Chapter 1020: Dr. Zhang Taidong (two in one)

It’s open already? Qiao Sang was both surprised and a little unexpected.

“Ooh-ooh.” The purple skull poked its head out the window and called out.

Even though Qiao Sang didn’t understand what it was saying, she knew it meant she could enter, so she quickly said thank you and stepped inside.

After only two steps, she retreated and asked,

“Which building is Dr. Zhang Taidong in?”

“Ooh-ooh.” The purple skull pointed inside and called out.

“Xiao Xunbao~” The overjoyed Xiao Xunbao translated immediately.

It said there would be a colleague inside to pick us up.

Someone’s even coming to pick them up? This treatment is a bit too good… Qiao Sang walked back into the main gate.

She waited under a nearby Yin Tree.

Yin Trees can grow Yin Fruits, which Ghost-type Pets enjoy eating. These fruits help Ghost-type Pets increase their energy slightly while preventing hunger.

“Xiao Xunbao~”

Xiao Xunbao floated onto the tree, looking at the black fruits above that emitted a sweet scent, and its saliva unconsciously dripped out slightly.

Suddenly, the leaves rustled, and a Pet about fifteen centimeters in size, mostly light purple, and shaped like a teapot, hung upside down from above.

Shadow Teapot, a Ghost-type Beginner Pet. It can automatically secrete black tea water within its body. It is said that people who drink this tea water can temporarily see things they usually cannot, such as invisible Ghost-type Pets… Qiao Sang looked up at the Ghost-type Pet hanging upside down above, and relevant information appeared in her mind.

She wasn’t too surprised that there were Ghost-type Pets here; after all, this place was related to research on Ghost-type Pets, and while other things were unclear, there were definitely many Ghost-type Pets.

“Cha-cha?” The Shadow Teapot glanced at Xiao Xunbao and called out with a puzzled expression.

“Xiao Xunbao~” Xiao Xunbao replied with a grin.

“Cha-cha.” The Shadow Teapot looked at Qiao Sang, showing an expression of “I see.”

“Xiao Xunbao~” Xiao Xunbao pointed at the fruit on the tree with an expectant face.

“Cha-cha.” The Shadow Teapot shook its head, but then it opened its mouth and, right in front of Xiao Xunbao, bit off the nearby fruit, eating it with a smug expression.

“Xiao Xunbao…”

Xiao Xunbao showed a lost expression.

“Hu-hu!”

“Hu-hu!”

Just then, a Pet mostly dark purple and shaped like a teapot floated over from a distance, calling out anxiously.

On the Yin Tree, the Shadow Teapot was startled and instantly hid inside the tree with a “whoosh.”

Shadow Pot Monster, a Ghost-type High-level Pet, the High Level form of Shadow Teapot… Qiao Sang recognized the calling Pet.

Could it be the Ghost-type Pet that came to pick me up?

Just as Qiao Sang was about to greet the Shadow Pot Monster, Xiao Xunbao suddenly pointed at the spot where the Shadow Teapot was hiding and shouted loudly:

“Xun!”

The Shadow Pot Monster’s eyes lit up, and it transformed into a purple light, quickly arriving at the Yin Tree. Its teapot handle moved, turning into a claw, and it grabbed into the leaves, pulling out the Shadow Teapot.

“Cha-cha!”

“Cha-cha!”

The Shadow Teapot struggled, but it couldn’t break free.

“Hu-hu.” The Shadow Pot Monster showed a grateful expression to Xiao Xunbao and called out.

“Xiao Xunbao~” Xiao Xunbao waved its hand, indicating it was no trouble at all.

The Shadow Pot Monster floated away, holding the Shadow Teapot.

“Cha-cha!” The Shadow Teapot struggled and angrily called out to Xiao Xunbao.

Even though Qiao Sang didn’t understand what it was saying, she could feel that it was cursing very harshly.

“Xiao Xunbao~”

Xiao Xunbao provocatively picked its nose at the Shadow Teapot.

Then, it sensed something, looked down, and saw its Yu Beast Master looking at it. It quickly put down its paw, blinked its eyes, and resumed its image management.

Qiao Sang asked with a smile,

“How did that Shadow Teapot provoke you?”

“Xun!”

As soon as this was mentioned, Xiao Xunbao became energetic, floated next to its Yu Beast Master, and pointed at the fruit on the tree with an indignant expression.

“Ya-Ya!”

Yabao, who had understood the entire conversation, called out, indicating that Xiao Xunbao did a good job.

“If you like to eat this, I’ll buy it for you when we go out,” Qiao Sang said.

“Xiao Xunbao~”

Xiao Xunbao was happy and kept floating around its Yu Beast Master and Yabao.

While it was floating energetically, it felt a gaze. It looked to the side and saw Steel Treasure looking at it. It quickly stopped, straightened its posture, and once again managed its image.

