Lin Chuan didn't realize that he had just arrived in Qinghe City when he was targeted by a strange guy who wanted to PY him!
If Lin Chuan knew, he would probably say, “Your motherf*cking eyes are really good; you saw through the truth at a glance. That's right, I'm a genius!
And not just any genius, but the kind of genius who bought a permanent supreme VIP cheat!”
Alright, no more jokes.
Lin Chuan followed the purple-haired youth, Tan Yan, through a long corridor from the Spirit Beast Airport, then took an internal elevator, finally arriving at the front hall of the Qinghe City Beastmaster Association.
Yes, just the front hall.
It wasn't the actual service area or commercial area; as for the training area, it was even deeper and further inside.
The front hall was a free exchange area for Beast Masters, where some people walked their spirit beasts, some chatted, and more were hurrying through, like Lin Chuan at that moment.
And truthfully, the internal space of the Qinghe City Beastmaster Association was shockingly large, practically a labyrinth.
If a new Beast Master came for the first time without a familiar local to guide them, and instead followed the signs themselves, they would most likely get lost.
Lin Chuan felt quite lucky to have met such an enthusiastic 'tour guide' like Tan Yan as soon as he arrived.
Although his purple hair was strange, he was indeed a good person.
Hmm, probably, after all, they had just met, so it was hard to judge, but for now, he seemed like a very friendly guy.
Following Tan Yan, Lin Chuan walked along, occasionally looking at the advanced facilities that the Tianshang Town Beastmaster Association didn't possess, and chatting with Tan Yan from time to time.
Lin Chuan felt that Tan Yan was truly very talkative. To call him a chatterbox, well, 'chatterbox' wasn't quite right; a chatterbox is someone who babbles on unilaterally, disregarding the listener's feelings, and is very annoying.
But Tan Yan was different; his talkativeness was the kind that made you want to chat and interact, and if a topic made you uncomfortable, he would notice in time and change the subject.
Just like that, without realizing it, Lin Chuan was PY'd. When he came to his senses, the virtual screen projected from his watch's Pet Space Device showed a pop-up from the Blue Penguin chat software, stating, “You have added 'Qinghe Xiaolingtong' as a friend.” Qinghe Xiaolingtong was Tan Yan’s Blue Penguin nickname.
Lin Chuan frowned slightly. He always felt something was off, very, very off!
Could this purple-haired guy have some ulterior motive? Although they had chatted a lot, Lin Chuan hadn't mentioned a single word about crucial information like his Beast Master level, Beast Master talent, or what his contracted spirit beast was. He was very cautious in this regard. Although the probability of something going wrong was small, as the saying goes in his previous life, one must guard against others!
Unable to figure it out, Lin Chuan stopped thinking about it.
“The service area is here, just ahead.”
At this moment, the purple-haired youth Tan Yan stopped and pointed forward.
Lin Chuan looked in the direction Tan Yan was pointing.
He saw a sea of people there, with five rows and ten columns, totaling 50 service counter cubicles, but there were hardly any empty ones, and even if there were, they were quickly filled.
Tsk, Lin Chuan couldn't help but click his tongue.
He thought that the mission service area of the Tianshang Town Beastmaster Association was completely incomparable to this place.
Indeed, a large city is a large city; putting everything else aside, there are just so many people.
Having brought Lin Chuan here, Tan Yan was also ready to leave.
Although he wanted to PY with Lin Chuan a bit longer, continue to make himself known, and deepen the impression.
However, he still had a new mission to complete; if he slacked off, he would have his rewards deducted.
“If there's anything you're unfamiliar with or don't know in Qinghe City, you can ask me directly on Blue Penguin.”
After taking two steps, Tan Yan stopped again and said.
Lin Chuan nodded, and Tan Yan continued.
“If you need Assistance, I can't help with big favors, but for small ones, you can always find me.”
“Hmm, just a tiny commission, similar to the money for a new mission. I'm sure Lin Chuan, you're not short on that little bit of money~”
Saying this, Tan Yan also pinched his thumb and forefinger, leaving a tiny gap between them, then chuckled heartily.
