Chapter 616: 610: The Ownership of Ice Fox

“`

David Jones supported the figure in front of him who was attempting to kneel and kowtow in gratitude, feeling an odd sensation stirring within.

How could there be such a thing in the world where one took such a huge advantage and still managed to elicit heartfelt gratitude in return, even to the point of the other party being willing to repay the favor with their life?

David Jones shook his head, dismissing the odd notions in his mind, and straightforwardly produced a bottle of Ten Thousand Years Evergreen Stone Milk from his Star Ring and placed it in Jade Bailey’s palm.

After that, he took out a jade bottle that contained Thousand-year Stalactites and said softly.

“Although the internal injury you’ve sustained is severe, consuming one to two drops of the Thousand-year Stalactites should solve it, but it’s best to save the Ten Thousand Years Evergreen Stone Milk for breaking through to Class VII.”

“Thank you, President,” Jade Bailey wiped the tears from the corner of her eyes with the back of her hand, her eyes reddened as she spoke.

Simple words could no longer express the gratitude she felt in her heart, she thought for a moment, then took out a jade box containing Emperor Grass from her Star Ring.

“What is this?”

Upon opening the jade box and seeing the six-leafed blue scythe-shaped grass, sparking with arcs of electricity, David Jones was quite surprised.

Emperor Grass was a Level VI SS-tier, dual-type thunder and dragon mesona that had a chance of growing where a True Dragon had fallen and thunderstorms raged.

Thunder-type True Dragons could significantly reduce their growth periods by absorbing and refining this mesona, and there was a chance to purify their bloodline and advance to Overlord Class VII. It was a rare elixir almost never seen in the Pet Shop, and in terms of its actual value, it could even compare with Class VII elixirs.

“I’ve been holding onto this Emperor Grass to raise funds for a Life-Returning Elixir to cure my illness, but now this mesona is not of much use to me anymore. I want to give it to you, President,” said Jade Bailey, her eyes shining with resolve.

David Jones considered for a moment before accepting the jade box.

Even though the price he had quoted was far less than the actual value of the Refined Universe Crystal, not even one-tenth, it was more than generous for Jade Bailey!

Now that he had already picked up a bargain, adding a stalk of Emperor Grass to it didn’t make much difference.

“Thank you, President!”

Seeing that David Jones had gladly accepted her gift, Jade Bailey’s face blossomed into a joyous smile, completely devoid of the inferiority complex she had during their first meeting.

…

David Jones slightly nodded in response to Jade Bailey’s farewell, then turned his gaze toward Margaret Yule.

“I owe you one this time!”

Margaret Yule, who had been observing silently without speaking, smiled.

“Do we still need to say such things between us? If it weren’t for your help, I’d still be clueless at which university to slack off in.”

“Right, Jade’s knowledge in the elixir arts is extraordinary, and she’s incredibly organized in managing internal affairs, doing even better than I did. Do you think she would be suitable for the position of vice president once her injury has healed?”

To not fall too far behind David Jones and to increase her cultivation time, Margaret Yule was considering creating another vice president position.

“People change; it’s said that gratitude vanishes at the slightest provocation. Don’t be fooled by Jade’s current gratitude toward me. If one day she finds out the use of the Refined Universe Crystal, she might see me as her enemy.”

David Jones shook his head, unable to hide his thoughts.

He had many treasures in his Star Ring and was fully capable of giving more Pet Resources to Jade Bailey, yet she herself didn’t have the strength to keep those resources safe. Giving too many resources would only harm her in these circumstances.

So in the end, this was all just a transaction.

“That being said, are you not afraid that I might also change my heart?” asked Margaret Yule with a sidelong glance, her tone even.

“What about the saying ‘when fellow countrymen meet, one shoots the other in the back’? I trust you,” David Jones said, clapping her on the shoulder.

“Buzz!”

Just then, David Jones’ phone began to vibrate.

“Hold on, I need to take a call.”

