Chapter 914: Teaming Up Again

“No problem.”

Qiao Sang suddenly thought of something and asked, “Do you know what kind of pet beast pulled Lele Seed into the secret realm?”

“It was a Stupid-Headed Swallow.” The voice on the other end of the call was clearly furious, trembling as he spoke.

“At that time, I had just called for a ride-sharing flying pet to go home, when suddenly a spatial rift appeared. A Stupid-Headed Swallow flew out and directly snatched Big Lele inside.”

He paused, then explained: “Big Lele is the name I gave my Lele Seed.”

Good name…

Qiao Sang stayed calm and said, “I understand. I’ll contact you in six days.”

Once the other party answered “Okay,” she hung up the call.

Stupid-Headed Swallow, a high-level Flying-type pet beast. Its appearance looked silly, and in fact, it really was beast-as-it-appeared: Not very smart, with a long reaction time…

Qiao Sang’s mind flashed through the information she had read about it.

This mission was going to be a little troublesome…

The Stupid-Headed Swallow itself wasn’t much of an issue. Even if she went into the secret realm alone, it wouldn’t matter.

The real problem was that she now had to bring along a kid who had just recently become a Beast Master. And she had to bring him, otherwise, the mission target couldn’t be found.

Most importantly, judging from his age, the boy most likely only had the Lele Seed as his sole pet beast. His brain domain could probably only sense up to a hundred meters at best.

Wouldn’t that mean they’d have to search the entire secret realm just to find the beast?

This seemed even harder than the last time she went into a secret realm to find a missing person. At least back then, they had a known disappearance site, and the one accompanying her was also a Beast Master with some self-defense ability…

Qiao Sang sighed and opened her computer, searching forums about Secret Realm No. 53.

Very soon, a post caught her eye: #Notes on Entering Secret Realm No. 53#

She clicked in.

[Those familiar with Secret Realm No. 53 should know it hasn’t been fully developed yet. It’s considered relatively dangerous, but as long as you move only in the areas that have already been explored, it’s really no different from the C-level secret realms outside.]

[I’ll share some details about what’s been explored.]

[Secret Realm No. 53 is scorching hot during the day, with temperatures around 40 degrees, but at night it drops suddenly to about 5 degrees. Remember to bring both summer and winter clothes, and when forming a team, at least one teammate must have a healing-type pet beast.]

[By healing-type, I don’t mean healing wounds, I mean treating physical discomfort. Otherwise, it’s very easy to catch colds and fevers in there.]

[Unlike most secret realms, the entry point in Secret Realm No. 53 is random.]

[That’s right, random!]

[The first time I entered, I ran into a few Little Water Duck, completely harmless. But the second time, I ended up right in the middle of a Fireburst Stones’ nest! If it weren’t for my strong teammates that day, I wouldn’t even be alive to post this.]

[So, be mentally prepared when you go in.]

[Also, the probability of encountering Fire-type and Grass-type pet beasts is very high, so make sure your teammates can counter those attributes.]

[The most important point: don’t venture into unexplored areas. I’ve got a map of Secret Realm No. 53, with undeveloped areas clearly marked. If anyone needs it, come find me to buy it.]

“…”

Qiao Sang was silent for a few seconds, then clicked on the poster’s profile and sent a private message: tGive me a copy of the Secret Realm No. 53 map.]

---

The next day, Qiao Sang kept refreshing the forum about Secret Realm No. 53, gathering intel. She had no desire to go out.

With the map in hand, as long as she stayed out of the unexplored zones, things wouldn’t be too dangerous.

But who knew where the Stupid-Headed Swallow had taken the Lele Seed?

There was still the chance it was dragged into undeveloped regions. She had to prepare for the worst and be fully ready.

At mealtime, Qiao Sang followed Teacher Mikayla to the rooftop restaurant.

“What’s the mission this time?” Mikayla asked as she cut her steak.

“To find a pet beast in Secret Realm No. 53.” Qiao Sang replied.

“A boy who just became a Beast Master had his pet snatched into the secret realm by a Stupid-Headed Swallow. I need to bring him inside to retrieve it.”

Mikayla’s knife paused mid-cut.

She instantly realized this mission was much harder than the previous ones.

“Someone who just became a Beast Master is allowed into a secret realm?” She asked.

