Chapter 898: The Seventh Mission

What? I hadn’t even used mental communication, and she still knew what I was thinking?

Qiao Sang panicked inwardly.

Was the power of bonds really this strong?

She usually didn’t think about anything she shouldn’t… right?

Occasionally? How occasional?

Qiao Sang thought about it, and immediately decided to run an experiment.

I’m someone who transmigrated…

Gangbao had no reaction.

Our bond is this strong. Could your next stage also be bond evolution?

Still no reaction.

Gangbao is an idiot.

“Gang Zhan?”

Gangbao turned her head with a speechless look.

Okay, so it was really occasional…

Qiao Sang coughed lightly, changing the topic: “When we get back, I’ll find you a suitable biting-type skill.”

“Gang Zhan.”

Gangbao didn’t cling to what she had said earlier and simply nodded.

“You’re planning to let the Steel Sword Falcon practice biting-type skills, and only when it reaches King-level give it a Blunt-Clever Stone?” Mikayla asked after overhearing.

Qiao Sang hummed in acknowledgment.

“She likes to eat them directly. Also, I thought that if she can awaken a defensive skill next, that would be pretty good too.”

At first, what she valued about Gangbao, besides her intelligence, was her strong defense. But most of the skills she awakened later were offensive. For true defense, she only had Iron Wall.

Mikayla pondered a moment, then said: “If you’re letting the Steel Sword Falcon train biting-type skills only for those reasons, I suggest picking a lower- or mid-tier one. They’re easier to learn and improve proficiency in, compared to higher-tier skills.”

“I understand.” Qiao Sang took the advice to heart.

Then something occurred to her, and she lowered her voice to ask: “Teacher, at what stage does bond power reach the point where, without mental communication, a beast can sense what its master is thinking?”

Mikayla looked at her in surprise.

“You and the Steel Sword Falcon have already reached that stage?”

Qiao Sang glanced at Gangbao, then answered weakly: “Yes.”

“That’s a good thing.” Mikayla smiled.

“A pet that evolves through bonds is supposed to act as if one body with its master, in order to unleash extraordinary strength. A beast that can synchronize thoughts with its master is rare. But this is likely because all of the Steel Sword Falcon’s prior evolutions were through bond power.” ꞦἈ𐌽ꝋ𝔟Ě𝓢

“It’s only occasional synchronization.” Qiao Sang quickly corrected.

Mikayla chuckled.

“Then work hard, and deepen your bond. You’ll reach full synchronization sooner.”

Qiao Sang: …

She muttered in distress: “Thought synchronization… that doesn’t sound good.”

If Gangbao knew everything she thought, wasn’t that the same as running around naked?

“Gang Zhan.”

Gangbao nodded in agreement.

Knowing every thought her master had did damage the lofty image she held of her.

Qiao Sang blinked:

In your eyes, my image is lofty?

Gangbao looked back:

That was a long time ago.

Qiao Sang: …

Long time ago? Yet you kept evolving through bonds with me…

Gangbao couldn’t help but chuckle.

Seeing the silent exchange between the two, Mikayla smiled knowingly.

“In matches, no matter how commands are given, they always take time. The higher the level of the match, the more crucial timing becomes, and the shorter the commands should be. At high levels, bond evolution shows its advantages. If you can synchronize thoughts, you won’t even need to issue commands. That’s a definite advantage.”

“If there are thoughts you don’t want your beast to know, you can learn mental shielding. But that will hinder the growth of your bond. I suggest waiting until after you achieve synchronization before learning to shield.”

It was true, after Gangbao’s bond evolution, commanding in battle had become much easier. But she still had to transmit some commands mentally.

If they could directly synchronize thoughts, command flow and rhythm would improve a lot. And since Gangbao’s evolutions had always been bond-based, the chance of the next stage also being bond evolution wasn’t low.

Better not to block thoughts yet, lest it affect bond growth…

Qiao Sang nodded seriously: “I understand.”

Gangbao silently glanced at her master.

She really wanted to say that knowing her thoughts wasn’t that big of a deal, and sometimes, not knowing would be better.

For example: “Gangbao is an idiot,” “Gangbao’s body is so hard,” “Sigh, Yabao’s lap is still more comfortable.”

But seeing how serious she looked, she held her tongue.

---

Through light chatter, they arrived at the Beast Center.

Yabao’s appearance was too eye-catching, especially now that descriptions of Qingqing Ni’s beast master were circulating online.

The moment they landed, everyone’s eyes turned toward them.

Unlike Jintian’s Beast Center, the Beast master Center here was full of people from the Central Hollow Region.

The sight of a flame-winged fire-type beast descending stunned people at first, then their eyes lit up with excitement and desire.

Qiao Sang calmly hugged the now-shrunken Yabao and followed Teacher Mikayla into the center’s lobby.

While handling check-in procedures, a group of people tried to approach.

Mikayla only cast a faint glance their way.

An immense aura of pressure crashed down.

Fear rose in their hearts;

the crowd froze in place.

Check-in went smoothly.

Qiao Sang pulled out her phone. It was only 4:15 p.m. She excused herself to Teacher Mikayla and headed alone to the third floor for the assessment office.

She knocked twice.

“Come in.” A warm voice called.

Inside sat a middle-aged woman with soft features and a kind expression.

She looked up at Qiao Sang, then at Yabao, and froze.

“You’re the beast master contracted with Qingqing Ni?”

No wonder they said a beast can represent its master’s identity. With Yabao there, it was basically like carrying around an enlarged ID card.

Qiao Sang glanced down at Yabao, who was meditating, and replied softly: “Yes. I’m here to take on an assessment mission.”

She stepped forward, handing over her beast master badge and ID card.

