Chapter 876: Secret Realm No. 16

Traveling from Yongtian City to Jiantian City by air took about three hours.

Perhaps because her brain domain had already reached 50%, Qiao Sang felt no drowsiness during the journey. She simply pulled out her textbooks and started reading.

The Beast Taming Department did have textbooks. It wasn’t as though there was no theoretical knowledge at all.

But in practice, experience often outweighed theory. Since Qiao Sang’s current priority was completing her assessment tasks to gain official eligibility for the Regional Tournament, Mikayla never required her to study.

Such freakish talent, and yet still so diligent… Given time, she might actually catch up with the Imperial Class students.

Without realizing, Mikayla’s gaze fell on Qiao Sang as she thought this.

At that moment, Qiao Sang turned to ask: “Professor, is there a way to earn school credits?”

Mikayla blinked, then replied, “There are many ways. Acquiring rare resources the school needs, or producing some kind of research achievement…”

She paused midway, suddenly recalling the girl was only a student. Then she added:

“You’re in the Beast Taming Department. For you, the best way to earn credits is by participating in nationally or globally recognized competitions. Achieve a certain ranking, and the school will usually award credits accordingly.”

Qiao Sang’s eyes lit up.

“Does the Regional Tournament count?”

Though the Regional Tournament was local by nature, it was undoubtedly famous nationwide, and even reported on abroad.

If not for the strict regional restrictions on registration, every area’s tournament would be flooded with outstanding beast tamers from across the country.

Mikayla thought for a moment, then nodded.

“Yes. Normally when I say national or global events, I mean for Imperial Class students. But your situation is special. If you place in the Regional Tournament, you can earn credits.”

“How many?” Qiao Sang asked eagerly.

“I’m not sure of the exact amount.” Mikayla admitted.

“But once you officially compete and earn a placement, I’ll ask on your behalf.”

Qiao Sang asked again: “Are there any other ways to earn credits?”

Even if she did place in the Regional Tournament, there was no guarantee the credits would be enough to redeem a purebred beast or a beast egg.

She had already given up on using credits for her fifth beast.

It was impossible to earn hundreds of thousands of credits in such a short time. She couldn’t remain without contracting a new beast for that long.

Still, it was better to prepare ahead. Maybe once her brain domain reached 60%, she could save enough credits to redeem her sixth beast.

Mikayla glanced at her and, instead of answering, asked: “You’re short on credits?”

“Mm.” Qiao Sang sighed.

“I originally wanted to redeem my fifth beast from the credit exchange, but I realized I don’t even have enough for a fraction of the cost.”

Mikayla fell silent.

The beasts and beast eggs listed in the exchange were primarily meant for Imperial Class students.

By the time students entered the Imperial Class, they were usually at least B-rank tamers, with all their contract slots filled.

Developing the brain domain from 50% to 60%, unlocking an additional contract page, was a long process.

That process required relentless effort, growth, competing in international events, or acquiring rare resources, to accumulate enough credits for purebred beasts and eggs.

For an Imperial Class student who never slacked off, earning hundreds of thousands of credits before a new contract page opened wasn’t impossible.

But Qiao Sang was too fast.

Barely a month into the semester, she had already developed a new contract page.

It was completely beyond Mikayla’s expectations.

Still, even if credits couldn’t redeem them yet, the fifth beast couldn’t be contracted casually. After all, the target was the Interstellar Cup.

At minimum, she needed a purebred with an imperial-rank racial potential…

Mikayla considered for a long time before speaking:

“Imperial Class students receive a significant credit reward when their brain domain breaks through and they certify as the next level of beast tamer at the Beast Center. You were the first to enter the Imperial Class as only a C-rank. Once you certify as B-rank, I’ll help you apply for credits.”

She paused, then asked: “For your fifth beast, do you have a preferred type?”

“I want an attribute I don’t already have.” Qiao Sang replied after thinking.

“As for the rest, I go by instinct.”

Mikayla nodded slightly.

“I understand. Don’t rush the fifth contract. Every page you unlock is incredibly valuable. I’ll start collecting information on where purebreds can be found.”

“What you need to focus on now is finishing the assessment tasks as quickly as possible.”

Assessment tasks had deadlines. Contracting beasts did not.

If she wanted to compete in the Interstellar Cup, she couldn’t just contract at random. Waiting a year or two for the right beast, or even traveling to secret realms or other planets, was common.

But certification as a B-rank required five contracted beasts.

Qiao Sang sighed inwardly, then nodded.

“I understand.”

There were already too many things on her plate:

Entering Secret Realm No. 16, finishing the assessments within the deadline

… The fifth beast contract truly wasn’t the most urgent task right now.

---

10:40 p.m., Jiantian City.

Beast Center, Residential Area, Room 1308.

Leaning against her bed, Qiao Sang opened a forum thread about Secret Realm No. 16.

#Secret Realm 16 reopens after 30 years#

#How can I enter Secret Realm 16?#

#I once entered Secret Realm 16, sharing precautions#

Her eyes locked on the last one. She tapped it open.

