Chapter 1151: Seabed (2 in 1)

Proficiency isn’t an issue. Xiao Xunbao has been using Shadow Penetration for movement whenever she has free time, and her proficiency has long reached the Grandmaster level. She can instantly penetrate distances of around ten thousand meters… Qiao Sang said, “We can try. Xiao Xunbao has been practicing this skill a lot lately, and her proficiency has improved quite a bit.”

She didn’t disclose Xiao Xunbao’s exact current proficiency, as it would be too exaggerated for an Ultra-level skill to reach the Grandmaster level in such a short time.

“Xiao Xunbao~”

Xiao Xunbao nodded, indicating she agreed.

Mi Jiala smiled and said, “Then let’s try.”

After speaking, she gave Pen Jiami a look.

Pen Jiami understood, looked at Xiao Xunbao, and her eyes glowed blue.

Xiao Xunbao blinked.

Suddenly, she felt her spiritual power settle into a vast, boundless space.

It was immense and comfortable, as if this space itself belonged to her.

“Xiao Xunbao…”

Almost instantly, Xiao Xunbao was immersed in it.

“Penpen.” Pen Jiami called out.

Xiao Xunbao then came back to her senses.

“Now you can try to sense the Snowdrift Lion’s location,” Mi Jiala instructed. “Just use your spiritual power to sense it. You will notice a mark in the vast spiritual sea. That mark tracks the Snowdrift Lion’s location. You only need to sense this mark.”

“Xiao Xunbao!”

Xiao Xunbao showed a serious expression and called out, then her eyes glowed blue.

Qiao Sang stood by without any worry. Xiao Xunbao was the Pet with the strongest learning ability among all her Pets. She believed Xiao Xunbao would be able to sense it very quickly.

“Xiao Xunbao!”

Sure enough, not long after, Xiao Xunbao showed an excited expression, called out, and indicated she had sensed it.

“She has already sensed it,” Qiao Sang translated.

“Next, just keep sensing the Snowdrift Lion’s location. When its coordinates stop moving, it should have reached its destination,” Mi Jiala said.

“Xiao Xunbao!”

Xiao Xunbao called out, indicating she understood, and then continued to sense the moving coordinates of the mark.

Qiao Sang suddenly thought of something and asked, “If Xiao Xunbao only extends her paw, will it be difficult to get the ice wane crystal? That place is the Slag Ice Spirit’s territory. According to what the Snowdrift Lion just said, there are also several Slag Water Maras there. The Snowdrift Lion might not even be able to get close to the ice wane crystal, and…”

As she spoke, Qiao Sang paused before continuing, “Xiao Xunbao’s paw is still short.”

“Qingqing.”

Qingbao nodded, agreeing deeply.

Xiao Xunbao’s attention was entirely focused on tracking the mark’s coordinates at this moment, so she didn’t hear that remark.

Mi Jiala calmly said, “The Snowdrift Lion will appear next to the ice wane crystal, at least when Night Ring King first uses Shadow Penetration, the Snowdrift Lion will appear next to it.”

Qiao Sang was stunned, “Why?”

She felt there was a hidden meaning in Teacher Mi Jiala’s words.

Mi Jiala did not answer but asked in return, “How much time passed from the Slag Ice Spirit’s appearance to the battle, and then its departure?”

Qiao Sang thought for a moment and said, “I didn’t pay attention to the exact time, but it should be within ten minutes.”

Mi Jiala asked again, “How much time did it take for the Snowdrift Lion to lead us here?”

Qiao Sang recalled, “It seemed to be about twenty minutes.”

Mi Jiala stopped speaking and just looked at her quietly.

The Snowdrift Lion entered the sea not long before the Slag Ice Spirit appeared. It took about twenty minutes to get here, and it would also take about twenty minutes to go back, not even counting the time to dive to the seabed. With such a long time, the Snowdrift Lion could not possibly appear shortly after the Slag Ice Spirit left… After a series of thoughts flashed through her mind, Qiao Sang felt enlightened, and her face showed surprise:

“The Snowdrift Lion has a problem!”

The Snowdrift Lion actually had a problem!

She never expected that the Snowdrift Lion, which had given her an S-grade ice wane crystal, would actually have a problem!

Using an S-grade ice wane crystal to gain trust, wasn’t the cost a bit too high?

No, it currently seemed that the Snowdrift Lion wanted to lead them somewhere. If they had really gone into the sea just now, something would definitely have happened, and that S-grade ice wane crystal would naturally have returned to the Snowdrift Lion’s hands.

The Snowdrift Lion alone wouldn’t be so bold. Not to mention Yapao and the others, it must have felt the power of Pen Jiami and Dragon King, yet it still did this. Who gave it the courage?

Qiao Sang hardly thought twice.

A name was on the tip of her tongue—the Slag Ice Spirit!

S-grade ice wane crystals are extremely rare, but for the Slag Ice Spirit, whose territory is Wanbing Island, it might not be a big deal.

No wonder she said how easy it was to find an S-grade ice wane crystal, and the Snowdrift Lion was even willing to hand it over.

