Beast Taming: Starting From Zero Chapter 1012: Zidia Ghost-Type Ninth Research Institute

Qiao Sang set her phone aside, lost in contemplation.

Little Treasure had reached the General stage. His path to evolving up to Emperor-level was well-known and straightforward; gathering the required materials was all it took, leaving little cause for concern.

Moreover, the items needed for Little Treasure to advance to King stage would be complete in just ten days. Adinishi's prophecy had already specified the location and conditions for that evolution, which clearly had no connection to this fresh approach.

Qiao Sang turned her gaze to Little Treasure at her side.

"Xun xun?"

Noticing his Tamer's attention on him, Little Treasure blinked curiously.

Qiao Sang passed the phone to him with a smile: "You've been working hard in the competition lately. Tonight, you can play with the phone."

Even though Little Treasure's upcoming evolution form was fixed, experimenting with ways to bring him joy couldn't go wrong. It might not lead to a new form, but positive effects could still emerge.

After all, his prior evolution into the Ghost Ring Ghost had required splitting his ring into two—a clear and essential transformation.

"Xun xun..."

Little Treasure gazed at the phone offered by his Tamer, grasped it with his paw, yet his face revealed no clear delight.

Qiao Sang ventured hesitantly: "You're not happy?"

"Xun xun?"

Little Treasure froze in surprise. 

Qiao Sang clarified: "I'm letting you play with the phone."

"Xun xun~"

Little Treasure gestured toward the outdoors with his paw and called out.

Qiao Sang: ...

"Then hand the phone back." Qiao Sang extended her hand.

"Xun xun!"

Little Treasure acted deaf, cried out that he was heading out to play, and vanished in a flash of teleportation.

Qiao Sang: ...

At that instant, Gangbao awoke by the window and called, implying that cheering up Little Treasure was far too easy: 

Qiao Sang automatically glanced at Yabao and Lubao. With their eyes shut, she quietly exhaled in relief.

 Qiao Sang thought to herself.

"

No one spotted Lubao in the water tank cracking open one eye before shutting it once more.

---

The following morning arrived.

Qiao Sang freshened up briefly, drew back the curtains, and eyed the sky blanketed in pale gray clouds.

"Knock knock~"

While pondering, knocks echoed at the door.

A breeze whooshed past as Qingbao appeared beside the door and tugged the handle open.

Mikayla entered and announced: "Once Teacher Flauda gets here and completes the examination, we'll proceed to the Zidia Ghost-type Ninth Research Institute."

Qiao Sang felt a jolt.

Isn't that where Dr. Zhang Taitong works?

"Why are we heading there?" Qiao Sang inquired.

"I checked on that Dr. Zhang Taitong the passerby mentioned last night—he's affiliated with that institute." Mikayla approached the sofa and took a seat.

"Though Zhang Taitong holds only A-grade researcher status, his studies on Ghost-type pets run deep. The Ghost Ring King hails from your Dragon Nation; Imperial Beast University teachers might lack the insight into Dragon Nation pets that local experts possess."

She eyed Little Treasure, who was amidst a pile of mysteriously obtained gadgets on the floor, and went on:

"I reviewed Dr. Zhang Taitong's paper on an alternate evolution route for certain Ghost-type pets. The Ghost Ring King's limit stands at Emperor-level. Consulting there could offer a chance to surpass his racial ceiling."

Across Beast-Taming history, researchers yearly delved into bloodline enigmas. Most racial limits stood firmly confirmed.

These days, dreaming of a pet shattering its racial limit seemed fanciful.

Yet the girl before her was Qiao Sang, breaker of norms. Normal standards didn't apply, so Mikayla aimed to pursue this lead.

As a Ghost and Psychic dual-type, the Ghost Ring King boasted potent traits and great potential. But capping at Emperor-level meant no main-force role in future Interstellar Cups.

Breaking that limit to true Emperor-level would alter everything.

"Xun xun..."

Little Treasure caught on and lifted his head in bewilderment.

... Qiao Sang felt shocked yet touched. She asked: "Teacher, have you reached out to Dr. Zhang Taitong already?"

Mikayla shot her a look: "I don't know him, so how could I?"

Qiao Sang paused: "If we just show up at the institute, will they allow entry?"

"More accurately, you're the one visiting the institute." Mikayla stated deliberately.

"I'm not from Dragon Nation, after all. Foreigners can't freely access any country's research facilities."

Qiao Sang blinked in surprise again: "Will they admit me just like that?"

Mikayla grinned:

"Never doubt your fame right now. Fresh off the Central Hollow Regional Championship win, you're at peak popularity. With your shiny Ghost Ring King too, declaring your name and intent should have Dr. Zhang Taitong eager to meet and share insights."

Qiao Sang mulled it over briefly, then agreed: "I'll give it a shot."

Though Little Treasure's near and later forms were set, and this research's method remained unlinked, arriving in Zidia Region with a lead on alternate Ghost-type evolutions made deeper inquiry worthwhile.

"Xun xun..."

At those words, Little Treasure gazed at his Tamer with gleaming eyes.

---

"Knock knock~" Two raps sounded on the room door.

Gangbao zipped over to open it.

Flauda entered, casting Gangbao a complicated glance before turning to Qiao Sang.

"You're here." Mikayla welcomed.

"Teacher Flauda, had breakfast? Want something to eat first?" Qiao Sang offered kindly.

"I ate on the plane."

Flauda remarked emotionally: "Never imagined in so little time, you'd claim the regional title and guide the Steel Sword Falcon to yet another Bond Evolution."

