Chapter 1196: I'll Come Find You (Two-in-One)
Chapter 1196: I’ll Come Find You (Two-in-One)
This… this is…? Migala’s face twisted with shock and confusion. Her voice cracked as she exclaimed:
“Holy Flame?!”
So Teacher Mikara recognizes it too… Qiao Sang inwardly mused, masking her thoughts with an outwardly puzzled expression as she asked:
“Holy Flame? I’ve never heard of it. What kind of Skills is it?”
Migala hesitated, her words catching in her throat before she finally replied, “I might’ve misjudged. This is probably another Skill.”
No! You’re not mistaken! Qiao Sang raged silently. Maintaining her innocent curiosity, she pressed on:
“What exactly is Holy Flame?”
Migala paused, then said, “Holy Flame is a fire-type Epic Skill. It’s said to have the power to dispel plagues, remove curses, and burn souls. It causes devastating physical damage while simultaneously weakening the target’s Mental Power and energy.”
She hesitated again before adding, “The Beastmaster League even debated classifying it as Divine Rank when establishing the Skills Level system, but it ultimately fell short of the required votes and was categorized as Ultra-Rank.”
Qiao Sang: “!!!”
An Epic Skill that nearly became Divine Rank?!
Her shock morphed into exhilaration. Her eyes lit up with sudden brilliance. Teacher Mikara was still uncertain, but Qiao Sang already knew through the Beastmaster Codex—the Skill’s name was Holy Flame!
She hastily composed her expression, asking, “This Skill both removes curses and inflicts damage? How do you control it? Surely you wouldn’t want to harm someone’s body and soul while curing their plague?”
Migala met her gaze and replied, “That’s unclear, but with sufficient proficiency, one should be able to control Holy Flame’s effects.”
True enough—if Skills were misused, it was usually due to insufficient proficiency… Qiao Sang feigned confusion as she asked, “Then what Skill is Fangy currently using?”
Fangy glanced at his Beastmaster’s teacher, just as eager to know.
Migala fell silent, torn. Finally, she admitted, “We’ll need further observation.”
Truthfully, beyond Holy Flame, she couldn’t think of any other fire-type Skills that manifested as golden flames with such warming energy. But Fangy was merely a Royal Beast—Holy Flame was a legendary Skill supposedly exclusive to the Li Ou Yasi race.
Despite Fangy’s extraordinary talent, he couldn’t be compared to a mythical familiar. After all, their races hailed from entirely different worlds—Blue Star and Flame Sky Star had no connection across eight lifetimes.
Unless… it was because Fangy had consumed too many Fire Spirit Crystals.
If devouring a familiar’s essence allowed one to awaken their racial Talent Skills or unique abilities, then anyone could just hunt rare familiars for their traits.
Migala’s conviction solidified. She added firmly, “I’ll look into it later.”
Qiao Sang longed to suggest testing it on a cursed individual or familiar, but Fangy’s proficiency was still lacking. If he failed to lift the curse and instead inflicted dual physical-spiritual damage, it’d be catastrophic. Nodding reluctantly, she said, “Alright,” then turned to Fangy:
“Let’s try another Skill.”
“Ya Ya!”
Fangy barked in response. He focused inward.
Five seconds later, his eyes blazed with Blue Light.
A surge of Gravity crashed down, enveloping everyone present—except Qiao Sang, Migala, Pengamei, and Dragon King. The others collapsed, faces slamming onto the ground. Treasure Seeker included.
Migala’s expression shifted as Xialala hit the floor. She swiftly scooped her up.
“Xia Xia.”
Xialala exhaled in relief, then turned to Migala with gratitude.
“Xunxun…”
Meanwhile, Treasure Seeker strained to lift his claws.
“Ice Emperor…”
Lulu gritted her teeth, struggling to rise, but the Gravity pinned her body helplessly.
Steel Treasure surrendered, sprawled on the ground.
“Qingqing…”
Qingbao attempted Wind Transformation, but the moment he vanished, the Gravity yanked him back into visibility.
“Tingting!”
Tingbao roared, shut his eyes, and fainted dead away.
“Fangy!” Qiao Sang gasped, shouting, “Stop!”
Fangy jolted, instantly dispelling the Gravity.
