Chapter 977: The Sixth Round

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

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The reporters on the scene completely exploded.

"May I ask how the discussions went? Has she already joined the National Bureau?"

"So, was your visit to watch the matches specifically for Qiao Sang?"

"When will she officially start training with the team?"

"Chen Tianqin is also a member of the National Bureau. What are your thoughts on his loss to Qiao Sang?"

"Since you invited Qiao Sang to join the National Bureau, you must think highly of her. What kind of result do you expect her to achieve in the regional league?"

Tao Yunkai raised her hand, checked the time on her watch, then lowered it and smiled.

"Qiao Sang has officially entered the National Bureau. I have other matters to attend to, so I won't be answering any more questions for now. Goodbye."

With that, she vanished on the spot.

The video ended.

So it was Coach Tao who revealed it... Qiao Sang swiped down the screen to browse the comments: [I said it back then! The two matches Coach Tao attended were both on the days Qiao Sang was competing. She even left right after Qiao Sang finished one of them. She was definitely here for her.]

[With Qiao Sang's strength at her age, it’s normal for her to be scouted by the National Bureau. Why does it feel like no one is surprised at all?]

[The National Bureau moves so fast. The tournament isn't even over yet, and they've already signed her.]

[Holy crap, I remember some international youth events have an age limit of 20. If Qiao Sang goes to those, won't she just absoluteley slaughter everyone!]

[There’s no way Qiao Sang would be in a group with those kids. Let’s not look at age, look at strength, okay? She’ll definitely go straight to the Young Adult group.]

[Be bolder, okay? With her talent, she might even skip straight to Team One as a main roster member.]

[Impossible. I don't deny she can make it later, but definitely not right now. To enter Team One, you have to at least be an A-rank Beast Master.]

[I feel Qiao Sang has the strength to reach the Top 3, maybe even runner-up. In this regional grand prix, she seems to be the strongest besides Yuan Tianlong.]

Yuan Tianlong... While exiting the trending topics, Qiao Sang instinctively recalled the information about him again.

Undoubtedly, he was the strongest contender for the championship in this regional league.

She wasn't at the stage of just signing up for the assessment anymore. With Lubao and Yabao both evolving one after another, it would be a lie to say she had zero desire to win the whole thing.

However, the most important task right now was to successfully enter the Top 8.

Qiao Sang put down her phone, her ambition rising. She sprang out of bed and did a quick wash-up, preparing to head out for training after a quick breakfast.

When she came out of the bathroom, she found Little Treasure holding a mirror, baring his teeth and constantly making fierce expressions. She asked curiously: "What are you doing?"

"Xun xun~"

While continuing to make fierce faces at the mirror, Little Treasure chirped, explaining that he was stimulating his Dark-type energy.

Qiao Sang was stunned for a moment. "Why are you stimulating Dark-type energy?"

"Xun xun~"

Little Treasure put down the mirror and looked over.

That teacher said yesterday that the Mutual Destruction trait is a Hidden Trait. I looked it up last night, and it said Hidden Traits can be trained out through certain methods. Since Mutual Destruction is a Dark-type trait, I’m seeing if I can try to stimulate my Dark-type side.

Qiao Sang was momentarily speechless.

Her first thought was: Huh? You’ve actually become smart enough to look up data and self-study on your own?!

But then she remembered that Little Treasure was always full of clever tricks, like the time he used a Substitute to trick her while he played video games, which she didn't discover until much later. She re-evaluated Little Treasure's learning ability and said: "That’s not how you stimulate the Dark attribute."

"Xun xun?" Little Treasure looked curious. Then how do you do it?

"To stimulate more Dark energy, you first need to have the Dark attribute within your body, then learn Dark-type skills, or absorb items containing Dark energy." Qiao Sang explained.

By now, she could hold her own when discussing beast-taming knowledge.

"However." Qiao Sang stared at Little Treasure, her tone shifting as she continued, 

"Your attributes are Ghost and Psychic, with Ghost being your primary one. Your next evolution stage is the same. As your Ghost-type energy increases, you definitely won't be able to awaken a Dark-type trait."

In the early stages of a pet, especially if they have multiple evolution paths, they might awaken traits from other attributes. Yabao’s Moonlight Power was like that back then. But once a pet's evolution chain is fixed, even if it awakens a new trait, it can only be one belonging to its own attributes.

