: 20 Million! No Haggling!

As soon as the succubus finished speaking, the entire altar plunged into silence.

The gaze of the three pierced straight into her.

Under such scrutiny, a hint of embarrassment emerged on the succubus's face...

Yet her body discreetly shifted away from Gu Xing, even quietly moving half a step towards Chen Shan.

Betrayal!!!

Gu Xing was struck as if by lightning, frozen in place.

In this world, for a guardian beast to betray its master is more absurd than the sun rising from the west!

Summoners are, after all, akin to the "parents" who grant them life.

The vast majority of guardian beasts would rather die in battle than forsake their master.

But this succubus before him...

Gu Xing stared at her relentlessly.

That innocent and charming face remained seemingly harmless.

Yet at this moment in his eyes, it seemed like a cleverly disguised façade...

Concealing nothing but calculation and greed underneath!

But in the next second, Gu Xing suddenly smiled.

A blessing in disguise?

Rather than keeping a time bomb around, it's better to see her true colors sooner!

What of an epic-level guardian beast?

His golden finger can cultivate more than just this one!

Even a normal guardian beast can reach the peak under his cultivation in due time!

"Interesting."

Gu Xing chuckled softly and shook his head:

"It seems that some people... No, some beasts, don't even understand basic loyalty."

On the other side.

Chen Shan was first taken aback, then his smile grew even brighter.

"I've long heard of the intelligence of the succubus clan, and today proves it was no exaggeration!"

"Dear succubus, as long as you're willing to follow my son, my Chen Family will devote all resources to cultivate you!"

He didn't forget to deliberately look at Gu Xing:

"Dear student, given your guardian beast's stance, you won't... make it difficult for her, right?"

"Bullshit!"

Wang Yi, who had witnessed everything, stepped forward fiercely, cursing angrily.

As a retiree of the battlefield, Wang Yi was extremely disgusted by Chen Shan's oppressive behavior.

"The 'Longxia Beast Taming Technique' clearly states that guardian beast transactions must be approved by the summoner! When did guardian beasts start making decisions on their own?"

He turned his eyes to Gu Xing, his gaze piercing:

"Today, as long as you shake your head, no one will take her!"

With these words, everyone's gaze once again locked onto Gu Xing.

The wind on the altar suddenly stopped.

Gu Xing slowly turned, looking at the succubus who had eyes filled with pleading and a desire for freedom.

Does this guardian beast... really wish to leave him so urgently?

He suddenly laughed, a laugh filled with irony and relief.

"Mr. Chen," Gu Xing's voice was chillingly calm, "I agree to this deal."

A look of joy arose simultaneously on the faces of Chen Shan and the succubus, but before they could relax—

"However..."

These two words instantly raised their hearts to their throats.

"The price doubles, twenty million."

—Boom!​

That number exploded like a bolt of lightning, changing Chen Shan's expression drastically.

The market price for an ordinary epic-level guardian beast is merely around eight million.

He had offered ten million, already a purchase at a premium, but he didn't expect this youngster to dare raise the price on the spot!

"Young man, this price..."

Chen Shan forced down his anger, trying to negotiate.

"No negotiations."

Gu Xing directly interrupted him, his voice as cold as ice:

"If Mr. Chen isn't willing to pay this price..."

"I'd rather send her away for destruction!"

Crack!​

The succubus's façade instantly crumbled.

As a spiritual type guardian beast, she could distinctly sense the killing intent in Gu Xing's words—

This man is serious!

"Ugh..."

Facing imminent death, she could no longer maintain that pitiful image.

She looked at Chen Shan in terror, eyes full of supplication.

This was her only chance of survival!

While Chen Shan's expression was unpredictable.

Twenty million wasn't much to him, but being held on a string by a fledgling young man felt like a blockage in his chest.

He squinted to evaluate the youth before him; the adversary's readiness to bet everything further stoked his ire.

Yet, remembering his son, he forcibly swallowed his anger.

First, acquire this guardian beast, and as for the rest...

The days ahead are long.

"Alright, I agree with you!"

Chen Shan almost gritted these words out.