The oppressive force vanished. Everyone scrambled up, eyes wide with terror, fleeing the training ground as one.
“Sorry! Sorry!” Qiao Sang called after them, bowing repeatedly.
Fangy turned to the group, apologetically chirping.
The crowd, however, took one look at the terrifying unfamiliar familiar and bolted without hesitation.
Qiao Sang: “……”
Fangy: “……”
Lulu’s forehead gem pulsed with Cobalt Blue Light, bathing Tingbao in its glow.
“Tingting…”
Tingbao’s eyes fluttered open.
Migala, cradling Xialala, had long regained her composure. Watching the exodus, she remarked calmly, “Fangy’s a Royal Beast now. His Skills naturally cause chaos. Until his proficiency improves, avoid using them in crowded areas.”
“Understood.” Qiao Sang sighed, nodding.
She hadn’t expected Fangy’s first Gravity Skill to blanket the entire Open Training Ground.
Returning to the topic, Migala smiled, “That was a Psychic-type Gravity Skill. In battle, it’s invaluable—limiting opponents’ movements opens countless opportunities when combined with attacks.”
“Ya Ya!”
Fangy’s tail wagged furiously, his eyes sparkling with excitement.
Qiao Sang wholeheartedly agreed, “We’ll spend the next while refining Gravity.”
“Xunxun?”
Treasure Seeker tilted his head, curious.
What’s the difference between Gravity and Oppressive Aura? He chirped, puzzled. Both seemed to pin opponents to the ground.
“One’s a Skill, the other a Trait,” Qiao Sang explained patiently. “Gravity alters the battlefield directly, applying external pressure. Oppressive Aura, however, is a mental Trait that suppresses spiritually.”
“Xunxun~”
Treasure Seeker nodded, comprehension dawning.
“Let’s keep practicing,” Qiao Sang said, turning to Fangy. “Try sensing other Skills.”
“Ya Ya!”
Fangy barked.
“Tingting!”
Tingbao, just revived, scrambled behind Lulu in panic.
Lulu subtly stepped forward, shielding him.
Fangy’s Miniaturization Band left it completely unable to block Tingbao’s shadow.
Tingbao realized this too, shifting his bulk to position himself behind Pengamei.
Lulu: “……”
Fangy sat with eyes closed, focusing inward to sense the newly Awakened Strength circulating through his body.
Moments later, his eyes flared open with a brilliant gleam as he let out a sharp cry:
“Ya Ya!”
A flash of crimson light flickered across his pupils.
In an instant, a scarlet barrier erupted around him, forming a protective dome.
“Flamebarrier…” Migala stared at the glowing red shield, momentarily stunned before breaking into a smile. “Not bad! A fire-type Defensive Skill—seems Fangy’s new Evolutions always grant something practical.”
She wasn’t surprised by Fangy’s ability to immediately master his new abilities after each Evolution. By now, she’d come to expect it as routine.
“Ya Ya!”
Fangy dissolved the barrier with a cheerful chirp.
Migala calling him by name now… Qiao Sang’s thoughts briefly wandered before turning to Fangy with a grin. “This is your first Defensive Skill. You’ll need to train it thoroughly from now on.”
“Ya Ya!”
Fangy nodded seriously.
…
The next morning, dawn light filtered through the suite’s windows.
Qiao Sang packed quickly, finished breakfast, and slung her Lulu-filled backpack over one shoulder. Cradling Xialala—who had reverted to her Freshbloom form—and leading Fangy, she prepared to head to the Beastmaster Center.
Their hotel lay less than two hundred meters from the Center, so she opted against using Spatial Shift.
As she approached the entrance, she noticed Tingbao trailing behind and turned to say, “Why don’t you stay here? It’s sweltering outside.”
She remembered how terribly he hated heat.
Tingbao had already begun nodding when Dragon King’s earlier words flashed in his mind. He shook his head firmly, barking, “Tingting!”
He wasn’t afraid of the heat.
Qiao Sang: “……”
“Qingqing!” Qingbao’s voice carried a teasing edge as he called to Lulu, implying, If Liu isn’t bothered by the heat, don’t waste energy spewing your chill aura!
Tingbao tensed internally but bit back a protest, recalling his earlier bravado.
