Chapter 762: Pet Grooming

“Let us congratulate contestant Qiao Sang on successfully advancing to the semifinals!” The host’s passionate voice echoed through the field.

A wave of roaring cheers erupted, followed by a buzz of lively chatter and excitement.

“I knew from the start Qiao Sang would win!”

“Ice Aipalu has the super-level skill Ice Field Domain, and Fire Qilu has the ultimate-tier Meteor Rain. Just with these two pets alone, it’s practically guaranteed she’s going to the finals. Don’t forget, Ice Aipalu also has the super-level healing skill Healing Light.”

“I noticed Qiao Sang didn’t even really use her super-level skills much. Ice Field Domain was only used once, and Healing Light only after the battle was over.”

“Super-level skills are still too energy-consuming for general-class pets.”

“Honestly, even without Ice Aipalu, I think Fire Qilu alone could’ve made it to the semifinals. Look at it, it used so many skills just now and still looked energetic, like it could go another round.”

“That Meteor Rain was just too powerful… By the way, what brand was that helmet that Flame Music Bird used? I need to avoid that.”

---

Twenty minutes later.

High above the open-air pet arena.

“After today’s two battles, do you have any questions?” Pirite asked as usual.

Qiao Sang thought for a moment and asked, “What was the move that Douleng Duck used to break out from underground and attack Lubao?”

Pirite replied, “That was a combo of Bulk Up, Water Stream Jet, and Spin Kick.”

A three-skill combo, no wonder it was so powerful…

Qiao Sang came to a realization.

Bulk Up: a mid-tier fighting-type skill that boosts attack and defense by tensing all muscles with full force.

Spin Kick: another mid-tier fighting-type skill that involves rapid body rotation while delivering a kick to knock the opponent away, sometimes causing them to flinch.

Combining these two with Water Stream Jet, the power increase was more than just additive.

Good thing she had Lubao use Aurora Screen at that moment…

Just as Qiao Sang was feeling relieved, Pirite asked again: “Have you decided what offensive skill Ghost Ring King should train next?”

Qiao Sang answered honestly: “Shadow of Dark plus Will-o'-the-Wisp plus Aura of Intimidation. I think those three combined could be pretty powerful.”

Pirite laughed: “That’s a solid idea, but Aura of Intimidation is just a trait. In general, a pet’s traits are hard to enhance. Most traits are fixed from birth. From what I’ve seen, your Ghost Ring King doesn’t really give off an oppressive vibe. Its Aura of Intimidation trait level probably isn’t very high.”

Hidden nearby, Little Treasure, who had been eavesdropping, was clearly offended.

He revealed himself, furrowed his brows, and stared fiercely at the human who had doubted his oppressive presence.

“Xun…”

Intimidation…

Pirite looked at the suddenly visible Ghost Ring King, paused for a second, then laughed: “What, I’m just telling the truth and you don’t like it?”

“Xun xun…”

Little Treasure’s expression crumbled, his mouth pouting. He disappeared again in shame

So humiliating… This human didn’t even feel my intimidating aura…

Qiao Sang twitched at the corner of her mouth, then pretended nothing had happened and asked, “Is there any quick way to enhance Aura of Intimidation?”

Pirite nodded slightly: “There is.”

Qiao Sang’s eyes lit up: “What is it?”

Pirite smirked: “Make it the boss.”

“Xun xun!”

Little Treasure reappeared, excited, and chirped a loud sound, clearly saying:

Tell me more!

Qiao Sang: ……

Pirite continued, “Generally, the Aura of Intimidation trait appears in kings of their species. Studies show that the more of its kind a pet with Aur of Intimidation leads, the higher the level of that trait becomes.”

Qiao Sang fell into deep thought.

She didn’t have that many pets to begin with, and knowing Yabao and Lubao’s personalities, there was no way they’d let Little Treasure be the boss. Gangbao might be willing to act the part, but only act. Not genuinely submit.

…Should I let Little Treasure roam free to recruit some wild pets as underlings?

“Xun xun…”

Little Treasure nearby also had a thoughtful look on his face.

---

9:20 PM.

Villa.

Qiao Sang summoned Gangbao, then returned to her room to contact the Beast Master of the Body Forge Bug, waiting for it to arrive.

In the living room.

Little Treasure glanced between Yabao, Lubao, and Gangbao. Finally, his eyes fixed on Yabao’s back.

