Chapter 896: Sixth Mission

“Is this acceptable?” Qiao Sang asked hesitantly.

“Why not?”

The examiner, with a face that looked utterly impartial and fair, said: “The essence of a mission is problem-solving. If the one issuing the mission feels the problem is resolved, then isn’t it resolved?”

That… did kind of make sense.

Qiao Sang thought to herself.

The examiner continued earnestly: “There isn’t much time left. You still have six missions undone. You need to hurry.”

As he spoke, he handed back her Beast Taming Badge and ID card.

Qiao Sang took them.

“I understand.”

With that, she turned to leave.

But the examiner called out: “Wait!”

Qiao Sang turned back, silently asking with her eyes what he wanted.

The examiner coughed lightly.

“You still haven’t answered my earlier question, does Qingbao sleep? Usually, what time does it go to bed?”

Qiao Sang: …

(T/n: This is like a Lubao 2.0 crazy fanatics😆 But more severe this time or not?)

---

Carrying Yabao in her arms, Qiao Sang left the Beast Center and immediately noticed the large number of people waiting at the entrance.

They stood in small groups, chatting.

The moment she appeared, she clearly felt everyone’s gazes gather on her, followed by a brief silence.

Don’t tell me… they’re all here for me?

Qiao Sang’s heart gave a jolt, though her face stayed calm.

“Yap!”

Yabao leapt from her arms, his body steadily enlarging.

The sheer pressure of his aura made those attempting to approach stop in their tracks.

Qiao Sang swung onto Yabao’s back.

Seeing this, the crowd scrambled to mount their own Flying-type pet beasts.

Glancing around at their movements, Qiao Sang said: “Little Treasure.”

“Xun xun~”

Little Treasure understood immediately. Appearing beside her, his eyes glowed blue.

The next moment, Qiao Sang, Yabao, and the others vanished from sight.

At the Beast Center entrance, the crowd was first stunned, then erupted in frustration.

“She has a pet that can use Spatial Shift!”

“Damn it! We waited all this time for nothing!”

“Neither of her beasts are from the Central Hollow Region. Does that mean… she isn’t from here?”

“You should’ve gone up and asked directly!”

“Why didn’t you go ask yourself!?”

The two who argued glared at each other, then snorted coldly and turned away.

---

High above the city.

Qiao Sang opened her phone and checked the trending searches.

One headline instantly caught her attention: [Qingbao’s Beast Tamer Appears at Tiangao Beast Center]

In the comments, two-thirds of people were posting pictures of their plane, subway, and skyway tickets, heading straight for Tiangao City.

A few questioned if it was a case of mistaken identity.

But another group uploaded photos taken inside the Jintian Beast Center, zooming in on Yabao.

Humans might be misrecognized, but rare pet beasts would never be mistaken, especially when the beast wasn’t native to the region and people had never seen it before.

So it really was Yabao that gave me away

… Qiao Sang sighed, glancing at the beast racing through the skies beneath her.

Though Gangbao had been flying alongside too, with a form unfamiliar to the Central Hollow Region, she possessed a naturally low-key presence. As long as she stayed in her smaller form and quiet, she was hard to notice at first glance.

But once someone’s eyes lingered on her, they’d inevitably realize how unusual she was.

Yabao was the opposite, shrunk or not, he always drew people’s eyes.

Well… that’s fine. Just like Teacher Mikayla said, if you have power, everything else is easier. Otherwise, I can’t exactly keep Yabao shrunken and wrapped in clothes forever.

Adjusting her mindset, Qiao Sang called Mikayla.

After two rings, the line connected.

“Hello?” Teacher Mikayla’s voice came through the speaker.

“Teacher, I’m on my way to complete a mission. The task is…”

Qiao Sang briefly explained the mission before adding: “I should be able to finish it today.”

Mikayla was silent for a few seconds.

“I see. Then I’ll get things packed early and wait for your return.”

“Alright.” Qiao Sang hung up.

---

At the Beast Center, top-floor restaurant.

The panoramic windows overlooked the open skies below.

