Chapter 971: The Fifth Round

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

-----

Becoming an A-rank Beast Master... it still feels so far away... Qiao Sang was slightly dazed.

A B-rank Beast Master is basically a big shot, a hurdle that ordinary Beast Masters struggle with their entire lives. An A-rank Beast Master is practically a giant, at that level, even a casual remark could become a famous quote.

Tao Yunkai thought for a few seconds and said, "Alright."

After saying those two words, she smiled. "Let's eat first. We can chat while we eat."

If Qiao Sang were attending any other top university, she wouldn't have agreed so quickly. However, Qiao Sang was a student at the Imperial Beast University, ranked number one on Blue Star. Furthermore, according to her investigation, the person in front of her was an honorary mentor at the university and an S-rank Beast Master.

The fact that such a figure accompanied Qiao Sang specifically to the Central Hollow region of Dragon Nation for the Regional League left her with no doubt about how much the Imperial Imperial Beast University valued Qiao Sang.

Only then did Mikayla reveal a smile. She picked up her chopsticks, sampled the dish in front of her, and tasted it.

"Delicious." she praised.

"Try this restaurant's signature dish. No one who comes here says it's anything but excellent." Tao Yunkai said, pointing to a dish glazed in sauce. She then looked at Qiao Sang with a sincere smile. 

"You try it too."

Qiao Sang took a bite of the fish maw she pointed to. The texture was bouncy and tender, becoming more fragrant with every chew.

"Xun xun..."

Little Treasure appeared, staring at the plate of fish maw. Noticing Little Treasure's gaze, Qiao Sang placed a piece into a nearby empty plate and said gently, "Eat up."

"Xun xun~"

Little Treasure's eyes curved. Imitating his Beast Master, he picked up chopsticks and attempted to grip the food to put it in his mouth.

Tao Yunkai caught this scene, a smile flashing in eyes. She then turned to chat idly with Mikayla, occasionally pulling Qiao Sang into the conversation.

Once the atmosphere at the table was harmonious, she returned to the main topic. 

"It is fine for Qiao Sang not to train within the battle team. However, there are many other contestants in the National Bureau working hard for tournaments. If she wants to secure a spot as a main combatant for international events, she must first defeat the others in the battle team when the time comes.,

They were all old foxes who understood a point as soon as it was mentioned; a single sentence was enough to convey the underlying meaning.

Mikayla wanted to cultivate Qiao Sang herself and didn't want her entering the battle team just to act as a casual sparring partner or a benchwarmer. After all, new members of the national team, especially young ones with no seniority, usually have to climb the ladder bit by bit unless they have enough strength to crush the rest of the team. 

They have to earn their tournament spots through their own power. Sometimes, even being a substitute for an international event requires hardships beyond imagination.

Though Tao Yunkai was a coach, she wasn't the head coach, she didn't have the authority to designate a member as a starter for international matches right off the bat.

"Rest assured." Mikayla said, taking a sip of soup. 

"When the time comes, Qiao Sang will earn her status as a starter herself."

As she spoke, she was composed, her tone naturally brimming with confidence.

"Good." Tao Yunkai smiled. 

"Once the contract is drafted, I will have it delivered."

Joining any national team essentially requires signing a contract, which is equivalent to having a formal position. For a professional Beast Master, every stage of increasing strength involves significant expenditure. 

This formal status not only guarantees a stable income and career development during their service but also provides security after retirement.

However, in return, more arduous training is required.

"I want a clause added stating that her activities and development aren't restricted, and that assembly, training, and matches are not mandatory." Mikayla said while eating.

It's so good to have Teacher Mikayla around, I don't have to worry about a thing... Qiao Sang sipped her soup silently.

Truthfully, even though she hadn't dealt with the Dragon Country Imperial Beast Battle Team before, she knew this request was a bit much. National Bureau members are supposed to focus primarily on training and matches.

Tao Yunkai looked at Qiao Sang, thought of her age, her contracted pets, and her performance in the arena, then nodded. "Accepted."

Sometimes, when a genius reaches a certain level, rules are allowed to bend. Qiao Sang was that kind of genius.

The dinner was quite pleasant. At the end, Qiao Sang even added Coach Tao's contact information.

"If you ever have issues or questions in the future, you can come to me." Tao Yunkai said, putting her phone back in her pocket. She then remembered something and smiled. 

"You'd better become an A-rank Beast Master soon. I look forward to the day I see you at the National Bureau."

