"Stop arguing. The ten slots to Hanwu Kingdom's Sebei City has been filled up. If you wish to head there, come back tomorrow!"
"We still have three empty seats for Jibei City of Anyuan Kingdom! Hurry up, before it is too late!"
"The youngling of the Tongxuan realm savage beast Red-tailed Fox is for sale here. Interested buyers, take this opportunity…."
...
All kinds of ruckus and noise could be heard from the crowd ahead.
"Xuanluo Mountain Range borders ten kingdoms. Beiwu Kingdom, Hanwu Kingdom, Tianxuan Kingdom... All of them travel here to trade. Everyday, plenty of people visits the Beast Hall, especially those who wish to travel long distances. However, given the limited number of savage beasts in the entire Beast Hall and the huge traveling crowd, it is impossible for the supply to meet demand. Thus, one has to queue in advance; a few had waited for several weeks, but are still unable to get a seat!"
Watching the bustle, Yun Tao explained.
"They were unable to get seats even after several weeks?" Zhang Xuan was taken aback.
Zhang Xuan had already guessed that it was impossible for the Beast Hall to possess sufficient savage beasts to meet the demand, but he hadn’t expected such a queue.
Compared to waiting here for several weeks, it might be faster for him to just ride the Gold Alloyed Panther to Tianwu Kingdom instead.
"Elder, don't worry!" Upon seeing his expression, Yun Tao chuckled. "Once I complete the examination and become an official beast tamer, I be able to request an aerial savage beast for elder immediately so that you won't have to wait like the others!"
Hearing his words, Zhang Xuan heaved a sigh of relief.
Most occupations gave privileges to their own members.
For example, apothecaries are given preference and a discount in purchasing pills.
The Beast tamer occupation is no different.
Others would have to queue and pray to get a slot in order to ride a savage beast . But it is a different story for official beast tamers. They are allowed to skip the normal queue and directly access any savage beasts, thus saving time.
"Then... let's go complete your examination!"
Upon witnessing the incredible queue, Zhang Xuan felt his goosebumps rise. Thus, he immediately turned to Yun Tao and said.
"Un, the examination site is over here!" Yun Tao led the way.
On their journey there, the passers-by would step aside immediately upon seeing Zhang Xuan's tall and ferocious Gold Alloyed Panther.
At this moment, the Gold Alloyed Panther had already withdrawn the sharp aura it had exuded after reaching Tongxuan realm. Thus, at this moment, other than its massive size, it wasn’t too different from how it was before. At first glance, others would simply think that it was still at Pixue realm.
However, even if it were just a Pixue realm savage beast, no one was willing to get on its bad side. It wasn't because of the strength of the savage beast, but because they were in the Beast Hall. A person who was able to bring such a huge savage beast around must have connections around. He would either be an apprentice or a beast tamer, and regardless, both aren’t people they could offend.
Thus, without anyone obstructing the way, they proceeded swiftly through the Beast Hall. Before long, they arrived before a massive room with the words 'Beast Tamer Examination' hung outside.
In comparison to the apothecary examination hall, the room was much wider.
"There's quite some time before the examination ends. Let's first enter and take a seat!"
Thinking that he would be able to become an official beast tamer soon, Yun Tao's eyes gleamed with exhilaration. With a bright smile, he lifted his feet and walked toward the room.
"Isn't that Yun Tao? Why are you back so quickly? Is it because you have given up on the examination and decided to come back alone?"
A voice with a mocking tone rang out of a sudden.
Turning his head to take a look, it was a young man, who led several subordinates and a gigantic Tiger Head Beast, strutting in their direction.
The Tiger Head Beast was larger in size than the Gold Alloyed Panther and the aura it emanated was much more fearsome. It felt as though it was capable of tearing apart the heavens.
Nevertheless, it was still lacking in its cultivation, being just Pixue realm primary stage.
"This is the sixth prince of Beichen Kingdom, Zhu Jinhuang. He has always been at loggerheads with our prince..."
Sensing Zhang Xuan's confusion, Yun Tao's subordinate whispered to Zhang Xuan.
"Beichen Kingdom?"