At a table by the window, Mikayla set down her phone and turned to her laptop screen:

[Esteemed Dean Theresa Dwight, Qiao Sang has already contracted her fifth pet beast, Qingqing Ni, the Beginner-level form of Wind God Cloud, a legendary beast of the Dragon Nation’s Central Hollow Region…]

She lifted her hands and continued typing:

[Although I still find it hard to believe, she has indeed contracted a legendary beast. Her future potential far surpasses my previous estimates. Regarding my last request for additional credits, I hope another 100,000 can be added…]

Before she finished, her phone rang again.

Glancing at the caller ID, Mikayla froze, then hurriedly answered: “Dean Theresa.”

“I’ve already heard about Qiao Sang. Is it true?” Theresa’s voice carried through.

“You mean… that she contracted a legendary beast?” Mikayla confirmed.

Silence lingered for a few seconds before Theresa gave a low “Mm.”

So it was Flauda who spread the word to the Imperial Beast University…

Mikayla replied seriously: “It’s true. I was just about to report it to you.”

Another pause, then Theresa’s firm voice:

“I see. Then Qiao Sang’s safety must be ensured. As for your application, I won’t be approving the additional credits. Instead, let her freely select one item of her choice from the exclusive Imperial Class credit exchange vault. I’ll personally authorize it.”

One item of her choice!? Mikayla froze, then joyfully replied: “I’ll relay your instructions to her!”

But then she hesitated.

“Wouldn’t that cause issues with the other Imperial Class students?”

After all, nothing in the Imperial Class was free. Credits had to be earned through achievements and resources.

Qiao Sang may indeed be the fastest Beast Tamer in history to surpass 50% brain domain, but directly giving her any item from the vault seemed excessive.

Some items there were worth over a million credits, and a few had been sitting untouched since the Imperial Class was founded, simply because no one had the ability to exchange for them.

“Have Qiao Sang bring Qingqing Ni back for a full-body examination when she returns. If she provides the University with data on a legendary beast, and anyone else has objections, then let them contract a legendary beast of their own.” Theresa’s domineering words left no room for doubt.

Mikayla exhaled in relief.

“Understood.”

---

High in the skies.

Huayu District No. 5.

Taihua Hotel.

Qiao Sang dismounted from Yabao.

Instead of walking straight inside, she looked ahead and asked the empty air: “Qingbao, did you hear all that just now?”

“Qing qing.”

The breeze stirred, and Qingbao’s childish voice drifted down

I heard. Later, let me charm the hotel owner.

“That’ll be our backup plan.” Qiao Sang said.

“I’ll search for that Fat-Thorn Cat first. If I can’t find it, then you come out.”

After a pause, she added: “And you won’t need to use your charm. Just speaking will be enough.”

Given Qingbao’s standing in the Central Hollow Region, she was sure that if Qingbao spoke directly to the hotel owner, not only would the Fat-Thorn Cat be left alone, even its Beast Tamer wouldn’t dare steal food again.

“Qing qing?”

Qingbao’s puzzled voice drifted through the air.

Really? That would work?

“Believe in your own charm.” Qiao Sang encouraged solemnly.

“Qing qing~”

Another soft breeze passed. Qingbao gave a sweet call, showing her understanding.

Qiao Sang then picked up the now-shrunken Yabao and entered the hotel, heading straight for the front desk.

“I’m a Beast Tamer assigned to resolve the Fat-Thorn Cat issue. I called ahead before coming.”

The receptionist smiled politely.

“Of course, please wait one moment.”

She quickly made a call, then hung up half a minute later with her professional smile.

“Our supervisor will be down shortly. Please wait in the lounge.”

Qiao Sang sat with Yabao on a sofa.

From the corner of her eye, she caught the receptionist whispering excitedly to her colleague: “Did you see? That pet, it’s Qingqing Ni's Beast Tamer’s beast, isn’t it?”

“No mistake! It’s the same one!”

“Then that girl must be Qingqing Ni's Beast Tamer!”

“Oh my god, Qingqing Ni! I can’t believe I’m this close to Qingqing Ni!”

