Genius Beast Taming: Starting from Awakening an S-Rank Talent

Having received a definite answer from the butler, Lao Huang, Zhou Heng directly shared the skills of the Star-Devouring Kunpeng and instantly appeared in front of his parents.

At the same time, Zhou Heng sensed the aura of a fifth-order beast taming that crossed the gate of the blessed land and appeared outside the palace that Marquis Tianyin and Marquis Qianren had built for their family in the center of the blessed land.

Zhou Heng walked out with his parents.

Li's father and mother hurriedly helped Li Lang fly down from the Hurricane Griffin King.

As soon as they landed, the three bowed respectfully, their voices in unison: "Greetings to the two special envoys! Greetings to the young alliance leader!"

Seeing this, Zhou's father stepped forward with a sincere smile on his face and helped Li Lang and his family up: "Brother Li, sister-in-law, and Xiao Lang, we've known each other for so many years, there's no need to be so polite in private."

Mother Zhou picked up the conversation, speaking gently, "That's right, cousin and sister-in-law, we are relatives of the same family, different from outsiders. We should treat each other the same way we have in the past. This formal greeting only makes us feel more distant."

Mr. Li lowered his head, leaned slightly forward, and insisted, "How can this be?"

Mr. Zhou waved his hand firmly, "There's nothing wrong with it! Even if my wife and I become Alliance envoys because of our son, we are still who we are. Can we really sever our years-long friendship because of this?"

Standing beside his parents, Zhou Heng exuded composure, his brows displaying his usual gentle demeanor.

He smiled and nodded, "Mom and Dad are right, Uncle Li, you're being too polite."

Li's father looked at Zhou Heng, his eyes filled with both the pride of an elder for a younger generation and a sense of awe stemming from the unassailable difference in their social standing: "Young Alliance Leader..."

Zhou Heng shook his head, interrupting Li's father before he could finish speaking: "Uncle Li, it's better if you and Auntie call me Xiao Heng as before. Not to mention that you two have been close friends with my parents for many years, Uncle Li, you also have the blood of the Golden Crow Li family, making you my mother's relative. We are relatives. Although I was fortunate enough to awaken my second talent and was fortunate enough to be taken in by my master, I am still a member of the Divine Dragon Zhou family and the Golden Crow Li family. It's perfectly appropriate for you to call me Xiao Heng."

Having said that, Li's father's tense expression finally relaxed, and he said with a touch of emotion, "Since you've said that, then we'll take the liberty of calling you Xiao Heng."

A joyful smile spread across his face: "Xiao Heng, we heard that you awakened an SSS-level talent that is one in ten thousand, and successfully contracted a mythical-quality beast. We are truly happy for you and proud of you. It's a pity that we haven't had a chance to congratulate you in person until now. As soon as we heard that you had returned to Xuanxiao Star, and since it's Friday today, we immediately brought Xiao Lang over."

Zhou Heng nodded: "Thank you for your concern, Uncle and Aunt."

At the opportune moment, Zhou's father suggested, "Brother Li, my ancestor just bestowed some special spiritual tea from Cloud Mist Star. It tastes absolutely wonderful. Why don't the four of us go to my tea room and savor it slowly? We can leave this place for the children."

This time, Mr. Li readily agreed, his smile spreading across his face: "Haha, good! Then I'll take this opportunity to enjoy this rare and excellent tea once more!"

After saying this, the four elders walked into the palace with smiles on their faces.

Suddenly, only Zhou Heng and Li Lang remained outside the palace.

Not far away, Marquis Tianyin and Marquis Qianren stood like two silent mountains, guarding each other.

Their presence silently underscores Zhou Heng's extraordinary status and position.

Li Lang gazed at his familiar yet somewhat unfamiliar friend, his lips trembling as he spoke. His usual eloquence and quick wit vanished completely: "Young Alliance Leader..."

His hands seemed to be at a loss for what to do, and his face was full of hesitation and unease.

Zhou Heng took in Li Lang's demeanor, stepped forward, and gently patted Li Lang's shoulder, his tone teasing with a hint of familiarity: "What's wrong? Why are you being so hesitant? This isn't the spirited Li Lang I know. Besides, it's only been two months, why are you acting so distant with me? Calling me 'Little Alliance Leader' is something only outsiders should use. Just keep calling me A-Heng, it sounds much better to me."

Li Lang took a deep breath, as if gathering his courage, but his voice was still a little tight: "I just..."

He paused for a moment, then finally poured out his worries: "I just feel that the gap between us is too big, so big that I don't even know how to talk to you."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Heng raised an eyebrow, feigning displeasure: "No matter how big the gap is, it shouldn't affect our friendship. You used to be the most uninhibited in front of me, always witty and eloquent, but now you're like a gourd with its mouth sawed off."

These words struck a chord with Li Lang.

His mood was somewhat downcast, and his voice was a few decibels lower: "In the past, you only had an S-level talent. Although my talent was slightly lower than yours, it was an A-level talent, and my family background was not as good as yours, but at least I had the blood of the Jinwu Li family flowing in my veins. After a few twists and turns, I could barely be considered a scion of a prominent family, and I was also related to you in some way, which is why I was able to be so at ease in front of you."

Li Lang raised his head, his gaze towards Zhou Heng extremely complex: "But now, you've awakened your SSS-level second talent, become the disciple of the strongest person in the Alliance today, and are destined to soar like a Kunpeng in the heavens. As for me, I'm still just an ordinary A-level talent. To put it bluntly, I'm afraid I'm not even worthy of carrying your shoes now."

He paused, then said in a barely audible voice, "I'm afraid you'll look down on me and think I'm not good enough to be your friend anymore."

Zhou Heng listened quietly, his face remaining calm. He simply asked in return, "When have I, Zhou Heng, ever considered talent or family background when making friends? In the entire universe today, how many people have a stronger background than mine?"

"Ah Lang, do you remember how I got along with Xiao Gao? He came from a poor family. His father was only a first-level apprentice beast tamer at first, and only recently advanced to a second-level senior beast tamer. His mother was an ordinary person without any beast taming talent. Not to mention me, he was far inferior to you. Did I ever look down on him or despise him in the slightest?"

Zhou Heng's gaze was sharp as he stared directly into Li Lang's eyes: "We've known each other for so long, trained together, and fought side by side. How can you still not understand me?"

"I...I..." Li Lang was speechless, overwhelmed with mixed feelings.

Seeing this, Zhou Heng patted Li Lang's arm again, softening his tone: "Alright, Lang, stop worrying about this. We practically grew up together. I remember all the kindness you've shown me, every time you've protected me, every time you've supported me. Similarly, you should be able to feel how I treat you. At least for me, Zhou Heng, our friendship will never change because of any shift in status or power."

These words were like a stabilizing force, instantly calming all the unease and turmoil in Li Lang's heart.