CHAPTER 882: HURRICANE

It really appeared right beside her…

Seeing Qingqing Ni suddenly manifest before her eyes, Qiao Sang’s heartbeat stumbled violently.

Twice now, twice, Qingqing Ni had taken the initiative to show itself…

“Yap?”

Yabao curiously approached Qingqing Ni, tilting his head to examine it.

So this was the little one their Beast Master had been searching for?

Lubao also looked at Qingqing Ni intently.

“Gang Zhan.”

Gangbao’s voice echoed in Qiao Sang’s mind.

It was asking if she had come looking for it?

Qiao Sang regained her composure, her gaze burning as she nodded.

“Yes. I came here for you!”

If Qingqing Ni was asking this, it meant the Ancient Winged Bird had seen her earlier and Qingqing Ni had deliberately chased after her…

Realizing that, a strange heat surged in Qiao Sang’s chest.

“Qing qing?”

Qingqing Ni tilted its head, pure eyes filled with doubt.

“Gang Zhan.”

Gangbao translated in her mind.

It was asking what she came for.

“Xun~”

Before his Beast Master could reply, Little Treasure cried out, announcing that they wanted it to join them, become their companion.

“Qing qing?”

Qingqing Ni cocked its head again, innocent eyes blinking with confusion.

Companion? Did that mean… to play together?

“Gang Zhan.”

Gangbao translated again.

So pure… as if it didn’t understand anything at all.

Qiao Sang realized this conversation was critical, and carefully explained: “It means forming a contract with me, leaving the secret realm, and working together toward our ideals.” ɌАNȯᛒÈS

She paused, then asked softly: “Do you have an ideal?”

She remembered in When Beasts Step Out of the Secret Realm, the protagonist had said this very line to the beast he wished to contract with, and it had worked perfectly, they’d struck a chord and made a pact.

That book had been based on true experience, so it had reference value.

She made up her mind, whatever ideal Qingqing Ni voiced, she would promise to help it achieve!

“Qing qing?”

But Qingqing Ni only looked at her, eyes still full of innocent confusion.

What is an 'ideal'?

Gangbao translated dutifully.

Qiao Sang: …

It didn’t understand 'companion'. It didn’t understand 'ideal.' Just how young was this Qingqing Ni…

After a moment of silence, she tried again: “It’s something you want to do.”

“Qing qing.”

Qingqing Ni shook its head. It had nothing it wanted to do.

Her little speech failed.

But Qiao Sang didn’t give up. She asked directly: “Then… are you willing to form a contract with me?”

With a simple-minded beast, sometimes the most straightforward approach worked best.

“Qing qing…”

Qingqing Ni felt her burning gaze. After a few seconds of silence, it showed a regretful expression.

If it contracted, it would have to leave the secret realm. Its mother would never allow that.

So it did understand at least that much… cleverer than she first thought.

Qiao Sang grew more satisfied.

Clearly, Qingqing Ni didn’t reject the idea of contracting. The problem was parental disapproval.

Convincing its guardian, that was the real challenge.

This Qingqing Ni was still very young, believing anything others said. Its parent, however, definitely would not.

Should she… just use force? Contract it by strength?

The thought flashed through Qiao Sang’s mind.

In secret realms, it wasn’t uncommon, when someone encountered a favored beast, they simply overpowered it and forced a contract.

Yes, wild beasts were unruly, but secret realms overflowed with rare creatures unavailable on the market. Sometimes, with heaven-defying luck, one might even stumble upon a variant.

In those moments, no one cared how the beast behaved, they only thought of contracting.

Qingqing Ni matched perfectly the standard she wanted for her fifth beast. To capture and contract it… honestly, it wasn’t impossible.

It was only Beginner-level. Little Treasure’s Spatial Lockdown could restrain it easily. Even if it turned to wind, it wouldn’t escape.

But… she’d still be in this realm for another month. If she contracted Qingqing Ni by force, its parent would surely come after her.

