Chapter 953: Sky Cloud Crystal

Read at: https://blogspot-translatedstories.blogspot.com/?m=1 

-----

"Xun xun..."

Little Treasure’s body shuddered, feeling a sudden, inexplicable chill.

"Xun xun~"

He quickly realized the source, looked up at the swaying chandelier on the ceiling, and let out a cry, asking for the wind to die down a bit.

"Qing qing."

Qingbao’s voice rang out, and the wind in the room lessened slightly, causing the chandelier’s swaying arc to decrease significantly. Feeling the chill vanish, Little Treasure contentedly resumed watching the livestream of the matches.

Once the morning matches concluded, Qiao Sang and her pets enjoyed a hearty meal. She checked the time on her phone, planning to squeeze in a training session in the suburbs before the afternoon matches began.

Just as she was about to ask Little Treasure for synchronized positioning, her phone vibrated. Seeing it was a call from Teacher Mikayla, she quickly picked up.

Before she could speak, Mikayla’s voice came through the speaker: "Where are you now?"

Qiao Sang gave her address: "Pet Center, Suite 2603."

Her lunch had been specially delivered to her room by the Pet Center staff. With the Regional Championships in full swing, there were too many people outside who recognized her. Going out to eat would mean being stared at the entire time, and photos of her meal would inevitably end up online. Eating in her room was much more peaceful.

"Wait for me." Mikayla said before hanging up.

About three seconds later, Teacher Mikayla appeared out of thin air inside the room. Qiao Sang was already used to this, and even Yabao and the others didn't have much of a reaction.

"You've already eaten lunch?" Mikayla asked, glancing at the leftovers on the coffee table.

Qiao Sang nodded. "Just finished. Have you eaten, Teacher? Should I order a portion for you?"

"No need."

Mikayla had barely spoken two words when she sensed something. She turned and caught a flying tissue between two fingers. She looked at the tissue, then at the curtains fluttering incessantly by the window, and asked, "What is going on with Breezewing Nini?"

Qiao Sang coughed. "She's training Tailwind." 

She then called out toward the curtains, "Qingbao, turn the wind down a bit."

"Qing qing."

Qingbao’s voice sounded, and the movement of the curtains subsided.

Mikayla asked, puzzled, "Why is she starting training in the room?"

"Because I told her that if she trains her skills for ten hours a day, I'll let her participate in the upcoming matches." Qiao Sang explained.

Mikayla froze. "Are you serious?"

"Of course." Qiao Sang nodded.

Mikayla said bluntly, "I let you participate for the sake of training, but Breezewing Nini is only a Mid-level pet. In the Regional Championships, contestants can field three pets. Even the weakest pet they send out will be at least High-level. Breezewing Nini has only recently evolved, even if she encounters a High-level pet, it won't be effective training."

Mikayla's goal was for Qiao Sang to gain experience, but that required a back-and-forth battle or the ability to improve during the fight,not being completely suppressed and bullied the entire time. 

While there were cases of Mid-level pets defeating High-level ones, it usually involved a Mid-level pet at peak energy defeating a High-level pet with mediocre talent. Breezewing Nini had just evolved, and her opponents would be pets raised by professional young Beast Masters. She would likely just be a punching bag.

As she spoke, the wind in the room stopped blowing.

"I won't let Qingbao compete as a Mid-level pet, obviously." Qiao Sang said. 

"I've made a deal with her; she’ll only go on stage after she evolves."

The curtains swayed, and the wind began to blow again.

Evolve? Mikayla frowned. "Breezewing Nini must not evolve recklessly unless her internal energy has reached its absolute limit."

She knew the people from the Central Hollow Region had given Qiao Sang many resources for Breezewing Nini, including the Sky Cloud Crystal required for evolution. If one ignored post-evolution potential, those resources alone could force an evolution in a short time.

She really doesn't trust me... Qiao Sang grumbled inwardly, then said aloud, "I know. That would hinder her potential. I will definitely make sure she reaches her energy limit before evolving." 

She smiled and added, "After all, I want Qingbao to reach the God-level someday."

Simultaneously, the wind in the room blew a bit more fiercely.

It’s not that I don’t trust you, it’s just that you usually spoil your pets too much... Mikayla felt relieved hearing that. 

She then asked, "In the upcoming Top 108 to 54 round, you might still encounter a Beast Master who fields a High-level pet, but after that, it will be impossible. Are you planning to have Breezewing Nini fight General-level pets once she reaches High-level?"

