CHAPTER 364: CHAPTER 364: NO NEED FOR MONEY, MY SON IS WILLING TO GIVE EXTRA.

Back at the command center, Qian Qi noticed the center was particularly lively, seemingly preparing to welcome someone, and Su Xingchen strode over and froze when he saw her with her arm around Xi Pingzhe’s shoulder.

He naturally knew Xi Pingzhe, the younger brother of Su Family Army’s second in command, Xi Ye, and the grandson of the Beast Taming Academy’s headmaster. But he still scrutinized Xi Pingzhe, confirming that the other’s height, appearance, ability, family background, and wealth were all inferior to his own son, before he finally relaxed.

Xi Pingzhe always admired the strong, and upon seeing Su Xingchen, he got quite excited. However, for some reason, he felt the way Su Xingchen was looking at him was a bit odd, as if he were evaluating a future son-in-law.

Seeing Su Xingchen seemed to have something private to say, Qian Qi withdrew her hand and patted Xi Pingzhe’s shoulder, "You go ahead first."

"Then remember to find me!" After saying that, Xi Pingzhe turned away very obediently, and Su Xingchen watched his departing figure and couldn’t help but ask, "You get along well with him?"

"The newly appointed top disciple." Qian Qi found a chair to sit on, "He’s rich."

Upon hearing the word "rich," Su Xingchen understood Xi Pingzhe’s identity and his status in Qian Qi’s mind, just another "poor soul" like him becoming a victim to Qian Qi’s wallet.

"I’ve tested the waters with Yan Wuji," Su Xingchen transmitted with spiritual power to Qian Qi, "He’s tight-lipped and even seemed to test your position within the Seven Great Families, clearly having plans for you. Luckily, Yan Wuji acts relatively gently and won’t pose a threat to you in the short term, but the Elder Council behind him is quite ruthless. If Yan Wuji cannot recruit you, they’ll likely eliminate you."

These past days, he had also been investigating some matters secretly, discovering traces in records of past family extermination cases where certain ordinary people or Awakeners had just contracted a Magic Beast. If he’s not mistaken...

These people weren’t genuinely awakening to Beast Taming Talent but had independently managed to contract with a Magic Beast for various reasons.

This was quite surprising, and perhaps when registering with the Beast Taming Association, they thought they’d discovered something groundbreaking, which led the Association to take notice and ultimately brought disaster.

Ironically, many of these families were wealthy merchants capable of buying Magic Beasts for pleasure. If they treated the Contracted Beast well enough in regular times, perhaps they really could establish a contract.

The only force capable of wiping out these wealthy families overnight without a trace is likely the Elder Council within the Beast Taming Association.

Of course, these are his speculations based on current knowledge, lacking strong evidence but not far from the truth.

Qian Qi sighed lightly, "If it’s true, all I can say is, indeed, there’s no shortage of foolish people in this world."

If, since long ago, the Beast Taming Association has concealed the fact that everyone could tame beasts, not only neglecting the development in this area but focusing only on their vested interests, it would result in human helplessness against S-Class Magic Beast attacks when disaster strikes...

This is akin to those nations aware that global warming speeds up species extinction, aggravates climate anomalies, pest infestations, and releases ancient viruses from glaciers to destroy humanity, yet still recklessly destroy the environment, refusing to sign environmental protection agreements, making her want to kick them to death.

"If you’re concerned about your personal safety," Su Xingchen glanced at Qian Qi, "I can have Su Ang protect you closely."

Just as Qian Qi was about to speak, Su Xingchen calmly said, "While you possess strong power, you cannot defend against attacks in the spiritual power aspect, right? The law prohibits Spiritual Power Awakeners from using attack-type Spirit Skills on humans, but this restriction only applies to morally sound individuals."

"Of course..." Su Xingchen looked at her meaningfully, "Perhaps you’re a Spiritual Power Awakened?"

Qian Qi: ...

Qian Qi cursed the old fox inwardly, knowing Su Xingchen had certainly heard about her controlling over 20 A-level Poisonous Venomous Pythons—something only Spiritual System Awakeners could achieve, and Su Xingchen was clearly testing and confirming this himself.

If she admitted it, who knows what task this old fox might plan to assign her next?

Moreover, Qian Qi was well aware that "Qian Qi" only appeared in specific situations; usually, she’d have to rely on herself.

If she were indeed targeted by the Beast Taming Association’s elder council, she’d indeed need a spiritual power bodyguard.

Qian Qi didn’t mind having a close-protection bodyguard, as they would actually make her feel quite secure. What she cared about was: "It wouldn’t cost money, right..."

Su Xingchen laughed heartily, "No money, my son would even pay to do it."

Qian Qi: ?

No need, really?

Though she loved money, she had principles too!

"Oh, by the way," Su Xingchen recalled something, speaking leisurely, "Today, the command center has guests—the next generation heirs of the Four Great Beast Taming Families are here, specifically naming you."

He smiled lightly, and since he was somewhat familiar with Qian Qi, there was a hint of military humor in his tone, "Among those arrogant ones who personally come to see someone, aside from my son, there’s only you."

Qian Qi shot up from her chair, "Damn, why didn’t you say so sooner?"

All this chit-chat, is she still able to run away now?!

She’s heard those heirs from the Beast Taming Families aren’t easy to deal with!

As a social anxiety sufferer, Qian Qi is not keen on encountering them at the moment.

"What are you afraid of?" Su Xingchen chuckled, "You’re not even afraid of me, so why fear those children your age?"

"That’s not the same at all, is it?" Qian Qi pointed, "The four of them together are several decades older than you!"

Su Xingchen: ...

Alright, if you say so. "Then show the courage you had at the conference table when you were sneaking around, picking noses and gouging eyes of the Family Heads of the Seven Great Families; I believe in you."

Qian Qi: ...

This person is truly annoying, even digging up black history.

Qian Qi jogged away from the command station, prepared to find a place to hide, but just as she exited, she ran into the four people including Yan Shuiyue.

Among them, Sun Jiao, wearing a pink branded jacket, holding a white dog plush toy, and sporting two waist-length ponytails, pointed at Qian Qi in surprise and exclaimed, "Aha! It’s Brother Dog!"

Qian Qi abruptly stopped, turned around, and ran back into the command station.

Seeing Qian Qi trying to escape, Sun Jiao quickly threw the white dog plush to the blonde-haired Jiang Bao beside her and chased after Qian Qi at lightning speed, curiously saying, "Brother Dog, why are you running when you see us? Did you do something to betray us?"

Qian Qi was grabbed by the back collar, and upon hearing Sun Jiao’s innocent gaze, she contemplated two seconds before replying, "No, just simply feeling urgent when I see you guys."

Sun Jiao: ...

Sun Jiao: ???

Are they a men’s restroom? Why does he feel urgent seeing them???