Thinking back to the many cases where ghost-type Contract Beasts had made headlines in the past...
There’s no need to mention others, just today’s treasure-seeking ghost that tried to set her up, along with the three ghost-type Contract Beasts that helped it block the surveillance, was enough to serve as a warning for her.
Qiao Sang’s gaze grew determined. Just as she was about to refuse, the treasure-seeking ghost keenly picked up on her thoughts.
It stepped back, pinched its face with its hand, its mouth drooping pathetically, and then floated in front of Qiao Sang, tears as big as beans silently streaming from its eyes.
This time, it didn't cry out loud, just allowed the tears to continue falling.
Qiao Sang was taken aback, instinctively feeling it was about to pull some trick again. But the treasure-seeking ghost did nothing but stretch out its hands, wanting to bring the little treasure-seeking ghost back.
The little treasure-seeking ghost clung tightly to Qiao Sang’s clothes with its short arms, turning its head to refuse.
“Xun Xun!”
The treasure-seeking ghost called out hoarsely, its tone filled with sorrow.
Two staff members exchanged knowing glances.
“This treasure-seeking ghost is its mother. It does this so its child won’t have to stay in the beast base forever like it did,” said the middle-aged man, a hint of sadness in his eyes.
“Didn’t you say the beast eggs were reserved by someone?” Qiao Sang asked.
The middle-aged man hesitated, unsure how to respond.
“The Beast Master who reserved it also reserved two other beast eggs. We don’t know whether they’re gifts or if they have other intentions. After all, as a mother, it’s understandable not to trust an unknown person with their child,” explained the blonde-haired staff member.
Of course, this was a lie. He was just using experiences from other beasts to cover up.
Although this treasure-seeking ghost wasn’t its mother, it truly wanted its kin not to be trapped in the beast base like it was.
The male, five-year-old treasure-seeking ghost’s tears fell even faster, looking like it had been deeply wounded.
Qiao Sang thought to herself, “Why do I feel so unconvinced?”
Seeing the girl indifferent, the middle-aged man changed his approach. “The treasure-seeking ghost has been confirmed to reach imperial level, while the Sakura Cotton currently only has cases of evolving to king level. Are you sure you won’t reconsider?”
He hit the nail on the head.
Imperial-level beasts corresponded to A-grade Beast Masters while king-level beasts were the threshold to become B-grade Beast Masters.
However, even if the growth cap for the Sakura Cotton was king-level, it didn’t mean every Beast Master could raise it to that level.
Usually, a Beast Master’s energy and resources were limited, and it wasn’t guaranteed that every contracted beast would have top-notch talent.
Out of ten thousand contracted Sakura Cotton, having one reaching king-level could be considered a significant chance.
Most people wouldn’t consider the growth cap of Sakura Cotton, but Qiao Sang had to.
Because she had a special advantage.
With this special advantage, she could potentially raise a beast with low talent to its racial limit.
But whether this advantage would allow a beast to break through the racial limit was a different matter.
After all, each race breaking through their growth limits was a significant focus of research for the Alliance. How easy could that be to solve?
Her initial desire to contract Sakura Cotton was for its healing skills, to increase chances of survival in the wilderness.
Ultimately, the goal was to enhance her strength.
Yet, she had completely forgotten about this when choosing her beast yesterday…
“What about the Water Light Crocodile?” Qiao Sang asked.
The middle-aged man was momentarily speechless.
He sighed inwardly. This girl had a clear mind, and it was obvious she came with a decision; it seemed the treasure-seeking ghost had found the wrong person this time...
“Also king-level,” the middle-aged man replied seriously.
Qiao Sang pressed on, “What about the Cotton Bird?”
“Also king-level,” he answered.
Qiao Sang seemed to be deep in thought.
It appeared her choice yesterday had indeed been too hasty; perhaps she should go back and reconsider...
The little treasure-seeking ghost seemed to sense it wasn’t chosen, puffing its lips and starting to cry unexpectedly.
This startled the treasure-seeking ghost, who forgot to continue its act, thinking it had been too emotionally convincing.
Qiao Sang’s gaze fixed on the little treasure-seeking ghost.
