Chapter 909: Three Days

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The disguised Flame Music Fox plan, successful!

Qiao Sang’s face lit up with joy.

That meant her mission was basically complete. Three days later, she might even have the chance to get close to the champion of this contest.

“Xun xun~”

Little Treasure beamed happily.

“Gang Zhan.”

Gangbao quietly let out a sigh of relief.

Lubao relaxed as well, poking her head back into the backpack.

The swirling wind around them gradually calmed.

A kind-looking woman nearby couldn’t suppress her curiosity. She leaned closer and asked softly: “May I ask what kind of reward you’re getting for this mission?”

She just couldn’t figure out what sort of reward a seemingly simple task could offer that would attract a B-rank beast master, enough to make her disguise her pet and insist on staying.

Normally, Fire-type pets were assigned officially. But some item-makers, in order to have more certainty of winning, would post special missions with extremely high rewards, asking beast masters whose Fire-types had already been chosen to find a way to sneak them in.

Cases of success were rare, but not unheard of. Just two years ago, one such incident had been exposed.

The official rewards were modest. Some beast masters would still fight for entry even without a reward, after all, the item/tool-makers in this competition were all famous to some extent, with even big names among them.

If one could increase the chance of obtaining an item crafted by them, even if not for personal use, selling it could fetch a huge profit.

If an item-maker actually succeeded in sneaking their chosen pet into the lineup, the reward was extremely high.

This woman was convinced that the B-rank beast master before her likely belonged to that latter group.

“Mission reward?” Qiao Sang blinked, then smiled.

“This is an assessment task, assigned by an examiner. There’s no reward.”

“Assessment task?”

The woman froze, then realized: “You’ve registered for this year’s regional tournament.”

Qiao Sang responded with a quiet “Mm.”

So this B-rank beast master wasn’t even forty yet…

The woman was struck by sudden realization.

No wonder, her youthful looks and demeanor weren’t just appearances. She really was young.

To become a B-rank beast master before forty put her among the youngest in that rank, a true prodigy. The woman collected herself and said seriously: “You’ll definitely achieve an excellent result in the regional tournament.”

Qiao Sang returned a smile.

“Thank you.”

---

Meanwhile.

The audience grew noisier by the minute.

“Why does pet number 31 look so familiar? I swear I’ve seen it before.”

“Doesn’t it look just like that Fire-type from the internet rumors?”

“You mean the one carried by Qingqing Ni’s beast master?”

“That’s right.”

“Damn! No wonder it looked so familiar!”

“No way. Wasn’t Qingqing Ni’s Fire-type only a few dozen centimeters tall?”

“Ever heard of lightweight miniaturization bracelets?”

“It really is the same one! I just used a pet identifier, number 31 is Fire Qilu! This form hasn’t even had its evolution path researched yet. There’s only one!”

“Oh my god! So Qingqing Ni’s beast master is actually here on-site?!”

“Calm down. Just because the evolution path hasn’t been formally researched doesn’t mean there’s only one Fire Qilu. Remember when the Alternate Pendulum form appeared? Three different ones popped up before the path was even published.”

“But this pet originated in the Yuhua Region. The path isn’t public yet. It’s definitely rare. Wouldn’t it be strange for two of them to suddenly appear in our region at the same time?”

The debates grew more and more heated. Seeing the scene slipping out of control, the host quickly picked up the mic and took charge again: “All competitors have now chosen their cooperating Fire-type pets! Now, let’s officially begin the item-crafting stage!”

“For the next three days, the entire crafting process will be fully documented!”

“Everyone, please watch closely and witness the birth of our champion!”

The audience had come primarily to enjoy the competition anyway. The rumor about number 31 being Qingqing Ni’s pet was only speculation. With the host redirecting attention, people quickly focused on the match once again.

All crafting materials were provided by the organizers. A buzz-cut young man selected his set and walked over to the station marked with his number.

Yabao was already waiting there.

“Yap!”

The moment he saw the human who had chosen him, Yabao let out an energetic cry, eager to know what to do.