Earlier, Qingqing Ni had been near the Ancient Winged Bird. Could its parent know that Emperor-level beast? If she contracted, she risked being targeted by a legendary…

Still, this was Qingqing Ni. A legendary beast. Wasn’t it worth a little danger?

She hardened her heart, then her gaze fell on those pure, trusting eyes.

She remembered, twice now, Qingqing Ni had approached her on its own.

Because of trust.

If she used force, how would that make her any different from those people who had tried to seize Qi Yunla or Adinishi?

“Xun!”

Little Treasure suddenly cried out, as if suggesting: Then let’s go talk to your mother! Convince her to agree!

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“Qing qing.”

Qingqing Ni froze, then nodded. It turned and began to lead the way.

“Wait!” Qiao Sang blurted, caught off guard.

“Qing qing?”

Qingqing Ni stopped and looked back at her.

“I… I’m not ready yet…” She said, expression tangled.

She hadn’t expected it to agree and even take her to meet its parent!

That was the guardian of a legendary species! If she just walked up with Qingqing Ni and said “I want to contract your child,” would she even make it out alive?

Not to mention, Qingqing Ni had been near the Ancient Winged Bird earlier. Its parent was probably there too…

She had barely escaped from that place, was she really about to walk right back in?

No. Definitely not a good idea…

“Xun?”

Little Treasure looked puzzled. Why not just go? What was there to prepare?

It’s not that simple! Qiao Sang thought bitterly, shooting him a look.

Then an idea struck her. She inhaled deeply and whispered: “When we get there, take out all the things fairy-types like.”

She hesitated, then added: “And flying-types too.”

Visiting a legendary beast to request its child’s contract? At best she’d get injured, at worst, killed.

But she had to think positively.

If they had raised such a pure little one, maybe the parent had a good temper.

And if she brought gifts, maybe there was room to talk.

It was too rare an opportunity. If she shrank back now, she’d despise herself forever.

“Xun~”

Little Treasure nodded, saying he understood.

Qiao Sang steadied her heart, then looked at Qingqing Ni seriously.

“Alright. Lead the way.”

“Qing qing.”

Qingqing Ni nodded and continued forward.

The further they went, the louder the roaring wind grew.

The records had said: The stronger the wind, the angrier Qingqing Ni was. Did that mean its parent was furious right now…?

Qiao Sang’s fresh courage withered.

She almost told it to wait, but then saw Qingqing Ni’s small back leading them ahead. She swallowed hard, sidled up to Little Treasure, and whispered: “If things go wrong, use Spatial Shift immediately.”

“Xun?”

Little Treasure caught on quickly, whispering back like a thief: Should I take Qingqing Ni too?

Qiao Sang looked at Qingqing Ni’s back, remembering its innocent appearances before. She murmured: “No. Don’t.”

“Duanwei!”

The Electric-Tail Worm finally couldn’t endure. Tears welled in its eyes as it cried, saying it wanted out.

Heading toward the Ancient Winged Bird’s territory… even she wasn’t sure of survival. It was fine to let him go.

She stopped and told Little Treasure: “Give him two jars of Sweet Nectar.”

“Xun~”

Little Treasure obeyed, pulling out two jars.

“Duanwei…”

The Electric-Tail Worm blinked, startled.

She was letting it leave… just like that? And even giving it treats?

Most of its time with her had been spent sleeping. It hadn’t even provided much charge…

Qiao Sang turned, ready to move on.

“Duanwei!”

The worm hugged the jars and suddenly cried loudly.

If you come out of here and still need charging, come find me!

“Gang Zhan.”

Gangbao translated.

Qiao Sang paused, then waved back.

“I will.”

Qingqing Ni walked ahead again, this time chatting with Little Treasure.

“Qing qing?”

It pointed at Little Treasure’s ring, asking curiously why it could produce items.

“Xun~”

Little Treasure puffed his chest proudly.

