Astral Pet Store (WN)

“Brand-new offering!”

“Rule the Elite League!”

“First come first served. Guaranteed admission to the Top 5 with limited availability. Only two spots open!!”

The dazzling flickered on the page. Primo didn’t have a spokesperson, but three. The positions of those three people spoke volumes as well. In the middle was an old man about seventy years old with gray hair on the temples. He was a refined and friendly-looking elderly. One look and people would regard him as a master, with a lofty virtue worthy of respect. Standing next to him was a man and a lady. The way they were presented in the was specially designed as well.

The man was youthful with bright eyes and thick eyebrows. He was Mu Yunfei, champion of the last Elite League.

The girl standing on the other side was well-dressed up. She had golden hair and blue eyes, a foreigner. She was Avril, an international star with a high reputation.

Su Ping found this interesting.

Master trainer, the last champion and an international star…

Three major celebrities!

Any one of the three going to any one of the Primo’s branch stores would drastically drive up visitor count to that store!

Not to mention that the three of them were promoting the Primo stores together. It would be hard for Primo not to become popular!

What’s with this Mu Yunfei? Isn’t he from the Mu Family? Why would he go and advertise for the Liu Family…

Su Ping was confused.

Mu Yunfei had started to advertise for Primo a long time before. His appearance in the was nothing personal against Su Ping.

Su Ping didn’t understand the many complicated relationships between the big families. But he had to admit that this combo of three was powerful. No wonder things were different after merely one night. “The Top 5?” Looking at the ad, Su Ping frowned.

Primo doesn’t give up, huh? Su Ping had just advertised a guaranteed admission to the Top 100 and Primo immediately claimed that they could promise the Top 50. Su Ping changed it to the Top 10 and Primo had launched a package for the Top 5. Top 5?

Su Ping read through some information about past Elite Leagues. Even at the base city levels, making it to the Top 5 was no easy matter. The participants would have to at least have a pet with a combat strength of around the eighth rank.

Also, the pets were not the only important players.

During a match, conditions would change quickly. A battle pet warrior’s own reaction and combat strength mattered as well.

This had to be taken into account. Therefore, to guarantee a Top 10 to someone, their pets would have to display a combat strength of the ninth rank. Only with such pets could Su Ping be confident that his customers could make it to the Top 10!

It wouldn’t be a problem with such pets, even if their masters were losers. They could just stand on the stage and let their pets do the rest.

Usually, a master trainer can’t train a pet to reach such a rank within such a short period of time, unless the pets they receive are at the upper position of the eighth rank, to begin with. Only with such pets can Primo claim they can propel people up to the Top 5!

Is Primo willing to risk their reputation just to compete with me? Or, have they thought of other plans? For example… bribing contestants after the competition?

Su Ping raised his eyebrows.

If it were the latter option, there was nothing he could do.

After all, the Primo stores had been in business for years and it was the Liu Family who was backing them, a family with a history of over a century. The store was resourceful and could afford to bribe the contestants.

Once Primo stole away all of Su Ping’s business, the money Primo could make would be enough for them to bribe many Top 10 contestants.

Su Ping fell silent.

Tang Ruyan had just refreshed herself and exited the bathroom. She darted a look at Su Ping but did not engage him in a conversation. She went to the door to continue her work as a greeter like the day before.

She secretly gave herself a pep talk, promising herself that someone would recognize her this day.

As time went on, gradually, some people came over. Afraid to get closer, they stood across the street and took pictures of the sleeping Inferno Dragon.

Tang Ruyan waited eagerly.

A moment later, she realized that those people were just taking pictures of the Inferno Dragon, not showing any intention to enter the store.

What is going on?

The store was crowded yesterday. How come no one came in today?

“Is there something wrong with your store?” Tang Ruyan shouted to Su Ping in dismay.

Her voice dragged Su Ping out of his ruminations. He looked at her and grinned. “I didn’t know you cared about the store’s business.”