Gu Xing said no more, swiftly severing the temporary contract with the succubus.

Once saved, the succubus immediately cast a grateful glance at Chen Shan, her voice sickeningly sweet:

"I will certainly aid your son well~"

With his objective achieved, Chen Shan snorted coldly and walked away with the succubus.

Meanwhile, as Wang Yi looked at the somewhat dazed Gu Xing, he sighed softly while patting his shoulder:

"I've seen this happen many times, but a guardian beast betraying a master..."

He shook his head, "That's certainly a rarity."

"However, this might not be a bad thing."

"At least you've seen her true colors. With this money, you can totally choose an exceptional guardian beast for cultivation."

"Thank you, Mr. Wang."

After bidding farewell to Wang Yi, Gu Xing walked out of the summoning altar alone.

The sunset stretched his shadow long; the strange buildings lining the streets and the various guardian beasts walking about reminded him that this was no longer his original world.

Taking a deep breath, he suppressed the complex emotions in his heart.

Currently, the most urgent concern was to swiftly contract a guardian beast—

No matter the talent!

"Without a guardian beast, I won't be able to participate in the school's selection in ten days..."

Gu Xing muttered to himself, his brows furrowing unconsciously.

The "college entrance exam" system of this world is vastly different from his previous world.

The ruthless three-round elimination system, with the first round being the school's selection in ten days.

Only the top hundred of each academy can advance, and his qualification to compete is at risk.

Thinking of this, Gu Xing couldn't help but clench his fist.

If that succubus hadn't betrayed him, ten days would have been enough to gather materials for the first cultivation...

With an epic-level succubus further enhanced, even if unable to take the top spot in the school's assessment, he could still enter the top ten.

But now...

His knuckles whitened due to force; he compelled himself to calm down.

"At least there's twenty million..."

This fortune is sufficient for him to buy an exceptional talent guardian beast at the Beast Taming Shop.

Although not comparable to epic talent succubus, he had no other choice now.

Gu Xing hailed a taxi drawn by a bipedal land dragon, entered the cabin, and spoke in a deep voice:

"Driver, to the largest Beast Taming Shop in Lin Yuan City!"

...

...

: Fallen Angel

The Beast Taming Shop is the largest merchant house in Lin Yuan City, overseeing the distribution of resources from the Alternate Space.

Here, not only are all kinds of Guardian Beasts captured from the Alternate Space sold, but also rare materials, Evolution Potions, and even strange treasures.

Gu Xing stood before the grand entrance of the Beast Taming Association, looking up.

The whole building was pyramid-shaped, divided into five layers, each corresponding to a different rank—

Common, Elite, Excellent, Epic, Legendary.

Of course, the "Legendary Level" area at the very top was usually vacant, with only a few rare materials from the Alternate Space occasionally displayed for admiration.

And the "Epic Level" area on the fourth floor had only a handful of Epic materials, priced so high it was jaw-dropping.

Gu Xing didn't linger on the first floor, heading straight up to the third—

Excellent-level Guardian Beast Zone.

In the spacious hall, dozens of Guardian Beasts of various shapes were locked in specially designed Energy Cages, each accompanied by detailed information and pricing.

Gu Xing's gaze swept over, their attribute panels automatically popping up before his eyes—

[Mystic Snake]

[Talent: Excellent Three Stars]

[Level: Tier Zero]

[Skills: Poisonous Fang Bite]

[Spirit Cat]

[Talent: Excellent One Star]

[Level: Tier Zero]

[Skills: Agile Evasion]

...

The prices of these Guardian Beasts generally ranged from five hundred thousand to one million, with talent increasing the price.

Gu Xing finally stopped before a wolf-type Guardian Beast.

This was the highest talent on the third floor—

[Gray Wolf]

[Talent: Excellent Three Stars]

[Attribute: Wind Element]

[Level: Tier Zero]

[Skills: Gale Claw Strike]

[Cultivation Suggestions: Wind Spirit Grass, Hurricane Crystal...]

Looking at these single-skill Guardian Beasts, Gu Xing frowned slightly.

