Chaopter 835: Return to Blue Star
One month later.
Blue Star.
Yuhua Region.
Starport.
Wearing a pure black down jacket and a scarf, Qiao Sang carried Yabao in her arms as she walked down the starship ramp with Liu Yao.
The moment she stepped outside, a fierce, icy wind howled past.
This weather⊠really takes getting used to
. Qiao Sang couldnât help but hold Yabao a little tighter.
Liu Yao, one hand pulling his suitcase and the other holding his phone, glanced at the messages and said: âI wonât send you home. Since Iâve been away from the institute for a while, a lot of things have piled up that I need to deal with.â
âDo you need me to come over?â Qiao Sang asked.
She remembered that the vice principalâs main research at the moment was Yabaoâs brand-new evolution chain.
âNo need.â Liu Yao smiled.
âI already recorded all the necessary data while we were on Chaosu Star.â
Most of the instruments were still at the Blue Star research institute.
Originally, the plan was to take Yabao to the institute for a full check-up after returning to Blue Star.
But Qiao Sangâs unexpected fame on Chaosu Star meant many people, once they learned of his connection to her, offered equipment and help, allowing him to finish the examinations there smoothly.
Liu Yao paused, then said: âAlso, Iâm planning to visit the place Adinishi predicted for me. I want to see what exactly will happen there.â
Qiao Sang hesitated.
âThat place might indeed be a turning point, but Iâve heard the predictions donât always come true immediately. Some people have waited over ten years at their predicted location before their pet beasts actually evolved.â
âItâs fine. I just want to take a look.â Liu Yaoâs tone carried a trace of wistfulness.
âOnly after seeing it for myself will I feel truly connected to Adinishi.â
Indeed, if it werenât for everyone having that prophetic dream at the end, the days spent with Adinishi wouldâve felt like a dreamâŠ
Qiao Sang thought to herself.
âEnough about that.â Liu Yao remembered something, glanced at Yabao, and said seriously: âWhen Fire Qilu evolves again, you must inform me right away.â
Yabao evolving? Thatâs still a long way off
⊠Qiao Sang nodded.
âDonât worry, Iâll tell you immediately.â
âYabao and the others have enough energy pills for a month. If they run out, you can make more using the recipe. Their progress is way too fast, ideally, energy pills for the early, middle, and late stages of each phase should all be reconfigured.â
âWhen you get to the Imperial Beast University, there will be many breeders more skilled than me. Find one to check Yabaoâs condition and make even more suitable pills.â
Why does his confidence drop whenever the Imperial Beast University is mentionedâŠ
Qiao Sang said seriously: âThe pills you made are already their favorite.â
âYap!â
Yabao barked in agreement.
Liu Yao froze for a moment, then chuckled.
âNo, what I mean is, right now, the pills are for their current stage. But in a few months, they might already be in the mid-stage. At that point, theyâll need a new formula.â
For a General-level beast to go from early to mid-stage usually takes years.
If he hadnât personally seen Qiao Sangâs outrageous progress, Liu Yao wouldnât have thought to remind her.
Oops⊠I misunderstood.
Qiao Sang kept her face straight. âGot it.â
After a pause, she said: âVice Principal, you should still come to my house for a meal before leaving. My mom said she prepared a lot of food and told me to bring you.â
âThank your mom for me.â Liu Yao glanced again at a newly arrived message and declined.
âBut I really do have things to handle. Another time, for sure.â
Then he looked at her gently.
âIâll go ahead. Contact me anytime.â
Seeing this, Qiao Sang didnât insist.
âAlright. Goodbye, Vice Principal.â
âGoodbye.â With that, Liu Yao pulled his suitcase toward the underground parking lot.
Qiao Sang carried Yabao toward the exit.
Along the way, she thought of something and turned to Gangbao, who was quietly observing everything nearby.
âDo you find this weather comfortable?â
âGang slice.â
Gangbao nodded.
She felt relieved.
Up ahead, a pink rabbit-type pet beast was hopping forward with a large black backpack.
âWait for me! Youâre too fast!â A girl followed behind, panting and carrying several bags
âHop-hop!â
The rabbit turned back, looking displeased, and called out, yet didnât slow down.
The girl seemed to understand and immediately stopped complaining, silently keeping up.
âGang sliceâŠâ
Gangbao tilted her head, intrigued by the scene.
Meanwhile, some passersby had noticed her.
A boy, about seven or eight, ran over politely.
âBig sister, is this your pet beast?
âYes.â Qiao Sang nodded.
âCan I take a photo with it? It looks so cool!â The boy asked brightly.
âOf course.â
Just as Gangbao thought the boy meant Yabao, he instead approached her, shyly glancing over before looking away again.
âGang sliceâŠâ
Gangbao looked confused.
So this human was calling me handsome?
Click!
The moment was captured. Qiao Sang returned the boyâs phone.
âDone.â
âThank you, big sister!â The boy happily ran back to a nearby woman.
Gangbao fell into deep thought.
It seemed her appearance was popular on this Blue Star.
Leaving the starport, Qiao Sang saw a variety of pet beasts, some walking, some flying, some cradled in peopleâs arms.
âGang sliceâŠâ
Watching all the ones being held, Gangbao was amazed.
What a strange worldâŠ
Suddenly, a familiar voice called out:
âFaithful!â
Following the sound, Qiao Sangâs eyes lit up. Hugging Yabao, she ran over happily.
