Chapter 688: Flame Sky Star
Chapter 688: Flame Sky Star (Combined)
On the way, Qiao Sang occasionally saw parents accompanying their children.
Unlike at regular universities where usually only one parent, either the father or the mother, would accompany the student, most families at Yulinton University came in full force. They walked around, stopping to take photos as if they were on a vacation.
It was quite rare to see someone like Qiao Sang, who had no parents around.
Several freshmen, seeing that Qiao Sang had nothing in her hands and no one with her, mistook her for a senior and wanted to ask for directions.
However, upon getting closer and seeing her clearly underage face, they hesitated and decided to leave.
Qiao Sang, unaware of their thoughts, assumed they were just curious about Fangy and had come closer to take a look.
She arrived at the intersection where the holographic screen displayed a map.
As she was looking at it, a voice sounded from beside her:
"Senior, could you tell me how to get to the registration office?"
Qiao Sang, focused on the map, ignored the voice.
"Senior? Senior?" the voice called out twice more.
Qiao Sang turned her head and saw a black girl, about half a head taller than her, smiling at her.
Next to her was a familiar, roughly two meters tall, mostly green, with a long neck and thick limbs, and three leaves circling its neck. The familiar was carrying a suitcase, bound with a Vine Whip.
"Senior, how do I get to the registration office?" the black girl asked.
Qiao Sang looked around to confirm that the question was directed at her, then explained, "I'm a freshman too."
The black girl was taken aback for a moment before she smiled apologetically:
"Sorry, I saw you weren't carrying anything and thought you were a senior."
Qiao Sang gave a polite smile, "It's fine."
With that, she started to walk away.
"Wait!" the black girl called out, catching up. "Have you been to the registration office yet?"
"No", Qiao Sang shook her head.
"That's great", the black girl said with a relieved smile. "Let's go together."
"Sure", Qiao Sang said, heading confidently to the right.
The black girl quickly followed.
"My name is Mynian, I'm in the Pharmacology Department. What about you?"
"Qiao Sang, Beast Mastery Department."
Beast Mastery Department... Mynian glanced at the girl and the red familiar she was holding, her eyes widening in surprise.
She hadn't expected that a random person she struck up a conversation with would be from the Beast Mastery Department.
The Beast Mastery Department was one of the largest and most prestigious departments, far more difficult to get into than the others.
"Aren't you from Supernest?" Mynian tried to keep the conversation going.
Qiao Sang played along, "How did you know?"
"I've studied the cultural situations on other planets. On Supernest, the relationship between humans and familiars isn't harmonious. It's impossible to see someone walking around with a familiar there", Mynian explained.
"Even if a familiar is injured, people on Supernest usually put them into a Beastmaster Codex and take them to a Beastmaster Center, or wait for medical staff to arrive."
That was an outsider's perspective on Supernest... Qiao Sang turned her head to look at her.
"Aren't you from Supernest?"
"No", Mynian smiled. "I'm from Flame Sky Star."
Flame Sky Star... Qiao Sang looked at her with surprise.
This was the first time she had met someone from Flame Sky Star.
Of the four planets, Flame Sky Star had the highest proportion of Beastmasters, with over 90% of the population being Beastmasters.
It was common to encounter Beastmasters on the streets, while ordinary people were relatively rare.
Unlike the other three planets, Flame Sky Star, due to the lack of self-defense capabilities and limited earning opportunities for ordinary people, had many policies that favored them.
The most discussed policy was that on the day when everyone's brain domain was uniformly activated, those whose Beastmaster Codexes did not awaken and were confirmed as ordinary people would receive a monthly subsidy of 5000 Union Coins until their death.
Back when she was still in junior high, many of her classmates had discussed the idea of immigrating to Flame Sky Star if the Beastmaster Codex failed to Awaken.
But that was just talk; immigration wasn't that easy, let alone interstellar immigration.
When Qiao Sang realized that her new acquaintance was from Flame Sky Star, she immediately became interested in the conversation:
"I heard that on Flame Sky Star, Wild Familiars can legally claim territory. Is that true?"
"It's true", Mynian smiled. "Our Wild Familiars, like those in Supernest, live alongside humans, but they have better rights here."
Qiao Sang recalled something she had seen in the news and asked:
"I heard that some of your leaders are familiars?"
Mynian waved her hand dismissively. "On Flame Sky Star, almost every country has familiars in high leadership roles. It's not unusual. The world is meant for humans and familiars to coexist, and only through mutual development can everything become better."
