Chapter 609: I Have a Question to Ask
Chapter 609: I Have a Question to Ask (Combined)
Above the clouds, on the private airship heading to the Third District, the group in the cabin had been buzzing around Qiao Sang for nearly two hours, finally settling down.
Qiao Sang lay under a thin blanket, wide awake.
Anyone who had just undergone a Familiar Evolution into a new form would be excited for a long time.
Tang Yi suddenly sighed, "We just talked about Bond Evolution the last time, and now your Steel Sparrow has really Bond Evolved."
Qiao Sang sighed sincerely, "I didn't expect it either."
She really didn't expect it. Setting aside whether her familiar had the potential for Bond Evolution, even if it did, Bond Evolution wasn't an easy feat, especially for a familiar as intelligent as Steel Guardian.
Tang Yi gave Qiao Sang a wistful look, "I want to Bond Evolve too."
Qiao Sang smiled, "Isn't your Pare Oko already Bond Evolved?"
Tang Yi sighed, "Because I know the benefits of Bond Evolution in battles, I want to see if Toxic Water Lion can also go through this process."
"What benefits?" Qiao Sang couldn't help but ask.
She knew a bit about Bond Evolution, but she couldn't possibly know as much as Tang Yi.
Tang Yi thought for a moment and said, "It's a very peculiar feeling, during battles, your thoughts can synchronize, and it understands your intentions without any commands, as if it's fighting on the field as an extension of yourself."
Qiao Sang pondered for a moment and said, "I remember when we battled, you seemed to be giving commands."
Tang Yi looked embarrassed, "Pare Lulu had just Evolved for the first time, and I wasn't prepared at all. Besides, I was used to giving commands. Standing there motionless and just watching the familiars battle felt really strange."
He then seemed to think of something and said seriously, "But now Pare Oko and I have a very strong tacit understanding, a seamless cooperation. How about we battle again?"<|im_end|>
"Let's wait until after the College Entrance Exam." Qiao Sang didn't refuse.
Tang Yi's eyes lit up, and his mood immediately improved.
After a few more casual chats, Qiao Sang closed her eyes and entered the Beastmaster Codex.
The pages flipped, and she quickly found the page about Steel Guardian.
Name: Steel Guardian
Attributes: Steel, Flying
Level: Intermediate (1001/10000)
Traits:
- Primary Trait: Mirror Armor
- Level: A (26/10000)
- Status: Extremely Useful
- Description: When the opponent's ability reduces the Move or Trait, it bounces back to the familiar who used the Move or triggered the Trait.
- Secondary Trait: Iron Head
- Level: D (11/500)
- Status: Difficult to Use
- Description: Immune to the backlash damage from own Moves.
- Third Trait: Sharpness
- Level: C (788/1000)
- Status: Usable
- Description: Using slicing Moves increases their power by 50%.
Skills:
- Iron Wall (Small Success 1179/2000)
- Trickery (Proficient 334/500)
- Steel Wing (Small Success 567/2000)
- Air Blades (Proficient 338/500)
- Peck (Proficient 278/500)
- Air Absorption (Proficient 109/500)
- Metal Claw (Novice 1/100)
- Metal Sound (Novice 1/100)
- Blade Feather (Novice 1/100)
Qiao Sang's gaze moved down.
Steel Guardian's Traits hadn't changed, but it had gained three new Skills.
Metal Claw and Metal Sound were both common Intermediate Skills among Steel-type familiars. Metal Claw involved using steel claws to slash at opponents, while Metal Sound emitted a grating metallic noise that significantly reduced the opponent's special defense.
As for Blade Feather...
Qiao Sang carefully recalled in her mind before finally remembering this Move.
It wasn't that Slacker was the issue; rather, this Skill wasn't particularly common.
Unless, like Steel Treasure now, a familiar evolved and gained it, ordinary Beastmasters generally wouldn't think to have their familiars learn this Skill.
This wasn't because the Skill was weak; on the contrary, the Alliance classified it as an Advanced Skill.
However, when proficiency was low, the Skill wouldn't have much of an effect, unlike Mars Rain and Hellfire, which were Advanced Skills that could create a powerful visual impact even at the Novice level.
Moreover, when proficiency was low, there were many Intermediate Skills that could replace Blade Feather, such as Steel Wing and Air Blades.
The proficiency of Advanced Skills increased at a snail's pace, and many familiars, even if they learned an Advanced Skill, might only reach the Novice or Proficient levels throughout their lives. Therefore, ordinary Beastmasters wouldn't waste time on Skills that required high proficiency to show their true power.
However, many Professional Beastmasters would have their familiars learn this Skill.
Because, in the later stages, it was indeed very powerful.
Steel Wing involved using wings that had turned into steel blades for close combat, requiring the familiar to move and attack at close range.
Air Blades were a ranged attack; if the target dodged, the blades would simply disappear after one use.