Their voices carried clearly to Qiao Sang.

When she glanced over, the receptionist immediately suppressed her excitement, reverting to her professional demeanor.

Qiao Sang: …

Several other staff also recognized Yabao from the viral photos. One even tried bringing tea as an excuse to get closer, only to retreat when the supervisor hurried over.

“Hello, are you the Beast Tamer assigned here?” The young supervisor, about thirty, couldn’t keep his eyes off Yabao.

“That’s me.” Qiao Sang said.

“Please wait a little longer. I’ll fetch our director.” With that, he strode off.

Qiao Sang blinked. She hadn’t expected the owner to be called out this soon. Normally, such matters were handled by supervisors alone.

Guess Plan B won’t even be needed if the owner’s coming straight away…

After five minutes, a tall woman with a commanding presence entered, the supervisor in tow

“This is our hotel’s director.” The man introduced.

“My surname is Bai.” The woman said, her gaze lingering briefly on Yabao.

“Director Bai.” Qiao Sang greeted.

“Let’s speak in my office.” Bai said briskly.

“Alright.”

They took the elevator to the top floor. The supervisor left after shutting the door.

“I want to know, where was the last place Fat-Thorn Cat was seen?” Qiao Sang asked.

But Director Bai didn’t answer. Instead, she stared and asked: “You’re Qingqing Ni's Beast Tamer, aren’t you?”

So she recognized me from Yabao after all…

Qiao Sang replied coolly: “I’m here to complete a mission.”

Bai paused for two seconds, then said firmly: “As long as you let me see Qingqing Ni with my own eyes, I’ll confirm the mission complete.”

Qiao Sang: …

“I’ll even leave you a five-star review.” Bai added.

This is an assessment task, not a paid commission from the Beast Hall…

Qiao Sang muttered inwardly, then said aloud: “That wouldn’t be appropriate.”

“There’s nothing inappropriate. I issued the mission. If I say it’s complete, then it is.” Bai said solemnly.

Fine, fine… forcing me into Plan B, huh.

“Qingbao.” Qiao Sang called.

“Qing qing~

The breeze stirred, and Qingbao appeared.

Bai froze, then began trembling with excitement.

Qiao Sang cleared her throat.

“If Fat-Thorn Cat appears again, how will you handle it?”

But Bai didn’t seem to hear, her gaze locked on Qingbao. In a hushed, trembling voice, she asked cautiously: “May I… touch you?”

“Qing qing~”

Qingbao chirped sweetly but shook her head.

No. You haven’t answered yet.

“Sh refused? Did she just say no?” Bai asked anxiously.

“You haven’t answered my question.” Qiao Sang reminded.

Qingbao drifted back to her side.

This finally drew Bai’s attention to Qiao Sang. Taking a deep breath, she steadied herself.

“Sorry. Could you repeat the question?”

“I asked, if Fat-Thorn Cat shows up again, what will you do?”

“Whatever you say we should do, we’ll do.” Bai answered without hesitation.

Qiao Sang: …

---

Ten minutes later.

Declining Bai’s offer to escort her, Qiao Sang left the office and entered the elevator.

When it stopped at the 16th floor, a guest entered.

From the corner of her eye, Qiao Sang noticed, against the wall outside, a scrawny, purple-furred, spike-covered feline pet sneaking along.

It sensed her gaze, turned, and froze in alarm, its fur bristling before it bolted.

Fat-Thorn Cat…

She instantly recognized it.

In the research she’d done beforehand, Fat-Thorn Cats were usually round, even plump. But this one was abnormally skinny.

Its furtive behavior confirmed it was the very Fat-Thorn Cat from her mission.

As the elevator doors closed, Qiao Sang didn’t chase after it.

Her task was already complete.

A pet beast sneaking out without its tamer to steal food reminded her of her very first mission, when a Bubble Wraith snuck into a warehouse to consume the residual energy in stored items.

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T/n: Day 2 of teaching... My voice is becoming hoarse😭✊ I hope I won't sound like a dying horse tomorrow😔