Chapter 746: Imperial Class
Chapter 746: Imperial Class (Combined)
Who could it be at this hour? It feels a bit creepy... Qiao Sang felt a chill run down her spine, but her body reacted faster than her mind, instinctively turning her head to look back.
In the darkness, she saw a figure standing in the shadow of a tree, about seven feet tall, wearing a black coat, a cap, and a mask.
The figure remained in the shadows when she turned around, standing still.
Well, this has the feel of a horror movie... Ever since the Ghost Familiar Negative Energy Collection Competition, Qiao Sang had become much braver.
From the figure's build, she was sure it wasn't anyone she knew.
Qiao Sang subtly glanced in the direction of Treasure Seeker's Invisibility.
At the same moment, her phone vibrated again.
Qiao Sang picked it up and saw a new text message:
【I am a teacher at the Imperial Beastmaster Academy.】
Qiao Sang's pupils dilated, and she suddenly shouted, "Treasure Seeker! Wait!"
But it was already too late.
"Xunxun!"
Treasure Seeker teleported in front of the cap-wearing figure, her eyes glowing purple.
Oh no, she hypnotized the teacher from the Imperial Beastmaster Academy on their first meeting... Qiao Sang covered her face, too embarrassed to watch what would happen next.
After about three seconds, the expected sound of someone collapsing under hypnosis didn't come.
Qiao Sang lowered her hand and looked back toward the shadow under the tree.
The cap-wearing figure was still standing there.
"Xunxun!"
Treasure Seeker teleported back, pointing at the figure and calling out.
That guy is actually wearing sunglasses!
As she spoke, the cap-wearing figure slightly raised his head, revealing black sunglasses that covered the upper half of his face.
Qiao Sang: "..."
Suddenly, her phone vibrated again.
Qiao Sang lit up the screen and saw a new unread message:
【It's good to be cautious, but I really am a teacher at the Imperial Beastmaster Academy. I need to talk to you.】
This teacher really needs to stop sending texts in pieces. If he wanted to talk to me, he could have just come over directly instead of being so mysterious... Qiao Sang rolled her eyes and patted Fangy's back:
"Let's go over."
"Yah."
Fangy called out.
In the next second, they appeared in front of the cap-wearing figure.
Although Fangy couldn't teleport through space, his Perfection-level teleportation was enough to move Qiao Sang easily in an obstacle-free area.
Qiao Sang dismounted.
At the same time, a "zhang zhang" sound came from the tree.
An invisible barrier instantly enveloped the surroundings.
Under the Panoramic View, the night was dark, the leaves rustled, but there was no figure in the tree's shadow.
Qiao Sang had seen Spatial Lockdown a few times and keenly sensed that this barrier was different.
If you looked closely at a Spatial Lockdown barrier, you could see a thin film around it, but this barrier was constantly rippling like water, very clearly.
"This is a perception barrier. It prevents people outside from seeing or hearing us", the cap-wearing figure said, raising a hand to remove the cap, mask, and sunglasses, revealing a head of smooth golden hair and a rather forgettable face.
"Are you a teacher at the Imperial Beastmaster Academy?" Qiao Sang confirmed.
The woman looked up at Qiao Sang with deep blue eyes and smiled, "Let me introduce myself. My name is Heidi. I am currently assigned by the Imperial Beastmaster Academy to operate in Supernest."
"What do you need to talk to me about?" Qiao Sang asked.
Heidi gazed at her for a moment, then smiled, "I already know everything about you. I didn't expect you to turn down the offer from Yulinton University."
Damn, this news has spread so far... Qiao Sang was shocked.
Heidi continued, "I should have contacted you earlier, but my current identity makes it inconvenient. Also, you've been under the constant watch of the Beastmaster Alliance's Dean, so I haven't had many opportunities."
Huh? I’m a student at the Imperial Beastmaster Academy, and you’re a teacher there. What’s so inconvenient about us meeting like this? Qiao Sang, confused, asked:
“What is your current position?”
Heidi paused for a moment: “A teacher at the Beastmaster Alliance.”
“Are you a spy?!” Qiao Sang’s eyes widened, and she blurted out the question.
Heidi cleared her throat and said:
“I just handle the intelligence side of things.”
She added, “Many top academies place their people in other institutions. It’s a standard practice.”
No wonder she knew I turned down Dean Gilbert… The competition between top academies must have reached this level, to the point of deploying spies… Qiao Sang was momentarily dazed, then she thought of something and asked:
“So, there are also intelligence agents from other academies at the Imperial Beastmaster Academy?”
Heidi nodded slightly:
“Yes, and we have information on a few of them. We know about them but don’t expose them.”
