Chapter 897: Blunt-Clever Stone

Half an hour later.

Five hundred meters above the Beast Taming Center, Qiao Sang had Little Treasure teleport straight to the third-floor mission office to submit their task, then headed for the dormitory area to knock on Teacher Mikayla’s door.

No one responded.

Just as Qiao Sang was about to knock again, a breeze slipped out from the crack of the door, transforming into Qingbao.

“Qing qing.”

Qingbao shook her head, indicating no one was inside.

Qiao Sang was silent for two seconds.

“When did you go in?”

“Qing qing.”

Qingbao cried out, meaning

she had gone in right when they arrived. Last time they wasted so much time waiting, so this time she decided to check inside first.

“Xun xun~”

Little Treasure appeared, gave a thumbs up, and showed an admiring look.

So clever, he had never thought of that before.

If Qingbao went in, nobody minded. If you barged in, someone would probably die of fright…

Qiao Sang glanced at Little Treasure, then pulled out her phone, ready to dial Teacher Mikayla.

At that moment, footsteps approached from ahead.

Qiao Sang looked up, it was Teacher Mikayla. She put her phone down and said: “Teacher, I was just about to look for you.”

Mikayla came closer, her eyes flashing with a trace of complexity.

“You’ve already finished your task?”

Qiao Sang gave a short “Mm.”

“I just submitted it. We can head to the next city now.”

That speed was… almost too much.

Mikayla unlocked the door and said: “Come in first.”

Qiao Sang walked in, casually asking: “Which city are we going to next?”

“Huitian City.” Mikayla replied, sitting down on the sofa.

“It’s the closest city to Tiangao City. From the aerial passage, it only takes about an hour.”

Why are you sitting down? Weren’t we supposed to leave as soon as we grabbed our luggage? Qiao Sang complained inwardly, then politely suggested: “Why don’t we leave now? That way, we can still pick up a task this afternoon.” ṙἁＮɵВЕŜ

“No need to rush. Leaving later is the same.” Mikayla smiled.

“I have something to tell you.”

“What is it?” Qiao Sang sat down.

Mikayla said: “I contacted Dean Theresa and reported your situation. She said you’re allowed to choose any one item from the Imperial Beast University’s point exchange catalog.”

Qiao Sang froze, then straightened up, springing off the sofa in excitement: “Really?!”

She could pick something from the catalog, the ones worth a million points, for free?!

“Of course.” Mikayla nodded.

“But there’s one condition.”

The word

condition

cooled Qiao Sang’s excitement. She sat back down.

“What is it?”

“Qingqing Ni’s body data.” Mikayla said seriously.

“The Dean wants you to record her physical data at every stage of her evolution back at the Imperial Beast University.”

Relieved, Qiao Sang immediately agreed: “That’s no problem!”

It was only body data. Even Yabao’s evolution stages had their stats checked by the Vice Principal.

Suddenly, Qiao Sang’s expression turned troubled.

Mikayla noticed.

“Is there something you want to say?”

Qiao Sang organized her words: “Collecting data is fine, but I’m busy doing missions and entering the regional competition. I don’t have time to return to the University.”

That’s all?

Mikayla chuckled.

“Then just get it checked when you do return to the University.”

Qiao Sang sighed.

“What I mean is, Qingbao will very likely evolve before I go back. By then, she might already be at the high-level stage. That means the school won’t get her early and middle-level data. Will I still get to pick an item?”

Mikayla: …

Honestly, she hadn’t thought of that possibility at all.

For most Beast Tamers, evolving a pet from beginner to high-level within a few months was impossible, especially if they wanted perfect evolutions.

But for Qiao Sang… it might actually happen.

Her earlier pets had all evolved quickly and with excellent development, two of them even awakened super-tier skills at the general rank.

Mikayla paused for several seconds, then called Dean Theresa and explained Qiao Sang’s concern.

After a brief silence, the Dean replied the school would send people over to do the checks, then hung up.

“The Dean said the school will send people over.” Mikayla set down her phone.

She added: “So don’t worry.”

Qiao Sang relaxed.

