Chapter 1013: Dr. Zhang Taitong

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

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Just like that? Qiao Sang was both pleasantly surprised and a bit taken aback.

"Ou ou." The purple skull poked its head out of the window and gave a cry.

Even though Qiao Sang couldn't understand what it was saying, she knew it meant she could go in. She quickly said thank you and stepped inside.

After only a few steps, she turned back and asked: "Which building is Dr. Zhang Taitong in?"

"Ou ou." The purple skull pointed further inside and called out.

"Xun xun~" Little Treasure, in a great mood, provided the translation immediately.

He says a colleague will come inside to pick us up and take us there.

An escort? This treatment is almost too good to be true... Qiao Sang walked further into the main gate.

She waited under a Shade Tree not far away.

Shade Trees grow Shade Fruits, a favorite snack of Ghost-type pets. They help increase a pet's energy slightly while staving off hunger.

"Xun xun~"

Little Treasure floated up into the tree. Looking at the black fruit emitting a sweet aroma, his drool began to leak out unconsciously.

Suddenly, the leaves rustled, and a pet about fifteen centimeters long, light purple and shaped like a teapot, hung upside down from a branch.

Teashade Pot, a Basic-level Ghost-type pet. Its body automatically secretes black tea. It is said that people who drink this tea can briefly see things normally invisible, such as cloaked Ghost-type pets... Qiao Sang looked up at the hanging pet as the relevant data surfaced in her mind.

She wasn't particularly surprised to see Ghost-type pets here, after all, this was a research center dedicated to them. She didn't know much else, but there were definitely plenty of Ghost-type pets around.

"Cha cha?" The Teashade Pot looked at Little Treasure and gave a confused cry.

"Xun xun~" Little Treasure replied with a grin.

"Cha cha." The Teashade Pot looked at Qiao Sang, its expression changing to one of "I see."

"Xun xun~" Little Treasure pointed at the fruit on the tree with a look of high anticipation.

"Cha cha." The Teashade Pot shook its head, then opened its mouth and took a bite out of a fruit right in front of Little Treasure, eating it with a smug expression.

"Xun xun..."

Little Treasure’s expression fell into disappointment.

"Hu hu!"

"Hu hu!"

Just then, a deep purple pet that looked like a large kettle floated over from a distance, calling out anxiously.

In the tree, the Teashade Pot was startled and swish, hid inside the foliage.

Potshadow Monster, an Advanced-level Ghost-type pet, the evolved form of Teashade Pot... Qiao Sang recognized the calling pet.

I wonder if this is the pet coming to pick me up...

Just as Qiao Sang was about to greet the Potshadow Monster, Little Treasure suddenly pointed at the spot where the Teashade Pot was hiding and shouted: "Xun xun!"

The Potshadow Monster’s eyes lit up. It turned into a streak of purple light and rushed into the tree. Its handle shifted, turning into a claw that reached into the leaves and dragged the Teashade Pot out.

"Cha cha!"

"Cha cha!"

The Teashade Pot struggled, but it couldn't break free.

"Hu hu." The Potshadow Monster let out a cry of gratitude toward Little Treasure.

"Xun xun~" Little Treasure waved a paw, indicating it was no big deal.

The Potshadow Monster drifted away, clutching the Teashade Pot.

"Cha cha!" As it was carried off, the Teashade Pot shouted angrily at Little Treasure.

Even though Qiao Sang couldn't understand its words, she could feel that it was cursing very foully.

"Xun xun~"

Little Treasure provocatively picked his nose at the Teashade Pot.

Then, sensing something, he looked down and saw his Tamer watching him. He quickly dropped his paw, blinked his eyes, and resumed his proper image management.

Qiao Sang asked with a smile: "How did that Teashade Pot annoy you?"

"Xun xun!"

Mentioning this got Little Treasure excited again. He floated next to his Tamer and pointed indignantly at the fruit above.

"Yap yap!"

Yabao, who had understood the whole exchange, gave a cry, indicating "Good job."

"If you like those, I'll buy you some when we leave." Qiao Sang said.

"Xun xun~"

Little Treasure was delighted, floating circles around his Tamer and Yabao.

In the middle of his excitement, he felt a gaze. Looking to the side, he saw Gangbao watching him. He immediately stopped, straightened his posture, and fixed his image again.

Gangbao: ... Do you think if you act like this, I’ll forget what you looked like a second ago...

Gangbao's inner thoughts are definitely richer than her facial expressions... Qiao Sang thought to herelf.

