"Yes, I was quite surprised myself when I first discovered the signs." Li Qian smiled, nodded, and slowly walked over, adding his agreent.
"Hello, Li Qian. My na is Zhou Chubin, from Nandu City. I’m a recruitnt teacher for our Jiangnan Beast Taming University." Zhou Chubin couldn’t wait to introduce himself.
After speaking, he made a request. "Would it be possible for to see this Frostfire Salamander’s detailed attributes?"
In truth, with his Power Level, it wouldn’t have taken much effort to inspect Xiaoliu’s information.
Even if he couldn’t get a perfectly detailed and clear picture, he could still get the gist of it.
He asked out of respect for Li Qian. Probing it without permission would very likely offend the young man.
Li Qian didn’t hesitate, imdiately sharing the information he saw with his Eye of True Sight.
Xue Huaiyu, of course, also saw the information Li Qian shared. Once she did, she couldn’t help but gasp in astonishnt. "Th-th-this... This Frostfire Salamander’s attributes are... just too insane!"
"Li Qian, this ti, whether you agree to enroll at our university or not..." As she spoke, she made a commitnt, officially kicking off the war for his talent.
She continued, tossing out what she considered a rather generous offer. "I’d like to place a preliminary order right now. We hope you can help Shazhou Beast Taming University cultivate five Frostfire Salamanders... no, we’ll take as many as you can produce. The price is negotiable, and I guarantee it won’t be lower than the current market rate."
Xue Huaiyu’s attempt to win him over instantly ignited a bidding war for his talent, and the atmosphere on the scene imdiately grew tense.
Zhou Chubin let out a dry laugh and followed up with a derisive tone. "I wonder what exactly you and Shazhou Beast Taming University are planning, Teacher Xue?"
"Li Qian hasn’t even enrolled at Shazhou Beast Taming University. His current research achievents have absolutely nothing to do with your school."
"The Frostfire Salamander is a rare Pet Beast that’s priceless and practically unavailable. If one appeared on the Pet Beast Mall, it would be snatched up in an instant. And you want to buy them at market price, taking as many as he can produce?"
"Those in the know might think Shazhou Beast Taming University is supporting Li Qian, but anyone else would think you’re just taking advantage of him."
Hearing this, Xue Huaiyu inwardly cursed. ’This is bad.’ She had instinctively applied the standard cooperation model between the university and the students and faculty of its Cultivation College.
In those situations, the university has the right of first refusal, and the prices are usually lower than the market rate.
But Li Qian’s case was different. He wasn’t a student at Shazhou Beast Taming University yet. At this stage, any discussion of cooperation was between two equal parties.
Under these circumstances, the terms she had proposed were not only unattractive, but they did indeed make it seem like she was trying to take advantage of Li Qian.
Once she realized her mistake, Xue Huaiyu didn’t try to explain herself. She imdiately apologized. "My apologies. I was indeed being presumptuous."
"I didn’t think that through properly. How about this: we can discuss any cooperation after Li Qian enrolls."
"The terms I can offer here and now are that as long as it’s within my power, Li Qian can na his conditions."
The mont she finished speaking, she was countered by Ai Xiaolian, who retorted, "Teacher Xue, those words may sound sincere, but in reality, they’re the sa as saying nothing at all. It sounds a bit like you’re just making empty promises..."
"Teacher Ai has a point!" Zhou Chubin chid in. In that mont, he and Ai Xiaolian seed to have ford a temporary alliance.
Regardless of which Beast Taming University Li Qian ultimately chose, teaming up against one of their rivals was certainly the right move. If they could knock Shazhou Beast Taming University out of the running early, all the better.
Unfortunately for them, while these tactics might have influenced other high school students, they had no effect whatsoever on Li Qian, who, having lived two lives, possessed a remarkably mature mind.
He smiled and gestured to Xiaoliu. The salamander ekly stretched its head out, allowing him to stroke it. The scene was quite stunning to behold.
