“Who went there?” The supervisor’s voice came through.

After about three or four seconds, Fang Lan answered: “It was Qiao Sang…”

The event was huge, and so there were many people from the Special Task Division present. Aside from those specializing in this kind of work, quite a few were just strangers taking jobs. The supervisor couldn’t possibly remember everyone’s name.

But Qiao Sang was an exception.

Not only did she look younger than her age, but her beasts were unusual and rarely seen, making her unforgettable.

The supervisor immediately remembered who she was, frowning: “Nonsense. Her assigned area was Zone B. How did she manage to get to the Sawtooth Dragon before the contestants? Whoever’s in charge of the flight obstacle course, preferably near the Sawtooth Dragon, over there.”

Although the Sawtooth Dragon was a King-level dragon-type beast, the fact that it appeared so openly without causing chaos or being chased by patrol units meant it had to be a contracted beast.

A beast raised to the King level definitely understood human society’s rules and could communicate well. Even if its beast master wasn’t around, so long as it could communicate, there shouldn’t be a big problem.

Otherwise, no beast master would dare let their beasts roam around unsupervised.

Yet no one answered.

Even knowing this Sawtooth Dragon was a contracted beast, the oppressive aura of a King-level dragon-type beast made everyone hesitate to face it.

At this point, Fang Lan spoke again: “Um, I think Qiao Sang probably got there ahead of the contestants because she has a beast that can teleport. I just saw her vanish into thin air.”

No sooner had she spoken when Qiao Sang’s voice came over the radio: “I’m already here.”

“!!”

That fast?!

All the Special Task members were shocked.

---

Little Treasure’s spatial shift had already reached the peak of ultimate level. As long as he knew the designated route, he could move long distances in an instant without worrying about wasting energy.

Qiao Sang stared at the massive Sawtooth Dragon ahead, its body occupying nearly half the track, and her heartbeat sped up.

She didn’t know what might happen next with this dragon-type beast, but it was clearly the same one from her dreams, the key to unlocking her brain domain.

Her brain domain was currently at 49%. If she pushed through, it would hit 50%.

With 50%, she could attempt the B-rank beastmaster assessment. That would make her a respectable figure in the future…

Taking a deep breath, she called out righteously: “Sawtooth Dragon! This is the Flight Tournament racecourse! You are not allowed to linger here!”

At the same time, her imagination ran wild: The Sawtooth Dragon would sneer, thinking a mere human dared lecture it, then attack.

Yabao would clash with it but be defeated.

She herself would inevitably be hit by the Sawtooth Dragon’s attacks.

The reports said Sawtooth Dragons could release ultrasonic waves from their horns, indiscriminately striking everything nearby.

This one was definitely contracted, so it probably wouldn’t deliberately target humans, but accidentally injuring her with its ultrasonic waves was highly possible.

Her brain domain would then suffer serious shocks, but she would hold out with her indomitable willpower and break through.

Just like the time she fought off hypnosis, broke through, and contracted Lubao in the process…

But the imagined scene never happened. (T/n: Quite the imagination there, Qiao Sang😆 You can almost rival me.)

“Zzzruuu.”

The Sawtooth Dragon glanced around, realized the place it was resting at was indeed out of place, and with an apologetic expression, gave a cry. Then it flapped its wings and drifted aside, leaving the track.

Qiao Sang: ?!!

Ah! My fated chance! Don’t go!

What am I supposed to do if you leave?!

“Yabao, chase it!” Qiao Sang blurted.

“Yap!”

Yabao leapt forward, ready to give chase.

“Wait!”

“Yap…”

Yabao halted.

No… the location isn’t right…

Through a gap in the clouds, Qiao Sang glanced downward.

This wasn’t above the Beast Center.

Which meant this wasn’t the breakthrough spot from her dream…

Should she still chase? Qiao Sang hesitated, watching the Sawtooth Dragon’s figure shrink in the distance.

There was no doubt, it was the same dragon from her dream.

Dragon-type beasts weren’t like the common pets found everywhere. You didn’t just happen upon one after another in minutes.

And this one was King-level.

