Celestial Beast Taming

Chapter 77: Chapter 71: Zhong Yi’s Mansion

’Building a good relationship with someone of equal standing, like Zhong Chenghuai, was more important than trying to curry favor with Zhong Yi, whose status was on a different level.’

’Besides, as the deputy of a Celestial Destiny Seeker, it wouldn’t look good for her to be fawning over another Celestial Destiny Seeker like Zhong Yi.’

”Lord Zhong Yi, what’s all this talk about ’helping’? You’re treating me like a stranger.”

”You’re friends with Lord Jing Shui, and besides, it’s my honor to be able to do something for you.”

”In a bit, I’ll take Brother Huai over there. It’s a good opportunity to find a professional cleaning team to give the new residence a thorough cleaning.”

”If you need anything, I’ll take Brother Huai to buy it, or I can introduce Brother Huai to some reliable suppliers.”

The three of them chatted as they left the private room.

Zhong Yi, Zhong Chenghuai, and Xu Anjun had planned to part ways at the entrance of the Star Law Hall, but just as they stepped out the main door, they saw a father and son approaching them.

”Hello, I am Fu Hongning, the president of the Zhenchong Commerce Association. This is my son, Fu Wei. It is an honor to meet you here.”

While greeting Zhong Yi, Fu Hongning didn’t forget to greet Xu Anjun and Zhong Chenghuai as well.

Xu Anjun had noticed Fu Hongning waiting at the entrance of the Star Law Hall from a distance.

Fu Hongning, the president of the Zhenchong Commerce Association, was an old acquaintance of Xu Anjun’s.

Fu Hongning was a merchant who was strict with himself, but at the same time, he was also extremely adept at social climbing.

Otherwise, the Zhenchong Commerce Association wouldn’t have developed so well in Starlight City, even expanding to open shops in the surrounding Heroic Cities.

It was a testament to Fu Hongning’s skill that he could recognize Zhong Yi’s extraordinary nature.

As long as Zhong Yi didn’t show any displeasure, Xu Anjun wouldn’t object to someone of Fu Hongning’s status approaching him.

But if Zhong Yi showed any sign of refusal, Xu Anjun would immediately help him turn the man away.

When Zhong Yi revealed his identity as a Celestial Destiny Seeker, he already knew what it would bring.

Proactive gestures of goodwill from the head of a major power like Fu Hongning were exactly what Zhong Yi had hoped for.

Befriending a power like the Zhenchong Commerce Association, which produces Insect Guardian Beasts, would bring Zhong Yi many conveniences in the future.

Zhong Yi showed no arrogance and began to converse naturally with Fu Hongning.

”Vice President Fu, I’ve heard so much about you. In fact, I was just at the Zhenchong Commerce Association not long ago to purchase a Guardian Beast.”

”The service at your Zhenchong Commerce Association is truly excellent.”

Zhong Yi wasn’t deliberately flattering Fu Hongning; there was no need.

Zhong Yi was speaking from his genuine experience of shopping at the Zhenchong Commerce Association.

When you go to an ordinary commerce association to buy a specific Guardian Beast, the attendants there won’t go out of their way to offer advice for the sake of the Guardian Beast Master’s future.

Just as Zhong Yi was surprised to meet the president of the Zhenchong Commerce Association here, Fu Hongning was equally surprised that this new Celestial Destiny Seeker had just recently shopped at his establishment.

And to top it off, he had given their service high praise, which was a pleasant surprise for Fu Hongning.

Just now, when Fu Hongning had come forward to greet them, he had shot a questioning glance at Xu Anjun.

’If this young man wasn’t the new Celestial Destiny Seeker, Xu Anjun would have surely reacted to my glance in some way.’

Xu Anjun’s lack of reaction was a tacit confirmation of the young man’s identity.

’I send Xu Anjun eight Fantasy Tier Gem Golden Turtles every year. There’s no reason she would deceive me on a matter like this.’

As Fu Hongning was talking with Zhong Yi, he noticed that Fu Wei hadn’t said a word.

He couldn’t help but gently nudge Fu Wei in the small of his back.

’For a first meeting, I’m not asking for much. Just establishing a good rapport would be enough.’

Fu Hongning had always thought his son was quick-witted, but what Fu Wei said next almost made him bite his tongue.

”Sir, my name is Fu Wei. I’m a new student at Starlight Academy.”

”I’m also a Healing Element Guardian Beast Master with a Talent of A+ Level potential...”

Before Fu Wei could finish speaking, he heard his old man start to cough.