A book about the geography and containing maps appeared in Zhang Xuan's mind.
Just like Hanwu Kingdom, Beichen was also a Tier 2 Kingdom. As they were close neighbors, there was constant friction between the two countries, and they could be considered as rivals. Belonging to the royal family of each kingdom, it was natural that they would view one another with hostility.
"Actually, their grudge isn't... because of their country's background, but..."
Before Yun Tao's subordinate could finish his words, footsteps rang and another group approached.
"Jinhuang, how can you say so? Don't you see that Gold Alloyed Panther behind him? With such a huge fellow, he will surely pass the examination!" A white-robed young man chuckled softly. But then, he frowned and continued, "Just that... Doesn’t it seem that the Gold Alloyed Panther isn’t intimate with him? It can't be that it isn't his tamed beast!"
It sounded as if he was here to absolve Yun Tao from his awkward situation, but his lips were curled up in ridicule.
"This is the ninth prince of Qianyuan Kingdom, Zhou Xuan. He isn't on good terms with our prince as well..." Yun Tao's subordinates continued explaining.
Qianyuan Kingdom was also a Tier 2 Kingdom, and it wasn't too far from the Beast Hall. However, it was on the opposite side of the Xuanluo Mountain Range from Tianxuan Kingdom, closer to Tianwu Kingdom.
"Oh, I only noticed it now that you spoke of it!"
Glancing at the Gold Alloyed Panther who was intimate with another unknown youngster instead of Yun Tao, Zhu Jinhuang chuckled, "Yun Tao, it can't be that you failed to tame a savage beast and found someone to borrow one in your stead? If that's the case, I advise you to be careful. If the Beast Hall were to find out about this matter, you will be barred from the examinations for life. By then, you can only leave obediently!"
There were clear rules in the Beast Hall, and if a beast tamer used another person's savage beast for the examination, once found out, that person would be barred from the beast tamer examination for life. In other words, he would never become an official beast tamer.
As fellow apprentice beast tamers, Zhou Xuan and Zhu Jinhuang possessed superb eye of discernment as well. With a single glance, they were able to tell that the Gold Alloyed Panther was only close to Zhang Xuan. Clearly, it wasn't Yun Tao's tamed beast.
"Hehe, once he fails that examination, I would like to see how he dares to continue pursuing Mo Yu xiaojie!" Zhou Xuan said.
"Pursue? He should be escape as far as he can! Given the incredible talents Mo Yu xiaojie possesses, someone like him will never match up to her!" Zhu Jinhuang harrumphed coldly.
"Me, unqualified? None of you are any better than me, so stop making a fool out of yourselves here. Why don't you pass the beast tamer examination before spouting such nonsense?" Seeing the two of them ganging up against him, Yun Tao flung his sleeves furiously.
"Is that so? You seem quite confident! We'll see how you cry later on then. It is not just about passing the beast tamer examination, I would like to see what grade you are capable of obtaining!"
Zhou Xuan said.
"Worry for yourself! I'm afraid that you won't even obtain a grade-3!" Yun Tao said.
"You..." Zhou Xuan narrowed his eyes. "I hope that you can continue being that confident after the examination."
"Hmph!"
The trio stared at one another in hostility, none of them seeming to possess the intention to back out.
Hearing their words, Zhang Xuan understood the situation immediately. Their rivalry wasn't because of their countries, but a lady named Mo Yu.
"Mo Yu xiaojie is a famous genius among the apprentice beast tamers. Currently, she's undergoing the beast tamer examination along with all of the princes. Due to her beauty and capability, these princes, hailing from different countries, are all infatuated with her, and they fight secretly in the shadows, hoping to gain her favor..."
Yun Tao's subordinate told Zhang Xuan via zhenqi transmission.
Upon knowing the reason, Zhang Xuan shook his head.
As princes, they were thought to be disputing over territories or such. To think that it would be because of a woman.
"It's Mo Yu xiaojie!"
"Quick, look at that savage beast behind her..."
"How incredible!"
...
The trio were in a glaring at one another when a commotion broke out and a slim figure slowly walked over.
