Chapter 812: A Mix of Truth and Lies
Chapter 812: A Mix of Truth and Lies (Combined)
Adinix's heart skipped a beat, but he maintained a facade of ignorance as he approached the sofa, continuing to munch on snacks and watch TV.
Qiao Sang speculated, "Adinix is a Phantom Beast, so there might be some unique circumstances."
Adinix's ears perked up, clearly pleased with this statement.
Birit remained silent for a moment. "Perhaps."
Phantom Beasts indeed had many special traits that set them apart from other familiars. Birit had never interacted with any other Phantom Beasts and had no knowledge of their Artifact bodies, especially not those from the Supernest. The Imperial Beastmaster Academy had no relevant literature on the subject.
Apart from the necessity of waiting a certain period before making another prediction, he couldn't fathom why Adinix had agreed to stay for a while.
Hearing the human no longer harbored doubts, Adinix secretly breathed a sigh of relief. His gaze toward the other human became slightly more approving:
Thanks to her...
At that moment, Qiao Sang asked, "Teacher, are there any Artifacts or energy materials that can reduce the time Adinix needs to predict?"
She didn't mind sharing a roof with Adinix; living with a Phantom Beast for a while was an honor. However, she would soon have to return to Blue Star, and it wouldn't be ideal if Adinix was still in the cooldown period by then.
How could I possibly know? I didn't even know Adinix needed to wait a certain period before making another prediction... Birit said with a straight face, "Anything related to Phantom Beasts isn't easy to come by. Right now, the most important thing is for you to focus on your training and studies. I'll take care of Adinix, and I'll let you know as soon as it can predict again."
He paused, then continued:
"During this time, I'd like to stay here to keep an eye on Adinix. I'm also concerned that those people might come back."
Hearing this, Qiao Sang immediately responded, "I have plenty of spare rooms; you can choose any."
Seeing that Birit agreed, he wasted no time and had Neudikaka use Spatial Shift to return to the hotel and check out.
"Di di..."
Adinix's mood was complicated. Though the human had saved him, he seemed rather clever and meddlesome, and Adinix didn't particularly want to stay with him.
Maybe I should finish playing the Flute and leave early...
As he was thinking, Qiao Sang opened the refrigerator, took out a yellow fruit, and placed it on a plate, bringing it over.
"This is a Digest Fruit. It can help with digestion. Have some."
Adinix glanced at the Digest Fruit and nodded.
Qiao Sang turned and returned to her room.
"Di di..."
Adinix put down his chips and took a bite of the Digest Fruit.
Fine, I'll stay for a bit longer...
...
In the room.
Qiao Sang sat cross-legged on the bed, resuming her meditation.
"Xunxun!"
The overconfident Treasure Seeker, feeling secure with its Beastmaster's return, issued a battle challenge to Lulu.
Qiao Sang couldn't help but open her eyes and reminded, "Think carefully. Lulu might not be willing to heal you again."
"Xunxun..."
Treasure Seeker immediately backed down, calling out to indicate it had never mentioned the challenge.
"Ice Ai."
Lulu glanced at Treasure Seeker, flicked her tail, and walked out of the room.
"Ya ya?"
Fangy stared intently at Treasure Seeker and called out, asking if it could demonstrate its oppressive aura.
Seeing that the matter wasn't over, Qiao Sang had to stop meditating and continue watching.
"Xunxun..."
Faced with Fangy's gaze, Treasure Seeker's newfound confidence quickly waned.
It glanced at its Beastmaster, mustered its courage, and began to build up its aura.
"Xunxun..."
Treasure Seeker's eyes gradually sharpened.
The window at the back was closed, but the curtains fluttered as if a breeze had arisen on its own.
"Fangy."
Fangy felt it out seriously, then his expression relaxed. He flicked his tail and turned to leave the room, heading back to the open-air arena for more training.
So this is Oppressive Aura. It’s not as impressive as he thought.
"Xunxun!"
Treasure Seeker, sensing Fangy's attitude, pouted and started sobbing into its Beastmaster's arms.
Fangy looked down on it!
Qiao Sang patiently comforted it, saying, "That's because your Oppressive Aura is still at the initial stage. Its level isn’t high yet. Once your Oppressive Aura reaches a higher level, Fangy will definitely feel the pressure."
"Xunxun?"
Treasure Seeker looked up, its eyes wide with a "really?" expression.
"Of course it's true." Qiao Sang, remembering the topic that had been derailed earlier, asked again, "Do you feel any difference in yourself right now?"
