CHAPTER 887: FAIRY HEART

The contract succeeded.

Qiao Sang felt the connection between herself and Qingqing Ni. Excitement surged through her, mixed with a trace of disbelief.

A legendary pet beast… had actually been contracted, just like that?

The crimson star array faded away.

“Qing qing~”

Qingqing Ni looked at its beastmaster and smiled sweetly.

“Xun xun!”

Little Treasure floated around Qingqing Ni happily.

So obedient, so cute… Qiao Sang instantly melted.

To be honest, aside from rarity, a pet beast with such a personality was simply the dream companion.

After all, when a beastmaster contracted a pet beast, aside from attributes, racial limits, and innate talents, personality was also very important.

Otherwise, back when she was preparing to contract her first pet beast, all the online recommendations wouldn’t have been for gentle-tempered ones.

“Qingfeng.”

Immersed in Qingqing Ni’s charm, Qingfeng Yunren called out solemnly, indicating they should follow it somewhere before leaving the secret realm.

“Gang Zhan.”

Gangbao translated in time.

Qiao Sang immediately replied, “No problem!”

She had just contracted its child, at this point, even if they had to walk over to the Frostbird or the Ancient Winged Bird and throw down a challenge like, ‘Thirty years later, just you wait,’ she’d still go along without complaint.

Anyway, as long as they didn’t waste time carefully calibrating a safe coordinate, with Little Treasure’s current energy and mastery of Spatial Shift, they should be able to escape successfully even against two Emperor-level pet beasts who had no special counter against teleportation.

At worst, the escape would just look a little messy…

“Qingfeng.”

Qingfeng Yunren called again, then dissolved into wind and took the lead.

“Qing qing.”

Qingqing Ni followed, vanishing into the breeze as well.

Because of the contract, Qiao Sang could clearly sense Qingqing Ni’s exact location.

She quickly flipped onto Yabao’s back and began directing him.

They flew for about an hour before Qingfeng Yunren drifted downward.

Qiao Sang followed closely.

Qingfeng Yunren and Qingqing Ni landed in a quiet valley, manifesting in full form once more.

“Qingfeng.”

Qingfeng Yunren called. Immediately after, a deep rumbling sounded.

The tangled trees ahead slowly parted, revealing the entrance to a spacious cave.

Qiao Sang dismounted Yabao and looked up at the trees, only to realize they were staring back at her with open eyes.

Tightvine Tree Monsters, just like the ones she had seen in Secret Realm No. 88…

“Qingfeng.”

As Qiao Sang recognized them, Qingfeng Yunren called again and floated into the cave.

“Qing qing~”

Seeing her beast master staring at the Tree Monsters, Qingqing Ni thought she was scared. It floated over, gave her a sweet smile, then reached out its tiny paw to hold one of her fingers and pulled her gently inside. ŗάꞐ𝘰𝖇Ê𝒮

Holy crap, its paw is so small and soft… Qiao Sang looked down at her finger, stunned, her body stiff as she allowed herself to be led forward.

Once Gangbao entered last, the Tightvine Tree Monsters shifted, closing off the entrance completely once more.

They followed the winding cave passage, sometimes sloping down, sometimes curving left, twisting endlessly. Along the way they encountered a few wild beasts, but since Qingfeng Yunren and Qingqing Ni were personally leading, the creatures merely glanced curiously without attacking.

After about ten minutes, the path opened into a massive chamber.

Inside were piles of berries and other beast foods, along with the resources she had originally given Qingfeng Yunren.

Qingqing Ni released her paw.

Why bring me here? Was it planning to give these back? Qiao Sang’s gaze fell on the pile of materials. She looked toward Qingfeng Yunren and asked tentatively: “You brought me here for what?”

Qingfeng Yunren said nothing. It floated to the pile.

Qiao Sang coughed, then said seriously: “I understand what you mean. But I already said those resources are yours, they’re yours. Qingqing Ni doesn’t need to worry. Once we’re outside, I’ll find the best resources for it.”