“Xun~”

Little Treasure floated over, staring at the screen.

Qiao Sang didn’t find it strange and began reading:

[As everyone knows, Secret Realm 16 is exclusive to the Beast Pattern Research Center. It opens once every thirty years. Normally, only internal members have entry rights. A few extra slots leak out, but those are not for ordinary people.]

[If an outsider wants in, you need to cozy up to a Center insider and ensure they have an available slot.]

[But even then, you must offer a skill they specifically need. For me, my beast could detect wind speed and direction, that’s how I got picked.]

[Don’t ask me why they needed that, I never knew.]

[Most eligible Runes Masters prepare their teams long in advance. I was chosen five years before entry. Last-minute team-ups are nearly impossible.]

[Inside the realm, I saw many Runes Masters acting solo. Team entries seemed rare. Not everyone has multiple slots, apparently.]

[Anyway, the key point is, inside Secret Realm 16, poison-type beasts are forbidden from using toxic gas skills. That’s what my team leader told me.]

[In most other realms, beasts’ territories are relatively fixed. You can map them out. But because Secret Realm 16 only opens every thirty years, everything shifts. The leader’s intel was mostly wrong.]

[One thing was still accurate: Deep northwest, on a cliff, lives a Emperor-level Ancient Winged Bird. Southeast, atop a snowy peak, lives a Emperor-level Frostbird.]

[Flying-type beasts seem especially favored in Secret Realm 16. They aren’t attacked easily and make exploration absurdly smooth. Just my speculation, still, be cautious.]

Qiao Sang frowned slightly.

The realm really was exclusive to the Beast Runes Center. No wonder the detailed data was only on their internal forums, inaccessible to her.

Still, this post seemed credible.

Apparently, the Runes Master who recruited the poster had also been searching for Qingqingni. Without a Qingqingni Compass, he had relied on beasts that sensed wind speed and direction.

So most entrants were likely after Qingqingni.

That meant she absolutely couldn’t team up. If she revealed the Qingqingni Compass, she’d be targeted instantly.

“Xun!”

Little Treasure, excited, slapped Gangbao’s wing like an older brother.

Next, we’ll be counting on you in the realm.

“Gang Zhan.”

Gangbao glanced at him, unsure why he was saying this, but nodded anyway.

---

The next morning, 9:10 a.m.

Beast Center, Examination Office.

A pot-bellied middle-aged examiner stared at the data on his computer, stunned.

Seeing him silent for so long, Qiao Sang asked, “Are there any assessment tasks related to Secret Realm 16?”

The examiner snapped out of it.

“Let me check…”

Realizing what he’d said, his face darkened in annoyance. A city examiner letting a student lead him by the nose, ridiculous.

Still, recalling the data he’d just seen, he obediently pulled up the secret-realm tasks.

After ten minutes, he finally spoke: “There’s one task. Collect 500 grams of Penetrating Armor Beast’s tears. They should exist in Secret Realm 16. No time limit, just complete it before the Regional Tournament begins.”

Penetrating Armor Beast, a high-level ground type. Its tears strengthened constitution, often used in physique-enhancing potions.

Qiao Sang nodded.

“I understand.”

As he returned her ID card and badge, the examiner eyed her strangely.

“You’re… a Rune Master too?”

Qiao Sang blinked.

“No.”

So she had acquired a secret realm slot by other means…

The examiner’s expression grew even more complicated.

Normally, these exclusive slots only allowed solo entry.

With a talent like hers, would her family really let her go alone?

---

“You picked up a task that fits the secret realm, good. I won’t accompany you inside.”

Mikayla’s voice came from the phone.

“I know.” Qiao Sang smiled.

“Professor, enjoy Jiantian City. I’ll contact you after I come out.”

Mikayla chuckled.

“I’ll be busy finding beasts suitable for you to contract. No time to stroll.”

Qiao Sang was touched.

“Then I’ll leave it to you.”

“Not a problem.” Mikayla hung up.

Qiao Sang left the Beast Center, opened her navigation, and summoned Yabao, who grew to full size.

She mounted him.

“Let’s go to Secret Realm 16.”

“Yap!”

---

Secret Realm 16 floated 1,630 meters above the Runes Center.

Many beast tamers on flying beasts lingered nearby.

Those with entry rights had already gone in on the first day. The ones outside now were mostly tourists and sightseers, taking photos at the once-in-30-years opportunity.

Approaching the guards, Qiao Sang handed over a white cylindrical crystal threaded on a cord.

The guard glanced at it and nodded.

“With the key, you may enter directly.”

So that’s how it’s used

… Qiao Sang hung the crystal around her neck, then walked with Yabao and her beasts toward the realm’s gateway.

Pale ripples spread, then stilled.

Qiao Sang and her beasts vanished.

At the same time, in Field No. 7 of the Beast Center, a hundred identical miniature Fire Qilus disappeared without a trace.