CHAPTER 886: QINGQING NI

Little Treasure kept using Spatial Shift continuously.

The scenery around them shifted from midwinter to early spring.

When Qiao Sang spotted a river below, she finally called out for him to stop.

“Xun Xun…”

Little Treasure panted, wiping away nonexistent sweat from his forehead.

Yabao ran down toward the riverbank.

The water-type beasts that had been playing in the water were startled, diving down in panic.

Once they realized nothing threatening had happened, a few bolder ones poked their eyes out of the water, curiously observing the strangers on the shore.

After shifting through space for so long, they should be safe now… Qiao Sang still kept a wary eye on her surroundings.

Suddenly, a thin jet of water, barely two centimeters in diameter, shot out from the river.

Qiao Sang tilted her head, dodging it easily.

She looked toward the source: A small water-type beast, half its head peeking out from the river.

Water-Sense Fish, a beginner-level water-type beast. It didn’t rely on eyes but could detect its surroundings through the flow of water and air. Playful in nature, it loved mischief, often using water guns as an invitation to play.

As this knowledge flickered across Qiao Sang’s mind, the Water-Sense Fish fired another water gun.

She dodged again with a tilt of her head.

Seeing this, the fish grew excited, firing several shots in a row.

Qiao Sang’s head turned left, right, left, right.

“Shui Gan!”

The Water-Sense Fish became even more delighted, half its body surfacing as it opened its mouth wide, preparing for a big one.

Just then, a strong gust of wind swept past, rippling the water and carrying the little fish downstream.

Qiao Sang called tentatively: “Qingqing Ni?”

“Qing qing.”

Qingqing Ni cried softly and revealed itself.

Right after, the Qingfeng Yunren appeared as well.

Qiao Sang wasn’t sure if that gust had been caused by Qingqing Ni or Qingfeng Yunren.

If it was Qingfeng Yunren… did that mean it already acknowledged her?

Her heart skipped faster at the thought.

“Let’s rest here and have something to eat.” Qiao Sang said calmly, though excitement stirred within.

It was already mealtime, but earlier delays with those two men had kept them from eating.

“Grrr…”

Right on cue, Yabao’s stomach growled.

“Xun Xun~”

Little Treasure moved swiftly, pulling out sandwiches, energy pills, and tree-fruits from his ring.

“Gang Zhan.”

Gangbao called out, splitting into two.

The main body began eating energy pills, while the clone flew high to keep watch.

Qiao Sang sat cross-legged and started eating her sandwich.

Then she turned toward Little Treasure, who was devouring energy pills, and asked: “Did you end up cursing those two men earlier?”

“Xun Xun~”

Little Treasure swallowed, shaking his head.

Not those two humans, it was the beast with the playing cards on its head. Since it looked their way, he cursed it in passing.

To break through the freezing domain of Ice Field Domain and still look around so freely… that beast wasn’t simple. Qiao Sang’s heart, which had just relaxed, grew heavy again. ℞αɴőʙĚṩ

Those two were both B-rank beastmasters. Besides the seven beasts they later summoned, the masked beasts and the card-headed beast looked like psychic-types.

They might know Spatial Shift too. Even if their mastery wasn’t as refined as Little Treasure’s, their energy definitely surpassed his. If they got within ten kilometers, they might teleport directly.

After clashing once already, they’d be more prepared next time.

If two well-prepared B-rank beastmasters came again… it might not end as smoothly.

The thought made Qiao Sang uneasy.

“Qing qing.”

Qingqing Ni’s cry pulled her back.

Qiao Sang turned to see it nibbling tree-fruits. She smiled kindly, about to speak, when Gangbao’s voice rang in her mind.

“Gang Zhan.”

It said it had a question.

“Ask away.” Qiao Sang answered.

“Qing qing?”

Qingqing Ni tilted its pure eyes in confusion.

If we won, why did it feel like running away?

Qiao Sang: …

Gangbao stifled laughter.

“Yap!”

Yabao barked in protest.

Who was running away?!

Qiao Sang coughed and asked, “Why do you think it looked like running away?”

“Qing qing.”

Qingqing Ni chewed another fruit, replying softly.

Because it felt rushed, normally they wouldn’t move this much in one go.

“Yap!”

Yabao disagreed.

Not true, Little Treasure had done it before in this secret realm.

“Gang Zhan.”

Gangbao translated, barely holding back laughter.

Qiao Sang set down her sandwich and admitted: “Yes, you could call it escaping.”

Gangbao looked stunned.

She hadn’t expected her beastmaster to admit it.

“Yap?!”

Yabao was in disbelief.

What?! That was escaping?!

Qiao Sang explained seriously: “Those two were after you. I don’t know when they’ll recover, but once they do, they’ll search for your tracks immediately. Even though I’m not afraid of them, I won’t risk you even the slightest. That’s why I wanted to get far away.”

She paused, then added: “Not just them, many are after you. The best way is to keep moving, so they can’t lock onto your position.”

That was why Little Treasure had been teleporting every so often for twenty days, to avoid trackers using the Qingqingni Compass.

It worked. They hadn’t encountered anyone like that until today.

“Yap…”

Yabao finally understood.

Gangbao’s respect deepened. (T/n: Respect for Qiao Sang's ability to bullshit through things?)

“Qing qing…”

Qingqing Ni stared at her, dazed.

So… it was all for us.

A playful breeze brushed past it.

Qingfeng Yunren, chewing on fruit, looked up at Qingqing Ni, then at Qiao Sang.

Why look at me? Do you think I’m weak now…? Qiao Sang felt its gaze, her back straightening nervously.

Her earlier plan to resume Spatial Shift faded.

Why stare so long… Her scalp prickled. She hurriedly held out a yellow fruit: “This one’s tasty. Want some?”

