Beast Taming: Starting From Zero Chapter 1009: You City Market

Mikayla launched the navigation app, pinpointed their target location, and positioned the phone right in front of Qiao Sang, instructing: "Practice Emphatic Positioning with Ghost Ring King."

Without any missions or contests on the agenda, daily errands could turn into impromptu drills for the Tamer and pet beast abilities alike.

Qiao Sang and Little Treasure both huddled close to the phone, committing the path to memory, before shutting their eyes in unison.

Onlookers kept glancing back at the trio repeatedly.

"Hey, isn't that Qiao Sang?"

"Kinda resembles her..."

"What do you mean? That's definitely her! Check out Ghost Ring King's golden hair and rings—no one else has that shade!"

"Damn! You're right! What's she doing in our Zidia Region? Didn't she just claim the championship in Central Hollow Region yesterday?"

"Should we approach for a pic?"

"Absolutely!"

The crowd nearby buzzed with excitement, ready to swarm.

Mikayla eyed Qiao Sang, decked out in hat and shades for full camouflage, then at Ghost Ring King's flashy golden features, lost in contemplation.

All of a sudden, darkness enveloped her sight.

Upon reopening her eyes, they stood in a quieter, more secluded spot.

You City lay far off; with Little Treasure's present skills, instant teleportation there in a single leap proved impossible.

Qiao Sang and Little Treasure peered at the phone once more, set to verify their new position.

Right then, Mikayla uttered: "Hold on."

"What's up?"

"Xun xun?"

Qiao Sang and Little Treasure lifted their gazes toward her simultaneously.

Mikayla explained deliberately: "We're in Zidia Region now, where locals obsess over Ghost-type pets. Ghost Ring King stands out way too much here. His presence lets nearly everyone spot you, so a disguise for him is essential."

"Xun xun..."

Little Treasure's mouth curved into a mock sigh of relief.

Qiao Sang pondered: "Why not just have Little Treasure go invisible then?"

"Xun xun..."

Gripping the pet egg tightly, Little Treasure retreated a step, face etched with reluctance.

"Not necessary." Mikayla replied.

"Folks identify you via Ghost Ring King mainly due to his rare mutation. Simply alter his colors."

"Xun xun!"

Little Treasure bobbed his head vigorously in support.

"Fine, shift the hue of those rings and hair." Qiao Sang agreed.

"Xun xun~"

As she scanned for a nearby pet styling salon, Little Treasure extended the pet egg to his left side.

"Qing Qing."

Qingbao materialized on the right, drifted leftward, and accepted the pet egg.

Qiao Sang grasped Little Treasure's scheme instantly and scrapped the salon hunt.

"Xun xun~"

Little Treasure slipped off his rings, fished out a pink afro wig from within, and donned it. Next, he grabbed assorted fabrics, wound them around the rings, and reattached them.

"Xun xun?"

Done with the makeover, Little Treasure spun around mid-air, seeking feedback on his flawless disguise.

Mikayla: ...

"Yap yap."

Yabao eyed the ensemble approvingly and nodded, signaling it worked well.

"Lu Di..."

Lubao peeked from the backpack, glanced once, then ducked back in, overwhelmed by the sight.

"Qing Qing..."

Qingbao levitated the pet egg with wind currents, using a free paw to prod Little Treasure's afro curiously.

"Gang Zhan?"

Gangbao observed briefly before calling out with an idea.

"Xun xun~"

Little Treasure's eyes sparkled; he loved the suggestion.

"No thanks." Qiao Sang interjected.

"This setup suffices. Recognition avoidance is all we need."

Since witnessing Little Treasure's Coordination Competition getup on Chaosu Star, Qiao Sang's acceptance of his style shifts had grown. This version paled far less dramatically in comparison.

Mikayla stared in shock, whipping her head away with a face screaming disbelief.

Qiao Sang overlooked Teacher Mikayla's reaction and pivoted: "Disguises for Yabao and the rest too?"

Yabao and Gangbao would draw eyes easily as well.

Lubao and Qingbao posed no issue—one hid in the pack, the other dissolved into breeze.

"Xun xun~"

Catching his tamer's intent, Little Treasure deftly doffed his rings anew, gearing up to scrounge gear for Big Bro Yabao and crew's cover-up.

Visions of Blazing Divine Lion and others sporting rainbow afros like Ghost Ring King bombarded Mikayla's thoughts. Her lips spasmed; she blurted: "No such hassle required. I packed Presence-Dulling Powder for Blazing Divine Lion and the gang."

Presence-Dulling Powder diminished auras of humans and beasts alike. Even up close, it induced obliviousness to their looks. Qiao Sang recalled deploying it on Chaosu Star.

"Xun xun..."

Little Treasure recollected the powder's power too. Donning a crestfallen look, he refastened his rings and reclaimed the pet egg from Qingbao.

Moments later, Spengami materialized from nowhere, extended a blue-glowing palm, and swiped ahead.

Instantly, air warped with ripple-like folds from the swipe. A one-meter void tear gaped visibly.

Its depths yawned black and endless.

Spengami delved in, fished about, extracted a vial of white powder, and passed it to Mikayla.

As its limb withdrew, the fissure sealed seamlessly, air smoothing as though untouched.

Mustard Space: an advanced Psychic technique forging a portable pocket realm for item storage. Higher mastery expands its capacity.

Mikayla routinely demoed this via Spengami for baggage handling, leaving Qiao Sang unfazed.

"Perfect, that's the one." Mikayla confirmed with a peek.

Spengami cloaked itself and withdrew.

