Chapter 916: Three days (two in one)

The Flame Disguise, Qunbao plan, succeeded! Qiao Sang’s face lit up with joy.

With this, her task was completed. Three days later, she might even be able to get in touch with the champion of this competition.

“Xiao Xunbao~”

Xiao Xunbao showed a happy expression.

“Steel Sword.”

Steel Treasure secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Xiao Xunbao relaxed and burrowed its head back into the backpack.

The swirling wind calmed down.

The kind-faced woman couldn’t resist her curiosity and leaned closer, asking in a low voice:

“Would you mind telling me what the reward for your task is?”

She couldn’t understand what kind of reward such a simple task could offer to attract a B-level Beast Tamer, making the B-level Beast Tamer attach such importance to it, even willing to let her Pet disguise itself just to stay.

Logically speaking, Fire-type Pets were usually selected by the official, but some Prop Masters, in order to have a better chance of winning the competition, would issue related tasks, offering extremely high rewards to Yu Beast Masters of their selected Fire-type Pets to find ways to blend in.

Of course, successful cases were rare, but not nonexistent; one was exposed in the competition two years ago.

The official rewards were low, and some people would try to sign up even without rewards, as the Prop Masters who could participate in this competition were considered to have a certain reputation, and there were many powerful figures among them.

If they could increase their chances of obtaining the Props they made, even if they didn’t use them themselves, selling them would still earn a considerable sum of money.

If a Prop Master wanted to get their chosen Pet to blend in, and it actually succeeded, the reward would be quite high.

She felt that the B-level Beast Tamer in front of her was most likely the latter.

“Task reward?” Qiao Sang was stunned for a moment, then replied with a smile: “This is an assessment task, issued by the Judge, so there’s no reward.”

Assessment task? The woman was also stunned: “You signed up for this year’s Regional Competition.”

Qiao Sang hummed in affirmation.

So this B-level Beast Tamer was not yet over 40 years old… The woman suddenly realized.

No wonder this B-level Beast Tamer not only looked young in appearance but also in demeanor; it turned out she was not yet 40.

To become a B-level Beast Tamer before the age of 40, she could definitely be considered among the youngest batch of B-level Beast Tamers, a true prodigy… The woman collected her thoughts, composed herself, and said seriously:

“You will definitely achieve a very good ranking in the Regional Competition.”

Qiao Sang returned a slight smile: “Thank you.”

…

At the same time.

In the audience seats, the clamor grew louder and louder.

“Why do I feel like this Pet, No. 31, looks familiar, like I’ve seen it somewhere?”

“Don’t you think this Pet looks a lot like the Fire-type Pet rumored online?”

“Are you talking about the one Qingqing Ni’s Beastmaster is holding?”

“Exactly.”

“Holy cow! I knew it looked so similar!”

“No way, isn’t the Fire-type Pet that Qingqing Ni’s Beastmaster is holding only a few tens of centimeters tall?”

“Don’t you understand the Miniature Shrinking Bracelet?”

“It’s that one! I just checked with the Pet Identifier, and this Pet, No. 31, is Flame Qilu! This Pet is a new form, and its evolution path hasn’t even been researched yet; there’s only one!”

“Oh my god! So, Qingqing Ni’s Beastmaster is here at the scene?!”

“Calm down, everyone. The fact that the evolution path hasn’t been officially researched and announced doesn’t mean there’s only one Flame Qilu. Have you forgotten that when the ‘Odd Pendulum’ form first appeared, there were three of them one after another, and the official hadn’t researched and announced its evolution path yet?”

“But this is a Pet from the Yuhua region, and its evolution path hasn’t even been announced. It must be very rare. Is it really unlikely for two such rare Pets to appear in our region at once?”

The discussions grew louder and louder, and seeing that the situation was getting a bit out of control, the Host picked up the microphone and regained control of the situation:

“All contestants have already selected their cooperative Fire-type Pets. Now, let us proceed to the official Prop making segment!”

“For three days, we will fully record the Prop making process!”

“Please supervise and witness the birth of the champion together!”

The audience present was primarily there to watch the competition. The idea that Flame Qilu, No. 31, was the Pet of the rumored Yu Beast Master was just a guess. As soon as the Host spoke, everyone’s attention refocused on the competition.

The refining materials for the Prop Refining Competition were all provided by the organizer. The short-haired young man selected his materials and came to the area assigned with his number.

Xiao Xunbao was already waiting there.

“Xiao Xunbao!”

Seeing the human who chose him, Xiao Xunbao let out an energetic cry, indicating what to do.

The young man didn’t understand. He slowly exhaled, smiled, and introduced himself:

“My name is Lin Jianyi. I hope we can cooperate happily for the next three days.”

As he spoke, he extended his hand, ready to pat Xiao Xunbao’s head to build some rapport.

Xiao Xunbao took a step back, looking quite displeased.

