Previously, even though Lee Zhen had promised to help Lin Chen, Lin Chen couldn’t just keep taking advantage of him.
Lin Chen had a "bad" habit; if it was an outsider, he would take what he could. But once he became familiar with someone, he found it harder to make demands.
By evening, Lin Chen and his companions finally arrived at the Tai Niu Institute. Upon hearing of Lin Chen’s arrival, Zhu He hurried over.
"If Dean Zhu is busy, there’s no need to entertain us," Lin Chen noticed that the other was preoccupied.
"It’s just that this competition we hosted was too successful, so there are a lot of social engagements," Zhu He chuckled and then got straight to the point, saying, "Your reward is ready, please follow me."
Afterwards, Zhu He led Lin Chen inside the Tai Niu Institute.
The reason for not awarding the prize in public was because the Heart of the Ox King required careful preservation, and there was also concern about someone attacking them for it.
After all, the market value of the Heart of the Ox King was exceedingly high, and even a powerful family like the Li Family probably didn’t have much of it.
"Why don’t I just send all the rewards to the guild to give to Chairman Lee? I’m worried about Lin Chen and his team getting hurt," Zhu He remembered that Lee Zhen was absent and suggested this plan, "I’ll be sure to spread the word later."
"Thank you, Chairman Zhu." Lin Chen cupped his hands in gratitude.
Zhu He smiled, and as they passed by the inner courtyard of the Tai Niu Institute, Lin Chen saw workers in construction and there was a painting next to them that looked a bit like Xiaobai.
"In the future, we plan to host the Cow King Competition regularly. We’re thinking of making it a cultural hallmark of Black Mountain City and building a champion statue here..." Zhu He explained.
Lin Chen glanced at Xiaobai, but clearly, it didn’t understand what a champion statue was, so it looked puzzled.
Finally, Zhu He took Lin Chen to see the Heart of the Ox King.
The Heart of the Ox King was a plant about twenty meters long, rumored to thrive best where ox-type Beast Kings emerged, making it extremely hard to find.
The specimen found by Black Mountain City this time was relatively well-preserved.
"Here’s the user manual for the Heart of the Ox King, and some combinations of auxiliary materials. If there’s anything you don’t understand, you can come to me or find Xu Youzhen," Zhu He thoughtfully handed a manual to Lin Chen.
Lin Chen once again expressed his thanks.
After showing Lin Chen the reward, Zhu He hurriedly left, and Lin Chen went to meet with Xu Youzhen.
"Leaving tomorrow?" Xu Youzhen stared at Xiaobai...
Honestly, he really hoped Lin Chen would stay so he could study Xiaobai more carefully.
"The Beast Tide in Jiuxing City seems to have subsided, we haven’t been home for so long and we really miss it," Lin Chen admitted frankly.
"Indeed, it’s been over a month since you left," Xu Youzhen understood.
Lin Chen stayed for a while longer, sharing some insights with Xu Youzhen.
Xu Youzhen gained a lot from the conversation, as he had always wondered why cattle were so diligent yet slow to upgrade.
Lin Chen enlightened him that it might be related to the temperament of oxen.
Bulls are easily stubborn and get stuck in their ways.
Therefore, they must be correctly guided from a young age.
"I’ll record it down," Xu Youzhen said seriously.
After chatting for nearly two hours and having a meal, Xu Youzhen and Jiang Yue saw them off from the Tai Niu Institute.
"What are you thinking?" Xu Youzhen asked Jiang Yue, "You didn’t actually fall for him, did you?"
"I’m wondering if its Plowhorn Beast is a new direction or just an anomaly," Jiang Yue replied thoughtfully.
If it’s a direction, future Plowhorn Beasts might become terrifyingly powerful, even surpassing most Combat Pets.
But if it’s an anomaly, it’ll be the only one of its kind.
The difference is significant.
Xu Youzhen, hearing this, said directly, "I’ve thought about that too, but the answer likely won’t come until Xiaobai evolves."
The next day, Lin Chen got up and confirmed the news that Jiuxing City had indeed reopened.
The speed of reopening this time was surprisingly quick.
After breakfast, Lin Chen and his companions didn’t linger and rode the Gale Beast back to Jiuxing City.
They reached their destination by afternoon.
However, it was different from what they imagined; Jiuxing City appeared very peaceful and not the battleground they had expected.
Returning here, all four of them felt extremely comfortable, even though their stay in Black Mountain City wasn’t bad, they still preferred their little city.
They first went to the guild, and as soon as they entered, many people came to congratulate Lin Chen.
The two cities were close, and such a big event naturally spread quickly.
Lin Chen politely thanked them and went to the office to find Lee Zhen.
"You’re back?" Lee Zhen’s face was dark when he saw Lin Chen.
"Chairman, I don’t think I’ve offended you," Lin Chen was puzzled.
"Thanks to you, our previous relic expedition was for nothing," Lee Zhen said.
Lin Chen was even more puzzled, so Lee Zhen explained, "Black Mountain City is the realm of the Plowhorn Beasts, and after your victory, its popularity soared. Who would come to Jiuxing City to contract a Divine Fox now?"
"That can’t be blamed on me," Lin Chen chuckled wryly.
Lee Zhen glanced at the Little Fox and said, "Why don’t you contract it soon and train it into a powerhouse?"
The Little Fox’s pupils widened at the mention...
Waiting is truly agonizing.
"....." Lin Chen was speechless.
Leveling up as a Beastmaster in the early stages is very slow, mainly because they only have one Spirit Beast.
Once they reach level 10 and acquire a second Spirit Beast, the pace will significantly increase.
Lin Chen told him about the reward, and Lee Zhen nodded, saying, "Good thing he thought it through, or else there might really have been danger, you owe him a favor."