Chapter 1048: Tingbao

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

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The next day, Qiao Sang woke up at 8:30 in the morning.

After performing a brief morning cleanup and finishing her breakfast, she brought Yabao and the others along toward the Imperial Beast University.

Along the way, the Little Thunder Dragon sat squarely atop Yabao's body the entire time.

While Yabao typically disliked outsiders sitting on his body, he clearly harbored no rejection toward a cub like the Little Thunder Dragon, whom he had personally helped incubate back when he was still inside his egg.

The Little Thunder Dragon looked all around, filled with a sense of novelty toward the passing scenery.

Little Treasure was clutching a laptop, staying invisible in mid-air as he combed through tasks.

Qiao Sang walked through the main gates of the Imperial Beast University and followed the navigation on the campus website to arrive at the Energy Hall.

Compared to the other academic buildings, the Energy Hall was clearly much quieter, with very few people coming and going.

A Mechanical-type pet standing only about one meter tall blocked the entrance.

Qiao Sang handed her student card over.

The Mechanical pet took it, its eyes flashing with a green light as it ran a scan.

A moment later, it stepped aside, signaling that she could enter.

Qiao Sang took her student card back, stepped inside, and followed the directional signs to arrive before a massive, pitch-black door.

Aside from a blonde-haired male student and a crimson, duck-like pet, there were no other people or pets around the entrance.

Qiao Sang walked closer and examined the large door.

Just as she was about to knock, the blonde-haired boy spoke up in a certain tone: "This is your first time here, right?"

Qiao Sang turned her head, and upon confirming that he was speaking to her, asked: "How do you know?"

"The earliest opening time for the Energy Hall is 9:00 AM." The blonde-haired boy explained. 

"If you disturb Doorbellbell before that time, it will push back your scheduled entry time."

Qiao Sang blinked: "Doorbellbell?"

The blonde-haired boy gestured toward the massive door with his eyes: "That's it."

This is actually a pet... Qiao Sang stared at the pitch-black door in front of her with a look of utter astonishment.

You couldn't tell at all!

Promptly remembering something, she pulled out her phone to check the time: 8:43 AM.

There were still 17 minutes until 9:00... Qiao Sang calculated subconsciously.

As she was thinking, a light, nimble breeze brushed past.

Immediately following that, a layer of blue energy barrier manifested across the entire front of the door.

"Qing... qing..."

Qingbao clutched her head, backed up next to her Beast Tamer, and materialized.

A pair of button-like black eyes slowly opened upon the pitch-black door, and it let out a cry in a majestic voice: "Men, men."

At the same time, a virtual screen surfaced in front of the door, with a line of words written upon it: [The time hasn't arrived yet. Who disturbed me?]

The blonde-haired boy cast a look of sympathy over.

Wow, it even comes with its own built-in translation... Qiao Sang was startled, finding it quite magical.

"Qing... qing..."

Qingbao looked toward her Beast Tamer, wearing a pitiful I didn't mean to expression.

She had only wanted to drift inside ahead of time to take a look; how could she have known this big guy actually had a barrier.

It's fine, at worst we'll just go in a bit later... Qiao Sang comforted Qingbao with her eyes, then looked at the door and stated: "It was me."

"Men, men." Doorbellbell cried out.

The text on the virtual screen ahead shifted: [Produce your student card.]

Qiao Sang obediently complied.

A blue line of light scanned downward from above the door.

After about three seconds had passed, Doorbellbell's eyes curved into a smile, and its voice suddenly turned highly attentive: "Men, men~"

A new line of text appeared on the virtual screen: [Dear Student Qiao Sang, you have indeed reserved a slot for today. Would you like to enter right now?]

Seeing the words on the screen, the blonde-haired boy froze, staring at Qiao Sang with absolute disbelief. He seemed unable to believe that anyone could receive such preferential treatment from Doorbellbell.

Qiao Sang was also taken aback for a moment, but she nodded and said: "I would like to go in now."

