https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-887-Birai-and-the-Cardmaster-Part-2-/13456052/
Chapter 888: Qingqing Ni
Chapter 888: Qingqing Ni (Combined)
Treasure Seeker continuously used Spatial Shift without pause.
The surroundings transformed from Midwinter to Early Spring.
When they saw a River Water below, Qiao Sang finally called out to stop.
"Xunxun..."
Treasure Seeker panted, wiping away the nonexistent sweat from his forehead.
Fangy ran down to the river.
The Water-type Companion Beasts that had been playing on the surface were startled and quickly submerged.
After realizing there was no immediate threat, a few bolder Water-type Companion Beasts peeked out of the water, eyeing the unfamiliar figures by the river.
After such a long use of Spatial Shift, they should be safe now... Qiao Sang cautiously observed the surroundings.
Suddenly, a Water Jet about two centimeters in diameter shot out of the water.
Qiao Sang dodged by tilting her head.
She looked at the small Water-type Companion Beast that had initiated the attack, only its head visible above the water.
It was a Water Sense Fish, a Water-Type Beginner Beast. These creatures can scan their surroundings using water or air currents instead of their eyes. They are lively and playful, often using Water Jets to invite others to play.
As the Water Sense Fish's information flashed through Qiao Sang's mind, it shot another Water Jet.
Qiao Sang dodged again by tilting her head.
The Water Sense Fish grew more excited and shot several more Water Jets in quick succession.
Qiao Sang's head moved left, right, left, and right.
"Water Sense!"
The Water Sense Fish became even more excited, exposing most of its body above the water and opening its mouth to prepare a larger Water Jet.
At that moment, a strong wind blew, causing the water to ripple and pushing the Water Sense Fish downstream.
Qiao Sang called out tentatively, "Qingqing Ni?"
"Qingqing."
Qingqing Ni responded with a call and then appeared.
Qingyun Re also emerged.
Qiao Sang couldn't immediately tell whether the wind had been summoned by Qingqing Ni or Qingyun Re.
If it was Qingyun Re, did it mean that it had acknowledged her...
At the thought, her heart began to race.
"Let's rest here for a bit and have something to eat", Qiao Sang said, maintaining a calm demeanor despite her inner turmoil.
They had actually reached the mealtime, but the encounter with those two men had delayed them.
"Gurgle..."
As if on cue, Fangy's stomach growled.
"Xunxun~"
Hearing Fangy's stomach, Treasure Seeker quickly took out sandwiches, Energy Pills, and fruit from the Ring.
"Steel Blade."
Steel Treasure called out, splitting into two.
The original ate the Energy Pill while the clone flew high to keep watch.
Qiao Sang sat cross-legged and began to eat her sandwich.
Then, she thought of something and looked at Treasure Seeker, who was devouring the Energy Pills, and asked, "Did you curse those two men later?"
"Xunxun~"
Treasure Seeker swallowed the Energy Pill in his mouth and shook his head.
It wasn't the two humans, but the familiar with a head full of playing cards. It had looked over, so he had cursed it as an afterthought.
To be able to look over despite being frozen by Frost Haven, that familiar wasn't simple... Qiao Sang's mind suddenly raced, and the relaxed mood she had just felt became heavy again.
Both of those men were B-Rank Beastmasters. Apart from the seven familiars they summoned later, the two familiars with masquerade masks on their faces and the one with playing cards on its head appeared to be Psychic-Type Beasts.
Maybe they can also use Spatial Shift. Although their proficiency might not be as high as Treasure Seeker's, their energy definitely exceeds Treasure Seeker's. If those two get within ten kilometers of me again, will they directly use Spatial Shift to come over?
After the previous encounter, they will definitely be better prepared.
Two B-Rank Beastmasters who are well-prepared, if they meet again, things might not go as smoothly as before...
Thinking about this, Qiao Sang couldn't sit still anymore.
"Qingqing."
Qingqing Ni's call interrupted her thoughts.
Qiao Sang turned, looking at Qingqing Ni who was eating fruit, and smiled warmly. Just as she was about to speak, Steel Treasure's voice echoed in her mind.
"Steel Blade."
It said it had a question to ask.
"Go ahead and ask", Qiao Sang replied immediately.
"Qingqing?"
Qingqing Ni's pure eyes showed innocent confusion.
Why did it seem like a retreat even though they won?
Qiao Sang: "..."
Steel Treasure tried to hold back a laugh.
"Ya Ya!"
Fangy called out, clearly displeased.
It didn't look like a retreat at all!