Qiao Sang was puzzled: “Why not?”
“Those who pass the interview to enter the Imperial Beastmaster Academy are all top talents,” Heidi explained. “Besides, even if they weren’t here, others would take their place. It’s better to have their information and ensure they don’t get involved in core research projects.”
Qiao Sang asked, “So, does the Beastmaster Alliance know your identity?”
Heidi thought about her treatment at the Beastmaster Alliance over the years and hesitated: “I’m not sure…”
Realizing she was getting off-topic, she quickly brought the conversation back:
“I came to see you because Dean Theresa Dwight asked me to tell you that your exchange at the Beastmaster Alliance has two main purposes. First, you’re already in Supernest, and you have half a year left for your exchange.”
“Second, it’s to expose you to prodigies from other planets.”
“However, it seems you’ve progressed faster than she expected. Even among the undergraduate students at Yulinton University’s Beast Mastery Department, no one is as strong as you.”
“Your current level is already on par with a graduate student in the Beast Mastery Department at a top academy.”
“Initially, if you hadn’t turned down Yulinton University so quickly, they would have provided you with appropriate resources and guidance based on your level. Now that you’ve declined, you’ll likely be treated like a regular first-year interstellar exchange student, taking first-year courses.”
“Dean Theresa Dwight feels this would be a waste of time, so she wants you to advance to the Imperial Class.”
Heidi shouldn’t have revealed her role in Supernest so easily, but if Qiao Sang was confirmed to be a classmate in the Imperial Class, it wouldn’t be a problem.
Qiao Sang processed the information and asked, “What is the Imperial Class?”
“I believe you’ve already heard about the Imperial Class at the Beastmaster Alliance,” Heidi explained. “It’s like the Imperial Class at the Imperial Beastmaster Academy, where only the best of the best are admitted.”
Imperial Class… Qiao Sang recalled.
Dean Amaria of the Artifacts College had mentioned it to her, saying it provided access to rare resources that were otherwise unattainable.
Heidi continued:
“Students in the Imperial Class are groomed to become future participants in the Interstellar Cup.”
“In theory, even prodigies should wait until their brain domain reaches 50% before becoming a B-Class Beastmaster.”
“Fifty percent is a significant milestone. Most prodigies develop their brain domain smoothly up to about 40%, often reaching this level before the age of 30. However, the step from 49% to 50% is extremely difficult, and many never make it past this point.”
"Reaching 50% brain domain development before the age of 30 and becoming a B-Class Beastmaster is the minimum standard for entering the Imperial Class."
"However, your situation is quite unique. Your brain domain development speed is indeed the fastest we've ever seen."
She paused for a moment, then added:
"Your familiars are also exceptionally well-cultivated."
Too kind, too kind... Qiao Sang controlled the upward curve of her lips, cleared her throat, and said:
"I'm a bit worried about keeping up with the knowledge required for the Imperial Class."
"Don't worry about that", Heidi smiled. "Those who enter the Imperial Class no longer need to attend indoor lectures. The Imperial Class focuses on personalized teaching and encourages students to continuously gain practical experience."
"Each student will have a mentor by their side for one-on-one guidance."
"Theresa Dean has already considered your situation. While you're in Supernest, you'll still attend the regular first-year courses at the Beastmaster Alliance, but you won't need to worry about assignments. During your free time, a temporary mentor will take you out to participate in practical matches to gain combat experience."
"Once you return to Blue Star, you'll have a dedicated mentor to guide you."
That sounds pretty good... Qiao Sang listened, wide-eyed.
At this point, Heidi said:
"Almost forgot to mention, all energy pills for students in the Imperial Class will be provided by the Imperial Beastmaster Academy's Cultivation Academy, free of charge."
Qiao Sang: "!!!"
Qiao Sang was instantly excited.
The biggest expense in cultivating familiars is energy pills, right?
If the energy pill issue is resolved, she won't have to worry at all, even if her Unlimited Credit Card expires!
"When will the energy pills start being provided to me?" Qiao Sang asked eagerly.
Heidi pondered for a moment and replied:
"Your bonded familiars are quite unique. Besides the Ghost Ring King and Iceapura, the Imperial Beastmaster Academy's records don't have any information on the others. To formulate perfect energy pills, a Familiar Trainer needs to examine your familiars."
"The energy pills will start being made after you return to Blue Star and have your familiars checked at the Imperial Beastmaster Academy."
That works. With her current assets, even if the Unlimited Credit Card expires, she can still afford to cultivate Fangy and the others for another half a year... Qiao Sang was fairly satisfied with the arrangement. Then, she thought of something and asked:
"When will the temporary mentor who will guide me come to find me?"