Gangbao’s body stiffened, and she tried to empty her mind, not wanting to think too much.

"Wen wen?"

At that moment, a pet about a meter tall, mostly grey with a head shaped like a water droplet, floated over. It had two holes on the top of its head, and the insides were deep and dark, as if the aura of the abyss was flowing within. It let out a cry.

"Xun xun~"

Before Qiao Sang could speak, Little Treasure nodded repeatedly.

No, wait.

"Xun xun..."

His actions were honest, but his words were the exact opposite. Realizing what he had said, Little Treasure looked stunned and covered his mouth.

"Wen wen." The droplet-headed pet smiled and began to float forward.

Qiao Sang didn't need Yabao to translate, she knew this pet was the guide. She quickly followed.

Rhetorical Ghost, a General-level Ghost-type pet. It loves to ask questions. When it speaks, the listener feels an uncontrollable urge to answer, but the answer will always be a lie (the opposite of the truth). Only those who understand the language are affected, meaning only the contracted Tamer and pets will be influenced by its 'Questioning Heart' trait. Because of this, most people are reluctant to contract one... 

Data about the guide flashed through Qiao Sang’s mind.

"Xun xun..."

Remembering his strange behavior just now, Little Treasure silently took out his long-forgotten pet identifier and aimed it at the Rhetorical Ghost.

A voice similar to Little Treasure’s soon rang out:

"Oh my, Master, you haven't used me in a long time. Let's see... Rhetorical Ghost, a General-level Ghost-type pet. It possesses the 'Questioning Heart' trait. People and pets who understand its speech will definitely answer with the opposite of the truth. It's terrifying and impossible to control. I suggest you stay away from it."

"Xun xun..."

Little Treasure had a look of sudden realization.

The Rhetorical Ghost in front seemed not to hear and continued leading the way.

Qiao Sang and the pets followed it into a building. After facial recognition, they took the elevator to the third floor and entered a research lab.

Upon entering, a dozen Ghost-type pets of various forms looked over simultaneously.

Two of them were the Teashade Pot and Potshadow Monster they had seen earlier.

A Tamer afraid of Ghost-type pets would probably have fainted on the spot. Qiao Sang felt nothing of the sort. After marvelling at the sheer number of ghosts, she focused her gaze on a man in a white lab coat sitting at a console not far away.

The man had soft features and a comfortable, scholarly aura. He looked to be in his early 30s at most, one could not tell at all that he was 126 years old.

Qiao Sang recognized him as Zhang Taitong, whom she had researched last night.

Before she could greet him, he heard the commotion and turned around. His eyes instantly lit up as he stood up.

"It really is you. Please, take a seat."

He looked at the Teashade Pot and said, "Pour some tea."

Qiao Sang sat on the sofa in the lounge area.

"Cha cha..."

The Teashade Pot floated over reluctantly. It tilted its body and began to pour.

"Xun xun~"

Little Treasure picked up a teacup, placed it in front of him with a big smile, and gave a cry, indicating he wanted some too.

The Teashade Pot pretended it didn't hear.

Zhang Taitong saw this and said: "Teashade Pot, pour a cup for the Ghost Ring King as well."

"Xun xun~"

Little Treasure pointed at the cup, looking smug.

"Cha cha..."

The Teashade Pot’s body stiffened, but it eventually poured the tea.

"Xun xun~"

Little Treasure grinned. In front of the Teashade Pot, he picked up the cup and took an elegant sip, imitating what he had seen on TV.

Zhang Taitong introduced with a smile: "The tea inside a Teashade Pot is beneficial to both Ghost-type pets and humans. Furthermore, after drinking enough of it, a Tamer can better absorb the feedback from their Ghost-type pets and reach the realm of 'Spirit Vision' faster."

Qiao Sang was stunned.

"Spirit Vision?"

Zhang Taitong was also stunned, but then smiled and explained: "It means seeing things normally invisible, just like Ghost-type pets do."

Qiao Sang understood instantly and took a solemn sip of her tea.

"I didn't expect that after winning the Central Hollow Regional Championship, you would come to our Zidia Region." Zhang Taitong said with a smile.

"I mainly came because Little... my Ghost Ring King wanted to see the Zidia Region." Qiao Sang smiled. 

"I also didn't expect you would let me in so readily."

Zhang Taitong laughed: "You just won the Central Hollow Regional Championship. It’s an honor for me to meet you. I’ve never seen a regional champion as young as you. Besides, you came to see me for research related to Ghost-type pets, how could I possibly refuse?"

