Chapter 1017: Leader
Chapter 1017: Leader
Half an hour later.
Beastmaster Center, Residential Area.
Room 708.
"Who is this Bao Wu Wu?" Migala stared at Bao Wu Wu, looking puzzled.
"Wuwu..."
Bao Wu Wu felt an inexplicable pressure and quietly moved behind the human Doctor had entrusted it to.
"It's like this, after I entered the research institute..." Qiao Sang quickly recounted her conversation with Doctor Zhang Tai Dong and the situation with Bao Wu Wu.
Migala pondered for a moment and asked, "Are you planning to go to Xi Han City next?"
Qiao Sang nodded. "There are still nine days until the Nether Chrysanthemum is delivered. I thought I could use this time to visit Xi Han City and get some training."
The Ten Ghost Cities were renowned, and a trip there could indeed be considered training for an ordinary Beastmaster.
Migala asked, "When?"
Qiao Sang thought for a moment and replied, "Tomorrow."
She paused and added, "Doctor Zhang Tai Dong also arranged for someone to guide us. This person knows the exact location where Bao Wu Wu emerged from the Mystic Rift."
For this reason, she had added the person's contact information.
"Alright", Migala said. "Then let's go tomorrow morning. You don't need to worry about the tickets."
Qiao Sang nodded emphatically. She then thought of something and looked around the room. "Where is Teacher Flauda?"
"He's already gone", Migala answered, then returned to the main topic. "So, Doctor Zhang Tai Dong's research suggests that the other evolution possibility for Ghost-type Beast Companions is to absorb positive emotional energy from the thing they care about most?"
Qiao Sang, after a brief reflection, nodded. "That's correct."
She paused and added, "However, only a small number of Ghost-type Beast Companions can absorb this energy. I'm not sure if Treasure Seeker can do it."
Migala's gaze fell on Treasure Seeker. "To find out, we just need to try."
Qiao Sang turned to look at Treasure Seeker as well.
Treasure Seeker blinked its eyes.
"Is there something you really want to do but can't?" Qiao Sang asked.
"Xunxun..."
Treasure Seeker had been listening to the conversation at the research institute and knew what its Beastmaster was asking. It thought for a moment, then its eyes lit up. It took off its Ring, pulled out its own mobile phone, and called out, "Xunxun!"
It wanted to get a Sim card!
Treasure Seeker had long wanted a Sim card. With a card, it could play any game it wanted without having to sneak its Beastmaster's phone, but its Beastmaster had never agreed before.
Qiao Sang: "..."
"What did Ghost Ring King say?" Migala asked.
Qiao Sang was silent for a moment. "It says it wants a Sim card."
Migala was taken aback but then laughed. "Then let's get it a card."
Treasure Seeker's eyes sparkled as it looked at its Beastmaster.
Qiao Sang hesitated for two seconds and then said to Treasure Seeker, "Let's go to the nearest service center."
"Xunxun!"
Treasure Seeker's eyes shone even brighter, then emitted a blue light, and teleported away with its Beastmaster.
About five minutes later, Qiao Sang and Treasure Seeker returned to the room.
Treasure Seeker excitedly opened the mobile phone that already had the Sim card inserted.
At that moment, Qiao Sang said, "Try to Absorb it."
"Xunxun..."
Treasure Seeker paused for a moment, then realized what its Beastmaster meant. It put down the mobile phone and began to try and sense the Absorption.
"Xunxun..."
After half a minute, it honestly shook its head.
Steel Treasure suddenly gave Treasure Seeker a sympathetic look.
Qiao Sang spread his hands.
Steel Treasure wore an "I knew it" expression.
"Xunxun?"
Treasure Seeker blinked, puzzled.
"Give me the Sim card back", Qiao Sang said slowly.
It was like a bolt of lightning on a clear day!
Treasure Seeker took an incredulous step back.
It hadn't even started playing, and now it had to give it back?
"Hurry up", Qiao Sang urged.
"Xunxun..." Treasure Seeker reluctantly took out the Sim card and handed it over.
Qiao Sang took it, put it in his pocket, and turned to Teacher Migala.
"I think Treasure Seeker doesn't need to rush into trying to Absorb this energy. Its Racial Limit is Imperial Tier, and the materials for the next stage of Evolution are almost complete. If it successfully Absorbs this energy now and completes its Evolution into a completely different form, it might lose the path to reaching the Imperial Tier."