“Hmm.”

I do not care about the store’s business. I care that no one’s coming, so no one can tip my family off about me!!

“I wonder how you can laugh when no one is coming,” Tang Ruyan sulked.

Su Ping replied with a smile.

He heard someone coming. Several young men stepped into the store.

“Do you have any spots left for the Top 10 package?” a young man asked Tang Ruyan as soon as he came in.

This young man didn’t seem to be surprised to see her. Tang Ruyan knew that he had failed to recognize her. What a waste of time. Pulling a long face, Tang Ruyan said, “Yes. Just get to the counter.”

Those young men found it strange that the greeter would be so distant. But they didn’t mind that on account of her charming looks. They nodded and headed to the counter.

The store appeared to be deserted with no other customers present, which took those young men by surprise. However, they didn’t think too much of it.

“Are you the boss? I want the Top 10 package. Money is not an issue. Are you sure that you can guarantee I can make it to the Top 10?” A young man stood by the counter and gazed at Su Ping solemnly.

“Naturally,” Su Ping answered.

The young man kept his eyes fixed on Su Ping for three more seconds before he extended his hand to another person standing next to him, who gave him a thin, metal card at once.

It would cost dozens of coins just to make that one name card.

“I am Zhou Chuan. This is my card. What should I call you, sir?”

“My surname is Su.”

Su Ping took over the card and read it. This person was a board director of some company. He was young and surnamed Zhou. Su Ping understood who his customer was.

But Su Ping remained composed. Zhou Chuan was surprised by that, because he was sure that Su Ping could guess his identity. Su Ping had invested heavily in his promotion and hired Mu Shuangwan to advertise for him. He had to have an idea of who the big shots in the base city were.

“What do I need to provide for the training?” Zhou Chuan asked.

“A sixth-rank pet and money.”

“A sixth-rank pet? Are you sure?” Zhou Chuan looked at Su Ping, wondering if he had misspoken. Zhou Chuan was aiming for the Top 10, which required pets of the eighth-rank at the very least. What was the meaning of training… a sixth-rank pet?

“Yes, I am sure. I have written it in the details. Have you not read it?” Su Ping answered with a question.

Zhou Chuan had read it for sure. It was just that he merely regarded it as a stunt to generate some social buzz. He didn’t think Su Ping would ask anyone to give him a sixth-rank pet and money and say for sure that said person could make it to the Top 10.

It was the Elite League. Over a million in a base city would participate in the qualification trials.

A sixth-rank pet… Even reaching the Top 1000 would be barking at the moon, not to mention the Top 10!

“How can you be sure?” Zhou Chuan fixed his eyes on Su Ping. He was serious. He could not afford to make a joke there. He was practically gambling by choosing Su Ping’s store. This Elite League was important to him!

“Can I swear on my moral quality?” Su Ping asked.

Zhou Chuan curled his lips.

I am not joking!

Your moral quality? Why are you talking about your moral quality when I am talking about business!!

All businessmen are unethical. Do you even have moral quality?

“I will train your pet for the first round tomorrow. You can come back and see the results. If you are unhappy, I can refund you for the following procedure.” Su Ping did not bother to waste his time explaining. He would convince Zhou Chuan with facts.

Zhou Chuan frowned in deep thought.

The young man next to him asked, “Then, what about the money for the first round of training? Won’t you refund that?”

“No,” Su Ping replied, “What if you’re happy about the results? If you just insist that you’re not happy, then I will stand to lose. Right?”

“Of course not. We are not here to mess up your store. Who do you think we are? Mr. Zhou is the Zhou Family’s…”

Before he could finish his words, Zhou Chuan had made his decision. He stopped the young man.

“Okay.”

Zhou Chuan accepted the terms.

Su Ping took out the contract. “Take a look. Sign and make the transfer if you don’t have any questions.”

Zhou Chuan read through the contract and didn’t find any traps. He transferred the money to Su Ping right away.