Genius Beast Taming: Starting from Awakening an S-Rank Talent

Subsequently, Zhou Heng suggested having a private talk with Liu Yao, and the Qingyang Guild Master, Yougui Wang, readily agreed.

Zhou Heng, Li Lang, and Liu Yao then left the main hall, leaving the Zhou family patriarch and matriarch to continue entertaining Qingyang Guild Master Yougui Wang and his entourage, while also finalizing some specific details of the cooperation between the two sides.

Outside the Ruilin Hall was a plaza paved with green jade. Zhou Heng and Li Lang walked side by side, with Liu Yao following not too far behind.

A refreshing breeze swept across their faces, ruffling the hems of their clothes.

Zhou Heng suddenly spoke up: "Liu Yao, now that we're all alone, tell me honestly, how have you been doing in the Qingyang Society these past few years?"

Liu Yao was taken aback, then he sighed deeply: "Young Alliance Leader, now only you are willing to care about me. To be honest, the Qingyang Society doesn't officially distinguish between aristocratic families, powerful clans, poor families, and commoners, but in reality, it is still clearly hierarchical and quite dependent on background. Fortunately, my talent is considered relatively good in the Qingyang Society, and my master, Protector Qin, has treated me quite well. Apart from being a little unaccustomed to it when I first went to the Qingyang Society, it gradually got much better."

As he spoke, a complex emotion tinged with sorrow appeared on his face: "Until three years ago, when your awakening of your SSS-level second talent was announced, my life took another major turn because I was once your classmate."

Li Lang was completely puzzled: "Didn't you gain a lot of benefits from this? Why do you look so gloomy?"

Liu Yao quickly explained, "Young Master Li, you may not know this, but because of this matter, I did gain the attention of the president and others, and received many benefits. I also received preferential treatment in terms of resources. However, I found that since then, everyone in the Qingyang Society has kept their distance from me. They are increasingly polite to me, but no one truly confides in me, not even my master. Moreover, since the Qingyang Society made contact with the young leader by sending out a large amount of resources, I have actually become less useful to the Qingyang Society."

Zhou Heng raised an eyebrow: "Could it be that Qingyang will abandon you after using you and directly reduce the resources allocated to you?"

Liu Yao finally spoke his mind, saying, "No, it's just that I feel like Qingyang is on guard against me."

He analyzed, "Initially, the Qingyang Society was willing to accept me because I had no relatives or friends in the Alliance, and even had mortal enemies eyeing me. At that time, I had nowhere else to turn but to the Qingyang Society, so they trusted me. But now it's different. You are the Alliance's minor leader, with a prestigious position, and you cherish the memory of our time as classmates. If I wanted, I could directly join your side. The Qingyang Society's efforts in relying on me could easily be in vain, and even their secrets might be leaked. Of course, I would never do that. But I can't stop others from thinking that way, so the higher-ups of the Qingyang Society inevitably have doubts about me."

Zhou Heng deliberately steered Liu Yao to reveal more: "According to you, the Qingyang Society has a lot of ulterior motives!"

Although Liu Yao had no shortage of resources, he felt somewhat repressed in Qingyang. Now, seeing his former classmates Zhou Heng and Li Lang, he could finally speak more freely.

He then spoke more: "Young Alliance Leader, don't be fooled by the fact that the Qingyang Society has a good relationship with you now, and even wants to cooperate deeply with the Shenlong Zhou family. In reality, based on my observations in the Qingyang Society over the years, the three societies and the four sects seem to follow two different paths on the surface, often engaging in open and covert struggles. However, when facing outsiders, they will definitely unite. To the aristocratic families, both sides are essentially enemies. To put it bluntly, one is a radical and the other a moderate, and they are just putting on a show together."

Liu Yao suddenly remembered his identity as a member of the Qingyang Society, and quickly added a disclaimer: "Of course, I know I can't hide these things from you, so I just said it casually."

Zhou Heng listened carefully to what Liu Yao had to say before turning to him and asking, "There's no one else here. Tell me quietly, if I want to know the secrets of the Qingyang Society, will you tell me?"

Liu Yao's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly bowed, saying, "Young Alliance Leader, I am very grateful that you did not kick me when I was down, and later even allowed me to gain many benefits in the Qingyang Society by virtue of your influence. However, the Qingyang Society also objectively provided me with protection when I was down, and at the same time spent resources to cultivate me. Although they were wary of me, it was only human nature, and objectively they did not wrong me. So I am very sorry, and if there is an opportunity in the future, I will definitely repay you. But if you ask me to betray the Qingyang Society, I really cannot do it."

Zhou Heng immediately adopted a gentle demeanor and patted Liu Yao on the shoulder: "You don't need to apologize, I won't make things difficult for you. Just stay in the Qingyang Society. If one day you really can't stay any longer, come find me. The Canglan Plane is vast and boundless, there will always be a place for you."

Liu Yao was sweating profusely, but could only force a smile: "Thank you for your understanding, Little Alliance Leader."

Zhou Heng knew he wouldn't get anything useful out of you, so he changed to a safer topic: "Alright, let's not talk about this anymore, let's talk about something lighter! I noticed that your aura has changed significantly since the last time you came. Upon closer inspection, you have indeed improved."

Liu Yao nodded: "Young Alliance Leader, your insight is truly remarkable. My main beast, the Thunderflame Flood Dragon, did indeed advance to the second level of the fourth rank some time ago."

Zhou Heng said gently, "Congratulations! As an S-level talent, it's quite an achievement that you've managed to cultivate your main beast to the second level of the fourth tier at this age."

Liu Yao's posture became even more respectful: "It's mainly because of you. If it weren't for our past relationship, Qingyang Society wouldn't have been pouring resources into me all these years, and I wouldn't have been able to cultivate the Thunder Flame Flood Dragon to the fourth level, second stage so quickly."

Zhou Heng recalled Liu Yao, who was extremely competitive in high school: "Back when we were still in No. 3 High School, you were already very hardworking, you don't need to be so humble."

Li Lang followed up, "Indeed, talent is the most important thing! You have the resources from the Qingyang Society, and I have the resources Aheng provides. We're not lacking in resources, and I might even be better off than you. But your Thunderflame Flood Dragon is already at the fourth rank, second level, while my Frost Bear King is still stuck at the third rank, eighth level. I'm afraid even by the time I graduate from university, I won't be able to advance to the fourth rank. A-rank talent can't compare to S-rank talent; that's the difference innate talent!"

Liu Yao kept looking for opportunities to flatter Zhou Heng: "S-level talent is nothing. Compared to the Little Alliance Leader's SSS-level talent, it's not even worthy of carrying his shoes."

Li Lang couldn't help but tease, "Liu Yao, you were so arrogant back then! How come you're saying things like that now?"