Steel Treasure: “…”

Do you think I won’t remember how you looked just now just because you’re like this?

Steel Treasure’s inner world is indeed much richer than its expression… Qiao Sang thought.

Steel Treasure’s body stiffened, and it tried to empty its mind, not wanting to think too much.

“Wen-wen?”

At this moment, a Pet about one meter in size, mostly gray, with a head shaped like a water droplet and two holes on top, with deep, dark voids inside, as if abyssal energy was flowing within, floated over from a distance and called out.

“Xiao Xunbao~”

Before Qiao Sang could speak, Xiao Xunbao nodded repeatedly.

No.

“Xiao Xunbao…”

Its actions were honest, but its words were the exact opposite. Xiao Xunbao realized what it had said, showed a stunned expression, and covered its mouth.

“Wen-wen.” The Pet whose head was shaped like a water droplet smiled and began to float forward.

Without Yabao and the others translating, Qiao Sang knew this Pet was leading the way and quickly followed.

Questioning Ghost, a Ghost-type General-level Pet, likes to ask questions. When it asks a question, the other party will uncontrollably want to answer, but the answers will always be the opposite of the truth. Also, only targets who understand it will be affected, meaning only its contracted Yu Beast Master and Pets will be affected by its ‘Questioning Heart’ characteristic and uncontrollably answer questions. Therefore, people are not very willing to contract with it… Qiao Sang looked at the Pet leading the way, and relevant information flashed through her mind.

“Xiao Xunbao…”

Xiao Xunbao remembered its abnormality just now and silently pulled out the long-unused Pet Identifier, aiming it at the Questioning Ghost.

A voice similar to Xiao Xunbao’s quickly sounded:

“Oh my, Master, you haven’t used me in a long time. Let me see… Questioning Ghost, a Ghost-type General-level Pet, possesses the ‘Questioning Heart’ characteristic. When it asks a question, people and Pets who understand it will definitely answer with the opposite answer. It’s terrifying and completely uncontrollable. I suggest you stay away from it.”

“Xiao Xunbao…”

Xiao Xunbao showed an expression of sudden realization.

The Questioning Ghost in front seemed not to have heard and continued to lead the way.

Qiao Sang, Yabao, and the others followed the Questioning Ghost, entered a building, had their faces identified, took the elevator to the third floor, and entered a research lab.

As soon as they entered, more than a dozen Ghost-type Pets of various forms looked over in unison.

Among them, two were the Shadow Teapot and Shadow Pot Monster they had seen not long ago.

This scene, if it were on a Yu Beast Master who was afraid of Ghost-type Pets, would probably scare them unconscious. Qiao Sang felt nothing, and after a moment of感慨 that there were many Ghost-type Pets here, she turned her gaze to a man in a white coat sitting at the control panel not far away.

This man had soft facial features and a comfortable scholarly aura. He looked at most around 30 years old, showing no signs of being 126 years old.

Qiao Sang recognized the person in front of her as Zhang Taidong, whom she had looked up last night.

Before she could even greet him, he heard the movement, turned his head, his eyes suddenly lit up, and he stood up, saying,

“It’s really you. Come, sit.”

As he spoke, he looked at the Shadow Teapot and said, “Pour tea.”

Qiao Sang sat on the sofa in the lounge area.

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“Cha-cha…”

The Shadow Teapot floated over reluctantly, tilted its body, and began to pour tea.

“Xiao Xunbao~”

Xiao Xunbao picked up a teacup, placed it in front with a smiling face, and called out, indicating that it also wanted some.

The Shadow Teapot pretended not to hear.

Zhang Taidong saw this scene and said,

“Shadow Teapot, pour a cup for Ghost Ring King too.”

“Xiao Xunbao~”

Xiao Xunbao pointed at the teacup with a smug expression.

“Cha-cha…”

The Shadow Teapot’s body stiffened, but it still poured the tea in.

“Xiao Xunbao~”

Xiao Xunbao grinned, picked up the teacup in front of the Shadow Teapot, and elegantly took a sip, imitating what it had seen on TV.

Zhang Taidong smiled and introduced,

“The tea inside this Shadow Teapot is beneficial for Ghost-type Pets and humans. Moreover, after drinking more of it, Yu Beast Masters can better absorb the spiritual feedback from Ghost-type Pets, allowing them to reach the realm of ‘Spiritual Sight’ faster.”

Qiao Sang was stunned for a moment:

“Spiritual Sight?”

Zhang Taidong was also stunned for a moment, then smiled and explained,

“It’s like Ghost-type Pets, seeing things that are usually invisible.”

Qiao Sang instantly understood and picked up the teacup, taking a serious sip.

“I didn’t expect you to come to our Zhidia District after winning the Zhongkong Regional Competition championship,” Zhang Taidong said with a smile.