Ice-type Pets should be very sensitive to Ice-type materials. Even if they don’t recognize it, they should know that the material is beneficial to themselves.

She originally thought the Snowdrift Lion was captivated by Lupao’s charm, but she never expected it was all a conspiracy to get them to go into the sea!

Mi Jiala calmly said, “That’s right, but it really did take out an S-grade ice wane crystal. By following it, we have a chance to find more ice wane crystals.”

Qiao Sang said admiringly, “If it weren’t for you, I would have definitely been deceived by the Snowdrift Lion and followed it into the sea.”

Mi Jiala controlled the upward curve of her lips and said, “No, it’s precisely because I’m here that you feel there won’t be too big of a problem, so you relaxed your guard and were deceived. If you were alone outside, you would definitely be much more cautious.”

That was true. With such a powerful backer, her perceptiveness had dropped significantly… Qiao Sang reflected on herself.

“Steel Chief…” Steel Treasure also reflected on herself.

After the two praised each other, Xiao Xunbao suddenly showed an excited expression and called out:

“Xiao Xunbao!”

The Snowdrift Lion stopped moving!

Qiao Sang and Mi Jiala exchanged glances.

“Shadow Penetration to near the Snowdrift Lion,” Qiao Sang said.

“Xiao Xunbao!”

Xiao Xunbao showed a serious expression, called out, and circulated energy.

Then, a black hole about the same size as her appeared in front of her.

Xiao Xunbao raised her paw and slowly extended it into the black hole.

“Qingqing?”

At this moment, Qingbao seemingly casually called out, asking if the Snowdrift Lion was a bad guy, would it directly pull Xiao Xunbao over from the other side?

She had been listening to the conversation the whole time.

“Xiao Xunbao?”

Bad guy? Pull her over? Xiao Xunbao quickly pulled her paw back, showing a “What’s going on” expression, and called out.

“It’s like this…” Qiao Sang explained the suspicious points about the Snowdrift Lion.

“Xiao Xunbao!”

Xiao Xunbao’s eyes widened, and she quickly put her paw behind her, calling out, indicating what if she extended her paw and the Snowdrift Lion pulled her paw over then.

Qingbao watched this scene, secretly laughing.

Qiao Sang comforted her, “No, it wants us to go into the sea, so it will definitely give us enough benefits. Moreover, it doesn’t know how we get the ice wane crystal. If it wants to know what we do, it will do as we said before.”

“Most importantly, this Shadow Penetration is controlled by you. If you feel something is wrong on the other side, just make the Shadow Penetration disappear.”

Mi Jiala showed an appreciative expression. Qiao Sang had completely understood her meaning.

“Xiao Xunbao~”

Upon hearing the last sentence, Xiao Xunbao regained her spirit, showing a “I’m ready” expression, raised her paw, and extended it into the black hole.

…

At the same time.

Under the sea.

The Snowdrift Lion stayed tense beside a pile of ice wane crystals, like it had done something wrong, not daring to move.

“Slag Slag!”

“Slag Slag!”

Several Slag Water Maras discussed with displeased expressions.

“Slag Slag.”

Suddenly, a voice full of impatience called out.

The several Slag Water Maras instantly quieted down and looked at the Slag Ice Spirit staying among a pile of Ice sculptures above.

These Ice sculptures were all like exquisite works of art, large and small, full of vivid and delicate beauty. If one admired them one by one, it was not difficult to see that these Ice sculptures were basically modeled after Pets, so realistic that it was as if the Pets had turned into Ice sculptures and were placed there.

The Snowdrift Lion’s body trembled.

“Slag Slag?” A Slag Water Mara looked at the Snowdrift Lion and called out.

“Piaopiao!” The Snowdrift Lion nodded repeatedly.

As soon as she finished speaking, a small black hole suddenly appeared beside her.

The Snowdrift Lion didn’t notice, but the Slag Ice Spirit did. She showed a smile and called out:

“Slag Slag.”

The Snowdrift Lion turned to look at the black hole, was startled, and instinctively wanted to run to the side.

However, just then, a bone-chilling cold air struck.

Before the Snowdrift Lion could move its limbs, it turned into an Ice sculpture and remained in place.

The several Slag Water Maras saw this scene without surprise, only staring at the appearing black hole and discussing intensely:

“Slag Slag!”

“Slag Slag!”

“Slag Slag!”

Amidst the “Slag Slag” sounds, the smile on the Slag Ice Spirit’s face disappeared, showing an “You’re too noisy” expression, and she called out:

“Slag Slag.”

The several Slag Water Maras quieted down again.

One of the Slag Water Maras came to the side of the black hole, assuming a posture ready for battle at any time.

At this moment, a small gray paw cautiously extended from the black hole.

The Slag Water Mara beside it was first stunned, then showed an “You’re finally here” expression, opened its mouth, and prepared to pull the owner of the paw from the other end of the black hole.

“Slag Slag.”

Just as the Slag Water Mara opened its mouth, the Slag Ice Spirit above called out.