“Haha, don't mind me, I'm just joking.”
“Hmm, I still have others to receive, so that's it. If there's nothing else, I'll be going first.”
Waving his hand, without waiting for Lin Chuan to say goodbye, Tan Yan turned and left without looking back, like a wisp of cloud.
After walking a little further, blending into the crowd, at a distance where Lin Chuan couldn't notice him, Tan Yan took out his phone and looked at Lin Chuan, whose nickname was 'Lin Family Third Young Master 003,' displayed among his Blue Penguin friends on the screen. He excitedly clenched his fist.
Although he didn't know what kind of genius Lin Chuan was—a top-tier one who could eventually enter the Eight Great Academies, a first-rate one who could become a Professional Beastmaster, or just an ordinary one—he was at least definitely stronger than an ordinary civilian new Beast Master, and that was enough.
He, Tan Yan, had taken a solid first step on the path of PY!
...
Tan Yan left, and Lin Chuan was still deep in thought.
He always felt that this purple-haired youth was inexplicable, but never mind, he couldn't see any harm to him for now, so Lin Chuan didn't think about it anymore.
How does that saying go? More friends, more paths, isn't it?
Recalling his thoughts, Lin Chuan looked at the crowded service area in front of him.
Thinking about how long he would have to wait in line, Lin Chuan went to the service area's special machine, took a number using his Beast Master ID, and then sat in the waiting area.
Quite lucky, well, it should be said that the service area receptionists' work efficiency was too high.
In just ten minutes, it was Lin Chuan's turn.
Hearing his number called, Lin Chuan went to the corresponding counter.
There was no polite small talk; being polite and courteous with these busy mission area receptionists was truly impolite and would affect their work efficiency.
Directly, Lin Chuan stated his two purposes: submitting the letter mission and registering for rental housing.
Inside the counter was a male staff member, who looked about thirty years old, with a buzz cut. He should have looked energetic, but at this moment, this male staff member had deep dark circles under his eyes, giving Lin Chuan the feeling that he was about to die from overwork in the next second.
Lin Chuan quickly glanced at the work badge placed nearby: 27 years old, named Yu Fuqing, Beastmaster Association Mission Receptionist.
Looking at the photo on the work badge, this man named Yu Fuqing looked full of energy. Although he was nearly thirty, he was still considered a handsome uncle.
Looking at his actual appearance now, even though his clothes and hair were meticulously groomed and very neat, with his dull eyes, Lin Chuan, based on his experience of working overtime and intensely competing for over a decade in his previous life, judged that he had probably worked overtime continuously for at least a week, getting absolutely less than 3 hours of sleep every day!
Lin Chuan took two more glances at Yu Fuqing, but Yu Fuqing didn't even lift his head, not looking Lin Chuan directly in the eye. He reflexively took the Beast Master ID card Lin Chuan handed over and swiped it on the card reader next to him with a beep.
“Identity confirmed, Beast Master Lin Chuan.”
“Mission confirmed, number TS-1785, preparing to receive mission items.”
It wasn't Yu Fuqing speaking, but the sound coming from the card reader connected to the computer.
“Hmm, a letter mission. You can take out the letter now; just place it on the counter, and someone will come to collect it shortly.”
Yu Fuqing said weakly.
Nodding slightly, Lin Chuan took out the 'valuable document' insulated box from his Pet Space and placed it on the counter.
The next second, Lin Chuan saw Yu Fuqing freeze for a moment, and then, his eyes, with their deep dark circles, slowly opened, the pupils of his lifeless eyes contracted, and his gaze focused.
Without even confirming the mission success to Lin Chuan, Yu Fuqing actually reached out and directly dismantled the insulated box.
Inside the insulated box were small bottles of something resembling drinks.
In front of Lin Chuan, Yu Fuqing directly took one bottle, inserted the attached straw, and took a big gulp, instantly draining it. He then took another bottle and inserted a straw.