Although Excellent-level beasts were already a decent choice, they were nothing compared to the Epic-level Succubus.

Moreover, he had twenty million in funds, enough to aim much higher!

"Excuse me, does the Beast Taming Association have any other guardian beasts?"

He stopped a staff member, still not giving up.

"Hello, sir. What's on display is all the guardian beasts we acquired this year."

Excellent talent...

He stared at the Gray Wolf; three stars of talent was rare for an ordinary Beast Master.

But after seeing the Epic-level Succubus's panel, this talent held no appeal in his eyes.

Besides, cultivating a beast like this to the level of the Succubus would probably cost far more than twenty million.

However, just as he was turning away in disappointment...

The staff member suddenly called out to him.

"Wait! There's another place..."

Gu Xing spun around so quickly the staff member instinctively stepped back.

"Where?"

The staff member was startled by Gu Xing.

"It's like this—we only display the latest guardian beasts acquired each year."

"The ones we didn't sell from past years are managed together in the back office."

"But...don't get your hopes up, sir. Those are all the leftover rejects."

Hearing this, the hope just sparked in Gu Xing's heart was snuffed out again.

Leftover rejects—how could any of them be worth anything?

Yet, holding to the 'since I'm here anyway' mindset, Gu Xing hesitated for a bit, then still decided to check out the back office.

If he found nothing there, he could always come back to the third floor and contract with the Gray Wolf.

"But you'll have to hurry; wait any longer and they'll be sent off to be destroyed."

...

Back Office.

The lighting was dim and oppressive.

A silver-haired girl curled up in a corner, hugging her knees tightly, burying her face deep in her arms.

Around her, several guardian beasts of different shapes also quietly awaited judgment from fate.

The Shadow Leopard missing a leg, the Spirit Fox born blind...

They were the rejects, left unchosen for an entire year.

"Time's up."

The metal door hinge screeched, and a young man in uniform entered.

Today was Beast Summoning Day in Lin Yuan City, and also these beasts' final day.

The merchant house wasn't a charity; they'd kept them for a year already, that was mercy enough.

Destroying them could at least reclaim some materials—waste not, want not.

Hearing footsteps, the beasts rose numbly.

But the one most eye-catching was the silver-haired girl.

When she lifted her head, her silver hair fell like a waterfall, her delicate face set with amber eyes, she looked like an angel fallen to earth.

No—

She was an Angel!

The staff member sighed.

A year ago, when this Epic-level Angel descended upon Lin Yuan City, she caused a sensation.

Unfortunately, her congenital disability left her worse off than even a Common beast, unable to contract or upgrade.

A "reject" like this had almost no recycling value left.

"Let's go!"

Just as he was about to lead the way, hurried footsteps echoed from the distance.

"Wait!"

Gu Xing rushed in, panting, his bangs soaked with sweat.

He'd spent half an hour searching the maze-like Beast Taming Shop, finally finding his way to the secluded back office.

His gaze swept the room and instantly locked onto that flicker of silver.

The attribute panel popped up:

[Angel (Liu Li)]

[Status: Uncontracted (Disabled Wing—unable to contract)]

[Talent: Epic Nine Stars]

[Level: Tier Zero]

[Skills: Holy Light Judgment, Wings of Heaven, Divine Lament]

[Special State: Congenitally Damaged (Disabled Wing) (Negative State: Cannot level up)]

[Cultivation Suggestions: Use Angel's Feather, Radiant Star Dust, Holy Spirit Stone (to heal injuries)]

Gu Xing's pupils shrank sharply.

A Guardian Beast with Epic Nine Star talent?!

This was the highest talent he'd ever seen...

Just a step away from Legendary Level!

And Epic-level beasts usually only had two skills, but Liu Li...

Had three!

Only...

His gaze involuntarily moved to her back.

Where there should have been a pair of holy wings, it was now empty.

This was the reason nobody cared about her!

But the system had given a restoration plan:

Angel's Feather*1, Radiant Star Dust*3, Holy Spirit Stone*1.

And the merchant house just happened to have all three!

Gu Xing's heart pounded wildly.