“Xun xun~”

He pulled out a diamond glove he had once dearly loved from his ring, floated over to Yabao, and coughed twice with a raised paw, signaling he had a proposal.

“Yap?”

Yabao, who was about to head to the open-air training ground, paused with a confused look.

What is it?

“Xun xun~”

“Xun xun~”

Little Treasure leaned in like a sneaky crook and whispered his idea into Yabao’s ear.

Could you give up the boss position to me? If you do, this diamond glove is yours.

He placed the glove in front of Yabao with a pained expression, clearly reluctant to part with it.

“YAP YAP!”

Yabao’s expression instantly turned sharp.

He leapt back a step, creating distance between them, and stared seriously at Little Treasure.

If you want to be the boss, you have to beat me first!

“Xun xun!!”

Little Treasure was startled and immediately waved his paws wildly.

No fight, no fight! I don’t want to be boss anymore!

“Yap.”

Yabao gave Little Treasure a warning glance before heading toward the outdoor training area.

“Xun xun……”

Little Treasure watched Yabao’s back and sighed deeply.

Then, he thought of something and floated toward the indoor pool.

Lubao was already there training.

“Xun xun……”

As soon as Little Treasure entered, he felt a biting cold and shivered.

“Lu Ai?”

Lubao heard the sound, turned toward Little Treasure, and gave a look that said,

What do you want?

The next second, all the cold vanished.

“Xun xun~”

Little Treasure perked up, floated to Lubao, and sweetly chirped, suggesting:

How about you make me your boss?

Before he could even take out the diamond glove, the bone-chilling cold returned.

“Xun xun……”

Faced with Lubao’s expressionless face, Little Treasure instantly backed down, gave a quick chirp that said

Forget I was ever here

, and vanished from the pool area.

“Xun xun……”

Back in the living room, Little Treasure wore a thoroughly defeated expression.

Training Aura of Intimidation is so hard…

Just then, Gangbao walked past.

“Xun xun!”

Little Treasure’s eyes lit up, and he teleported to Gangbao’s side, waving the diamond glove and chirping:

Call me boss and this glove is yours.

“Gang Slice.”

Gangbao was silent for a moment, then replied coolly:

Not interested.

She turned to walk away.

“Xun xun?”

Little Treasure panicked, chasing after her with a cry:

Why not?!

Even big bro Yabao and Lubao said no, and now even you, old four, won’t agree?!

“Steel Slice?”

Gangbao stopped, looked back at Little Treasure, and gave him a confused look.

Why do you suddenly want to be the boss?

“Xun xun...”

Because it seemed fun...

Little Treasure didn’t tell the truth and instead put on a helpless expression.

Then, he explained how in order to train his Aura of Intimidation trait, he had to become a boss.

“Gang Slice.”

Gangbao understood. With a calm expression, she gave a low sound, meaning:

If you want to strengthen that skill, having just one little underling like me won’t help. You should go out more and recruit subordinates out there.

“Xun xun...”

Little Treasure sighed.

Our Beast Master would never allow that.

“Gang Slice.”

Gangbao remained calm.

How do you know she won't agree if you don’t ask?

“Xun xun...”

Little Treasure froze.

---

11:30 PM.

The Body Forge Bug slowly crawled out of the room.

Qiao Sang sat up from the bed, covered in sweat, ready to go shower.

“Xun xun~”

Suddenly, Little Treasure floated into the room, looking a little shy.

Qiao Sang glanced at him.

“If you’ve got something to say, just say it.”

“Xun xun!”

“Xun xun!”

Little Treasure looked full of fighting spirit, indicating he was ready to seriously train his Aura of Intimidation trait!

Qiao Sang was pleased.

“Then train well.”

“Xun xun~”

Little Treasure became bashful again.

But to train Aura of Intimidation well, he had to become the boss, and right now, he had no followers.

Qiao Sang hesitated.

“You’re not thinking of making Yabao and the others...”

“Xun xun!”

Before she could finish, Little Treasure frantically waved his paws:

Absolutely not! That’s not what I mean!

Qiao Sang let out a breath of relief.

“Then how do you plan to train?”

“Xun xun!”

Little Treasure looked serious.

He planned to go out at night and recruit some underlings!

After saying that, he glanced anxiously at his Beast Master.

In his mind, leaving her side to act independently was a big deal, so her disapproval would be natural.

After two seconds of silence, Qiao Sang nodded.

