Astral Pet Store (WN)

Chapter 494 Heavenly King Appearing

“Mr. Su, can we talk in private?”

“Private?”

Xie Jinshui nodded. He showed Su Ping to the window and set up a sound-proof seal. Xie Jinshui assumed a serious attitude and Su Ping wore a solemn look as well. “Mr. Su, I have received some updates. The beasts that we drove away seem to be coming back. I’m worried that they may return to launch another strike!” Xie Jinshui sounded truly concerned. He shared all the information he had with Su Ping. Su Ping was the most powerful battle pet warrior there was in the Longjiang Base City; should a large-scale strike be imminent, they had to rely on him. Su Ping was a bit relieved to hear this. “Is that it? If they’re trying to invade us again, we can just kill them again. There’s nothing to be worried about.”

Xie Jinshui was both glad and frustrated after seeing Su Ping react so calmly. Those with strength could indeed talk with confidence! The frustrating thing was that he had failed to find a way to reach the legendary rank. He had been stuck at the peak of the titled rank for over a hundred years. All he needed was an opportunity!

He wouldn’t have to rely on anyone else if he was a legendary battle pet warrior.

If he could break through, he wouldn’t have to be so stressed out about a beast strike.

Xie Jinshui shook his head to get rid of those messy thoughts. “Mr. Su, I will never forget your kindness!”

Su Ping was more than willing to help out but Xie Jinshui was not going to take that for granted.

In their recent battle to defend the base city, people like Su Ping, as well as the five family heads, had gladly offered to help. Xie Jinshui was grateful for that! Theoretically speaking, since they were citizens of the Longjiang Base City, Su Ping and those from the five major families ought to help; still Xie Jinshui understood that war came with risks that could be detrimental to their interests. Only the honest plain folks would talk about ethics and morals all day long since they were too poor, and ethical standards were the only things they could afford to talk about.

It was unrealistic to morally kidnap those who enjoyed a higher position in society. If anything, this approach would only generate the opposite effect. That was how the world worked. Su Ping, the five family heads, as well as the other titled battle pet warriors and anyone able to help, they could easily escape to another base city to seek a living. They might not enjoy comfortable days as they did in the Longjiang Base City, but that was an option for them.

To choose between different options was what humans had been born to do.

What Xie Jinshui could do was to show his gratitude and treat those people more favorably so that they would choose to stay at Longjiang Base City in times of crisis. “It is what I should do. I’m also a person of the Longjiang Base City,” Su Ping said. He didn’t think that Xie Jinshui owed him anything. He fought, not for Xie Jinshui, but for his hometown, his parents, and the customers that had gone to his store. For the old neighbors that used to call him “Xiao Su” and the store at the end of the street that sold pretty tasty noodles… For so many others. That was Su Ping’s home. That was the first place he had seen when he opened his eyes in that brand-new world.

It was where he grew up and where he had been sharing a life with his parents. He would never allow for the base city to fall as long as he was still able to protect it!

Xie Jinshui gazed at Su Ping gratefully. He barely got to see people with both outstanding abilities and an “innocent” mind at the same time. Xie Jinshui had detailed information about Su Ping, including which hospital he had been born in and which doctor had welcomed him to the world.

Maybe, that innocence was what made nineteen-year-olds adorable.

Thank you! Xie Jinshui said to himself, instead of Su Ping. Sometimes it was hard to utter the words because they carried too much meaning! Xie Jinshui said a quick goodbye to Su Ping and left using a side aisle in a hurry. Su Ping stood on the spot, thinking for a little bit. Afterward, he returned to his table and asked Tang Ruyan and Zhong Lingtong, “Are you full? Time for us to go back.” “Yes… Burp!” Zhong Lingtong just opened her mouth when a very loud noise came out of her mouth. She covered up her mouth at once and looked at Su Ping, clearly embarrassed. “You are definitely a good eater…” Su Ping was speechless. Since they had finished their dinner, Su Ping went to find his mother who was at the moment surrounded by many ladies from rich families. She seemed to be in a pickle. He rescued her by saying that they had to leave early. Li Qingru gladly accepted. Those ladies were graciously talking to her, never disagreeing, but she could tell that they belonged in different worlds. Nothing they said was of any practical meaning. Those ladies saluted Su Ping and called him Titled Warrior Su.

They weren’t aware of Su Ping’s actual title so that was the only way they could address him without coming off as impolite. Su Ping nodded to them and left the banquet hall with his mom, Tang Ruyan and Zhong Lingtong. In the banquet hall, Qin Duhuang, Zhou Tianlin, and Mu Beihai were sitting at the same table.

They were talking to each other but their eyes were glued to Su Ping. All of them noticed when Su Ping left, but they still remained quite composed. They didn’t have to prolong their stay since the most honored guest was leaving. “It is getting late. I have other things to attend to back at home. Goodbye.” Liu Tianzong was the first to stand up and say goodbye. He bid farewell and left with his family elders.