Blade Feather, on the other hand, could be used for both close and ranged attacks. It involved pulling out one's own feathers to use as blades.
Unlike when Steel Treasure pulled out its feathers earlier, the feathers used in the Blade Feather Move could be sheathed back in, much like a knife being returned to its scabbard.
It was said that at the Master level, Blade Feather could make all of the familiar's feathers "unsheathe", creating a visual effect similar to Thousand Blades.
Perhaps because this Master-level effect made the familiar look less aesthetically pleasing, it had never been seen in its complete form in any major matches.
Qiao Sang couldn't help but imagine it in her mind.
If she ever made it to the Interstellar Cup,
and her opponent sent out a majestic, high-ranking familiar,
she could send out Steel Treasure and, with a wave of her hand, declare loudly to the entire galaxy, "Blade Feather!"
Steel Treasure's body would shudder, and all its feathers would fly off, leaving it completely bald.
Even if she won, would people still laugh at her...
...
Third District.
Sai Nan High School.
The flying ship landed smoothly in an open area behind the school.
The group disembarked.
Eileen, looking slightly tired, said, "The results will be announced in two days. It's late, so everyone should go home and rest."
Then, she looked at Qiao Sang and smiled, "Follow me for a moment."
It seemed she wanted to talk about Steel Treasure... Qiao Sang, holding the now smaller Fangy, followed Eileen.
"Where are we going?" After a minute of walking, Qiao Sang asked, noticing that her teacher hadn't said anything.
"I reported your Steel Sparrow's evolution into its new form to the Trustees. They want to meet you", Eileen said, maintaining her smile with effort.
Her feelings towards Qiao Sang were quite complex, especially after seeing the scenes in the Wraith Eye.
Qiao Sang, unaware of her teacher's complex emotions, let her mind wander.
The number of Credits seemed to be decided by the Trustees. Familiars evolving to the Intermediate stage already earned 20 Credits, and now that Steel Treasure had evolved into the new form of Steel Guardian, she might receive even more Credits...
The thought made Qiao Sang's steps lighter.
After nearly ten minutes of walking, they arrived at an office in one of the school buildings.
Qiao Sang remembered this place; it was where she had undergone her brain domain re-evaluation.
Eileen knocked on the door and then pushed it open.
Qiao Sang saw the high-ranking officials she had met before.
It looks like there are even more people this time around.
The crowd, which had been buzzing with conversation, fell silent as the newcomers arrived, their eyes fixed intently.
The middle-aged man at the front, his tired eyes suddenly lighting up, leaned forward and asked Qiao Sang in a voice brimming with restrained excitement:
"Your teacher said that your Steel Sparrow evolved into a new form?"
Eileen wanted to respond, but seeing that all the Trustees were focused on Qiao Sang, she quietly stepped back.
This much excitement means there's a good chance for credits... Qiao Sang felt a surge of joy but kept her expression composed as she nodded.
"Quick, summon it for us to see!" the blonde man beside her urged eagerly.
Under the watchful eyes of the high-ranking officials, Qiao Sang formed the hand signs and summoned Steel Treasure.
"Steel Guardian."
Upon appearing, Steel Treasure, though surprised by the group of strangers staring at him, showed no significant change in expression, as if such a scene was not unexpected.
"Truly a new form!"
"Heavens, Steel Sparrow has another evolution form!"
"This form looks even more aggressive than Steel Falcon."
The high-ranking officials couldn't contain their excitement and gathered around Steel Treasure, examining him closely.
This time, their reactions were much more overt compared to when they learned Qiao Sang's brain domain had reached 39%.
It wasn't that a 39% brain domain wasn't impressive; it was just that Qiao Sang was from Blue Star and would eventually return. Steel Sparrow, however, was a familiar of Supernest.
If news of a new evolution form for a familiar spread, it would be an instant trending topic!
"How did it evolve? Can you describe the scene in detail?" the middle-aged man, the Principal of Sai Nan High School, asked with a serious expression.
Qiao Sang nodded and recounted the events without hesitation.
This wasn't a secret, as the Wraith Eye security cameras had recorded the entire evolution process of Steel Treasure.
The Principal listened intently, and after she finished, he thought for a moment.
"You mean to say that this new form of Steel Sparrow is a Bond Evolution?"
Qiao Sang paused. "I think the probability of it being a Bond Evolution is quite high."
"Actually, among all the evolution paths, Bond Evolution is the easiest to confirm", a red-haired young man interjected.
Qiao Sang turned to look at him.
The red-haired young man continued, "In the early stages of a Bond Evolution, the Beastmaster isn't fully adapted, so they will feel the familiar's pain during battles. If you feel the pain when this new evolution form of Steel Sparrow is injured in battle, then it is likely a Bond Evolution."
While Bond Evolutions were rare in Supernest, it didn't mean they were completely unfamiliar with the concept.
Qiao Sang's expression froze.
