âWho went there?â The supervisorâs voice came through.
After about three or four seconds, Fang Lan answered: âIt was Qiao SangâŠâ
The event was huge, and so there were many people from the Special Task Division present. Aside from those specializing in this kind of work, quite a few were just strangers taking jobs. The supervisor couldnât possibly remember everyoneâs name.
But Qiao Sang was an exception.
Not only did she look younger than her age, but her beasts were unusual and rarely seen, making her unforgettable.
The supervisor immediately remembered who she was, frowning: âNonsense. Her assigned area was Zone B. How did she manage to get to the Sawtooth Dragon before the contestants? Whoeverâs in charge of the flight obstacle course, preferably near the Sawtooth Dragon, over there.â
Although the Sawtooth Dragon was a King-level dragon-type beast, the fact that it appeared so openly without causing chaos or being chased by patrol units meant it had to be a contracted beast.
A beast raised to the King level definitely understood human societyâs rules and could communicate well. Even if its beast master wasnât around, so long as it could communicate, there shouldnât be a big problem.
Otherwise, no beast master would dare let their beasts roam around unsupervised.
Yet no one answered.
Even knowing this Sawtooth Dragon was a contracted beast, the oppressive aura of a King-level dragon-type beast made everyone hesitate to face it.
At this point, Fang Lan spoke again: âUm, I think Qiao Sang probably got there ahead of the contestants because she has a beast that can teleport. I just saw her vanish into thin air.â
No sooner had she spoken when Qiao Sangâs voice came over the radio: âIâm already here.â
â!!â
That fast?!
All the Special Task members were shocked.
---
Little Treasureâs spatial shift had already reached the peak of ultimate level. As long as he knew the designated route, he could move long distances in an instant without worrying about wasting energy.
Qiao Sang stared at the massive Sawtooth Dragon ahead, its body occupying nearly half the track, and her heartbeat sped up.
She didnât know what might happen next with this dragon-type beast, but it was clearly the same one from her dreams, the key to unlocking her brain domain.
Her brain domain was currently at 49%. If she pushed through, it would hit 50%.
With 50%, she could attempt the B-rank beastmaster assessment. That would make her a respectable figure in the futureâŠ
Taking a deep breath, she called out righteously: âSawtooth Dragon! This is the Flight Tournament racecourse! You are not allowed to linger here!â
At the same time, her imagination ran wild: The Sawtooth Dragon would sneer, thinking a mere human dared lecture it, then attack.
Yabao would clash with it but be defeated.
She herself would inevitably be hit by the Sawtooth Dragonâs attacks.
The reports said Sawtooth Dragons could release ultrasonic waves from their horns, indiscriminately striking everything nearby.
This one was definitely contracted, so it probably wouldnât deliberately target humans, but accidentally injuring her with its ultrasonic waves was highly possible.
Her brain domain would then suffer serious shocks, but she would hold out with her indomitable willpower and break through.
Just like the time she fought off hypnosis, broke through, and contracted Lubao in the processâŠ
But the imagined scene never happened. (T/n: Quite the imagination there, Qiao Sangđ You can almost rival me.)
âZzzruuu.â
The Sawtooth Dragon glanced around, realized the place it was resting at was indeed out of place, and with an apologetic expression, gave a cry. Then it flapped its wings and drifted aside, leaving the track.
Qiao Sang: ?!!
Ah! My fated chance! Donât go!
What am I supposed to do if you leave?!
âYabao, chase it!â Qiao Sang blurted.
âYap!â
Yabao leapt forward, ready to give chase.
âWait!â
âYapâŠâ
Yabao halted.
No⊠the location isnât rightâŠ
Through a gap in the clouds, Qiao Sang glanced downward.
This wasnât above the Beast Center.
Which meant this wasnât the breakthrough spot from her dreamâŠ
Should she still chase?
Qiao Sang hesitated, watching the Sawtooth Dragonâs figure shrink in the distance.
There was no doubt, it was the same dragon from her dream.
Dragon-type beasts werenât like the common pets found everywhere. You didnât just happen upon one after another in minutes.
And this one was King-level.