“Alright.”

“Xun xun!”

Little Treasure’s eyes lit up instantly, and he spun in place with excitement.

“But I have some conditions.” Qiao Sang added.

“Xun xun!”

Little Treasure looked at her eagerly:

Whatever conditions, bring them on!

“First, you can’t go outside my sensing range.” Qiao Sang said.

“Second, you must be back before 6 AM.”

"Third, you still need to do two hours of skill training before going out.”

She had thought about this before.

If Little Treasure wanted to boost his Aura of Intimidation trait, he did need to go out, find followers, and develop his domineering aura. Most nights he just played on his phone or computer anyway, if he was finally interested in training, more physical activity wouldn’t hurt.

She had hesitated at first, since Little Treasure had never really left her side since birth.

But since he brought it up on his own, she wouldn’t stop him.

“Xun xun!”

Little Treasure nodded rapidly,

No problem at all!

With that matter settled, Qiao Sang went to the bathroom for a quick rinse.

As soon as she stepped out of the bathroom, her phone on the table vibrated.

Qiao Sang walked over, picked up the phone, and saw a message from Wen Xiao: [The pet grooming salon is all set up! We officially open tomorrow, try to stop by!]

[(Location attached)]

Qiao Sang tapped the location.

No. 221, Kurga Street.

---

The next day.

12:00 PM.

After texting Lamar to say training was paused for the afternoon, Qiao Sang sat on Yabao’s back and opened the location Wen Xiao had sent, directing Yabao to fly toward it.

The moment she exited the Yulianton University perimeter, she felt multiple flying-type pets following behind.

“Yap yap?”

Even without turning around, Yabao sensed it. He chirped, asking if they should shake them off.

“No need.” Qiao Sang replied.

“They’re probably paparazzi and reporters, just taking some photos and tracking our movements.”

Yabao perked up instantly. His flaming wings flapped strongly, and he lifted his head high, flying with confident pride.

---

A little over ten minutes later.

Yabao landed outside a building called Xieli Pet Grooming Salon.

Qiao Sang dismounted.

Yabao shrank in size and jumped into his Beast Master’s arms.

Wen Xiao, already waiting by the entrance, eagerly ran up: “You’re finally here! Come in, I’ve arranged for a top-tier pet groomer for you!”

“Top-tier pet groomer?” Qiao Sang asked while deliberately slowing her steps, allowing more paparazzi behind them to catch up.

“Yep.” Wen Xiao also noticed the sudden crowd of flying pets circling above, so she slowed her pace too.

“He’s done grooming for many famous coordinators’ pets.”

By the time the two dawdled their way into the salon, nearly twenty flying-type pets hovered overhead.

If one looked closely, they’d see that many people up there had cameras pointed at the building below.

One man riding a flying pet held a camera-shaped pet and pressed the shutter.

A photo showing part of the salon’s interior instantly printed from the pet’s mouth.

---

Inside Xieli Pet Grooming Salon.

Yabao, Little Treasure, Lubao, and Gangbao all lay on separate grooming tables, each attended by a pet beautician giving the massages.

“Yap yap...”

“Xun xun...”

“Lu Ai~"

“Gang Slice...”

All of them wore relaxed expressions, even usually aloof Lubao was no exception.

Qiao Sang sat nearby, taking the time to practice hand seals.

The semifinals were that evening, and faster hand speed would be a big plus.

“What kind of vibe would you like your pets to have after grooming?” Asked a stylish blond man with blue eyes.

He kept his eyes forward, showing no surprise at her constant hand sealing.

“He’s the top-tier groomer.” Wen Xiao explained.

“You can tell him any look you want for your pets.”

She didn’t ask why Qiao Sang was practicing hand seals, she never thought Qiao Sang was normal to begin with, so nothing she did would be strange.

Qiao Sang thought for a moment.

“Anything is fine, as long as it keeps their original style.”

The man looked at the four unfamiliar pets, none of which he had ever groomed before, and grew excited.

“Understood.”

The black-haired girl before him had been appearing nightly in the hottest Beast Master tournament lately, of course, he knew who she was.

Just imagining that his grooming work would be seen on all major media outlets tonight filled him with fiery passion.

---

Nearly two hours later, Qiao Sang walked out of the salon with a polite smile, holding Yabao, whose fur was unusually soft, though the hair on its head was styled like a firecracker exploding upward.