After a satisfying meal, the night passed without incident.
The next morning, as Lin Zhan opened his eyes, he heard the system's voice:
"Ding, temporary beginner sign-in function activated. Today's sign-in reward: Xuanwu Essence Blood (a wisp, usable for tortoise-type spirit beasts with Xuanwu bloodline. Upon use, the spirit beast's bloodline talent will be unrestricted, allowing for infinite advancement)."
The system really hoped I'd contract a tank, even the reward was specifically for defensive-oriented tortoise spirit beasts.
I'll take a leave today and go look for a suitable tortoise spirit beast in the spirit beast market. I can visit home when I have time.
Lin Zhan got up, washed himself, greeted his roommates, and told them he was taking a day off to go out.
Outside the school gate, Lin Zhan took out his phone and sent a message to his homeroom teacher, He Feng: Teacher, I have successfully advanced to Bronze intermediate rank. Please rest assured for the enrollment. Also, I am taking a day off today to find a contract spirit beast. Sudian Novel Network.
He Feng was stunned for a moment after seeing the message. This kid was too monstrous, advancing so quickly as if it were a game. He was going to contract a second spirit pet. He reluctantly replied with two words: Approved.
About an hour later, Lin Zhan took a taxi to the largest spirit beast, flower, and bird market in the capital.
"The place isn't small. It seems spirit beasts, flowers, and birds are still very popular," Lin Zhan nodded, looking at the giant nest-like building before him.
"Of course! This place is divided into four major areas: flowers and plants, spirit beasts, flying birds, amphibians, and spirit fish, with a total of 3,500 shops and tens of thousands of varieties," a middle-aged man in a guide uniform, around 30 years old, said with a smile. "What can I help you find, young sir!"
"May I know your name, sir?" Lin Zhan's spiritual power far exceeded that of martial artists of the same level, and he secretly noticed the man's extraordinary presence. Anyone who could put even a slight pressure on him would be at least a Silver-level martial artist.
"Haha, young sir, don't be suspicious. I am the guide supervisor of the spirit beast market. My name is Zheng Xiuyuan, you can just call me Old Zheng. And what should I call you?" the middle-aged man said with a smile. "Many spirit beasts in our market are Bronze or even Silver level, so besides some professional talents, most of us guides are martial artists. This is to prevent accidents when customers enrage spirit beasts while choosing them."
"Then I'll trouble you, Brother Zheng. My name is Lin Zhan, and you can call me Little Lin. My elders at home want to raise a spirit turtle for good luck," Lin Zhan said politely to Old Zheng. "Do you have any good suggestions, Brother Zheng?"
"Young Brother Lin is already a Bronze intermediate martial artist at such a young age. Truly promising," Old Zheng said, with a bit of flattery, seeing Lin Zhan's gentle and polite demeanor.
"Coincidentally, in the amphibian spirit beast section, we just received a new batch of Shuiyuan Turtles, Jinqian Turtles, and Huaxia Giant Softshell Turtles yesterday. If you're interested, Brother Lin, I'll accompany you to take a look."
"Then I'll trouble you, Brother Zheng."
Old Zheng enthusiastically introduced, "Young Brother Lin, as we go to the amphibian spirit beast area, we will pass through the plant section. It's June, the peak season for many spirit flowers to bloom and spirit fruits to ripen. It's also the most beautiful time of the year for the plant section."
Lin Zhan looked with great interest at the shops on both sides. Many flower pots were placed at the entrance of each shop, displaying a dazzling array of colors, with vibrant hues of red and green vying for attention. The air was filled with a rich fragrance.
As they walked, Lin Zhan smelled a very fresh, elegant, and pleasant scent.
"Brother Zheng, what is this fragrance? It's so fresh and nice."
"That's the scent of Spirit Tea Flowers. If tended well, they can bloom twice a year. In June, they bloom once for about a month. By burying some beast cores in the pot, they can bloom for another month or so before the Lunar New Year. The higher the grade of the beast core, the longer the flowering period."
Lin Zhan said with interest, "Brother Zheng, can we go and see these Spirit Tea Flowers first?"
Lin Zhan followed Old Zheng to the Spirit Tea Flower shop. Many flowers were already blooming in the shop. Amidst the lush leaves, red and white tea flowers were scattered like ornaments. The red ones were like balls of fiery red, while the white ones were like clusters of pure white clouds. These tea flowers bloomed competitively, bringing an infinite sense of spring.
"Brother Zheng is here," the owner of the tea flower shop, a young woman in her 30s, greeted Old Zheng. She then turned to Lin Zhan and said, "Are you interested in looking at Spirit Tea Flowers, young sir? You've come at a good time, it's exactly their flowering season."
"Yarong, this Brother Lin is already a Bronze intermediate martial artist at such a young age. Don't try to trick him; introduce him to some good tea flowers from your shop," Old Zheng said to the proprietress.
"When have I, Hua Yarong, ever conducted business unfairly?" The proprietress was indeed named Hua Yarong, truly fitting her name.
"Brother Lin, you can call me Yarong or Sister Yarong. Although there are many varieties of Spirit Tea Flowers, these three are the most suitable for home cultivation. Not only do they have a refined taste and beautiful form, but they are also relatively easy to manage. After burying beast cores, they require almost no excessive care except for necessary pruning."
"The first type, Bai Baozhu: a cultivated variety of Spirit Tea. Its branches are slender and droop gently. The small leaves are oval-shaped. The flowers are pure white. Flowering period is 2-3 months."
"The second type, Bai Furong: a cultivated variety of Spirit Tea. The flowers are white with red stripes and spots, very colorful. Flowering period is 2-4 months."
"As for the third type, it has a nice name, Xinyuan: a cultivated variety of Mountain Spirit Tea. It's the latest cultivated breed. The flowers are pale pink, double-petaled, medium-sized. Flowering period is..."
Lin Zhan looked at these three Spirit Tea Flowers and said with some joy, "I'll take two pots of each of these three types. Sister Yarong, please pick out the good ones for me. I want to make my mother happy too. Please calculate the total cost."
"Don't worry, brother. This third type, Xinyuan, is more expensive, costing 10,000 new coins per pot. Bai Baozhu and Bai Furong are 3,000 new coins per pot. The total is 32,000 new coins. You can give me a round 30,000. My ice raspberries are also just ripe, I'll give you two pots to try. You can't call me sister for nothing!"
"Yarong, you're being very generous this time. Young Brother Lin, these ice raspberries are not common. Ripe ice raspberries are cool, sweet, and delicious. A pot can sell for 3,000 new coins now," Old Zheng introduced to Lin Zhan.
"Thank you very much, Sister Yarong. I will surely trouble you in the future. I hope you won't find me annoying then." Lin Zhan sensed that although Hua Yarong's level wasn't very high, she was around Bronze high-tier martial artist, so he understood her intention to befriend him.
"What are you saying, brother? If you ever need my help, just come over. I'm not as stingy as this Zheng blockhead."
Lin Zhan heard this and realized their relationship might be a bit special. No wonder Old Zheng brought him directly to Hua Yarong's shop.
"Alright, Yarong, Brother Lin still needs to choose spirit beasts. Please prepare the invoice. We can settle everything together later."
"Okay, brother, you go ahead and keep busy. Let Zheng blockhead take you to choose properly. Don't be afraid to trouble him."
"Then I'll take my leave, Sister Yarong," Lin Zhan said, then followed Old Zheng towards the amphibian spirit beast area.