"Are you planning to contract a second beast? It seems like the right time," Bai Jingchong remarked.
"Xiao An, do you have any preferences for the second beast?"
Hearing Bai Zian's inquiry, Bai Jingchong nodded in agreement. He had already anticipated Bai Zian's decision.
In fact, Bai Zian's advancement to the black iron level indicated that it was time to contract a second beast. Unlike before, Bai Jingchong decided to let Bai Zian choose his second pet without interference, allowing him to make his own decision.
"For my second beast, I'm inclined towards bird-type spirit beasts..."
Without hesitation, Bai Zian expressed his preference for a bird-type spirit beast. This choice, he had already made in his mind.
A bird-type spirit beast held several advantages for Bai Zian. The foremost being the ability to fly, ensuring his safety in precarious situations. The idea was simple – if faced with a formidable opponent or unbeatable spirit beast, having a bird-type companion would enable Bai Zian to escape from the battlefield, enhancing his overall safety.
Bai Jingchong, after pondering for a moment, offered a suggestion, "Obtaining a bird-type spirit beast won't be difficult. Scarlet Wing City has a variety of excellent flying spirit beasts."
Scarlet Wing City was one of the seven main cities in the Mysterious World of Ten Thousand Spider Nests, renowned for its fire and flight type spirit beasts. Bai Jingchong's recommendation aligned perfectly with Bai Zian's own inclination.
Bai Zian was pleased with the suggestion, as it harmonized with his plans. In fact, even before Bai Jingchong's recommendation, Bai Zian had contemplated visiting Scarlet Wing City to find a suitable bird-type spirit beast.
At that moment, there was a knock on the door, and Bai Ya, one of the Bai family's retainers responsible for intelligence matters, handed an envelope to Bai Jingchong.
"Grandpa, what's happening?" Bai Zian inquired.
Bai Ya had brought important news – a material required for refining the Awakening Origin Liquid had surfaced in the auction house of Scarlet Wing City.
"Xiao An, you're in luck. News from Scarlet Wing City suggests that one of the materials you're looking for has appeared in their auction house," Bai Jingchong announced with a smile.
"Really? Grandpa, which material is available at the auction house in Scarlet Wing City?" Bai Zian's anticipation was evident.
"According to our sources, it's the diamond-grade material called Qingyunlu," Bai Jingchong revealed.
Bai Zian couldn't contain his joy. Qingyunlu was the last material he needed, and its appearance at the auction house was an unexpected delight.
As the conversation continued, Bai Jingchong proposed accompanying Bai Zian to Scarlet Wing City. Bai Zian, initially surprised, quickly grasped the rationale behind his grandfather's decision.
Realizing that acquiring a diamond-grade material like Qingyunlu would attract attention, Bai Jingchong wanted to ensure Bai Zian's safety during the endeavor. There was a high chance of other beastmasters attempting to seize the valuable resource.
"Thank you, Grandpa," Bai Zian expressed his gratitude. With this decision, Bai Jingchong and Bai Zian, grandfather and grandson, were set to embark on a journey to Scarlet Wing City together.
Because of the information about the Bai family, I found out that Qingyunlu, a diamond-grade material, made it to the charts in Scarlet Wing City.
Moreover, Bai Zian had plans to head to Scarlet Wing City to find suitable birds and spirit beasts. As a result, Bai Zian, along with Bai Jingchong's grandfather and grandson, set out for Chiyi City.
However, Bai Zian had another consideration. Being the city owner of Bailin City, Bai Jingchong didn't necessarily need to stay put there. The city lord is like the guardian deity of a city, and leaving it unattended might invite trouble. Bai Jingchong, however, wasn't concerned.
"No worries. Deputy city lord Feng Yangyan is strong; with him in charge, nothing should go wrong. Also, I'll have Lao Wu secretly protect Bailin City. We're covered for a while," Bai Jingchong said with a nonchalant smile.
Honestly, although Bai Jingchong, the city lord of the seven main cities in the Mysterious World of Ten Thousand Spider Nests, might not be the most formidable city lord, Bailin City's overall strength surpassed all others. With powerful figures like Feng Yangyan and Wu Xinghan, Bai Jingchong's old friend, both diamond powerhouses, Bailin City boasted at least three diamond-level powerhouses.
With such might, Bai Jingchong was confident that even if he left for a while, the city would remain secure.
Bai Zian was relieved, and the journey continued. Bai Jingchong started organizing follow-up tasks, ensuring Feng Yangyan took charge in Bailin City, sending messages to Wu Xinghan, and handling other details. Once everything was set, Bai Jingchong, accompanied by Bai Zian, left Bailin City.
Instead of heading to the train station, Bai Jingchong led Bai Zian out through the city gate. Once outside, Bai Jingchong summoned his beast-defense space and a magnificent Phoenix Crown Cloud Wing Crane emerged.
Different from regular cranes, this one had a fiery red crown feather, exuding a noble aura. Bai Zian activated his [Eye of Apocalypse] to get the details, revealing the crane's intermediate diamond-level status.
"We'll ride the Phoenix Crown Cloud Wing Crane and fly straight to Scarlet Wing City," Bai Jingchong declared.
Leaving the city without the safety of the Thousand Bladed Centipede Train might alarm ordinary beastmasters due to the dangers of the wilderness. Yet, Bai Jingchong was prepared to fly across the wasteland to another main city, Scarlet Wing City.
Bai Jingchong's plan was to enter Scarlet Wing City without creating much commotion. He intended to show his identity only if necessary, relying on the reputation of a city lord from another main city.
As they approached Scarlet Wing City, Chi Lianyan, the city lord, welcomed them with a hearty laugh, riding a flaming crow - his diamond-level spirit beast, the fire-winged crow.
"Hahaha, the renowned Bai Jingchong visiting my Scarlet Wing City truly adds luster to it," Chi Lianyan greeted, inviting them into the city.
Bai Jingchong, known for his straightforwardness, bantered with Chi Lianyan. They shared a familiar camaraderie. Chi Lianyan, despite Bai Jingchong's less-than-polite words, invited them in, understanding the need to avoid creating a scene at the city gate.
Once inside, Chi Lianyan got straight to the point, asking Bai Jingchong about the reason for his visit.
"I heard about a diamond-grade material called Qingyunlu in the auction house of Chiyi City. I'm interested, so I came over," Bai Jingchong explained openly, leaving out Bai Zian's involvement.
Chi Lianyan nodded in understanding, and the conversation continued as they entered the city lord's mansion, leaving the commotion at the city gate behind.