Adinishi's heart skipped a beat, but on the surface, it acted like it didn't understand anything. It walked over to the sofa and resumed eating snacks while watching TV.

Qiao Sang guessed, "Adinishi is a phantom beast, so maybe things are a little different for it."

Adinishi's ears perked up, very pleased with this explanation.

Pirite was silent for a moment.

"Maybe."

Phantom beasts were different from regular beast pets in many ways. He had never dealt with one before, especially not a phantom beast from Chaosu Star. The Imperial Beast University didn't even have literature on this kind.

Other than the excuse that Adinishi needed time between each prediction, he really couldn't think of why it agreed to stay here for an extended period.

Hearing that this returning human no longer suspected anything, Adinishi quietly breathed a sigh of relief and looked at the other human with a bit more satisfaction.

All thanks to her...

At this moment, Qiao Sang asked, "Teacher, is there any item or energy material that could shorten Adinishi's prediction cooldown time?"

She didn't mind living under the same roof as Adinishi;

in fact, it was an honor to live with a phantom beast. But she'd be returning to Blue Star soon, and if Adinishi was still in its cooldown period, that would be unfortunate.

How would I know that? Pirite thought. I didn't even know it needed a cooldown to predict in the first place...

He put on a serious expression and said, "Anything related to phantom beasts is extremely rare and difficult to obtain. Your top priority now should still be training and studying. I'll help take care of Adinishi, and as soon as it recovers enough to predict again, I'll let you know immediately."

After a short pause, he continued, "During this period, I'd like to stay here. It'll be easier to look after Adinishi, and I'm worried those people might come back."

Hearing the last part, Qiao Sang immediately replied, "I still have plenty of empty rooms. Pick whichever you like."

Seeing her agree so readily, Pirite wasted no time and had Nyudikaka teleport back to the hotel to check out.

"Dee dee..."

Adinishi's feelings were a bit mixed. Although this human had helped save it, he seemed a bit too sharp and controlling. Adinishi really didn't want to hang around him too much.

Maybe I should just finish blowing my flute and leave early...

Just then, Qiao Sang opened the fridge and pulled out some yellow berries, placing them on a plate. She brought them over and said,

"These are Digestiberries. They help with digestion,mhave a few."

Adinishi glanced at the berries and nodded.

Qiao Sang turned and went back to her room.

"Dee dee..."

Adinishi put down the chips, grabbed a berry, and took a bite.

Forget it... I'll just stay here a bit longer.

---

In the Room.

Qiao Sang sat cross-legged on the bed, starting her meditation again.

"Xun xun!"

Little Treasure, now brimming with confidence, saw his beast master return and immediately felt a wave of security. He turned to Lubao and issued a challenge.

Qiao Sang couldn't help but open her eyes and reminded, "You better think this through, Lubao might not want to heal you again after."

"Xun xun..."

Little Treasure instantly chickened out and made a sound like, Forget I said anything.

"Lu Ai."

Lubao shot Little Treasure a look, swished her tail, and walked out of the room.

"Yap?"

Yabao stared at Little Treasure, asking if he could show off his Aura of Intimidation now.

Seeing things weren't over yet, Qiao Sang had to give up on meditating for the time being and kept watching.

"Xun xun..."

Under Yabao's serious gaze, Little Treasure's newfound confidence quickly withered.

He glanced at his beast master, steeled his nerves, and began building up his aura.

"Xun xun..."

His eyes grew sharp.

Though the window was closed, the curtains began to flutter, as if stirred by an invisible wind.

"Yap..."

Yabao focused and tried to sense it... then relaxed, flicked his tail, and walked out of the room toward the open-air training field.

That's it? He thought. That's the Aura of Intimidation? I thought it would be something amazing.

"Xun xun!"

Feeling the dismissal in Yabao's attitude, Little Treasure's lips trembled. He flung himself into his beast master's arms and burst into tears.

Big Bro Yabao looks down on me!

Qiao Sang gently consoled him, "That's just because your Aura of Intimidation is still in the early stages. The level is too low right now. Once you level it up, Yabao will definitely feel the pressure."

"Xun xun?"

Little Treasure looked up, eyes asking, Really?

"Of course it's true." Qiao Sang said with certainty. Then she remembered where they left off.

"Do you feel any differences in yourself?"

