The happiest one about getting leave to visit the Lower Ten Districts was undoubtedly Little Treasure. If his beast master didn’t have to attend classes, that meant he didn’t have to either.
Little Treasure, who had been suffering through a lecture, was suddenly summoned back, completely confused.
The moment he received the news, he was overjoyed. Without hesitation, he packed up his things and stored them in his round ring, not even needing Qiao Sang to lift a finger.
On the way to the Lower Ten Districts, Little Treasure excitedly clung to the airplane window the entire time, acting as if he was experiencing a flight for the first time.
In contrast, Yabao, who had flown several times before, was much calmer, displaying the demeanor of a pet beast that had seen the world.
Meanwhile, Qiao Sang was attentively listening to the assessment instructor’s speech.
“This time, we will be heading to the 25th District.” Qu Zhuo announced.
“You will receive your missions at the Beast Center. I won’t assign them, you will choose for yourselves. However, there are some requirements for the missions.”
“First, the mission must be related to wild pet beasts. Second, the difficulty level cannot be too low, it must be at least at the level of a D-rank beast master.”
“The difficulty of the mission will also be factored into your assessment score. The harder the task, the higher the points awarded. I won’t be accompanying you throughout, but I will be observing and recording your performance from the shadows. You will have three days to complete your mission, and after the assessment period ends, I will evaluate your performance in three additional tests within a day.”
Qiao Sang thought for a moment and asked, “So the mission only needs to be related to wild pet beasts? There are no restrictions on the type of mission?”
“No restrictions.” Qu Zhuo confirmed, looking at Qiao Sang.
“But let me clarify in advance, the 25th District is teeming with wild pet beasts. No matter what type of mission you choose, you will likely encounter a large number of them. Ensuring your own safety while completing the task is also part of the assessment criteria.”
So, the real purpose of this mission is to observe how everyone handles wild pet beasts… Qiao Sang pondered.
“Any other questions?” Qu Zhuo asked.
“Yes!” Tang Yi raised his hand.
“Teacher, you’re just one person. Since Qiao Sang and I will have different missions and will be acting separately, how will you observe and record both of us at the same time?”
Qu Zhuo smiled mysteriously.
“You don’t need to worry about that.”
Acting all mysterious… Qiao Sang and Tang Yi exchanged glances, immediately understanding each other’s thoughts.
The plane landed smoothly. As soon as Qiao Sang got off, she saw two nearly identical monkey-like pet beasts walking toward them, eyes squinted in a cheerful expression. Their bodies were mostly blue, with large fan-shaped ears on either side of their heads.
The two monkey-like pet beasts smiled as they reached for Tang Yi’s luggage.
Before Tang Yi could react, one of them had already grabbed his bag.
Seeing this, the other monkey-like pet beast wasted no time and immediately turned to help other passengers with their luggage.
The one carrying Tang Yi’s suitcase led the way ahead, eyes squinted in a cheerful manner.
“I didn’t expect the 25th District to have this kind of service.” Tang Yi said with a relaxed smile, now free of his luggage.
Qu Zhuo gave him a look as if he were an ignorant yet pure-hearted college student.
“That’s a wild pet beast. It’s carrying your luggage, so you’ll have to pay it a service fee.”
The blue monkey-like pet beast leading the way twitched its eyelids at their conversation, revealing a hint of disdain. Did this human seriously think it was offering free labor?
Tang Yi froze for a moment before hurriedly looking at the pet beast’s wrist, sure enough, there was no identification wristband.
So, the Lower Ten Districts really are full of wild pet beasts. They had just arrived, and they’d already encountered one… Qiao Sang marveled internally.
“How much is the usual service fee?” She asked.
Qu Zhuo explained, “Anywhere between 20 and 100 Alliance coins. If you don’t have cash on you, there are pet beast food shops just outside, you can buy them a snack instead.”
Qiao Sang asked again, “What do they do with money?”
“There are a lot of wild pet beasts and humans living here. Some wild pet beasts who want human goods find ways to earn money.”
Sounds like humans and pet beasts live quite harmoniously here… Qiao Sang thought.
Just then, a sharp scream pierced the air.
Qiao Sang turned her head toward the source of the sound. A young woman with delicate features stood there, completely drenched, as if someone had dumped a bucket of water on her. Official source is N()velFire.net
In front of her stood a pet beast with a round body and white wave-like patterns on its belly. It looked displeased.
Judging by their positions and expressions, there was no need to check surveillance footage, it was clear the pet beast had used a Water Gun attack on the girl.
Thank goodness Lubao used to hold back when spraying me… Watching the soaking-wet girl, Qiao Sang suddenly recalled the times when Lubao had sprayed her with water.
“That wild pet beast is called a Waterfruit. It likes to bask in the sun.” Qu Zhuo explained, also noticing the scene.
“If someone blocks its sunlight, it will attack. That’s why understanding the habits of various pet beasts is crucial when living in the Lower Ten Districts.”
…Why does it feel like struggling students are being targeted? Qiao Sang suddenly realized that living here might not be very safe.
When they reached the airport exit, the blue monkey-like pet beast set down Tang Yi’s luggage. He handed it 20 Alliance coins.
The pet beast took the money, and its cheerful expression immediately disappeared. It looked at Tang Yi with blatant disdain, as if calling him a cheapskate.
Its gaze struck Tang Yi’s heart like a knife.
Feeling humiliated, he reached into his pocket to give it more money, only to see that the monkey-like pet beast had already turned and walked away without a backward glance.
Meanwhile, Qiao Sang quietly celebrated in her heart: Thankfully, all her luggage was stored in Little Treasure’s ring.
Qu Zhuo hailed a car and headed straight for the Beast Center in the 25th District.
Along the way, various pet beasts either strolled leisurely or dashed past them. Some even perched on car roofs, their tails swaying as they hitched a ride, forcing the vehicle to slow to a crawl.
Fifty minutes later, the car pulled up outside the Beast Center.
Qu Zhuo didn’t get out. He glanced at his watch, then turned to Qiao Sang and Tang Yi, who had already stepped out.
“It’s now 5:13 PM. In three days, at this exact time, we will meet back here.”
With that, he turned to the driver and said, “Sir, let’s go.”
Wait, what about food and lodging?!
As Qiao Sang stood there, stunned, the car drove off into the distance.
“…Let’s go,” She sighed.
“Alright.” Tang Yi nodded.
The two of them headed toward the Beast Center together.
Meanwhile, 50 meters down the road, Qu Zhuo suddenly called out, “Sir, you can stop the car now!”
The driver turned around, looking at him speechlessly.
“Why didn’t you just get out with them earlier?”
Qu Zhuo, embarrassed, had no answer.