The odds of encountering two identical King-level Sawtooth Dragons in the same city within a short time were essentially zero.
It had to be the one from her dream.
But the beast matched, the location didnâtâŠ
Should she give up and hope to see it next time at the Beast Center?
But could there really be such a coincidence?
Maybe even the prophecy from Adinishi was based on what she already knew⊠just like with Lubaoâs evolution.
Her mind whirled with conflicting thoughts.
Then, her eyes hardened: âChase!â
She couldnât stake everything on an uncertain future. She had learned from Lubaoâs evolution, she had to seize initiative herself!
âYap!â
Yabao spread his wings, bursting forward in a blaze of flame.
The Sawtooth Dragon was flying leisurely, so Yabao caught up quickly.
âZzzruu?â
Hearing the noise, the Sawtooth Dragon turned its head, recognizing the human who had told it to leave. With a puzzled cry, it asked if something was wrong.
Yabao didnât translate immediately, most of his energy was still focused on controlling his clones for training.
âXun Xun~â
Little Treasure quickly filled in, translating.
Qiao Sang paused before asking: âItâs nothing. I just wanted to know why youâre out here on your own. Whereâs your beast master?â
âZzzruu.â
The Sawtooth Dragon gave a strange look.
It wasnât a hatchling, it didnât need its beast master hovering around all the time.
âXun Xun.â
Little Treasure translated, nodding in agreement.
Yeah, when he grew up, he also wandered around recruiting underlings without his beast master tagging along.
âThatâs not what I meant.â Qiao Sang gave a gentle smile.
âI just wanted to ask if youâre out here for something in particular. Maybe I can help.â
âZzzruu.â
The Sawtooth Dragon resumed flying casually, replying that it was just wandering around.
Qiao Sangâs eyes lit up.
âThen would you like to tour the Beast Center? I can take you.â
âZzzruu.â
The Sawtooth Dragon glanced back with a look that clearly said,
Are you serious?
The Beast Center? Whatâs so interesting about that shabby place?
Qiao Sang: âŠ
Right⊠as a King-level beast, its beast master must have traveled widely. The Beast Center was probably old news.
âXun Xun~â
Little Treasure raised his paw, suggesting the Flight Tournament currently being held would be worth seeing.
âZzzruu?â
The Sawtooth Dragon paused, looking intrigued.
Flight Tournament?
Qiao Sangâs heart leapt,
this might work.
Even if the Tournament wasnât in the same direction as the Beast Center, if she could get the Sawtooth Dragon to follow, she would eventually have the chance to guide it there.
And she was still technically on duty, so she needed to return anyway.
She shot Little Treasure an approving look.
âXun Xun~â
Encouraged, Little Treasure pitched the idea with even more enthusiasm.
Gangbao cast her
big brother
a silent look. She remembered well, this
big brother
hadnât even watched a single full match beforeâŠ
âZzzruu.â
But instead of being annoyed, the Sawtooth Dragon grew wistful.
To think the Flight Tournament had grown this much.
âZzzruu.â
Then it agreed,
take it there.
âXun Xun!â
Little Treasure exhaled in relief, turning to Qiao Sang with an eager
Praise me!
expression.
Her eyes said it all:
Well done.
âXun Xun~â
Overjoyed, Little Treasure bounded forward to lead the way.
âWait.â Qiao Sang stopped them.
Little Treasure skidded to a halt.
The Sawtooth Dragon glanced back.
âYou canât go like that.â Qiao Sang said, looking at it.
âCan you shrink your size?â
âZzzruu.â
The Sawtooth Dragon understood and nodded. Its form shrank until it was only about 60 centimeters tall.
Such a cooperative King-level beast⊠It was clear now there wouldnât be any sudden clash with Yabao that would trigger her breakthrough.
Qiao Sang gave Little Treasure a look: âLetâs teleport straight there.â
âXun Xun~â
His eyes glowed blue.
In the next second, they all vanished.
---
Two minutes later.
Flight Tournament, Zone B skies.
Qiao Sang suddenly appeared atop Yabao.