Not because of overconfidence, but because Qingbao was already mid-beginner stage. With daily energy food, she’d evolve quickly enough. And once Teacher Flauda’s energy pills arrived, it would be even faster.

Then another thought struck her. She asked: “Teacher, what kind of phone is that? I couldn’t hear a thing during your call. I want to buy one.”

“Instruments developed by the Mechanical Department.” Mikayla explained.

“Only available inside the University. You can exchange for one with points.”

No wonder, even with her enhanced senses from beast feedback and 50% brain domain usage, she hadn’t overheard anything. So it was University-made tech…

Qiao Sang nodded.

“I see.”

“Want to eat first before leaving?” Mikayla asked.

“No need.” Qiao Sang waved it off.

“I’ll just buy something and eat on the road.”

“Then let’s go.” Mikayla stood up and grabbed her luggage.

---

High above the ground.

On the way to the aerial passage.

Qiao Sang sat on Yabao, using her phone to log into the University’s website. She spent 30 points to order the special phone, shipping it to Huitian City’s Beast Center.

Beside her, Qingbao was practicing Charm on Little Treasure.

“Qing qing~”

A wink, a flirty gaze.

A pink heart shot out and struck Little Treasure.

Little Treasure blinked… no reaction.

Qingbao’s smile faded. She tried again.

Another heart hit.

Still no reaction.

Qingbao: …

Her expression grew serious. She brushed the clouds beneath her, floated upward in a loop, then smiled sweetly while throwing out another charm.

“Qing qing~”

This heart was bigger than the last two.

It landed successfully.

This time, Little Treasure lifted a paw… and picked his nose.

“Qing qing…”

Qingbao flopped down onto Yabao’s back, head drooping, utterly crushed.

Qiao Sang put down her phone, surprised at the sight.

“What’s wrong?”

It was her first time seeing Qingbao like this.

“Xunxun~”

Little Treasure waved his paw.

Probably felt like charm was useless and got discouraged.

So that’s it…

Qiao Sang looked at Qingbao and comforted:

“Little Treasure is three levels higher than you. Plus, you’ve practiced many times. It’s normal for him to build resistance, it doesn’t mean your charm doesn’t work.”

“Qing qing…”

Qingbao still drooped.

But if it doesn’t work on him, doesn’t that mean it’s useless?

Qiao Sang: …

She quickly added: “I mean, it works on everyone else. Just not on Little Treasure.”

“Qing qing?”

Qingbao lifted her head.

Really?

Qiao Sang paused, then clarified: “The higher the target’s level, the weaker the effect. But against same-level, opposite-gender opponents, your charm will definitely succeed.”

From time together, she’d realized Qingbao was clever. Not gullible like Yabao, with good memory too, otherwise she wouldn’t have thought to slip into the room earlier. So communication had to be precise.

“Qing qing.”

Qingbao floated back up, expression saying

Got it.

---

Huitian City.

The top aerial trade hub of the mid-air region, home to almost every item flying-type beasts could need.

Many Beast Tamers from other regions and countries came just for these items.

As soon as Qiao Sang exited the aerial passage, she saw thick clouds crisscrossed like streets, lined with stalls filled with people and flying beasts.

“Qing qing?”

Qingbao’s curious voice rang out once summoned.

“They’re stalls selling goods.” Qiao Sang explained.

“If you like, go take a look.”

Then she turned to Gangbao.

“Gangbao, you too. Everything here’s for flying beasts. See if you find something you like.”

If she knew Gangbao’s next evolution path, she could’ve shopped for the exact materials.

Unfortunately, it was still unknown.

“Gang Zhan.”

Gangbao’s eyes lit up with interest. She flapped her wings and flew forward, the breeze following.

“Xun xun!”

Little Treasure popped out, shouting.

Wait for me! I want to shop too!

Qiao Sang followed behind, hugging Yabao.

“Weren’t we supposed to go accept another task this afternoon?” Mikayla asked.

Qiao Sang checked her phone.

“No rush, we still have time.”

She glanced at her pets shopping happily and smiled.

“Even if we don’t, we can just pick one up tomorrow.”