Actually, if you invited me, I could go visit the National Bureau as early as tomorrow... Qiao Sang joked internally. On the surface, she put on a determined look and said, "I will work hard!"

---

Qiao Sang and Mikayla walked out of the Heavenly King Hotel.

"The coaches in your Dragon Country are quite easy to talk to." Mikayla laughed. She had expected a long argument over the schedule, but the other party had agreed quite readily.

Qiao Sang looked at the sky and sighed. "Maybe I really am a rare talent."

Mikayla: ...

"Yap yap!"

Yabao barked, agreeing with his Beast Master's statement.

Just then, a passerby not far away shouted in surprise, "Qiao Sang!"

Almost everyone's eyes zeroed in instantly. Little Treasure was prepared; he appeared, eyes glowing blue, and teleported Qiao Sang and Mikayla away.

---

Suburban Villa.

Muscle-Guard Tiger opened the door. Qiao Sang and Mikayla entered the living room. Although Little Treasure could teleport directly into the room, they always entered through the door out of politeness.

Hearing the movement, Yu Ke put down her phone and turned around. Her eyes lit up with a pleasant surprise. "You're here!"

Qiao Sang gave a hum of affirmation.

"I just saw people saying they spotted you at the Heavenly King Hotel." Yu Ke said.

I really feel like a celebrity now, my whereabouts are known everywhere... Qiao Sang sighed inwardly and replied, "I just came from there."

"Did you move?" Yu Ke asked.

Qiao Sang answered, "No, I just went there for dinner."

Yu Ke was about to say more when Mikayla shouted from the glass door leading to the outdoor field, "Time for training."

"Coming!" Qiao Sang said, quickly heading toward the field.

Yu Ke had to swallow the words she wanted to say. She picked up her phone again, opened it, and stared at a photo of Coach Tao Yunkai walking out of the Heavenly King Hotel shortly after Qiao Sang for a few seconds before putting the phone down again.

---

Outdoor Training Field.

Mikayla asked, "What are your feelings after this round of matches?"

Qiao Sang said seriously, "The strength of a B-rank Beast Master is indeed much stronger than a C-rank one."

Mikayla: ...

"In the match with Ice Emperor Ram, you actually could have won much more easily." Mikayla stated.

Qiao Sang was stunned and immediately adopted a student-like attitude. "How so?"

In her view, that match had been extremely difficult. If they hadn't targeted the Iron Battle Dragon's mouth, it felt like they couldn't have broken its defense at all.

"Lu Di." Lubao looked toward her Beast Master's teacher.

"Ice Field Domain is an ice-type domain skill. Within this domain, casting ice-type skills you already know allows for faster condensation and release." Mikayla explained. 

"In later stages, it can even achieve near-instantaneous effects."

"Of course, Ice Emperor Ram is still quite a distance from that level."

"However, within this domain, certain offensive ice-type skills can be manifested from any position, rather than having to condense close to a specific part of the pet's body and fire outward like usual."

Qiao Sang pondered for a few seconds. 

"Are you referring to the ice spikes used against the Iron Battle Dragon's mouth?"

"Exactly." Mikayla nodded slightly. 

"Those dozens of giant ice spikes, Ice Emperor Ram could have condensed them to attack from several meters away from the Iron Battle Dragon. This wouldn't just increase the speed of the attack; that frequency of attack would mean you no longer need to re-freeze the dragon's mouth."

"Furthermore, with the proficiency of Ice Field Domain and Giant Ice Spike, you could actually have Ice Emperor Ram condense ice spikes from different angles simultaneously to attack different parts of the Iron Battle Dragon."

"I get it!" 

Qiao Sang felt like she had reached a breakthrough and wanted to try it immediately. She turned and said, "Lubao!"

"Lu Di!" Lubao understood her Beast Master's intent. She barked and stomped her left front foot down.

Meat-visible cold air instantly radiated from her body. Everything on the outdoor field, except for the people and pets, was instantly covered in a layer of ice.

"Xun xun..."

Little Treasure extended a paw in mid-air, put it to his mouth, and blew on it to warm it. The next second, six giant ice spikes, each several meters long, appeared simultaneously around Little Treasure, aiming at him from above, below, left, right, front, and back.

"Xun xun!"

Little Treasure was startled, a shiver running through his whole body. A moment later, the spikes and the snowy domain vanished.

"Xun xun..." Little Treasure let out a sigh of relief and wiped non-existent sweat from his forehead.

"Qing qing?"

Qingbao appeared nearby with a worried expression, chirping to ask if he was okay.

