Chapter 117: This Isn't a Blaze Dog!

The blinding white light almost dazzled Qiao Sang’s eyes.

She froze.

He evolved already?

But didn't they say it would take half a day?

It hasn’t even been an hour yet!

The vice principal is so unreliable!

But since she had already accepted that Yabao would evolve today, whether he took half a day or an hour made no difference to her.

The thought of Yabao evolving into Blaze Dog made Qiao Sang's heart race.

Unlike Fire Fang Dog's somewhat cute appearance, Blaze Dog was imposing, entirely covered in a flame-like red, with no more black stripes or that tuft of orange fur on its head.

Its majestic form was perfect for practicing the skill Intimidation.

With just one glare, timid opponents would lose their will to continue the fight.

"Xun!"

"Xun!"

Little Treasure widened his eyes and let out two excited cries.

Under the eager gazes of Qiao Sang and Little Treasure, the light finally faded.

Yabao... was still a Fire Fang Dog.

"Xun?"

Little Treasure tilted his head.

Qiao Sang felt her heart skip a beat.

Did the evolution... fail?

"Yap."

Yabao weakly grinned at his beastmaster before collapsing onto the bed.

"Yabao!" Qiao Sang’s heart tightened as she quickly picked up Yabao.

"Xun!"

Little Treasure looked panicked.

Yabao hadn’t fainted; he was just in too much pain, suppressing the energy inside him.

"Yap."

Yabao weakly called out to his beastmaster.

Qiao Sang froze. She had always been able to understand Yabao's words, and although he was saying he was fine, this time, she had a sudden realization. She could feel the words Yabao hadn’t yet spoken.

"Why did you stop your evolution?" Qiao Sang asked in a low voice.

Yabao didn’t answer, but she sensed it.

He had interrupted his own evolution.

Qiao Sang had her suspicions but couldn't help asking.

"Yap."

"Yap yap."

Yabao, gritting his teeth through the pain, explained.

He didn’t want to evolve now; he could wait another half month.

Qiao Sang was silent.

After a few seconds, she said, "Didn't I tell you? We have money, we can afford the penalty fee."

"Yap."

Yabao’s expression was as determined as when he decided to learn Meteor Rain.

"If you don’t evolve now and something goes wrong with your body, you might not be as strong as other Blaze Dogs when you finally evolve in half a month. You might not be as tall or look as impressive." Qiao Sang said with a bit of bitterness in her voice.

Yabao stiffened, almost forgetting the pain.

His expression became conflicted, as if he were pondering a great dilemma.

After what felt like an eternity, Yabao clenched his teeth, closed his eyes, turned his head, and covered his ears with his paws, signaling his decision.

Qiao Sang was stunned by Yabao’s actions.

He had always wanted to become stronger...

At that moment, the second option for Yabao's evolution in her beastmaster codex became even clearer.

Qiao Sang's palms were damp with Yabao's cold sweat from the pain.

"Xun."

Little Treasure called out in concern.

"It’s fine." Qiao Sang reassured.

It’s fine, the problem isn’t too big; she had already thought of a solution.

Qiao Sang took a deep look at Yabao, whose fur was matted with sweat from the pain.

She didn’t hesitate any longer. Picking up her phone, she dialed a number and put it on speaker.

The call quickly connected.

"Hello? Why are you calling me so suddenly?" A woman’s voice asked with a laugh.

"I want to cancel the contract." Qiao Sang said.

Yabao wasn’t evolving because of the endorsement deal. If that was the case, then canceling the contract was the solution.

---

Song Yuan sat at her desk, pleased as she reviewed yesterday’s sales figures.

She knew she hadn’t made a mistake. Ever since Yabao took on the endorsement, sales had been steadily climbing, and web traffic had skyrocketed.

She just needed to wait for next season’s new product line to rake in even more profit.

A loud ringtone pulled her out of her daydream.

When she saw who was calling, it was none other than the star who had been making her money.

Smiling, Song Yuan answered the call.

"I want to cancel the contract."

Those four words left Song Yuan speechless. Before she could ask why, the next words left her dumbfounded.

"Yabao is evolving today, so he can't shoot the next season's sunglasses commercial. I’ll pay the penalty fee. Sorry."

Song Yuan was speechless for a long moment.

Evolving?

Today?

Is this a joke?

It’s only been a month since the Bai Xin Competition.

She had nearly laughed when they said it would take six months for the evolution when they signed the contract.

Now they were claiming it would happen in just one month?