"Xun xun..."

Little Treasure understood. He let out a long sigh.

What a great trait, though. You can fight across levels, if I'm going down, the opponent is going down too. I wouldn't even be afraid to challenge big brother Yabao or Lubao in the future. Why can't I awaken it?

"Qing qing?"

At this moment, Qingbao floated over with a confused expression. She chirped, asking if Little Treasure didn't already know Taunt?

Taunt, a Dark-type skill.

Qiao Sang explained patiently, "That was because Little Treasure's evolution chain wasn't completely fixed back then. His other evolution path was Dark-type. Also, skills and traits are different. You might be able to learn a Dark-type skill now, but you can't stimulate a Dark-type trait, that has to be in your genes."

"Qing qing."

Qingbao remained confused. In her memory, there were pets that had evolved traits not of their own attribute in later stages.

Qiao Sang was taken aback. "What pet?"

"Qing qing."

Qingbao shook her head; she didn't remember.

Qiao Sang pondered for a few seconds and guessed: "Then it’s possible that pet actually had another evolution path in its later stage."

"Qing qing?" Qingbao looked curious. Does Little Treasure not have one?

"Xun xun..." It was Little Treasure who answered, shaking his head.

He didn't. He had checked on the computer a long time ago. He originally wanted to choose a path as majestic and domineering as big brother Yabao, or at the very least, a path with a larger body size, but unfortunately, there wasn't one.

Qiao Sang, however, fell into deep thought.

Little Treasure's evolution limit is the Emperor level. If she wanted to participate in the Interstellar Cup in the future, an Emperor-level pet definitely wouldn't be enough. At that point, she would likely use the cheat code in her Beast Codex to see if Little Treasure could evolve to a further stage.

If he could evolve successfully, it would be a new form never before seen in the Alliance. She wondered if new attributes would appear then.

After all, in the current beast-taming society, everything that could be researched has been researched. Pets follow evolution routes aligned with their primary attributes. 

Only cases like Yabao, where a pure Fire-type gained a Psychic-type, or pets like the Evergreen Worm, Bamboo Flower Snake, and Little Jumping Fish that can undergo the long-unsolved Dragon-type metamorphosis require massive amounts of time to study.

Many pets get stuck at a certain stage because the next stage is a massive metamorphosis where they gain or transform into a new attribute. Could that be the case for Little Treasure?

Soon, Qiao Sang felt she was overthinking. A species' potential is finite, and a racial ceiling exists. It’s impossible for every species to reach the God level. Otherwise, the Qingqing Ni species wouldn't be revered as a legend.

The Ghost Treasure species reaching the Emperor level should be the true ceiling. Even if he breaks that limit using the cheat to evolve again, he would likely keep his original attributes... Qiao Sang pulled back her thoughts and said: "Stop thinking about the Mutual Destruction trait for now. Eat something, and we'll go train."

"Xun xun..."

"Qing qing."

Knock knock!

Suddenly, a knock came from the door. Gangbao flew over, checked the monitor, and opened the door.

Ye Xiangting walked in carrying several bags, looking in a good mood. "I brought you some food."

"Xun xun~" Little Treasure instantly forgot about the Mutual Destruction trait and floated over excitedly with an expectant look.

"What did you bring?" Qiao Sang asked.

"Just some buns and soy milk, and some energy meals for the pets." While speaking, Ye Xiangting placed the items on the coffee table and opened them.

Qingbao floated over and sniffed the food. There were many things here she had never eaten before.

"Yap yap..." Yabao, who had been fast asleep, instinctively twitched his nose toward the opened boxes, and his eyes snapped open.

"Yap yap!" Seeing the food, his eyes lit up and he woke up instantly, wagging his tail and dashing over.

Lubao hopped out of the water tank and walked over unhurriedly.

Qiao Sang walked to Yabao's side, picked up a bun, and started munching.

"The whole family knows you joined the National Bureau." Ye Xiangting smiled. 

"They're all asking when we're going to hold the celebratory banquet."

"If it's for a banquet, I won't be going." Qiao Sang said. 

"Once the tournament ends, I have to continue my journey for experience."

Ye Xiangting felt a bit disappointed, but quickly expressed her understanding: "Training with your teacher is more important. We aren't in a hurry for the banquet, we'll have it whenever you come home."