Qingfeng Yunren turned, looking at her with an exasperated expression, then glanced back at the pile.

The next moment, wind rose on its own.

The items and materials were gently blown apart, revealing the bottom.

From beneath, the wind lifted a crystal the size of a pomegranate, flawless, dazzling, shining like a pink diamond and carried it to Qiao Sang.

This is… Qiao Sang froze, then accepted it.

She was certain she had never bought anything like this when stockpiling supplies.

“Xun xun…”

Little Treasure floated over, completely captivated by the pink crystal. It poked it with a short claw.

So pretty…

“Qingfeng.”

Qingfeng Yunren looked over and called sternly.

“Gang Zhan.”

Gangbao translated: It said this item is called the Fairy Heart. It is the key to Qingqing Ni’s perfect evolution. When it evolves to the next stage, this must be used.

What? Fairy Heart? Qiao Sang was dumbfounded.

She had taken half a semester of classes at Beastmaster University, and though she hadn’t contracted a Fairy-type beast back then, she knew the basics.

The Fairy Heart was an evolution item for Fairy-types, normally only the size of a cherry. That’s why she hadn’t associated this large pink crystal with it at first glance.

But this Fairy Heart was absurdly large…

So Qingqing Ni’s next evolution required a Fairy Heart…

Qiao Sang steadied herself and said seriously: “I understand.”

She didn’t refuse. The value of this Fairy Heart was beyond measure, money alone couldn’t buy it. To ensure Qingqing Ni’s best evolution, there was no reason not to accept.

Qiao Sang handed it to Little Treasure, instructing solemnly: “Keep this safe.”

“Xun xun!”

Little Treasure, seeing her serious tone, nodded earnestly.

He enlarged his ring, stuck his head inside, found the perfect place, and carefully stored the Fairy Heart.

When he pulled his head back out, he gave her a confident look: ‘All taken care of, don’t worry.’

“Qingfeng.”

Qingfeng Yunren called flatly.

“Gang Zhan.”

Gangbao translated: It said we can leave now.

Qiao Sang blinked.

“You’re not coming with us?”

There were still a few days until the secret realm closed.

“Qingfeng.”

Qingfeng Yunren shook its head.

“Qing qing…”

Qingqing Ni seemed to realize they were parting, its mood sinking.

“Qingfeng!”

Qingfeng Yunren patted its shoulder, roaring with pride.

“Qing qing!”

Qingqing Ni straightened, calling firmly.

I will!

Qiao Sang only understood Qingqing Ni’s side, but she imagined Qingfeng Yunren was saying something like: ‘Do well out there, and when thirty years pass, come back and beat up the Ancient Winged Bird and Frostbird!’

After about five minutes of exchange, Qingqing Ni returned to her side.

Qiao Sang understood the farewell was complete. She looked at Qingfeng Yunren and said seriously: “I’ll raise Qingqing Ni well. Thirty years from now, I’ll return here.”

“Qingfeng.”

Qingfeng Yunren nodded.

Naturally, it believed. That’s why it was willing to let its child contract with this human.

---

Led by Qingqing Ni, they exited the cave.

“Xun?”

Little Treasure asked where to go now.

Qiao Sang thought, then said: “Let’s leave the secret realm.”

Her goal in entering Secret Realm No. 16 had been to make use of the key and the Qingqingni Compass, and hopefully find Qingqing Ni.

Now she had succeeded.

The examiner’s task was also complete.

Though there were still resources to be harvested, if she waited until the final days, the exits would be crowded with people rushing out, especially those with Qingqingni Compasses. Encountering them would be dangerous.

Especially those two B-rank beastmasters from before. Even if Qingqing Ni hadn’t shown up at the time, her reaction alone could have tipped them off.

Outside, no one would covet another’s contracted beast. At most, envy. But inside the secret realm? Anything could happen.

