Beast Taming: Starting From Zero Chapter 1016: Xihan City

A black beast resembling a tiger, sent expressly to collect them, awaited their arrival. Spotting it was simple, given the sign draped around its neck proclaiming: "Qiao Sang, over here."

"Where's your Tamer?" Qiao Sang inquired.

"Hua hua."

The black tiger-resembling pet emitted a sound.

"Xun xun~" Little Treasure promptly offered a translation.

Having spoken, Little Treasure removed his ring, extracted the pet identifier, and directed it toward the black tiger pet.

The mechanical tone, mirroring his voice exactly, declared: Master, you're finally using me again! Let me see~ Slippery Tiger, a General-level Dark-type pet. It likes to scare people occasionally and enjoys framing others. When it does something bad, it makes the pet next to it take the fall. It is extremely cunning. Master, I suggest you stay away from it to avoid being framed.

The Slippery Tiger averted its gaze.

Silence abruptly enveloped the surrounding air.

Mikayla's composure nearly faltered.

Qingbao materialized, her gaze sparkling with eager expectation for the unfolding events.

"Xun xun..."

Little Treasure shoved the pet identifier back into his ring and vanished quietly.

Qiao Sang cleared her throat, ready to diffuse the tension.

"Hua hua."

Right then, the Slippery Tiger uttered a cry, appearing utterly unperturbed.

"Xun xun!" Little Treasure popped back into view instantly. He patted the Slippery Tiger's head grinningly, his face conveying,

Qiao Sang stared in astonishment and questioned, "What exactly did the Slippery Tiger say?"

"Yap yap." Yabao barked, signaling that the creature dismissed the pet identifier's words entirely.

Qiao Sang felt a mix of shock and expectation.

Its generosity surprised her, yet pet identifiers lacked perfect accuracy. Personalities and behaviors of some pets evolved under a Tamer's care. This Slippery Tiger probably exemplified that.

"Qing qing..."

A trace of letdown flickered in Qingbao's eyes as she merged back into the breeze.

While Little Treasure and the Slippery Tiger bonded like longtime friends, a black-clad middle-aged man with prominent dark circles hastened over. His face full of regret, he stated:

"I'm sorry, something came up just now."

During his words, his eyes locked onto Mikayla.

"We just arrived ourselves." Mikayla responded.

The middle-aged man surveyed the group, his attention settling on Little Treasure and Baowuwu. He queried: "Where is Qiao Sang?"

Qiao Sang: ...

"I'm right here." Qiao Sang announced.

The man paused, twisting his head as though only now aware of her presence.

Before words left his lips, Qiao Sang clarified: "I used Insensitivity Powder."

Relief washed over the man, and he grinned. "I was wondering how I could possibly miss the youngest regional champion in Dragon Nation's history."

Qiao Sang fought back a smile.

Before replying, the man vaulted onto the Slippery Tiger's back and ordered, "Let's go!"

The Slippery Tiger departed the second underground level and dashed along the broad avenues.

Through casual conversation, Qiao Sang discovered the man's name was Gao Renhe. A C-level researcher himself, he had first found Baowuwu.

"When Dr. Zhang informed me, I could hardly believe it. Never thought you'd journey to the Zidia Region just to return Baowuwu." Gao Renhe remarked emotionally.

Qiao Sang answered, "I mostly wanted to explore Xihan City, famed as one of the Ten Great Ghost Cities."

Gao Renhe launched into endless chatter:

"Perfect timing for your visit. A Spirit-Passing Cat has shown up in Xihan City lately. Rumors say it guides human souls. Tamers approaching life's end flock here. Despite being a ghost city, it's bustling more than certain second-tier cities now."

"With Baowuwu here, you could employ it to locate the Spirit-Passing Cat."

At those words, Qiao Sang glanced toward Baowuwu.

"Wuwu."

Feeling her look, Baowuwu nodded and cried affirmatively, signaling its willingness to assist.

Qiao Sang couldn't comprehend Baowuwu's language, but grasped the nod's intent. Smiling, she replied: "No need. Locating the Secret Realm Crack of Baowuwu's origin takes priority."