Then, Mu Beihai and Zhou Tianlin left one after the other.

Soon, the people of the Qin family were the only ones seated at the table.

Qin Duhuang set up a seal and cautioned in Shuhai, “Shuhai, do not tell others about what happened at the Supremacy League for now. Those people don’t know anything about the Fate Challenger. Let’s keep it that way.”

Qin Shuhai was baffled. “Why so?”.

While they were talking just then, he could tell that the others were trying to ask him about the Supremacy League, but Qin Duhuang had kept winking at him. He had not given any detailed answers for that reason. Still he felt confused.

“You have traveled a lot over the years, why haven’t you learned anything? They would admire Mr. Su even more if they found out about the Fate Challenger title. Our good attitude wouldn’t stand out if that were the case, comparatively speaking. How could we leave a better and deeper impression?” Qin Duhuang shook his head and educated Qin Shuhai.

Qin Shuhai was speechless. What a weird way to scheme.

Of course, trying to befriend Su Ping was not an easy thing. Su Ping was able to kill a legendary battle pet warrior at the current stage. Once he became a legendary battle pet warrior, just the fact that the Qin family were Su Ping’s friends could drive up the Qin family’s status. No one would ever make things difficult for them again, and even if they offended someone else, the latter might not dare to seek revenge!

“I understand,” Qin Shuhai said.

Qin Duhuang nodded. “Killing a legendary battle pet warrior and challenging all the titled battle pet warriors… I wouldn’t have believed it if I hadn’t heard it from you. No wonder it took you merely one day to get back, I thought he came back just for the wild beasts. I never could have anticipated that he had ended the competition in such a way!” Qin Duhuang exclaimed.

Qin Shuhai produced a forced smile. You wouldn’t have believed it? Even I felt it was all a dream after witnessing with my own eyes! “It has been years since we last had a Fate Challenger!”

Qin Duhuang shook his head. He was a bit envious and vulnerable at the same time. He even felt weak when he was about to lose the Fierce Fire Ape to the beast king. It made him sense that his old age was catching up with him. “Those titled battle pet warriors would lose their minds if they knew that Mr. Su is less than 20 years old,” Qin Shuhai pointed out. Qin family had made a background check on Su Ping a long time before. Su Ping had been a different man; how he became stronger was hidden but there shall be no mistake about his age. There were pictures of him when he was a kid, going through grade school, high school, and all kinds of strange selfies he had taken. People were able to tell that it was the same person. Therefore, he couldn’t have faked his age. All of a sudden, Qin Duhuang was no longer in the mood to talk about this. “You mentioned that the North King was at the Supremacy League, so it is safe to assume that the prizes had been set as bait to lure out the fish, like the old man of the Qin family. Unfortunately, the fish was killed soon as he came out. I was right. Some shameless old dudes are hiding their strength to avoid serving!” Qin Shuhai said, “Do you think it has anything to do with the Deep Caves? I heard the news that the beasts were on a riot and a couple of legendary battle pet warriors were killed before the beasts were pushed back.” “I think so,” Qin Duhuang answered, “There’s turmoil in the Deep Caves and we were just under attack. I saw on the news that two other base cities were under attack as well and they were asking for help. It was unusual to see those things happening all at once. We must be prepared.” Qin Shuhai was scared. “Just now, Xie he said something to Mr. Su before he left. Mr. Su left moments after. I believe something is happening.” Qin Duhuang darted a look to the place where Su Ping had been seated. “Let’s go. I need to find Xie and ask him what’s going on.” Xie Shuhai nodded.

A chauffeur drove Su Ping back to his place. He told his mother to head back home and rest, then he sent Zhong Lingtong and Tang Ruyan to the dorm he had set up for them. After that, he went back to this store and closed the door. The store was empty; it was nice to be alone after all that noise.

He went to the pet room. Joanna was cultivating there. “Aren’t you bored, staying here all day long?” “Does that mean I can leave the store?” “Nope.” “Then, what is the point of that question?”

Su Ping opted to end the conversation. He summoned the Inferno Dragon and the Dark Dragon Hound, telling them to stay in the nursing pens.

He took out the Talent Stone he had won.

The stone was greyish in color. Su Ping suddenly realized that he didn’t know what to do with the stone.

He took out his phone and called Venerable the Blade.

“Mr. Su?”

Venerable the Blade was surprised to receive a call from Su Ping in the middle of the night. Truth be told, Su Ping didn’t expect that the call would go through. Venerable the Blade should have been unavailable if he was in another base city. “Are you here in Longjiang?” Su Ping asked. Venerable the Blade chuckled. “No, I’m still at the Aurora Base City. Mr. Su, you must have taken care of the wild beasts. Those wild beasts were courting death by choosing to invade the Longjiang Base City.”