She's the one!

This was the Guardian Beast he'd been searching for!

If he healed her wounds, her talent would utterly eclipse that Succubus!

Gu Xing took a deep breath and slowly walked over to the staff member.

"Hello, I'd like to buy that Angel. How much is she?"

At these words...

Liu Li's pupils contracted sharply.

She slowly lifted her head, amber eyes reflecting the figure standing in the light.

Was... he talking about her?

Three hundred days and nights, she'd curled up in this dark corner, hoping again and again, only to be disappointed each time.

In the end, she grew numb, not daring to hope anyone would ever look her way again.

But at this moment—

The stranger was actually pointing at her.

Her heart felt like it was gripped by an invisible hand, even breathing became difficult.

Did he really understand what he was choosing?

A reject who couldn't even fly...

Her nails dug deep into her palms, but she felt no pain.

Liu Li dropped her head, silver hair hovering down, hiding the faint flush in her eyes.

She clearly... shouldn't expect anything anymore.

But why... did it still hurt?

....

...

: He Is Like a God!

Gu Xing's move to choose a Guardian Beast from the defective products section left the staff momentarily stunned.

"E-excuse me, are you talking about that Angel Guardian Beast?"

"Yes. How much is it?"

Gu Xing repeated his question.

The staff member nervously wrung his hands. "I'm sorry, sir, I can't make that decision..."

He quickly contacted his supervisor and soon received a reply.

"All it takes is 10,000 Longxia Coins, and you can take this Guardian Beast."

"Although it's a defective product, it is still Epic Quality…"

Gu Xing paid decisively and without hesitation.

Soon, the two of them arrived at the Contract Room.

Liu Li stood at the edge of the Contract Array, her silver hair hanging down, hiding her slightly trembling shoulders.

Was this really going to be a contract?

Her fingertips unconsciously twisted the edge of her clothes, the fabric bunching tightly in her palm.

A Guardian Beast like herself...

Liu Li bit her lower lip, her amber eyes clouded with tears.

"I'm sorry! I can't make a contract with you. I am an incomplete Guardian Beast."

Her voice was choked with sobs, sounding like a hurt little animal.

Gu Xing, who was preparing the Contract Array, looked up in surprise.

Seeing Liu Li's tear-streaked face, only then did he realize he had ignored the Guardian Beast's feelings.

"Don't put yourself down. You are an incredibly outstanding Guardian Beast."

Gu Xing looked at Liu Li with determination, trying to pass on some faith to this despairing girl.

"No, I'm not..."

Liu Li broke down, covering her face. "I can't even do the most basic Leveling Up!"

"I know what your problem is."

Gu Xing stepped forward, holding her trembling shoulders in both hands. "But I have a way to fix it."

"R-really?"

Liu Li froze for a moment, looking up at him through her tears.

"If I wasn't confident, why would I choose you?"

Gu Xing pointed at the calendar on the wall. "The assessment is in ten days. No one would gamble their future."

Just as Gu Xing finished speaking, there was a knock at the door.

The staff came in with the materials he had just ordered...almost completely wiping out his entire 20 million!

"I've got the materials. Want to try?"

Upon hearing this, the little angel's body trembled slightly, her heartbeat suddenly accelerating.

Although she knew the chances of recovering from her injuries were incredibly slim...

But still...

What if?

Under Gu Xing's encouraging gaze, Liu Li followed his instructions and used all three materials one by one.

The next moment...

A dense violet light suddenly erupted from Liu Li's wounds.

This glow was even deeper than what he had seen when summoning the Succubus on the altar—almost solid, as if about to swallow up the whole room.

And, even more astonishing—

In the surging violet light, there was a faint trace of brilliant golden radiance!

"This is..."

Gu Xing's pupils shrank, but before he could think further, that gold spread like wildfire!

Gold… Legendary Talent!

"How is that possible?!"

Gu Xing's breath caught in his chest.

The system's materials were clearly for healing injuries, so why did it trigger a Talent Evolution?

Unless...

Liu Li's wounds themselves were the shackles limiting her potential!

As that thought flashed through his mind, the golden light completely filled the room.