A rare pet tempted greatly, yet with Qingbao contracted and a Thunder Dragon egg owned, the draw paled.

Spotting the Spirit-Passing Cat wasn't her core motive anyway.

"Wuwu..."

Baowuwu gazed vacantly at the human ahead.

Gao Renhe mused inwardly that she lived up to being history's youngest B-level Tamer, her outlook surpassing the norm. Unswayed by a Spirit-Passing Cat. He pivoted the discussion:

"Even without chasing the Spirit-Passing Cat, treasures abound here. Our ghost city teems with Secret Realm Cracks. Wild Ghost-type pets emerging carry Secret Realm items. Last month, A-level Soul-Aware Grass made someone wealthy instantly."

Qiao Sang grew earnest at once: "Dr. Zhang mentioned Secret Realm Cracks erupting the day after tomorrow. With today and tomorrow free, we ought to explore thoroughly."

Mikayla, previously unobtrusive, revealed subtle amusement in her eyes.

"Wuwu!"

Baowuwu adopted a resolute face and cried, vowing diligent searching.

Gangbao displayed an "I knew it" look.

Qiao Sang picked up Gangbao's sentiment via their connection. She coughed, glanced about, and diverted: "Not many visible people around. Is it typically quieter?"

Gao Renhe chuckled: "No, most stay invisible."

Qiao Sang: ???

Gao Renhe elaborated: "In the ghost city, Tamers keep Ghost-type pets close for invisibility aid. It boosts their safety."

"Why?" Qiao Sang puzzled.

"Ghost-type pets discern invisible from visible folks. Wild Ghost-type pets from Secret Realms see humans invisible with a Ghost-type companion and curb attack urges." Gao Renhe detailed.

Qiao Sang reflected: "But with everyone invisible and unseen, don't collisions happen easily?"

Gao Renhe clarified: "Zidia Region offers 'Spirit-Visible' eye drops. Tamers with Ghost-type contracts and two-plus feedbacks apply them for temporary Spirit Vision."

Qiao Sang's eyes brightened, then another query arose:

"The Slippery Tiger speeds so much—won't it collide with invisibles?"

The Slippery Tiger wasn't Ghost-type.

Gao Renhe grinned: "It wears 'Spirit-Lens' in its eyes. Not as sharp as Spirit Vision, but it detects living energy bodies, dodging them."

Qiao Sang contemplated.

Mid-thought, a jolt occurred. The Slippery Tiger halted, as if striking an unseen obstacle.

"Shu shu!"

A predominantly black, book-shaped Ghost-type pet materialized meters ahead, pained and struggling upright.

"Xun xun!"

Little Treasure jolted, teleporting beside the book pet, observing worriedly.

Suddenly, people and Ghost-type pets crowded the sidewalk. Some spectated eagerly, others eyed Little Treasure warily.

. Though sensing irregularity, Qiao Sang voiced concern:

"Lubao."

"Lu Di."

Lubao emerged from the backpack.

Ere she leaped free, Gao Renhe, habituated, assured: "No issue. It's staging a 'scam'."

With that, he fetched pet snacks from his bag and flung them over.

The bookish Ghost-type pet executed a swift flip, snatching the treat flawlessly mid-air before fading invisible.

Little Treasure: !!!

Qiao Sang: ...

Lubao paused briefly then retreated into the backpack.

"Yap yap..."

Yabao observed in bewilderment.

Gangbao's mouth quirked.

"Qing qing..."

Qingbao sported a "that works too" demeanor.

Mikayla remained stoic, exuding the worldly poise of an S-level Tamer.

Some onlookers and pets dispersed invisibly, while others fixated uncertainly on Little Treasure, phones snapping photos.

After quiet moments, Qiao Sang queried inevitably, "You called it a scam—why reward it?"

Gao Renhe sighed helplessly: "That's a Clerk Ghost. It sketches a target's aura into its pages for curses. No collision occurred, but likely some Slippery Tiger aura got pulled. Feared it might curse pettily later."

Qiao Sang: ...

The Slippery Tiger pressed on, running far more warily post-incident.

