"The Frostfire Salamander certainly has higher Potential and is stronger, but I think the Cyan-Scaled Flood Dragon might be a better fit for me." In response to Li Qian’s question, Li Lanying answered without much thought, sharing her true feelings.

Hearing this, Li Qian’s interest grew even stronger. He followed up, asking, "Oh? And why is that?"

A smile remained on Li Lanying’s face. She glanced toward the Central Pond and, after a moment, explained, "Eastern Dragons better fit my aesthetic."

Li Qian was slightly taken aback by her answer, stunned for a moment, but he quickly recovered.

’Eastern Dragons fit her aesthetic better.’ The answer seemed a bit outlandish, but strictly speaking, it wasn’t out of the question.

’After all, if he had to choose for himself, he would probably give the same answer. The Cyan-Scaled Flood Dragon would be his first choice.’

’Aesthetics were, surprisingly, a rather important factor.’

’Of course, while aesthetics were a factor, they certainly couldn’t be the only one.’ Applying his own logic to her, he asked with great interest, "Is that the only reason?"

"Of course not!" After a pause, Li Lanying answered firmly, "Eastern Dragons suiting my aesthetic is only one reason I’m choosing the Cyan-Scaled Flood Dragon. Another very important factor is that, compared to the Frostfire Salamander, the Cyan-Scaled Flood Dragon has the ability to fly. It’s more agile in battle and isn’t restricted by terrain."

After hearing her explanation, Li Qian nodded in agreement. "That’s a sound way to think about it. It seems you know exactly what you want."

"If I didn’t at least have a plan, I wouldn’t have shown up here." Li Lanying looked at Li Qian, her face breaking into a confident and charming smile.

Li Qian hadn’t had a particularly strong first impression of his classmate. Strictly speaking, she wasn’t the type of girl who stunned you at first glance.

She was mature and poised, gentle and elegant, intelligent and composed—not quite like a girl her age. She gave off the impression of a dependable older sister.

While not stunning at first glance, she was a far cry from the two words "ugly girl." In fact, the more you looked at her, the more attractive and pleasant she seemed. She was the type whose looks grow on you.

And now, as she spoke calmly with a smile, this was exactly the feeling she gave Li Qian—like a refreshing spring breeze.

The two walked and chatted casually. After a while, Li Lanying suddenly asked, "By the way, classmate, can I ask you something?"

Li Qian didn’t think much of it and replied casually, "What is it?"

Li Lanying asked, seemingly at random, "I heard you got an early special admission into a Beast Taming University. I was wondering, which one did you get into?"

It seemed like a casual question, but Li Qian sensed a hint of purpose behind it.

’This didn’t quite sound like something Li Lanying would say.’

He thought it over briefly. ’She could find out from other sources even if I don’t tell her,’ he realized. So, he didn’t bother hiding it and answered directly, "Shazhou Beast Taming University."

Just as Li Qian expected, a look of surprise appeared on Li Lanying’s face when he said the name. "Shazhou Beast Taming University? That’s a really surprising choice! I thought it would be Jiangnan Beast Taming University!"

Li Qian shrugged, a faint smile playing on his lips. He said frankly, "What can I say? Their offer was too good to refuse."

With that, he immediately asked her in return, "What about you? Where are you planning to go?"

Li Qian didn’t ask about her grades or if she could get into a Beast Taming University. For someone like her, getting in was a given.

Li Lanying replied, "My parents want me to go to Jiangnan Beast Taming University, but... I don’t really want to."

Li Qian asked, "Why?"

With no intention of hiding anything, Li Lanying smiled faintly. "Call it rebellion, I guess. I don’t want to live right under their noses."

Li Qian glanced sideways at Li Lanying. "That doesn’t sound like something you’d say."

Li Lanying suddenly met Li Qian’s gaze. "Who knows, maybe I’ll be impulsive and choose Shazhou Beast Taming University, too."

Li Qian avoided her gaze. "It’s best not to be impulsive about something like that."

About half an hour later, Li Lanying left. They never discussed money; she simply said to "charge the market price."

For a genius who could form a contract with a Dominator Level Potential Pet Beast while still in high school, that amount of money was trivial.

...

The next day, a sum of money was deposited into the Cultivation Base’s account.

Li Qian checked the amount. It was enough to cover the cost of a Cyan-Scaled Flood Dragon.

When Li Lanying arrived, money in hand, Li Qian didn’t hesitate. He followed the same procedure he’d used with Mu Qianqian and first led her to the Central Pond.

If a Cyan-Scaled Flood Dragon was willing to choose her, Li Qian wouldn’t mind letting Jin Yi, Jin Er, or Jin San go with her.

If none were willing, Li Qian wouldn’t force them. In that case, however, he would have to have Li Lanying deliver fish to his door instead.

...

「In a teacher’s office at Lingshui City Beast Taming High School」

Chu Xiran looked at her star student, Tu Jiaojiao. "Tu Jiaojiao, you came looking for me. Is something the matter?"

Tu Jiaojiao hesitated for a moment before finally asking, "I want to know, which Beast Taming University did Li Qian get special admission to?"

"Er..." Chu Xiran was taken aback, clearly not expecting Tu Jiaojiao to ask such a question.

She frowned instinctively. "Now is not the time to be worrying about things like that."

"Are you worried about my grades, Teacher?" Tu Jiaojiao asked, knowing what was on Chu Xiran’s mind.

"I’m not worried, it’s just..." Chu Xiran trailed off, lost in thought for a moment before sighing. "Fine. I’ll be honest with you. I do know which Beast Taming University Li Qian received special admission to. However, it might not be the best choice for you."

"Fine. Since you insist, I’ll tell you."

Looking at Tu Jiaojiao, Chu Xiran told her the truth. "It’s Shazhou Beast Taming University."

Just like Li Lanying, Tu Jiaojiao was also surprised to hear Li Qian’s choice. "Shazhou Beast Taming University! Really?"

"Tu Jiaojiao, there are some things you may not have experienced, but I have to warn you: following in the footsteps of someone who is too exceptional isn’t necessarily a good thing." Chu Xiran continued without pausing, "Sometimes, you might find yourself falling into despair."

Tu Jiaojiao’s brow furrowed, her gaze intense as she looked at Chu Xiran. "Teacher, have you experienced something like that?"

"Er..." Chu Xiran fell silent again. A moment later, she deliberately changed the subject, speaking with painstaking earnestness. "I don’t deny that your Talent is outstanding, but you must understand that there’s always someone better, always a higher mountain to climb."

"If you’re following in Li Qian’s footsteps simply to surpass him, I would encourage you. But if it’s for some other reason..."

Finally, she finished in a grave tone, "All I can say is that it... is not a good choice."

In the end, Tu Jiaojiao didn’t explain why she was asking.

Instead, she just said thank you and left the office.

Chu Xiran watched Tu Jiaojiao leave and shook her head helplessly. "Another problem student!"

’Then again,’ she thought, ’it’s perfectly normal.’

’Girls their age are naturally drawn to the powerful. Besides, it seems Li Qian even confessed his feelings to her once.’

’It’s only natural that she would have certain ideas in her head.’

Chu Xiran just hoped she wouldn’t let those ideas sway her emotions and cause her to make an irrational decision.