"Xun xun..."

Little Treasure wiped his tears and thought for a bit, then shook his head.

Nope.

"I meant the Aura of Intimidation." Qiao Sang clarified.

"Do you feel it's grown a little stronger?"

"Xun xun..."

Little Treasure paused, then seriously tried to sense it.

After about ten seconds, he shook his head again.

Still no.

Qiao Sang pondered, then said, "Actually, your Aura of Intimidation has improved after challenging Yabao. It's just not a big jump, so you don't feel it."

Little Treasure's eyes lit up, then quickly dimmed again.

"Xun xun..."

If he has to fight Big Bro Yabao every time to level up his Aura of Intimidation, then maybe it's not worth it...

Qiao Sang: ...

She tried another tactic.

"Remember that time in the wild when Teacher Pirite's Famu Moth used a skill that knocked out all the wild pets just by standing there?"

"Xun xun!"

Little Treasure nodded hard.

Of course he remembered! That move was so cool.

"That was Aura of Intimidation," Qiao Sang explained.

"Xun xun?!"

Little Treasure's eyes widened. He couldn't believe that was the same move he was learning.

Seeing Little Treasure's expression, Qiao Sang could tell he had rekindled his interest. She smiled and said,

"Once your Aura of Intimidation reaches the ultimate stage, it'll have the same effect."

"Xun xun!"

Little Treasure thought back to that moment, and the idea that he could do the same one day lit a fire inside him. He clenched his tiny fists, eyes full of determination.

He was going to challenge Big Bro Yabao again, right now!

"Wait—"

Before Qiao Sang could finish her sentence, Little Treasure had already vanished.

"..."

Well, at least his courage is definitely improving...

Qiao Sang closed her eyes and resumed meditating.

---

At that moment, the phone vibrated.

Qiao Sang opened her eyes, checked her phone, and saw that someone had specifically @mentioned her in the Beast Taming Department class group chat.

[Skaela: #Suspected Appearance of the Phantom Beast Adinishi at 30th District Airport#]

[Skaela: #Beast Tamer Star Tournament Champion Qiao Sang Suspected to Be at 30th District Airport#]

[Skaela: Ahhh! I saw both news reports—they're from the same time. Did you see Adinishi at the airport?! @Qiao Sang]

So they're finally connecting me to Adinishi... Qiao Sang wasn't particularly surprised by this.

To be honest, she had already mentally prepared for it.

Not to mention how many people were present at the time—surely some recognized her. More importantly, there were still people who hadn't given up on tracking Adinishi.

They knew Adinishi was inside Little Treasure's ring. But since Qiao Sang was now in 1st District, they couldn't come snatch it openly, so they leaked the news to make everyone focus on her—hoping to pressure her into giving up Adinishi herself... Qiao Sang imagined this as she opened the news post titled "Suspected Appearance of the Phantom Beast Adinishi at 30th District Airport."

[Recently, the barrier at 30th District Airport suddenly malfunctioned, allowing wild pets to attack. Security personnel fought hard and successfully repelled the first wave. However, the barrier broke again. Under a mysterious flute melody, the wild pets retreated. According to Professor Fergus Muller, the mysterious sound was produced by the phantom beast Adinishi. It has the effect of pacifying hostility and calming emotions.]

So they identified it by the flute sound... Qiao Sang closed the news and returned to the chat, typing a message:

[I only went to 30th District because I received news about Adinishi. Not only did I encounter it, but Adinishi also briefly took control of Ghost Ring King, and then vanished. The flute sound heard at the airport was probably from it—I saw it holding a flute.]

As soon as this message was sent, the group exploded:

[BeastMasterIsMe: OMG! Adinishi! You actually saw Adinishi! I'm so jealous! I've lived on Chaosu Star my whole life and never even seen our native phantom beast!]

[AlwaysTired: I don't believe it. Not without pictures.]

[Zach: Say you're trolling us!]

[Dorothy: I'm dying here! Since Qiao Sang already said it, I guess it's fine for me to say now too—I've seen the photo of Adinishi seizing Ghost Ring King! I swear on my character it's not photoshopped!]

Everyone else began chiming in.

