Zhou Tiangang changed the subject.
"My Qiongqiong is also preparing for the Research Institute exam."
"I asked her to copy a set of her notes for you."
"Your efficiency is too low just chewing through the books on your own."
"When she adds your contact info, remember to accept it."
Yi Tian said "Uh," feeling he didn't really need it, but refusing would seem too unkind, so he could only agree.
After chatting a bit more, they hung up. Not long after, the phone dinged.
It arrived.
He clicked to accept the friend request.
Looking at the profile picture, it was a cute little bear.
Zhou Qiong: Hello, I am Zhou Qiong. My dad told me about you.
[File] [File]
Zhou Qiong: Good luck! Zhou Qiong: Strive to pass within two years. I'll wait for you at the Research Institute! (Work hard!)
She had more confidence in him than Yi Ying. Yi Ying said ten years; Zhou Qiong said two years.
Yi Tian typed a lot of words and then deleted them.
Finally, he sent:
"Thank you."
Closing the chat window with Zhou Qiong, he habitually clicked open the class group.
Most people were still chatting about how to get started with cultivation techniques.
Meanwhile, Yi Tian was already preparing to pass the vocational exam.
Shaking his head.
"We are really drifting further and further apart."
The following days were very plain. Just two days before the Research Institute exam date.
Song Wei called again.
"Student Yi Tian, there is a business deal I want to make with you. See if you are interested?"
Yi Tian was a bit puzzled and continued listening.
"Our commerce chamber wants to hire you as a spokesperson. The requirement is simple: let your Stone Monkey cooperate with us to shoot a set of photos."
"The remuneration is 500,000 Dragon Coins, for a term of one year. After one year, you can choose to continue cooperating with us or terminate the cooperation."
Song Family Weapon Commerce Chamber only had ten stores in Mist Mountain City and wasn't considered a national big company. 500,000 Dragon Coins for a year's endorsement was a reasonable price.
For Yi Tian, it was just letting Great Sage take a set of photos. It wouldn't hurt. This business could be done!
So he agreed, making an appointment to go to the shooting location tomorrow for photos.
Putting down the phone, Song Wei nodded with satisfaction.
"Settled."
He looked at Ma Bang again.
"Old Ma, go arrange it. You must serve Yi Tian well."
"Okay."
"But, Brother Wei, I don't understand something. If you want to give Yi Tian money directly, just find any other excuse."
"Making him our spokesperson... what if it affects sales? Our Song family still has several competitors in Mist Mountain City."
As he spoke, a look of worry appeared in his eyes.
Song Wei laughed heartily.
"Old Ma, your business vision is inferior to mine. Giving money is secondary; I really want to cooperate with Yi Tian."
"Hmm?"
Ma Bang was even more confused.
Song Wei explained.
"Have you seen a Stone Monkey with Bronze-level combat power stronger than a Moon Cat?"
Ma Bang shook his head.
Song Wei said, "There you go."
"Yi Tian is currently unknown, but a genius like him will definitely soar to the sky very soon."
"Who would imagine that a seemingly weak Stone Monkey could explode with such terrifying power?"
"We use Yi Tian's Stone Monkey as a spokesperson, maxing out the gimmick and contrast. When Yi Tian soars, we will benefit along with him."
"500,000, I even feel it's a bit insufficient."
"That's why I added the clause of only buying the endorsement rights for one year."
Ma Bang said, "Then why didn't we buy a few more years? According to what you said, Brother Wei, isn't this a sure-profit business?"
Song Wei smiled.
"In my eyes, economic benefits can't compare to the relationship with Yi Tian."
"A year later, if Yi Tian's value skyrockets, but he's still holding a 500,000 Dragon Coin endorsement fee, what do you think he will think?"
"Even if he is broad-minded, we absolutely cannot let him feel like we are taking advantage of him."
Ma Bang nodded, seemingly understanding but not quite.
...
Ring ring ring, the alarm clock rang. The time finally arrived for the Research Institute entrance exam.
Yesterday, it only took a morning to finish all the shooting matters, and then the Song family readily transferred the 500,000.
Deducting the expenses for buying wine for Great Sage during this period, Yi Tian now had a total of 700,000 Dragon Coins, and Great Sage's realm was getting closer and closer to Bronze 100%.
He waved to Yi Ying.
"Sis, I'm going out."
"To do what?"
"To take the Research Institute exam."
"Huh?"
Yi Ying's eyes widened in confusion.
On the other side, after Yi Tian left the house, he turned on his phone navigation. It took only half an hour by taxi to arrive at the Research Institute.
Beast Nurturing and Evolution Research Institute - Mist Mountain City Branch.
He still had to walk up a large flight of stairs to reach the main gate.
Magnificent and domineering.
It stretched over a hundred meters wide, though it was only five stories high.
Beep beep beep.
After passing the entrance instrument check and walking in, a staff member immediately came over to ask what he needed.
After stating his identity as an examinee, he was guided to a special room. After verifying the examinee information, he formally arrived at the location where the exam would take place.
The first round of assessment was in a large auditorium that could seat several thousand people without issue.
Yi Tian was staring blankly in the waiting area when he suddenly heard someone call him from behind.
"Xiao Tian, why are you here too?"
Turning his head, it turned out to be Zhou Tiangang. Behind him followed a girl who looked twenty percent like him.
If he guessed correctly, she was Zhou Qiong, the one with the cute little bear profile picture.
"Elder Zhou."
Yi Tian greeted him, then said, "I registered to participate in the assessment."
Zhou Tiangang's eyelids twitched slightly, feeling a bit surprised in his heart.
Counting from the day he told Yi Tian about the Research Institute news until today, it had only been ten days, right?
So brave?
He glanced around. Yi Tian was definitely the youngest among all the reference personnel.
People his age were basically still struggling to cultivate Beasts to break through to Bronze.
But then he figured it out.
Yi Tian was probably here to gain experience and experience the exam atmosphere, right?
Thinking about it this way, his motivation was very reasonable.
So he smiled and said, "It's good to come and experience it in advance."
Yi Tian said "Uh," too lazy to explain.
Then Zhou Tiangang pointed to Zhou Qiong beside him and introduced, "This is my daughter. I came to accompany her for the exam."
The two exchanged greetings.
Zhou Qiong sized up Yi Tian with some curiosity.
Is he the peerless genius her father spoke of?
Aside from being handsome, there didn't seem to be anything special about him.
But when she saw Great Sage on Yi Tian's shoulder, she couldn't help but be surprised.
What a strange Stone Monkey.
Great Sage maintained a drunken state at all times, which was similar to other Stone Monkeys.
However, there was a very sharp light in his eyes.
This kind of light was usually only possessed by combat-type Beasts.