“I mainly came because Xiao Ghost Ring King wanted to visit the Zhidia District,” Qiao Sang said with a smile. “I also didn’t expect you to let me in so readily.”

Zhang Taidong laughed heartily:

“You just won the Zhongkong Regional Competition championship; it should be me who feels honored to meet you. I’ve never seen such a young Regional Champion before, and you came to see me for research related to Ghost-type Pets. Why would I not see you?”

I have to say, Dr. Zhang Taidong really knows how to talk… Qiao Sang thought.

Zhang Taidong looked at Xiao Xunbao, his eyes full of appreciation:

“Your Ghost Ring King is very well-trained.”

“Xiao Xunbao~”

Xiao Xunbao, hearing the praise, proudly flicked its hair.

Zhang Taidong smiled, then seemed to remember something, his expression turned serious, and he said,

“Whatever you want to ask, just ask.”

I was waiting for you to say that… Qiao Sang said directly,

“I want to understand what the other possibility of Ghost-type Pet evolution is. I’ve read your paper, but it doesn’t clearly state the evolution path. I want to know more specifics.”

Xiao Xunbao looked over with an expectant face.

Zhang Taidong pondered for a few seconds, then slowly said,

“I only recently discovered that Ghost-type Pets can also absorb a certain type of positive emotional energy to stimulate the potential within their bodies. This potential can promote evolution.”

He paused, then added,

“You should also know the situation in our Zhidia District. Compared to people in other districts, we absolutely adore Ghost-type Pets.”

“I won’t hide it from you, I first discovered this potential in Ghost-type Pets from other districts. Later, I conducted experiments with many Ghost-type Pets and found that only a very small number of Ghost-type Pets could absorb this energy, but the amount absorbed was not enough to make them evolve.”

“Later, I applied for Ghost-type Pets from almost every district and found that the feasibility of Ghost-type Pets from other districts absorbing this energy was much higher.”

Qiao Sang eagerly asked, “So what exactly is this energy?”

“It’s positive emotional energy.” Zhang Taidong organized his words and said,

“Excluding Ghost-type Pets from the Zhidia District, I conducted experiments on a total of 1011 different species of Ghost-type Pets and found that only 65 species could absorb this energy. And the positive emotional energy they could absorb all came from things they cared about.”

“For example, the Ugly Night Flower from the Zhongkong District cared about being ugly, so I gave it extra conditioning to increase its elegance. When other people and Pets sincerely praised it for becoming more beautiful, it felt happy internally and absorbed this energy from the sincere praise.”

“Another example is the Walking Ghost from the Xi Lv District.”

“It’s one of the few Ghost-type Pets that can’t float and often feels inferior. I made it unknowingly consume a floating potion, allowing it to float temporarily. The surrounding Ghost-type Pets didn’t know either and expressed great surprise at this.”

“The Walking Ghost then felt happy and absorbed this energy of surprise.”

“In fact, for both the Ugly Night Flower and the Walking Ghost, there were many other things that could make them happy, but only these two things could make them happy while also absorbing the surrounding positive emotional energy.”

“So, my conclusion is that the absorption of this emotional energy all comes from what they care about most.”

He paused, then added,

“What each Ghost-type Pet cares about is different, so I can’t give a precise statement. I can only urge everyone to make their Ghost-type Pets feel happy.”

Qiao Sang digested the information for a moment, then asked,

“Is this absorbed energy guaranteed to lead to evolution?”

“Xiao Xunbao…”

Xiao Xunbao stood by, adopting a posture of listening attentively, its serious demeanor exactly like when it first used Substitute to play on the computer simultaneously.

Zhang Taidong said rigorously,

“First, not every Ghost-type Pet can absorb this power. Second, individual Pets that can absorb this power show signs of evolution in their body data, but none have triggered the final light of evolution.”

“This research is still in exploration, but what I can guarantee is that there will definitely be Ghost-type Pets that evolve by absorbing this energy.”

Qiao Sang pondered for a moment, then asked,

“Why do you think almost no Ghost-type Pets in the Zhidia District can absorb this energy?”

“That’s a very good question.” Zhang Taidong smiled.

After smiling, he sighed and said,

“I’m just guessing. The Yu Beast Masters in the Zhidia District are too good to their Ghost-type Pets. Their living environment means they have almost no particularly obsessive things. Since they don’t have anything they particularly care about, the happy emotions they produce aren’t that specific kind, and they can’t absorb positive emotional energy.”

Goodness, it’s actually because they’re too good to their Pets… Qiao Sang immediately thought of something, and her heart instantly chilled by half.

She considered herself quite good to Xiao Xunbao. It was happy every day over small things, and its interest in things was always fleeting.

Looking at it this way, Xiao Xunbao’s situation seems quite similar to that of these Ghost-type Pets in the Zhidia District…