That was his signature move.

“Qing qing.”

Qingqing Ni thought deeply, then said it was just like how it could turn into wind.

“Xun~”

Little Treasure nodded, pleased.

Qiao Sang followed silently, unease growing with the gales.

She wanted to ask if Qingqing Ni really understood what a contract meant. But if she awakened it to the reality, maybe she’d lose her chance altogether…

“Gang Zhan?”

Gangbao glanced at her, then flew up beside Qingqing Ni, asking why it wanted to contract.

Qiao Sang’s heart jumped, she listened intently.

“Qing qing?”

Qingqing Ni blinked innocently.

Why? Wasn’t contracting good?

“Gang Zhan?”

Gangbao rephrased: Do you even know what a contract is?

“Qing qing.”

Qingqing Ni nodded.

It meant being like them, leaving the secret realm, pursuing an ideal.

Gangbao fell silent.

This one was sharper than it looked.

“Gang Zhan?”

Gangbao asked again: But you said you had no ideal.

Qingqing Ni turned its gaze to Qiao Sang.

She immediately smiled warmly at it.

“Qing qing…”

Qingqing Ni whispered softly.

But… she looked like she really wanted to contract with it.

Gangbao stilled again.

So that was its reason… simply because of her.

“What did Qingqing Ni say?” Qiao Sang pressed.

“Gang Zhan.”

Gangbao replied calmly.

It said… it could feel how much you wanted to contract with it. So it agreed.

Qiao Sang: ???

That’s it?? No other reason??

She was stunned. But before she could react, the winds howled violently, far fiercer than before.

Dust and gravel whipped into the air, trees snapped in half.

“Yap!”

Yabao’s gaze hardened. His form grew larger.

Qiao Sang clung to his leg to keep from being blown away.

Lubao leapt onto her head, eyes wary.

Little Treasure clung to Yabao’s other leg.

Gangbao’s face grew solemn as she stared into the skies.

“Qing qing!”

Qingqing Ni suddenly cried loudly.

“Qingfeng!”

A roar thundered from above.

Oh no. Its parent had come.

Qiao Sang’s stomach dropped. She immediately released Yabao’s leg, straightened her back, and forced herself to stand tall, she couldn’t look weak.

“Qing qing!”

Qingqing Ni cried again, anxious.

The winds grew even more savage.

Qiao Sang staggered backward, almost lifted off her feet.

Yabao stepped forward, shielding her with his massive frame.

His fur whipped backward as he braced against the gale.

“Yap!”

Yabao bared his teeth, glaring into the storm.

“I mean no harm! I only came to speak!” Qiao Sang shouted.

But the winds condensed suddenly, spiraling into a towering hurricane nearly twenty meters high!

It lunged toward them like a beast.

Qiao Sang’s pupils shrank.

“Little Treasure!”

“Xun!”

Blue light flashed in Little Treasure’s eyes.

In the next second, Qiao Sang and her beasts were in the sky, hundreds of meters above.

“Qing qing!”

Qingqing Ni sighed in relief, then turned to the hurricane with a pleading cry.

“Qingfeng!”

The angry roar thundered again.

The hurricane twisted upward, chasing after them.

So much for peaceful negotiation… Qiao Sang gritted her teeth.

“Little Treasure, take us back down and bring out everything!”

“Xun!”

Blue light shone again, they were back on the ground.

But the hurricane had already risen and now dove straight down after them.

Little Treasure frantically tore off his ring, pulling items out in a panic.

Meanwhile, Qiao Sang shouted into the storm: “I came to bring you gifts!”

Little Treasure hurled out item after item, fairy-type treasures, flying-type delicacies.

All of them were sucked into the storm without pause.

Not unwilling to communicate, utterly unwilling.

Qiao Sang’s heart sank. Was this the end?

“Qing qing!”

Suddenly, Qingqing Ni spread its arms wide and stood in front of them.

The hurricane stopped.