Beast Taming: the More the Better

Chapter 650: Chapter 299 Su Ping’s Face!

The Anling Tree House was located in Anling City, a small city northwest of Beihai City. This place was regarded as the true frontier of the entire Dragon Nation. However, Anling’s location was within the Legion’s protective range. It formed part of the Legion’s northern defensive line and was encompassed by the Anling Snow Mountains. Therefore, although close to the border, the area was relatively safe.

Moreover, Anling, as the northernmost stretch of snowy peaks on the Beiyuan Province frontier, might not have been as resource-rich as Heavenly Mountain. However, its unique environment harbored an abundance of Ice System, Water Element, and Wind System resources, as well as Pet Beasts. Therefore, this small city, situated northwest of Beihai City, was quite bustling and lively.

The Anling Tree House was a renowned spot within this city. After all, its owner, Zhao Lintian, was a celebrity who had led Beiyuan Province to seventh place in the Breeder Competition a few years prior. Although this ranking wasn’t considered high, especially given that a brand-new Evolutionary Body had been cultivated, it could even be said to be relatively low. But in this small city within Anling City, he was deemed a top-notch Breeder. At the same time, Zhao Lintian also served as the honorary president of the Anling City branch of the Breeder Association.

The primary Pet Beasts cultivated within the Anling Tree House were the Forest Wolf and the Snow Wolf. Of course, other domesticated Pet Beasts were also cultivated there, though they were not as famous as the Forest Wolf. After all, Zhao Lintian was a Senior Breeder who had risen to prominence by specializing in the cultivation of Forest Wolves. Naturally, to him, the Forest Wolves in the Anling Tree House were far more special than any other Pet Beasts.

Su Ping sat in the car, continuing to read the introduction about the Anling Tree House and the Thorn Wolf, nodding unconsciously. The information was much more detailed than what he had seen on his first visit, especially concerning the Thorn Wolf. Besides the commonly known information from the Breeder Competition, the details Rong Mang had collected were far more extensive. Furthermore, after some Beast Tamers had completed their cultivation, they had gathered additional data and battle videos.

The Thorn Wolf, comparable in size to a calf, possessed claws sharper than steel. Its lengthy tail was covered in dense, prickly thorns. Moreover, the fur on its body was as hard as steel needles. When it entered its full battle form, all its fur would stand on end, making it look like an exploding hedgehog. It boasted integrated attack and defense, with formidable close-combat capabilities.

Su Ping watched the video of the Thorn Wolf and nodded in satisfaction.

Meanwhile, the vehicle sped along the road. At the horizon, a snow-capped mountain came into view. Below the endless snow-capped mountains, a small city appeared. It was significantly smaller than Linzhou and Northern Cold. At that moment, a huge wooden sign appeared on both sides of the road: ’Welcome to Anling City…’

The car showed no intention of stopping, passing through the city center and heading towards the northwest of Anling City. As the trees grew denser and the terrain elevated, it became clear they were heading into the mountains. After driving for less than twenty minutes, they finally arrived at a level stretch of jungle visible at the end of Su Ping’s line of sight.

A fence had been erected, enclosing a large base. At the forefront of the base, four large characters—’Anling Tree House!’—interwoven from wood and brambles, stood tall. Meanwhile, a wooden-carved Forest Wolf’s head and paw prints adorned the signboard as decoration.

Moreover, Su Ping’s party was not the only one arriving at the base’s entrance. Clearly, the Anling Tree House breeding base held a significant reputation in Anling City. At this time, quite a few Beast Tamers were also arriving to cultivate their Pet Beasts.

The Anling Tree House might not have been as large as Su Ping’s Heart of Myriad Spirits. However, judging by the area it covered, it was by no means small. It was situated at the foot of the Anling Mountain slope, backed by the vast Anling Snow Mountains and the dense, snowy forest.

The vehicle stopped, and Su Ping and his two companions alighted.

The Anling Tree House was a formal establishment. As they entered the base’s waiting hall, a dedicated receptionist approached them with a smile and inquired, “Hello, may I ask who you three are? Did you have a reservation?”

Su Ping replied, “We don’t have a reservation. My name is Su Ping. I’m here to discuss some matters with Breeder Zhao.”

The receptionist smiled slightly. “It’s like this, Mr. Su. If you don’t have a reservation, you might have to wait a while, as Breeder Zhao is quite busy. You can tell me about your matter first, and I can make a reservation for you. How does that sound?”

Su Ping smacked his lips but showed no emotional fluctuations. He even breathed a slight sigh of relief. Who said my fame was great? Look at this—they’re treating me just like anybody else. See, even someone from a breeding base doesn’t recognize my name. Indeed, Leng Ye’s measures were quite effective. They had truly managed to lower my profile, sparing me many unnecessary troubles. Not bad at all.

Watching the cheerful, smiling young man before her, the receptionist was inwardly perplexed. This young man’s tone seems a bit too grand, directly asking to see Breeder Zhao by just dropping a name? Even the Breeders and Beast Tamers of the Anling City Association have to send word first if they want to meet Breeder Zhao, right? And seeing him still smiling after being declined, he’s probably not some prideful big shot.

With that in mind, the receptionist hastily continued, interrupting Su Ping’s thoughts, “Sir, is that okay? If so, I’ll go ahead and make an appointment for you.”