The young man didn’t understand. He exhaled slowly, then introduced himself with a smile: “My name is Lin Jianyi. I hope we can cooperate well over these next three days.”

As he spoke, he reached out to pat Yabao’s head, hoping to build some rapport.

Yabao disdainfully stepped back.

Ah! I knew this pet wouldn’t be easy to handle!

Lin Jianyi’s heart sank, his face stiff. He quietly withdrew his hand and forced a smile.

“Let’s get started right away. First, melt these few materials.”

He placed several items before Yabao, adding a cautious reminder: “Keep the fire small, don’t use any huge flames.”

But before his words finished—

boom!

A burst of fire exploded at a nearby workstation.

Overhead safety sprinklers immediately activated, dousing the blaze.

The refiner in that area stood blackened, coughing out smoke, looking utterly defeated.

“Yan Yan!”

The Chimney Monster beside him threw out a look as if to say:

Don’t blame me for this.

“Yap!”

Yabao turned back to Lin Jianyi, eyes serious, and barked as if to say:

Don’t worry, I won’t end up like that stiff fool.

---

Backstage.

The Chimney Monster’s beast master buried his face in his hand.

Qiao Sang leaned back on a sofa in the rest area, legs crossed, sipping water handed over by staff as she leisurely watched the giant virtual screen ahead.

She had no worries about Yabao’s fire control. The real test was what kind of item this young item-maker would manage to craft.

And so she relaxed all the way into the night.

At 8:30 p.m., Qiao Sang glanced at the time, noticing that most of the crowd no longer paid attention to the competition. She couldn’t help asking the woman beside her, whom she had chatted with earlier: “When does today’s session break?”

The woman set down her phone and gave her a surprised look.

“You don’t know? It ends after three days.”

“I know it lasts three days.” Qiao Sang clarified.

“I mean today, when do we rest?”

The woman fell silent a moment, then said:

“That depends on the item-makers. The contest lasts three days straight, uninterrupted. The makers stay in the arena the entire time. If they rest, they rest there. But honestly, almost no one does.”

Qiao Sang was stunned.

Three whole days in the arena? Did that mean Yabao had to do the same?

“What about eating, drinking, bathroom breaks?” She asked.

“Surely they don’t expect contestants to just… go in front of everyone?”

“Don’t worry.” The woman chuckled.

“Every year the organizers provide support beasts that remove fatigue, hunger, and other physical needs.”

Qiao Sang paused for a few seconds, then asked: “Which pet handles… that function?”

Clearly not a Hollow Region B-rank

… The woman kindly explained: “Delay Bell. Its chimes suppress bodily urges of all kinds.”

A pet that could even do that?

Qiao Sang silently admitted she’d learned something new.

But then her gaze turned to the screen, worry flickering in her eyes.

The only reason Yabao had been staying up late lately was sheer willpower, the drive to get stronger.

Helping craft items was a different matter. He definitely couldn’t endure sleepless nights for long.

Hopefully, this item-maker would rest a bit at night…

---

“We won’t be resting tonight.” Lin Jianyi said seriously as he worked on his item.

After a full day of smooth cooperation, he had already forgotten his initial doubts about Yabao.

“Yap?”

Yabao tilted his head in confusion.

Not sleeping tonight?

Lin Jianyi didn’t understand, and continued:

“Soon I’ll need you to melt these ten Solid Crystals into spheres, all roughly the same size. Keep the flames small, melt them slowly. These crystals are tough to work with. If the fire control slips, they’ll be ruined. We only have ten, if one breaks, the item will lose power. It’s critical.”

He set down his tools and placed ten crystals before Yabao.

“Yap?”

Yabao studied them for a moment, then barked again, repeating his earlier question.

Not sleeping tonight?

Only then did Lin Jianyi realize what the pet was asking. He apologized: “Sorry, I don’t understand you.”

“Yap…”

Yabao gave him a look that clearly meant:

Then why didn’t you just say so earlier?

His eyes glowed blue.