"Xunxun..."
Treasure Seeker wiped away its tears, felt around, and shook its head.
No.
"I mean your Oppressive Aura", Qiao Sang clarified. "Do you feel it has gotten stronger at all?"
"Xunxun..."
Treasure Seeker was taken aback for a moment, then focused intently.
After about ten seconds, it shook its head again.
No.
Qiao Sang pondered for a moment and said, "After you challenged Fangy, your Oppressive Aura did indeed improve. It’s just that the improvement wasn’t significant enough for you to notice."
Hearing this, Treasure Seeker’s eyes lit up, but then it seemed to realize something and wilted.
"Xunxun..."
If it always had to challenge Fangy to improve its Oppressive Aura, then maybe it wasn’t worth it...
Qiao Sang: "..."
"Remember the time in the wild when Professor Bilet’s Fammoth stood still and did nothing, yet managed to knock out all the wild familiars with a single skill?" Qiao Sang asked.
"Xunxun!"
Treasure Seeker nodded vigorously.
Of course it remembered. That move was just so cool!
"That was Oppressive Aura", Qiao Sang explained.
"Xunxun?!"
Treasure Seeker’s eyes widened, almost disbelieving that such a powerful move could be the same as its own Oppressive Aura.
Seeing Treasure Seeker’s expression, Qiao Sang knew it had rekindled its interest in training its Oppressive Aura. She smiled and said, "Once you train your Oppressive Aura to a higher level, you’ll be able to do the same."
"Xunxun!"
Treasure Seeker recalled the scene from before. The thought of being able to do the same in the future made it perk up. It clenched its fist and called out with determination.
It would go find Fangy for another fight right now!
"Wait—"
Before Qiao Sang could finish her sentence, Treasure Seeker had already vanished from sight.
"..."
Well, at least its courage is growing... Qiao Sang closed her eyes and began meditating.
At that moment, her phone vibrated.
Qiao Sang opened her eyes and checked it, finding that someone in the Beastmaster Class Group had tagged her.
[Skyler: #Zone Thirty Airport Suspected Phantom Beast Adinix#]
[Skyler: #Beastmaster Star Tournament Champion Qiao Sang Suspected at Zone Thirty Airport#]
[Skyler: Ah! I read both these news articles, and they were at the same time. Did you see Adinix at the airport, Qiao Sang? @Qiao Sang]
They’re finally connecting me to Adinix... Qiao Sang wasn’t particularly surprised by this.
To be honest, she had mentally prepared herself for this.
Firstly, there were so many people present at the time, and some of them would definitely recognize her. More importantly, there were people who had been keeping a close eye on Adinix.
They knew Adinix was in the Treasure Seeker's Ring, but now that she was in the First District, they couldn't just openly come and snatch it. So, they decided to spread the news and have everyone keep an eye on her, hoping to force her to hand over Adinix willingly... As Qiao Sang thought this through, she opened the news article titled "Phantom Beast Adinix Suspected at Zone Thirty Airport."
"Recently, the Barrier at Zone Thirty Airport malfunctioned, and Wild Familiars launched an attack. Security Guards fought hard and successfully repelled the first wave of Wild Familiars. However, the Barrier broke again, and under a mysterious flute melody, the Wild Familiars withdrew. According to Professor Fergus Muller's analysis, this mysterious flute melody was played by the Phantom Beast Adinix, which has the effect of calming hostility and soothing emotions."
So, they identified it through the flute melody... Qiao Sang closed the news and returned to the chat window, typing and sending:
"I went to Zone Thirty because I heard Adinix was there. Not only did I encounter it, but Adinix also held the Ghost Ring King hostage before disappearing. The flute melody at the airport was definitely played by it; I saw it holding a flute."
As soon as she sent the message, the group chat erupted:
"Beastmaster I'm the Best: Oh my gosh! Adinix! You actually saw Adinix! I envy you so much! I'm a native of Supernest, and I've never even seen our local Phantom Beast once!"
"Always So Tired: I don't believe it, show me a picture."
"Zach: Come on, say you're just messing with us!"
"Dorothy: I'm about to burst! Since Qiao Sang has said it, I guess it's okay for me to speak up now. I saw the photo of Adinix holding the Ghost Ring King hostage! I swear on my honor that there's no photo manipulation!"
Others started chiming in one after another.
Qiao Sang exited the chat and opened her Star Network account, logging in and uploading the photo of the Treasure Seeker being held hostage by Adinix, along with the caption:
"Encountered the Phantom Beast Adinix."
