Chapter 14 Lone Ranger_1

"Alright, five-star praise it is," Lu Ran chuckled.

I didn't expect the second largest intelligence agency to be so down-to-earth.

"So, do you need any more information? For someone new like you, I really recommend exchanging some advanced cultivation information," Xiao Ling's cat ears twitched, catching Lu Ran off guard.

"What does advanced cultivation information refer to?" Lu Ran asked.

"Well, for instance, what resources are needed to nurture your Pet Beast, which Secret Realms you can obtain these resources from, and where you can get good training with relatively low danger—all of this counts as advanced information."

"Or, data on the monsters of certain Secret Realms, exploration strategies—that's also considered advanced information. Very suitable for newcomers like you."

"Of course, the most critical... the best evolution pathway! However, that belongs to an even higher level of information."

Lu Ran looked towards Little White Dragon.

Little White Dragon stroked his chin and nodded, saying, "After joining the official ranks, basic information can actually be obtained for free, but advanced information still comes at a cost."

Xiao Ling said, "After all, much of the information has been obtained at the cost of someone's life."

Lu Ran nodded, showing understanding, but...

"I need to think about it first," Lu Ran said.

"No rush! Then I'll go contact the people from Medicine Cabinet first," Xiao Ling said.

"Okay. Wait, I think I actually need another piece of information," Lu Ran suddenly remembered something he had nearly forgotten!

"Oh? What is it?" Xiao Ling asked curiously.

"If I want to buy weapons, armor, and other equipment, or if I wish to purchase materials to custom forge a weapon, where is the best place to go?" Lu Ran asked.

"This information is a bit too simple," Xiao Ling said with a slight smile. "You could have asked Mr. Little White Dragon next to you and he would know. Here's what I'll do—I'll recommend a place in Infinite City with a good reputation for free."

"At coordinates 8766, 1273, the owner of this Smithy is among the top Forging Masters of the Third Generation Beast Trainers. The rates are standard, and whether you're buying equipment or forging weapons, this is a good choice."

Lu Ran took note of the coordinates, but quickly, he asked with some confusion, "By the way, what exactly is the situation... with life-oriented Beast Trainers?"

He had a rough idea but still wanted confirmation.

"Uh, didn't I tell you already?" Little White Dragon, rubbing his chin, was the first to speak up:

"Both I and Xiao Ling here actually count as life-oriented Beast Trainers."

"Life-oriented Beast Trainers are those who don't focus on challenging or exploring Secret Realms, nor on enhancing the strength of their Beast Training as their main goal."

"The most direct method for a Beast Trainer to improve themselves is by training in Secret Realms, but as you've experienced the Novice Secret Realm, you know how dangerous it can be. Most people only try it once before deciding never to enter again."

"Thus, they learn special skills such as cooking, forging, or making medicine to earn crystal coins from combat-oriented Beast Trainers."

"Then, they use crystal coins to buy resources, enhance their levels, and hire combat-oriented Beast Trainers for protection when entering the Breakthrough Secret Realm. This too is a stable way to level up. In a nutshell, there are two different paths to choose."

"Has Mr. Little White Dragon given up on becoming a combat-oriented Beast Trainer?" Lu Ran asked.

"Yes, I have a wife and kids, and after thinking it over carefully, I decided not to do something so dangerous. I'm quite content with how things are now. Even as the most ordinary life-oriented Beast Trainer, the income can be unimaginable to those elites out there," Little White Dragon laughed.

"Initially, if you were to ask me, I'd also recommend becoming a life-oriented Beast Trainer, as those are often the most comfortable. But now..." Remembering that Lu Ran with just a Husky achieved at least a 'D' level assessment, Little White Dragon understood that Lu Ran would probably make a good choice without any advice from him.

"Hmm, the basis is what Mr. Little White Dragon just mentioned, and I also work here because I don't like to fight," the Cat Ear Maid Xiao Ling laughed, saying, "I'm quite satisfied with the work here. The seniors in the shop take good care of me and leave many work and training opportunities to me."

"Look, even an intern like me gets to manage such a big place!" Xiao Ling's eyes shone with pride, for this was an information center with a significant reputation in Infinite City!

Lu Ran: "..."

Are you sure they're not just squeezing you for overtime work?

This coffee shop owner is so ruthless, exploiting interns like this.

Life-oriented Beast Trainers...

Lu Ran mused that they didn't seem to conflict with combat-oriented Beast Trainers.

If a Beast Trainer knew how to prepare custom nutrition meals and forge equipment for their Pet Beasts, they would definitely be able to cultivate them better. Ultimately, it all came down to energy and talent.

"Xiao Lu, if you need to buy weapons, let me take you! I'm more familiar with the roads in Infinite City, and I can give you some advice," Little White Dragon, knowing Lu Ran's potential, was even more attentive, as Lu Ran was essentially a walking jackpot!

"Um... I'm not planning to go right now, I'll go by myself later," Lu Ran said, not wanting to trouble the other party further.

"Alright then," Little White Dragon acquiesced.

"You guys chat, I'll be right back," the Cat Ear Maid Xiao Ling also said at that moment.

"But before that, let's add each other as friends first."

Lu Ran nodded again and added her to his contacts.

Afterward, Xiao Ling signaled for Lu Ran and Little White Dragon to rest while she went through the special channels of the Maid Coffee Shop to contact the Medicine Pavilion Guild.

Meanwhile, Little White Dragon once again looked at Lu Ran with keen interest and said, "Xiao Lu, just how high is your assessment score?"

"If it's high, whether you join an official organization or various guilds, you can get generous support. If you're considering this, I can make an introduction for you."

Lu Ran grinned, "It's not that high, not even as good as that pig farmer. Joining a faction or something... I don't have any plans for now. I want to learn more first."