Though she was tempted to yell, her rational mind told her this might actually be true...

After all, who would throw away money with such a flimsy excuse?

"Can you bring Yabao to me today? I'll have someone record its evolution and post it on the official website. That way, everyone will know Blaze Dog is Yabao, and it won’t affect the next season’s shoot. You won’t need to pay the penalty fee." Song Yuan, after a moment of silence, proposed a solution.

When they signed the contract, she had agreed to a six-month term in case of evolution, not because she believed it, but because she thought Qiao Sang was just an arrogant rookie beastmaster who had won a minor competition.

But this call made her reconsider. The contract was signed; all she needed was one more shoot.

Who would choose to pay a penalty instead?

And if Yabao really was evolving today, this was the best opportunity to build a connection.

Both Qiao Sang and Yabao froze.

So, even if he evolved, they wouldn’t need to pay the penalty?

Excited, Yabai lost control of his energy, and the white light flickered again, though he quickly suppressed it, panting heavily.

"Yap..."

Yabao whimpered in pain.

"Thank you! I’ll be there right away!" Qiao Sang hung up and quickly dialed another number.

After two rings, the call connected.

"Vice principal, it’s Qiao Sang!"

"..."

Once Liu Yao understood the situation, he simply suggested that Teacher Xian escort her.

For the first time, Qiao Sang felt that the vice principal was truly reliable!

Not only had he left his phone number in advance, but he also arranged for Teacher Xian to save her time.

What would normally take over half an hour to reach without traffic took Teacher Xian around ten minutes, as he skillfully guided them straight to the 18th floor of the Golden Entertainment Tower.

---

Song Yuan stared in stunned silence at Qiao Sang and her three beasts as they were respectfully led in by the receptionist.

When she glanced at the quietly sitting beast beside them, she was dumbfounded.

Was that a King-tier beast?

The Sky Bat?

"Ms. Song, could we film right now?" Qiao Sang asked urgently.

Song Yuan snapped back to reality, ready to ask a few questions, but seeing Yabao’s drenched state, she immediately responded, "I'll have the cameras set up right away."

"Could we film with a phone?" Qiao Sang asked.

Song Yuan paused, glanced at Yabao’s condition, and felt her heart skip a beat.

It really looked like it was about to evolve, probably suppressing the energy...

But it would be better to use a clearer video for the website. After all, there were many Fire Fang Dogs, and a blurry video might lead to doubts.

Resolving herself, Song Yuan said, "Alright!"

A missed opportunity to connect with such a person might not come again.

Opening her phone’s camera, Song Yuan said, "I'm ready. You can begin."

At the same time, outside the door, a crowd was gathering.

"Are you sure this is true?"

"Of course! Why would I lie? That girl appeared right in front of me, scared me to death." The receptionist said, still shaken.

"Isn’t she Yabao’s beastmaster?"

"Yes, yes, that’s her! I remember. Last time she brought a ghost-type beast; it almost scared me to death." The receptionist whispered.

"A ghost-type beast can only make itself invisible, not a person, right?"

"She brought another beast today. Maybe it’s the one that did it."

"I heard she’s here for Yabao’s evolution. The boss asked if the camera crew was busy today."

"Evolution? But she..."

"Hey, stop pushing!"

"Give me some space! I want to see the beast that can make people disappear."

Inside the room.

"Yabao, it's time. You can evolve without worries now." Qiao Sang placed Yabao on the ground, speaking gently.

"Yap!"

Yabao looked seriously at his beastmaster and nodded.

He relaxed, no longer suppressing the energy within, allowing it to surge through his body.

At the same time, the second option for Yabao’s evolution in Qiao Sang's beastmaster codex solidified and stabilized.

The two options alternated, emitting light.

Qiao Sang's heart raced in anticipation.

It's finally happening!

The two options flickered with light, and finally settled on the second one.

The white glow around the Fire Fang Dog slowly faded.

"Stop pushing!"

"I got here first!"

"Everyone calm down, what if we get caught!"

The door was pushed open, and a group of people rushed in. Some stumbled to the ground, some gave awkward smiles, while others were drawn to the fading glow.

Qiao Sang paid no attention to the commotion by the door. She was both nervous and excited as she watched the gradually diminishing light.

In front of her appeared a beast with fluffy white fur, fiery red eyes, and fur on its shoulders standing up like wings. Its body had red stripes like a tiger, and red fur encircled its paws.

An eerie silence filled the room. No one spoke. Everyone was dumbfounded.

This... this isn't a Blaze Dog!!!