Chapter 1018: Xi Han City
Chapter 1018: Xi Han City (Combined)
The dedicated familiar waiting to pick them up was a black Tiger Companion, wearing a sign around its neck that read, "Qiao Sang, here", making it easy to spot.
"Where's your Beastmaster?" Qiao Sang asked.
"Slippery."
The black Tiger Companion let out a call.
"Xunxun~" Treasure Seeker promptly translated.
Its Beastmaster had gone to the bathroom.
After saying this, Treasure Seeker took off the Ring and pulled out the Familiar Identifier, aiming it at the black Tiger Companion. A mechanical voice, identical to the familiar's, immediately responded:
【Master, you've finally used me again. Let me check~ Slippery Tiger, a General-Class Dark Familiar. It likes to occasionally scare people and frame others. It often does something bad and then makes the nearby familiars take the blame, very slippery. Master, I suggest you stay away from it to avoid being framed.】
Slippery Tiger turned its head.
The air around them suddenly grew quiet.
Even Migala's expression nearly faltered.
Qingbao appeared, eyes bright, eagerly awaiting what would happen next.
"Xunxun..."
Treasure Seeker put the Familiar Identifier back into the Ring and went invisible.
Qiao Sang coughed, preparing to help smooth things over.
"Slippery."
At that moment, Slippery Tiger called out indifferently.
"Xunxun!" Treasure Seeker immediately reappeared, smiling as he patted Slippery Tiger's head, giving it a look that said, "You little rascal, I really like you."
Qiao Sang was taken aback and asked, "What did Slippery Tiger say just now?"
"Ya Ya." Fangy called out, indicating that the guy didn't care what the Familiar Identifier said.
This Slippery Tiger had such a broad mind... Qiao Sang was both surprised and unsurprised. Surprised because the Slippery Tiger's heart was indeed broad, and unsurprised because the Familiar Identifier wasn't always 100% accurate. Some familiars, after being raised by their Beastmasters, could change their personalities and habits. This Slippery Tiger was likely one such case.
"Qingqing..."
Qingbao's eyes showed a hint of disappointment as he transformed into wind again.
Just as Treasure Seeker and Slippery Tiger were getting along well, a middle-aged man wearing black clothes and sporting large dark circles under his eyes hurried over, looking apologetic.
"Sorry, I had something to take care of just now."
As he said this, his gaze fell on Migala.
"We just arrived", Migala said.
The middle-aged man scanned the area and then his eyes landed on Treasure Seeker and Wuwu.
"Where's Qiao Sang?" he asked.
Qiao Sang: "..."
"I'm right here", Qiao Sang said.
The middle-aged man was taken aback, turning to look, as if only now noticing someone was there.
Before he could speak, Qiao Sang said, "I used Invisibility Powder."
The middle-aged man breathed a sigh of relief and smiled. "I should have known I couldn't miss the youngest regional champion in Dragon Nation."
Qiao Sang suppressed a slight upward curl of her lips.
Before she could respond, the middle-aged man climbed onto Slippery Tiger and ordered, "Let's go!"
Slippery Tiger walked out of the underground second level and sped down the wide streets.
After a brief exchange, Qiao Sang learned that the man was named Gao Renhe, also a researcher, though only at the C-Class level. He was the one who had originally discovered Wuwu.
"When Doctor Zhang told me, I didn't quite believe it. I didn't expect you to actually come to Zhitia Region to help bring Wuwu over", Gao Renhe said reflectively.
Qiao Sang said, "I mainly came to get a glimpse of Xi Han City, known as one of the Ten Ghost Cities."
Gao Renhe began to speak enthusiastically:
"You've come at the right time. Recently, a Soul Ferry Cat has appeared in Xi Han City. It's said to help guide human souls, and many Beastmasters nearing the end of their lives have come here. Though it's called a ghost city, it's been busier lately than some secondary cities."
"This time, you brought Wuwu along. It can help you find the Soul Ferry Cat."
Upon hearing this, Qiao Sang turned to look at Wuwu.
"Wuwu."
Wuwu, sensing her gaze, nodded and let out a call, indicating it could help.
Qiao Sang didn't understand Wuwu's words but grasped the meaning of its gesture. She smiled and said, "No, it's more important to find the Mystic Rift where Wuwu first appeared."
While seeing a rare familiar is indeed tempting, she had already bonded with Qingbao and had a small Thunder Dragon egg. The allure wasn't as strong.
Meeting the Soul Ferry Cat was never her primary goal for coming here.
"Wuwu..."
Wuwu stared blankly at the human.
