Chapter 13: The Cat-Eared Maid Café

"Between grass-type and wind-type fruits, which holds greater value?"

After confirming Ha Zong's attributes, Lu Ran posed the question once more.

"Hmm?"

Xiao Bailong hadn't expected such an inquiry.

"Although wind-type is certainly useful, grass-type offers greater functionality. Beyond combat applications, it boasts various auxiliary effects. Moreover, while wind-type creatures are common among avians, grass-type pet beasts are considerably rarer. As a result, grass-type fruits command a higher price on the market."

"And why do you ask?"

Lu Ran replied, "My beginner's reward includes a grass-type fruit. Though attribute fruits are scarce at present, I should be able to trade this for a wind-type one, correct? Where would be the best place to make such an exchange?"

Xiao Bailong nodded in agreement, but the next moment, his pupils contracted.

Similarly, Hua Jie, who stood beside them, was equally taken aback, both of them staring at Lu Ran in disbelief.

"What? Did I hear you correctly? Your reward for clearing the novice secret realm included a grass-type fruit?" Xiao Bailong asked, astonished.

"That's right."

During his conversation with Xiao Bailong on the way, Lu Ran had learned that high-grade resources were only rare for newcomers. Within the Infinite City, however, they were far from uncommon. Thus, he had no hesitation in bringing it up.

Among his three clearance rewards, it was likely that the beast-taming skill held the highest value.

"Your score reached D?" Xiao Bailong pressed.

His words immediately drew the attention of the wild boar youth and the others, who turned their gazes toward Lu Ran with intrigue.

How had he managed to obtain a D-rank score with nothing but a Husky?

"Ratings of E or F yield only basic crystal coins—no resource rewards. Only upon reaching D does one receive high-level resources," Bi Xia Sheng Hua explained.

"You actually achieved a D-rank rating… and with such luck, you even obtained a grass-type fruit," Xiao Bailong murmured, realizing he had completely misjudged him.

A smile soon spread across his face. The meal was instantly forgotten as he grabbed Lu Ran's arm, saying, "Come with me!"

"I know exactly where we can find a wind-type fruit."

"Uh…"

Seeing Xiao Bailong's sudden burst of enthusiasm, Lu Ran had no choice but to let himself be dragged along.

Before departing, he gave a mental command, and the battered Ha Zong transformed into a streak of white light, returning to the contract card.

"Hua Jie, something's come up—I'm heading out first," Xiao Bailong called back, still brimming with excitement.

Hua Jie adjusted her glasses as she watched them leave, smirking.

"Look at him, grinning like a child."

"Hua Jie, are grass-type fruits really that rare?" the wild boar youth asked.

"In the realm of high-tier resources, they are among the rarer ones. The likelihood of obtaining one with a D-rank score is quite low. His rating might even have reached C."

"C-rank? That would put him on par with me," the youth muttered, surprised.

He himself had struggled immensely to achieve a C-rank in the novice secret realm, facing peril time and time again.

After all, his pet beast was a boar—one that had undergone a primal reversion upon forming a contract, mutating into an extraordinary wild boar.

Boars, in the natural world, were already formidable creatures. They were certainly nothing a mere Husky could compare to.

"I'm also quite curious," Hua Jie mused. "How exactly did he manage to achieve a D-rank or higher with just a Husky?"

After a brief pause, she continued, "Perhaps he possesses remarkable talent. Don't forget, some creatures that seem weak—such as chickens, ducks, or insects—can awaken as high-tier extraordinary species if they share a strong enough bond with their beast tamer. When that happens, they can rival even lions and tigers. Such occurrences are exceedingly rare, but who's to say he isn't one of them?"

"Some people are simply born beast tamers."

"In any case, that 'nobody' seems quite capable. If you run into him again, it might be worth forming a connection. Some secret realms can't be conquered alone. Having a strong partner would make things far easier."

"Haha… that's impressive," the wild boar youth chuckled, scratching his head. He made a mental note of Lu Ran and Ha Zong, feeling a twinge of admiration. Perhaps, in the future, he could seek some guidance and forge an acquaintance.

—

Xiao Bailong dragged Lu Ran through the streets at breakneck speed.

At one point, he even rented a shared motorcycle with a quick swipe of his card, racing towards the city center with Lu Ran in tow.

"Where exactly are we going?" Lu Ran couldn't help but ask from beneath his helmet.

"You won't find wind-type fruits just by scouring various shops. But the place I'm taking you? No doubt about it—you'll find one there."

Vrrrmmm—

The motorcycle sped down the streets, past clusters of people who remained preoccupied with their own affairs, making no effort to engage with one another.

Eventually, Xiao Bailong brought the bike to a stop in front of an establishment adorned with an unmistakably "anime-style" exterior.

Lu Ran turned to glance at the pastel-pink storefront, his expression darkening as he read the sign.

Cat-Eared Maid Café.

"This is where you've brought me?"

He eyed Xiao Bailong skeptically, noting how his companion licked his lips with barely contained anticipation.

"Indeed! The Cat-Eared Maid Café was established by a formidable intelligence broker from the second generation of beast tamers. It's a vast, interconnected intelligence network with branches in every major Infinite City. Outwardly, it appears to be nothing more than a café, but in reality, it's a hub of information. If you ever need any intelligence, this is the place to be."

"Rather than wandering aimlessly through shops in search of a wind-type fruit, commissioning a request here is far more efficient."

"Welcome!"

As they conversed, the café door swung open, revealing a young woman clad in a black-and-white maid outfit, complete with cat ears and a feline tail accessory.

At her feet sat an adorable pet beast resembling a Ragdoll cat, adorned with a dainty bow.

"Oh my, if it isn't Mr. Xiao Bailong." The cat-eared maid greeted him with a sweet smile.

"Heh, hey there, Xiao Ling."

Dressed in his usual suit, Xiao Bailong now exuded the unmistakable air of a refined scoundrel.

"Brought a newcomer to experience the place," he grinned.

Lu Ran was left speechless.

At first, he had assumed Xiao Bailong was just an earnest salaryman.

Who could have guessed that beneath that façade lay a hidden connoisseur of such establishments?

Then again, what self-respecting individual would call himself "Xiao Bailong the Rogue?"

Men.

Clearly, he was a frequent visitor.

Lu Ran remained skeptical about this so-called "intelligence network."

"A newcomer? Welcome, welcome." The cat-eared maid smiled at Lu Ran.

"Hello," Lu Ran replied, removing his helmet.

"Allow me to introduce you. This is Fengyu Piaoling. She became a beast tamer about a month ago, which makes the three of us part of the fourth generation of beast tamers. That said, we started nearly a month ahead of you. She currently works here, so if you ever need exclusive intelligence, you can purchase it from her. Don't underestimate this café—it's the second-largest intelligence agency in Xia Nation, second only to the official network."

"Xiao Ling, this rookie here just cleared the trials today. His beginner's reward included a grass-type fruit, but his pet beast is wind-type. He's looking to exchange it for a wind-type fruit. Got any leads?"

Fengyu Piaoling's eyes lit up.

"Finding a wind-type fruit elsewhere wouldn't be easy right now, but you've come to the right place."

"Please, come inside."