"Men, men~" Doorbellbell maintained its previous attentive tone as it let out a cry, after which the blue barrier vanished, and the door slowly swung open.

Qiao Sang cast a glance at the blonde-haired boy with a look that said, "Didn't you say disturbing Doorbellbell would cause a delay?", then led Yabao and the others inside.

The massive door slowly clicked shut.

The blonde-haired boy and the crimson duck pet stared at each other in utter bewilderment.

Could it be that the rules had changed? The blonde-haired boy pondered for a moment, then raised his hand to knock on the door.

Doorbellbell snapped its eyes open, its tone majestic: "Men, men?"

The virtual screen surfaced, displaying: [Was it you who disturbed me?]

The blonde-haired boy pulled out his student card, consciously aligning it with the scanning area, and stated: "I also reserved an Energy Bath for today."

The blue light scanned downward.

"Men, men," Doorbellbell cried out with indifferent cruelty, its expression unchanged.

A line of words surfaced on the virtual screen: [The opening time for the Energy Bath has not arrived yet. You disturbed me ahead of time. Come back in two hours.]

The blonde-haired boy: !!!

The blonde-haired boy shouted in disbelief: "Why! That girl right before me was allowed to go in!"

"Men, men," Doorbellbell, who had been about to close its eyes, opened them once more and let out a cry.

The text on the virtual screen shifted: [Now you have not only disturbed me ahead of time, but you have also made too much noise. Please come back in four hours.]

The blonde-haired boy: ...

---

Inside the door.

A massive, circular energy pool printed itself into view.

Sitting on a nearby rest chair, a dark-skinned woman who looked to be only in her thirties glanced over, a flash of slight surprise crossing her eyes.

Then, as if realizing something, she raised her arm, checked the time on her wristwatch, and asked: "Are you from the Imperial Class?"

This looks like a teacher at first glance... Qiao Sang used an honorific title: "How do you know, Professor?"

"Because Doorbellbell only allows students from the Imperial Class to enter ahead of schedule." The dark-skinned woman explained.

So that's how it is, I almost thought that classmate at the door lied to me... Qiao Sang thought to herself.

"Give me your student card." The woman stated.

Qiao Sang handed her student card over.

The woman took it, scanned it with her phone, and then handed it back, stating: "You only have a single slot, so only one pet is permitted to enter the Energy Bath."

Saying this, her gaze swept across Yabao and the others: "Have you decided which pet will go in?"

Qiao Sang nodded and said: "I've decided."

After speaking, she nodded toward Gangbao, and Gangbao took a step forward.

"Go on in." The woman instructed. 

"Come out once your body starts to feel painful."

"Gang Zhan," Gangbao nodded her head, flapping her wings as she flew into the Energy Bath.

This place is much more humane than the Chaosu Star, you can actually stay on the side and watch... While lamenting, Qiao Sang walked over to the nearby rest chair and sat down.

Inside the energy pool.

As a continuous stream of energy flooded into her body, Gangbao wore a comfortable expression.

Little Treasure was earnestly searching for tasks and didn't pay much attention.

A light breeze brushed across the top of the energy pool, causing the pool water to ripple slightly.

The woman cast a glance toward the direction of the energy pool and stated calmly: "If a pet outside of the allocated slots enters the energy pool, you will have to pay additional points, or receive a major demerit."

Qiao Sang cooperated by asking: "How many points?"

"At least ten thousand points to start." The woman said with a smile. 

"Because allowing a pet outside of the slots to enter is strictly forbidden."

That's quite strict. But then again, if it wasn't, these slots wouldn't be so precious... Qiao Sang thought to herself.

The breeze brushed past, and Qingbao drifted next to her Beast Tamer, pretending that she hadn't gone anywhere just now.

"Lei..."

Staring at the energy pool in front of him, the Little Thunder Dragon took a deep breath, his eyes lighting up as if he had smelled something he liked. He crawled down from Yabao's body and hurriedly scurried toward the energy pool.