Gao Renhe thought to himself, truly deserving the title of the youngest B-Class Beastmaster, her insight was truly unmatched. She wasn't even swayed by the Soul Ferry Cat. He then said:
"Even if you're not looking for the Soul Ferry Cat, you can still search for other treasures. Our ghost city has many Mystic Rifts, and each time a wild Ghost Familiar emerges, it often brings out other things from the Hidden Realm. Last month, someone found an A-Class Soul-Knowing Herb and became rich overnight."
Qiao Sang immediately became serious and said:
"I remember Doctor Zhang mentioned that the Mystic Rifts erupt later. Since we have nothing to do today and tomorrow, I think we should take the time to look for one."
Migala, who had been in the background, smiled.
"Wuwu!"
Wuwu's expression turned serious as it called out, indicating it would help with the search.
Steel Treasure wore an "I knew it" expression.
Qiao Sang, sensing Steel Treasure's thoughts, coughed and looked around, changing the subject:
"It doesn't seem like there are many people here. Is it usually even less crowded?"
Gao Renhe laughed and said:
"No, most of them are in Invisibility."
Qiao Sang: "???"
Gao Renhe continued:
"In the ghost city, Beastmasters generally keep their Ghost Familiars close to help them with Invisibility. This gives them a greater sense of security."
"Why?" Qiao Sang was puzzled.
"Ghost Familiars can distinguish between those who are Invisibility and those who are not. Wild Ghost Familiars from the Hidden Realm are less likely to attack humans who are Invisibility when they see them accompanied by a Ghost Familiar", Gao Renhe explained.
Qiao Sang pondered and said:
"If everyone is Invisibility, they can't see each other. Wouldn't they easily bump into each other?"
Gao Renhe explained:
"In our Zhitia Region, we have an eye drop called 'Ghost Vision Drops.' Any Beastmaster who has bonded with a Ghost Familiar and has undergone at least two replenishments can use this eye drop to achieve spirit sight for a certain period of time."
So amazing... Qiao Sang's eyes lit up. Then, she thought of something and asked:
"Slippery Tiger runs so fast. Won't it collide with someone who is Invisibility?"
Slippery Tiger isn't a Ghost Familiar.
Gao Renhe laughed and said:
"It wears an artifact called 'Ghost Sight.' While it doesn't provide as clear a view as spirit sight, it can see life energy auras and avoid collisions."
It seems that in the Zhitia Region, being able to see Ghost Familiars is crucial. So many things are related to this... Qiao Sang thought.
Just as he was thinking about it, there was a loud thud, and Slippery Tiger seemed to have hit something, coming to a stop.
"Booky!"
A Ghost Familiar, mostly black and shaped like a book, appeared a few meters ahead, showing a pained expression and struggling to get up.
"Xunxun!"
Treasure Seeker was taken aback and teleported to the side of the book-shaped Ghost Familiar, looking at it anxiously.
In an instant, a crowd of people and Ghost Familiars appeared on the street. Some were staring at the scene, while others looked at Treasure Seeker with surprise and uncertainty.
Just as the topic came up, they hit something... No, that’s not right. Ghost Familiars should have the Pierce Trait, so how could they hit something... Despite feeling something was off, Qiao Sang still couldn't help but ask:
"Lulu."
"Ice Emperor."
Lulu poked her head out of the backpack.
Before she could fully jump out, Gao Renhe, with a matter-of-fact expression, said:
"It’s fine, this is just a Bait-and-Switch."
He then pulled out a pack of familiar snacks from his bag and threw it over.
The book-shaped Ghost Familiar did a quick backflip, floated up, and used its mouth to precisely bite the snack before disappearing with Invisibility.
Treasure Seeker: "!!!"
Qiao Sang: "..."
Lulu was silent for a moment before retreating back into the backpack.
"Fangy"
Fangy was dumbfounded.
Steel Treasure's mouth twitched.
"Qingqing..."
Qingbao had a look of realization.
Migala’s expression remained unchanged, maintaining the demeanor of an S-Class Beastmaster who had seen it all.
Some of the people and Ghost Familiars found it uninteresting and disappeared with Invisibility, while others continued to look at Treasure Seeker with uncertain eyes, and some even took out their mobile phones to take photos.
After a brief silence, Qiao Sang couldn't help but ask, "You said it was a Bait-and-Switch, so why did you still give it something?"
Gao Renhe replied with a helpless tone:
"That was a Book Ghost. It can guide the target's aura into a book to cast a Curse. It didn’t hit us just now, but some of Slippery Tiger’s aura might have been drawn in. I’m worried this Book Ghost might be petty and cast a Curse later."
Qiao Sang: "..."
It’s no wonder Ghost Familiars are unpopular in other regions...