Although Su Ping was pleased that his fame wasn’t so great that even the receptionist at the breeding base didn’t recognize his name, he perfectly understood the polite dismissal hidden in her words about appointments. If he really waited for an appointment, it would likely take days before he got a chance to meet Breeder Zhao.

However, Su Ping had no intention of posturing in front of a receptionist. He glanced at Rong Mang beside him. “Cousin, do you have his number?”

Rong Mang shrugged. “Not really. Should I ask Grandpa?”

For the Rong Family, this Anling Tree House was truly inconsequential. Rong Mang had never had any contact with the Anling Tree House. If Su Ping hadn’t shown interest, he might never have even known such a breeding base existed in Anling City.

“Forget it,” Su Ping said. “It’s not worth bothering the old man over such a trivial matter.”

Su Ping smiled at the receptionist. It wasn’t her fault, after all. At my own Heart of Myriad Spirits, if there wasn’t anything important or if the person wasn’t an acquaintance, getting a direct meeting with me was also impossible. Thus, it was purely because I hadn’t prepared thoroughly enough; it had little to do with others.

So, after some thought, Su Ping began to look through his contacts. Although most of his connections were in Jianghai Province, it didn’t mean he was without options. After all, there was a Breeding Master he knew in Beiyuan Province.

Consequently, Su Ping directly called Master Yin Luo. “Hello?”

“Hello, Su Ping, what’s up?” Master Yin’s voice came through. This master, usually indifferent to most, sounded exceptionally enthusiastic when speaking to Su Ping.

“Haha, Master Yin,” Su Ping said, “I wanted to ask if you know Zhao Lintian, the Breeder from the Anling Tree House in Anling City, here in Beiyuan Province?”

Master Yin hesitated for a moment on the other end of the line before finally asking, “Did he cause trouble for you?”

Su Ping’s eyelids twitched. “No, not at all. It’s just that I don’t have many contacts here. In this regard, you’re the only one I could think of!”

“Uh… I don’t know him, but hold on…”

Master Yin hung up and shook his head helplessly. From Su Ping’s tone, he had initially thought some audacious Senior Breeder from Beiyuan Province had dared to offend the young man. He imagined Su Ping was calling to pull some strings and teach that person a lesson about their place in the world. It turned out to be just this small matter.

The network of a Breeding Master was, without a doubt, exceptionally strong. This was especially true for Master Yin Luo, one of the few Necromancy System Breeding Masters in the Dragon Nation. As such, Su Ping didn’t have to wait long.

Less than twenty minutes later, the sound of hasty footsteps approached. A figure hurried into the reception area and immediately spotted the strikingly young trio: it was Zhao Lintian.

“Breeder Su! I never imagined you would grace us with your presence! Your arrival at my Anling Tree House is truly my greatest honor, an honor of three lifetimes!”

Su Ping stood up and quickly shook hands with Breeder Zhao, whom he was meeting for the first time. “I’ve long wanted to visit you, Breeder Zhao. Now that I’m in Beiyuan Province, I hurried over. It seems you truly live up to your reputation…”

Such business pleasantries depended on who was offering them. If it were an ordinary Breeder, Zhao Lintian wouldn’t have spared them a second glance. But who stood before him now? This was the young man who had produced a new Forest Wolf Evolver and the Super-Rank Skill, Heart of the Sun, at such a tender age! The Anling Tree House had built its fortune on Forest Wolves. Naturally, Zhao Lintian paid extremely close attention to any news regarding their evolution. How could he be unaware of the explosive news from the recent Breeder Competition?

What he hadn’t expected, however, was that this very ’model child from next door’—an example he often used to admonish his own children—had actually come to visit him.

Zhao Lintian immediately made arrangements, instructing someone to prepare tea and quickly escorting the three guests into the VIP reception room. This left the nearby receptionist feeling quite uneasy.

Once everything was settled, Zhao Lintian finally turned to Su Ping, who was seated on the sofa opposite him, and posed his question, “May I ask what brings Breeder Su to my humble establishment today?”

Su Ping wasn’t one to beat around the bush; he always aimed for efficiency. He stated directly, “It’s like this: I’m also interested in the evolution of Forest Wolves. I’ve heard that the Thorn Wolf you’ve cultivated is quite outstanding, and I’m very interested in it. I wonder, Breeder Zhao, if you would be willing to sell the Cultivation Method for the Thorn Wolf? Of course, I know that with your abilities, you’re not short of money. Therefore, we can discuss the evolution and cultivation of other Pet Beasts, resources, or you can simply state your conditions.”

As soon as Su Ping finished speaking, the warmth on Zhao Lintian’s face cooled slightly. Rong Mang caught Su Ping’s eye and shrugged, as if to say, See? What did I tell you? This won’t be so easy!

However, just as Rong Mang was thinking this, Zhao Lintian, after a moment of contemplation, surprisingly changed his tune. “If it were anyone else, I would have definitely shown them the door. But, for Breeder Su’s sake… it’s not entirely out of the question…”

Rong Mang’s expression, which had lasted no more than three seconds, froze. He turned to look at the Senior Breeder of the Anling Tree House, completely dumbfounded. Weren’t Breeders supposed to treat their cultivation achievements as dearly as life itself? Was his cousin’s reputation really that significant?