179: Xuan You

The peculiarity lies in the fact that this visitor was not human, but a spirit beast, and one with no small background.

As for how one could tell it had a significant background? Not to mention the identity information directly stated in its visit application to the academic affairs system, how could a spirit beast without some origin so easily contact the Third Academy, and then immediately present an Overlord Rank resource as a greeting gift?

As soon as Xu Yan approved the application, a giant black turtle appeared before him. Its aura suggested it was Monarch Rank, but its specific level was unknown.

Upon meeting, before Xu Yan could say anything, the other party spoke first: "Hello, Xu Yan, my name is Xuan You, from the Profound Underworld Realm, of the Xuanwu lineage. I apologize for this unannounced visit. This is a small gift I've prepared; I hope you like it."

After speaking, it took out a large coral plant and placed it in front of Xu Yan.

Looking at the three-meter-tall coral, placed before him, resembling jade and rapidly emitting water spirit energy while purifying the surrounding spirit energy with its blue and white colors, Xu Yan couldn't help but fall silent.

As a Breeder, after reaching the Monarch Rank, Xu Yan had gained a certain level of strength and status. He began to gradually understand some resources and heavenly treasures that he had not dared to even imagine before his breakthrough.

Coincidentally, Xu Yan had some understanding of the coral plant the other party had taken out.

Profound Water Coral, one of the unique products of the Profound Underworld Realm, possessing ice and water attributes. It is an extremely special and precious environmental resource-type heavenly treasure. A single plant can transform an area's environment, making it suitable for ice and water attribute creatures to live in.

Plants and resources of corresponding attributes grow faster and improve in quality in this area. If spirit beasts remain in it for a long time, their affinity and control over ice and water elements will increase. Staying in it for an extended period also has a certain probability of allowing them to break through their bloodline limit.

Different grades and qualities result in varying upper limits and efficiencies of their effects.

Most coral resources can be identified by their color and size to determine their quality. The 'greeting gift' Xu Yan received, being over three meters tall, indicates its resource level is Overlord Rank. Its jade-like luster signifies that it is of extremely high quality even among Overlord Rank resources.

With this Profound Water Coral and a piece of land, given enough time, Xu Yan would be able to continuously produce high-quality resources and spirit beasts below the Overlord Rank.

In addition, the branches of the Profound Water Coral also have effects such as condensing and purifying spirit energy, accelerating cultivation, improving the body, and prolonging life. They also play a significant role in making potions, spirit food, and equipment.

It can be said that this special visitor's greeting gift to Xu Yan was essentially a money tree, full of treasures and capable of continuous production, delivered right into Xu Yan's hands. Its value even surpassed some Saint Spirit Rank resources.

As a Breeder, Xu Yan naturally coveted such extremely special environmental resource-type heavenly treasures after learning of their effects. But when this item was actually placed before him, Xu Yan was somewhat hesitant to accept it.

There was no other way. An entity he had never interacted with suddenly presented such an expensive greeting gift upon their first meeting. This made Xu Yan wonder if the other party had some demands or a conspiracy.

The last one who offered benefits upon meeting was Xuan Niao, who directly gave him destiny. If it weren't for his sect and school being powerful enough, the promise the other party sought alone would have been something Xu Yan couldn't fulfill.

Because of this, even though he greatly coveted the Profound Water Coral before him, Xu Yan forcefully suppressed his greed and said, "Senior Xuan You, this gift of yours is too valuable. I cannot accept it. Please take it back."

Xuan You was not surprised by Xu Yan's refusal, nor did he listen to Xu Yan and retract the Profound Water Coral. Instead, he continued, "This unannounced visit is primarily because I need your help. Compared to what I seek, this gift is nothing."

Xuan You's words made Xu Yan's heart, already flustered by the gift, grow even more uneasy. If something of the level of an Overlord Rank Profound Water Coral was considered 'nothing,' then how significant must the other party's request be?

Xu Yan had a relatively thorough understanding of himself. His Innate Talent and potential were indeed good, but he hadn't fully matured yet, and his future was still uncertain. Excluding the future, if he and his three spirit beasts were considered individually, their combined value might not even be as high as the Profound Water Coral.

Could he really fulfill the other party's request? Or, like Xuan Niao, was the other party not seeking him, but rather the connections of his mentor, grandmaster, or even the dean behind him?

However, before understanding what the other party sought, Xu Yan naturally couldn't directly state that he wouldn't use his connections. Instead, he voiced the doubt in his heart.

"So, what is the request you mentioned?"

After Xu Yan asked, the other party showed a look of "finally you asked about this," and then firmly replied:

"I hope to form a contract with you and become your contracted spirit beast!"

This one sentence completely stunned Xu Yan.

Honestly, for Xu Yan, the other party's answer was even more outlandish and caught him more off guard than anything he had imagined.

You're saying that a Monarch Rank spirit beast, originating from a top secret realm, a descendant of the mythical Xuanwu, with at least Overlord Rank bloodline, who offers a Profound Water Coral of that caliber, and judging by its indifferent attitude towards the coral, likely has an extremely high background and powerful backing—this spirit beast actively came to my door, offered a precious greeting gift, just to form a contract with me?

Xu Yan suddenly had a feeling that he hadn't woken up yet, or perhaps he had fallen into Xiong Nian's prank or an illusion cast by another mental-type spirit beast? Otherwise, how could such an outrageous thing happen right before him?

This is Beast Taming, not Breeding!

Thinking this, Xu Yan immediately performed a full illusion-dispelling routine on himself, including but not limited to the Power of Heaven and Earth, mental contracts, and external aids. After this set of operations, the illusion before him showed no change.

Xuan You still watched Xu Yan from the side, firm and sincere, without any wavering in attitude due to Xu Yan's sudden 'mad' behavior.

After confirming that his experience was not an illusion, or that if it truly was an illusion, he had no way to deal with it, Xu Yan looked at Xuan You again and asked:

"With your Innate Talent, origin, and background, finding a Beast Tamer, even powerful Overlord or Saint Spirit Rank Beast Tamers, shouldn't be difficult, right? I want to know, why did you choose me?"

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