CHAPTER 891: GUARDIAN DEITY

Beast Taming: Starting From Zero

Qingqing Ni, the juvenile form of a legendary beast.

Strictly speaking, what people usually remember when it comes to legendary beasts are their final, God-level forms.

The reason people of the Central Hollow region could recognize Her at a glance is because Qingbao herself is the legendary beast of their region. Some basic information and tales about her are even included in children’s textbooks.

As for Mikayla, she was able to recognize her because she had looked into information about Secret Realm No. 16 beforehand.

No matter which region or nation they appear in, two aspects of legendary beasts never change: Their overwhelming strength, and their racial potential, capped at God-level.

To possess a beast whose racial potential is God-level is the dream and pursuit of nearly every high-level beast tamer.

Especially for S-rank tamers striving for even higher realms.

But beasts with God-level potential are not something one can obtain easily.

Even Mikayla, who had lived for nearly two centuries, had never once owned a beast of God-level potential.

For students of the Imperial Beast University, it could be said that with enough time and effort, there were few resources they couldn’t obtain.

But beasts with God-level potential did not fall under those resources.

In reality, contracting such a beast was something that could only happen in dreams.

Yet such a dreamlike event had been realized by Qiao Sang, simply from one trip to a secret realm.

Mikayla felt dazed, bewildered, as if nothing before her eyes was real.

She even began to suspect that, back in Secret Realm No. 46, she had been struck by some beast’s illusion skill, and that what she was seeing now was all a hallucination.

But the problem was, if this was an illusion, then why wasn’t she the one contracting the juvenile form of a legendary beast? Why was it her student?

Qiao Sang looked up and exclaimed in delight: “Teacher, you’re here.”

The moment the words left her mouth, she noticed another familiar figure enter right behind. She blinked, then recalled his name and greeted him: “Teacher Flauda, you came too.”

Seeing him here was both surprising and unsurprising. Surprising to see him in this place, but unsurprising because, thinking a little, she realized he was probably here for Lubao.

Flauda took in the scene inside the room, confused at heart but wearing a polite smile.

“Mm, I just arrived a few days ago.”

“So you’re Qiao Sang’s teachers.”

The elderly, gray-haired man studied the two foreign guests who had entered and said, “Please, sit anywhere.”

Flauda glanced around silently, only to see that every sofa and chair was already taken.

The two middle-aged men beside Qiao Sang quickly stood and offered their seats.

“Sit here.”

“Thank you.” Flauda said, lowering himself onto the sofa.

Mikayla remained silent for a moment before choosing to sit beside Qiao Sang.

“We don’t have any other business.”

The gray-haired elder, an Inspector of beast tamers, explained, “We only invited Qiao Sang over to ask her how she came to contract Qingbao.”

Qiao Sang nodded.

“Yes, they only wanted to ask me.”

To be honest, she had been a little panicked at first. The place and procedures were different from when she registered Tooth Treasure and the others, so she had called Mikayla before entering the office.

Unexpectedly, the other party had only asked calmly how she had encountered Qingbao and contracted her.

But after reviewing her records, their attitude had flipped completely, warmth replaced detachment. Later, more leaders from the Beast Taming Center had arrived.

After each one examined her files, they too greeted her with enthusiasm. That was when she relaxed, realizing they had accepted her contract with Qingbao.

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Qingqing Ni? 

Flauda turned his gaze toward the small pet surrounded at the center.

“Qing qing~”

Qingbao noticed the look and gave a sweet smile.

Through their words, She knew the two new humans were her tamer’s teachers.

They seemed like good people… Flauda didn’t show much of a reaction, but the surrounding leaders all burst out with expressions of “Wow, so cute,” and “Wow, She smiled!”

One after another, they pulled out their phones, desperate to capture Qingbao’s smile.

Mikayla finally found her voice after a long silence.

“May I take my student away now?”

“I’m afraid not yet.” The elder said apologetically.

“Many leaders who’ve heard about Qingbao are on their way. At noon, we’d like to share a meal and have a proper discussion regarding Qingqing Ni.”

Mikayla looked at him.

“Regarding what aspect?”

“The matter of Qingqing Ni's future cultivation.” The elder set a cup of tea in front of her, then leaned back into his chair.

“Our Central Hollow region attaches great importance to Qingqing Ni, and naturally we hope it receives the best nurturing.”

As he spoke, he lifted his gaze toward Mikayla.

“I know you’re instructors from the Imperial Beast University, but when it comes to Qingqing Ni, it is us beast tamers of the Central Hollow who understand it best.”

During their earlier conversation, they had already learned exactly which school Qiao Sang was enrolled in.

Wait, what? Flauda suddenly had the feeling things were very different from what he had imagined. He couldn’t help glancing again at Qingbao.

He still hadn’t figured out which species it was, but judging from everyone’s focus, this little beast wrapped in clouds was undoubtedly the Qingqing Ni in question.

“You mean...”

Mikayla asked, “You have complete records on the entire evolutionary line of this legendary beast?”

Flauda turned sharply toward her, his face filled with shock and disbelief.

Legendary beast?

What legendary beast?

What are you all talking about?!

“No.” The elder replied calmly.

“But historically, someone in our Central Hollow once contracted Qingqing Ni and raised it to the Emperor-level. Once reported, the records and resources for cultivating Qingqing Ni to the Emperor-level will certainly be provided.”

“That’s right.”

A middle-aged woman seated beside Qingbao added, “I believe when it comes to nurturing Qingbao, our goals are the same.”

Legendary beast, it really was a legendary beast… Hearing this much, Flauda no longer had any doubts.

He stared blankly at the tiny pet with white clouds beneath it.

So… Qiao Sang had contracted a legendary beast?!

Damn, Qingbao, your standing is way too high… Qiao Sang listened to their words with inward delight and turned to look at Qingbao.

Qingbao noticed her tamer’s gaze and gave another sweet smile.

Phones were pulled out yet again, some from pockets, others from desks.

After a moment of silence, Mikayla asked: “So what you mean is, you’re willing to provide resources for Qingqing Ni’s growth?”

“Of course.” Answered a younger-looking woman standing behind Qingbao.

“Qingqing Ni is the legendary beast of our Central Hollow region. Naturally, we will devote our full strength to raising it.”

Legendary beasts live exceptionally long lives. Even if their tamers die, they continue to exist. And if a legendary beast reaches God-level while still communicative, the greatest hope is for it to become the guardian deity of the region.

Every region has its own guardian deity.

A Qingqing Ni nurtured from its juvenile stage would naturally grow closer to humans, making communication easier.

That was one of the reasons the region was willing to go all out for its growth.

They hoped that in the future, this Qingqing Ni would guard their land.