“Ah~~ I'm alive again, this truly saved my life.”
Completely changing from his near-collapse state of a moment ago, Yu Fuqing deeply sighed, as if he was dying of thirst in a desert but suddenly encountered rain and was finally saved.
Lin Chuan: ???
Coming back to his senses and realizing his blunder, Yu Fuqing, who had even forgotten his professional demeanor, gave an awkward laugh.
"Sorry, sorry."
Yu Fuqing chuckled. He hadn't been paying attention before, but now, he quickly scanned Lin Chuan's basic information on the screen.
"So you're Beast Master Lin Chuan, right? Hmm, since you're from Tianshang Town, you should know this. It's a specialty of Tianshang Town, Red Orange Fruit Energy Drink. Drinking it can refresh your mind and clear your head."
Yu Fuqing said.
Lin Chuan nodded; of course, he knew this.
Red Orange Fruit Energy Drink is a product of a long-established small workshop enterprise in Tianshang Town called Haxixi. A portion of the raw material, red orange fruit, is sourced from Lin's Farm, making it a part of Lin's Farm's downstream industrial chain.
That's right, 40% of the fruit trees planted in the boundless orchard on the mountainside of Lin's Farm are red orange fruit trees.
The refreshing and mind-clearing effect of Red Orange Fruit Energy Drink is indeed good.
Previously, Lin Chuan also drank it when Guoguo Sakura's spirit was over-consumed from adding points, but he didn't drink much.
Because the refreshing and mind-clearing effect of Red Orange Fruit Energy Drink is achieved by stimulating the cerebral cortex to increase mental activity, not by replenishing consumption. Even if you drink it and force yourself to stay awake, you'll still have a splitting headache the next day.
Well, one can't be so absolute.
Red Orange Fruit Energy Drink can also replenish mental energy, but only a tiny bit! To the extent of being better than nothing.
To describe it with specific values, for 100 points of spirit, drinking one bottle of Red Orange Fruit Energy Drink can restore about 1 point of spirit.
And Lin Chuan uses Reincarnation of Inheritance to add skill points to Guoguo and Sakura, consuming at least 40 points of spirit each time, which means Lin Chuan would have to drink 40 bottles to recover.
Although the bottles are small, 40 bottles are an extremely large amount. If he really drank that much, Lin Chuan estimated he'd have diarrhea the next day and wouldn't be able to get out of bed.
Red Orange Fruit Energy Drink is only for daily work and life. Drinking a bottle during overtime work is better and more effective than any coffee.
However, when it comes to Beast Masters cultivating spirit beasts, especially for battle pet cultivation, its effect is severely insufficient.
Seeing that Lin Chuan didn't seem to be in a hurry, Yu Fuqing decided to take this opportunity to slack off a bit, rest, and catch his breath.
Feigning a serious working demeanor as if discussing the task with Lin Chuan, Yu Fuqing instead changed the subject.
"Every year, the Beastmaster Association deliberately arranges many novice tasks for you new Beast Masters to complete."
"However, truly suitable novice tasks aren't just readily available, because if they were too simple, no one would bother to post them."
"In fact, most of the so-called novice tasks are deliberately fabricated, and the main force behind fabricating these novice tasks is us, the task receptionists of the various Beastmaster Associations."
"Because of this, this time of year is the busiest for us task area receptionists. Unless we're truly sick, we have to work overtime continuously for three months until your promotion assessment."
"During the day, we work normally, assisting Beast Masters with receiving tasks, and at night, we work overtime or, when there are fewer people, fabricate various novice tasks."
As he spoke, Yu Fuqing drained another bottle of Energy Drink. He unhesitatingly took another from the cooler, inserted the straw.
Taking a big gulp, Yu Fuqing continued:
"Of course, there are also overtime benefits. For fabricated novice tasks, if there are any expenses, as long as they're not excessive, the Association will reimburse them, just like this."
What Yu Fuqing said contained no useful information.
Even if he knew, it would be useless and bring no benefit.
