https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-1166-Fangy-and-Treasure-Seeker-s-Underground-Expedition/13572137/
Chapter 1165: The Firefall Crater
Chapter 1165: The Firefall Crater (Combined Chapter)
Qiao Sang gazed at the suddenly enlarged familiar nearby, her mind recalling its profile: "Ice Song Fox, an Ice-Type General-Class Beast Companion that loves to sing. Its voice is as clear and melodious as a soprano’s—on a sweltering summer day, hearing its song makes one forget the heat…" She pulled out her mobile phone and snapped a photo with a quick "Click!"
“Qingqing?”
Qingbao chirped curiously, watching her.
Why take its picture? Because it’s pretty? He glanced at the Ice Song Fox with a critical stare. Having followed his Beastmaster for so long, he’d never seen her photograph him like this.
“Aesthetics are part of it,” Qiao Sang said, tucking her phone away. “But I figured with so many people trailing after it, this Ice Song Fox might be a celebrity. I thought I’d grab a souvenir shot.”
The Ice Song Fox turned its head sharply, giving her a look that said, “You’ve got taste.” Its steps grew even more self-importantly exaggerated.
Tingbao watched his Beastmaster interact with another familiar but, unlike before, felt no irritation. Bonded now, he no longer struggled with insecurity.
“This isn’t necessarily a celebrity familiar,” Migala remarked calmly. “On Flame Sky Star, the most popular familiars aren’t Dragon-Type, Fairy-Type, or rare beasts. It’s Ice and Water-Types. Especially in a place like Mingzhou, where the weather is stiflingly hot, seeing an Ice or Water-Type Beast Companion on the streets usually means a crowd of humans and familiars trailing them.”
Qiao Sang’s first thought: Thank goodness Lulu stays in my backpack. If he came out at his level and charm, there’d be traffic jams.
Her second thought: So this Ice Song Fox isn’t a celebrity after all…
“Xunxun~”
Treasure Seeker poked Qiao Sang’s backpack, chirping that if Lulu came out, humans would swarm him.
Lulu ignored him.
“Xunxun…”
Treasure Seeker floated back, sulking.
“Ya Ya?”
Fangy grunted, asking if Fire-Types were unpopular here.
Qiao Sang raised an eyebrow, giving him a “You tell me” look.
“Fangy…”
Fangy sighed, understanding her unspoken reply. Humans and familiars here were bizarre—preferring attributes over strength. He didn’t even feel the weather was that hot.
“Fire-Types aren’t exactly unpopular,” Qiao Sang said. “But powerful Fire-Types definitely are. Otherwise, why would there be so many battle competitions?”
“Ya Ya!” Fangy puffed up smugly, suddenly feeling better.
As Qiao Sang and Fangy chatted, Migala finished locating their destination. She handed her phone to Pengamei.
“Go here.”
“Pengpeng.”
Pengamei chirped, her eyes glowing blue.
In a flash, the two and their familiars vanished.
---
Ice Sea Hotel
Qiao Sang stared at the hotel’s name, hesitating.
“Are we staying at a hotel this time?”
Since arriving on Flame Sky Star, they’d only stayed in villas or guesthouses. Hotels felt cramped by comparison.
Migala nodded. “This is the coolest hotel in Mingzhou. Freshbloom and the others will be more comfortable here.”
She was clearly cautious, avoiding calling Xia La La by name in public.
With Lulu around, anywhere would be cool… Qiao Sang kept the thought to herself and followed Teacher Mikara inside.
The moment they entered, the temperature plummeted.
“Feels nice, right?” Migala asked.
Of course—it’s air-conditioned… Qiao Sang inwardly groaned but nodded. “Definitely cooler.”
“This hotel uses Ice-Type familiars to generate cold air,” Migala explained. “Air conditioning systems can spread bacteria through airflow, but Ice-Types don’t have that problem.”
Qiao Sang had heard of hotels flaunting their luxury by using Ice-Type familiars as living AC units. But weren’t those familiars stationed in central hubs, with cooling equipment distributing the chill?
