Gu Tian ate his meal at a leisurely pace, not bothering to wait for Wu Shuang. Dish after dish was served continuously, filling the private lounge with a rich, mouthwatering aroma. The atmosphere remained tranquil, with only the rhythmic sound of chopsticks tapping against plates breaking the silence. However, before long, the door to the room swung open, revealing Wu Shuang—accompanied by two strikingly beautiful women.
Both women possessed elegant features and perfectly proportioned figures. Dressed in luxurious, high-class attire, they exuded an air of arrogance. Even as they stood still, an invisible pressure emanated from them.
Gu Tian glanced at them briefly before information about the two women surfaced before his eyes.
[Name: Liang Yufeng][Talent: SSS Green Lightning Soul][Beast Control Level: Silver – Peak][Spiritual Domain: SSS Lightning Fortress][Contracted Beasts:][1. Divine Thunder Turtle – Silver, Peak (Beast Potential: Emperor, Peak) (Evolution Pathways: 0)][2. Holy Thunder Griffin – Silver, Peak (Beast Potential: Emperor, Peak) (Evolution Pathways: 0)][3. Rainbow Thunder Centipede – Silver, Peak (Beast Potential: Emperor, Peak) (Evolution Pathways: 0)]
—
[Name: Su Meilin][Talent: SSS Divine Perception][Beast Control Level: Silver – Peak][Spiritual Domain: SSS Eternal Consciousness][Contracted Beasts:][1. Ancient Star Spirit Crocodile – Silver, Peak (Beast Potential: Emperor, Peak) (Evolution Pathways: 0)][2. Pegasus – Silver, Peak (Beast Potential: Emperor, Peak) (Evolution Pathways: 0)][3. Three-Headed Elephant Emperor – Silver, Peak (Beast Potential: Emperor, Peak) (Evolution Pathways: 0)]
Gu Tian quietly observed the two women before him. Their appearances were distinct and captivating. Liang Yufeng had deep purple hair and sharp eyes that enhanced her regal presence. Even though she wore a modest, form-fitting outfit, it failed to conceal her striking figure. Su Meilin, on the other hand, was entirely different her long, flowing pink hair and bright red lips radiated an alluring charm.
Gu Tian mused to himself, "Descendants of the sacred families, huh? How terrifying."
The dining room fell into silence. Wu Shuang, noticing the slight tension, finally spoke.
"Gu Tian, this is Su Meilin ranked twelfth in the university entrance exams and Liang Yufeng, ranked ninth."
He then turned to the two women.
"Su Meilin, Liang Yufeng, this is Gu Tian ranked second this year."
Following the introductions, the three exchanged brief pleasantries. Gu Tian furrowed his brows slightly before thinking to himself.
"Second place? The rankings were already announced? …Oh well, it doesn't matter."
Wu Shuang, catching Gu Tian's reaction, let out a light laugh.
"You didn't check your results, did you?"
Gu Tian shook his head before replying.
"I got into the university. What's the point in looking?"
Wu Shuang smirked before suggesting,
"Then let me treat you to dinner today as a celebration."
Gu Tian smiled faintly.
"Ten more servings of golden beef."
The restaurant staff, upon hearing the order, promptly left to prepare the dishes. Wu Shuang, meanwhile, groaned internally. "This bastard…"
Meanwhile, after Su Meilin, Liang Yufeng learning that the man before them was the second-ranked student of the year, Su Meilin and Liang Yufeng subtly adjusted their demeanor though their arrogance remained unchanged. They chose to sit beside Wu Shuang, keeping a noticeable distance from Gu Tian. Gu Tian, unfazed, simply continued enjoying his meal.
"Brother Wu, after we finish eating, why don't we go out for a bit? And after that, how about attending the auction together?" Liang Yufeng suggested.
Wu Shuang turned to her. "The Seven-Colored Peacock Chamber of Commerce's auction?"
Su Meilin nodded with a smile. "That's right. There will be plenty of rare treasures and beast eggs today. I just heard that an Emperor-tier beast egg will be up for auction."