Qiao Sang cleared her throat and countered, "Why do you think it looked like a retreat?"
"Qingqing."
Qingqing Ni took another bite of fruit and called out.
Because it felt rushed, and they never moved so many times in a row before.
"Ya Ya!"
Fangy couldn't agree with that.
Who said that? Treasure Seeker used Spatial Shift several times in a row in this Hidden Realm.
"Steel Blade."
Steel Treasure stifled a laugh as it translated.
Qiao Sang put down her sandwich, looked at Qingqing Ni, and admitted, "You're right, it did feel like a retreat."
Steel Treasure looked surprised.
It hadn't expected its Beastmaster to admit it.
"Ya Ya?!"
Fangy was incredulous.
What? It was really a retreat?
Qiao Sang continued solemnly, "Those two were after you. I don't know when they'll recover, but once they do, they'll immediately start searching for you again."
"Even though I'm not afraid of them, I don't want to take any risks with you. So I thought it was best to get as far away as possible."
She paused and added, "Actually, it's not just them. Many others are after you too. The best way is to keep moving, so they can't pinpoint your exact location."
For the first twenty days, Treasure Seeker had periodically changed positions using Spatial Shift to avoid others with the Gentle Breeze Compass. It worked well, and they hadn't encountered anyone with the Gentle Breeze Compass during that time.
Today was the first time.
"Fangy."
Fangy's expression showed sudden understanding.
So that's how it is...
Steel Treasure once again admired its Beastmaster.
"Qingqing..."
Qingqing Ni looked at the human, its expression one of surprise.
So it was for us...
At the same time, a gentle breeze blew past it.
Qingyun Re, who was eating, felt the breeze and looked up at Qingqing Ni, then at the human.
Why are you looking at me? Do you think I'm being cowardly... Qiao Sang felt Qingyun Re's gaze and instinctively straightened her back, her heart skipping a beat.
She had planned to finish eating and have Treasure Seeker continue using Spatial Shift, but now she hesitated.
Why are you staring at me for so long... Qiao Sang's scalp tingled under the intense gaze. She picked up a yellow fruit and offered it, "This is quite tasty. Do you want some?"
"Qingfeng."
Qingyun Re extended its claws to take the fruit.
Qiao Sang sighed in relief.
It still wants to eat from me, so there's still a chance.
To be honest, she hadn't felt this nervous in a long time.
It was a different kind of tension, unlike the one she felt during a crisis.
Suddenly, the Steel Treasureclone in the air flew up and began circling before dissipating.
"Steel Blade."
Steel Treasure called out seriously, indicating that someone was approaching from this direction—four people and three familiars.
Qiao Sang's expression turned grave, and she immediately stood up, preparing to have Treasure Seeker cast Spatial Shift.
However, she suddenly remembered Qingyun Re's gaze from earlier, hesitated, and silently sat back down.
Qingyun Re and Qingqing Ni exchanged a glance, then vanished into the wind.
Qiao Sang glanced at Treasure Seeker, signaling for Invisibility.
Treasure Seeker understood her Beastmaster's meaning, swallowed the last bit of the Energy Pill, and vanished.
After about three minutes, her ears perked up, and she heard the sound of footsteps breaking dry twigs from the left.
Qiao Sang turned her head and saw four people approaching—three men and one woman. One of the men was the one who had called for help twice, and beside him stood a Wind Sprint Lion, limping and apparently injured.
A short-haired woman had a plump, entirely blue bird familiar on her shoulder, with white fur on its face and belly and a white Miniaturization Band on its claws.
Another man in a green jacket had a monkey familiar with light gray fur, white limbs, and a gray Miniaturization Band on its left hand.
Only the man in the cap had no familiar in sight.
As Qiao Sang sized them up, the four people also focused their attention on her.
"How did we run into her again?" the man in the green jacket tensed slightly and whispered, "She's looking at us, she's looking at us."
The short-haired woman said sternly, "Don't panic, we have four of us."
Li Zhicheng's eyelid twitched, and he tried to keep his voice calm and low, "Wait, don't say anything reckless. If she doesn't speak, we'll pretend not to know her. Her Ghost-type familiar, which can use Psychic-type skills, is probably invisible and might attack at any moment. Be careful."
"Why would she attack us?" the man in the green jacket asked.
"Zhicheng met her twice, and the second time she didn't save him, which means she realized she was tricked", the man in the cap said in a low voice. "We're not sure if she has the Gentle Breeze Compass or what her strength is. It's best to avoid conflict if we can."
The other three remained silent.
The footsteps grew closer.