Ah! I knew this Pet wasn’t that easy to handle! Lin Jianyi screamed internally, his expression stiffening. He silently retracted his hand and forced a smile, saying:

“Let’s start directly. You first melt these few items.”

As he spoke, he placed several of the materials in front of Xiao Xunbao.

He cautioned anxiously:

“Keep the flame small. Don’t use a very large fire.”

No sooner had he spoken than with a “bang,” a burst of fire erupted from a nearby workbench, exploding.

Facilities were already prepared above, and water descended to extinguish the fire.

The Prop Master in that area was covered in black, spitting black smoke, looking utterly lifeless.

“Yan Yan!”

The Chimney Monster beside him showed an expression of “This isn’t my fault.”

“Xiao Xunbao!”

Xiao Xunbao withdrew its gaze, looked at its human partner, and let out a serious cry, indicating not to worry; it would definitely not be like this rigid fellow.

…

Backstage.

The Yu Beast Master of the Chimney Monster silently rubbed his forehead.

Qiao Sang came to the rest area, leaning back on the sofa, crossing her legs, and comfortably drinking the water the Staff had just brought, watching the giant virtual screen in front of her.

She was completely unconcerned about Xiao Xunbao’s control over Fire-type energy. Now, it just depended on what kind of Prop the Prop Master who chose Xiao Xunbao could create.

This comfortable state lasted until evening.

At 8:30 PM, Qiao Sang checked the time and noticed that only a few people around her were still focused on the competition. She couldn’t help but ask the woman she had spoken with earlier:

“When does this competition take a break?”

The woman put down her phone, looked over, and asked in surprise: “Don’t you know it’s three days straight?”

“I know it’s three days straight,” Qiao Sang said. “I’m asking when do we rest today?”

The woman was silent for a moment: “When to rest mainly depends on the Prop Master. This competition lasts for three days, and it’s actually non-stop. Prop Masters will stay on the field for three days, and if they want to rest, they also rest on the field. However, basically no Prop Master would do that.”

Qiao Sang was stunned. She had to stay on the field for three days? Did that mean Xiao Xunbao also had to?

“What about eating, drinking, and using the restroom?” Qiao Sang asked. “You can’t possibly just relieve yourself on the field in front of everyone, can you?”

“Don’t worry about that,” the woman said with a smile. “The organizers prepare Pets every year that can eliminate fatigue, hunger, and suppress physiological needs to help everyone.”

This… Qiao Sang was silent for a few seconds, then asked:

“What kind of Pet has the function of suppressing physiological needs?”

It seems she’s not a B-level Beast Tamer from the Central Hollow region… The woman helped explain:

“A Yan Yan Bell. Its bell sound can make people delay their physical sensations in various aspects.”

There’s actually a Pet with such a function… Qiao Sang thought to herself that she had learned something new.

Then she thought of something, looked at the giant virtual screen, and a hint of worry appeared in her eyes.

Xiao Xunbao’s ability to stay up all night without sleeping during this period was entirely supported by its will to train and become stronger.

It definitely couldn’t stay up all night to help refine Props.

She hoped this Prop Master could get some good rest tonight…

…

“We won’t rest tonight,” Lin Jianyi said seriously on the field, while refining the Prop in his hand.

After a day of smooth cooperation, he had forgotten his previous wariness towards Xiao Xunbao.

“Xiao Xunbao?”

Xiao Xunbao showed a puzzled expression.

Not sleeping tonight?

Lin Jianyi didn’t understand, and continued: “Later, you’ll melt these ten Solid Separation Crystals into a circular shape, roughly the same size. Remember, the flame must be small, melt them slowly. Although these crystals are difficult to melt, if the flame isn’t controlled well, they could be directly ruined. We only have these ten Solid Separation Crystals. Once one is damaged, the final power of the Prop will be weakened by one point, so it’s very important.”

As he spoke, he put down his tools and placed the ten Solid Separation Crystals in front of Xiao Xunbao.

“Xiao Xunbao?”

Xiao Xunbao stared at the ten Solid Separation Crystals for a while, then called out, repeating its previous question.

Not sleeping tonight?

Lin Jianyi realized what Xiao Xunbao was trying to express and apologized:

“I’m sorry, I don’t understand what you’re saying.”

“Xiao Xunbao…”

Xiao Xunbao showed an expression of “Why didn’t you say so earlier?” Then its eyes glowed blue.

The next second, Lin Jianyi was controlled by an invisible force, uncontrollably lying down, hands on his chest, eyes closed, looking peacefully asleep.

Lin Jianyi: “!!!”

“Is contestant Lin Jianyi, No. 28, going to sleep?” The Host’s voice sounded at the right time: “It seems he’s very confident in his Prop.”

I’m not going to sleep! I’m not confident! Help! In his extreme mental breakdown, Lin Jianyi found that he could move again.