The Regional Championships would last about a month. Given the evolution speed of Qiao Sang’s previous pets like Blazing Star Canine, there was a high probability Qingbao would evolve by the later stages of the tournament. 

However, by then, no opponent would be fielding High-level pets. If a newly evolved High-level Breezewing Nini had to fight General-level pets, it would be better to test her against High-level pets while she was still in her Mid-level form.

The wind in the room stopped again.

I almost forgot about that... Qiao Sang fell into deep thought. Indeed, the further the tournament went, the stronger the opponents. She hadn't seen a single High-level pet in the first two matches, it would be even less likely later on. The only chance to face a High-level pet was likely the next match, the Top 108 to 54.

Qiao Sang didn't give a direct answer, instead saying, "Let’s wait until Qingbao evolves. Teacher, did you come here for a reason?"

"I saw the morning matches ended and guessed you’d be heading to train around this time. I came to accompany you." Mikayla stated her purpose.

What a perfect guess... Qiao Sang smiled. "I was just about to go."

---

Suburban Villa.

Yu Ke and Yu Le watched the figures outside through the glass window. After watching for a while, Yu Le finally couldn't help but ask, "Sis, you said God Qiao is a student at the Imperial Beast University. Is that lady her teacher?"

"Yes." Yu Ke replied, her eyes fixed on Qingbao. 

"Qiao Sang introduced her."

Yu Le remarked, "The Imperial Beast University is so great, teachers even give 1-on-1 instruction outside."

"It's impossible for every student to have 1-on-1 tutoring." Yu Ke said. 

"Qiao Sang’s situation is definitely special."

Yu Le thought about it and agreed. She's continued to look out the window, her gaze landing on a floating figure. She took out her phone and snapped several zoomed-in photos. 

"Breezewing Nini has been in wind-form for the past few days, so I barely saw her. Today she isn't staying in wind-form, so I’m getting a good look."

Yu Ke watched the same figure and said worriedly, "Why does it look like Breezewing Nini isn't very happy?"

Yu Le froze, put down her phone, and leaned against the glass to look closer. "Really?"

---

Outdoor Training Ground. Under the shade of a tree.

"Why did you stop training?" Qiao Sang asked Qingbao.

"Qing qing." Qingbao sighed.

Anyway, even if I evolve and go up there, I'll just lose.

"Who says?" Qiao Sang countered.

"Qing qing."

Qingbao sighed again, indicating she had heard the conversation earlier. What that human teacher said made sense, if she evolved to High-level, she definitely couldn't beat those General-level guys.

Qiao Sang smiled. "Then just work hard and evolve within these four days. Maybe then you’ll encounter an opponent of the same level."

Within four days? Is that possible? Qingbao’s eyes expressed her confusion.

Normally no, but who told her I have a golden finger? Qiao Sang said seriously, "Why wouldn't it be possible? The item for your evolution will be delivered tonight. As long as you follow the previous training, you can definitely evolve."

Even if Qingbao didn't train Tailwind to the Ultimate level by then, Qiao Sang could just use her points to top it off.

Qingbao looked hesitant.

Qiao Sang laughed. "Don't worry, I’ll wait until your energy hits the limit. I won't let you evolve recklessly. I'd never let you sacrifice your potential just to participate in a match."

Qingbao was stunned, marveling for the Nth time at the wonders of the contract. Even though she hadn't said anything, her Beast Master understood exactly what she was thinking.

Qiao Sang continued, "Have you forgotten why you wanted to become stronger in the first place?"

Qingbao blinked. "Qing qing?"

"To defeat the King-level pets Ancient Wing Bird and Frost Bird." Qiao Sang said, staring into Qingbao’s eyes. 

"If you don't even have this much confidence now, how will you ever defeat those two later?"

"Qing qing..."

Qingbao’s gaze gradually became resolute. She then turned into wind and vanished.

Looks like she went back to training... Qiao Sang showed a satisfied expression. But immediately after, she saw Qingbao reappear beside her, her expression turning to bewilderment. 

"Why are you back?"

Did my pep talk not work?

"Qing qing~"

Qingbao reached out a paw, picked a green leaf off her Beast Master's head, gave a sweet smile, and vanished into the wind again.

Holy crap, so cute... Qiao Sang felt her heart melt.

Inside the villa: "Sis, Breezewing Nini smiled!" Yu Le cried out.

Yu Ke felt relieved. "I saw it."

Yu Le lamented, "She smiled so suddenly, I didn't have time to take a picture."