Heidi answered diligently:
"Tomorrow. He will come to see you tomorrow."
She paused and continued:
"That's all I needed to tell you."
With that, Heidi put on her hat, sunglasses, and mask and said:
"If you see me at the Beastmaster Alliance, act like you don't know me."
As she spoke, the barrier around them slowly disappeared.
Heidi turned and left.
Understood. Even though her identity has been discovered by Yulinton University, she still needs to maintain the act... Qiao Sang looked at Fangy.
"Yah!"
Fangy immediately understood, his eyes glowing blue as he used Psychic Power to lift Qiao Sang onto his back.
The night breeze blew, and Qiao Sang felt a sense of joy.
Although her free time in Supernest might be a bit less from now on, having a dedicated mentor from the Imperial Beastmaster Academy sounds pretty good...
She never expected that the Imperial Beastmaster Academy, so far away, would still be paying attention to her...
Suddenly, a voice echoed in Qiao Sang's mind:
"Steel Slash?"
When will you be back?
Damn, Steel Treasure... Qiao Sang immediately replies in her mind:
"I'll be right there!"
"Fangy, let's head to Steel Treasure!" Qiao Sang says.
"Tooth!"
...
9:05 PM.
Yulinton University.
Spirit Pattern College.
When Qiao Sang sees Steel Treasure, she notices that its body is covered in mysterious white patterns, much like a Treasure Seeker.
She thinks for a moment and asks:
"Is this material waterproof?"
"Of course it is", Li Dongdong doesn't mind the seemingly silly question and patiently explains, "all the materials we use in the Spirit Pattern College are waterproof."
That's a relief... Qiao Sang feels reassured.
For the next few hours, Li Dongdong draws Spirit Patterns on both Fangy and Lulu.
Despite the late hour, the thought of Qiao Sang becoming his official student fills Li Dongdong with energy.
Even though Qiao Sang hasn't drawn a Spirit Pattern in front of him yet, he firmly believes that someone her age achieving such a level of brain domain must have exceptional Spirit Pattern talent.
2:13 AM.
Li Dongdong puts down the brush, which is still stained with red viscous substance, and says:
"I'm done."
Qiao Sang puts down her copy of the Rare Familiar Compendium and looks up.
Fangy is standing with its eyes closed, drooling, and its limbs held in place by Psychic Power, covered in deep red Spirit Patterns that contrast sharply with its body color.
Lulu, still awake, is similarly adorned with deep blue Spirit Patterns.
"Xunxun..."
Treasure Seeker lets out a weary call, indicating that it's finished and can release Fangy from the Psychic Power hold.
Qiao Sang smiles and says, "Thank you for your hard work."
With that, she waves her hand, and the sleeping Fangy is returned to the Beastmaster Codex.
"Xunxun..."
Treasure Seeker's eyes return to their original golden hue, and it wipes away the sweat that isn't really there from its forehead.
Li Dongdong steps forward, looking slightly tired:
"If you have any questions about Spirit Patterns, feel free to come to me. I know you're primarily a Beastmaster, but I hope you can attend one of my Spirit Pattern classes before you leave Supernest."
He pauses and continues, "After all, the next time we meet after you return to Blue Star, who knows when that will be."
"I will", Qiao Sang says solemnly.
...
7:30 AM. Qiao Sang wakes up, washes her face, and heads to the living room.
Seeing the steaming breakfast on the dining table, she can't help but rub her forehead.
She had been so busy yesterday that she forgot about the Vice Principal's request...
Now that she has the contact information for the Dean of the Beastmaster Alliance Cultivation Academy, she can ask which materials have similar effects...
But the Vice Principal initially approached her to try and recruit her.
Now that everyone knows she refused Dean Gilbert and plans to return to Blue Star, she wonders if they will still help her...
Qiao Sang thinks about this as she pulls out her mobile phone and sends a message to the Vice Principal:
"Are you looking for replacements for certain materials? I can help check at the school."
After waiting for a while, the Vice Principal doesn't reply.
Qiao Sang puts her phone down, just as she is about to call Fangy and the others over.
Suddenly, Fangy calls out:
"Tooth!"
"What's wrong?" Qiao Sang looks over.
"Ya Ya!"
Fangy is standing in front of a full-length mirror, looking excited at its new appearance, then turns to look at Qiao Sang.
Much better than what you drew!
Hey, hey, hey, you can compliment me, but you don't have to kick me... Qiao Sang pouts and says:
"Stop admiring yourself and come eat breakfast."
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
