After waking up, Ji Liu washed and ate breakfast before heading to the Souxun Building. Upon entering, Ji Liu approached the reception.
"Good morning! Welcome to the Souxun Wanqiang Metropolis branch, how may I help you?"
"I would like to apply for a test to rank up please." Ji Liu then presented his card.
"You're already C-rank? I'm sorry but our branch has no ability to conduct B-rank exams." The receptionist gave back Ji Liu's card after taking a look.
"But the staff last night said to come back here today?"
"Oh, that's for pre-registration. We can pre-register you to the nearest city that would be conducting a B-rank examination the soonest."
"How does that work?"
"All you have to do is pay the fee and well do the rest. Then just go to the city on the examination day and take it." Just as the receptionist finishes, he added, "If you fail to go you have to pay compensation in any branch."
"Okay, I just have to pay right? When would be the soonest exam? And where?" Ji Liu handed his card again so the receptionist can do the pre-registration process.
"Wait let me check." the receptionist checked at the computer quickly. "Its seven days from now at 'Longyuan City'.
Ji Liu left after saying thanks and paying the pre-registration fee.
As he walked out of the building, Ji Liu checked his phone to see the location of Longyuan City.
'It's a 3-day journey if I avoid areas with Legend and Divine level monsters. I better get equipment for me and my monsters since there would be Gold level monsters on the journey.' Ji Liu then headed to find a weapon and armor shop.
Previously, Ji Liu didn't bother buying equipment since there are only Mortal and Bronze level monsters near Yun City and a few Silver level in known spots such as near the beach.
He looked for a store that fits his budget and soon found he lacks knowledge on this area so he summoned Jinao and Mr. Krabs to help him look for the best deal he can find.
Ji Liu first bought two similar armor made from a Water-type monster's scale for him and Jinao that was picked by Mr. Krabs since it knows Water-type monsters better than Jinao. He then bought a spear for Jinao made from an Earth-type monster's horn which Jinao picked itself for its weight and length.
Xiao Cike was given an iron ball-like weapon from a Metal-type monster's tail and was equipped to its tail so that aside from scratching and biting, it can also bludgeon an armored opponent with its tail or even throw it depending on the situation.
Mr. Krabs and Zhao didn't need anything so Ji Liu bought a machete made from a Fire-type monster's fang for cutting tall grass and branches in forested areas and a shield from a Light-type monster's shell for defending and blinding monsters as it does not lose its shine.
Another thing Ji Liu bought was an 'adjustable riding set for mounting monsters' for Xiao Su.
After buying some more items such as flash bombs, repellants, and tent, it was already past 3 in the afternoon. Ji Liu decided to eat a late lunch and head out tomorrow.
He sent all his monsters back to The Base to eat and rest while he looked for a good place for him to eat.
He picked a café near the main road and ordered a healthy meal.
While he was waiting for his food, he was checking out other people's monster that was passing by the main road. Some monster were Monster Keeper's while others are normal people's.
In doing so, he noticed a young woman who was staring at him.
'Do I know her?' he thought to himself.
Confused, he looked at the status of the monster accompanying the young woman in order to find clues.
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Quick Strike Viper
Type: Poison / Lightning
Level: 9th stage Silver
Status: Healthy
Abilities: Improved Reflex, Augment Sense, Advanced Poison Attack, Lightning Trail
Evolution condition: Slay 1000 (0 left) Silver or higher level monsters, Survive for 153 (68 left) days
Special evolution: Slay 10 (0 left) Gold or higher level monsters, Consume 1 (0 left) Wind-type monster nucleus
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'What a nice monster, good for quick kills' He thought but then suddenly realized something. 'Could she be an assassin from some underground organization?'
When Ji Liu made a look that he suddenly realized something, he saw that the woman noticed and suddenly started to walk calmly towards him.
'This is bad, I may get killed. Who did I even offended? Maybe I'm not her target. Better act indifferent and ignore.' His meal arrived.
Just as he was poorly acting calm and eating his food with shaky hands, the woman waved and greeted him.
"Hey Ji Liu! Long time no see! It's been months! How've you been?" the woman sat in the chair opposite to Ji Liu.
'FUCK! She knows me! I'm gonna get killed!' Ji Liu's face paled and his hands fumbled, but then he thought.
'Stay calm Ji Liu, stay calm and deep breaths. If she's pretending to know you, then also pretend to know her. Just talk and don't anger her. Deep breaths.'
"H- Hey! All's good, All. Is. Good. Yup! What about you? What about you? What've you been doing lately?" Tears started to form at Ji Liu eyes when he messed up.
'Please don't kill me. Please don't kill me. Please don't kill me. Please don't kill me. :'( '
"After my party got C-rank thanks to your help we made this city as our base and with the help of our reputation from fending off the Darth Mole, we completed a lot of requests and finally managed to complete the B-rank promotion test last month. I really can't thank you enough from back then." The woman chattered as she pets her 5meter long Quick Strike Viper.
'Eh? You're from back then? Why didn't you said so earlier! Do you know how much pain and suffering you cost me as you walk slowly here?'
"That's nice! I'm on my way to Longyuan City to take the B-rank promotion test myself." Ji Liu managed to resume eating.
The two chatted for a while longer before woman bid goodbye and left.