Each new form of a Familiar's Evolution is unknown, and without knowing the Evolution path, it's uncertain whether it can even Evolve. Qiao Sang, who had Fangy and Steel Treasure, had a deep understanding of the difficulties of subsequent Evolutions after a new form.
Migala pondered for a moment and said, "You can try to have Ghost Ring King Absorb this energy to see where it leads. Once you know, don't let it Absorb this energy again before reaching the Imperial Tier."
Although Qiao Sang thought the chances of Treasure Seeker Absorbing this energy were low, he nodded. "I understand."
Migala, having no other matters, got up to prepare to leave. She had only taken a few steps when she suddenly thought of something and turned to look at Bao Wu Wu.
"Do you need me to buy some Energy Pills suitable for it to eat?"
Bao Wu Wu's body instantly tensed at her gaze.
"No need", Qiao Sang shook his head. "Doctor Zhang Tai Dong gave some Energy Pills and fruits for it to eat regularly."
"Alright", Migala said. "Then get to bed early tonight and wake up early tomorrow morning."
"Got it", Qiao Sang nodded.
Migala turned to leave.
"Wuwu..."
Bao Wu Wu let out a sigh of relief.
However, the next second, Migala suddenly turned around again.
Bao Wu Wu's body tensed once more.
This time, Migala didn't look at it but at Steel Treasure. "You should also prepare for Steel Sword Falcon to practice its bite skills. Don't forget you haven't given it a Craftstone yet."
With that, she walked out of the room.
I really did forget... Qiao Sang thought to himself.
"Steel Blade..."
Steel Treasure's voice echoed in his mind.
It had forgotten too...
Qiao Sang and Steel Treasure looked at each other and said, "We'll practice after we get back from Xi Han City, okay?"
"Steel Blade", Steel Treasure nodded in agreement.
"Xunxun~"
At that moment, Treasure Seeker approached its Beastmaster, cautiously glanced at Fangy and Lulu, and whispered in its ear.
Actually, there was one thing it really wanted to accomplish, but it felt like it was impossible.
"What is it?" Qiao Sang asked.
Treasure Seeker glanced at Fangy, Lulu, and Qingbao, gesturing with its eyes.
Qiao Sang's lips twitched.
"You're not thinking of making Fangy, Lulu, and Qingbao call you 'Big'..."
"Xunxun!"
Before he could finish, Treasure Seeker covered his mouth with its claws.
Qiao Sang: "……"
Fangy, Lulu, Steel Treasure, and Qingbao all looked over.
Treasure Seeker's body stiffened, and it silently released its claws, looking at its Beastmaster with a face that clearly said, "Don't say it, don't say it."
Qiao Sang coughed and said, "I know you want to grow bigger and have Fangy and the others call you 'Big,' but that's not something that happens overnight."
"Xunxun..." Treasure Seeker felt a sharp pain in its heart but also breathed a sigh of relief.
"Ya Ya." Fangy called out in a comforting tone, implying that being small has its advantages, like being able to move around easily with a Miniaturization Band.
If it were bigger, it could also wear a Miniaturization Band... Treasure Seeker didn't feel much better and called out, looking dejected:
"Xunxun..."
It knew it just wanted to grow bigger, even if it couldn't, it would still try to develop in that direction.
"Wuwu."
Bao Wu Wu, after listening, floated over and patted Treasure Seeker's shoulder, kindly calling out to reassure it that it wasn't small at all, in fact, it was bigger than Bao Wu Wu.
As it spoke, it gestured to the size difference between them.
Treasure Seeker: "……"
I'm a General-Class, are you?
"Wuwu."
Bao Wu Wu gestured again and called out.
Although it wasn't much bigger, it was still bigger than Bao Wu Wu.
Treasure Seeker: "……"
It didn't feel like talking anymore.
Indeed, it seemed that becoming a Leader was the thing Treasure Seeker cared about the most, at least for now. But who knew if this interest would last? If it could Absorb, would the initial excitement be the strongest, and would the effect diminish over time as it heard "Leader" more often? Qiao Sang pondered this seriously.
Actually, it could be worth a try, but the word "Leader" had to be sincere; otherwise, it wouldn't be absorbed, just like the ugly night flower earlier...
Qingbao could give it a try, but getting Fangy and Lulu to genuinely call Treasure Seeker "Leader" seemed impossible...
"Ice Emperor."
Suddenly, Lulu called out.
Leader.
All the familiars turned to look at Lulu.