She scanned the lobby. Soon, she spotted a three-meter-tall white bear beast lounging on a sofa in the corner, sipping an Energy Recovery Serum while radiating visible waves of cold.
She blinked, realization dawning. “Does every room here have its own Ice-Type familiar?”
“No.” Migala said.
Phew… Qiao Sang exhaled mentally. That’d be ridiculous.
“But this hotel’s specialty is offering such rooms,” Migala added smoothly. “I reserved one of those.”
“…But we have Lulu.”
“Lulu needs to train at the Beast Emperor’s Training Grounds,” Migala countered. “What if Freshbloom and the others are left in the room?”
Thank you for remembering to say ‘and the others’ when mentioning Freshbloom… Qiao Sang skillfully threw in a compliment:
“As always, Teacher thinks of everything.”
After checking in, the staff led them and their familiars to the top-floor Presidential Suite.
The suite’s high ceilings and sprawling layout rivaled a villa.
Of course—having Xia La La means I’ll never stay in a dump, Qiao Sang mused.
“Three.”
The staff called out.
A three-meter-tall water-jellyfish familiar emerged—a white, dual-type Ice and Water High-Class Beast Companion.
“This is your dedicated service familiar, Number Three. Just tell it your preferred temperature, and it’ll adjust accordingly,” the staff explained.
“Yuan Yuan.” Three bowed.
Original Ice Jellyfish, Qiao Sang recalled. Ice and Water-Type High-Class Beast Companion. Often drifts in shallow seas but has hearing issues—Beastmasters often have to shout during arena battles for it to hear commands…
“Thanks for your help,” she said.
“Yuan Yuan?” The jellyfish trilled, asking for the temperature.
Treasure Seeker translated.
Qiao Sang thought. “24 degrees.”
“Yuan Yuan.”
Three nodded, moving to a corner and radiating cold.
Sure, no bacteria risk like AC, but privacy’s non-existent… Qiao Sang mused.
The staff still in the suite spoke:
“If you'd prefer not to have San within earshot, you can send it to the interior room. It can still serve you there. For temperature adjustments, simply press the holographic screen at the bedside to operate it without needing to visit San’s room.”
Well, well. Born with the fate of a younger brother yet insisting on playing the leader... Qiao Sang mused internally. If the staff had hearing issues and closed the door, you’d be blind and deaf to what happened inside. Was this place deliberately using Arctic Jellyfish as “air conditioners”?
Before she could speak, the staff continued:
“Call the concierge or inform San if you need anything.”
Qiao Sang nodded.
“I understand.”
“In that case, I’ll take my leave. Hope you enjoy your stay.” The staff bowed, turned to leave the room, and thoughtfully closed the door behind them.
Shalala floated to the Arctic Jellyfish, curiously examining it. The jellyfish, noticing Freshbloom, felt an inexplicable fondness and gently placed one white antenna about a centimeter above Shalala’s head. A crystalline droplet then fell from its antenna tip.
“Shasha~”
Shalala’s eyes instinctively narrowed in delight.
“Yuanyuan.”
The Arctic Jellyfish froze, then let out a whistling sound expressing admiration. You can even speak another race’s language?
Shalala realized her slip-up, stiffened awkwardly, and drifted back to Qiao Sang with a sheepish smile.
Migala surveyed the suite layout.
“I’ll take the inner room. You occupy the largest room with Freshbloom and the familiars.”
“Fine.” Qiao Sang didn’t argue with Teacher Mikara. Her familiars usually stayed outside anyway. Most importantly, the hotel was clearly designed with Shalala in mind—the best room was a given.
Entering her room, Qiao Sang kicked off her shoes, leaned against the bed, and searched the news archives for details on the meteor shower that had struck Mingzhou a century ago.
Treasure Seeker first removed a ring, expertly pulling out grooming supplies, daily necessities, and snacks.
“Ice Emperor.”
Lulu called out beside him.
“Xunxun~”
Treasure Seeker responded, then removed another ring, rummaging through it. Moments later, he produced a spherical box and handed it to Lulu.