“He has no choice. Without him, there’s no way to find the beast.” Qiao Sang said, sipping her soup.

“What pet beast was it?”

“Lele Seed.”

Mikayla fell silent, then reminded: “You could team up with others this time.”

Qiao Sang shook her head.

“Unless I find a B-rank or above Beast Master, I’d rather not.”

With Yabao and the others, she had attack, healing, and escape covered. Unless her teammate was at least on her level or stronger, teaming up would just mean extra burdens to protect.

Mikayla smiled.

“If you don’t try, how will you know?”

Qiao Sang didn’t argue, only saying, “I’ll give it a try.”

That reassured Mikayla somewhat.

She trusted Qiao Sang’s strength completely now, but still, Qiao Sang was too young, and this time she’d be bringing an even younger kid with little fighting ability. Safety couldn’t be fully guaranteed.

Only if she herself went along would she be truly at ease.

“How are you planning to find teammates?” She asked.

“By posting a mission.” Qiao Sang said.

“What will you use as payment?”

“Probably something from Chaosu Star.”

Mikayla didn’t question further.

---

4 p.m., Beast Center, First Floor Hall.

At Window No. 12, a middle-aged woman with fine lines at the corners of her eyes, a narrow face, and a sharp chin handed over a red Beast Master badge.

“I want to take a mission related to Secret Realm No. 53.”

B-rank Beast Master…

The staff stiffened and respectfully accepted it.

“Of course. Do you have any other requirements?”

“Preferably, the reward is something from Chaosu Star.”

“Please wait a moment.”

Just then, noisy chatter rose nearby.

“Damn, she looks so young, but that’s a B-rank professional Beast Master badge!”

“Look at the pet in her arm, isn’t that Fire Qilu from the Yuhua Region?”

“Looks like it… Don’t tell me she’s the Beast Master of Qingqing Ni?”

“You go ask her!”

“No way, that’s a B-rank powerhouse. I don’t dare…”

The woman glanced toward the commotion. When she spotted that familiar figure, a sense of pride and accomplishment surged.

That was her student!

At that moment, the staff apologized, “Sorry, currently there are no missions offering Chaosu Star items as payment.”

Mikayla: …

“Would you still like me to assign you a mission?”

“No need.” She reached to take back her badge.

But then, from the next window came a familiar voice: “I want to post a mission to find teammates for Secret Realm No. 53. Requirement: B-rank or above Beast Master.”

Mikayla turned and saw Qiao Sang.

At the same time, Yabao also turned.

For two seconds, human and beast stared at her. Mikayla quickly looked away.

“Yap?”

Yabao tilted his head, puzzled.

This human smelled oddly familiar.

“What reward will you offer?” The staff at Window No. 13 asked.

“A Chaosu Star item, it’s worn on the eyes. It can lock onto the rough position of pet beasts using invisibility-type moves.” Qiao Sang said.

The staff at Window No. 12 looked over in surprise, then eagerly told Mikayla, “That mission fits your request exactly! Should I accept it for you?”

Qiao Sang overheard, and turned to look.

Mikayla stiffened, then forced herself to relax and calmly met her gaze.

Qiao Sang studied her briefly.

Then Mikayla turned back and said evenly, “Accept.”

Qiao Sang finished posting the mission and retrieved her badge.

Moments later, her phone buzzed.

A notification showed her mission had been accepted. The photo on the profile was none other than the woman standing beside her.

Mikayla accepted and nonchalantly began walking away.

Qiao Sang stopped her.

“You accepted my mission. Don’t you think we should discuss it?”

“No need.” Mikayla said flatly, keeping to her

persona

.

“When we enter the secret realm, you’ll know what to do.”

“Are you from the Central Hollow Region?” Qiao Sang asked.

Mikayla nodded.

“Yes.”

This part was true. She had exchanged identities with someone real. Even with the University's Mechanical Department’s power, they couldn’t infiltrate the Alliance’s system to forge a false identity.

B-rank Beast Masters weren’t easy to find. If she showed up like at Secret Realm No. 88 last time and offered to team up, it’d be suspicious. But accepting through a posted mission was far more reasonable.

Qiao Sang suddenly smiled.

“That outfit you’re wearing, it’s the exact same as the one my teacher wore today.”

Mikayla: !!!