Though the treasure-seeking ghost was a ghost-type beast, it didn’t seem evil.
In fact, if ghost-type beasts weren't so fond of pranks, if they had more standard personalities, they would likely be a popular choice for many.
This little treasure-seeking ghost looked soft and cute, not at all resembling an odd personality.
Just as she had this thought, the little treasure-seeking ghost suddenly stopped crying without warning, looking up with tear-stained eyes at Qiao Sang and sweetly calling out, “Xun~."
Qiao Sang’s expression turned strange.
Why did it feel like this little treasure-seeking ghost knew exactly what she was thinking...?
As the little treasure-seeking ghost finished smiling, its gaze shifted to the doorway, as if watching something.
Qiao Sang’s heart skipped a beat.
She felt something was off with the little treasure-seeking ghost’s behavior. Following its gaze, she didn't observe anything unusual.
“Miss, if you’re looking for a beast with a higher racial limit, you can let Xiao Liu introduce you,” the middle-aged man suggested.
The blonde-haired staff member, Xiao Liu, nodded in agreement from the side.
Hearing this, the treasure-seeking ghost pouted, knowing the base staff wouldn’t help it anymore, reaching out to take the little treasure-seeking ghost away.
This time, the little treasure-seeking ghost didn’t evade, as its focus remained on the door.
When it realized it was leaving Qiao Sang’s side, its mouth pouted again, about to cry.
Just then, the door swung open.
“Miss, what are you doing here?” asked a female staff member who opened the door, looking at Qiao Sang.
“Yue!”
The previously almost unnoticed Qingyue Butterfly chirped happily, flying over to the female staff member.
Qiao Sang stared at the newcomer, momentarily dazed and speechless.
The treasure-seeking ghost, holding the little treasure-seeking ghost, had floated to the door.
“Wait!” Qiao Sang suddenly called out.
The treasure-seeking ghost stopped, turning back. It hesitantly pointed at itself with one hand.
“Xun?”
“Yes, you don’t need to leave just yet,” Qiao Sang said.
The treasure-seeking ghost’s eyes brightened, and it quickly floated back.
The little treasure-seeking ghost blinked its watery eyes at her.
Qiao Sang could clearly feel her heart racing.
Though her heart was excited and anxious, she kept a calm demeanor.
“How much for this little treasure-seeking ghost?”
The three present were taken aback.
The middle-aged man was the first to respond, “760,000.”
Qiao Sang fell silent, her brows knitting slightly.
“I can give you a 20% discount,” the middle-aged man added quickly.
“60%,” Qiao Sang countered.
The middle-aged man was shocked and delighted.
Though he didn’t know what had caused the girl to suddenly change her mind, it was clear she was determined to buy the little treasure-seeking ghost, and her negotiating power indicated she was serious.
However, this price seemed harsh...
Before he could probe for a better price, he watched as the girl pulled out a voucher from her pocket and lay it on the table.
“This is a 500,000 beast egg exchange voucher. The little treasure-seeking ghost should still be in the egg, but the treasure-seeking ghost is trying to stick to me, purposely breaking the beast egg in front of me. You must have invited me to the office hoping I would buy it.”
“My Fire Tooth Dog was bought from your base, so I’m a regular customer. You've deeply disappointed me with this.”
“The three ghost-type beasts that popped up in the surveillance just now shouldn’t be the first time doing this. I think this news wouldn’t sound good. If you can, I’d like to exchange this voucher for the little treasure-seeking ghost, and I promise to keep quiet about what happened here.”
“Oh, I almost forgot to mention, I won this exchange voucher as a prize for the First Hundred New Competition. Have you heard of it? It just ended yesterday, and I expect many will focus on my upcoming statement.”
The treasure-seeking ghost was dumbfounded.
Middle-aged man: “...!”
Shouldn’t they be the ones wanting to sell the little treasure-seeking ghost?
Why did it feel like now they had no choice but to sell...?
Twenty minutes later,
Qiao Sang walked out of the Hanggang Beast Base, cradling a Fire Tooth Dog in her arms, with the little treasure-seeking ghost resting atop her head.
(End of Chapter)