Rather than let others come knocking, she decided to mix truth with fiction, making everyone believe she had only encountered Adinix in Zone Thirty.
...
In the First District.
In a private villa located in a prime location.
Ogrev frowned. "Fuarli still hasn't been released?"
"No", Chen Shu said solemnly. "The situation is quite serious this time. Zone Thirty is refusing to let him go."
Leo, who had been scrolling through his mobile phone, suddenly saw something and chuckled. "I didn't expect Qiao Sang's Ghost Ring King to have been held hostage by Adinix."
He turned his screen around to show them.
Ogrev's lips twitched when he saw the photo.
At the time, his attention was entirely on Adinix, and he hadn't realized Qiao Sang had the presence of mind to take a photo in that situation.
Suddenly, Chen Shu asked, "Is Adinix really not with Qiao Sang anymore?"
"It should be correct", Ogrev said, picking up his wine glass and taking a sip. "Fuarli heard it firsthand, and I had it analyzed. The flute melody at the airport was definitely played by Adinix. This Adinix is at the Imperial Tier, while the Ghost Ring King is just a General-Class familiar. The Ring couldn't contain Adinix."
"Great", Leo said, liking Qiao Sang's post. "Not only did we fail to catch Adinix, but we also offended a Healing Light-wielding Prodigy Beastmaster."
Ogrev glanced at him.
Leo felt the gaze and looked up, his expression stiffening for a moment. He silently put away his mobile phone and stopped chatting.
Chen Shu asked, "What about the other one?"
"Teacher is still searching for Adinix in Zone Thirty. Once I finish up here, I'll head over as well", Ogrev replied calmly.
Chen Shu fell silent for a moment before changing the topic, "Should we send a gift to Qiao Sang to smooth things over?"
"There's no need", Ogrev put down his wine glass and said coolly, "She's not from our Supernest, and there are other Beastmasters who can use Healing Light."
He paused and chuckled, "Besides, if you had Adinix in your hands and someone tried to take her away, leading to her leaving, would you forgive them?"
Chen Shu didn't respond.
...
7:35 PM.
Liu Yao and Birit were chatting happily in the kitchen.
Adinix was snacking at the dining table.
Fangy and Lulu were training in the outdoor arena.
Steel Treasure was setting the table while controlling a Clone to train.
Treasure Seeker was frozen solid, lying peacefully on the sofa.
"Time to eat!" Liu Yao called out.
Dinner was usually around 6 PM.
However, with the Phantom Beast visiting yesterday and the Imperial Beastmaster Academy teacher today, Liu Yao was in high spirits and prepared a few extra dishes, which took longer than usual.
Qiao Sang heard the call, put down her book, and walked out of her room. She saw Treasure Seeker frozen and looking peaceful, and couldn't help but twitch her lips.
It seemed Treasure Seeker had just challenged Lulu again...
Perhaps because the Oppressive Aura had grown stronger, Treasure Seeker was becoming more and more daring, either challenging Fangy or Lulu. But lately, it challenged Lulu more often.
Qiao Sang guessed that Lulu's skills didn't hurt as much as Fangy's...
At that moment, Fangy and Lulu walked in.
"Ice Ai..."
Seeing her Beastmaster, Lulu didn't wait for instructions. A blue light shone from her forehead, illuminating Treasure Seeker and healing it.
"Xunxun~"
The ice shell melted, and Treasure Seeker came back to life. It looked at Lulu and fearlessly called out, ready for another three hundred rounds!
"Ice Ai."
Lulu emitted a bone-chilling cold, and the temperature in the living room dropped sharply.
Qiao Sang quickly intervened, "Let's eat first, then we can talk."
"Ice Ai."
Lulu's cold aura dissipated, and she ignored Treasure Seeker, moving to the dining table to eat an Energy Pill.
"Xunxun..."
Seeing this, Treasure Seeker finally calmed down and joined the others at the table to eat.
"Your familiar seems to get along well with everyone", Birit said, bringing the last few dishes to the table.
Qiao Sang thought about how Fangy and the others usually interacted and smiled, "They do get along well."
"Xunxun..."
Treasure Seeker paused in its eating, glancing at Lulu.
It had challenged Lulu so many times today; she wasn't angry, was she...
Lulu felt the gaze and glanced over.
"Xunxun..."
Treasure Seeker quickly tried to charm her with a smile.
"Ice Ai."
Lulu flicked her tail and called out, telling it to eat more since it was so weak.
Treasure Seeker: "..."
(End of Chapter)
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