"Xun xun~"

Seeing the fifth child appear, Little Treasure quickly lowered his paw and put on a "I'm fine, how could I possibly be in trouble?" face.

On the other side: "Lu Di." 

Lubao showed a look of pleasant surprise.

Qiao Sang's eyes lit up. "Then we will train in this direction from now on."

"Lu Di." Lubao wagged her tail, put on a serious expression, and prepared to start training immediately.

Visible cold air radiated from her. The surrounding temperature plummeted, and a layer of ice formed over the field once more.

"Xun xun!"

Little Treasure, who had been bragging to Qingbao and even showing off his muscles to prove how strong and fearless he was, was startled. He immediately teleported and appeared beside his Beast Master.

Qingbao: ...

---

The Next Day. 12:00 PM.

Beast Center. Room 2603.

Qiao Sang finished reading the contract and handed it to Teacher Mikayla. Mikayla read it line by line, confirmed that her requested clauses were included, placed it on the table, and smiled. "Not bad, they did add the requirements I mentioned."

Tao Yunkai said, "Regarding this matter, our coaching team had a serious discussion. The head coach also reviewed Qiao Sang's data and agreed that her talent is truly unprecedented, so they were willing to follow your terms."

"However." She shifted the topic, pointing to a clause in the contract. 

"I believe you've seen this."

The second party needs to become an A-rank Beast Master within twenty years. If not completed within the specified time, the first party may require the second party to return to the Dragon Country Imperial Beast Battle Team for training... Qiao Sang looked at the content but didn't feel particularly restricted.

Twenty years was way too far in the future for her.

"The country's resources are limited." Tao Yunkai continued. 

"We cannot invest indefinitely in a professional Beast Master when we don't know when they can participate in matches. It wouldn't be fair to the other members."

Understandable, understandable... Qiao Sang nodded repeatedly while looking at another clause stating the second party would receive a monthly salary of 2 million Alliance Coins.

24 million a year, and she could receive it for 20 years for free without mandatory training or matches. Honestly, she didn't mind being a substitute.

"I see it." Mikayla nodded slightly. 

"This is fine." In her view, given Qiao Sang's talent, it wasn't impossible for her to become an A-rank Beast Master within twenty years.

"Good then." Tao Yunkai looked at Qiao Sang with a smile. Mikayla looked over as well.

Under their gaze, Qiao Sang signed and added her thumbprint. Tao Yunkai tucked away one copy and pulled a red badge engraved with a dragon-type pet from her bag.

"This is the National Bureau work ID. You can enter the National Bureau with this in the future. Additionally, your personal profile will now include the information that you are an active professional Beast Master of the National Bureau."

Qiao Sang reached out both hands and took it solemnly.

---

The Next Morning. Yukong Beast Arena.

"Just last night, five contestants from the losers' bracket were decided. Combined with the 27 contestants who successfully advanced, who will be paired against whom today? What kind of performance will they show us? Who will successfully advance to the Top 16? Let's wait and see." A. reporter said into a microphone toward the camera.

In the stands, the crowd held light sticks and banners for their supported contestants, shouting at the top of their lungs. By now, the remaining contestants were all B-rank professional Beast Masters. They each had significant fan bases, and everyone believed their favorite could win.

Contestant Area.

Qiao Sang saw Zeng Feitian, who had advanced through the losers' bracket, not far ahead. She wasn't surprised at all. With his strength, making the Top 32 was normal. After all, the vast majority in the losers' bracket were still C-rank Beast Masters.

"Yap yap."

Yabao, in her arms, wore dark green sunglasses, looking exceptionally cool. Since summoning Yabao for the last match, Qiao Sang had gone back to carrying him around. Many nearby contestants were casting their eyes on him.

"Xun xun..."

Little Treasure appeared silently, wearing a black cape. A breeze suddenly blew, making the black cape flutter back and forth, looking very stylish.

When did Qingbao become so cooperative with Little Treasure... Qiao Sang looked toward the direction of the cape, a flash of surprise in her eyes.

The host appeared in mid-air on a Flying-type pet, microphone in hand, and shouted:

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the scene of this Regional League! After the previous rounds and the losers' bracket, the Top 32 have been born! Look at the big screen!"

As she finished, a giant virtual screen appeared on the field. It featured 32 photos. Qiao Sang saw herself as the second photo in the last row.

The crowd cheered.

The host continued: "And today, we will see 16 winners from these 32 contestants advance to the next round!"

-----

Previous Chapter_Next Chapter

-----