Ancient Mist Region.
Haicheng Pet Battle Arena.
In the night sky, brilliant fireworks bloomed continuously. The scale of the display was such that it seemed as if they wanted to invite the entire city to enjoy this pyrotechnic feast.
The ground of the entire arena had opened from the center toward both sides, transforming into a blue water field.
Over a hundred types of water-type pets that Qiao Sang had never seen before were constantly shifting formations, performing skills and shows within the field.
"What are the rewards for first place in the regional qualifiers usually?" Qiao Sang asked with interest.
"Don't ask me," Xu Yixuan sighed. "I've never stayed for a regional qualifier award ceremony before."
*Wait, did I ask the wrong person...* Qiao Sang coughed and changed the subject. "I didn't expect there to be such a wonderful performance before the award ceremony."
"Yeah, it's my first time seeing this too," Xu Yixuan remarked emotionally.
Qiao Sang shut her mouth.
Not far away, several lead teachers from other regions were enthusiastically discussing how to cultivate students, while subtly probing Sun Boyi about what Qiao Sang's usual training routines were.
Every time the topic reached this point, Sun Boyi would simply smile without saying a word.
Before long, the lights changed.
The performing water-type pets leaped downward, disappearing into the water's surface.
In the next second, a massive podium slowly rose from the water.
Immediately following this, a thin film, resembling the surface of a bubble, covered the entire water field at a steady pace.
Yi Ao stepped onto a blue platform, descending to a position about half a meter above the ground before jumping down, landing steadily on the film.
From a distance, it looked as if he were standing on water.
He held the microphone
"Ladies! Gentlemen! The award ceremony begins now! First, let us welcome the third-place winner of this year's National Campus Pet League Regional Qualifiers! From the Ancient Mist Region, contestant Hu Fan..."
Waiting area.
Ya Bao had already turned off its lightweight shrinking bracelet and returned to its original size.
It wore green triangular sunglasses customized for its size; though clearly excited, it suppressed the corners of its mouth to maintain a "cool guy" expression.
Little Treasure was on Qiao Sang's head, looking excited as it put diamond gloves on its paws.
Lu Bao, meanwhile, stood beside Qiao Sang with a cold, aloof expression.
Soon, Yi Ao announced Qiao Sang's name
"Next, let us welcome the champion of this year's National Campus Pet League Regional Qualifiers! Also the youngest Grade 12 regional champion in history! From the Yuhua Region, contestant Qiao Sang! And her pets, Flare Star Hound! Treasure Demon! And Ice-Kshiru!!!"
The entire venue instantly erupted in cheers, and applause thundered like a storm, shaking the heavens.
"Ice-Kshiru! Ice-Kshiru!"
"Qiao Sang! Qiao Sang!"
"Ice-Kshiru! Ice-Kshiru!"
"Qiao Sang! Qiao Sang!"
The audience mostly shouted the names of Qiao Sang and Lu Bao; those who occasionally shouted for Ya Bao and Little Treasure were quickly drowned out.
Qiao Sang led Ya Bao and the others toward the podium.
Blue pets dressed in ceremonial attire carried trays with the prizes up the stage.
Yi Ao spoke a series of pre-prepared lines by the side. When he mentioned Lu Bao, his voice noticeably rose
"Ice-Kshiru basically has no expression on its face, but that is exactly where its strength lies! In victory, it does not rejoice vainly! In defeat, it does not panic! One who has thunder in their heart but a face like a calm lake is destined for greatness!"
"Ice-K."
Lu Bao glanced at him, only understanding that this human said it had no expression on its face.
*The people of the Ancient Mist Region are a bit too much...* Qiao Sang's mouth twitched slightly, momentarily forgetting to notice what the prizes were.
Once the prizes were distributed, the photographer in front pressed the shutter, freezing the moment.
In the photo, Qiao Sang stood with Ya Bao—wearing green triangular sunglasses and looking like a cool guy—on one side, and the aloof Lu Bao on the other. Perched on her head was Little Treasure, wearing diamond gloves and grinning as it waved to the surroundings. The image was exceptionally harmonious.
...
Deep Sea Mantis Hotel.
Qiao Sang sat on the bed, looking at the bead in her hand that was so blue it looked almost black.
Aside from the trophy, the prize awarded for the regional qualifiers was this Water-type Awakening Bead.
She had looked it up online; it said that if a water-type pet swallowed it, there was a certain chance it would awaken a talent skill dormant in its bloodline.
Depending on their own talent and the purity of their bloodline, some pets might be born with talent skills.
For example, Ya Bao had Fire Fang, and Lu Bao had Healing Light.
However, it was very common for some pets to be born without talent skills.
With the passage of time and the opening of minds, beastmasters no longer insisted that pets of the same species had to be together.
If their own pet took a liking to a pet of another species, most were happy to facilitate the match.
Consequently, pets with concentrated bloodlines became fewer and fewer, and naturally, pets born with talent skills became rarer.
This was where the value of the various attribute Awakening Beads lay.
*This is my first time seeing one...* Qiao Sang held the Water-type Awakening Bead up to her eyes to examine it closely.
Depending on the quality, the color of the Awakening Bead would gradually deepen.
The higher the quality, the deeper the color; even someone who wasn't an appraiser could tell the difference.
Looking at its blue-to-black appearance, it wasn't hard to see that the quality of this Water-type Awakening Bead was exceptionally high.
*Speaking of which, what other talent skills does the Water-Luanna species have besides Healing Light...* Qiao Sang picked up her phone, intending to check online.
At that moment, the phone rang.
The caller ID showed Professor Jiang.
Qiao Sang answered: "Professor Jiang?"
"Qiao Sang, when are you coming back?" Jiang Xiu asked.
"I'm not going back. In two days, I'll go directly to the Mid-Hollow Region," Qiao Sang said.
The final stage of the National Tournament would be held in one week. If she flew back to the Yuhua Region first and then to the Mid-Hollow Region, most of her time would be wasted on the road.
She hadn't yet collected data on the contestants participating in the National Tournament, so she couldn't afford to waste time.
"Then do you have time tomorrow to visit the Water-Luanna Species Protection Center?" Jiang Xiu asked.
Qiao Sang paused. "The Water-Luanna Protection Center?"
Jiang Xiu gave an "mm" of affirmation. "Dr. Jiang over there asked me to invite you. If you can go, tell me the time, and I'll come pick you up tomorrow."
"Dr. Jiang has spent half his life researching the Water-Luanna species. If you can chat with him, I believe it will be very helpful for your future cultivation of Ice-Kshiru."
At this point, Jiang Xiu seemed to remember something, paused, and continued
"Right, Dr. Jiang also asked me to tell you not to rush into using that Water-type Awakening Bead on Ice-Kshiru."
Qiao Sang asked in confusion, "Why?"
Jiang Xiu said sincerely, "I don't know why either. Dr. Jiang said that if you want to know, he will tell you when you visit tomorrow."
*Good grief, so he said that on purpose just to get me to go. Can't people just be sincere? Why use so many tricks...* While complaining to herself, Qiao Sang imitated Jiang Xiu's tone and asked
"Can you give me Dr. Jiang's contact information so I can just call and ask him?"
Jiang Xiu: "..."
"I'm joking," Qiao Sang laughed. "Tomorrow morning at 9:00 then. I'll wait for you."
Jiang Xiu: "...Alright."