However, before he could even scurry two steps forward, his tail was gently pinned down by Yabao's front paw.

"Lei!"

Completely unable to budge no matter what, the Little Thunder Dragon couldn't help but turn his head and let out an unsatisfied cry.

"Yap, yap."

"Yap, yap."

Yabao conducted his teaching with profound earnestness, indicating that one couldn't just wander inside, as their Beast Tamer was too poor and couldn't afford it.

Yabao really has grown up, he is looking more and more like a big brother, though his speech is still as blunt as ever... The corner of Qiao Sang's mouth twitched faintly, though she also felt inexplicably comforted.

"Lei?"

The Little Thunder Dragon wore a puzzled expression.

Our Beast Tamer?

"Yap, yap."

Yabao pointed toward Qiao Sang.

"Lei..."

The Little Thunder Dragon stared at Qiao Sang for two seconds, wore a dejected expression, and silently crawled right back onto Yabao's body.

This Little Thunder Dragon is quite intelligent, he actually knows what 'poor' and 'cannot afford it' mean... Qiao Sang lamented internally.

Right then, the woman spoke up: "I heard that a student in your Imperial Class contracted a legendary pet. Is that true?"

Qiao Sang fell silent for a brief moment: "It's true."

The woman let out a "Tsk," and asked further: "What is her name?"

"Qiao Sang." Qiao Sang stated.

Recalling the student card she had seen earlier, the woman reacted rapidly, her eyes suddenly lighting up: "You are that student who contracted the legendary pet?"

Qiao Sang straightened her back: "It's me."

The woman's gaze rapidly swept across Yabao and the others one by one, after which she stated: "You should also have a pet capable of transforming into wind resting right beside you."

Does she already know ahead of time that the contracted pet is the legendary Qingqing Ni? Pretending to look surprised, Qiao Sang asked: "How do you know, Professor?"

Spirit Vision generally could only see pets that purely possessed an invisibility trait, and Qingbao did not belong to that category.

"Because just now, a pet that transformed into wind wanted to enter the Energy Bath." The woman answered.

What? Qiao Sang turned her head in astonishment, looking toward the direction where Qingbao had transformed into wind.

"Qing... qing."

Qingbao materialized, blinking her eyes as she let out an innocent cry, indicating that she was only looking from above and hadn't gone inside.

True, although Qingbao's personality has changed quite a bit, she is still quite sensible overall... Qiao Sang let out a sigh of relief.

The woman sized Qingbao up for a few seconds, and then her eyes lit up: "The pet you contracted is the legendary Qinyin Fairy."

Qiao Sang gave an "Mm."

"Qing... qing," Qingbao offered a smile and greeted her.

The woman was completely captivated by the cuteness. Her heart stirred with an irresistible urge, and she waved her hand toward Qingbao, softening her voice to say: "Come here, let me give you a pat."

"Qing... qing~"

Qingbao let out a sweet cry, but she didn't cross over.

"What did she say?" The woman asked.

Qiao Sang fell silent for a moment, helping to translate: "She said that if you let her soak in the Energy Bath for a bit, you can pat her."

"Qing... qing." Qingbao nodded her head, indicating that was exactly it.

The woman fell silent for a few seconds before breaking into a laugh: "I would certainly love to let you go in, but unfortunately, the slots for entering this Energy Bath aren't under my jurisdiction."

"Qing... qing..."

Qingbao let out a sigh, then drifted over to the woman's side, taking her hand and placing it upon her own body.

The woman froze.

Qiao Sang let out a cough and stated: "She was probably just joking earlier."

"Qing... qing," Qingbao nodded.

The woman burst into a genuine laugh, then raised her hand, tapping a button on her wristwatch.

A virtual screen manifested out of thin air.

"Bring over a plate of Niannian Fruits."

After about ten seconds had passed, a plate of Niannian Fruits appeared out of thin air on the nearby table.

The woman pushed the Niannian Fruits in front of Qingbao and stated: "Eat up, you should like these."

