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

Zhou Heng led Li Lang to the rest area next to the training ground on Ruilin Island and sat him down: "There's no need for such formalities between us. Have the admissions officers from Hanyue University and Yaori University come to see you?"

Li Lang recounted his experiences over the past few days like a floodgate: "I did look for universities, and I immediately chose Hanyue University. And it wasn't just Hanyue University and Yaori University, the two top-tier universities, who contacted me; admissions officers from Tianxing University, Rensheng University, and Emerald University, the three second-tier Beast Taming Universities, also contacted me. The admissions officers from Hanyue University and Yaori University were rather indifferent to me, while the admissions officers from Tianxing University, Rensheng University, and Emerald University were extremely enthusiastic. They even promised that if I chose any of their Beast Taming Universities, they would cover all my resources from freshman to senior year. If you hadn't given me so many treasures before, I almost would have been tempted."

Zhou Heng had anticipated this situation: "This is normal. You ranked 1,998th, which is just barely making it into the admission range of Yaori University and Hanyue University. Generally, students at your ranking would directly choose to apply to Tianxing University, Rensheng University, and Emerald University, the three second-tier Beast Taming Universities. That's why Yaori University and Hanyue University are being relatively lenient with you. After all, there's a saying: 'Better to be the head of a chicken than the tail of a phoenix.'"

Li Lang offered his own perspective: "I think that saying is incorrect. It should be 'better to be the phoenix's tail than the chicken's head.' After all, no matter how important the chicken's head is to the chicken, it's still part of the chicken, and no matter how unimportant the phoenix's tail is to the phoenix, it's still part of the phoenix."

Zhou Heng had no interest in arguing about these things: "It's hard to say who's right and who's wrong; it all depends on personal choices."

Li Lang was full of ambition and had already begun to fantasize about university life: "Anyway, I've chosen Hanyue University. I must go to the same university as you."

Zhou Heng pondered for a moment before asking, "Ah Lang, have you looked into your grandmother's background?"

Li Lang said directly, "I haven't specifically looked into it. I only know that she comes from the Heavenly Principle Sect and that her father is a high-ranking member of the Heavenly Principle Sect. I don't know much else."

Zhou Heng revealed a meaningful expression: "Your grandmother's father was indeed a high-ranking member of the Heavenly Principle Sect, and not just any ordinary high-ranking member."

Li Lang raised an eyebrow: "How extraordinary?"

Zhou Heng said, word by word, "Your great-grandfather is the current vice leader of the Heavenly Principle Sect, a seventh-level feudal lord beast tamer, known as the Marquis of No Desire, and he has considerable power in the Heavenly Principle Sect."

Although Li Lang was somewhat surprised after hearing this, he quickly accepted it: "I thought my great-grandfather was at most a Sequence Protector, but I didn't expect him to be the Vice Leader."

Zhou Heng then asked, "Do you want to see him?"

Without even thinking, Li Lang shook his head and said, "Not really."

Zhou Heng was somewhat surprised: "Why?"

Li Lang bluntly stated, "What good would it do to meet him? Go to the Heavenly Principles Sect with him? To be honest, I don't want to. Because I grew up in the Alliance, I have a strong sense of belonging to the Alliance, and I don't want to be separated from you, much less stand on the opposite side of you."

Zhou Heng was at a loss for words: "Don't rush into making a decision about this. Let's talk about it in the future."

Li Lang's thoughts were wandering: "Why are you suddenly asking me this today? Could it be that my great-grandfather wants to come and see me?"

Zhou Heng didn't hide anything from Li Lang: "No, it's just that my ancestor made a deal with your great-grandfather in secret, exchanging some resources. When my ancestor told me about this, I suddenly thought of your background."

Li Lang revealed his truest thoughts: "Actually, for me, maintaining the status quo is already good enough. If possible, I hope I will never see the vice leader of the Heavenly Principle Sect again."

Zhou Heng was somewhat puzzled: "You always think differently from most people. Don't you want a powerful backer?"

Li Lang may seem carefree, but he is actually quite calculating: "The vice leader of the Heavenly Principle Sect is someone I'm completely distant from. Besides, the title 'great-grandfather' sounds affectionate, but I've never met him or lived with him since I was a child. What kind of feelings can there be based on that blood relation alone? I don't want to end up with a bunch of trouble instead of finding a backer; that would be a real loss!"

Looking at Li Lang's serious expression, Zhou Heng praised him, "The phrase 'great wisdom appears as foolishness' is practically tailor-made for you."

Li Lang patted Zhou Heng on the shoulder: "Stop mocking me. Great wisdom is one thing, but what do you mean by 'appearing foolish'? Do I look stupid?"

Zhou Heng spoke frankly: "You may not seem very shrewd on the surface, but you are actually quite wise."

Li Lang shrugged: "I'll take that as a compliment."

Just then, the head of the Zhou family descended from the sky.

Li Lang immediately went to greet him, calling out loudly, "Grandpa Zhou!"

The old patriarch Zhou revealed a kind smile: "It's Xiao Lang! Heng'er and I have something to discuss. Let Fengzhong and Fengyong take you for a stroll around the neighborhood first."

Li Lang nodded: "Okay!"

After Li Lang left, the Zhou family patriarch sent Tianyin Marquis and Qianren Marquis away before turning to Zhou Heng and asking, "Heng'er, did your parents mention that someone in Qingyang wanted to see you?"

Zhou Heng nodded: "I have said that."

The old patriarch Zhou explained his purpose: "The people from the Qingyang Society wanted to see you last time, but you refused them. This time, they have come to me again, especially wanting to see you."

Zhou Heng probed indirectly, "My parents told me that Grandpa has a very good relationship with Linfeng Hou, the current vice president of the Qingyang Society?"

The old patriarch Zhou readily admitted to the matter: "That old fellow is three hundred years old this year, more than two hundred years older than me. We are friends despite the age difference, and we do have a good relationship, which is why he came to me for help."

Zhou Heng then passed the buck to the old patriarch of the Zhou family: "Grandpa, do you think I should see him?"

The old patriarch Zhou said solemnly, "I think you should meet with him, because the vice president of the Qingyang Society wants to see you mainly to offer you benefits."

Zhou Heng was puzzled: "Giving me benefits? Although our Shenlong Zhou family has a somewhat ambiguous relationship with the Qingyang Society, we are ultimately enemies on the surface. Why would they give me benefits out of the blue?"

The old patriarch Zhou blurted out, "Of course, I want to bribe you."

Instead of getting angry, Zhou Heng laughed: "They're just daydreaming."

The old patriarch Zhou explained, "It's not quite 'bribing'; it's more about building a good relationship with you so that when you reach the pinnacle in the future, you'll show them some leniency."