She thought of something and laughed: "Even if you come back, I probably won't have time for a banquet anyway. Ever since Yabao appeared on stage, the shop has become incredibly busy. I checked the monitors; it’s busier than back when the research on Yabao's new evolution path was first released."

Qiao Sang took a sip of soy milk and asked, "Is it okay if you don't go back?"

"It's fine." Ye Xiangting said dismissively. 

"You're competing in the regional grand prix. Nothing is more important right now than watching your matches."

In the past, she would have weighed the pros and cons and chosen to earn more money so her daughter could afford to train her pets. 

But now, Imperial Beast University covers all pet energy pellets, Yabao and Lubao have both evolved to the King level, and her daughter has become a B-rank Beast Master. Whether she earns a little more or less doesn't seem that important anymore.

Qiao Sang was touched, and the bun tasted even better.

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The next day.

Yukong Beast Arena.

The stands were packed with a sea of people, the noise level reaching a fever pitch.

High in the air, a reporter in a T-shirt sat on a flying pet, holding a microphone toward a camera-like mechanical pet with a lens for a head.

"Hello everyone! I am currently above the Yukong Beast Arena, the site of the regional grand prix. Today, we will hold the matches to decide the Top 8 from the Top 16. The contestants have all entered the arena. Who do you think will win this round and advance to the Top 8?"

As the reporter finished, the camera-like pet adjusted its direction, focusing the lens on the contestant area below and automatically zooming in.

Contestant Area.

Now that only 16 contestants remained, the area was incredibly spacious. Many contestants had their usual companion pets sitting in the seats next to them.

Qiao Sang was holding Yabao, who was wearing sunglasses. Gangbao stood on her shoulder. To her left was her backpack, with Lubao’s head poking out as she drank energy recovery fluid. Little Treasure, wearing a black cape, sat in the seat to her right.

Many contestants focused their gazes here. Some found it novel, even if everyone called out their pets to sit nearby, none had called out almost their entire team like Qiao Sang. Others were searching for a glimpse of the Qinyin Fairy.

The rest looked at Qiao Sang with complex expressions, this girl who had trended countless times and joined the National Bureau before the tournament was even over.

The National Bureau has its own set of selection standards. Many people participate in the regional league specifically to be scouted by professional clubs or the National Bureau for higher-level events. 

Many are scouted by clubs, but those picked by the National Bureau are few and far between. Even winning the championship doesn't guarantee a spot, the Bureau seems to prefer young, monstrously talented Beast Masters over pure current strength.

The host appeared in the center of the arena to begin the proceedings. After welcoming the audience and introducing the guests, she said: "After fierce competition, we have decided our Top 16! Next, for the matches to advance from the Top 16 to the Top 8, who will be paired against whom? Let us welcome the referees from the Beast Notary Office!"

As the host finished, a giant virtual screen appeared, displaying the photos of the 16 contestants.

A Divide-Unify machine split into two, its orb-like heads floating toward the screen and merging into it. The 16 photos scrambled rapidly. After about ten seconds, the photos froze in pairs. The machine heads flew back out, their color unchanged.

Everyone in the arena looked up. Qiao Sang saw herself in the third pairing.

[Qi Fuqing VS Qiao Sang]

The one who defeated Zeng Feitian in the last round... Qiao Sang looked at the photo and name, quickly recognizing her opponent.

Qi Fuqing, 37 years old, B-rank Beast Master. She had previously competed in the Lianbo and Beilun regional league, achieving good results in both. She was a fairly famous Beast Master.

As she was thinking, her shoulder was tapped twice. Qiao Sang turned to see an exquisite, bright, and beautiful face. It was Qi Fuqing.

She smiled radiantly and said, "See you on the field in a bit." 

Without waiting for a response, she got up and left.

"Ao-ao~"

The avian pet following her, about 90 cm tall, mostly white, with three feathers standing on its head and wearing a lightweight miniature bracelet, did not leave immediately. Instead, it blew a kiss to Gangbao, who had also turned around. Only then did it flap its wings and follow Qi Fuqing's lead.

Gangbao: ...

Aggro-Bust Sparrow King, a King-level Flying-type pet. It hates staying up late but often can't sleep, it becomes extremely irritable after an all-nighter. This species comes in red, blue, and white, they view the other two colors as mortal enemies, and the white ones are the rarest... Qiao Sang watched the pet walk away as the relevant data flashed through her mind.

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