He opened his eyes, sprang up like a carp, and looked at Xiao Xunbao with lingering fear.

“Contestant Lin Jianyi, No. 28, is standing up again. Does he not want to sleep anymore?” the Host said.

“Xiao Xunbao?”

Xiao Xunbao called out, indicating, “Do you know what I wanted to say now?”

Lin Jianyi suddenly realized, feeling that he understood his cooperative Pet’s meaning, and tentatively asked:

“Are you saying you want to sleep tonight?”

“Xiao Xunbao.”

Xiao Xunbao was silent for a moment, then nodded and called out.

This human’s understanding wasn’t wrong, either.

“No way!” Lin Jianyi saw Xiao Xunbao nod and felt like the sky was falling. He almost hugged its leg, shouting, “Big brother, no!” “Prop refining only has three days. We can’t rest! If we rest, my Prop definitely won’t be completed in the end. Your Yu Beast Master let you participate, so she definitely wants you to help me complete the refining!”

Xiao Xunbao was stunned, then let out a serious cry.

“Xiao Xunbao!”

Then no sleeping!

With that, it opened its mouth and aimed a Flame Jet at the Solid Separation Crystals to control them.

Seeing this, Lin Jianyi breathed a sigh of relief and began to pick up his tools again to refine the Prop.

…

Two in the morning.

The audience at the scene was already sparse, with only a few audience members who were Prop Masters by profession remaining to learn.

The Yu Beast Masters of the Fire-type Pets backstage had either left or fallen asleep.

Qiao Sang looked at Xiao Xunbao, who was still awake on the giant virtual screen, feeling quite amazed, thinking that she hadn’t expected Xiao Xunbao to still be awake…

“Xiao Xunbao?”

Xiao Xunbao, while drinking milk, called out, indicating, “Aren’t you going to sleep yet?”

“I’m not sleepy yet. Xiao Xunbao just gave me a Healing Light a while ago,” Qiao Sang said, flipping open the book in her hand and lowering her voice: “If you’re bored, you can go to the scene and watch.”

“Xiao Xunbao~”

Xiao Xunbao shook its head, showing a warm expression of “I want to stay here with you.”

After speaking, it rubbed against its Yu Beast Master’s cheek.

Qiao Sang was deeply moved.

“Xiao Xunbao?”

Two minutes later, Xiao Xunbao called out, indicating, “Are you really not going to sleep?”

Qiao Sang understood something and looked at it: “Just say what you want.”

“Xiao Xunbao~”

Xiao Xunbao squirmed a bit, then called out; it wanted to play with the phone that had a SIM card.

Qiao Sang: “…”

Just say you want my phone… Qiao Sang silently took out her phone and handed it over.

“Xiao Xunbao~”

Xiao Xunbao happily took it.

Xiao Xunbao is still the same… Qiao Sang looked up at Xiao Xunbao, who was still using its flame on the virtual screen, and remembered how it used to go to sleep on time. An indescribable feeling welled up in her heart.

…

Sun rises, moon sets.

Time flew by.

Soon, it was the last day of the Prop Refining Competition.

During this time, Fire-type Pets continuously damaged materials, leading to a lack of materials for refining Props, which forced Prop Masters to reluctantly give up the competition.

The remaining contestants were either skilled themselves, able to change their original ideas and successfully refine Props even if materials were damaged, or their chosen Fire-type Pets cooperated perfectly without any mistakes.

Lin Jianyi was the latter.

When his Prop was successfully refined, his heart swelled with excitement. He couldn’t help but turn and hug Xiao Xunbao’s head, preparing to kiss it.

Xiao Xunbao extended its paw, coolly and mercilessly blocking his mouth.

Lin Jianyi’s body stiffened. He released his grip and gave Xiao Xunbao a resentful look.

The successfully refined Props were tested one by one, and after scoring by the judge and voting by the audience, the results were quickly determined.

The first place went to a half-white-haired elder, clearly someone with a lot of experience.

Lin Jianyi was in twelfth place.

Looking at the top three standing on the podium, Lin Jianyi, below the stage, showed an envious expression.

“Xiao Xunbao.”

Xiao Xunbao called out, indicating comfort.

“I’m fine,” Lin Jianyi reined in the envy in his eyes and said with a smile, “I’m already very happy that this Prop could be successfully refined.”

As he spoke, he looked at Xiao Xunbao with considerable affection:

“Thanks to you.”

Xiao Xunbao didn’t look at him, but rather at something behind him, and called out excitedly:

“Xiao Xunbao!”

Then its size shrunk, and it eagerly dashed away.

Qiao Sang caught it, and said gently: “You worked hard.”

“Xiao Xunbao!”

Xiao Xunbao rubbed against its Yu Beast Master’s cheek, then found a comfortable spot, lay down, and fell into a deep sleep. (End of this chapter)