The Little White Dragon was speechless, you sure are impervious to reason.

"The current Beast Trainer community can generally be divided into four groups: the First Generation Beast Trainers from three years ago, the Second Generation Beast Trainers from two years ago, the Third Generation Beast Trainers from a year ago, and us, the Fourth Generation Beast Trainers."

"Among the First Generation Beast Trainers of Xia Country, only 13 are currently active at the frontlines, all holding high positions in the League."

"Whereas for the Second and Third Generation Beast Trainers, there are quite a few actively involved; whether it's the founders of the Neko Maid Cafe or the president of the Medicine Pavilion Guild, they are all Second Generation Beast Trainers and also the backbone of Xia Country's Beast Trainers currently."

"Although organizations like the Neko Maid Cafe and the Medicine Pavilion Guild were established by individuals, they are in fact part of the Xia Country Beast Training Alliance, just that they don't take direct orders from higher-ups and are solely under supervision."

"Think of it as the difference between purely official Beast Trainers and semi-official Beast Trainers," explained the Little White Dragon. "I am a purely official Beast Trainer, while Xiao Ling, here, is a semi-official Beast Trainer. In the end, there's really no such thing as a completely independent person."

"If you want a secure job and a place in the system, just like me, you can join the official organizations. And if you want more freedom, you can join various guilds and commerce chambers, which are akin to employees working in a company, and these companies are also part of the forces that make up the Beast Trainer League."

"The Beast Trainer League is composed of official institutions and various guilds, forming the largest Beast Training organization in Xia Country."

Although getting Lu Ran to join his side would mean less bonus for him, Wave's Little White Dragon didn't like to sweet-talk others into making decisions and instead explained the differences to Lu Ran clearly.

In his traditional view, most people still trust in stable jobs!

After all, the end of the universe is to have a place in the system.

"Those are roughly the two options you have. After all, if you want to enter a Dungeon Secret Realm later on, you'll almost always need to form a team. Nobody dares to put together a random team, so you'll either find a reliable team from the official guide groups or one from the guilds."

"Can't you play solo?" Lu Ran asked.

"To solo..." The Little White Dragon had a stomachache. The calf does not fear the tiger indeed.

"Do you think there are so few First Generation Beast Trainers left for no reason?"

"Aside from those who gave up their Beast Trainer status to become lifestyle Beast Trainers, the vast majority... met their ends in the Secret Realms."

"And even within teams, the Beast Trainers who could solo are few and far between, no, actually nonexistent."

Lu Ran pondered. In fact, he was inclined to play solo, especially since he had the Divine Deer Pendant and didn't want to expose it.

This was why he hesitated in the face of the various invitations from the Little White Dragon.

If he joined an official organization or a guild, there would inevitably be situations where he couldn't call the shots, and he feared the consequences.

Rather than facing endless troubles later on, it was better to start off solo.

So, could he, using the Divine Deer Pendant to play solo, be more efficient than teaming up with others?

If possible, he could be a lone wolf in the early stages.

And when the advantage brought by the Divine Deer Pendant no longer seemed so great, and the later Secret Realm dungeons became more challenging, he could consider joining an organization. By that time, he would also have some strength of his own. No, by then, he might even be able to form his own team or even a guild, only including trustworthy people!

"What are you guys talking about?" Just then, Xiao Ling came out again and said, "I've already contacted the Medicine Pavilion Guild, and they'll be sending someone right over."

Lu Ran looked at the Little White Dragon and said, "I still need to think about it, thanks."

"Take it seriously," the Little White Dragon nodded.

"What did the Medicine Pavilion Guild say?" He then asked Xiao Ling.

Xiao Ling said, "The other party will exchange the Wind Attribute Fruit, and on top of that, I secured an additional 700 crystal coins especially for Passerby A."

"Thank you," Lu Ran said.

"Don't mention it," Xiao Ling replied with a beaming smile, "Just come back and patronize us more in the future."

As an intern... she was in urgent need of a high volume of positive orders to secure a permanent position!

"Okay... and while you're at it, give me one of these," Lu Ran said, pointing to the "Bright God Tea" on the menu.

One pot of tea cost 50 crystal coins, which was the same value as the information he had just received, making it the cheapest drink here.

The Bright God Tea, sourced from a Level 2 Secret Realm called Watch Wind Gorge, was inaccessible for Trainee Beast Trainers.

Lu Ran was mainly interested in the effects of the tea, which could relieve fatigue, clear the mind, and rid the body of minor ailments.

Even though he had been enhanced and his physical condition had greatly improved, he had been running around in a Secret Realm all day without sleep, and he was now struggling to keep going.

He hoped the tea would help him endure a little longer.

Besides, the prep classes for upcoming high school seniors at his school had been rolling hard, and he hadn't had a good sleep in a long time.

"Sure," Xiao Ling responded immediately and went to prepare the tea.

"Such luxury, but it's nice for young people to indulge a bit," remarked Wave's Little White Dragon.

"It's on me, you have a few cups too," Lu Ran said.

"I've been waiting for you to say that," the Little White Dragon laughed heartily.

Lu Ran shrugged; this was all to make it easier to reject you later on.

Soon, a pot of tea arrived, and Lu Ran immediately poured a cup for Wave's Little White Dragon, as a way of thanking him for his help.

As for Xiao Ling, as an employee, there was a rule that she couldn't accept offers from customers while in the store.

The two of them sat drinking tea, waiting for the person from the Medicine Pavilion Guild to arrive. As Xiao Ling had mentioned, the person arrived quickly enough. Soon, a young man dressed in a Pharmacist Robe riding a majestic eagle arrived outside the Maid Coffee Shop.