Slippery Tiger continued on its way, moving more cautiously after this incident.
Before long, they arrived at the Beastmaster Center.
Qiao Sang and Migala dismounted from Slippery Tiger.
Gao Renhe said:
"Contact me if anything comes up. The day after tomorrow, I’ll take you to the location where Wuwu first appeared."
He paused and added:
"Over the next two days, you can check out Spring Revival Road and North Ghost Street. There are more Mystic Rifts there."
Meaning there are more treasures brought out by Wild Familiars.
"I understand", Qiao Sang nodded.
After saying goodbye to Gao Renhe, Qiao Sang entered the Beastmaster Center to complete the check-in procedures and asked for Teacher Mikara’s opinion. Following Gao Renhe’s instructions, Qiao Sang opened the Navigation and used the Empathic Link with Treasure Seeker.
The next second, they appeared on a street marked "Spring Revival Road."
Looking around, there were quite a few people accompanied by non-Ghost-type familiars, clearly tourists.
"Wuwu."
Wuwu stepped forward, his eyes glowing purple, ready to show off his skills. But Qiao Sang said:
"First, let’s buy some Ghost Vision Drops."
"Wuwu..."
The purple light in Wuwu’s eyes faded.
According to the Navigation, they entered the nearest Potion Shop. Qiao Sang spent 9998 Union Coins on a bottle of Ghost Vision Drops and applied them to his eyes.
In an instant, everything before her eyes changed.
The number of people and Ghost Familiars walking on the street suddenly doubled.
So, there are still so many locals... Qiao Sang reflected as she observed the scene.
Migala said:
"If everything goes as planned, once Ghost Ring King evolves to the Royal Tier, you should be able to achieve spirit sight."
Qiao Sang looked at Treasure Seeker.
"Xunxun!"
Treasure Seeker noticed its Beastmaster's gaze and clenched its fist, showing a determined expression.
Qiao Sang couldn't help but smile at Treasure Seeker's gesture. She controlled her lips and asked:
"Does a Ghost Familiar reaching the Royal Tier guarantee that a Beastmaster will achieve spirit sight?"
"Not necessarily", Migala explained. "It depends on the Beastmaster's level and how much replenishment they absorb from the Ghost Familiar. Generally, it's only when the Ghost Familiar reaches the Imperial Tier that the Beastmaster will absorb enough to gain spirit sight."
She paused and added:
"You are already a B-Class Beastmaster, so the absorption effect is better than for ordinary Beastmasters. There's a high chance you'll achieve spirit sight when Ghost Ring King reaches the Royal Tier."
Qiao Sang felt she had gained more insight.
Suddenly, she noticed many invisible people and familiars looking in her direction.
Following their gazes, Qiao Sang saw Treasure Seeker.
"Wig", Qiao Sang reminded.
"Xunxun~"
Treasure Seeker took off its Ring and pulled out the pink explosion head, skillfully putting it on.
"Let's start", Qiao Sang said to Wuwu.
"Wuwu."
Wuwu nodded, and its eyes glowed purple.
"Wuwu!"
Almost immediately, it froze, eyes wide open, the purple light fading, revealing a shocked expression. It pointed with its trembling claws at a spot beside it.
Qiao Sang looked at where it was pointing and hesitated.
"Qingbao?"
"Qingqing?"
Qingbao appeared, looking puzzled.
"Wuwu..."
Wuwu had naturally seen Qingbao before. It looked embarrassed and its eyes glowed purple again.
"Wuwu."
After checking the positions of Lulu, Fangy, Treasure Seeker, Steel Treasure, and Pengamei, Wuwu started floating forward after about five seconds.
Qiao Sang and Migala followed behind.
They hadn't taken more than a few steps when a man, nearly six feet tall, with a crew cut and triangular eyes, blocked their path. He looked at Migala and said:
"I want to rent this Wuwu for a month. What's your price?"
Migala replied calmly:
"It's not my familiar."
The man frowned. "Then who is its Beastmaster?"
Qiao Sang really wanted to see his reaction when he found out he was speaking to an S-Class Beastmaster. She coughed and said:
"No, thank you. Please move aside."
The man looked over, seemingly noticing someone else for the first time. He appeared displeased, opened his mouth as if to say something, but before he could, he was hit hard on the head. His eyes rolled back, and he fainted.
Qiao Sang looked at Wuwu, whose body was still glowing purple, with a stunned expression.
"Wuwu."
The purple light around Wuwu's body faded, leaving only the purple light in its eyes. It called out, indicating that no one would bother them anymore, and they could continue.
With that, it turned and continued leading the way.
Qiao Sang: "..."
Migala: "..."
(End of Chapter)
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