However, Lin Chuan wasn't busy, so he didn't mind letting Yu Fuqing take this opportunity to rest and catch his breath.
Because Lin Chuan knew how hard such an exhausting, non-stop work schedule was, and it had to be continuous for three months.
Every year during graduation season, Beast Master information registration and statistics, Beast Master talent archiving, new Beast Master gift package distribution, and new Beast Master task fabrication are all done by these people working tirelessly behind the scenes. It can be said that it is precisely because of them that the path for new Beast Masters becomes easier to tread.
"So, this is the origin of this 'valuable document'."
"Hmm, this valuable document is precisely..."
Just then, a short-haired beauty, about twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, dressed in the same Beastmaster Association task receptionist uniform, walked over quickly.
"Brother Yu, Brother Yu, I just received a notification that my Energy Drink has arrived, and it's at your counter."
"Ah ah ah!!"
Seeing that Yu Fuqing had already drained three bottles, the short-haired beauty froze for a moment, then shrieked like a marmot.
The situation here drew the attention of other people nearby, who couldn't help but look over.
Some noticed the cooler on Lin Chuan's counter and the empty Energy Drink bottles next to it, revealing subtle and understanding smiles.
Well, such things are not common, but they are not unheard of.
Every year at this time, these task receptionists work themselves to the bone, causing endocrine disorders, and occasionally they lose their minds and do some amusing things.
"What are you doing!!"
"Put it down, put it down!! Put my Energy Drink down!"
The short-haired beauty quickly approached, and Yu Fuqing hurriedly moved the cooler under his counter.
"What's yours? This is a task we all fabricated together, and it's all reimbursed by the Association."
"According to the rules, if it appears during my duty hours and at my counter, then of course it's mine! You just happened to receive the notification."
"Alright, now I need to work. Please don't disturb me. I need to quickly process the task settlement for Mr. Lin Chuan."
"Oh, and Mr. Lin Chuan also needs to rent a place, right? Hmm hmm hmm, let me check for you and pick a good location."
As he spoke, Yu Fuqing instantly entered a serious working state, no longer the dull and listless appearance from before, but rather the vibrant, energetic, and handsome middle-aged man shown in his work ID photo. A slight smile played on his lips, clearly indicating he was in a good mood.
And the short-haired beauty, knowing she couldn't disturb a colleague during serious work, and realizing that reclaiming the Energy Drink was hopeless, slumped onto a nearby rest chair, staring blankly at the ceiling like a drowning fish, mumbling incoherently.
After a while, one of her colleagues brought her another type of refreshing drink, also similar to Red Orange Fruit Energy Drink.
Taking a sip, the short-haired beauty instantly recovered to full health, looking radiant and energetic, and ran off vivaciously.
Such a sight made the surrounding people, even Lin Chuan, unable to help but laugh.
Lin Chuan originally thought that the staff of the Beastmaster Association were all very serious and earnest.
Now it seems that's not always the case.
Sometimes, they're quite adorable and full of human touch.
This is the Beastmaster Association!
An organization that silently contributes, providing logistical support, management, and coordination for all Beast Masters in the Star Rock Federation. No wonder Beast Masters support and love it so much.
"Beep, Beast Master Lin Chuan, ID TS-1785, task item received, confirmed correct, task successful."
As Yu Fuqing operated, his work machine made a sound.
At the same time.
Lin Chuan's watch Pet Space Device also popped up a virtual window with a text message notification from the Beastmaster Association.
"【Thank you, Beast Master Lin Chuan, for completing task number TS-1785 issued by the Qinghe City Beastmaster Association.】"
"【Task Content: Safely deliver the 'valuable document' from the Tianshang Town Beastmaster Association to the Qinghe City Beastmaster Association.】"
"【Completion Rating: 5 Stars】"
"【Task Reward: 5000 star rock coin, Points: 3】"
"【Rewards have been instantly deposited into your Beast Master account. Please check and confirm. If there are any errors, please contact the relevant task receptionist promptly.】"