From Liu Li's back, a pair of pure white wings unfurled—

Pure as snow, spotless and pristine.

The wings gently folded in, softly wrapping around Liu Li, finally transforming into a huge Light Cocoon.

"Boom—!"

An invisible energy shockwave erupted, piercing through the roof and shooting straight into the sky!

Inside the City Lord's Mansion

City Lord of Lin Yuan, Xia Xiu, was reclining in a sandalwood chair, his fingertips tapping the rim of a cup, savoring a rare moment of leisure.

On days without Alternate Space invasions, even the tea tasted fresher and crisper.

Yet, in the next second—

"Clatter!"

The porcelain teacup suddenly slipped from his fingers, shattering on the stone floor!

Xia Xiu didn't even notice, his pupils contracting in an instant as he shot to his feet and looked out the window!

Just now, he had felt a vast, abyssal aura descend from the heavens, covering the entire Lin Yuan City!

That aura was sacred and majestic, like a god's downward glance—yet it vanished as swiftly as it appeared.

"Someone!"

Xia Xiu's voice turned sharp. "Immediately investigate all nearby Alternate Space rifts!"

The guards hurried off to carry out the order, but Xia Xiu's brows only furrowed deeper.

There were only two things that could trigger such a phenomenon—

Either the barriers of Alternate Space had weakened, letting out a terrifying aura;

Or... a Legendary Talent Guardian Beast had been born!

"As for a Legendary Talent Guardian Beast, heh, how could that possibly…"

Xia Xiu shook his head in self-mockery, dismissing the second possibility outright.

In a border city like Lin Yuan, even Guardian Beasts with Epic Talent were treasured like pearls, let alone those of Legendary status!

....

But what he did not know was that right now, inside the Contract Room of the Beast Taming Shop...

Gu Xing stared dumbfounded at the light-screen before him, his throat rolling involuntarily.

[Holy Angel (Liu Li)]

[Status: Not Contracted]

[Talent: Legendary One Star]

[Level: Tier Zero]

[Skills: Judgment (deals bonus damage to Demon Race creatures), Divine Protection (immune to one fatal attack), Blazing Angel Form (All Attributes increased by 200%), Song of the End (forces the angel into slumber after use)]

[Cultivation Suggestions: Use Light Crystal, Holy Spirit Marrow Liquid...]

Legendary Level…

It really succeeded!

Gu Xing took a deep breath, trying to calm his wildly pounding heart.

Legendary Level and Epic Level are entirely different things!

But if this angel turned out like that Succubus before… then…

A trace of coldness flashed in Gu Xing's eyes.

The only reason he dared spend 20 million to heal this angel's wounds was that the Beast Taming Shop had means of preventing Guardian Beasts from betraying their master.

However…

"Swish!"

A silver-white figure suddenly dropped to one knee, wings half spread, scattering fragments of light beneath the lamp.

Liu Li looked up, pure amber pupils filled with unshakable resolve.

"Holy Angel Liu Li, requests to become your Guardian Beast!"

As that firm voice rang out, Gu Xing finally let out the breath he'd been holding.

He slowly curved his lips, a smile spreading from the bottom of his eyes.

Utter relief!

After all, not all Guardian Beasts in this world were as cold and callous as that Succubus.

The girl kneeling on one knee raised her head, pure white wings shimmering with pearly luster under the light, golden eyes brimming with determination tinged with cautious hopefulness.

Watching the girl, nerves tense and heart full of expectation for his answer, he took a slow breath and solemnly extended his hand.

"Liu Li, welcome to being my very first Guardian Beast!"

As Gu Xing spoke, a single crystalline teardrop silently slid down the girl's porcelain cheek.

This moment, she had waited for so, so long.

For countless days and nights, she curled up in the cold corners of the shop, ears echoing with "defective product", "worthless reject", "failure with crippled wings"...

But now, at last, she had waited long enough.

All those lonely, unspoken pains, the despair nobody knew...

At this very moment, they all became the most precious gifts.

It turns out, the gods truly do pity an angel forgotten by the world.

...

...