How could this be? How is this possible?!
Wasn't Lin Chuan right there inside the Five Elements Spirit Shield?
Why did he appear behind him?
Qian Gu Shu froze.
Then, before Qian Gu Shu’s disbelieving eyes...
The Lin Chuan inside the Five Elements Spirit Shield was enveloped in a cloud of illusory smoke.
The smoke dispersed in an instant.
The Lin Chuan inside was gone, replaced by a Book Spirit no more than 15 centimeters tall, dressed in a simple Western-style dress, with dark brown medium-length hair, wearing large round glasses, and looking very delicate and adorable.
Wan Wan bowed politely to Qian Gu Shu.
However, no matter how polite and adorable this Book Spirit appeared at the moment, the only feeling it brought to Qian Gu Shu was vexation.
He had been played.
He had fought with all his wits and might, yet he was like a clown, being spun around by Lin Chuan and this Book Spirit.
Lin Chuan hadn’t been inside the Five Elements Spirit Shield from the very beginning.
His expression was incredibly vivid, like a dye shop, turning red one moment and green the next. Qian Gu Shu’s fists clenched and unclenched, unclenched and clenched again.
Finally, Qian Gu Shu lowered his gaze and said in a low, unwilling voice:
“I lost.”
Lin Chuan did not lower the Spirit Mark Pistol pointed at the back of Qian Gu Shu’s head.
With such a small voice, who knew if he was playing a trick? What if it was a feigned surrender?
After all, the culture of the Dongyang Beast Masters circle was precisely that: no shame.
If they had any integrity or martial virtue, they wouldn't pull out uncontracted high-level spirit beasts for practice in such a competition.
And so, they remained in a stalemate for half a minute.
It wasn’t until Qian Gu Lidai emerged from the nearby woods and officially declared the match over, with Lin Chuan as the victor.
“Thank you for the match.”
Lin Chuan chuckled, then finally lowered the pistol.
Qian Gu Shu looked like he wanted to say something, but ultimately, his face flushed red. He let out a disgruntled hmph and turned to leave without another word.
“My apologies, Mr. Lin Chuan. You must be laughing at us.”
Qian Gu Lidai said apologetically.
Lin Chuan shook his head; there was nothing much to say.
This Qian Gu Shu, he was very disappointed in him.
If the younger generation of the Qian Gu Family were all of a similar caliber, Lin Chuan felt that this exchange and sparring was unnecessary, as it wouldn't bring him any growth.
At this very moment...
Lin Chuan suddenly felt a bit disheartened about the Dongyang Ten Families, or at least this Qian Gu Family.
The first person from the Qian Gu Family he encountered upon arriving at Huye Plain was Qian Gu Lidai.
Qian Gu Lidai gave him a rather good impression.
Perhaps her Beast Master talent wasn't exceptional, but her character was good. She had the demeanor of a noble family member, possessing the pride of a family scion, yet always maintaining proper etiquette in her behavior.
Perhaps it was precisely because her Beast Master talent wasn't outstanding, not genius level, and she wasn't considered excellent among her peers in the Qian Gu Family, that she was so polite?
But this Qian Gu Shu...
Lin Chuan wanted to say, “Is this all there is?”
Is this the genius Beast Master of the Qian Gu Family?
He clearly knew beforehand that Lin Chuan was an illusionist, yet he didn't take any precautions or conceal himself at the start. How much did he look down on him?
And then, after realizing the disparity in combat power, he directly overturned the table and pulled out an uncontracted Tier 3 spirit beast.
His behavior after defeat—being unconvinced and in a bad mood—was understandable.
But directly huffing and leaving with a cold face was very ill-mannered.
Considering the situation in the Dongyang Beast Master circle, Lin Chuan suddenly understood the situation.
The Star Rock Federation.
It has various support policies for commoner Beast Masters.