Before she could reply, Qiao Sang added, “Guess we’ll talk in the secret realm.”

She turned and walked away.

Mikayla: …

She’s recognized me, hasn’t she?

No, calm down. Qiao Sang is probably only suspicious. As long as she proves she’s a B-rank Beast Master, it’ll be fine.

With that thought, Mikayla pulled out her phone and sent a message to the person whose identity she was borrowing.

---

On the way back to the dorms, Qiao Sang brought it up.

“Do you think that was Teacher Mikayla?”

“Yap yap!”

Yabao’s eyes lit up.

So that’s why the smell was so familiar, it was the same as his Master’s teacher!

“Xun xun?”

Little Treasure appeared, tilting his head in confusion.

Teacher Mikayla? That human who dressed the same?

“Gang Zhan.”

Gangbao, calm as always, gave her judgment.

It was possible. Same clothes. And when almost everyone in the hall guessed she had contracted Qingbao, that woman stayed calm, unlike locals of this region.

At noon, it was also Teacher Mikayla who told her to post a mission. Some pet beasts could disguise humans’ appearances, she might have just altered hers.

“Gang Zhan.”

Gangbao concluded.

Most likely, Teacher Mikayla wanted to protect her without revealing it.

You and I think alike…

Qiao Sang gave Gangbao an approving look.

“Qing qing!”

At that moment, Qingbao appeared, clapping one paw against the other with a

Eureka!

expression.

“What idea?” Qiao Sang asked.

“Qing qing.”

She smiled innocently.

She could suddenly appear in front of that human. If she doesn't screamed, then it was Teacher Mikayla.

Good idea…

Qiao Sang looked at Qingbao with mixed feelings.

“No need.”

Then she chuckled.

“If it really is Teacher Mikayla, then it’s actually a good thing. With her around, I’ll be even safer in the secret realm.”

---

Time flew by. Soon, five days passed.

Qiao Sang arrived at the Beast Center entrance and immediately spotted the one who had accepted her mission.

The woman walked up.

“My name is Xu Gehung.”

“Yap?”

Yabao sniffed her curiously.

Keep pretending…

Qiao Sang kept her expression neutral.

“I’m Qiao Sang.”

“Xun xun…”

Little Treasure stayed hidden, circling Xu Gehung, scrutinizing her face for cracks.

“Don’t waste time. Let’s go.” Xu Gehung said, forming hand seals.

A massive crimson star array lit up.

A bird-type pet about seven meters tall, teal in color, with three long ribbon-like tail feathers, appeared.

Damn, so she wasn’t Teacher Mikayla after all…

Qiao Sang’s heart sank, but she calmly signaled Gangbao.

Gangbao grew in size, and Qiao Sang mounted her. Following navigation, they headed toward the Secret Realm No. 53 entrance.

Half an hour later, they arrived.

The place looked like a tourist site, with shops and vendors everywhere.

Xu Gehung glanced around.

“I’m going to the restroom.”

“Alright.”

Her teal bird beast shrank down and followed her.

Ugh… so she’s not Teacher Mikayla. That sudden tension came back

… Qiao Sang pulled out her phone and called the Lele Seed’s Beast Master.

After two beeps, he answered.

“Are you here yet?” Qiao Sang asked.

“Not yet. My parents insisted on bringing me, so it took extra time to leave the house. But I’m on the way, almost there!”

Sixteen or younger, being escorted by parents, understandable.

“Don’t worry. Call me when you arrive.” Qiao Sang said gently.

“Okay.”

After hanging up, she suddenly realized…

She hadn’t told her mom yet that she had contracted Qingbao, and that she’d already become a B-rank Beast Master…

As the thought flickered, Xu Gehung returned, her teal bird beast at her side.

Qiao Sang put her thoughts away.

---

Meanwhile, in the public restroom.

The real Xu Gehung hid in a corner, staring hatefully yet enviously toward the entrance.

Damn it!

The mission target this time was actually the Beast Master of Qingqing Ni!

If she’d known, she would’ve taken the mission herself!

If it weren’t for that S-rank powerhouse, she’d never allow the Beast Master of Qingqing Ni to be tricked like this!

Damn it! Damn it!

All this just for some stupid “persona”?

Otherwise, she could’ve been chatting about Qingqing Ni along the way already!