I have to say, Dr. Zhang Taitong really knows how to talk... Qiao Sang thought.

Zhang Taitong looked at Little Treasure, his eyes full of admiration: "Your Ghost Ring King is very well-cultivated."

"Xun xun~"

Hearing the praise, Little Treasure flicked his hair proudly.

Zhang Taitong laughed, then remembered something. His expression became serious as he said: "If you have any questions, feel free to ask."

That's exactly what I was waiting for... Qiao Sang said directly: "I want to know what the other possibility for Ghost-type pet evolution actually is. I’ve read your paper, but there wasn't a clear evolution path. I want to know more specifics."

Little Treasure looked over with high anticipation.

Zhang Taitong pondered for a few seconds and spoke slowly: "I only discovered this recently. Ghost-type pets can absorb a certain type of positive emotional energy to stimulate their internal potential. This potential can then trigger evolution."

After a pause, he added: "You probably know the situation in our Zidia Region. Compared to people in other regions, we absolutely adore Ghost-type pets."

"I won't hide it from you. I first discovered this potential in Ghost-type pets from other regions. Later, I experimented with many Ghost-type pets and found that only a very small number could absorb this energy, and the amount absorbed wasn't enough to make them evolve."

"Then, I applied for local Ghost-type pets from almost every region and discovered that the feasibility of pets from other regions absorbing this energy is much higher."

Qiao Sang asked impatiently: "So, what exactly is this energy?"

"It is positive emotional energy." Zhang Taitong organized his words and said:

"Excluding the Ghost-type pets of the Zidia Region, I conducted experiments on 1,011 different species of Ghost-type pets. I found that only 65 species could absorb this energy, and the positive emotional energy they could absorb all came from things they cared about deeply."

"For example, the Ugly Night Flower from the Central Hollow Region cares about its own ugliness. So, I provided it with treatments to increase its elegance. After other people and pets genuinely praised it for becoming beautiful, it generated feelings of joy and absorbed the energy of those sincere praises."

"Another example is the Walking Ghost from the Xilu Region."

"It is one of the rare Ghost-type pets that cannot float, and it often feels inferior. Without its knowledge, I gave it a Levitation Potion, allowing it to float briefly. The surrounding Ghost-type pets didn't know the truth and expressed great surprise."

"The Walking Ghost felt joy and absorbed the energy of that surprise."

"In fact, for both the Ugly Night Flower and the Walking Ghost, there are many things that make them happy, but only these two specific events allowed them to generate joy while simultaneously absorbing surrounding positive emotional energy."

"So, my conclusion is that the absorption of this emotional energy comes from the things they care about most."

After a pause, he added: "Every Ghost-type pet cares about different things, so I can't give a definitive rule. I can only call upon everyone to help their Ghost-type pets generate feelings of joy."

Qiao Sang processed this and asked: "Is it guaranteed that absorbing this energy will lead to evolution?"

"Xun xun..."

Beside her, Little Treasure struck a posture of listening intently. His serious expression was exactly the same as when he first used a substitute to play on the computer.

Zhang Taitong said precisely: "First, not every Ghost-type pet can absorb this power. Second, the physical data of some pets that could absorb it showed signs of evolution, but none of them triggered the final Light of Evolution."

"This study is still being explored, but I can guarantee that there will definitely be Ghost-type pets that evolve because they absorb this energy."

Qiao Sang thought for a moment and asked: "Why do you think almost none of the Ghost-type pets in the Zidia Region can absorb this energy?"

"That is a very good question." Zhang Taitong laughed.

After laughing, he sighed and said:

"It's just a guess, but the Tamers in the Zidia Region are too good to their Ghost-type pets. Their living environment means they have almost nothing they are particularly obsessed with. Since they have nothing they care deeply about, the joy they generate isn't the specific kind required, and they can't absorb positive emotional energy."

Wow, so the problem is being too good to the pets... Qiao Sang thought. Then a thought struck her, and her heart sank halfway.

She considered herself to be very good to Little Treasure. He was happy every day over small things, and his passion for things he found interesting was usually short-lived.

Looking at it this way, Little Treasure’s situation seemed quite similar to the Ghost-type pets here in the Zidia Region...

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T/n: I seriously don't know the correlation between teaching and doing goddamn short movies. Like, why am I still doing this?😭 I thought we already left this kind of projects last year. 

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