Every year during graduation season, various places hold all sorts of Baby Cups, big and small. Even if the Beastmaster Association doesn't have them, they'll fabricate many almost free novice missions. In short, they find various ways to give money and resources to commoner Beast Masters.
Thus, various commoner genius Beast Masters continuously emerge, leading to the grand success of the Eight Great Academies.
With the continuous emergence of commoner geniuses, it naturally puts pressure on the disciples of noble families and sects. Even though they control more resources than commoners and have a higher starting point, they dare not relax. Once they relax, they might one day be easily defeated and trampled underfoot by a commoner Beast Master.
To maintain the dignity of their noble families and sects, the disciples of the Three Great Nations' noble families and sects have to desperately compete.
And what about Dongyang?
The noble families hold an absolute advantage, monopolizing almost all resources.
The children of noble families don't need to compete, don't need to struggle.
Or rather, they only need to engage in play-acting competition with their cousins and distant relatives within the family.
This is what's called 'winning by lying down'.
Born winners, what's the point of working hard?
They have absolutely no competitive pressure from the commoner Beast Master class. They are born into an absolute comfort zone, not needing to meticulously calculate every penny or the utilization rate of every resource like commoners do. They also carefully consider before contracting a spirit beast, and once contracted, they will cultivate it with all their might.
Thus, accustomed to a life of privilege, the children of Dongyang's noble families naturally become complacent.
He had originally wanted to improve himself through exchanges and sparring with the children of Dongyang's noble families.
Now it seems, if all opponents are like this, pulling out Tier 3 or Tier 4 spirit beasts when they can't win, then there's no need.
“Mr. Lin Chuan, Lord Zhengxiong wishes to meet with you.”
After taking a call, Qian Gu Lidai said to Lin Chuan, while also briefly introducing Qian Gu Zhengxiong’s situation.
Hearing that it was Qian Gu Zhengxiong who had agreed to his challenge and set the related stakes.
Lin Chuan thought for a moment and then accepted the invitation to meet. Anyway, it was still early, and he wasn't in a hurry to return today.
Immediately, Qian Gu Lidai led Lin Chuan to the hidden small village where the Qian Gu Family resided.
In a teahouse in the village.
Lin Chuan met Qian Gu Zhengxiong, as well as Qian Gu Shu who was with him.
Glared at by Qian Gu Zhengxiong, Qian Gu Shu shrank his neck. Then, he immediately stepped forward and bowed deeply to Lin Chuan.
“I was rude just now, I am truly sorry.”
“The process of my defeat was too unexpected, causing me to lose control of my emotions and make a fool of myself in front of Lin Chuan-sama. I will offer 100 points of family contribution as an apology and compensation.”
“Also, thank you, Lin Chuan-sama, for your guidance. You have shown me many of my shortcomings.”
Qian Gu Shu’s apology was very sincere, at least on the surface, not to mention the 100 points of contribution as compensation for his rudeness.
Lin Chuan didn't say much, just nodded slightly, indicating he accepted the apology.
Qian Gu Zhengxiong nodded with satisfaction, then waved his hand to dismiss Qian Gu Shu. After bowing to him, Qian Gu Shu respectfully exited the teahouse.
Facing Qian Gu Shu, Qian Gu Nami, and Qian Gu Yicheng, Qian Gu Zhengxiong displayed the dignified demeanor of a family elder.
But facing Lin Chuan, he was completely a kind and amiable uncle.
“Young friend, please sit.”
Qian Gu Zhengxiong chuckled, inviting Lin Chuan to take a seat.
“Thank you.”
Responding neither humbly nor arrogantly, Lin Chuan sat down opposite Qian Gu Zhengxiong, silently observing this elder of the Qian Gu Family.
He couldn't discern his Beast Master level; there wasn't a hint of energy aura emanating from him, as if he were just an ordinary middle-aged man.
Qian Gu Zhengxiong could not possibly be a mortal, so there was only one possibility.