No wonder Flame Sky Star almost always wins the Interstellar Cup... Qiao Sang mused internally, then asked:
"Why did you decide to come to Supernest for university?"
Asking a rhetorical question, this was the third-ranked Yulinton University in the galaxy. How could she not come... Mynian smiled slightly. "I just chose the best Top Academy within my options. And it's also good to see more of the galaxy by going to other planets."
With that, she countered:
"What about you? Why aren't you at a Top Academy on your own planet?"
Qiao Sang chuckled. "I'm attending the Top Academy on my planet, but I'm here on an exchange program for a semester."
An exchange student? Mynian was taken aback and asked, "Which Top Academy are you from?"
"Imperial Beastmaster Academy", Qiao Sang replied.
Mynian suddenly fell silent.
Qiao Sang didn't understand why the other girl suddenly became so quiet.
After about twenty minutes of detours, they finally reached the registration area.
The process was simple: just show your ID card, admission letter, exam ticket, and file, verify your identity, and sign.
Since Qiao Sang and Mynian were in different majors, they quickly split up and joined their respective departmental queues.
At the Beast Mastery Department registration desk, a boy was handling the sign-ups. When he saw Qiao Sang's file, he looked up in surprise and asked:
"An exchange student?"
Qiao Sang nodded.
Several senior students nearby, who were chatting, immediately turned their attention to her, then collectively focused on Fangy.
One of the senior students, a blonde, was particularly curious and leaned in to look at the file.
"Imperial Beastmaster Academy?" The blonde senior's eyes lingered on a particular part, raising an eyebrow.
Everyone knew that Imperial Beastmaster Academy and Yulinton University were always in competition. It was surprising that an exchange student from Imperial Beastmaster Academy was here this year.
Upon hearing this, the other onlookers immediately gathered around to check the file.
While they were looking, Qiao Sang quietly finished signing and retrieved her ID card and other documents, preparing to leave.
At that moment, a red-haired boy with striking features approached, enthusiastically offering, "Junior, let me take you to your dorm."
"No need, I've already applied to live off-campus", Qiao Sang declined.
As an interstellar exchange student, whether to live on or off-campus was specified in the application materials. Yulinton University's agreement to the exchange included the clause allowing off-campus living while retaining a dorm room.
Qiao Sang had no immediate plans to visit her dorm.
She had a Body-Forge Worm scheduled to visit at two in the afternoon and didn't want to waste time.
The red-haired boy could only stop in his tracks, watching as the junior left.
Sigh, the Beast Mastery Department is mostly boys, and it's rare to meet a pretty junior. I didn't expect her to be a non-resident student. How am I supposed to show off my gentlemanly charm...
Just as he was feeling regretful, a commotion erupted behind him:
"Sixteen?! That exchange student is only sixteen?!"
"Oh my gosh! No wonder she looks so young, she's barely a teenager!"
"Me too! I was just telling Dami that she looked like Longguoan, where being petite is normal, but she's actually a minor."
"That's strange, the familiar she was holding earlier wasn't mentioned in her profile at all."
Sixteen, just sixteen, that's terrifying. I almost tried to make a move on a minor... The red-haired boy's face changed slightly, silently berating himself.
...
Qiao Sang checked his phone and saw that it was still some time before two in the afternoon. He decided to wander around Yulinton University to familiarize himself with the routes.
The university had various shops related to familiars, with the most being food-related.
Fangy used his nose to sniff around, and whenever he caught a scent he liked, he would jump out of Qiao Sang's arms and run to the store, wagging his tail as he looked up at his Beastmaster.
Qiao Sang smiled and took out his money without a word.
Along the way, Fangy ate quite a bit of energy-rich food, causing his belly to swell up.
The Treasure Seeker has been unusually quiet today... Qiao Sang suddenly thought of this and called out:
"Treasure Seeker?"
"Xunxun~"
The Treasure Seeker didn't appear immediately as it usually did, but after three seconds, it finally showed up.
Something feels off today... Qiao Sang stared at the Treasure Seeker.
"Xunxun~"
The Treasure Seeker blinked its eyes.
"Do you want anything to eat?" Qiao Sang asked.
"Xunxun~"
The Treasure Seeker shook its head.
That's strange, very strange. It hasn't shown any interest in all the delicious food we've passed... Qiao Sang gave the Treasure Seeker a meaningful look.
The Treasure Seeker blinked its eyes, looking obedient.
"If you don't want to eat, that's fine." Qiao Sang said.
"Xunxun~"
The Treasure Seeker let out a cry and then disappeared, almost as if in a hurry.