I heard everything you said. Looks like there's no B-Rank Beastmaster among you. You dare to whisper and plot at such a close distance, not even worried about me overhearing... Qiao Sang looked at the approaching four, pretending to ignore them, and greeted them, "We meet again."
The four people stopped in their tracks.
Li Zhicheng's body stiffened as he turned his head and forced a smile, "What a coincidence, it's you."
Qiao Sang gestured with her eyes, "These three are?"
"They're my friends", Li Zhicheng said, then paused and added, "We got separated earlier."
It was one thing for them to sense something was off, but as long as they didn't confront her, they could maintain a facade of calm.
The three men gave Qiao Sang a slight smile.
So, the last two times, these three were the ones lurking... Qiao Sang returned their smile.
"I'll be on my way then, take your time", Li Zhicheng hurriedly said.
However, the man in the cap spoke up, "Did you enter this Hidden Realm to find Qingqing Ni?"
Qiao Sang turned her head to look at the speaker and slowly replied, "I came prepared to find her. Meeting a Legendary Beast Companion would be ideal, but if I don't, spending thirty years in this Hidden Realm isn't a waste of time."
She then showed a look of interest, "Why, are you looking for Qingqing Ni?"
Entering a Hidden Realm just to play around? Shock and surprise flashed in the eyes of the four.
What a niche phrase!
It seems that this old monster, who looks like Minor, is even more terrifying than they imagined!
"No!" Li Zhicheng denied. "We're just here to collect resources. Finding Qingqing Ni is more a matter of fate."
"I see." Qiao Sang turned away, as if losing interest, and continued eating his sandwich.
"In that case, we won't disturb you. We'll be on our way." Li Zhicheng's attitude became noticeably more respectful.
Qiao Sang ignored him.
The four exchanged glances and quickly left.
"Xunxun~"
Once the four figures disappeared, Treasure Seeker appeared.
"Make them stay further away", Qiao Sang said.
"Xunxun~"
Treasure Seeker nodded, its eyes glowing blue, and vanished from the spot.
Qingyun Re and Qingqing Ni appeared.
"Qingqing?"
Qingqing Ni looked puzzled and called out.
"Steel Blade."
Steel Treasure's voice echoed in her mind.
It explained why those people left and why they needed to stay further away.
Qiao Sang spoke seriously, "They have their eyes on you. I need to eliminate any potential danger. If they stay too close, who knows what methods they might use to detect your presence."
The Gentle Breeze Compass can detect the traces of Qingqing Ni's race, but that doesn't mean there are no other ways. Otherwise, the person who posted on the forum wouldn't have successfully formed a team to enter the Hidden Realm.
"Qingqing..."
Qingqing Ni looked stunned again.
A gentle breeze wafted by.
Qingyun Re glanced at Qingqing Ni.
"Xunxun~"
Treasure Seeker teleported back, chirping to indicate the task was done.
Qiao Sang stood up and said, "Let's pack up and leave. We've encountered two groups today, and it's best not to stay in the same place for too long."
"Qingfeng."
Qingyun Re gazed at her and called out.
Steel Treasure froze, hesitating to translate.
"Xunxun!"
Treasure Seeker's eyes lit up, excitedly translating.
Bond now!
It said to bond now!
You can bond now!
It's about to have a second Little Brother!
Qiao Sang stared at Qingyun Re in disbelief, a wave of joy surging through her. However, she was still hesitant and carefully confirmed, "You mean bond now?"
"Qingfeng."
Qingyun Re nodded.
"Why?" Qiao Sang tried to suppress her excitement. "The Hidden Realm won't close for a few more days."
"Qingfeng."
Qingyun Re called out expressionlessly.
Why else? You've passed its evaluation. With so many humans around, it's better to bond now to avoid any unforeseen issues.
"Steel Blade."
This time, Steel Treasure translated.
So that's it... If she had known that dealing with those who wanted to bond with Qingqing Ni would have this effect, she wouldn't have deliberately avoided them for the past twenty days. Qiao Sang's heart raced as she looked at Qingqing Ni.
"Qingqing~"
Qingqing Ni smiled sweetly.
Qiao Sang took a deep breath and asked, somewhat nervously:
"Will you bond with me?"
"Qingqing~"
Qingqing Ni nodded with a smile.
Qiao Sang raised her hand, trembling slightly as she began the sealing process.
A massive Crimson Star Array lit up beneath Qingqing Ni.
At the same time, a new set of data appeared on the blank page of the Beastmaster Codex.
Under the Name field, it clearly read:
【Qingqing Ni】
(End of Chapter)
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