His Beast Master level, his life essence, was so high that Lin Chuan couldn't perceive him, just like Professor Qu Cheng of the Sixth Academy.
This was the true foundation of the Qian Gu Family.
Qian Gu Zhengxiong was also scrutinizing Lin Chuan, exclaiming in wonder.
“Indeed, you are extraordinary. Only in the Three Great Nations could such a young hero like you appear.”
Qian Gu Zhengxiong said, with a hint of flattery.
In response, Lin Chuan merely smiled politely, letting the flattery go in one ear and out the other, not giving it any thought.
He brewed a cup of tea.
Pouring tea for Lin Chuan, Qian Gu Zhengxiong said:
“The next two matches don’t need to be held.”
“The other two people I arranged are not much stronger than Little Shu. The gap between them and young friend Lin Chuan is too great, not just in combat power, but even more so in thinking and mindset.”
“Of course, if young friend Lin Chuan wishes to guide them, we can still arrange for you to spar.”
Lin Chuan was slightly surprised.
He had thought the other party would specifically arrange tactics against him, but he didn't expect them to directly give up the next two matches.
However, thinking about it, it was quite reasonable.
Given Qian Gu Zhengxiong's Beast Master level and age, his thinking and ideas would naturally be more mature than those of children like Qian Gu Shu.
Even if the people arranged later managed to defeat him, Lin Chuan, by specifically targeting him or even pulling out Tier 4 spirit beasts...
What would happen when he returned to the Sixth Academy and wrote his travel report, detailing this situation?
Would the Sixth Academy think Lin Chuan's combat power was insufficient?
Or would they think the Qian Gu Family lacked integrity and martial virtue?
Presumably, the latter would be more likely.
Thus, not only would it be impossible to receive an invitation for international study from the Sixth Academy, but it would also leave a bad impression on the Sixth Academy and even the Star Rock Federation.
At that time, perhaps even senior students from the Sixth Academy might come knocking to demand an explanation.
And then, it wouldn't be this polite notification before a challenge anymore.
Instead, it would be a direct visit, kicking down the plaque, smashing the rice bowl, a provocative challenge meant to humiliate.
“Young friend Lin Chuan, what do you think of Qian Gu Shu, who you just fought?”
Qian Gu Zhengxiong asked.
Lin Chuan thought for a moment.
“He’s still a child.”
Despite being the same age, Lin Chuan gave such a rating.
Qian Gu Zhengxiong chuckled, but did not deny it.
“Indeed, he is still a child, having not yet experienced much hardship. He is very naive and immature.”
“However, isn't that the meaning of a noble family?”
“To allow one’s descendants to live more easily, more securely, without needing to compete or snatch.”
“As for the immature side, time will naturally make him mature. If he cannot mature, he will be eliminated.”
“And for the Qian Gu Family, we elders only need to ensure these children have enough time to become mature and steady, ample resources and environment, and give them more opportunities for trial and error and repentance.”
Qian Gu Zhengxiong said.
Lin Chuan remained silent, offering no rebuttal.
Because this is human nature. Not to mention noble families, even ordinary people are like this.
Who doesn't want their descendants to live a stable life? To have a higher starting point and more abundant resources?
Even Lin Chuan himself, after getting into the Sixth Academy, seized the opportunity to maintain a good relationship with An Qianqian, establishing a long-term cooperative relationship between his family’s Flower Leaf Leaf Breeding Base and the Nine Leaves Dojo. He did this to allow his family to live a better life, achieve higher social status, and have better security.
This can only be called a matter of perspective.
From the perspective of a noble family, it is merely to ensure their descendants have better conditions, can always be superior, and even become divine beings among men.
But from the perspective of common people…
Hmm, I hope that one day, the Dongyang Ten Families won't be swallowed by the tide stirred up by some fated commoner.
The harder the suppression, the fiercer the backlash will be, and by then, it might be difficult to control the situation.