Opening it, Lulu revealed numerous crystals radiating a chill aura. These were classified Ice Crystals and Ice Essences, sorted by level and quantity into individual containers. Each portion was perfectly measured—no risk of overindulgence.
Lulu tossed a crystal into his mouth, crunching it with a satisfying click.
Treasure Seeker removed another ring, extracting a water container and a flask of Sanctified Essence Water. He poured the essence water into the container, then his eyes glowed blue. Thoughtfully, he positioned the container in the shaded, sunless corner by the floor-to-ceiling window with the best view.
Born with the fate of a younger brother yet insisting on playing the leader… Qingbao shook his head watching Treasure Seeker bustle about.
“Xunxun~”
Suddenly, Treasure Seeker called out.
Fifth One, take these supplies to the bathroom.
Qingbao: “…”
Recalling his own words from yesterday calling Treasure Seeker “Leader,” Qingbao held back his irritation but remained still.
“Xunxun?”
Treasure Seeker turned, puzzled.
“Qingqing…” Qingbao floated onto the bed, lying down with a weary sigh. “I’m exhausted. Let me sleep.”
“Xunxun~”
Treasure Seeker chirped sympathetically.
“Then rest.”
With that, he carried the grooming supplies toward the bathroom. Qingbao opened one eye, watching his back. He felt smug yet oddly guilty. After a pause, he rose and floated after him, holding the remaining supplies.
Meanwhile, Qiao Sang leaned against the bed scanning the news, finally understanding the aftermath of Mingzhou’s meteor shower.
The meteors hadn’t struck the entire region, only the former Shangyue District. Post-drought reconstruction changed the area, but one location became permanently unsuitable for rebuilding—the underground remained scorching. This zone was preserved as the “Mingzhou Fire Crater” nature reserve.
Qiao Sang navigated the map, noting the crater’s distance—32 kilometers from the hotel. Not far. A single Spatial Shift would suffice…
Setting down her communicator, her thoughts wandered. The underground remains searing. Could remnants of Sun Crystals still lie beneath?
While unlikely, it wasn’t impossible. Yet the area was now a protected reserve. Even if crystals remained, unauthorized exploration would be difficult. Unless… they had a familiar capable of burrowing underground without damaging the surface…
Her gaze shifted to Treasure Seeker emerging from the bathroom.
“Xunxun?”
Noticing his Beastmaster’s stare, Treasure Seeker tilted his head in silent What is it?
A slow smile spread across Qiao Sang’s lips.
…
7:30 PM. Mingzhou Fire Crater ticket booth.
Crowds and familiars queued for entry. Mingzhou’s daytime heat drove most to nocturnal activities—the attractions naturally extended hours accordingly.
Tickets purchased, they entered. An intense heat wave immediately engulfed them.
“Tingting…”
Tingbao whimpered, nuzzling its backpack.
Lulu said nothing, but seconds later, a chill aura seeped from the bag, instantly cooling the air.
“Tingting!” Tingbao chirped gratefully.
“This is where the meteors fell,” Migala murmured, studying the terrain—a vast expanse dotted with over a thousand elliptical craters, each over a hundred meters deep. The clustered formations created a striking, chaotic landscape.
A century ago… this was only a fraction of the devastation. The entire Shangyue District must have been terrifying… Qiao Sang inhaled deeply, steadying her shock.
“You mentioned Sun Crystals,” she asked. “Could any remain here?”
A hearty male voice beside her chuckled.
“Haha, forget it. Sun Crystals are long gone. Of course they’d be mined out—they’re far too valuable.”
Qiao Sang turned, noticing a group of strangers and familiars who’d gathered nearby. Despite the open space, they’d crammed themselves beside her.
Seeing her glance, they all smiled warmly, as if old friends.
Silently, Qiao Sang stepped left. The group mirrored her. She stepped forward—so did they.
The same elderly man grinned, leaning closer.
“Young lady, what artifacts are you using? Such a refreshing chill…”
Qiao Sang: “…”
(End of Chapter)
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