"Qing... qing~"

Qingbao let out a sweet cry, approaching the Niannian Fruits as she picked one up and began to nibble on it.

"Lei..."

Seeing this, the Little Thunder Dragon seemed to realize something. Shifting his body, he crawled over to the woman's side and lifted his head to look at her.

The woman lowered her head, looking down at him.

"Lei." The Little Thunder Dragon let out a cry.

"What did he say?" The woman asked.

"Yap, yap." Yabao helped translate.

Qiao Sang fell silent for a moment: "He wants you to pat him too."

Hearing this, the woman laughed. Extending her hand, she spoke as she moved: "This is a Little Thunder Dragon, right? What a pity, I don't have any tree fruits related to Dragon-type pets..."

"Lei!"

The Little Thunder Dragon's face instantly dropped, and crackling yellow electrical arcs surged across his body.

Caught entirely off guard, the woman was struck by the lightning, and her voice came to an abrupt halt.

Qiao Sang caught a fright, quickly asking: "Professor, are you alright?"

The woman retracted her hand as if nothing had happened, her tone calm: "I'm fine."

The Little Thunder Dragon shifted his body, crawling right back onto Yabao's body.

The professors at the Imperial Beast University really are exceptional, they don't even bat an eye when struck by lightning... Qiao Sang admired internally, explaining: "This Little Thunder Dragon of mine just hatched, so the Electric-type energy inside his body cannot be controlled very well yet."

The woman shot a glance at Qiao Sang, piercing through the excuse: "He clearly heard that I don't have Dragon-type tree fruits, so he was no longer willing to let me pat him."

Qiao Sang offered an awkward smile.

She had noticed too...

"The personalities of Dragon-type pets are universally arrogant." The woman stated, leaning back into her rest chair. 

"I was mentally prepared."

Arrogant, is it... Qiao Sang's gaze landed upon the Little Thunder Dragon.

Time slowly trickled away.

Without knowing how much time had passed, a blinding white light finally erupted across Gangbao's body inside the Energy Bath.

Qiao Sang's spirits were shaken, and she snapped to her feet.

Once the white light dissolved.

A pet of massive proportions emerged within the Energy Bath. Her entire body was encased in rigid, purple armor, with structures resembling silver turbine devices growing above both sides of her wings. 

Several silver stripes ran across her frame, and the armor atop her head featured a conical protrusion at the apex. The bridge of her nose was a silver-white metal, featuring dark-red irises and purple pupils.

Steel Chief Kane... The racial name of Gangbao's current appearance surfaced within Qiao Sang's mind.

"Gang Qiu."

Gangbao looked over, letting out a cry.

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Exiting the Imperial Beast University, Qiao Sang headed straight for the nearest Beast Tamer Center.

Spending an entire afternoon and passing through multiple verifications, Gangbao's King-level form and racial name were officially finalized, and her information was successfully updated.

Returning home and finishing dinner, Yabao and the others headed to the open-air training ground one after another.

Except for Little Treasure, who mentioned that he had found a task and needed to earn points.

Qiao Sang looked at the Little Thunder Dragon following behind Yabao. Recalling the words spoken by the professor in the Energy Hall, she couldn't resist stepping forward to scoop him up.

"Lei!"

Suddenly hoisted into the air, the Little Thunder Dragon caught a fright, and yellow electrical arcs surfaced across his body.

Right then, Qiao Sang asked: "How about we get along well from now on?"

"Lei..."

Hearing the voice, the Little Thunder Dragon only then realized who had scooped him up, and the electrical arcs across his body subconsciously dissipated.

He turned his head, looking toward the human before his eyes.

"Let me give you a name." Qiao Sang stated. 

"Tingbao, do you like it?"

The personalities of Dragon-type pets were universally arrogant, but so what? Aside from Lubao, not a single one of the pets she had contracted possessed a personality described as easy to get along with in the pet identifier.

Given that the Little Thunder Dragon had halted his advance toward the Energy Bath upon learning that she was poor, she believed that she would be able to get along with him just fine.

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