“Ice Emperor?” Lulu glanced at Qingbao with a questioning tone. And you—will you be okay in the heat?
Qingbao stiffened, stubbornly replying, “Qingqing!”
He wasn’t afraid either.
“Ice Emperor,” Lulu chirped, acknowledging.
As Qiao Sang stepped outside, Lulu indeed refrained from releasing her chill aura.
Qingbao endured in silence as waves of restless heat rippled through the air.
Tingbao lolled his tongue, looking half-dead beside his Beastmaster.
Neither spoke.
“Xunxun~” Treasure Seeker sidled up to the backpack, wheedling, Fifth One and Liu aren’t hot, but I am!
Lulu shot him a glance before instantly radiating visible waves of cold.
“Qingqing…”
“Tingting…”
The stifling heat vanished. Qingbao and Tingbao visibly relaxed, their expressions easing into blissful relief.
Watching this, Qiao Sang chuckled, her mood brightening as she strode forward.
…
Meanwhile, back in the suite…
Migala perked up her Ears, listening until the footsteps and elevator sounds faded. Only then did she grab her mobile phone and dial a number.
After several rings, the call connected.
“Hello, Jiu Bugu? It’s me,” Migala said.
“Jiujiu?” Jiu Bugu skipped formalities, demanding, What was that sudden memory of you appearing out of nowhere?!
Migala immediately understood. “It’s a long story. I recently time-traveled a century with my students.”
“Jiujiu?” Jiu Bugu paused, surprised. How did you time-travel?!
“I encountered Shi Pan Te from Flame Sky Star.”
“Jiujiu?”
Are you on Flame Sky Star now?
“Yes.”
“Jiujiu?” When are you leaving?
“I won’t be leaving anytime soon—at least not for another year.”
“Jiujiu.” Then I’ll come find you on Flame Sky Star.
Migala’s body stiffened.
Before she could respond, the line went dead.
She immediately redialed.
“Sorry, the number you’ve called is currently switched off. Please try again later.”
Migala’s expression slowly crumbled as she sank onto the sofa.
“Momo?” Dragon King noticed her unease, picking at his nose. What’s wrong?
“Jiu Bugu said he’s coming here…” she murmured.
Dragon King reflexively smirked, then caught himself. “Momo.” He’s your Beast Companions—of course he’d come find you.
Her expression softened. That made sense…
Suddenly recalling something, she booted up her computer and logged into the Imperial Beastmaster Academy’s internal faculty site, searching for news about the Golden Flame.
…
Beastmaster Center.
From sunrise to moonrise, Qiao Sang and Fangy finally staggered out, exhausted.
Moonlight bathed the courtyard.
“Ya Ya!”
Fangy suddenly felt invigorated, his Vitality fully restored.
Registering a new familiar’s information gets more tedious with each level… Qiao Sang sighed mentally. She hadn’t expected the Beastmaster Center to go to such lengths to verify Fangy’s details, even working this late.
She’d originally planned to visit the Flame Ore Deposit with Teacher Mikara after registration, but now that would have to wait until tomorrow.
As she pondered this, Fangy’s eyes glowed blue, focusing on the Miniaturization Band.
Qiao Sang snapped back to attention, shouting, “Stop!”
Fangy turned back to the Band. The gradual enlargement of his body halted, then reversed.
“Ya Ya?”
Once reduced to his smaller form, Fangy tilted his head in confusion. Are we walking back again?
Qiao Sang spoke gravely, “You’re Imperial Tier now. Maintaining your true size openly would cause panic.”
“Ya Ya.”
Fangy blinked, then nodded solemnly. After a moment, he muttered reflectively, Fangy…
Growing bigger sure is inconvenient. I preferred my Royal Tier size. If only I could Evolve without changing size…
“Xunxun…” Treasure Seeker ground his teeth nearby.
Suddenly, her phone vibrated.
Qiao Sang checked the caller ID: Vice Principal.
Surprised, she answered.
Before she could speak, the Vice Principal’s voice crackled through, uncharacteristically strained:
“I just received news that one Fangflare on the Flame Listener Evolution path has already reached Imperial Tier.”
He inhaled deeply before continuing, “That Imperial Tier Fangflare… is it Fangy?”
(End of Chapter)
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