The next instant, Lin Jianyi’s body was seized by invisible force. He collapsed onto the ground, arms folded on his chest, eyes shut, looking utterly at peace.

Lin Jianyi: “?!!”

“Is contestant number 28, Lin Jianyi, choosing to sleep already?” The host’s voice rang out.

“It seems he’s very confident in his crafting.”

I’m not! I’m not confident at all! Save me!

Inwardly panicking, Lin Jianyi suddenly found he could move again. He jolted upright, pale with fright, staring at Yabao.

“And contestant Lin Jianyi stands back up, has he decided against sleeping after all?” The host quipped.

“Yap?”

Yabao barked, as if to ask:

Now do you get what I was trying to say?

Lin Jianyi suddenly understood. Testing, he asked: “You mean… you want to sleep tonight?”

“Yap.”

Yabao hesitated, then nodded.

Not a wrong guess.

“No way!” Lin Jianyi nearly clutched Yabao’s leg like a lifeline.

“We only have three days! If we rest, I’ll never finish this item! Your beast master sent you here to help me, didn’t she? She must want you to see this through!”

Yabao froze, then barked again with renewed determination.

“Yap!”

Then I won’t sleep!

He opened his mouth and breathed controlled flame over the crystals.

Lin Jianyi sighed in relief, picking his tools back up to continue crafting.

---

2 a.m.

The audience had thinned to only a handful, mostly item-makers staying to learn.

Backstage, beast masters of the Fire-types had either left or gone to sleep.

Qiao Sang stared at the giant screen, astonished to see Yabao still awake.

She hadn’t expected him to last this long.

“Xun xun?”

Little Treasure sipped milk and asked if she wasn’t going to bed.

“I’m not tired. Lubao just gave me a Healing Light not long ago.” Qiao Sang whispered, flipping through a book.

“If you’re bored, you can go watch the match in person.”

“Xun xun~”

Little Treasure shook his head, giving her a warm look:

I’ll stay with you.

Then he nuzzled her cheek.

Qiao Sang was touched.

“Xun xun?”

Two minutes later, Little Treasure asked again:

Really not going to sleep?

Qiao Sang understood and said: “Just say what you want.”

“Xun xun~”

Little Treasure fidgeted shyly, then admitted,

he wanted to play with her phone.

Qiao Sang: …

You could’ve just said that.

She silently handed it over.

“Xun xun~”

Little Treasure happily accepted it.

Same as always…

Qiao Sang smiled faintly, then lifted her eyes to the screen again, watching Yabao breathe fire. She recalled how he used to fall asleep at the same time every night. A wave of unspoken emotion stirred in her heart.

---

Sun rose, moon fell.

Time passed quickly, until the final day of the crafting contest arrived.

One by one, some Fire-types ruined materials. Their partners, unable to continue, had to withdraw.

The remaining competitors were either highly skilled themselves, able to adapt to damaged materials, or had flawless cooperation with their Fire-type pets.

Lin Jianyi belonged to the latter.

When his item was finally completed, excitement overwhelmed him. He couldn’t resist hugging Yabao’s head, even leaning in as if to kiss him.

Yabao raised a paw and shoved his mouth away with cold disdain.

Lin Jianyi froze, then let go, gazing resentfully at him.

The finished items were tested one by one. Judges scored them, the audience voted, and results were tallied.

First place went to an elder with half-white hair, clearly brimming with experience.

Lin Jianyi placed twelfth.

Watching the top three on the podium, he couldn’t hide the envy in his eyes.

“Yap.”

Yabao barked softly, offering comfort.

“I’m fine.” Lin Jianyi shook his head with a smile.

“Just finishing this item successfully already makes me happy.”

He gazed at Yabao with genuine gratitude.

“It’s all thanks to you.”

But Yabao wasn’t looking at him. Instead, he barked excitedly: “Yap!”

Then shrank his body and bolted forward.

Qiao Sang caught him in her arms, whispering gently: “You worked hard.”

“Yap!”

Yabao rubbed against her cheek, then found a comfortable spot, curled up, and fell sound asleep.