The odds of encountering two identical King-level Sawtooth Dragons in the same city within a short time were essentially zero.

It had to be the one from her dream.

But the beast matched, the location didn’t…

Should she give up and hope to see it next time at the Beast Center?

But could there really be such a coincidence?

Maybe even the prophecy from Adinishi was based on what she already knew… just like with Lubao’s evolution.

Her mind whirled with conflicting thoughts.

Then, her eyes hardened: “Chase!”

She couldn’t stake everything on an uncertain future. She had learned from Lubao’s evolution, she had to seize initiative herself!

“Yap!”

Yabao spread his wings, bursting forward in a blaze of flame.

The Sawtooth Dragon was flying leisurely, so Yabao caught up quickly.

“Zzzruu?”

Hearing the noise, the Sawtooth Dragon turned its head, recognizing the human who had told it to leave. With a puzzled cry, it asked if something was wrong.

Yabao didn’t translate immediately, most of his energy was still focused on controlling his clones for training.

“Xun Xun~”

Little Treasure quickly filled in, translating.

Qiao Sang paused before asking: “It’s nothing. I just wanted to know why you’re out here on your own. Where’s your beast master?”

“Zzzruu.”

The Sawtooth Dragon gave a strange look. It wasn’t a hatchling, it didn’t need its beast master hovering around all the time.

“Xun Xun.”

Little Treasure translated, nodding in agreement.

Yeah, when he grew up, he also wandered around recruiting underlings without his beast master tagging along.

“That’s not what I meant.” Qiao Sang gave a gentle smile.

“I just wanted to ask if you’re out here for something in particular. Maybe I can help.”

“Zzzruu.”

The Sawtooth Dragon resumed flying casually, replying that it was just wandering around.

Qiao Sang’s eyes lit up.

“Then would you like to tour the Beast Center? I can take you.”

“Zzzruu.”

The Sawtooth Dragon glanced back with a look that clearly said, Are you serious?

The Beast Center? What’s so interesting about that shabby place?

Qiao Sang: …

Right… as a King-level beast, its beast master must have traveled widely. The Beast Center was probably old news.

“Xun Xun~”

Little Treasure raised his paw, suggesting the Flight Tournament currently being held would be worth seeing.

“Zzzruu?”

The Sawtooth Dragon paused, looking intrigued.

Flight Tournament?

Qiao Sang’s heart leapt, this might work.

Even if the Tournament wasn’t in the same direction as the Beast Center, if she could get the Sawtooth Dragon to follow, she would eventually have the chance to guide it there.

And she was still technically on duty, so she needed to return anyway.

She shot Little Treasure an approving look.

“Xun Xun~”

Encouraged, Little Treasure pitched the idea with even more enthusiasm.

Gangbao cast her big brother a silent look. She remembered well, this big brother hadn’t even watched a single full match before…

“Zzzruu.”

But instead of being annoyed, the Sawtooth Dragon grew wistful.

To think the Flight Tournament had grown this much.

“Zzzruu.”

Then it agreed, take it there.

“Xun Xun!”

Little Treasure exhaled in relief, turning to Qiao Sang with an eager Praise me! expression.

Her eyes said it all: Well done.

“Xun Xun~”

Overjoyed, Little Treasure bounded forward to lead the way.

“Wait.” Qiao Sang stopped them.

Little Treasure skidded to a halt.

The Sawtooth Dragon glanced back.

“You can’t go like that.” Qiao Sang said, looking at it.

“Can you shrink your size?”

“Zzzruu.”

The Sawtooth Dragon understood and nodded. Its form shrank until it was only about 60 centimeters tall.

Such a cooperative King-level beast… It was clear now there wouldn’t be any sudden clash with Yabao that would trigger her breakthrough.

Qiao Sang gave Little Treasure a look: “Let’s teleport straight there.”

“Xun Xun~”

His eyes glowed blue.

In the next second, they all vanished.

---

Two minutes later.

Flight Tournament, Zone B skies.

Qiao Sang suddenly appeared atop Yabao.

