The marble stairs were very clean, still showing traces of water that had not fully dried yet . The faint scent of disinfectant lingered in the air .

The school bell signaling the end of cla.s.s rang, but the cla.s.sroom doors remained shut . As Gao Peng pa.s.sed a cla.s.sroom, he could hear the loud voice of the teacher speaking, "So, according to the a.n.a.lysis, the answer for this organic matter should be 'amino acid . '"

Gao Peng continued on to the staff offices, but Ms . Murong was not there . She was likely still in cla.s.s .

After a few minutes, Murong Qiuye walked into the office with a stack of papers . Seeing Gao Peng waiting for her, she was surprised at first, then she nodded her head happily, saying, "You're back . Your performance on TV was not bad . "

Bang . The thick stack of papers landed on the desk . Murong Qiuye picked up a thermos flask from the desk and took a sip of water .

Seeing that Gao Peng was still standing stiffly by the side, Murong Qiuye brought a chair over from the next teacher's desk . "What are you standing there like a fool for? Come sit down . "

Gao Peng saw that Ms . Murong had become thinner . Her round and chubby face seemed less wide than before . Perhaps it was because he had not met her for a while that he could notice the change .

"Ms . Murong, you've lost weight . "

"It's alright, I'm used to it . Every year, the summer is busier, so my body shrinks a little . But once winter comes, my weight will bounce back . " Murong Qiuye did not mind the comment at all . "Don't worry, my body weight is really stable . "

"Oh…"

Gao Peng really had no idea how to continue the conversation, so he changed the topic and asked about his old cla.s.smates and how they were doing . But Murong Qiuye seemed more interested in the Monster Trainer College Entrance Examination, and she asked him many questions about the other candidates and their familiars .

Such as the Vine-Covered Rock Monster . Was it really made up of rocks? How does a pile of rocks move on its own? Does it need to eat? And so on .

Even if you ask me, I don't know the answers either! thought Gao Peng

Gao Peng didn't really have any answers for a lot of the questions that Ms . Murong asked . After all, he had not interacted with the other partic.i.p.ants much . In fact, he might even know less than the television audience .

The two of them chatted until the next cla.s.s started . Murongo Qiuye smiled and said to Gao Peng, "Alright, come visit me when you're free again . I have to go to cla.s.s now . "

Gao Peng nodded and rose to his feet . He placed his chair back where it had come from . As he turned around, he saw Murong Qiuye open a drawer and take out another thick stack of papers .

Leaving the school, Gao Peng thought for a bit and decided to make a trip to the Monster Breeder a.s.sociation . Of course, it didn't go by that name anymore . Now it was called the Monster Trainer League Monster Breeder Division . The name was much longer now and looked much more impressive .

Upon reaching the Chang'an Monster Breeder Division, Gao Peng found out from the receptionist that Director Chen had resigned . It had happened not long after the new Monster Trainer League had been set up .

At that time, Gao Peng was preparing for the combat portion of his Monster Trainer College Examinations, so he had not received the news .

"Alright . " Gao Peng nodded . Since Director Chen was not around anymore, he had no more business there .

Just as Gao Peng was about to leave, someone shouted from behind . "Wait!"

Gao Peng turned around, puzzled . A man wearing a white combat suit was walking over quickly . Upon taking a closer look at Gao Peng's face, he heaved a sigh of relief . "It really is you, Mr . Gao . "

"You are…?" Gao Peng really had no recollection of who this guy was .

"Uhh…" Seeing that Gao Peng did not recognize him, He Ming became a little awkward . He remembered clearly that they had had a meal together before . "Just a few months ago, we had dinner together, along with Blues.h.i.+eld Protection Company manager Liu Senlin and a few other captains . " He Ming spoke very sincerely .

Gao Peng then finally realized who he was . They did share a meal together, but that night had not been a very happy experience for Gao Peng . And that, Gao Peng remembered very clearly . He had forgotten most of the details, but he certainly remembered that he had left the dinner unhappy .

"Oh," Gao Peng said, nodding reservedly . His face displayed a coldness that made it clear that he was trying to keep his distance . As far away as possible .

He Ming felt a little embarra.s.sed . He was, after all, the captain of a renowned Monster Hunting Squad in Chang'an City and was well known within his community . To have approached someone in public to speak to him and gotten such a cold treatment in return really made him lose face .

But, remembering that he had something to ask of Gao Peng, he had no choice but to swallow his resentment . A beggar must behave like a beggar . He knew better than to put on airs when pleading for help .