Fu Wei turned to look at Fu Hongning, a little displeased. ’Why did my dad interrupt me before I was finished?’

’And my dad’s rude coughing is probably going to leave a bad impression on this Celestial Destiny Seeker.’

Fu Wei waited for Fu Hongning to finish coughing and was about to continue speaking when he felt a sharp pain in his side.

”Since you are satisfied with the service at our Zhenchong Commerce Association, we hope you’ll visit the Zhenchong Commerce Association often in the future.”

”This is the Zhenchong Commerce Association’s highest-tier Diamond VIP Card. Whether it’s you or anyone you authorize, holding this Diamond VIP Card entitles you to a 50% discount on all purchases at the Zhenchong Commerce Association.”

As he handed an exquisitely designed card, adorned with dozens of insect totems, to Zhong Yi, Fu Hongning had to fight the urge to give Fu Wei a slap.

’It’s true that it’s an unwritten rule for Celestial Destiny Seekers to choose team members from Starlight Academy.’

’But they don’t necessarily have to choose teammates from Starlight Academy. A Celestial Destiny Seeker has absolute autonomy in choosing their teammates.’

’If Fu Wei had met this young man many times and built a solid relationship with him, he could naturally recommend himself.’

’But to boast about having A+ Level potential and being a Healing Element Guardian Beast Master during their very first meeting... would only needlessly create ill will and make him seem like he’s showing off his status as an A+ Level Healing Element Guardian Beast Master.’

’And this kid is just too dense! He didn’t even understand what my cough meant.’

Fu Hongning didn’t notice that while he was coughing, a very strange expression had appeared on Xu Anjun’s face.

Xu Anjun looked like she was trying to stifle a laugh. Among all types of Guardian Beast Masters, Healing Element Guardian Beast Masters were indeed the rarest and the greatest asset for a team exploring a Secret Realm.

But as luck would have it, Zhong Yi just happened to be a Healing-type Celestial Destiny Seeker.

A team doesn’t need two Healing Element Guardian Beast Masters, which meant Fu Hongning’s son had absolutely no chance of becoming Zhong Yi’s teammate.

Although Fu Hongning’s son seemed a bit foolish, Fu Hongning himself was definitely a clever man.

The Zhenchong Commerce Association’s VIP Cards, much like Guardian Beast Quality, were divided into five levels: Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond.

The number of Diamond Cards was not fixed; it was constantly increasing.

However, even as the number of Diamond Cards grew, it was always kept on par with the number of Celestial Destiny Seekers in Starlight City.

In other words, the Zhenchong Commerce Association’s Diamond VIP Cards were only ever given to Celestial Destiny Seekers.

The Zhenchong Commerce Association’s high-end Insect Guardian Beasts were extremely valuable. By offering a 50% discount with the Diamond VIP Card, the more one bought, the more the association lost.

This was precisely Fu Hongning’s long-standing method of showing goodwill to Celestial Destiny Seekers.

’It wasn’t just Celestial Destiny Seekers; even their deputies, like myself, received Platinum VIP Cards from the Zhenchong Commerce Association.’

Zhong Yi accepted the Diamond VIP Card from Fu Hongning without any coyness and said with a smile.

”I’ll have plenty of opportunities to shop at the Zhenchong Commerce Association in the future. I have several rather skilled Creators under my command.”

”Perhaps there will even be opportunities to collaborate with the Zhenchong Commerce Association in the future.”

Seeing Zhong Yi accept the Diamond VIP Card, Fu Hongning was already extremely pleased.

When he heard Zhong Yi mention his willingness to collaborate with the Zhenchong Commerce Association, the delight on Fu Hongning’s face deepened.

Fu Hongning was so happy for two reasons. First, a power like the Zhenchong Commerce Association, which relied on breeding Guardian Beasts for sale, was always in desperate need of Creator resources.

If Zhong Yi had High Tier Creators under him who were willing to work with the Zhenchong Commerce Association,

it would allow the association to produce more high-end products and increase its competitiveness against other, similar commerce associations.

In recent years, the Zhenchong Commerce Association had been expanding into markets in other Heroic Cities, investing a great deal of its resources.

Some powers were already starting to try and seize the Zhenchong Commerce Association’s market share within Starlight City.

Moreover, the Zhenchong Commerce Association already had competitors within Starlight City.

It could be said that high-end Creator resources were extremely important to the Zhenchong Commerce Association.

Second, if the young man before him was willing to collaborate with the Zhenchong Commerce Association, then as long as the collaboration went smoothly,

the Zhenchong Commerce Association would have firmly established a connection with him.