âMom! Faithful Owl!â
âYouâve gotten thinner! Was the starship food that bad?â Ye Xiangting carefully examined her daughter, trying to contain her excitement.
âThinner?â Qiao Sang was surprised. Sheâd eaten well and slept enough during the trip, unlike the sleepless nights before.
âNot just thinner, taller too.â Ye Xiangting smiled.
Hearing this, Qiao Sang couldnât help but grin. It really had been a long time since sheâd seen her mother.
âYabaoâs evolved form looks even more handsome in person.â Ye Xiangting praised.
During her time on Chaosu Star, Qiao Sang had kept in touch, updating her on Yabaoâs evolution and even sending photos.
âYap!â
Proudly, Yabao puffed out his chest.
âXun~â
Little Treasure popped out to make his presence known.
Ye Xiangting glanced at its paws and gasped softly.
âIt evolved, but itâs still so small? I thought the size difference didnât show in the photos.â
âXunâŠâ
The cheerful Little Treasure immediately shrank into himself.
Qiao Sang quickly coughed to change the subject.
âMom, this is Gangbao, I mentioned her before.â
Before Gangbao could greet her, Ye Xiangtingâs eyes lit up, her tone oddly proud.
âOf course I know. Thereâs nothing like her in Yuhua, no, in all of Blue Star! My first time seeing a Chaosu Star pet beast.â
She pulled out her phone, switched on the camera, and took a photo with Gangbao.
Instinctively, Gangbao posed.
Ye Xiangting admired the picture, barely resisting posting it online. She smiled.
âLetâs go home. I bought lots of treats for pet beasts. I know what Yabao likes, but for Gangbao, I bought snacks for steel-types and flying-types, hopefully thereâs something youâll enjoy.â
She hopped onto Faithful Owlâs back.
As Qiao Sang was about to climb on too, Ye Xiangting suddenly remembered.
âWhereâs Vice Principal Liu? Didnât he return with you?â
âHe had business and left first.â Qiao Sang replied as she mounted the owl.
âYou shouldâve invited him over after all his help.â
âI did. He really was busy.â
âFine, next time then.â
As they spoke, Faithful Owl spread its wings.
Gangbao did the same, but Faithful Owl turned and called out, inviting her to ride along, it was bigger and faster.
After a momentâs hesitation, Gangbao accepted.
High in the sky, she realized⊠this was a completely different world.
Qinglu Courtyard.
Building 17.
In the living room, Yabao and the others happily munched on their energy snacks.
âI heard from Qiao Sang you like minerals.â Ye Xiangting set down a plate of black crystals in front of Gangbao.
âTry these.â
Gangbao took a bite and froze. Two seconds later, she swallowed with effort, then nodded.
âYou donât like it, do you? Why nod?â She swapped it for a plate of brown crystals.
âTry this instead.â
Gangbao chewed and her eyes lit up.
âLooks like you prefer this one.â Ye Xiangting, having learned her taste, sat at the dining table.
âBeen busy lately?â Qiao Sang asked casually.
âNot too bad.â Ye Xiangting replied.
âWhen Fire Fang Dogâs evolution path was revealed, it was the busiest. Now things are steady. I can even take time off to send you to the Imperial Beast University.â
Her mood brightened.
âI never imagined Iâd set foot there, let alone as a parent.â
âSince youâre finally back, Iâm thinking of hosting another banquet to invite all our relatives. They keep saying they want to see our familyâs pride and joy.â
At those words, her smile grew.
Two years ago, the Imperial Beast University, or even a top-tier school, was beyond imagining.
âBetter not.â Qiao Sang quickly refused.
âIâm leaving for Eagle Nation in a few days.â
The Imperial Beast Universityâs home country.
âSo soon?â Ye Xiangting was taken aback.
âI want to get there early and get familiar with the place.â Qiao Sang said.
Her mother sighed.
âYou just got back, and you even spent New Year on the starship. You should rest.â
âI just want to improve faster.â Qiao Sang replied between bites of roast duck.
âEveryone there will be older and stronger than me.â
Ye Xiangting stared at her, emotions complex. Sheâd really grown up.
âFine. Iâll go with you then.â She decided.
âAlright.â Qiao Sang didnât object.
âThen tomorrow weâll have the banquet.â Ye Xiangting said eagerly, picking up her phone.
Qiao Sang stopped her.
âWait, one thing first.â
She turned to Little Treasure.
âGet the Veil Serum.â
After reluctantly finishing a fruit, Little Treasure pulled a small bottle from his storage ring.
âWhatâs this?â
âThe Veil Serum.â Qiao Sang explained.
âI exchanged for it at Yulianton University. It boosts mental capacity without side effects.â
Ye Xiangting froze.
âIt works best in the morning. Take it, then meditate all day.â Qiao Sang instructed.
Her mother quickly pushed it back.
âSomething this valuable, you keep it.â
Qiao Sangâs heart warmed.
âIt can only be used once in a lifetime. Iâve already taken mine. I brought this just for you.â
Her motherâs eyes reddened slightly, but she masked it with a casual tone.
âI have Faithful Owl, thatâs enough.â
âI wanted to.â Qiao Sang said firmly.
âThis mustâve been hard to get, right?â
âNo, it was easy, just used some points I earned at the start of school.â
Ye Xiangting didnât believe it for a second, but accepted it anyway.
âSince you brought it just for me, Iâll use it.â She said.
âSo⊠about tomorrowâs banquetâŠâ
âWhat banquet? I need to stay home and meditate tomorrow.â
Perfect
. Qiao Sang thought.