“Qingfeng.”

Qingfeng Yunren accepted with its claw.

Qiao Sang exhaled in relief.

If it still ate what she offered, there was hope.

Truthfully, it had been a long time since she’d felt this kind of tension, different from facing danger, but just as sharp.

Suddenly, Gangbao’s clone dissolved in the air.

“Gang Zhan.”

Gangbao warned: People were coming, four humans and three beasts.

Qiao Sang’s face hardened. She almost ordered Little Treasure to use Spatial Shift again, then remembered Yunren’s gaze, hesitating before sitting still.

Qingfeng Yunren and Qingqing Ni exchanged a look before vanishing into the wind.

Qiao Sang motioned with her eyes.

Little Treasure understood, swallowing his last pill before cloaking himself.

About three minutes later, footsteps snapped twigs to her left.

Four figures emerged, three men and one woman.

One was the man who had twice cried for help earlier. A Wind-Rush Lion limped at his side, its leg injured.

The short-haired woman had a plump, blue bird perched on her shoulder, its chest white, claws bearing a lightweight miniaturization bracelet.

Another man in a green jacket stood with a gray-furred monkey, also wearing a bracelet on its arm.

Only the man in a cap had no beast beside him.

They noticed Qiao Sang as she noticed them.

“Not her again…” Muttered the man in the green jacket, stiffening.

“She saw us!”

The short-haired woman frowned.

“Stay calm. There are four of us.”

Li Zhicheng’s eyelid twitched. He whispered firmly: “Don’t talk recklessly. If she doesn’t speak, pretend not to know her. Her ghost-type that uses psychic skills must be invisible right now, she could strike anytime. Be cautious.”

“Why would she attack us?” Asked the man in green.

“Zhicheng met her twice. The second time, she didn’t save him—probably realized she was tricked.” The cap man said darkly.

“We don’t know if she has a Qingqingni Compass. No need for conflict. Avoid if possible.”

The others fell silent.

Closer footsteps.

I can hear everything you’re saying… and none of you are B-rank, huh? Whispering at this range without worry… Qiao Sang thought, then greeted them: “We meet again.”

The four froze.

Li Zhicheng forced a stiff smile.

“What a coincidence.”

Qiao Sang gestured subtly.

“And these three are…?”

“My friends.”

Li Zhicheng replied quickly. After a pause, he added, “We got separated earlier.”

They smiled politely.

So it really had been them ambushing… Qiao Sang smiled back.

“Then I’ll get going. Enjoy your meal.” Li Zhicheng said hastily.

But the man in the cap suddenly asked: “You came into this secret realm to find Qingqing Ni, didn’t you?”

Qiao Sang tilted her head, answering evenly: “I came prepared, yes. Meeting a legendary beast would be ideal, but even if not, exploring a realm that only opens once in thirty years isn’t wasted time.”

She smiled with curiosity.

“Why? Are you looking for Qingqing Ni too?”

Playing in the secret realm?! The four were stunned.

What kind of terrifying mindset was that?!

This girl really was a monster in disguise.

“No.” Li Zhicheng denied quickly.

“If we find Qingqing Ni, it’s just fate. Mainly, we’re gathering resources.”

“I see.” Qiao Sang lost interest, biting into her sandwich again.

“Then we won’t bother you. We’ll take our leave.” Li Zhicheng’s tone grew more respectful.

Qiao Sang ignored him.

They exchanged glances, then hurried off.

“Xun Xun~”

When they were gone, Little Treasure uncloaked.

“Keep them further away.” Qiao Sang instructed.

“Xun Xun~”

Little Treasure’s eyes glowed blue, and he vanished.

Qingfeng Yunren and Qingqing Ni reappeared.

“Qing qing?”

Qingqing Ni looked confused.

“Gang Zhan.

Gangbao’s voice echoed in her mind.

Why push them further if they already left?

Qiao Sang said firmly: “Because they were eyeing you. Any risk at all, I’ll remove it. Too close, and who knows what methods they might have to sense your presence.”

The Qingqingni Compass wasn’t the only way to track Qingqing Ni, proof was in the forum post where others had grouped up successfully.

“Qing qing…”

Qingqing Ni looked stunned again.

Another breeze drifted by.

Qingfeng Yunren glanced at it.

“Xun Xun!”

Little Treasure returned, declaring it done.

Qiao Sang stood.

“Pack up. We’ve already encountered two groups today, it’s best not to stay put.”

“Qingfeng.”

Qingfeng Yunren gazed at her, speaking.

Gangbao froze, not translating immediately.

“Xun Xun!”

Little Treasure’s eyes shone with excitement.

It says to contract now!

Contract now!

It was happening, another comrade!

Qiao Sang stared, shocked, before joy overwhelmed her. Still, she asked cautiously: “You’re saying… now?”

“Qingfeng.”

Qingfeng Yunren nodded.

“But why?” She pressed.

“There are still days before the realm closes.”

“Qingfeng.”

Its voice was calm.

Because she had passed its trial. With humans swarming, it was safer for Qingqing Ni to contract now.

“Gang Zhan.” Gangbao translated.

So that’s it… If she’d known showing her resolve earlier would help, she wouldn’t have bothered avoiding others these past twenty days. Qiao Sang’s heart raced as she looked at Qingqing Ni.

“Qing qing~”

Qingqing Ni smiled sweetly.

Qiao Sang took a deep breath, voice trembling: “Would you like to contract with me?”

“Qing qing~”

Qingqing Ni nodded with a bright smile.

Qiao Sang raised her hand, fingers shaking as she formed seals.

A vast crimson star array lit up beneath Qingqing Ni.

On her Beast Codex, the blank page filled with new data.

Next to Name, it now read clearly: Qingqing Ni