Chapter 454 - 302: Bringing in Someone More Powerful (Part 2)

Chapter 454: Chapter 302: Bringing in Someone More Powerful (Part 2)

"A Middle Lord Level Five-Colored Gemstone Dragon Claw, a Lord Level Emerald Green Dragon Scale... wings from a Lord Level Colorful Demon Butterfly..." Han Ling’s eyes lit up as she took stock of the shimmering materials on the table, finally giving a price,

"These materials have a total value of three Middle Lord Soul Crystals. Of course, you can exchange them for lower-level Soul Crystals, or for Universal Shell Pearls or Jade Pearls."

"When can I get the Heart of the Caged Bird?" Lin Tianhe asked his most pressing question.

Han Ling replied without hesitation, "After you pay with the Soul Crystals, I will immediately notify the store’s warehouse to find a suitable Heart of the Caged Bird for you. It should only take about half a day."

"No problem. Full payment, or just a deposit?"

"A deposit? Oh... you mean paying a portion of the cost upfront, and then paying the rest after you receive the Heart of the Caged Bird? Yes, that’s possible! You can make an initial payment with materials worth 50% of the value," Han Ling said, smiling broadly.

Lin Tianhe pointed at the materials on the stone table. "Just use these materials for the exchange, and pay me the difference in Soul Crystals."

"Of course," Han Ling said with a smile.

With the deal struck, Lin Tianhe was in a good mood and happily started drinking the "beverage" on the table.

Seeing this, Han Ning, who was beside him, was about to ask his own question.

Unexpectedly, however, Han Ling beat him to it, asking, "Um... forgive my forwardness, but Mr. Lin, have you joined a Beast Tamer Organization yet?"

"...A Beast Tamer Organization?"

Lin Tianhe blinked in confusion and shook his head. "No!"

Han Ling’s mouth fell slightly open. "How old are you this year?"

The corners of Lin Tianhe’s mouth quirked up slightly. "Not yet 20."

A year in the Purple Crystal World was equivalent to 350 days on Blue Star, and a day was still roughly 24 hours, so the passage of time was more or less the same.

’Not even 20? And he’s already trained a Soul Vein Tree Demon comparable to the Lord Level?!’

Han Ling had thought Lin Tianhe was young, but she never imagined the kid was actually only 19.

Because Lin Tianhe hadn’t shaved in a long time, his beard made him look several years older than he actually was.

Upon learning Lin Tianhe’s exact age, the expression on Han Ling’s face suddenly became exceptionally gentle. Her tone was warm and soft. "Little Brother Lin, since you haven’t joined a Beast Tamer Organization... would you be interested in considering our Merfolk Sea Alliance?"

As she spoke, she subtly moved closer to Lin Tianhe, and the prominent curve of her chest brushed—whether intentionally or not—against his arm.

"Uh..."

The seemingly accidental gesture made Lin Tianhe, who had no experience in such matters, quite flustered. But as someone who had weathered many storms and seen the world, he quickly calmed down and looked to Han Ning for guidance.

Han Ling’s gaze was sharp, and she immediately realized that the quiet, young Beast Master of a similar age beside Lin Tianhe was the actual decision-maker of their group.

’As expected... she’s from the Merfolk Sea Alliance.’

Han Ning was somewhat surprised that a member of the Merfolk Sea Alliance was trying to recruit Lin Tianhe.

"Ask her what benefits the Merfolk Sea Alliance can offer you," Han Ning transmitted to Lin Tianhe using his Spiritual Power.

"What benefits does the Dragon Palace offer?" Lin Tianhe immediately repeated Han Ning’s question.

Han Ling confidently held up a single, pale index finger.

"Join our Merfolk Sea Alliance, and you can adopt one C Talent Water Type Soul Beast for free. Every year, you will also receive a varying number of Soul Beast Crystal Stones, and you’ll be granted permanent residency on Pagji Island and in all cities under the control of the Merfolk Sea Alliance..."

"That sounds pretty good, but could you allow me some time to go back and think it over?" Lin Tianhe offered a faint smile.

"This concerns your future, so you should certainly think it over carefully." Han Ling nodded lightly in understanding, but her gaze shifted between Han Ning and Lin Tianhe, her curiosity about their origins growing.

