was Elder Liao standing nearby the entire time, his face set in a stern mask.

”By the way, I haven’t seen Professor Sun all day. Do you know where he is?” Li Qian asked. After lunch and a short rest, the two had begun to stroll toward the northeast corner of the estate—the small bay where the Tidal Sea Spirit, Ah Hai, resided.

”I don’t know. My uncle has been incredibly busy lately. Sometimes I don’t see him for days at a time,” Sun Ruirui replied, shaking her head.

Hearing this, Li Qian suddenly made a few connections.

’This is probably related to the recent series of incidents in Zhonghai City.’

’After all, it wasn’t just Comrade Lao Sun who was busy. According to Shi Gui Fang, her grandaunt, Shi Yulian, had also been incredibly elusive lately.’

”Professor Sun is a teacher at Zhonghai Beast Taming University and a renowned powerhouse in Zhonghai City, after all. It’s normal for him to be busy,” Li Qian replied casually.

He could tell that Sun Ruirui was likely unaware of the recent events in Zhonghai City.

’Considering how protective Comrade Lao Sun is of her, he definitely wouldn’t have told her the truth.’

After saying that, Li Qian turned his head and noticed that Sun Ruirui had fallen behind him, her expression grave.

The girl looked at Li Qian, her tone filled with worry. ”Brother Qian, I’ve been very uneasy lately. A powerful intuition is telling me that something is wrong with the ocean, like a terrible storm is brewing.”

Hearing this, Li Qian’s expression remained unchanged, but his mind was in turmoil.

’So this is the Ocean Calamity Talent!’

’This kind of intuition is terrifying!’

’Maybe it’s not intuition at all, but some kind of preternatural perception...’

Forcing a calm smile, Li Qian said, ”You’re overthinking things. What could possibly go wrong with the ocean?”

To avoid giving anything away, he quickly changed the subject. ”Alright, don’t let your imagination run wild. Let’s go check on the Golden Pearl Buds.”

”Yes, I’m probably just overthinking it.” Sun Ruirui nodded, let out a long breath, and then fell into step with Li Qian.

Before long, they arrived at the small bay.

The two walked onto the stone bridge. Sun Ruirui took several square objects from her Spatial Equipment and tossed them into the water. They were Energy Blocks, a universal food for most Pet Beasts.

Just moments after the Energy Blocks were scattered, numerous Golden Pearl Buds surfaced to feast on the food floating on the water.

These Golden Pearl Buds all looked alike, and there were quite a few of them—about a hundred in total. Li Qian couldn’t tell them apart at all.

While Li Qian couldn’t tell one from another, it wasn’t a problem for Sun Ruirui.

With a quick glance, she began to name them with intimate familiarity. ”That’s Jin Yi, that’s Jin Jiu, and that one is Jin Shisan—it’s the one that tried to evolve the other night. And that’s Jin Shiba, the one that gave up its Golden Pearl...”

Listening to Sun Ruirui’s introductions, Li Qian commented casually, ”Jin Shiba doesn’t look very happy.”

He was right. Jin Shiba did look listless and dejected, showing little enthusiasm for competing for the Energy Blocks.

Sun Ruirui sighed. ”That’s to be expected. A Golden Pearl Bud’s Golden Pearl is the very essence of its being. To say it lost half its life when it lost its pearl is no exaggeration. Of course it wouldn’t give it up willingly, so it’s only natural for it to be dejected.”

The instant the words left her mouth, a divine electronic prompt suddenly sounded in Li Qian’s mind.

[Task Two: Evolution method from Golden Pearl Bud to Tidal Sea Spirit. Inspiration Value +2. Current task progress: 100%!]

[Submit Task Two?]