Wu Shuang fell silent for a moment before glancing at Gu Tian, who was casually ordering another ten servings of meat. Wu Shuang thought to himself, "This bastard...Taking full advantage of the situation, huh…"
After a brief pause, Wu Shuang asked, "Gu Tian, are you interested in coming to the auction with us?"
Gu Tian replied immediately, "Another ten servings of meat."
Wu Shuang clenched his teeth before snapping, "Will you stop ordering already?! I'm going to be broke this month at this rate!"
Gu Tian smiled before casually replying, "Alright, alright… Another ten servings of meat."
Wu Shuang pressed further. "If you come with us, I'll let you order fifty more plates. Deal?"
Gu Tian shook his head. "No thanks. I'm full."
Wu Shuang was speechless. "....."
But he refused to give up. "Come on, just be my wingman for a bit, will you? Two years of friendship, and you're just going to cut me off like this…?"
Gu Tian shook his head again. Meanwhile, Wu Shuang continued trying to persuade him, throwing out all sorts of offers, but Gu Tian remained indifferent. Liang Yufeng and Su Meilin, on the other hand, were growing increasingly curious. They had never seen this side of Wu Shuang before. Normally, he carried himself with aloof confidence, exuding an aura of superiority that made him difficult to approach. And yet, in front of Gu Tian, he seemed like an entirely different person.
After finishing their meal, Gu Tian and Wu Shuang parted ways. Wu Shuang went out for leisure, while Gu Tian headed straight to the Seven-Colored Peacock Chamber of Commerce.
The Seven-Colored Peacock Chamber of Commerce was currently the world's number-one trading organization, having surpassed the previous top-ranked chamber. Its network extended across the entire world, from small towns to Level 6 cities.
At the main building of the chamber in Golden Dragon City, the VIP reception hall was exquisitely decorated. However, strangely enough, there was no visible door leading in or out.
Suddenly, space itself distorted, revealing an elderly man with white hair dressed in a robe adorned with seven colors. Gu Tian stepped out of the dimensional rift and sat on a sofa across from him. The elderly man lowered his head slightly in a respectful greeting.
"Greetings, Young Master Gu. My name is Huang Qingfu, and I will be at your service today."
Huang Qingfu was an Epic-tier beast tamer, a power that granted him significant influence in many regions. However, his deep respect for Gu Tian wasn't solely due to the latter's reputation as the second-ranked student in the Beast Emperor University entrance exams—though that was a factor. Nor was it just because Gu Tian was a high-level VIP of the Seven-Colored Peacock Chamber of Commerce.
The real reason was that Gu Tian was an unofficial Beast Appraiser of King-tier creatures, a status that wasn't officially recognized by the Central Government but was well-respected in the trading world. Gu Tian had also played a crucial role in helping the chamber rise to the number-one spot.
Thus, in terms of status, Gu Tian actually ranked higher than Huang Qingfu. Not only that, but he had been personally acknowledged by the leader of the Seven-Colored Peacock Chamber of Commerce. However, very few people were aware of Gu Tian's true standing.
Gu Tian looked at Huang Qingfu with a relaxed expression before speaking.
"Have you acquired the Secret Realms I ordered?"
Huang Qingfu nodded before responding in a polite tone.
"Yes, Young Master Gu. All five of the Gold-tier Secret Realms and two Platinum-tier Secret Realms have been secured, totaling seven realms. The total cost should have been 15 billion credits, but with your discount, it comes to only 15 million credits."
It was an absurd deal seven Platinum and Gold-tier Dimensional Gates for the price of a single Silver-tier one.
Gu Tian let out a faint smile before retrieving a black card from his spatial ring and handing it to Huang Qingfu.
Huang Qingfu accepted the card and swiped it through the transaction device, deducting the required amount. Once the payment was processed, he bowed slightly once more.
"Your transaction is complete, Young Master Gu. Would you like to enter the Secret Realms now?"
Gu Tian gave a slight nod in response.
Upon seeing this, Huang Qingfu smiled faintly before pressing a small button embedded in his spatial ring.
A soft blue light spread from the floor beneath Gu Tian's feet.
In the next instant, his figure vanished from the reception hall.