Qingbao anticipated the routine and melted into gusts.

Mikayla uncapped the vial, dusting pinches onto Yabao, Gangbao, and Qiao Sang.

She then fixated on Little Treasure's pink afro ensemble.

"Xun xun..."

Little Treasure clutched the pet egg and edged backward quietly.

Mikayla advanced on Little Treasure.

"Skip it." Qiao Sang noted Little Treasure's aversion.

"His current disguise should thwart recognition."

"Xun xun!"

Little Treasure zipped to his tamer's flank, nodding emphatically.

. Mikayla griped in her mind. In the end, she held her tongue and stowed the vial.

"Xun xun..."

Relief washed over Little Treasure with a soft exhale.

---

Five minutes passed.

The party materialized amid a vibrant bazaar.

Neon glows in crimson and deep violet bathed the scene. Flanking streets stood refined Chinese-style edifices. Street vendors dotted the wayside, each manned by an owner plus a Ghost-type pet greeter.

The entry archway plaque displayed the words 

"Xun xun..."

Little Treasure gawked at the Ghost-type pets flitting about, wide-eyed like a country bumpkin.

... Qiao Sang inwardly exclaimed at the array of unseen Ghost-type pets.

Zidia Region earned its fame as Dragon Nation's Ghost-type pet haven, densest in numbers. Elsewhere, sans dedicated events, such congregations never happened.

Everywhere, Ghost-type pets boasted bizarre forms. Many sported flashy styles, rendering Little Treasure's pink afro mere backdrop.

Mikayla surveyed shops and booths, declaring: "Ghost Ring King evolution materials are definitely here."

She strode in.

Qiao Sang hustled after.

Pet egg in paw, Little Treasure trailed his tamer, ogling every vendor and store with glee.

Qiao Sang and Yabao scanned surroundings with avid interest.

They spotted crowds of humans and Ghost-type pets hawking wares.

"Pet massage service! Feel a Ghost-type pet's touch? Mo Mo Ling excels—pinpoints acupoints and health for tailored bliss." A flyer-distributor touted outside "Mo Mo Massage."

"Mo mo."

"Mo mo."

A forty-cm dark grey Ghost-type pet with seven-toed paws clutched flyers too.

Yet humans and beasts alike ignored them; business lagged evidently.

Neighboring "Hundred Ghosts Night Walk" boasted a snaking line. An attendant barked: "Queue properly! One at a time, no skips—everyone gets in!"

Even booming, he pitched: "You City's scariest escape room awaits. A hundred varied Ghost-type pets inside. Tops Youzhou's escape rankings!"

Temptation tugged Qiao Sang, but priorities held her back.

A few paces on, another shop snagged her eye.

A two-meter light-purple Ghost-type pet in black top hat exuded suave charm at the door. Tiny Ghost-type pets clustered, chorusing eerie calls.

Qiao Sang glanced up: Perfect Ghost.

Qiao Sang pressed on, mulling.

Suddenly, unease hit. She whipped around—Little Treasure had wedged into the "Perfect Ghost" crowd, rapt by the top-hatted pet's words.

Qiao Sang: ...

"Little Treasure." Qiao Sang summoned.

"Xun xun!" Little Treasure pivoted, responded, and zipped back.

"Something catch your fancy?" Qiao Sang queried insightfully.

"Xun xun! Xun xun! Xun xun!"

Little Treasure's gaze ignited. Egg secured in one paw, the other jabbed at nearby shops and stalls galore.

Qiao Sang's lips twitched; she redirected: "Priority: Underworld Bamboo Flower."

"Xun xun~"

Little Treasure assented. Evo items trumped trinkets, hands down.

Soon after, Qiao Sang and Mikayla canvassed multiple Ghost-type item and material outlets, querying in vain—no Underworld Bamboo Flower.

One spot finally stocked it, but merely A-rank.

A-ranks remained scarce, yet Qiao Sang now sniffed at it. Prior Little Treasure evo hauls hit S-rank minimum.

"Jue jue."

As they geared for You City's depths, a fifty-cm Ghost-type pet popped by Mikayla. Dark red head frills, beady eyes, sawtooth maw—it proffered a card with a cry.

Mikayla accepted, read: "A guide?"

"Jue jue." The dark red-frilled pet affirmed.

Qiao Sang's mind raced with its data. Preempting Mikayla, she refused: "Thanks, but no guide needed."

"Jue jue." Shadow-severing Doll blinked startled, as if missing the extra companion.

"Apologies." Mikayla returned the card.

"Jue jue..." Shadow-severing Doll reclaimed it glumly and departed.

Regret flickered in Qiao Sang.

You City wasn't some peril-filled wilds. A Shadow-severing Doll couldn't truly doom them astray. This one, with cards and local gig, knew the turf cold.

"Ren gui."

Mid-thought, a white-cloth-wrapped mummy-like Ghost-type pet neared Mikayla, green eyes gleaming, proffering a card with a call.

Data surged in Qiao Sang's head.

"A guide?" Mikayla queried post-scan.

"Ren gui." Patience Ghost confirmed.

Mikayla probed: "Know where to score Underworld Bamboo Flower?"

.. Qiao Sang shot Mikayla a quiet look.

"Ren gui."

Patience Ghost grinned and led off promptly.

"Xun xun?" Little Treasure drifted up for chit-chat.

"Ren gui."

Patience Ghost sneered inwardly at the pink afro but schooled its face, beaming to welcome any tip.

"Xun xun~"

Little Treasure beamed "What a pal!"

No one caught Patience Ghost's fleeting grimace.