Previously, Su Ping had not been sure whether Yuntian Pet Beast Battle Resort could really be profitable.
But after seeing the steady stream of Beast Tamers entering and leaving this massive arena, he finally realized—
His perspective had been too narrow.
Anything related to pet beasts was exorbitantly expensive.
Paid pet beast battles were no exception.
Battling friends naturally required no extra fees. Yuntian even waived the basic arena usage costs, as long as no excessive damage was caused.
But after the battle, treatment, stamina recovery, and energy replenishment were always necessary, weren't they?
Otherwise, how could one fight to their heart's content?
Those were the true money sinks.
And if one chose to spar against pet beasts provided directly by Yuntian, the price rose even higher.
Even for ordinary battles, spending several thousand—or even tens of thousands—in a single day was perfectly normal.
Pet beasts were the world's largest consumer group.
Which made sense.
A Beast Tamer's core combat power depended entirely on their pet beasts. The pet beasts a Beast Tamer controlled determined whether they could step into the extraordinary and achieve class transcendence.
If such power were easy to obtain, that would have been unreasonable.
And this enormous arena was only one of Yuntian Resort's many battle and training facilities.
Even so, within this single venue, there were standard duel platforms, virtual simulation battles, open-air combat zones, and various terrain-simulated battlefields.
No wonder business was booming—Yuntian had truly invested heavily.
Looking at everything before him, Su Ping felt his interest surge.
Still, he followed the staff to a separate training area.
This was the open-air training ground, where Su Ping placed his Forest Wolves.
Even with rentals, not all of his Forest Wolves would be chosen. Having a space where he could train while waiting for battle opportunities was perfectly fine.
Qin Xiaoxue also watched Su Ping with great interest as he stood before the Forest Wolves. She was genuinely curious—not only about him, but about how he cultivated his pet beasts.
However, at that moment, her phone rang.
Her brows immediately knit together. After a short while, she waved at Su Ping.
"Su Ping, I've got something to handle in Linzhou City. I'll be back later."
Su Ping did not think much of it and nodded.
Beside him, Li Shu finally let out a long breath once Qin Xiaoxue had turned and left. He hurriedly leaned in toward Su Ping, waggling his eyebrows.
"Brother Ping, Master Ping, Godfather—when are you going to teach me your peerless secret technique?"
"What peerless secret technique?" Su Ping asked, puzzled.
"The ultimate art of picking up girls!"
Li Shu nearly bounced with excitement.
"No wonder you didn't fall for School Belle Yin—turns out you already knew a top-tier beauty like that!"
Su Ping looked at him suspiciously.
It could only be said that Li Shu had seen too little—or that the earlier scene had not been directed at him.
Otherwise, Zhou Shuchen and Sun Chaoju were perfect examples.
"And since when did Yin Yin have feelings for me? Stop spouting nonsense," Su Ping said helplessly.
Before his words had even settled, a voice rang out behind him.
"That's right! Li Shu, don't talk nonsense!"
Li Shu turned around.
Sure enough, it was Zhou Shuchen and the rest of their classmates, who had just gone to pay their deposits and had now returned.
Among them was Yin Yin herself, her face slightly flushed—clearly having overheard the conversation.
However, the earlier incident had clearly dampened Zhou Shuchen's arrogance somewhat. Still, seeing that Qin Xiaoxue was no longer around, he visibly relaxed.
He stared hatefully at Su Ping.
Originally, he had merely disliked Su Ping, but there had been no open conflict.
After graduation, however, only he and Su Ping had been singled out by Director Zhang as having potential.
The difference was—
He had gladly accepted Director Zhang's recommendation, persuaded his parents to pool their life savings, and paid the down payment to purchase a Commander-tier pet beast: the Redfang Tiger.
Although he had signed a contract with Fire King Corporation and taken on loans totaling several million, he believed it was worth it.
For a superior future.
For becoming a powerful Beast Tamer.
For making his parents proud and letting them live better lives.
What was a bit of hardship now?
Yet this guy—Su Ping—had actually rejected Director Zhang's goodwill?
Wasn't it just because his family had some money?
What was so impressive about Su Ping?
His first contracted pet beast was just a Forest Wolf. Even if Forest Wolves had elite-peak potential, they still paled in comparison to a Redfang Tiger.
With better options available, choosing a Forest Wolf instead—
Wasn't that just self-degradation?
And on top of that, he had abandoned Linzhou City, with its broader prospects, to inherit some Beast Tamer base out in the suburbs.
In Zhou Shuchen's eyes, this was nothing but laziness—choosing to lie flat and live off family wealth.
How could someone like that compare to me, someone struggling against fate with everything I have?
As Zhou Shuchen imagined his future rise, he sometimes felt so moved by his own perseverance that he wanted to cry.
And Su Ping?
Compared to his own destiny as a future Beast Tamer powerhouse, what was Su Ping?
What did he really have?
Other than the land deed to the Heart of Wood Forest Wolf cultivation base, facilities and resources worth tens of millions, and dozens of Forest Wolves also worth tens of millions—
What else did he have?!
Nothing more than a dull, foreseeable second half of life.
As for him, Zhou Shuchen?
Aside from a few million in debt, he had a bright future, vast prospects, and the heart of a Beast Tamer striving for greatness.
That was enough.
And yet—
The strong drew their swords against the stronger.
The weak swung their fists at the weaker.
Thus, Zhou Shuchen dared not show the slightest hostility toward Qin Xiaoxue, who could summon a Life Ancient Tree.
But now that she had left, the hatred in his gaze toward Su Ping only intensified.
Su Ping truly did not want to bother with him. After a glance, he turned his attention to Yin Yin in the crowd and smiled openly.
"Yin Yin, sorry about that. Li Shu's always been like this—no filter. Don't take it to heart."
As No. 6 High School's recognized school belle, Yin Yin's looks needed no explanation. The only slight pity was her rather flat figure.
Meeting Su Ping's smile, she smiled back gently.
"It's fine. Besides… he wasn't wrong."
"Oho~!"
As soon as the words left her mouth, Yin Yin's face flushed slightly red. The surrounding classmates immediately erupted into cheers.
Li Shu let out a couple of exaggerated howls.
Such was youthful temperament.
But Su Ping knew—
What Yin Yin truly thought was another matter entirely.
After several years as classmates, Su Ping understood her well. She was mature, clear-minded, and very aware of what she wanted—unlike most girls her age.
Otherwise, she would not have become the acknowledged "school belle" of No. 6 High School.
She was quite similar to Zhou Shuchen in that she refused to remain ordinary, though she was far more calculating—and far less prone to losing herself in moments of success.
Still, Su Ping did not care.
After graduation, they belonged to different worlds.
Though, truth be told, he did rather admire this school belle.
However, while Su Ping did not care—
Someone else clearly did.
Who did not admire youth and beauty?
Yin Yin's looks needed no praise, and the title of "school belle" was, if anything, even more stimulating to the male students.
Before, Zhou Shuchen had not given it much thought.
But now, it was different.
Listening to the cheers around him, Zhou Shuchen clenched his fists.
This time, when he came here, he had believed without question that he should be the center of attention.
Yet once again, Su Ping had stolen the spotlight—just like back in school.
But now, he finally had the means to fight back.
With a sudden leap, Zhou Shuchen jumped into the center of the open-air training arena and shouted:
"We came here to train pet beast battles, not to flirt! Wasting our time is one thing—but don't waste Director Zhang's or Brother Jin's time!"
At his words, everyone's attention turned toward him.
Meeting their gazes, Zhou Shuchen fixed his eyes on Su Ping.
"Su Ping—how about we have a match?"
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