Earlier you were the one rushing me…

Mikayla was speechless.

As they walked, Qiao Sang asked: “Lubao, do you want to come out and shop too?”

“Lu Di.”

Lubao unzipped the backpack, poked her head out, glanced at the bustling crowd, then ducked back inside.

Not interested.

Qiao Sang didn’t push it.

The place was full of tourists, each focused on their shopping, so nobody paid attention to them. Qiao Sang felt reassured.

Gangbao skimmed stall after stall, barely stopping.

Little Treasure, though, chirped nonstop, wanting this and that.

Soon, Qiao Sang was carrying bags upon bags, Yabao even helping hold one in his mouth.

None of it was expensive for her. Even if Little Treasure didn’t need them, Gangbao could use them later.

Suddenly, Gangbao stopped at one stall.

Qiao Sang walked over.

“Found something you like?”

The vendor quickly jumped in: “Your beast has sharp eyes. Looks like a defensive type. I’ve got plenty of items to boost a flyer’s defenses. For example, this gree-”

“Gang Zhan.”

Gangbao cut him off, pointing at a massive, dark gray, stone-like material.

The vendor lit up.

“Ah, that piece is special! I hauled it from the Lian-ke region. Hard as can be, beasts that cut steel can’t even scratch it. Perfect for training air blade skills, or for crafting defensive tools.”

“Gang Zhan.”

Gangbao cried again, meaning,

she just wanted to eat it.

Eat it? Come to think of it, it’s about time to buy some ores for Gangbao again

… Qiao Sang asked: “How much?”

The vendor’s eyes gleamed.

“100,000.”

Mikayla spoke up: “That’s called a Blunt-Clever Stone. Incredibly heavy. Not suitable for wearable defensive tools.”

Realizing she was an expert, the vendor backpedaled.

“Alright, how about 20% off?”

Mikayla fell silent.

Qiao Sang leaned in and whispered: “Teacher, can I borrow your Beast Badge?”

Mikayla gave her a look, then handed it over.

Qiao Sang tossed the golden badge casually in her hand.

“Any chance of lowering the price a little more?”

The vendor froze.

That golden badge, every Beast Tamer’s dream

.

His knees nearly buckled.

“90% off! Please!”

…

Wasn’t that a bit too effective?

Qiao Sang tucked away the badge, her conscience intact.

“No need. You should still earn something.”

“I already have! I only bought it for 700 credits!” The vendor blurted.

Qiao Sang: …

Mikayla: …

A breeze floated by.

Qingbao’s expression said:

So that’s how it’s done.

---

After the market, on the way to the Beast Center, Mikayla’s expression turned complicated.

“That Blunt-Clever Stone may not work for wearable gear, but if ground into powder and made into a potion, it can grant temporary invincibility. In Eagle Nation, it’d sell for nearly a million.”

What? Gangbao scored a jackpot?

Qiao Sang was stunned.

“And if eaten directly?”

Mikayla understood immediately.

“It’ll boost defenses. Used right before evolution, it can even raise the chance of awakening a defensive skill. But your Steel Sword Falcon’s teeth can’t bite through it.”

She added: “Unless it reaches King-level and learns an ultimate-level biting skill.”

So useful?! But Gangbao didn’t have a bite skill, and who knows when she’d reach King-level…

Qiao Sang quickly asked: “What if it’s powdered and eaten? Same effect?”

“Some energy would be lost.” Mikayla admitted.

Should she invest time teaching Gangbao a biting skill?

Qiao Sang fell into thought.

“Gang Zhan.”

Gangbao’s voice echoed in her mind.

She wanted to learn.

Qiao Sang froze, staring at her in disbelief. Her eyes said:

Wait… you can hear my thoughts?

Gangbao looked back.

Occasionally

.

Qiao Sang: !!!

-----

T/n: Hahahhahahahahaha... Creating daily lesson plans... Thinking of suitable activities... Creating long ass ppt... I can only say...

Damn it. Free me from this pain

😭 Sorry I wasn't able to update yesterday, I was crashing out from stress that all I ever did was stare blankly at my empty blank document😭