Venerable the Blade wasn’t the least worried about the beast strike at Longjiang. Longjiang was a tier-two base city. However, its defense was now close to the first tier because of the vicious person that was Su Ping. He could ward off the strike even when there was a beast king involved.

“That has been dealt with. Anyways, how come I can call you when you’re still in Aurora City?” Su Ping voiced his confusion. Venerable the Blade explained, “My number is valid across the continent. You can call me in whichever base city of the Subcontinent District I am at the time. Of course, the number will be out of the service area if I went to another continent.” Su Ping didn’t know about that. Indeed, a famous titled battle pet warrior could enjoy many benefits. For example, Qin Shuhai didn’t have that kind of benefit, otherwise, he could have called Qin Shuhai when the latter was in the Holy Light Base City. “How did you get that number? Can I get one?” Su Ping was intrigued. He would be able to call Su Lingyue at any time if he had one. After all, she was far away from home; he was still worried, even though the Vice Principal was looking out for her. “Of course you can. You are the Fate Challenger, Mr. Su. I will notify the operators and they will contact you, if that’s all right with you,” Venerable the Blade said. “Thanks. I was calling to ask you about the Talent Stone. Do you know how to use it?” That explained why Su Ping would make the call at such a late hour. “That is easy. The Talent Stone can convert to energy as soon as it comes in contact with astral powers. You can tell your battle pets to directly absorb it with astral powers,” Venerable the Blade answered. Su Ping didn’t know it was that simple. “Okay. Thanks,” Su Ping replied. He hung up and decided that he would focus on one pet first. He summoned the Inferno Dragon from the nursing pen and gave it the Talent Stone. Out of instinct, the Inferno Dragon opened its mouth and swallowed the Talent Stone.

Su Ping was speechless. Why did he have a feeling that he was feeding a dog? “That is not food. Try to consume it with your energy,” Su Ping told the Inferno Dragon at once.

The Inferno Dragon blinked. It began to mobilize its energy. Soon, a faint, greyish hue came over the Inferno Dragon, similar to the color of that Talent Stone.

The flickering hue covered the Inferno Dragon. Su Ping watched with curiosity. The Inferno Dragon raised its head as if looking at something on the ceiling. Its pupils contracted as if it were in insufferable pain. The flames began to surge out from the beast and it was panting heavily. A few minutes later, the Inferno Dragon calmed down and its eyes returned to normal. The pet scratched its head and eyed Su Ping with confusion.

Was that it?

Su Ping decided to find out. “What is 1000 minus 7?” “D”

The Inferno Dragon appeared to be baffled. Su Ping shook his head. He cast an identification spell on the Inferno Dragon.

Its combat strength had increased to 10.9 from 10.5!

An increase of 0.4 points!

Su Ping checked the abilities mastered. There was a new addition, and it was a legendary skill!

The Song of Hell! Su Ping found out more about the skill. It was one that was able to generate sonic waves.

“One legendary skill for one Talent Stone. Not bad,” Su Ping said to himself gladly. He had heard that there was a fifty-fifty chance that the Talent Stone would fail to yield any results. Clearly, he had been lucky with that one. His trip and fight hadn’t been for naught. “Good.” Su Ping patted the Inferno Dragon’s thick legs and took it to the test room to try out the newly acquired skill. They came out a few minutes later. Su Ping was happy with the skill; The Song of Hell was quite a formidable skill. “Go back,” Su Ping told the Inferno Dragon to head back to the nursing pen. Su Ping browsed through his storage space after the Inferno Dragon went back to rest. Joanna was unable to accept orders for professional training while he had been away. The general training could be taken care of by the dummy trainer. He could have an easy night. He pulled up the list of cultivation sites and searched.

He found the mirror of the dragon king’s Mysterious Realm in the cultivation sites. He wondered if he could find the mirrors of the other two Mysterious Realms of the Subcontinent District. It was a long list. He read ten lines of writing with a single glance. It had been more than ten minutes and his eyes were getting sore, but he had yet to find familiar names. Su Ping didn’t know when he would reach the end of the list. The cultivation sites provided by the system ranged from those created in the Archean times to places created and left behind by countless powerful warriors throughout history. The total number of cultivation sites had to be stunning Su Ping shook his head. He had to give up for the moment. After all, the names of the Mysterious Realms might actually be different to those listed as cultivation sites. It was like finding a needle in a haystack, and could take forever.

Su Ping found a cultivation site that was similar to the dragon king’s Mysterious Realm. The strongest creatures found in that place would be beast kings. For Su Ping, beast kings at the Fate State would still be difficult to beat. He would be unable to fight those beast kings, even with the treasures that the dragon king had given him. Su Ping didn’t take the Inferno Dragon and the other battle pets this time. They wouldn’t get much out of training in such an elementary cultivation site; he would rather leave them in the nursing pens. Su Ping wanted to go to a cultivation site because he wanted the Little Skeleton to wake up as soon as possible, since the flow of time was faster there. He was in a world of blood with corpses and bones everywhere.

