"???"
Zhou Ran looked on in confusion, his mind filled with countless questions.
What's going on?
Just a moment ago, they were questioning me, but now they're suddenly competing for me...
"Brother Lin, look how much these big shots like you. Why don't you just give in and join our treasure hunting team?" Li Feng laughed from the side.
"That's right, that's right. We're practically sworn brothers. Join us quickly." Han Chengyong invited Zhou Ran with sincere enthusiasm.
Zhou Ran smiled wryly but didn't respond.
"Hmph, look at this young man. He clearly has no interest in your treasure hunting team. Come on, our army is more suitable for you." Some officers behind Wu Qianhua also began to try to recruit Zhou Ran.
"What's it to you? You don't know anything, yet you're already talking nonsense."
"Go ahead, say that again!"
"What's the matter? If you don't like it, bite me!" ...
Some people weren't sure what was going on, but seeing the two elders competing for the young man, they instinctively joined in the competition, not wanting the other party to get him.
"System, can you take me away..." Zhou Ran asked the system helplessly.
"No, the host must resolve this on their own. This part is also part of the mission, and completing it will earn you 2,000 points." The system said indifferently.
"Damn it, not only are you not helping me, but you're also adding extra tasks. That's too shameless." Zhou Ran was utterly despairing.
"Old fox, we can fight over it, but why are the younger ones getting involved? It's all your fault," Wu Qianhua said.
"Don't blame me. He was just a temporary member of the treasure hunting team. Joining my team is perfectly normal. It's you who are jealous and insist on fighting over him," Duan Tianfeng said indifferently.
"Fine, your face is still as thick as ever. Never mind, the decision lies with this youngster. Even if we抢 the fiercest, it's all for nothing if he doesn't agree. Let's just ask his opinion directly."
"I believe he will make the right choice."
After the two elders reached an agreement, the camp fell silent instantly, and an extremely powerful aura emanated from their bodies, enveloping the entire camp.
"Everyone, be quiet!"
The people around them, who had been chatting and laughing, were instantly stunned by the voice. In an instant, they all shut their mouths and stood quietly.
"Really, what's there to argue about? The military and the treasure hunting team have been arguing for so many years, haven't they had enough?" Wu Qianhua said seriously.
Duan Tianfeng nodded in agreement, but kept smiling at Zhou Ran.
Everyone was left feeling wronged by the scolding.
It's all because of the example you two set. We're just following in your footsteps...
Zhou Ran, standing nearby, was also startled by the overwhelming aura, which was almost as intense as that of the Ghost-faced Blood Bat King earlier, though without the same murderous intent.
"Sorry, young man, for making you laugh. How about it? Have you decided?" Duan Tianfeng smiled at Zhou Ran.
"Um..."
"Actually, senior, I don't want to join the treasure hunting team yet. If there's a need in the future, I'll definitely join right away." Zhou Ran thought for a moment and said solemnly.
He felt helpless inside. Joining your treasure-hunting team would inevitably keep him busy every day, leaving no time to run his shop. Without the shop, where would the points come from...
"Haha! Old fox, I knew he wasn't interested in joining your treasure-hunting team. Young man, you have good judgment. A true man should join the army and defend his country!" Wu Qianhua smiled broadly.
"Senior Wu... actually..."
"I don't want to join the army either." Zhou Ran didn't expect this big shot to think he had chosen him, so he hurriedly explained.
"What! Are you afraid of death? What is a real man afraid of?" Wu Qianhua's smile vanished instantly, and he spoke with a hint of displeasure.
Zhou Ran felt incredibly distressed inside. I really am afraid of death!
I have an elderly mother at home who needs my care. I don't want to die young.
At this moment, I just want to be a lazybones...
Duan Tianfeng's smile also faded, and he said to Zhou Ran, "You've rejected both of us at once. Can you give us a reason?"
"Actually, I won't hide it from you two seniors. I'm just an ordinary person's child who happened to obtain a ninth-tier beast. But I've never even attended a proper beast academy. I studied the breeding specialty..."
"My mother is in poor health and needs my care, so I just want to run my breeding shop for now." Zhou Ran said helplessly.
"You say you've never even attended a beast academy? That's such a pity. Such a promising talent left to grow wild in the wilderness. I estimate you're at least a five-star beast tamer. To reach this level at such a young age, you're the most talented person I've ever seen in my life," Duan Tianfeng said, both surprised and delighted.
"Yes, young man, with your cultivation talent, you could easily become one of us in the future. Running a beast breeding shop is truly a waste of your talent," Duan Tianfeng added.
Zhou Ran was startled. His actual cultivation level was only a four-star beast tamer, and his ability to control a sixth-tier upper-tier Liu Ying Huan Yue Dog was merely due to the Supreme Beast Contract and Divine Mind Technique...
It seems that the Divine Mind Technique is indeed very powerful. Perhaps after cultivating for a while, I could even pretend to be a nine-star beast tamer.
"Elders, I appreciate your kindness. This is how it will be: once I have made up my mind, I will definitely pay you a visit." Zhou Ran composed himself and spoke firmly.
"Ah! Old fox, forget it. This kid clearly has some secret he can't tell us. Let him be. We'll wait until he's ready to talk." Wu Qianhua saw Zhou Ran speaking with unwavering resolve and eventually gave up.
"Alright, alright. Anyway, you're a temporary member of the treasure-hunting team. You can't run away. I'll come find you anytime." Duan Tianfeng shook his head and slowly walked away.
"Oh, here, take this. With this, you're no different from those officers. It's also a kind of temporary assignment. And take this boulder with you." Wu Qianhua handed Zhou Ran a medal with a sun on it, then left with Duan Tianfeng.
"Wow! He actually gave him the Taiheng Medal. You old fox is pretty cunning."
"Same here..."
Soon, the two elders entered the camp hall and did not come out again.
Zhou Ran looked at the medal in his hand and fell into deep thought.
What is this? I really shouldn't have been so flashy.
You stupid dog, why are you still sleeping...
After seeing the two elders leave, Han Chengyong hurried over, looking at the medal in Zhou Ran's hand with envy.
"Lin brother, what can I say about you? You could directly refuse an invitation from two big shots. I'm impressed!" Han Chengyong said helplessly.
"Haha! I just want to be a lazybones. By the way, what is this medal?" Zhou Ran chuckled dryly and suddenly asked.
"This is the Taiheng Medal. It is usually awarded to officers who have performed outstandingly or to promising newcomers with great potential. With this, no one in Xuancheng City will dare to stop you in the future..."
"And if you decide to join the military in the future, all you need to do is take this medal to the Military Affairs Office for registration, and you can join immediately. Typically, you'll be promoted directly to a senior officer. I'm truly envious of you." Han Chengyong said with great envy.
Countless people around them stared at Zhou Ran with eyes burning with both envy and jealousy...