Walking in Hector marveled at how busy everything was, when he'd previously visited only a handful of customers could be seen at the tellers yet now multiple lines filling most of the reception hall. "I guess we'd better get in line" saying that Hector got into line watching those ahead of him hand over basic foundational materials for coin like selling random clutter with only the larger or more unique items being brought to private rooms like he and expert Pryor originally were.

Thinking of expert Pryor he remembered the strange requirements the man had for him to accomplish. "Enhanced nutrition" expert Pryor said with a grin, Hector hated when he'd just proclaim something like Hector would know what he's talking about. After some prodding the man had said that the quality of the food was a limiting factor in their tournament team's training. Hector's task was obtain some sort of beast to help on that front.

Beasts were for the most part regular animals that had stepped apon the path of cultivation. Hector had heard tales of cultivators using them for multiple purposes from alchemy ingredients to guardian beasts like the great stone turtle of the black turtle sect so he knew it was common but...

Breaking out of this line of thought Hector stepped forward towards the empty desk in front of him. " I'd like to speak to manager Crain, please" Hector said with a smile " I'm sorry but manager Crain isn't taking any appointments at the moment" the clerk said trying and failing hide the snear in his tone. "Can you please tell him it's the verdant path corporation wishing to see him" Hector said with a frown at the clerks behavior. Rolling his eyes the clerk begrudgingly had one of the other staff go and deliver the message " there, now can you please step aside your holding up the line".

Stepping aside with some irritation at the rude clerks attitude Hector was about to say something when Stephen Crain came running into the room. "My friend, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting" with an eager gesture Stephen lead him into a back room. Looking back Hector didn't know who was more surprised at this attitude himself or a pail looking clerk.

"I absolutely must thank you again on behalf of not only the auction house but myself personally" Stephen said pouring Hector tea as they sat down. "Between the ferverous atmosphere of this foundational champion's tournament and the marvelous technique you've supplied this young master our future is very fortuitous" Stephen said in a tone one might to a boss or elder. This made Hector pause, was the actions he and expert Pryor taken really the meaningful?

Misinterpreting his confusion as dissatisfaction Stephen Crain fell over himself to continue "I promise you sir that I am sincere in my gratitude and value the opportunities of working for your corporation provides". "I see" Hector said not really sure what to say but starting to realize things might not be as simple as they'd first appeared.

"The Blackrock auction house seems to be doing quite well" Hector said trying to probe for information without sounding too curious. "Ah yes, we have been flooded with work since your tournament was announced" Stephen cleared his throat " though I'll make sure ill personally handle any and all requests you might make". Hector was both relieved that he'd have the manager dealing with everything personally yet concerned with the level of respect and deferential treatment they were getting.

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"Alright then, I'd request a list of all beasts you might have on hand as well as put up a reward for any that can be captured" Hector stated to the surprised of his host. "Unfortunately our auction house doesn't really specialize in beast trading or rearing though I can see what we have" Stephen pulled a rope summoning an attendant that was sent to fetch the information. "May I ask for what purposes the beasts are needed, it would be of help to know in order to meet your needs" Stephen said with a great deal of curiosity. "Expert Pryor requires them for the development of our cultivators" Hector said not really knowing what he should share. At Pryor's name Hector watched Stephen perk up noticeably.

"It would be of great personal interest to me if the great verdant path corporation would be willing to share more of the grand expert's methods" Stephen said with a slight bow. Hector took a deep breath just deciding to go with it, heck it seems to work for Pryor Hector thought to himself as he made up his mind. "Do you know of the concept of 'Enhanced nutrition' " Hector said trying to mimic his companions confident delivery. "I haven't heard of this profound concept, please enlighten this one" Stephen said enthusiastically.

"From expert Pryor has shared with me it deals with consuming of beast meat for the purpose of training one's body" Hector explained. *Cough* "uhm well that's um" Stephen stammered trying to collect his thoughts and schooling his expression " to my knowledge that's an incredibly basic and low grade method I might add". "I'm honestly surprised that a scholar as accomplished as expert Pryor would consider such a method, surely you gest" Stephen sat back and took a long sip of his tea unsure what to think.

This was all news to Hector being mostly ignorant of the details and complexities of cultivation "expert Pryor has his methods" Hector said not truly known what else to say. Before either of them had a chance to break the awkward silence developing the assistant came in depositing a list and quickly left after noticing the strange mood. "Well who am I to question the great expert" with a sigh Stephen handed over the list that Hector had requested.

He took it without saying a word and started going through it.

- tempest starfish, wind and water alignment first foundational realm, extremely low quality energy.

- thunder hens ×2, lightning alignment first stage foundational realm, high quality energy.

- iron crab × 12, metal and sand alignment first stage foundational realm, low to middle quality energy.

- Azure toad, wood and decay alignment second stage foundational realm, middle quality energy.

- golden catfish, water and metal alignment second stage foundational realm, high quality energy.

-earthen ram, stone alignment third stage foundational realm, low quality energy.

-shimmer Beetle, water and light alignment third stage foundational realm, low quality energy.

- unknown lizard, fire and unknown alignment third stage foundational realm, peak quality energy.

- shadow sea crocodile, dark, water and unknown alignment fourth stage foundational realm, high quality energy.

"As you can see our selection is very limited, just a few lower realm beasts used in alchemy for the most part though our few higher realm specimens are quite impressive" Hector nodded at Stephen's words. "I see though could you explain how you have everything graded if you wouldn't mind" Hector said gesturing at the list in front of him. "Ah, of course" Stephen pointed to the first item on the list " we start with the beasts name 'tempest starfish' then we move onto the most common elements or properties displayed by the beast ". "Most common" Hector asked "yes unlike most human cultivators who strive for purity in a small number of elements or even a singular element in rare cases beasts often have dozens of elements with a few taking a dominant role". Checking to see if he was still following Stephen Crain continued " the realm is somewhat self eexplained and finally the energy quality is both a measure of a beasts power relive to its realm but the quality of it's primary elements".

"So what will it be" Stephen asked a bit impatiently.