23: I bought them all

"So few beasts."

Seeing only a few sporadic cages containing beasts, Zhang Heng couldn't help but mutter to himself. Compared to other beast shops he had visited, the number of beasts here wasn't even a fraction of what other shops had.

Two two-star Ferocious Beasts—Fragrant Rabbits. Zhang Heng shook his head, mentally labeling them as ordinary.

These two Fragrant Rabbits were from the batch Luo Chen had just bought two days ago. They hadn't undergone any cultivation in the Transformation Pool and were only one-star Ferocious Beasts when purchased. They had just advanced to two stars due to the abundant ambient energy from the presence of mystic spirit grass.

Regarding Fragrant Rabbits, the most common type of beast, Zhang Heng naturally wouldn't pay them much attention.

He then looked at the Lightning Rat in the cage next to it, this time showing some interest on his face. First, he identified the species of the beast in the cage himself, then recalled information about this type of beast in his mind.

Only then did he look at the information and price tag posted in the upper left corner of the cage.

"Four-star Ferocious Beast." Surprise flashed in Zhang Heng's eyes. It was rare to see a Lightning Rat in a beast shop reach this level, let alone one that was still in its juvenile stage, indicating significant room for future growth.

Now even more interested, he turned his gaze to the other beasts. The Frost Wolf in the adjacent cage seemed just above average to him, though a five-star Ferocious Beast Frost Wolf cub would still earn an excellent rating in comparable shops.

His eyes fell on the final plant-type beast against this wall. He frowned, thinking hard for a long time, but couldn't recall what kind of beast this was.

Three slender, diamond-shaped leaves, each about half a meter long, with a surface shimmering with an eerie blue phosphorescence.

He guessed internally that it might be a variant of Sword Orchid, as they looked quite similar.

But when he saw the description in the upper left corner of the cage, he was immediately stunned into a daze.

"Nether... Nether System." He even stammered a bit.

"Shopkeeper! Where's the shopkeeper?" After reading the information and finding no one, he shouted loudly, his eyes darting around.

Luo Chen, behind the counter, naturally heard the young man's strange cry and walked out puzzled. "Over here."

Seeing the young man's flustered, excited State, Luo Chen asked curiously, "What's wrong?"

Seeing Luo Chen's young appearance, a flicker of doubt crossed the young man's eyes, but he immediately rushed over excitedly. "B-Boss, that Azure Nether Grass... cough... is it really a Nether System beast?"

Luo Chen scratched his head, not understanding the fuss, and replied matter-of-factly, "Isn't it written right there?"

Seeing Luo Chen's calm expression, Zhang Heng realized he was being overly excited. He hurriedly calmed his emotions, awkwardly rubbing his hands together.

"Sorry, it's just that Nether System beasts are rarely seen here in Qingyang City. I got a bit carried away."

Luo Chen nodded in understanding and casually added a sales pitch, "If you're interested, you can purchase it."

"I'm not buying, but I know someone who will definitely be interested." Zhang Heng raised an eyebrow, speaking mysteriously.

Not sure what he was getting at, Luo Chen simply played along. "Suit yourself."

Zhang Heng took out the terminal from his pocket, seemingly dialing a number.

"Bro, good news! Your second beast has been found."

"Don't doubt it, it's really a Nether System beast. There are three of them in the shop right now. Come quickly, or they might be gone."

"Location? Chenyang Pet Store."

After saying this, Zhang Heng hung up the terminal and stood guard in front of the cage containing the three Azure Nether Grass plants, as carefully as a sentinel.

Luo Chen's heart stirred. It seemed these Azure Nether Grass might, perhaps, actually find a customer.

Not long after, a Silver-Scale Horse stopped proudly and imposingly at the entrance of the pet store.

The Silver-Scale Horse is the evolved form of the Black Iron Horse, a powerful mount-type beast. In Qingyang City, only those top-tier families could possess one.

Such a magnificent steed stopping at the shop entrance undoubtedly attracted the attention of passersby and customers inside.

"A Silver-Scale Horse! Isn't that the representative beast of the Zhang family?"

"Would a direct member of the Zhang family personally come to a shop to select a beast?"

Unlike ordinary Beast Masters in Qingyang City, members of families with powerful Beast Masters typically contracted beasts they personally captured in the wild.

Otherwise, they would purchase beasts qualified to appear at auctions, rarely coming to shops like this, which clearly catered to novice Beast Masters seeking their first beast.

Amidst the surrounding speculation, a man in his twenties with a stubbled, weathered face dismounted from the Silver-Scale Horse.

Seeing his appearance, someone in the crowd of onlookers exclaimed in surprise. "It's him?"

Seeing their companion's reaction, someone nearby couldn't help but ask curiously, "What about this person?"

"You don't know? This is Zhang Zheng, the eldest son of the Zhang family's main lineage. Despite his youth, he has already advanced to a four-star Spiritual Beast Master. His talent is exceptional.

His most terrifying recent feat was being hunted by two six-star Spiritual Beasts alone, yet he managed to turn the tables and kill them both.

The most terrifying part is that he currently only has one contracted beast."

Those nearby were also shocked that he could kill two wild beasts two stars higher, but even more astonishing was that he currently only had one contracted beast.

Conventionally, Ferocious Beast Masters could contract one beast, while Spiritual Beast Masters had a limit of two, with an additional contract slot gained with each major rank advancement.

No one would think the eldest son of the Zhang family couldn't afford a beast. He must not have encountered a suitable one, hence leaving his second beast slot empty.

While Luo Chen eavesdropped on the passersby's conversation, the young man called Zhang Zheng had already strode purposefully into the shop, a barely perceptible urgency flickering in his eyes.

Zhang Heng inside the shop had seen his brother from afar. He jumped up and waved, catching his brother's attention.

"Over here."

Arriving at Zhang Heng's side, he patted the little guy's head but didn't ask where the Nether System beast was.

Because his Beast Master talent had already guided him towards the Nether System beast. When he saw it was a plant-type Nether System beast, a hint of disappointment flashed in his eyes.

But he couldn't be too picky now. Nether System beasts wereOriginally scarce in nearby cities. His first beast was acquired at great cost during a trip to Middle City.

He had been worrying about his second beast. Never did he expect to encounter one right here in Qingyang City. It was truly an unexpected delight.

"Azure Nether Grass." He couldn't help but murmur, looking at the beast description in the cage's upper left corner.

After reading the full description of the Azure Nether Grass, he resolutely walked towards the counter.

"Who's the shopkeeper?" True to a scion of a prominent family, Zhang Zheng maintained a perfectly composed expression, not revealing any of his inner urgency.

Luo Chen, holding the mischievous Xiao Maoqiu in his arms, heard the question and replied, "I am."

Zhang Zheng paused, then offered a friendly smile. "I'll take all three of those Azure Nether Grass."