Chapter 609: Can''t Bear to Look

Wang Rui was quite satisfied with Qiao Sang’s cooperation and immediately said:

"Then summon the new form of your Steel Falcon first."

As a senior researcher at the 3rd District’s Flying-type Pet Beast Research Institute, he was used to being superior, and his tone carried an air of authority.

However, as soon as he spoke, he noticed the principal beside him glancing at him.

Wang Rui immediately remembered that this was Sainan High School, where the elite gathered, and recalled Qiao Sang’s background.

Though he wasn’t exactly afraid, he still made an effort to be polite and added,

"Every Beast master who first discovers their pet beast’s new form has the right to name it. Have you thought about what to call the new form of your Steel Falcon? After today, I’ll report it for you."

As Qiao Sang formed a seal to summon, she said, "I’ve already decided. It’s called Steel Guardian Falcon."

"Gang Guardian."

Almost as if responding to her, the usually quiet Gangbao, who was summoned but rarely made a sound, called out.

"Steel Guardian Falcon, it’s named after its cry, isn’t it?" Wang Rui’s eyes lit up as he looked at the transformed Steel Falcon. He smiled and reached out to touch it carefully.

Gangbao's face was blank.

She felt like she was going to be petted bald today…

Before, none of these humans had shown so much interest in her…

"What are you all standing around for? Take pictures, now!" Wang Rui suddenly remembered something mid-petting and turned to the assistants.

You're the one blocking the way, how are we supposed to take pictures?

The assistants dared not speak their frustration aloud. Silently, they picked up their cameras and started capturing the Steel Guardian Falcon from every angle.

Realizing he was in the way, Wang Rui stepped aside.

After nearly ten minutes of shooting, Wang Rui turned to Qiao Sang.

"Next, we need to conduct a battle to confirm whether the Steel Guardian Falcon has truly undergone Bond Evolution. Just fight as you normally would. If you feel any pain when the Steel Guardian Falcon is injured, let us know immediately."

"Got it!" Qiao Sang, in high spirits, responded enthusiastically.

She had returned too late last night to test Gangbao's new skills. This battle would be the perfect chance to try them out.

Moreover, there was a high probability that Gangbao had indeed undergone Bond Evolution. She wanted to see if a Bond-Evolved pet beast truly fought as amazingly as people online claimed…

"Bernice, you go." Wang Rui gestured toward a blonde woman nearby.

Before coming, the research institute had received reports that the Steel Falcon might have undergone Bond Evolution.

Since Bond Evolution could cause the Beast master to experience pain, they had pre-selected a suitable opponent for the test.

Bernice owned a Water Foam Crab, which had only recently evolved into an Intermediate pet beast, making it an ideal match.

Bernice stepped forward and, without a word, formed a seal.

A gray star formation lit up, and soon, a deep-blue, 80-centimeter-long crab-like beast with two protrusions on its head and six limbs appeared within the formation.

Nearby, the assistants adjusted their cameras, ready to record the entire battle.

"Come to think of it, this is the first time I’ve seen one of our interstellar exchange students battle." The principal remarked as he found a seat, watching the field with interest.

Interstellar exchange students were usually in their senior year of high school, unfamiliar with most students, and had few chances to battle.

In fact, even among the school’s native students, few battles ever took place under the principal’s watch.

Mu Deli silently ridiculed him in her mind but outwardly agreed, "I’m also seeing Qiao Sang battle for the first time."

As they spoke, the match had already begun.

"Water Gun!" Bernice commanded.

Qiao Sang looked puzzled. It had been a long time since she had faced a Beast master who issued an attack command right at the start of battle…

The Water Foam Crab raised its right claw, and a straight stream of water shot forward.

The speed wasn’t particularly fast. For Gangbao, who was used to battling Yabao and the others, it even seemed slow.

With this speed and power, there was no need to dodge. She could just use Steel Wing to slice through it…

As the thought formed in Qiao Sang’s mind-

Gangbao's wings crossed in front of it, transforming into two purple blades that instantly cut through the Water Gun.

Water splashed onto the ground.

Just as I thought. This is a perfect chance to attack, might as well test out Wing Blade…

Qiao Sang had the thought and was about to issue a command.

But before she could, Gangbao's wings pulled back as if they were arms.

Two glowing purple feathers were swiftly plucked out, resembling blades.

In the next instant, Steel Bao gripped the Wing Blades and transformed into a streak of purple light, dashing toward its opponent.

Whoosh!

Her blurred figure flashed, and a purple blade light sliced across the Water Foam Crab.

Bernice had only just managed to shout, "Dodge!" in a panic.

"Water Foam!"

The Water Foam Crab let out a pained cry and collapsed with its eyes shut.

Qiao Sang stared at the fallen opponent, dazed for a few seconds.

Was the other side even taking this seriously?

Was it already over?

The field fell into silence.

From his seat, the principal’s eyes lit up.

"I didn’t expect this newly evolved Intermediate pet beast to have already mastered a high-level skill like Wing Blade!"

It was impossible for a beginner pet beast to learn high-level skills, so he hadn’t even considered the possibility.

Mu Deli lowered her voice and said skeptically, "Are the research institute’s people too weak? Their command speed can’t even keep up with the battlefield."

The principal thought for a moment and responded, "Their researchers spend all day in the lab, so their combat skills are generally lacking. They probably assumed that since Qiao Sang’s Steel Falcon had just evolved, it wouldn’t know high-level skills like Wing Blade."

"Plus, Qiao Sang was the senior-year champion of Blue Star’s Dragon Nation before becoming an exchange student here. Even if she only bonded with the Steel Falcon after arriving on Chaosu Star, it was never going to be weak."

"If the Steel Falcon is indeed Bond-Evolved, its battle coordination is bound to be much stronger than the research institute’s people."

"I think they focused too much on whether she would feel pain and forgot about Qiao Sang’s own strength."

"That makes sense." Mu Deli said in realization.

Then, in a more understanding tone, she added, "But you can’t really blame them. Normally, no one would expect a newly evolved Intermediate pet beast to have mastered a high-level skill, let alone wield it so proficiently."

The principal remained silent, seemingly agreeing.

Generally, newly evolved pet beasts gained one or two new skills. If they were low-level, it was easy to grasp them quickly. But for mid- and high-level skills, it usually took several days of training to use them proficiently.

Qiao Sang’s case was rare, so it was understandable that the researchers hadn’t accounted for it.

Wang Rui, realizing his oversight, coughed and turned to Qiao Sang,

"Even though this is a standard battle, our real goal is to determine whether Steel Guardian Falcon underwent Bond Evolution. So you… Can hold back a little."

The research institute did have Advanced, General, and even King-tier pet beasts, but they had chosen Intermediate-level ones to avoid harming the Beast master if Bond Evolution was real.

They just hadn’t expected the first match to end in an instant…

You should have said that earlier!

Qiao Sang grumbled internally but outwardly responded seriously, "I understand."

"Gang Guardian-"

Gangbao quietly reinserted the two glowing purple feathers back into her wings.

"Scott, you go." Wang Rui called.

Bernice recalled her Water Foam Crab and retreated awkwardly.

A middle-aged man with brown hair and blue eyes stepped forward.

As he summoned his beast, Qiao Sang gave a subtle warning, "Gangbao, remember our real goal in this battle."

Gangbao: …

Understood

.

She couldn't bear to look anymore.