What? Leader? Qiao Sang's thoughts came to an abrupt halt, and she almost reached for her ears, wondering if her hearing was playing tricks on her.
Did Lulu just say "Leader"?
Lulu felt the gazes around her but remained expressionless, calmly looking at Treasure Seeker.
"Xunxun?"
Treasure Seeker looked puzzled, then glanced left and right. After confirming that Lulu was indeed looking at him, he swallowed and pointed at himself, calling out uncertainly.
Did you just call me "Leader"?
"Ice Emperor."
Lulu nodded and called out again.
Leader.
Blossom Festival! A time for celebration!
"Xunxun!"
Treasure Seeker was so happy that it bounced up and floated around the room excitedly.
Lulu called it Leader! Lulu called it Leader!
Damn, Lulu really called Treasure Seeker "Leader"... Qiao Sang's face was filled with shock.
Honestly, when she found out that the Regional Tournament's grand prize was a young Thunder Dragon's egg, she wasn't this shocked.
"Ya Fangy"
“Qingqing……”
Fangy and Qingbao wore puzzled expressions on their faces.
“Steel Blade……”
Steel Treasure’s expression was complex, even casting a slightly admiring glance at Lulu.
“Wuwu?”
Bao Wu Wu looked confused, not understanding why everyone was acting so strangely.
“Ice Emperor?”
Just as Qiao Sang was about to ask Lulu why she suddenly called Treasure Seeker "Leader", Lulu looked at the floating Treasure Seeker and asked if it could absorb the energy now.
The room fell silent.
Treasure Seeker stopped floating and looked down at Lulu, stunned.
Qiao Sang was first surprised, then deeply moved. She never expected that Lulu would call Treasure Seeker "Leader" to help it absorb the energy, and even more surprisingly, Lulu had guessed what Treasure Seeker most wanted to feel without her saying a word.
She had been wrong; she had always thought Lulu’s intelligence was on par with Fangy’s…
Qiao Sang looked at Treasure Seeker and said, “Try it now.”
“Xunxun……”
Treasure Seeker closed its eyes and began to focus.
Time ticked by slowly.
After several dozen seconds, Qiao Sang couldn’t help but ask, “Can you do it?”
“Xunxun……”
Treasure Seeker opened its eyes and shook its head, looking disappointed.
Lulu closed her eyes and stopped looking at Treasure Seeker.
So this didn’t work. Was it because Lulu’s call of "Leader" wasn’t genuine, or because Treasure Seeker simply couldn’t absorb the energy? Qiao Sang wondered.
“Xunxun……”
Treasure Seeker floated over to Lulu and tentatively called out, asking if she would still call it "Leader" in the future.
Lulu opened her eyes and gave Treasure Seeker a faint glance, then began to emit a visible chill aura.
“Xunxun!”
Treasure Seeker was startled and quickly teleported several meters away, calling out to indicate it was just a joke.
Lulu closed her eyes again, and the chill aura dissipated.
“Xunxun…” Treasure Seeker let out a sigh of relief.
“Fangy”
Fangy looked at Treasure Seeker, then at Lulu, finally realizing why Lulu had suddenly called it "Leader."
“Qingqing……”
Qingbao shook its head at Treasure Seeker.
What a waste. Such a good opportunity to be called "Leader" by Lulu, and it missed it. If it had said it could absorb the energy, it would likely have been called "Leader" for a long time.
Then it thought of something and looked at Lulu.
Despite her usually cold demeanor, she had a good heart.
Lulu remained still, her eyes closed as if she had never spoken.
No one noticed that the purple-patterned Beast Egg on the nightstand shook slightly.
……
The next morning.
Qiao Sang freshened up and headed to the airport with Teacher Mikara.
Almost ninety percent of the people they passed turned to look at them.
Qiao Sang remembered something and sprinkled some Invisibility Powder on herself and Fangy.
The attention dropped to zero instantly.
Bao Wu Wu was very well-behaved, staying quietly by her side.
The Zhitia Region’s airport did not allow unbonded pets on board, but Beast Eggs and familiars carried by B-Rank or higher individuals were exempt.
After checking Qiao Sang’s Beastmaster Emblem to confirm her identity, the staff quickly let them through.
Three hours later, the plane landed smoothly.
Qiao Sang and Teacher Mikara got off the plane and headed straight to the location marked on their mobile phones, which was the second level of the Underground. There, they boarded a special familiar that had been sent to pick them up. (End of Chapter)
Chapter end
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