"Ahem, Mr . Gao, it was indeed our fault that day . Actually, I have always meant to find you to apologize, but I just never had the opportunity to meet you," He Ming said, all smiles .

Those who had business in the Monster Breeder Division were all people that dealt with familiars, and many of them recognized He Ming . Although they were surprised to see He Ming being so deferential to such a young boy, none of them lingered around to watch . He Ming was known for being a bully . If they were seen laughing at his predicament, he was sure to bear a grudge .

"There's nothing to apologize for . You guys did nothing wrong to begin with . It's just that we have different ideologies that we live by, that's all," Gao Peng replied, smiling .

With that, Gao Peng simply turned around and left .

He Ming reached out and grabbed Gao Peng's arm in panic . "Wait!"

He Ming's expression looked really embarra.s.sed now . He had already lowered himself so much in front of this kid . What more did he want?

Gao Peng squinted . His eyes gleamed with a dangerous light . "Let go . "

"Sorry, sorry . " He Ming immediately let go . "Mr . Gao, please take a look at my familiars . You can name your price . " Discomfort was written all over He Ming's face . "I tried to make an appointment with you earlier, but I never got the chance . Then you were busy with the monster trainer compet.i.tions… In the whole of Chang'an City, only you can help promote my familiars . "

"You really have a high opinion of me," Gao Peng replied plainly .

"Please help me . No one else will be able to do it!" He Ming was adamant .

Gao Peng quietly looked at him . Was this guy joking? According to the statistics table that he could see, He Ming's condition clearly stated that he was in a rage, but no hint of anger could be seen on his face . This guy's acting was pretty good .

Ever since that dinner, Gao Peng had had a poor impression of these so-called "Elite Monster Hunting Squads . " Today, that impression was solidified .

But, if he thought about it further, he could understand where they were coming from . These Monster Hunting Squads frequently entered the wilderness and fought with monsters . He had also heard that they often employed dirty methods . There was no law in the wilderness . Although the rules of the Monster Trainer League would never clearly state so, that there was no law in the wilderness was an unspoken rule that everyone knew .

Gao Peng considered He Ming carefully . Although he seemed friendly to Gao Peng, Gao Peng had already caused him to lose face, and he most likely hated Gao Peng to the bone for it .

Gao Peng looked at him plainly, then suddenly smiled . "Ok, then, bring your familiars over tomorrow . I'm only an intermediate level monster breeder . I cannot ensure success, but I will try my best . "