The examiner scanned them carefully, reading every line of information.

Time ticked by.

At last, the examiner looked up, eyes full of complicated emotion.

“I thought the rumors were exaggerated. But to think you’re truly this strong at such a young age.”

“Not at all.” Qiao Sang answered modestly.

“Have you tried the certification exam to become a B-rank beast master?” The examiner asked.

Qiao Sang blinked.

“No.”

To become B-rank, one not only needed 50% brain domain development, but also had to pass an exam. Many beast masters at 50% needed years to succeed. Right now, her priority was completing tasks, not exams.

“Then your assessment mission is to become a B-rank beast master.” The examiner declared.

“The deadline is before the official Regional Tournament.”

Become a B-rank beast master?

Qiao Sang was stunned.

This was the first examiner she’d met who didn’t pull from the mission list but instead issued a mission directly.

Seeing her hesitation, the examiner added: “If you feel you can’t complete it right away, you can go to another city to do other tasks first. As long as you pass the B-rank certification before the Regional Tournament, it counts.”

Qiao Sang hesitated.

“Is that… allowed?”

“What?” The examiner didn’t follow.

“Is it really allowed to issue this kind of mission?” Qiao Sang asked.

In Jintian City, the missions may have been simple, but at least they solved real problems.

This one?

She’d have to take the exam sooner or later anyway. It felt like the examiner had issued it just for her.

“Why not?” The examiner looked at her.

“Do you feel pressured?”

“Pressured? Not at all!” Qiao Sang shook her head quickly.

The examiner clearly didn’t believe her.

“I told you, you can complete other tasks first.”

She paused, then explained: “You’re not from the Central Hollow Region, so you may not know the place Qingqing Ni holds in people’s hearts here. When you join the Regional Tournament, everyone will scrutinize you.

“The lowest entry rank is C-rank beast master. If you show up as C-rank, people will criticize you endlessly.

“Keep in mind: Even many A-rank beast masters failed to contract Qingqing Ni when entering Secret Realm No. 16.”

“That’s why you must show overwhelming strength, to silence them all.”

Her tone grew increasingly earnest: “For someone of your age to have this level of power is unprecedented. I want you to appear at the tournament and prove to everyone that you deserve Qingqing Ni.”

Even if I didn’t deserve it, the contract’s already signed…

Qiao Sang complained inwardly, but outwardly kept a straight face: “I understand.”

She picked up her badge and ID, ready to leave.

“Wait.” The examiner stopped her, hand pressing on hers.

Qiao Sang raised her head in puzzlement.

“Can you let me see Qing qing Ni?” The examiner asked solemnly.

Qiao Sang: …

---

Ten minutes later.

In the Beast master Center lobby.

Qiao Sang stood at the counter, registering for the B-rank certification exam.

More and more people gathered around.

A group tried to get close.

“Xun xun…”

Little Treasure appeared, recalling his master's teacher’s aura, and released his domineering pressure.

The practice hadn’t been in vain, the crushing force radiating from him made the crowd stop in their tracks.

“Your exam can only be scheduled for one week later.” The staff member said politely.

Qiao Sang blinked.

“Can’t it be sooner?”

“All B-rank examiners must be invited from outside, and we need advance scheduling. One week is already very fast.”

Hearing that, Qiao Sang didn’t press further. Registration was soon complete.

---

Back in the lodging area, Qiao Sang knocked on Teacher Mikayla’s door.

Before Mikayla could answer, a breeze slipped through the crack and shaped into Qingbao, who nodded.

“Qing qing.”

She was inside.

A moment later, Mikayla’s voice came: “Come in.”

Qiao Sang glanced at Qingbao, looking conflicted, then pushed the door open.

“What’s the matter?” Mikayla asked first.

Normally at this time, her student would already be out on mission.

“The mission is to certify as a B-rank beast master.” Qiao Sang sat on the sofa.

“I registered, the exam is scheduled a week from now.”

She glanced at the half-open suitcase on the floor.

Mikayla frowned, sensing bad news.

“You’re not planning to leave for another city right now, and only return when it’s almost exam time, are you?”

“Teacher, you’re so smart.” Qiao Sang quickly flattered.

“We just arrived here.” Mikayla sighed.

“We can leave tomorrow morning.” Qiao Sang offered.

She felt with her efficiency, she might squeeze in another mission before the exam.

Mikayla twitched her lips.

She used to value efficiency. Now, she realized maybe not so much…

“B-rank certification isn’t easy.” Mikayla said seriously.

“It has two rounds. First is a 1v1 match. Second is a 2v2 team battle. You must win both to pass.

“Your brain domain only just passed 50%. The Ice Emperor Ram also just evolved to King-level. You need training. Especially in team battles, you’ve barely done them. Which two beasts to pair, how to coordinate their skills, how to use combination moves, these all require thought.

“I honestly think one week is too short.”

Qiao Sang considered herself someone who listened to advice, especially from an S-rank beast master. She asked at once: “Teacher, which two beasts do you think should pair up?”

“Yap!”

Yabao barked excitedly.

“Xun xun~”

Little Xunbao flicked his hair with a smug look:

Isn’t it obvious?

“Lu Di.”

Lubao leapt out of the backpack.

“Gang Zhan.”

Gangbao flapped her wings, making her presence known.

“Qing qing.”

Qingbao raised a paw, signaling she could join too.

“You’re their beast master. You decide.” Mikayla was relieved Qiao Sang was listening.

“Once you choose, come to me. I’ll help you train for battles, combining skills, team coordination, all of it.

“Missions, I won’t interfere. But battle training, I can.”

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T/n: Even when sleeping, all I dream about are my lessons😭 Like, why am I practicing my teaching in dreams?!