Qiao Sang exited the chat, opened StarLink, logged in, and uploaded the photo of Little Treasure being seized by Adinishi. She added the caption:

[Encountered the Phantom Beast Adinishi]

Rather than waiting for others to confront her, she chose to mix truth with fiction and make it seem like she had only encountered Adinishi at 30th District.

---

1st District.

In a private villa located in a prime location.

Ogav frowned and said, "Still haven't gotten Fuanli out?"

"No," Chen Shu replied in a low voice. "It's serious this time. 30th District refuses to release him."

Leo, who had been scrolling on his phone, suddenly laughed, "Didn't expect that Qiao Sang's Ghost Ring King was once seized by Adinishi."

He turned the screen toward them.

Ogav glanced at the photo and twitched slightly at the corner of his mouth.

Back then, his attention had been entirely on Adinishi. He hadn't expected Qiao Sang to have the composure to take photos under such circumstances.

Suddenly, Chen Shu asked,

"Adinishi really isn't with Qiao Sang?"

"Shouldn't be," Ogav took a sip of wine and said flatly. "Fuanli heard it himself, and I had the flute sound analyzed. The one at the airport was indeed played by Adinishi. That Adinishi is King-level, and Ghost Ring King is only General-level. The ring couldn't hold it."

"Tough break," Leo said as he liked Qiao Sang's post. "Not only did we fail to capture Adinishi, we even offended a beast tamer who can use Healing Light."

Ogav glanced at him.

Sensing the look, Leo stiffened, quietly put away his phone, and stopped talking.

Chen Shu asked, "What did the boss say?"

"The teacher is still in 30th District looking for Adinishi. Once I handle things here, I'll go too," Ogav said calmly.

Chen Shu was silent for a moment, then changed the subject:

"Should we send Qiao Sang a gift, try to ease tensions?"

"No need," Ogav set down his wine glass and said coldly. "She's not from our Chaosu Star, and she's not the only tamer who can use Healing Light."

After a pause, he sneered, "Besides, if you'd already caught Adinishi, and someone came to take it from you—causing it to escape—would you forgive them?"

Chen Shu had no response.

---

7:35 PM

Liu Yao and Pirite were happily chatting in the kitchen.

Adinishi was at the dining table eating snacks.

Yabao and Lubao were training outside.

Gangbao was helping set the table while controlling a clone for training.

Little Treasure was completely frozen in ice, lying peacefully on the couch.

"Dinner's ready!" Liu Yao called out.

Dinner usually started around 6 PM.

But since a phantom beast arrived yesterday and an Imperial Beast University professor showed up today, Liu Yao was in high spirits and made extra dishes—delaying dinner until now.

Hearing the call, Qiao Sang put down her book and stepped out of her room. She immediately saw Little Treasure frozen solid on the couch, looking strangely serene. Her mouth twitched.

Looks like Little Treasure went and challenged Lubao again...

Maybe it was due to his growing Aura of Intimidation, but Little Treasure had become bolder and fought harder—either challenging Yabao or heading toward Lubao. Lately, though, he challenged Lubao more.

Qiao Sang guessed it was probably because Lubao's moves didn't hurt as much as Yabao's...

At that moment, Yabao and Lubao came in.

"Lu Ai..."

Seeing her tamer present, Lubao didn't wait for instructions. Her forehead lit up with a blue glow, casting healing energy on Little Treasure.

"Xun xun~"

The ice shell melted, and Little Treasure revived on the spot.

Seeing Lubao, he recklessly let out a cry, signaling his readiness to fight another 300 rounds!

"Lu Ai."

A freezing aura radiated from Lubao, and the room's temperature plummeted.

Qiao Sang quickly intervened:

"Eat first, then fight."

"Lu Ai."

The chill vanished. Lubao ignored Little Treasure and went to the table to eat energy balls.

"Xun xun..."

Little Treasure finally calmed down and followed to the table to eat.

"Your pets seem to get along pretty well," Pirite said, carrying the last dishes over.

Qiao Sang thought of how her pets usually interacted and smiled. "They do."

"Xun xun..."

Hearing this, Little Treasure paused mid-bite and glanced at Lubao.

I've challenged Lubao so many times today... she's not mad, right?

Lubao sensed the gaze and glanced back.

"Xun xun..."

Little Treasure quickly gave a fawning grin.

"Lu Ai."

Lubao flicked her tail and responded: Eat more. You're still too weak.

Little Treasure: ...