Fang Lan jumped in shock, then leaned in, whispering cautiously: âWasnât that one of yours a ghost-type? How come it can use psychic-â
Her words froze when her eyes fell on the newcomer at their side. She screamed: âYou brought the Sawtooth Dragon here?!â
Qiao Sang coughed lightly.
âIt was wandering aimlessly. When we talked, it seemed interested in the Conference, so I brought it.â
Fang Lan: !!!
You brought a King-level dragon here just because it was interested?!
She inhaled sharply, forcing herself calm: âAnd its beast master?â
âI donât know.â Qiao Sang admitted.
âYou didnât even tell its beast master before kidnapping it?!â Fang Lan gaped, unable to mask her shock.
That word kidnapped sounded too harshâŠ
Qiao Sang straightened her expression:
âYou know it too. Its beast master isnât here. Donât worry, Sawtooth Dragon is already King-level. It has the ability and right to act independently. The fact itâs wandering shows its beast master trusts it to be on its own.â
âZzzruu.â
The Sawtooth Dragon nodded in agreement.
Fang Lanâs expression grew more and more complicated.
In such a short time, Qiao Sang had convinced the Sawtooth Dragon and brought it along. With her guts, skills, and that ghost-type pet who somehow knew psychic techniques, if she entered the regional tournament, her debut would surely be extraordinary.
On the giant virtual screen, the obstacle course event continued.
About three minutes later, the frontrunner contestant passed the spot the Sawtooth Dragon had been resting.
The race went on without incident.
No one in the crowd or among the contestants knew a King-level dragon had just been there.
âWell done.â The supervisorâs voice came over the radio.
âI was just doing my job.â Qiao Sang replied.
The supervisor chuckled: âIâll be giving you top marks on this evaluation.â
Qiao Sang hesitated, then asked: âCan I just work for today only?â
Silence on the other end.
âIâm kidding!â She hurriedly said.
âI know. Keep it up.â the voice finally returned.
---
Time passed.
The Sawtooth Dragon remained quietly watching the matches.
Since she still had tasks later that afternoon, Qiao Sang didnât go back, grabbing lunch nearby instead.
By evening, the dayâs matches were finally over.
After saying goodbye to Fang Lan, Qiao Sang moved to mount Yabao, then paused, glancing at him: âYouâve been training all day, havenât you?â
âYap.â
Yabao nodded.
âThen you must be exhausted.â She said with concern.
âYap yap!â
Yabao shook his head.
He wasnât tired. He had drunk plenty of energy recovery potions, and Lubao had even given him a Healing Light midway.
Qiao Sang sighed.
âDonât push yourself. Even with potions restoring your energy, training with clones all day must leave you mentally fatigued.â
âYapâŠâ
Yabao froze.
Didnât he just say Lubao healed him? Didnât she hear?
He was about to explain again when Qiao Sang softened her voice: âYouâve trained all day. Rest now. Once youâve fully recovered, you can continue. Otherwise, Iâll just worry.â
âYap yap!â
Yabao was moved by the gentle look in her eyes and nodded firmly.
Resting was no big deal, he could do that!
His form shrank down.
Success!
Qiao Sang secretly gave herself a thumbs-up, then turned to the still-waiting Sawtooth Dragon, hesitating before asking: âMy beast is too tired. Could you give me a ride back to the Beast Center?â
âZzzruu.â
The Sawtooth Dragon remembered she had brought it here and watched the matches with it. Without much thought, it nodded.
So agreeable!
Qiao Sangâs heart leapt.
âThank you so much.â
âZzzruu.â
With a cry, the Sawtooth Dragon grew back to full size. Its tail swept her gently onto its back, and with a powerful beat of its wings, it flew toward the Beast Center.
Qiao Sang blinked.
âI didnât even give you directions, how do you know the way?â
âZzzruu.â
The Sawtooth Dragon answered mid-flight.
âYap yap.â
Yabao translated:
It said its beast master is at the Beast Center.
-----
T/n: I finally achieved my goal of studying the basics again. I was focusing in re-learning all those basic knowledge for preparation. Hopefully, I don't embarrass myself in front of the studentsđ„čâ.
And sorry for only updating one chapter today, I promise to do three tomorrow đ„č