"Ahem... Miss Han Ling, I’d like to ask, do you sell the hearts of Monarch Level Fire Type Giant Dragons here?" Han Ning finally asked the question that had been on his mind.

"Monarch Level..." Upon hearing this, the smile on Han Ling’s face froze for a moment. She then immediately stood up, performed a respectful Merfolk Race salute toward Han Ning, and said,

"Monarch Level materials are beyond my authority. Please wait a moment while I go get a higher-level Beast Master to speak with you."

Her highest clearance was only for Lord Level items. She had assumed this would be more than enough to handle the two young men’s transaction requests, but she never imagined this young Beast Master would ask for Monarch Level materials right off the bat.

Based on her years of experience observing customers, Han Ling judged that the young Beast Master before her wasn’t lying just to show off. The calm and tranquil aura he exuded with every movement was something she had only ever seen from the great masters who possessed Tier Four Spiritual Power.

"Please wait a moment, young Master..." Han Ling tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear, called over a nearby Merfolk attendant to replace the "beverages" for Han Ning’s party with what looked to be a higher-grade version, and then quickly departed.

"Tsk... looks like Monarch Level Soul Beasts aren’t common here on Pagji Island, for her to have such a big reaction. I guess I have you to thank for getting to try this high-level beverage." Lin Tianhe watched Han Ling’s swaying figure disappear from view, then picked up the snow-white cup and took a small sip of the liquid inside.

"Tastes pretty good... It seems to have the effects of Concentration Liquid and can help boost one’s Spiritual Power. No wonder she was reluctant to bring it out before," Lin Tianhe commented, clicking his tongue.

"Mm, it probably has Soul Nourishing Grass in it," Han Ning said, also taking a sip.

A short while later, the sound of hurried footsteps came from the depths of the shop.

A woman who looked to be about 30 years old, with a gentle and graceful demeanor but whose features weren’t exceptionally striking, emerged with Han Ling, who had left earlier, in tow.

"It... It’s actually Lady Shui Rui!"

Upon seeing the newcomer, Hailian, who had been standing silently behind the group and waiting for the transaction to end, completely forgot her composure. She covered her mouth, her face a mask of utter shock.

"Greetings. My name is Shui Rui... And you are?"

Shui Rui’s appearance was also very different from that of the Merfolk Race; she looked much more human. Aside from her slightly pointed ears and deep cyan pupils, she was almost indistinguishable from a human.

Beneath her gauzy white silk skirt were long, shapely, snow-white legs. She wore no shoes, her bare feet resting on the floor.

The gauzy neckline on her chest was slightly open, revealing a pale, smooth expanse of cleavage.

Two wisps of black hair fell across her delicate collarbones, adding to her allure.

Although her face was merely pretty, her figure was absolutely stunning.

Han Ning took a light breath, and from within the fragrant scent wafting from her, he "smelled" an aura of danger.

This woman, with her gentle yet bewitching aura, was not to be underestimated.

Lin Tianhe, standing beside him, was a perfect example.

From the first moment he saw Shui Rui, his gaze was glued to her body, unable to look away.

"Ahem."

Only when Han Ning let out a light cough laced with a trace of spiritual shock did Lin Tianhe snap out of his daze, a wary expression immediately appearing on his face.

"A pleasure, Miss Shui Rui. I am Han Ning."

Han Ning extended his arm, and their forearms touched lightly before separating. This was a form of social etiquette for the Merfolk Race.

"A moment ago, Han Ling told me you require the heart of a Monarch Level Fire Dragon? Do you have any requirements for its Talent or species?" Shui Rui asked in a soft tone, ignoring the flustered Lin Tianhe as she crossed her long, slender legs and sat down in the water chair.

"No requirements for the species, but... as for Talent and Level, the higher the better, of course," Han Ning replied with a slight smile.

"Hmm?" Hearing this, Shui Rui’s brow furrowed almost imperceptibly, and her tone grew a bit more serious. "Young Han Ning, our Merfolk Sea Alliance can provide you with a heart from a Fire Dragon up to the Upper Monarch Level. It’s just... the price..."

"If you can really find a high-level Fire Dragon heart, the price will not be an issue."

As Han Ning spoke, he took something from a pouch at his waist: a rhombus-shaped Crystal Stone that emitted terrifying fluctuations and shimmered with magnificent starlight.