She suddenly remembered the National School Beastmaster League Finals, where Pare Oko and Tang Yi had both screamed in pain simultaneously.
Oh no, I almost forgot about that. Steel Treasure is supposed to be a tank, but if it hurts, I'll hurt too. How am I supposed to tank then... Qiao Sang felt a chill run through her.
After all, Steel Treasure, though designated as a tank, currently had no other defensive skills besides Iron Wall!
The Principal seemed to understand Qiao Sang's concern and added, "In the early stages, a Beastmaster might still feel their familiar's pain, but over time, the Beastmaster's own defenses will strengthen. With some practice, by the later stages, even direct attacks on the familiar won't cause significant harm to the Beastmaster."
So, you just get used to the pain? Qiao Sang thought to herself, but it did make her feel a bit better.
She knew this was true. In various regional competitions, there were no shortage of Bond Evolution familiars whose Beastmasters remained unperturbed when their familiars were attacked.
It was said that they adapted, and the replenishment they received in later stages enhanced their ability to withstand pain.
At this point, a black-haired woman checked the time on her watch and suggested,
“It’s too late now. Shouldn’t we wait until tomorrow to discuss Bond Evolution? Let’s let Qiao Sang go back and rest. None of us are researchers, so we can’t make a proper judgment.”
Everyone nodded in agreement, thinking it made sense.
They had come to see Steel Sparrow’s new form, and now that their goal was achieved, they could disperse.
Moreover, Bond Evolution was an Evolution path that was most likely to be reached on other planets in their Supernest, but not by them. Since they couldn’t widely promote Steel Sparrow’s new form through Evolution, it had no commercial value, and they had no reason to stay any longer.
As they were discussing the late hour, Qiao Sang coughed. “Um, I have something I want to ask.”
Everyone immediately focused their attention on her.
Qiao Sang said, “I was wondering if the school would give me extra credits for Steel Sparrow’s new form?”
There was a moment of silence as no one had expected Qiao Sang to ask this.
Principal’s eyes flashed with a hint of amusement.
“You want credits for something specific?”
Qiao Sang replied honestly, “I want a Dream Insight Stone.”
Everyone looked at Qiao Sang in shock.
The Dream Insight Stone, due to its extreme scarcity, was priced at 1000 credits and was usually just a gimmick in the credit exchange list. They never thought a student would actually try to exchange for it.
Firstly, they didn’t think any student would accumulate 1000 credits.
Secondly, high-level Familiar Trainers could easily replace the functions of a Dream Insight Stone.
Given that each Prominent Family had their own high-level Familiar Trainer, the Dream Insight Stone seemed somewhat redundant.
After the initial shock, everyone’s gaze shifted to Blazing Star Hound and Steel Sparrow’s new Evolution form, and they suddenly understood.
The Dream Insight Stone might be redundant for other students, but not for Qiao Sang, who had two new form familiars. In a way, Qiao Sang was indeed the one who needed the Dream Insight Stone the most.
Principal paused for a few seconds before speaking softly, “I understand. However, the Dream Insight Stone is school property, and I can’t make that decision alone. I’ll discuss it with the Trustees and give you a reply by tomorrow at the latest.”
Hearing this, Qiao Sang was taken aback. What’s going on? I asked about credits, why do they need to consult the Trustees about the Dream Insight Stone? Do they think I’ll redeem it and then back out?
…
Worried, Qiao Sang returned to her dormitory.
As soon as she entered, she remembered something and turned to Steel Treasure, speaking seriously, “You need to focus on practicing Iron Wall!”
“Steel Guardian.”
Steel Treasure, who had been listening to the conversation in the office, nodded with a smile, understanding what its Beastmaster was concerned about.
“Xunxun?”
Treasure Seeker appeared and suddenly swatted a claw at Steel Treasure, then turned to look at Qiao Sang with curiosity.
Does it hurt?
With that force, it wouldn’t even hurt if it hit me directly, let alone through Synchronization… Qiao Sang thought, but she smiled and said, “You’ll only feel pain during combat through Synchronization.”
“Xunxun…”
Treasure Seeker nodded, looking like it had learned something.
“Fangy”
Fangy looked up with a worried expression.
Qiao Sang felt a wave of warmth and said, “It will only be in the early stages. Later on, I’ll be fine.”
“Fangy”
Fangy seemed to understand but was still instinctively worried.
If anyone says Fire Pet Beasts are temperamental, I’ll be the first to disagree… Qiao Sang felt a warm surge in her heart.
“Ya Ya!”
Suddenly, Fangy’s eyes lit up, and its tail wagged excitedly. It called out, indicating that it would practice with Steel Treasure every day to reach the later stages sooner!
Qiao Sang’s lips twitched slightly. “That’s not necessary. It’s best to progress gradually.”
“Fangy”
Fangy’s tail drooped in disappointment.
(End of Chapter)
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