Fang Lan jumped in shock, then leaned in, whispering cautiously: “Wasn’t that one of yours a ghost-type? How come it can use psychic-”

Her words froze when her eyes fell on the newcomer at their side. She screamed: “You brought the Sawtooth Dragon here?!”

Qiao Sang coughed lightly.

“It was wandering aimlessly. When we talked, it seemed interested in the Conference, so I brought it.”

Fang Lan: !!!

You brought a King-level dragon here just because it was interested?!

She inhaled sharply, forcing herself calm: “And its beast master?”

“I don’t know.” Qiao Sang admitted.

“You didn’t even tell its beast master before kidnapping it?!” Fang Lan gaped, unable to mask her shock.

That word kidnapped sounded too harsh… Qiao Sang straightened her expression:

“You know it too. Its beast master isn’t here. Don’t worry, Sawtooth Dragon is already King-level. It has the ability and right to act independently. The fact it’s wandering shows its beast master trusts it to be on its own.”

“Zzzruu.”

The Sawtooth Dragon nodded in agreement.

Fang Lan’s expression grew more and more complicated.

In such a short time, Qiao Sang had convinced the Sawtooth Dragon and brought it along. With her guts, skills, and that ghost-type pet who somehow knew psychic techniques, if she entered the regional tournament, her debut would surely be extraordinary.

On the giant virtual screen, the obstacle course event continued.

About three minutes later, the frontrunner contestant passed the spot the Sawtooth Dragon had been resting.

The race went on without incident.

No one in the crowd or among the contestants knew a King-level dragon had just been there.

“Well done.” The supervisor’s voice came over the radio.

“I was just doing my job.” Qiao Sang replied.

The supervisor chuckled: “I’ll be giving you top marks on this evaluation.”

Qiao Sang hesitated, then asked: “Can I just work for today only?”

Silence on the other end.

“I’m kidding!” She hurriedly said.

“I know. Keep it up.” the voice finally returned.

---

Time passed.

The Sawtooth Dragon remained quietly watching the matches.

Since she still had tasks later that afternoon, Qiao Sang didn’t go back, grabbing lunch nearby instead.

By evening, the day’s matches were finally over.

After saying goodbye to Fang Lan, Qiao Sang moved to mount Yabao, then paused, glancing at him: “You’ve been training all day, haven’t you?”

“Yap.”

Yabao nodded.

“Then you must be exhausted.” She said with concern.

“Yap yap!”

Yabao shook his head.

He wasn’t tired. He had drunk plenty of energy recovery potions, and Lubao had even given him a Healing Light midway.

Qiao Sang sighed.

“Don’t push yourself. Even with potions restoring your energy, training with clones all day must leave you mentally fatigued.”

“Yap…”

Yabao froze.

Didn’t he just say Lubao healed him? Didn’t she hear?

He was about to explain again when Qiao Sang softened her voice: “You’ve trained all day. Rest now. Once you’ve fully recovered, you can continue. Otherwise, I’ll just worry.”

“Yap yap!”

Yabao was moved by the gentle look in her eyes and nodded firmly.

Resting was no big deal, he could do that!

His form shrank down.

Success! Qiao Sang secretly gave herself a thumbs-up, then turned to the still-waiting Sawtooth Dragon, hesitating before asking: “My beast is too tired. Could you give me a ride back to the Beast Center?”

“Zzzruu.”

The Sawtooth Dragon remembered she had brought it here and watched the matches with it. Without much thought, it nodded.

So agreeable! Qiao Sang’s heart leapt.

“Thank you so much.”

“Zzzruu.”

With a cry, the Sawtooth Dragon grew back to full size. Its tail swept her gently onto its back, and with a powerful beat of its wings, it flew toward the Beast Center.

Qiao Sang blinked.

“I didn’t even give you directions, how do you know the way?”

“Zzzruu.”

The Sawtooth Dragon answered mid-flight.

“Yap yap.”

Yabao translated: It said its beast master is at the Beast Center.

-----

T/n: I finally achieved my goal of studying the basics again. I was focusing in re-learning all those basic knowledge for preparation. Hopefully, I don't embarrass myself in front of the students🥹✊.

And sorry for only updating one chapter today, I promise to do three tomorrow 🥹