Chapter 243: No, There's a Conflict
When a pet of national treasure status is willing to let you contract it, and you just so happen to have an open contract slot, how could you hold back?
Qiao Sang couldn't wait a single moment longer.
Heaven knew how much she agonized over contracting Water Luriana. She even sold out Yabao's good looks for her.
Now that she had finally waited until her mind had broken through, she naturally didn't want to delay any longer.
Had it not been for someone standing next to her just now, she would have completed the contract the moment she realized her star array had turned green.
Qiao Sang's gaze was intense as she looked at Water Luriana, her heart pounding.
Even though she knew Water Luriana had agreed beforehand, the actual moment of contracting still sent her adrenaline skyrocketing.
"Lu lu!"
Water Luriana looked at the human in front of her, nodded solemnly.
"Great! Perfect!" Qiao Sang excitedly stood up and formed a seal with her hands.
A green light gathered from all directions to Water Luriana's head, quickly forming a small green star array.
Water Luriana allowed the light of the star array to cover her without resistance.
Five minutes later, Qiao Sang walked out of the restroom, looking fresh and spirited, with a smile on her face.
"I'm ready. Let's go!" She said, smiling at the man on the sofa.
"Alright." The man stood up, grabbing the checkered guy as he headed toward the entrance.
Qiao Sang followed closely behind.
When the man had put on his shoes and opened the door, a nearly two-meter-tall, burly man stood there, glaring at him with a dark expression.
"And you are?" The man asked, frowning.
"My surname is Pang. I came for the job request." The burly man replied expressionlessly.
The man: !!!
Good heavens, he was still here after all this time. He had practically forgotten about him.
"Was it you who posted the job?" The burly man asked.
The man nodded.
"Yes, it was me."
"Then why didn't you open the door when I knocked just now?" The burly man took a step forward, questioning him in a menacing tone.
"I—" The man started to speak, barely getting out a word.
The burly man glared at him and continued, "And you didn't answer your phone either. Are you messing with me?"
The man's brows knitted tighter. From his years of experience, he could tell this guy wasn't to be trifled with. The guy seemed pretty fired up too; things could get messy.
Just as he was about to explain himself, the burly man's gaze shifted to Qiao Sang beside him.
Instantly, his face brightened, flushing red with excitement as he exclaimed, "Qiao Sang! You're Qiao Sang! I'm a fan! Can I get a photo with Flame Hound?"
"Of course." Qiao Sang, in high spirits, readily agreed.
The man: ???
A flashy red SUV sped toward the police station.
The man drove absentmindedly, occasionally glancing at the girl gazing out the window beside him.
After hesitating for a while, he couldn't resist asking, "You're only a freshman in high school?"
"Mm." Qiao Sang replied.
The checkered guy in the backseat shuddered upon hearing their conversation.
He'd assumed her outfit and backpack were an act to look young, at least a college student. Who would've thought she was genuinely this young?
A high school freshman with this level of mental development?
Wow, what a prodigy, he thought, feeling his admiration grow.
The checkered guy took out his phone and searched for Qiao Sang's profile, as the burly man had mentioned.
Soon, he found her online account and scrolled down to see photos of her Flame Hound pet. He silently followed her.
With such achievements at just fifteen, she would surely compete in regional tournaments someday!
For a moment, the checkered guy felt that Yuxin Yan was now in the past, and Qiao Sang was the rising star he should be following!
Unaware that she had gained a fervent admirer, Qiao Sang continued looking out the window.
On the way to the police station, the checkered guy cooperated without causing any trouble.
Qiao Sang found this surprising.
Anyone who saw them would probably think the checkered guy was going to the police station to take care of business.
"What's your name?"
"Qiao Sang."
"Age?"
"Fifteen."
It was Qiao Sang's nth visit to the police station, so the female officer handling her statement was familiar with her. But they still had to follow procedure.
After finishing, the officer joked, "Why do you come here every few days?"
Do you think I want to? Qiao Sang spread her hands and joked back, "Maybe I'm just destined to be here."
"Well said!" A hearty voice came from behind her.
Qiao Sang turned and recognized the man, greeting him.
"Captain Liu."
"Glad you still remember me." Liu Zhezhen said as he walked over, sitting down with a smile.
"I wanted to get in touch with you, but I figured you're probably at school and without your phone, so I didn't reach out."
"How are you thinking about what I asked last time?"
Qiao Sang remembered exactly what he was referring to.
It was an offer to train under the Longguo Military Academy.
Before, she might have hesitated a bit. After all, Longguo Military Academy was a top-tier institution, the number one military school in the nation, a dream school for almost every high school student.
But now...
Qiao Sang paused for a few seconds.
"Thank you, Captain Liu, but I want to become a professional beast tamer in the future."
Liu Zhezhen smiled, "Becoming a professional beast tamer doesn't conflict with attending Longguo Military Academy."
"No, there's a conflict." Qiao Sang replied seriously, word by word.
"I want to become a beast tamer who competes in the Instellar Cup."
She hadn't said it before, as she didn't have enough confidence.
She knew how hearing this must sound to others, like someone claiming they'd lead the national football team to a World Cup victory, completely laughable.
But now, she thought there was nothing wrong with saying it. At worst, she'd get laughed at, but she would still work toward this goal. Qiao Sang felt her mindset had shifted slightly.
"Pfft!" The female officer beside them, sipping tea, couldn't hold back and sprayed a mouthful of water right onto Liu Zhezhen's face.
Liu Zhezhen: !!!
Back home, Qiao Sang immediately summoned her three pet beasts.
"Yap."
Yabao glanced around the familiar surroundings, immediately heading toward the courtyard to begin training.
"Wait!" Qiao Sang called.
"Yap?" Yabao tilted his head.
"Let me formally introduce your new partner, Water Luriana." Qiao Sang picked up Water Luriana and held her up.
"Lu lu!" Water Luriana chirped happily.
"Yap.
"Xun."
Yabao and Xiao Xunbao exchanged glances.
Wasn't she already their partner?
"It's different. Today, I made it official with a contract, so a little formality is in order." Qiao Sang explained.
"Lu lu!"
Water Luriana lifted her head, awaiting the welcome ceremony.
"Yap."
Yabao, feeling it was pointless, turned and headed to the courtyard to train.
"Lu lu..."
Seeing this, Water Luriana's expression fell.
"Yap yap?"
Yabao paused, then turned to Water Luriana, barking an invitation.
Would she like to train together?
"Lu lu!"
Water Luriana's face lit up, and with a flick of her tail, she leaped out of Qiao Sang's arms.
Watching Water Luriana eagerly following Yabao to the courtyard, Qiao Sang felt both pleased and worried.
She was glad the two got along well now, but worried that now that Water Luriana was contracted, heartbreak might be in her future.
Qiao Sang looked at Little Treasure beside her, encouraging him, "Give it your best, I think Water Luriana might evolve before you do."
"Xun."
Little Treasure's expression was nonchalant.
Given Water Luriana's age, her evolving first was only natural.
Qiao Sang: ...
Nighttime.
Lying in bed, Qiao Sang's consciousness entered her mind space as she resumed browsing the Beast Tamer Codex.