He encountered creatures that crawled out from the sea of blood and mountains of remains as soon as he got there. Su Ping didn’t waste any time; he immediately darted to where those creatures were.

Apart from using the Fist of Exorcist, he also tried other combat skills he had learned from the Celestial Gods. He was getting more proficient after some rounds of fights. Soon, one night had passed. One night, according to the outside world; Su Ping had been in the cultivation site for more than ten days and he had fought for more than ten days. He could feel that he had become more perceptive. After he went back to the store, as per usual, he adjusted himself and opened the door for business.

There were tons of customers waiting that day. After the broadcast from the day prior, everyone in the Longjiang Base City knew Su Ping and the Pixie Pet Store was more popular than ever! Outside the store were several long lines.

“Mr. Su, is it true that you’re the one who defeated the wild beasts?”

“Can I have an autograph? I’m your fan!” “Mr. Su, I’m here to say thank you on behalf of my son. Thank you for avenging him!” Some of the customers were excited and some were just there to see Su Ping. An old man, however, was there to merely express his thanks.

The old man’s words quieted the crowd down. People still remembered the deceased heroes after having enjoyed the grand celebration. Many customers gazed at the old man with respect. Su Ping didn’t expect this. He quickly helped up the old man who was bowing to him.

The store had been packed even before the morning ended.

After lunch, Tang Ruyan and Zhong Lingtong stayed in the store and talked about cultivation when Su Ping went back to the Demigod Burial to continue his training.

Time flew.

Soon, three days passed. Su Ping had been having very good business results during those three days. In the meantime, Xie Jinshui had been in a bad mood. The updates he had been receiving were not optimistic at all! Wild beasts were gathering! There was the chance that an extra-large scale was being conjured! To make it worse, there were more than one beast king! Xie Jinshui merely hoped that the beast kings were just going to travel past the base city. A piece of news arrived in the afternoon of the third day; it left Xie Jinshui cold. He sat on his chair for a long time before he came back to his senses.

He had to get help. His hand was trembling when he picked up his phone.

At night. Su Ping, Qin Duhuang, and the others who had received a call from Xie Jinshui were gathered in the conference room at the city hall. “Xie, have things gone worse?” Qin Duhuang turned pale to see Xie Jinshui remaining silent. It had been one day and yet, Qin Duhuang had seen some of Xie Jinshui’s hair beginning to turn white!

Qin Duhuang felt something bad was going to happen. Zhou Tianlin and Mu Beihai sensed that the situation had to be grave. Their families had also sent out people to investigate during the past three days. The wild beasts were gathering. Xie Jinshui couldn’t have hidden that information from them even if he wanted to!

Another beast strike was coming! But this time, they weren’t as nervous as before because Su Ping’s presence had boosted their confidence. Apart from Su Ping, there was that legendary battle pet warrior in his store!

Su Ping was also a man who could kill a beast king. The Longjiang Base City was in good hands!

Su Ping found himself a seat. He was surprised to find that Xie Jinshui had not uttered a single word. Was there more than one beast king? “Xie, what is going on? Talk to us. You called us here. So, say something!” The family head of the Ye family had a short temper. He could not help but shout at Xie Jinshui. Xie Jinshui looked at him and then at Su Ping. He seemed to be a little bit livelier. “I called you here so I’m not planning on hiding anything from you. There isn’t just one beast king… We have detected the presence of more than five beast kings!” “Five?!”

Qin Duhuang and the others were greatly taken aback. Five beast kings?! Seriously?!

One beast king was enough of a catastrophe. Five beast kings… Were enough to eliminate any base city! Why would there be so many beast kings gathering outside the Longjiang Base City? Su Ping was just as surprised. He frowned. If five beast kings were there together, it would mean that one of them would be a leader, probably at the Void State! Xie Jinshui furrowed his lips. He gazed at Su Ping who was the only one able to defeat a beast king. Jie Xinshui felt his already crushed confidence broke even more after noticing the surprise in Su Ping’s eyes. With a hoarse voice, he continued, “Apart from the five beast kings… there are traces of the Otherworld Heavenly King!”

Silence!

The conference room was in absolute silence. Qin Duhuang, Zhou Tianlin and the others sat there with their mouths agape, looking at Xie Jinshui in astonishment. The Otherworld Heavenly King? Su Ping was puzzled. The reaction from the others told him that this wasn’t a good thing. “Xie, are… are you serious? It has to be a lie. Can you?” Liu Tianzong’s voice was trembling. He uttered words that didn’t quite match together. The others gulped. It was hard for them to breathe as they glued their eyes on Xie Jinshui.