Better to leave early and safe.

She climbed onto Yabao’s back. Then, lowering her voice, she looked at Qingqing Ni: “Can you go into the Beast Codex first, and come back out once we’re outside?”

The Qingqingni Compass could sense Qingqing Ni’s position, but it shouldn’t detect it inside the Codex.

It wasn’t ideal to keep it confined, since Qingqing Ni embodied freedom, but safety came first.

“Qing qing?”

Qingqing Ni looked puzzled.

What’s a Beast Codex?

Qiao Sang: …

“It’s the medium of our contract.” She tapped her head.

“The Codex is inside here. If you go in, you can restore energy and see what I see.”

“Qing qing.”

Qingqing Ni nodded, understanding.

With a wave, Qiao Sang recalled it into the Codex.

“Let’s go! Time to head out!”

“Yap!”

---

Time passed. Yabao slept once and fought off three waves of wild beasts before they finally reached the exit.

The wild beasts nearby only looked up at them but didn’t attack.

As expected, most people would only leave on the final day.

Qiao Sang scanned the area, no one. She patted Yabao.

“Yap!”

He called, stepping into the passage.

Just then, a stray wind blew by.

Qiao Sang turned, as if sensing something.

Inside the Codex, Qingqing Ni looked at the empty sky. Its expression softened with reluctance. It waved a tiny paw.

The secret realm key glowed.

Ripples spread across the portal, then stilled.

Above, the wind turned and drifted back toward the depths of the realm.

---

Runes Center.

Altitude: 1630 meters.

Qiao Sang stepped out of the passage.

Daylight instantly turned into night.

The guards on either side were still there.

The reporters and cameramen had gone, though a few tourists lingered.

When they saw someone emerge, the guards looked surprised. The tourists whispered: “Didn’t they say the realm stays open for a month? It’s only been 25 days, why’s someone out already?”

“Maybe her beasts were injured and she couldn’t stay.”

“What a waste of a slot. With five more days, she could’ve gotten rich harvesting resources. If it were me, I’d never leave early.”

“Not everyone’s desperate like us. Clearly, she’s not poor.”

“That red beast looks amazing, what’s it called?”

“Don’t you think she looks too young?”

Qiao Sang ignored the stares, riding Yabao straight away.

Her phone was dead, so she had to rely on memory to retrace the route to the Beast Center.

The night breeze was gentle.

Once they were in a quiet stretch of sky, she formed a seal and summoned Qingqing Ni.

“Qing qing…”

Qingqing Ni looked around curiously.

There was no night in Secret Realm No. 16, everything outside was new to it.

“Xun xun~

Little Treasure quickly offered it a bottle of milk from his ring, eager to build a good relationship.

“Qing qing~”

Qingqing Ni accepted, smiling sweetly.

It had tasted milk inside the realm already.

Though Little Treasure wasn’t always reliable, when it came to social skills, he was an expert… Qiao Sang watched warmly, then thought of something and opened the Beast Codex.

Inside the secret realm, there had been no time to carefully read its data. Now, outside, she finally could.

She flipped pages until she found Qingqing Ni’s entry.

Name: Qingqing Ni

Attributes: Fairy, Flying

Level: Beginner (509/1000)+

Traits:

First Trait: Wind Affinity

Grade: S (MAX), State: Mastered. Description: Can turn into wind anytime, anywhere, at any stage, and go anywhere.

Second Trait: Charming Body

Grade: A (16/10000), State: Very useful. Description: When attacked with contact moves by beasts of the opposite sex, there is a 70% chance the attacker falls into infatuation.

Third Trait: Prankster’s Heart

Grade: A (363/10000), State: Very useful. Description: Allows priority use of status-type skills.

Skills: Fairy Wind (Beginner 1/100)+, Charm (Proficient 232/500)+, Misty Terrain (Beginner 1/100)+, Tailwind (Proficient 443/500)+