The Contract

At the governor's mansion in Rain City, Meng Lin was confined within Li Juan's former bedroom. Although she was free to move around inside the mansion, any attempt to escape would inevitably end with her being caught and brought back by the Gu family's secret unit. She had already tried multiple times but failed every single one. Eventually, she gave up and resigned herself to her fate. She could not even recall exactly how she ended up here, but she was certain that Guang Yue was the one responsible for capturing her.

At that moment, Guang Yue entered the room, carrying a tray of food. Meng Lin looked up at her warily. She still did not understand why she had been brought here, but she knew well enough just how dangerous the woman standing before her was. Even the Meng family would prefer to avoid trouble with her under normal circumstances.

Guang Yue gave her a small smile before asking in a calm tone, "Why did you run away from your family?"

Meng Lin's eyes widened slightly at the question. Her expression flickered with uncertainty before she hesitantly asked, "You already know?"

Guang Yue chuckled softly and replied, "Of course. Your family put up an enormous bounty for us to track you down."

Hearing this, Meng Lin lowered her head slightly, her clenched fists trembling ever so slightly before she spoke in a near whisper, "Can you help me?"

Guang Yue raised an eyebrow before letting out a light laugh. "Oh? Just going to ignore my question like that? How sad."

Meng Lin immediately panicked and looked up at her, her voice flustered. "I'm sorry! I didn't mean it like that...."

Guang Yue smiled slightly before continuing, "I find myself in a bit of a dilemma too, you know. I was forced into this situation as well. But..." She paused briefly, a knowing glint flashing in her eyes. "I do have a suggestion that might help you."

Meng Lin's eyes lit up with hope as she quickly asked, "What is it?"

Guang Yue tilted her head slightly and replied with a faint smile, "Just become the top scorer in the university entrance exams, that's all."

Meng Lin was momentarily stunned. She furrowed her brows, clearly confused. "How would that help me? I don't understand."

Guang Yue's smile deepened as she explained, "If you rank first in the entrance exams, you'll secure admission to the number one university in the Beast Tamer Alliance, Beast Emperor University. That university has ten Beast Emperor-level tamers as instructors, and one of them happens to be 'The Ice Queen, Lan Hua.' If you can become her disciple, then asking her to annul your engagement would be a trivial matter, wouldn't it?"

In an instant, it was as if a bolt of lightning struck through Meng Lin's mind. Her thoughts rapidly pieced themselves together. That's right! She could ask Lan Hua for help. If she truly became her disciple, even the Meng family would not dare force her into marriage.

However, that flicker of hope was extinguished just as quickly. Meng Lin clenched her fists and bit her lip, realizing the glaring problem. Even though she had an SSS-rank talent and awakened it earlier than anyone else, her current power level was only Bronze Mid Rank. This was because her first contracted beast was a Sky Beak Bird, which only had the potential of Bronze Mid Rank. The reason she chose to bond with it was because it was the only thing left to her by her parents before they passed away.

Even though she knew its potential was low, she could not abandon it. It was one of the few beings she trusted in her wretched family.

Moreover, this year's university applicants were all prodigies. Many had awakened S, SS, or even SSS-rank talents. Some of them were born into powerful families, allowing them to contract the highest-potential beasts from the start and receive endless resources. In contrast, Meng Lin not only had a low-potential beast, but she also had yet to contract a second beast. Up until now, she had not found one that suited her.

Guang Yue noticed Meng Lin's worried expression and smiled slightly before speaking. "I know exactly what you're worried about. But you're in luck. The Star Commerce Guild is currently offering a special promotion. Interested in hearing about it, little girl?"

Meng Lin froze for a moment before responding hesitantly. "The Star Commerce Guild. But I don't have enough money to buy a powerful beast."

At that moment, something clicked in her mind. Her eyes widened as she stared at Guang Yue. The woman standing before her was the executive of the Star Commerce Guild.

"You. You're going to help me?" Meng Lin asked, her voice trembling.

Guang Yue chuckled softly before replying in a playful tone. "That's right. And I'll even give you a ninety percent discount. Consider it a special deal just for you."

With that, Guang Yue handed Meng Lin a contract.

Meng Lin hesitantly took it and began reading through the details. As her eyes scanned the contents, her expression shifted from curiosity to pure shock.

"This is…"

The terms of the contract did not just grant her a high ranked beast with a starting potential of at least king rank or higher but also included specialized resources for training and unique evolutionary paths tailored specifically for her beast. On top of that, she would receive full support from the Star Commerce Guild.

Meng Lin felt as if she were dreaming. She could not believe she was being offered such an incredible opportunity. As she read further, she started to grasp the true purpose behind the contract. She would receive the Star Commerce Guild's protection and would not have to return to the Meng family for now. That meant she would have time to completely nullify her engagement.

But of course, everything had a price. Meng Lin glanced at the primary condition of the contract. She would be required to serve as a guardian of the Star Commerce Guild for fifty years. After that, if she chose to remain, she would be eligible for an executive position with a wealth of benefits. An extraordinarily high salary, access to the guild's most valuable resources, expert guidance on the best evolutionary paths, and opportunities to explore hidden realms.

Meng Lin looked up at Guang Yue. She finally understood why the woman in front of her was making such a generous offer. This was an investment. Guang Yue saw her as someone with the potential to reach emperor rank in the future. And if she managed to become Lan Hua, the Ice Queen's disciple, then this investment would be unimaginably profitable.

Right now, Meng Lin stood at a crossroads. If she chose to return to the Meng family, she would be forced into marriage, living like a caged bird, never even having the chance to decide her own fate. But if she chose the Star Commerce Guild, she would be bound to it. Though beast tamers had exceptionally long lifespans so long that their true lifespan was still uncertain fifty years was still a heavy commitment.

Meng Lin remained silent for a moment before clenching her fists.

She wanted freedom. She wanted an opportunity. But more than anything, she wanted the power to shape her own future.

Meng Lin took a deep breath and looked up at Guang Yue, her eyes filled with determination.

"Alright. I'll sign the contract."