After stroking it for a mont, he smiled, turned to the three recruitnt teachers, and said casually, "We can discuss cooperation later. The pressing issue right now is... finding a different venue..."
"Teachers, as you can see, this isn’t the right place for a discussion. How about this? Please follow to the Cultivation Base’s reception area, and then I can speak with each of you individually."
The three of them nodded in agreent. This was indeed no place for a proper conversation. Arguing amongst themselves here wouldn’t get them anywhere.
Ten minutes later, in a reception room on the third floor of the Cultivation Base’s Building One, Li Qian sat facing Zhou Chubin and Chu Xiran.
Whether it was because of his connection to Chu Xiran or because Jiangnan Beast Taming University was already his top choice, it made sense to et with them first.
This gesture clearly showed Li Qian’s high regard for and inclination toward Jiangnan Beast Taming University.
In response, both Xue Huaiyu and Ai Xiaolian could only offer wry, helpless smiles. They couldn’t compete with the appeal of his ho region.
Of course, an inclination was just that. Whether he would ultimately choose Jiangnan Beast Taming University still depended on the sincerity of Zhou Chubin’s offer.
If the offers were comparable, Li Qian would naturally give them priority. However, if the disparity was too great, he wouldn’t mind reconsidering his target.
In short, Li Qian knew that choosing a Beast Taming University was a decision that required extre care and rationality; he couldn’t let his emotions dictate it.
"Li Qian, I must say, your performance today truly astonished us. It’s hard to believe you’re still just a high school student."
Inside the reception room, Zhou Chubin was the first to speak, opening with high praise. "The evolution from Koi Carp to Cyan-Scaled Flood Dragon was a puzzle that stumped countless Breeders. Not only did you solve it, but you also applied that knowledge to make another breakthrough, discovering and successfully evolving the Frostfire Salamander."
"It’s such an astonishing achievent that not even so Cultivation Masters could necessarily accomplish it."
Faced with this sowhat exaggerated praise, Li Qian just gave a faint smile, not taking it to heart. He replied casually, "You’re too kind."
After the praise, seeing that Li Qian remained impassive, his expression showing no fluctuation, Zhou Chubin stopped wasting ti and cut straight to the chase. "I’m sure you already have a clear idea why I—as well as Xue Huaiyu and Ai Xiaolian—have co here today."
"Yes," Li Qian nodded.
Their purpose for coming here was as plain as day; how could Li Qian not know?
"As for our Jiangnan Beast Taming University, I imagine you already know a bit about us."
After that simple preamble, Zhou Chubin began his introduction. "Jiangnan Beast Taming University was founded in the year 1895 of the Alliance Calendar and has a history of over fifteen hundred years..."
Although Li Qian had already learned a few things about the Eight Great universities, his knowledge was fragnted and lacked structure.
Now that soone was giving him a detailed, systematic overview, he didn’t find it tedious at all and listened attentively.
"I ca to Lingshui City this ti specifically for you, Li Qian. Jiangnan Beast Taming University can undoubtedly provide you with the highest quality educational environnt..."
Over the next half an hour or so, Zhou Chubin laid out the terms offered by Jiangnan Beast Taming University in detail.
Overall, the terms were quite good and very tempting. Things like a full scholarship and tuition waiver went without saying.
For the Li Qian of today, those things held little appeal; he wasn’t short on money.
However, other conditions were more appealing: the freedom to choose his own courses; eligibility to participate in many of the university’s evolution and cultivation research projects right from his freshman year; an annual provision of up to ten million in cultivation resources; and the stipulation that he would not have to share his independent research findings with the university.
The terms offered by Jiangnan Beast Taming University were excellent, but Li Qian didn’t let it go to his head and agree on the spot.
He understood the wisdom of shopping around. He needed to see what conditions the other two universities would offer.
He gave a tactful response. "I can feel the sincerity from both Jiangnan Beast Taming University and yourself, Teacher Zhou. However, choosing a Beast Taming University is a very important decision that will affect my future... so please forgive , but I can’t give you a direct answer right now. I still need to discuss it with my family..."
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