. . . . The marble stairs were very clean, still showing traces of water that had not fully dried yet . The faint scent of disinfectant lingered in the air . The school bell signaling the end of cla.s.s rang, but the cla.s.sroom doors remained shut . As Gao Peng pa.s.sed a cla.s.sroom, he could hear the loud voice of the teacher speaking, So, according to the a.n.a.lysis, the answer for this organic matter should be amino acid . Gao Peng continued on to the staff offices, but Ms . Murong was not there . She was likely still in cla.s.s . After a few minutes, Murong Qiuye walked into the office with a stack of papers . Seeing Gao Peng waiting for her, she was surprised at first, then she nodded her head happily, saying, Youre back . Your performance on TV was not bad . Bang . The thick stack of papers landed on the desk . Murong Qiuye picked up a thermos flask from the desk and took a sip of water . Seeing that Gao Peng was still standing stiffly by the side, Murong Qiuye brought a chair over from the next teachers desk . What are you standing there like a fool for? Come sit down . Gao Peng saw that Ms . Murong had become thinner . Her round and chubby face seemed less wide than before . Perhaps it was because he had not met her for a while that he could notice the change . Ms . Murong, youve lost weight . . . Its alright, Im used to it . Every year, the summer is busier, so my body shrinks a little . But once winter comes, my weight will bounce back . Murong Qiuye did not mind the comment at all . Dont worry, my body weight is really stable . Oh… Gao Peng really had no idea how to continue the conversation, so he changed the topic and asked about his old cla.s.smates and how they were doing . But Murong Qiuye seemed more interested in the Monster Trainer College Entrance Examination, and she asked him many questions about the other candidates and their familiars . Such as the Vine-Covered Rock Monster . Was it really made up of rocks? How does a pile of rocks move on its own? Does it need to eat? And so on . Even if you ask me, I dont know the answers either! thought Gao Peng Gao Peng didnt really have any answers for a lot of the questions that Ms . Murong asked . After all, he had not interacted with the other partic.i.p.ants much . In fact, he might even know less than the television audience . The two of them chatted until the next cla.s.s started . Murongo Qiuye smiled and said to Gao Peng, Alright, come visit me when youre free again . I have to go to cla.s.s now . Gao Peng nodded and rose to his feet . He placed his chair back where it had come from . As he turned around, he saw Murong Qiuye open a drawer and take out another thick stack of papers . Leaving the school, Gao Peng thought for a bit and decided to make a trip to the Monster Breeder a.s.sociation . Of course, it didnt go by that name anymore . Now it was called the Monster Trainer League Monster Breeder Division . The name was much longer now and looked much more impressive . . . Upon reaching the Changan Monster Breeder Division, Gao Peng found out from the receptionist that Director Chen had resigned . It had happened not long after the new Monster Trainer League had been set up . At that time, Gao Peng was preparing for the combat portion of his Monster Trainer College Examinations, so he had not received the news . Alright . Gao Peng nodded . Since Director Chen was not around anymore, he had no more business there . Just as Gao Peng was about to leave, someone shouted from behind . Wait! Gao Peng turned around, puzzled . A man wearing a white combat suit was walking over quickly . Upon taking a closer look at Gao Pengs face, he heaved a sigh of relief . It really is you, Mr . Gao . You are…? Gao Peng really had no recollection of who this guy was . Uhh… Seeing that Gao Peng did not recognize him, He Ming became a little awkward . He remembered clearly that they had had a meal together before . Just a few months ago, we had dinner together, along with Blues.h.i.+eld Protection Company manager Liu Senlin and a few other captains . He Ming spoke very sincerely . Gao Peng then finally realized who he was . They did share a meal together, but that night had not been a very happy experience for Gao Peng . And that, Gao Peng remembered very clearly . He had forgotten most of the details, but he certainly remembered that he had left the dinner unhappy . Oh, Gao Peng said, nodding reservedly . His face displayed a coldness that made it clear that he was trying to keep his distance . As far away as possible . He Ming felt a little embarra.s.sed . He was, after all, the captain of a renowned Monster Hunting Squad in Changan City and was well known within his community . To have approached someone in public to speak to him and gotten such a cold treatment in return really made him lose face . But, remembering that he had something to ask of Gao Peng, he had no choice but to swallow his resentment . A beggar must behave like a beggar . He knew better than to put on airs when pleading for help . Ahem, Mr . Gao, it was indeed our fault that day . Actually, I have always meant to find you to apologize, but I just never had the opportunity to meet you, He Ming said, all smiles . Those who had business in the Monster Breeder Division were all people that dealt with familiars, and many of them recognized He Ming . Although they were surprised to see He Ming being so deferential to such a young boy, none of them lingered around to watch . He Ming was known for being a bully . If they were seen laughing at his predicament, he was sure to bear a grudge . Theres nothing to apologize for . You guys did nothing wrong to begin with . Its just that we have different ideologies that we live by, thats all, Gao Peng replied, smiling . With that, Gao Peng simply turned around and left . He Ming reached out and grabbed Gao Pengs arm in panic . Wait! He Mings expression looked really embarra.s.sed now . He had already lowered himself so much in front of this kid . What more did he want? Gao Peng squinted . His eyes gleamed with a dangerous light . Let go . Sorry, sorry . He Ming immediately let go . Mr . Gao, please take a look at my familiars . You can name your price . Discomfort was written all over He Mings face . I tried to make an appointment with you earlier, but I never got the chance . Then you were busy with the monster trainer compet.i.tions… In the whole of Changan City, only you can help promote my familiars . You really have a high opinion of me, Gao Peng replied plainly . Please help me . No one else will be able to do it! He Ming was adamant . Gao Peng quietly looked at him . Was this guy joking? According to the statistics table that he could see, He Mings condition clearly stated that he was in a rage, but no hint of anger could be seen on his face . This guys acting was pretty good . Ever since that dinner, Gao Peng had had a poor impression of these so-called Elite Monster Hunting Squads . Today, that impression was solidified . But, if he thought about it further, he could understand where they were coming from . These Monster Hunting Squads frequently entered the wilderness and fought with monsters . He had also heard that they often employed dirty methods . There was no law in the wilderness . Although the rules of the Monster Trainer League would never clearly state so, that there was no law in the wilderness was an unspoken rule that everyone knew . Gao Peng considered He Ming carefully . Although he seemed friendly to Gao Peng, Gao Peng had already caused him to lose face, and he most likely hated Gao Peng to the bone for it . Gao Peng looked at him plainly, then suddenly smiled . Ok, then, bring your familiars over tomorrow . Im only an intermediate level monster breeder . I cannot ensure success, but I will try my best .