Qiao Sang sensed that the Treasure Seeker was still in the same spot, just hidden.
Maybe I'm overthinking it... Qiao Sang mused.
At that moment, the hidden Treasure Seeker had an expression that said "Hurry up! Hurry up!" but there was nothing around it, no other ghost familiars in sight.
At the same time.
In an unused room of the villa, another "Treasure Seeker" was furiously typing away on a keyboard.
...
Six o'clock in the evening.
Living room.
The dining table was laden with steaming home-cooked dishes, prepared by the Vice Principal.
"Did you go to Yulinton University for registration today?" Liu Yao asked while picking up some food.
Qiao Sang nodded. "I got the email in the morning. Since it wasn't far, I went directly there."
"When does school start?" Liu Yao asked.
"In six days", Qiao Sang replied.
Not all freshmen at Yulinton University were from Supernest. To avoid everyone rushing, the registration period lasted a whole week.
Liu Yao pondered for a moment and said, "I recently met a supplier who provides energy pills to a familiar breeding shop inside Yulinton University. He told me that when freshmen first arrive, each department has different evaluations that directly affect rankings and credits."
He paused and added, "He said it's very important, possibly the easiest time to earn credits during your time at Yulinton University."
Credits? Qiao Sang thought of the senior who could teleport for just one credit.
Liu Yao continued:
"Pay attention the day before school starts. Don't let the Ghost Ring King play on the computer that night, so he doesn't perform poorly during the evaluation."
The Treasure Seeker focused on eating Energy Pills, seemingly ignoring the conversation.
Qiao Sang nodded: "I understand."
Each department had a different evaluation. As a student in the Beast Mastery Department, her evaluation would likely involve familiar combat. The Treasure Seeker needed to be well-rested and in top form.
Liu Yao took a couple of bites of his meal, then suddenly remembered something and lowered his voice:
"I checked on the Steel Guardian and Icechill today. It seems like Icechill's state is a bit off."
Qiao Sang's heart sank, and even the meat in her mouth lost its flavor: "What's wrong with it?"
Liu Yao recalled Icechill's condition and said: "It seems to be in a low mood, not coming out for training. It just stays in the water tank and has no interest in food."
"A healthy familiar shouldn't be like that."
Lulu must want to absorb the Sanctified Essence Water and evolve to become stronger... Qiao Sang instantly understood Lulu's thoughts.
During regular skill training, the energy within the body doesn't increase much. However, staying in the water tank with the Sanctified Essence Water clearly boosts the energy levels.
Qiao Sang thought for a moment and said:
"I'll take it out for a walk these next few days, to get some exercise."
The Vice Principal was right; Lulu's state was off. Its issue was that Fangy and the Treasure Seeker had evolved, clearly becoming stronger than it.
Lulu usually finished its Energy Pills, but today it only ate half before returning to its room.
However, it still had a long way to go before evolving. It couldn't stay in this state for long.
Liu Yao, hearing this, resumed his meal with satisfaction.
Icechill was an Endangered Familiar from the Ancient Fog Region, and by extension, an Endangered Familiar of Blue Star. He didn't want anything to happen to it.
...
Qiao Sang returned to her room, meditated for over an hour, then opened her eyes and looked at Lulu in the water tank, saying:
"Lulu, let's go out for a bit."
"Icechill?"
Lulu opened its eyes, showing a "Where to?" expression.
"Let's find a place for some combat training", Qiao Sang said.
"Icechill."
Lulu closed its eyes.
Not interested.
Qiao Sang: "..."
"Do you know why Fangy and the Treasure Seeker evolved so quickly?" Qiao Sang whispered, trying to entice Lulu.
"Icechill."
Lulu suddenly opened its eyes, staring intently at its Beastmaster.
You haven't looked at me like that in a long time... Qiao Sang felt a pang of emotion but continued to tempt Lulu:
"Have you noticed that Fangy and the Treasure Seeker have the most combat experience among your group? Combat can speed up the process of becoming stronger."
She had considered making Lulu experience despair in a Sandstorm, but that would be a hellish evolution mode.
Without mentioning the Sandstorm, making Lulu feel despair was practically impossible.
Since Lulu wanted to evolve quickly, she would take Lulu out for more combat to help it accumulate the points needed to evolve into a General-Class familiar.
"Icechill."
Lulu, upon hearing this, jumped out of the water tank without a second thought, called out, and indicated that it was ready to go.
Qiao Sang: "..."
Even though Lulu has been in a bad mood recently, it's still as easily swayed as ever...
(End of Chapter)
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