"Student Bai, he is quite pleased with your praise." Yi Shanyuan said, a faint and slightly amused smile playing across his lips as he watched the pink fox preen under the attention.

"Student Bai, you are more than welcome to ride with me on the stallion. It will make the journey to the city significantly faster and far more efficient than travelling on foot." Zhou Yaoting offered kindly, gesturing toward his majestic white horse.

"There is no need for that, Head Teacher. I will call out my own contracted beast for the trip." Bai Xifeng replied calmly, her voice steady and devoid of any boastful intent. Then, she called out clearly into the open air, "Cerberus."

Cerberus answered her summons immediately. The massive, three-headed wolf emerged from the swirling void of the contract space, its imposing and predatory presence instantly filling the surrounding area with a heavy, primal pressure. Both Zhou Yaoting and Yi Shanyuan were momentarily taken aback, their breath hitching as they laid eyes upon the monstrous creature. They were even more surprised when they sensed the thick, suffocating aura radiating from the wolf and realised that this beast had already successfully ascended to the Lord Rank.

"This is truly your contracted beast?" Yi Shanyuan asked in sheer, unmasked astonishment, unable to hide his shock at seeing a student command such a powerful entity.

"Yes. His name is Cerberus." Bai Xifeng introduced simply, gently patting one of the wolf’s large, furred heads.

The middle head let out a low, vibrating huff of acknowledgement.

"Is your beast truly already at the Lord Rank?" Zhou Yaoting asked, seeking final confirmation of the incredible, surging power that he was sensing from the three-headed predator.

"Yes, he is." Bai Xifeng nodded, her tone matter-of-fact and without any trace of hesitation.

"I see..." Zhou Yaoting murmured thoughtfully, his internal estimation of the young girl rising once again to a new level of respect.

"Let us set out, then." Yi Shanyuan said, bringing the conversation to a natural close as they prepared to depart for their destination.

The three of them mounted their respective contracted beasts and began their swift journey toward the city. The trip took roughly one hour of rapid travel before the imposing, iron-bound gates of the Armament Master Guild finally loomed over the horizon. After dismounting in the bustling courtyard, they sent their beasts back into their respective spiritual spaces. As they approached the main entrance, a guard stepped forward, spear levelled, and blocked Zhou Yaoting’s path.

"State your names. Who are you, and what is your purpose for seeking entry to the guild today?" The guard asked sternly, his hand resting cautiously near the hilt of his sidearm.

Zhou Yaoting cupped his hands together politely in a formal, professional greeting.

"I am Zhou Yaoting, the Head Teacher of the Armament Master Division at Tianlong School. I have come to request urgent, high-level assistance from the Armament Master Guild in dismantling several rare beast corpses. This is another teacher from our division, and this is one of our students." Zhou Yaoting explained with practised clarity, providing their identities as well as the official purpose of their visit.

"Oh... it is Head Teacher Zhou. Stand down and let them in." A voice echoed from deep within the hall.

The guards immediately stepped aside, retracting their weapons and allowing the trio to enter the premises without any further obstruction.

Bai Xifeng looked ahead and noticed a figure standing within the shadows of the ornate foyer. No... she was not entirely certain about what she was seeing. The voice that had spoken was undoubtedly that of a man, carrying a certain masculine resonance, yet the appearance of the person before her did not quite match that expectation. There was an androgynous, almost ethereal quality to the figure’s features and attire. Despite her natural curiosity, she knew better than to comment on it in such a formal setting, leaving the delicate matter of introductions to be handled by the teachers.

"Young Master Su, we would like to hire some of your most skilled personnel, those who can handle a delicate and complex dismantling process." Zhou Yaoting said, not wasting a single breath as he went straight to the heart of the matter.

"Oh? And what kind of common beasts do you want us to dismantle that would require such an urgent visit?" The man asked casually, his eyes wandering over his own perfectly groomed fingernails.

"Stone-Clad Wolves." Zhou Yaoting said.

"Just those beasts? Why do you not simply handle such a mundane task yourselves? I believe Tianlong School possesses more than enough skill and equipment to carry out such rudimentary work independently." The man said, sounding clearly unimpressed.

From his dismissive tone and bored expression, it was painfully obvious that he felt the job was beneath the guild’s dignity. He was already mentally calculating how to reject the request and reallocate his craftsmen to projects he deemed more valuable.

"That is because these are not ordinary Stone-Clad Wolves. Their bodies are completely encrusted with high-purity Xien Stones." Zhou Yaoting said, dropping the information like a tactical bomb in the middle of the room.

Everyone present could see the immediate, electric change in the man’s eyes. Just moments ago, he had looked disinterested and somewhat lethargic, but now his posture straightened instantly. His attention sharpened entirely as his gaze locked onto Zhou Yaoting with predatory focus.

"What exactly do you mean by that?" The man asked, his tone turning dangerously serious.

"It would be far easier if we simply showed you the proof." Zhou Yaoting replied calmly. He then turned slightly toward Bai Xifeng. "Student Bai, if you would be so kind..."

Bai Xifeng nodded.

***This novel is a contracted work with w e b n o v e l. c o m. If you do not read this novel on w e b n o v e l. c o m, that means it has been stolen. Thank you, from your shameless author, ZerahNeko*