Qiao Sang showed mild astonishment: "You caught the news of my championship win?"

Flauda eyed Mikayla with a faint smile: "Your teacher forwarded your achievements to me specially."

He'd rarely interacted with Mikayla before, but overseeing Qiao Sang's pets' training had sparked occasional exchanges on Yabao and the rest's progress.

 Qiao Sang glanced at Teacher Mikayla.

Mikayla coughed lightly and shifted topics: "Let's examine the Steel Sword Falcon's status promptly. Qiao Sang has plans afterward."

Flauda wasted no time, pulling out gear to assess Gangbao.

Gangbao remained steady and compliant throughout.

After roughly fifteen minutes of thorough review, Flauda stowed his tools and declared:

"The Steel Sword Falcon checks out fine. My upcoming energy pills will target energy expansion. For optimal tailoring, I'll need another scan once she briefly shifts to King-stage form."

Mikayla, anticipating his request for the evolved state, nodded: "I've booked a training ground nearby; let's head there."

... Qiao Sang sensed how seamless it all felt.

During the regional tasks, she hadn't noticed much, but post-competition, the perks of a constant teacher companion shone clear.

"Off we go then." Flauda suggested.

"Yap yap..."

Yabao dashed to the bedside table at the cue, snatching the pet egg.

"Meimei." Mikayla summoned.

"Pen pen." Spengami's voice echoed from nowhere.

Instantly, the group materialized at the training ground.

Two mid-air Ghost-type pets munching and conversing startled into vanishing.

Qiao Sang surveyed the area, inwardly amazed. She shared a look with Gangbao and nodded.

"Gang Zhan."

Gangbao got the signal.

A brilliant white glow soon burst from her frame.

Flauda watched the expanding shadow in the light and exclaimed anew:

"Many University veterans now recognize the Steel Sword Falcon's direct King-stage Bond Evolution capability. Professor Apuga submitted a study request for the species, aiming to bring it to Eagle Country."

Qiao Sang looked toward Teacher Mikayla.

Before questioning, Mikayla elaborated: "Professor Apuga focuses on Bond Evolution. With the Steel Sword Falcon leaping straight to King without hindering further growth, she won't stay idle."

... Qiao Sang beamed inwardly for Gangbao.

Right then, Gangbao's joyful vibes flooded in.

. Qiao Sang reflected.

"Gang Chief!"

The glow faded, and evolved Gangbao flung her wings wide.

A fierce wind blast roared forth.

Qingbao, caught in its path, involuntarily appeared and got tousled wildly.

As she prepared to counter with wind manipulation, her Tamer blocked her front.

"Qing qing..."

Qingbao stared at her Tamer's protective back, dazed, emotion flickering in her gaze.

. Qiao Sang admired the newly evolved Gangbao approvingly.

Flauda commenced the check.

This round, after just one minute's review, Gangbao shrank back to Steel Sword Falcon form.

Evolution to devolution, repeated multiple times, until Flauda wrapped up.

As he gathered his gear, he noted: "The King-stage Steel Sword Falcon's defenses have bolstered greatly. Once stabilized fully, inform me—I'll ship the King-stage energy pills straight over."

He hesitated, then continued:

"Incidentally, post-evolution turbine units on both sides form a vulnerability. In battles or drills, avoid hits to their central sections; inner defenses lag behind the exterior, risking heavy harm."

"Got it."

"Gang Zhan."

Qiao Sang and Gangbao nodded in unison.

"About when for this energy pill batch?" Mikayla queried.

"One week." Flauda answered promptly.

"Share your location then; I'll deliver them."

"Beast Center here." Mikayla directed.

"Fine." Flauda agreed.

Mikayla turned to Qiao Sang: "Bathroom break needed?"

Qiao Sang blinked, shaking her head: "No."

Mikayla smiled: "Perfect, time to head out."

Before Qiao Sang could respond, darkness enveloped her view.

Vision cleared to reveal her before a sleek-lined, futuristic yet imposing building.

The sign proclaimed: "Zidia Ghost-type Ninth Research Institute."

Qiao Sang: ...

A thought struck; she tested: "Meimei?"

Silence reigned. Spengami appeared gone.

"Pen pen."

As she mused, Spengami's voice sounded invisibly.

"Xun xun~"

Little Treasure swiftly translated: 

. Qiao Sang uttered, "Thanks for the trouble," and strode confidently to the entrance.

Besides the sealed security booth, a two-meter uniformed purple-skull Ghost-type pet hovered at the post.

Qiao Sang eyed the purple-skull Ghost-type and opted to rap on the security window.

The window slid open inside, a purple skull head emerging with an irked "Ou ou?"

Qiao Sang: ...

Composing herself, Qiao Sang stated: "I wish to meet Dr. Zhang Taitong."

The purple skull looked puzzled, crying "Ou ou?"

"You don't know me?" Qiao Sang probed.

"Ou ou." The skull shook no.

"Recognize him?" Qiao Sang drew Little Treasure forward.

"Xun xun~" Little Treasure blinked, flaunting his undisguised golden locks.

"Ou ou." Another head shake.

Little Treasure: ...

Qiao Sang: ...

Noting Little Treasure's letdown, Qiao Sang pressed once more: "Could you contact Dr. Zhang Taitong for me? Say Qiao Sang—the current Central Hollow Regional Champion—wants to discuss alternative Ghost-type pet evolutions."

She paused, adding: "This year's champion."

The purple skull scanned Qiao Sang, withdrew, summoned a virtual panel, issued "ou ou"s, then shut it and hit a button.

The gate swung wide.