As they were chatting, an elderly man with white hair entered the hall. He walked up to a receptionist, who then gestured to Fengyu.

Turning to them, the old man had various thoughts, his steps quickening, arriving in front of them in just a moment.

Cupping his fists, he greeted, "Greetings, fellow daoists, I am Spiritual Guide Li!"

The sound proofing spell only blocked the sound inside but not that outside, so hearing this, Fengyu turned his head and cupped his hands in greeting while dispersing the spell, "Greetings Guide Li! I am Fengyu and this is my companion Zimu!" he introduced himself and the most important person of this transaction.

Shanqing only nodded to the man and stood up, "Then I will take care of my own business! I will visit your field next time I have a chance."

Fengyu nodded with a smile, really hoping this friend would come around.

"Spirit Guide Li, let’s directly cut to the chase. I want a cultivation set for my companion Zimu here, a set directly leading to the peak stage, worth around 100 contribution points monthly!"

The guide was a bit surprised and sat down, using his own sound proofing spell as he asked, "Fellow daoist, are you sure you want a set for your beast friend? Us Guides’ abilities are best used on humans!"

"No, I want it only for Zimu." Fengyu didn’t give any room for discussion.

Guide Li looked at this and was unsure how to proceed. If it was a cultivator, he would definitely give his all and even reduce the price to make them stick. A half-beast was still fine, but a beast was simply too difficult to control, especially since as companions, they’re likely going to sign a lifelong contract, so what was the use of his minimal influence?

After a moment’s thought he internally shook his head before nodding to Fengyu, asking, "Can I inspect this duck to form a plan directly?"

Fengyu naturally agreed and the guide hovered his hands over Zimu while his eyes gleamed with different lights.

A short while passed in this process while the man was making various plans in his mind.

After completing his inspection, he took back his hands and said, "I can indeed make a plan for 100 contribution points, but if it’s raised to 129 points then I can make the most fitting plan currently, and at 290 I can give you the best available plan, ensuring your companion reaches the peak stage in five to ten years!" Guide Li said after a serious evaluation.

’Should I take the highest plan?’ Fengyu instantly questioned in his mind, ’Based on my estimations I should be able to gain enough contribution points and have some surplus...’

Although he couldn’t be sure and it would be a bit of a risk if he just calculated based on guesses, he still thought that it wasn’t a large risk.

He had saved over 15 contribution points for nine months, earning him some over 130 contribution points. If he wanted to take the best plan, he’d have to wait a month. Afterwards he should have a good idea of how many contribution points he gains monthly, so it was really not that big of a risk.

"Guide Li, I have some things to consider, but I am more inclined to the 290 point plan. I will inform you next month about my decision. How can I contact you?"

"Just inform the staff here that you’d like to see me." the guide waved his hand then stood up, not really interested in this anymore.

After he left, Fengyu walked to the receptionist who had helped him at the start and asked, "Are all guides like this?"

The receptionist looked cautious and explained in a soft voice as if afraid of being overheard, "All guides are plotting for the cultivator’s lives they take care of. Guide Li is specialised in helping humans and less so in helping beasts. I can try to get another guide, but the result would be that they might have a higher control over the beast in the end."

Fengyu’s eyes widened in shock, while internally being grateful the receptionist had considered it and directly called forth a guide not specialised in beasts.

He directly chose not to switch the guide as he had considered.

"By the way, I wanted to ask. I have an opportunity to make a request - how long does it usually take to get rare materials of the second stage?" he asked the receptionist his other question.

Hearing it wasn’t as dangerous as the previous question, the receptionist sighed a breath of relief and answered, "Usually second stage rare materials have a waiting time of up to 10 years. We recommend cultivators make this request as early as possible. Even if one made the wrong choice, one can still trade with other inner citizens for the item they want."

"Ten years... then let’s make a request right away. I need a second stage rare material assisting the breakthrough of a duck beast to the second stage."

The receptionist nodded and tapped a few times on the tablet, then pressed on a button. Instantly a screen appeared on the reception desk on Fengyu’s side.

There were five items listed, each with name and description as well as use and rarity.

Looking over them, he directly crossed out two he thought were unfit, then inspected the remaining three -

[Mountain Cliff Spiritual Pool Liquid]

A spiritual liquid born in a high mountain cliff pool, containing the elemental affinities of Wind and Water. Can be used by both humans and beasts as breakthrough material if they have strong accompanying affinities.

[Giant Duck Heart]

The heart of a giant variant of a duck at the second stage. Can be eaten by duck beasts to enhance their bloodline, increase the chance of gigantification and also allow them to break through to the second stage.

[True Spirit Water Pool]

A type of pool that water-type beasts can swim in to absorb water power and slowly rise to the second stage over a course of ten years.