"Your grandfather participated in the Iron Forest competition?"
Luo Qingqing nodded.
Her expression suddenly became surprised: "Brother Li, you really came out of the Iron Forest competition too! My grandfather told me back then, and I didn't quite believe it."
Her statement also dispelled Li Chonglou's concerns.
However, he also said with some surprise: "I didn't expect your grandfather to participate in such a competition. Who else from your Xi Gang participated?"
In Li Chonglou's mind, those who could participate in the Iron Forest competition were no ordinary people. Just like Henry and the others back then, any one of them could probably fight against the Forest Wolf without much difference.
However, as he spoke, an idea suddenly popped into Li Chonglou's mind, and he couldn't help but ask again.
"Wait, so does that mean all four major gangs in Shangjing participated in the Iron Forest competition?"
"Brother Li, which one do you want me to answer first?"
Li Chonglou shrugged and stopped speaking, waiting for Luo Qingqing's answer.
"Let me tell you about my grandfather first. But I'm telling you, you absolutely cannot tell anyone else, especially my grandfather! Otherwise, I'm finished."
Luo Qingqing reminded him seriously, and Li Chonglou naturally nodded in agreement.
As the saying goes, trusting someone comes from one's subjective perception.
Although Luo Qingqing had only met Li Chonglou a few times, at this moment, she didn't hesitate to betray her grandfather.
"My grandfather participated in national sports when he was young. He also worked at the Shangjing General Bureau before he retired. This Iron Forest competition was one of his glories back then, which is why I know these things."
Luo Qingqing's explanation was a bit vague, but Li Chonglou didn't ask for more details. He understood that Luo Qingqing's willingness to share these matters was already a sign of her trust in him.
If he were to press further, it would be impolite.
More importantly, he only needed a general understanding and didn't need to delve into the specifics.
Then, Luo Qingqing answered his second question.
"As far as I know, very few people know about this Iron Forest competition. My friends around me certainly don't know about its existence. So, Brother Li, you can rest assured."
The last sentence clearly indicated that Luo Qingqing knew Li Chonglou's worries.
Li Chonglou slowly nodded after hearing this.
As long as no one investigated him, he didn't really care whether the information about the sacred beasts would be leaked or known by others.
"Alright, now tell me the information you know."
Li Chonglou finally steered the conversation back to the main topic.
"It's about the method of cultivating sacred beasts. My grandfather told me. He said it's a universal cultivation method suitable for all sacred beasts with any aptitude."
Li Chonglou suddenly realized a problem: "Does your grandfather also have a sacred beast?"
Luo Qingqing shook her head: "My grandfather doesn't, but one of his teammates back then did."
Li Chonglou understood and no longer interrupted Luo Qingqing.
Luo Qingqing did not hide anything and told him the method of cultivating sacred beasts as she understood it, word for word.
This method was somewhat similar to Li Chonglou's current cultivation method, but there was one point he was unaware of.
"Combat can improve its potential?"
Li Chonglou frowned slightly. No one had told him this at the Iron Forest, including Engeni and the others.
Luo Qingqing, however, affirmed with great certainty: "My grandfather wouldn't lie to me. He told me himself."
"Are you sure your grandfather meant potential, not strength?"
Li Chonglou still found it hard to believe, because these two words made a huge difference. Potential represented the upper limit, and if potential could truly be improved through combat, wouldn't that mean Xiaobai could grow infinitely?
Even if this was impossible, it could at least reach a terrifying height! But Li Chonglou recalled that the adult sacred beasts he encountered in the Iron Forest competition back then didn't feel this way.
The adult sacred beasts were only about eighty percent of his strength at the time. Now, it was estimated to be less than sixty percent, not exactly terrifying.
"It's potential, not strength. However, my grandfather said that this improvement also has an upper limit, and this is a cultivation method. It can be used to push the upper limit to the maximum through combat when they are young, and then continue to cultivate. My grandfather said this can cultivate a sacred beast to its extreme."
Only then did Li Chonglou understand Luo Qingqing's meaning. Indeed, if Luo Qingqing hadn't said it, Li Chonglou wouldn't have thought in this direction at all.
In his opinion, Xiaobai would fall into hibernation on its own every so often, meaning he always thought Xiaobai would grow and evolve on its own.
But now it seemed that Xiaobai's subsequent hibernation was very likely due to its being with Heidao, which gave it more combat opportunities.
Thinking of this, Li Chonglou couldn't help but ask Luo Qingqing a question.
"Do you know how long it usually takes for a sacred beast to hibernate and evolve?"
Luo Qingqing seemed to have anticipated Li Chonglou's question and answered without hesitation: "From a week at the shortest, to at least half a month at the longest. And I heard from my grandfather that the longer the hibernation period, the better the effect."
So that's how it is.
Li Chonglou now felt somewhat grounded. Although he didn't need Xiaobai for the time being, it was still a powerful assistant. Whether it stayed by his side or assisted Heidao again, it would be a trump card.
After that, Li Chonglou asked about some other details, such as how often sacred beasts usually evolved and whether their size would change after evolution. Luo Qingqing answered them one by one, clearly having done her homework before asking him out.
The two of them talked for two hours, and even had a hearty meal. It wasn't until Luo Qingqing suddenly received a reminder from her subordinate that she had other matters to attend to, so she reluctantly said goodbye to Li Chonglou.
After spending these two hours together, the two of them could be considered true friends.
Li Chonglou also learned that although Luo Qingqing was the daughter of a gang leader, her upbringing was quite rich, and she was a returned overseas student with a high level of education.
It was the opposite of the traditional notion that people from gangs meant low cultural attainment.
However, what truly made Li Chonglou recognize her as a friend was her sincerity.
After saying goodbye to Luo Qingqing, Li Chonglou was planning to go to Yi An to catch up with Zhang Yu and Feng Zheng. However, just as he hailed a taxi, he suddenly received a call from Zhou Tong.
"Looking for me?"
On the phone, Zhou Tong got straight to the point, saying someone wanted to see him. Li Chonglou asked a little, and then realized it was about the auction pass from before.
Before he went abroad, this matter was also on his list of things to deal with.