Soon, they reached the Beast Center.

Qiao Sang and Mikayla alighted from the Slippery Tiger.

Gao Renhe instructed: "Reach out if needed. Day after tomorrow, I'll guide you to Baowuwu's emergence site."

He hesitated, then appended: "Next two days, try Fuchun Road and Youbei Street. Secret Realm Cracks cluster there."

Implying wild pets hauled many treasures.

"Got it." Qiao Sang acknowledged with a nod.

Parting from Gao Renhe and settling at the Beast Center, Qiao Sang sought Teacher Mikayla's input, inputted Gao Renhe's address into navigation, and linked senses with Little Treasure for guidance.

Instantly, they materialized on a street marked "Fuchun Road."

Surveying, numerous folks trailed non-Ghost-type pets, obvious tourists.

"Wuwu."

Baowuwu advanced, purple glow igniting its eyes. Poised to demonstrate, Qiao Sang interjected: "First, grab Spirit-Visible drops."

"Wuwu..."

Baowuwu's purple ocular shine dimmed.

Guided by navigation, they entered the closest pharmacy. Qiao Sang parted with 9,998 Alliance Credits for a Spirit-Visible bottle and applied drops to her eyes.

Her vision transformed radically in a flash.

Streetgoers and Ghost-type pets doubled visibly.

Qiao Sang inwardly admired the vista.

Mikayla noted: "Assuming smooth progress, Ghost Ring King's King-level evolution should grant you Spirit Vision."

Qiao Sang eyed Little Treasure.

"Xun xun!"

Catching his Tamer's look, Little Treasure thrust a fist skyward, beaming determinedly.

Qiao Sang stifled laughter at Little Treasure's display. Composing herself, she asked: "Does every Tamer gain Spirit Vision at King-level for their Ghost-type pet?"

"Not guaranteed." Mikayla expounded.

"It hinges on the Tamer's rank and feedback volume from the Ghost-type pet. Typically, Imperial-level pets provide Spirit Vision feedback."

She halted, supplementing: "As a B-level Tamer with superior feedback uptake, King-level Ghost Ring King likely enables your Spirit Vision.

 Qiao Sang absorbed another nugget of insight.

Abruptly, she noted numerous invisible figures staring her way.

Tracing their focus, Qiao Sang spotted Little Treasure.

"The wig." Qiao Sang prompted.

"Xun xun~"

Little Treasure doffed his ring, retrieved the pink afro, and donned it adeptly.

"Time to start." Qiao Sang directed at Baowuwu.

"Wuwu."

Baowuwu assented, eyes reigniting with purple luminescence.

"Wuwu!"

Nearly immediately, it stiffened. Eyes bulging, purple glow extinguished, shock etched on its face as a shaky claw pointed beside them.

Qiao Sang followed the gesture, quieted briefly, then ventured uncertainly: "Qingbao?"

"Qing qing?"

Qingbao appeared, puzzled-faced.

"Wuwu..."

Baowuwu had encountered Qingbao prior. Embarrassment colored its features, eyes purple-glowing anew.

"Wuwu."

Scanning Lubao, Yabao, Little Treasure, Gangbao, and Spengami's spots, roughly five seconds elapsed before Baowuwu floated ahead.

Qiao Sang and Mikayla trailed.

Scarce two steps in, a 1.9-meter buzz-cut, triangular-eyed man obstructed them. Eyeing Mikayla, he demanded: "I'll rent this Baowuwu for a month. State your price."

Mikayla replied evenly: "It is not my pet."

The man scowled. "Then who's its Tamer?"

 Qiao Sang coughed, stating: "Not renting. Step aside please."

The man glanced, as if freshly aware of her. Dissatisfaction creased his brow; he parted lips to retort, but a sudden head blow sent his eyes rolling, crumpling him insensate.

... Qiao Sang gaped at purple-glowing Baowuwu in disbelief.

"Wuwu."

Baowuwu's bodily purple faded, eyes alone shining. It cried, denoting clear path ahead—proceed.

Thereafter, it pivoted and resumed guiding.

Qiao Sang: ...

Mikayla: ...