“`

After speaking, David Jones pressed the connect button, and Miss Tracy, dressed in a white research coat and with a neat and clean temperament, immediately appeared on the three-dimensional screen.

“I need your help with something.”

“Miss Tracy, just say the word; I’ll do whatever I can without question.”

Tracy Harvey smiled and said, “The national competition is coming up this year, and if possible, I’d like to add a person to your team.”

“Since you’ve asked, Miss Tracy, there’s definitely no problem.

It was such a trivial matter that David Jones agreed immediately.

To put it a bit arrogantly, he could lead six dogs to get through the National Trainer Cooperative Competition and even win the championship, so bringing along a connection wouldn’t make any difference.

“Alright, I still have a research project to handle next, the matter of introducing a Blacksmith Master can be taken care of by that kid Jedbrook.”

After speaking, the three-dimensional screen disappeared abruptly.

“I’ll ask Jackson to save a spot right now,” said Margaret Yule as she picked up her phone to send a message.

“Hold on, there’s no rush with that, just close your eyes first,” David Jones interrupted.

At his words, Margaret Yule paused suddenly, her gaze towards him odd, “You’re not planning to play a prank on me, are you?”

“If you want a surprise, close your eyes,” David Jones said, his arms crossed and a mischievous smile on his face.

“Just don’t let it be a fright,” Margaret teased before obediently closing her eyes, her delicate earlobes reddening unbeknownst to her.

In the darkness, a sensation of warmth came from her left cheek, causing Margaret, who had her lips slightly pouted, to stiffen and unconsciously open her eyes.

She saw a stunningly beautiful Six-tailed Ice Fox with snow-white fur, small ears, and six fluffy tails trembling as David Jones grasped its fate by the throat, leaving it no option but to stick out its pink tongue to lick its own cheek in desperation.

Seeing this scene, Margaret’s blushing cheeks immediately returned to normal as she calmly directed her gaze towards David Jones.

She wasn’t going to be fooled by the Ice Fox’s pitiful appearance into thinking it was weak and helpless.

With her Ice Blessing talent, Margaret could clearly feel the terrifying energy within the Ice Fox, a power potent enough to kill her instantly.

“Don’t like it?”

Seeing that Margaret’s reaction wasn’t as happy as he’d expected, David Jones couldn’t help but ask.

“I do like it, but it’s too valuable! And with my current strength, I can’t contract and control this Ice Fox.”

Margaret forcibly diverted her gaze, afraid she’d get too caught up in the Six-tailed Ice Fox’s power.

After all, the legendary Nine-Tailed Ice Fox was a revered being, comparable to an Immortal.

A Six-tailed Ice Fox, which had the potential to ascend to such a terrifying existence, was absolutely the SS tier Pet that every Ice Trainer dreamed of, and it would fit perfectly as David Jones’s fifth Pet.

“I’ve accepted the Heavenly Dragon Leaves, but I’ve yet to pay you the seven billion balance for the Mechanical Dragon King. Consider this Ice Fox as a debt repayment.”

David Jones casually tossed the Ice Fox onto the sofa, the rough action earning him a relentless barrage of disdainful looks.

If it weren’t for the fact that it couldn’t defeat David Jones, the Ice Fox would have shown him the true might of its kind! The Ice Fox clan would never be enslaved!

“A Six-tailed Ice Fox is priceless and usually only appears at auctions. Five years ago, at the Illusion Sea Auction, a Six-tailed Ice Fox cub fetched a high price of twenty-five billion Star coins. Debt repayment? Did you get your math wrong?” Margaret asked, looking at David Jones with a peculiar gaze.

“I didn’t get it wrong. In light of us being old classmates, I’ll give you a 10% discount and round it down; let’s call it twenty-three billion,” David Jones said with a light smile. “How’s that for fair?”

Upon hearing this, Margaret’s eyebrows creased.

Great, rounding down like that, you’ve just tacked on an extra fifty million Star coins to my bill!