Behind her, a towering eagle followed. Steel-backed with golden wings, its eyes were sharp as though lightning, causing its viewers to put on their guards subconsciously.
"A Tongxuan realm savage beast?" Zhang Xuan's expression turned grim.
This eagle has reached the strength of a Tongxuan realm advanced stage, and it is much stronger than his Gold Alloyed Panther.
Furthermore, vaguely, Zhang Xuan could feel something reminiscent of a storm within its aura. Most probably, the eagle possesses speed comparable to the strange bird previously, exceeding it even.
"Mo Yu xiaojie!"
Upon seeing the figure, Yun Tao, Zhu Jinhuang, and Zhou Xuan's eyes lit up. They hurried to welcome her.
"So this person is Mo Yu?"
Only after examining the eagle did Zhang Xuan's gaze finally land on the slim figure in front.
Around twenty-three or twenty-four-year-old, she was dressed in a light green robe which displayed her beautiful figure perfectly. Her lustrous hair which trailed down to her slim waist, coupled with her white smooth skin made her a unique beauty.
In terms of her beauty, she was in no way inferior to Shen Bi Ru. In fact, she wasn't too far from Zhao Ya after triggering the ten percent of the Pure Yin Body Consitution.
While she was beautiful, she had an extremely cold expression. Toward Yun Tao and the others, she disregarded them altogether.
"As expected of Mo Yu xiaojie, your skills are indeed incredible!" Zhu Jinhuang walked up to her with a smile. "A Tongxuan realm Viridescent Eagle, probably you are the only one who is capable of taming it. I'm impressed!"
"Of course, it's just a mere Viridescent Eagle. Any savage beast would be willing to submit to Mo Yu xiaojie immediately!"
Zhou Xuan chuckled.
Toward the flattery of the two, Mo Yu xiaojie simply glanced at them impassively. Gazing about, she saw Shen Bi Ru and froze for a moment. Then, she walked over.
"You came here to take the beast master examination? What about Han Qiong? Is she here?"
Her voice was crisp and moving, but it felt distant and foreign.
"She didn't come. I came here with another friend." Shen Bi Ru pointed at Zhang Xuan.
Mo Yu xiaojie glanced at Zhang Xuan casually before turning away, as though his presence meant nothing at all. Without saying anything, she walked into the room.
Even though they had been disregarded, Zhu Jinhuang and the others didn't seem displeased at all. They hurriedly followed her in.
"You two know each other?" Unbothered with Mo Yu xiaojie's disregard, he turned to look at Shen laoshi doubtfully.
"I met her with I was here with Han Qiong the previous time." Shen Bi Ru nodded her head.
"Is she really just a talented apprentice beast tamer?" Zhang Xuan asked.
No matter how beautiful that lady was and how talented she was in beast taming, it shouldn't be possible for the princes of three great kingdoms to be fawning on her like that.
Regardless of whether it was Beichen, Qianyuan, or Hanwu, as Tier 2 Kingdoms, they should have a sizeable number of beast tamers in their country. As she is a mere apprentice, there was no reason for the princes to talk to her so subserviently.
In a Tier 2 Kingdom, not even a master teacher apprentice has such standing.
Along with the rise in the tier of the kingdom, the stronger the monarchy becomes. Unless one is a high-tier member of his occupation, he would simply be disregarded by the royal family. Only in small countries like Tianxuan Kingdom would an emperor treat a master teacher apprentice with utmost respect.
"Indeed, she isn't a mere apprentice beast tamer. I've heard Han Qiong speak of it once, she possesses another identity... The third princess of Tianwu Kingdom!" Shen Bi Ru pondered for a moment before replying.
"The third princess of Tianwu Kingdom?" Zhang Xuan finally understood the reason.
This is more like it.
As a Tier 1 Kingdom, Tianwu Kingdom is the dominant power among the surrounding twelve kingdoms.
As a princess of Tianwu Kingdom, Mo Yu's identity is much more noble than the royal family of those smaller kingdoms. If they were to marry her, as the prince consort, they would gain a powerful backing in their fight for the throne in their kingdoms.
It seems that Zhu Jinhuang, Zhou Xuan, and Yun Tao all have the same idea in mind.
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