“Slag Slag…”

The Slag Water Mara dared not ask more, picked up an ice wane crystal from the side, and placed it next to the gray paw.

The gray paw probed left and right, but unfortunately, the paw was too short and couldn’t reach the ice wane crystal on the side.

“Slag Slag.” The Slag Water Mara showed a disgusted expression, called out, and then pushed the ice wane crystal further towards the paw.

This time, the gray paw finally reached the ice wane crystal.

The moment the ice wane crystal was obtained, the paw retracted with lightning speed.

The black hole disappeared.

…

In the high sky.

“Xiao Xunbao!”

Xiao Xunbao shouted loudly while pulling her paw back, indicating her paw was freezing to death.

“Yaya.”

Yapao called out thoughtfully.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Xunbao immediately placed the paw she had just extended into the black hole into Yapao’s fur, showing a comfortable expression:

“Xiao Xunbao…”

“Did you get it?” Qiao Sang asked.

“Xiao Xunbao~”

Xiao Xunbao took her paw out of Yapao’s fur and spread it open.

A clear ice wane crystal appeared in her palm.

Qiao Sang picked it up and looked at it under the sun. After a moment, she said disappointedly:

“It’s a C-grade ice wane crystal.”

Saying that, she handed it to Lupao.

Lupao put it in her mouth and started eating it with a “crunch” sound.

“Xiao Xunbao?”

Xiao Xunbao called out inquiringly, indicating if she should get more.

Under Pen Jiami’s translation, Mi Jiala spoke:

“Get it, but this time, don’t position yourself next to the Snowdrift Lion, but near it. Stick your head in and see what the situation is like there.”

“Xiao Xunbao?”

Xiao Xunbao showed an incredulous expression and called out.

Stick her head in?

“That’s right,” Mi Jiala nodded. “We must figure out what the situation is like there. Now, the other party’s attention should be focused on the Snowdrift Lion’s side. If you stick your head in now, you probably won’t be discovered.”

“Xiao Xunbao…”

Xiao Xunbao looked at her Yu Beast Master, then at Tingbao and the others, and seeing everyone looking at her, she couldn’t help but show a heroic expression, calling out:

“Xiao Xunbao!”

I’ll stick my head in!

After speaking, she circulated energy.

“Wait a moment,” Qiao Sang interrupted.

“Xiao Xunbao?”

Xiao Xunbao stopped, let out a huge sigh of relief, and looked at her Yu Beast Master.

Mi Jiala also looked over.

Qiao Sang pondered and said:

“The other party must have seen that black hole and will definitely pay more attention. If the black hole doesn’t appear near the Snowdrift Lion for a long time, they might start looking elsewhere.”

“What do you want to do?” Mi Jiala asked.

Qiao Sang looked at Xiao Xunbao and said, “Can you use Shadow Penetration simultaneously with Substitute now?”

If she could use them simultaneously, she could make one black hole appear next to the Snowdrift Lion to attract attention, while the other black hole explored the situation at the bottom of the sea.

The idea was good, but the operational difficulty was too great… Mi Jiala instantly understood Qiao Sang’s idea, but she didn’t think Night Ring King could do it at the moment.

After all, it had only recently learned this skill, and being able to pinpoint the seabed ten thousand meters below was already a rare talent.

“Xiao Xunbao~”

Xiao Xunbao called out, indicating she would try.

Then she circulated energy.

A Night Ring King exactly like her quickly appeared next to her.

The two Xiao Xunbaos looked at each other, then nodded to each other, both showing serious expressions, their eyes glowing blue.

In an instant, two identical black holes appeared simultaneously in the air.

To be able to use Shadow Penetration simultaneously with Substitute… one must know, this is an Ultra-level skill… Mi Jiala was once again shocked by Xiao Xunbao’s learning ability and the proficiency of Shadow Penetration.

“Xiao Xunbao~”

The black holes disappeared, and Xiao Xunbao called out, indicating it was possible.

“Then let Substitute pinpoint next to the Snowdrift Lion, and you pinpoint a nearby location to check the situation,” Qiao Sang stated her plan.

“Xiao Xunbao…”

Xiao Xunbao showed an “I knew it” expression, and after sighing heavily with Substitute, their eyes simultaneously glowed blue.

…

Under the sea.

A black hole suddenly appeared next to the Snowdrift Lion, which had already frozen into Ice.

The Slag Ice Spirit and several Slag Water Maras looked over simultaneously.

They didn’t notice that another black hole appeared next to an Ice sculpture nearby.

Xiao Xunbao puffed out her cheeks, holding her breath, and poked her head out of this black hole.

Thousands of Ice sculptures instantly came into view.

Inside the Ice sculptures, there were almost all Pets. Their expressions were either painful, fearful, peaceful, or bewildered, all frozen in the Ice.

The scene before her was too impactful. Xiao Xunbao was directly stunned there, her pupils trembling violently, a strong fear rising in her heart, mixed with some inexplicable anger.

As her heart trembled violently, the black hole next to the Snowdrift Lion suddenly disappeared.

At the same time, the Substitute in the high sky also disappeared from its original spot. (End of chapter)