Yu Ke said calmly, "It’s fine. There are surveillance cameras at the training ground. We can just zoom in and take a screenshot later."

Yu Le was delighted. "Sis, you're so smart!"

"Hu ji..."

The Hu Ji(? Did I translate this like that? My head's messed up with me writing my portfolio) Tiger in the background silently put down its mopping tool and headed to the security room to help with the screenshot. 

As a professional housekeeper, it had to remain alert and arrange everything the employer wanted in advance, completing tasks when necessary to respond to their needs.

---

10:30 PM. Pet Center. Room 2603.

Qiao Sang and Yabao were seriously watching the livestreamed matches on TV. The wind in the room blew constantly, making her hair and Yabao’s fur flutter.

Suddenly, there was a knock-knock at the door.

"Xun xun~"

Little Treasure floated to the door, wanting to poke his head through to check. But remembering what his Beast Master's mother had said previously, he paused and didn't phase through immediately.

Then, his Beast Master's voice rang out: "Open it, it's a delivery."

"Xun xun~"

Little Treasure turned the doorknob. Standing at the door was a pet about one meter tall, mostly pinkish-white, with a pink gemstone on its forehead.

"Chuan chuan."

It was holding a package. Seeing that it was Little Treasure receiving it, the pet wasn't surprised. It skillfully pulled a pen from its satchel. The gem on its forehead glowed pink as it handed the pen to Little Treasure.

"Xun xun~"

Little Treasure was not unfamiliar with this pet, it was the one that helped deliver the Fairy Heart last time. He took the pen and drew a funny face on the slip. The pink-and-white pet recorded the whole process with its glowing gem.

"Xun xun~"

After signing, Little Treasure took the package back into the room and closed the door. He floated to his Beast Master and handed it over.

Qiao Sang placed the package in front of Yabao. "Open it."

"Yap yap..."

Yabao kept his eyes on the TV match while extending a sharp claw to lightly slice open the package.

The box opened. Qiao Sang looked inside, and her gaze quickly locked onto a black box with a combination lock in the center. She took it out and entered the date of Qingbao's first appearance at the Pet Center.

"Unlock successful." A mechanical voice said.

Qiao Sang opened the box to reveal a pale pink, oval-shaped crystal about the size of a quail egg.

So this is the SS-grade Sky Cloud Crystal...

As if drawn by it, Qingbao manifested beside them. As she appeared, Qiao Sang’s hair and Yabao’s fur stopped fluttering.

"Qing qing?" Qingbao asked curiously. What is this?

"This is your evolution item." Qiao Sang explained.

"Qing qing..." Qingbao uncontrollably reached out a paw, wanting to touch it.

Snap! Qiao Sang closed the box again and said earnestly, "I said I’d let you evolve once you hit your energy limit. Not now."

With an SS-grade Sky Cloud Crystal, who knew if the power of evolution would trigger the moment she touched it?

"Qing qing..." Qingbao snapped out of it, looking a bit fearful. Then she squinted her eyes and rubbed her cheek against her Beast Master's face. Her confidence in her Beast Master being able to let her evolve before the next match had risen to 90%.

Qiao Sang felt the softness on her cheek and was momentarily stunned. She could clearly feel that Qingbao had become much closer to her. Her heart softened, and she reached out to pet her.

But at that moment, Qingbao vanished into wind to continue training Tailwind.

Qiao Sang: ...

"Keep these things safe." Qiao Sang handed the box back to the package and instructed Little Treasure.

"Xun xun~"

Little Treasure took off his ring, enlarged it, found a good spot, and put the item inside.

Evolution alone isn't enough. Even with luck, if she meets a Beast Master fielding a High-level pet, Qingbao might not necessarily win... To increase the win rate, she must evolve a day or two before the match so she can get used to her newly awakened skills...

Thinking of this, Qiao Sang lost interest in the matches. During the break between sets when the players were swapping, she closed her eyes. Her consciousness entered the Beast Codex and flipped to the page for Qingbao.

Name: Breezewing Nini (Qingbao)

Attribute: Fairy, Flying

Level: Mid-level (6844510000)+

Her gaze moved down, locking onto Tailwind and her points.

[Tailwind (Great Success 8276/10000)+]

Points: 7297

Actually, looking at it, her current points were enough to push Qingbao's Tailwind to the Ultimate level and max out her level to achieve a perfect evolution... Qiao Sang did a quick calculation and felt she had a good grasp of the situation.

-----

Previous Chapter_Next Chapter

-----