NOVPUB"Dean Gilbert." Qiao Sang greeted, carefully managing her facial expression.
"Don't just stand there, have a seat and let's talk." Gilbert said.
As expected, this wasn't just a simple thank-you visit, he was clearly preparing for a long conversation. Qiao Sang pulled out the chair next to her and sat down.
Gilbert glanced at Yabao, then turned to Qiao Sang and said slowly, "I'm very sorry."
Huh? Sorry for what? Qiao Sang looked utterly confused.
Gilbert continued, "With your talent and strength, your application to our Yulianton University’s Beast Taming Department should have been accepted immediately. But since you skipped a grade to reach your final year of high school, we considered your foundational knowledge still shaky and decided to wait and observe."
So that’s what he was apologizing for… Qiao Sang quickly responded, "Having my application rejected is completely normal. My foundational knowledge really wasn’t that solid at the time."
Honestly, she had felt that even Sainan High School was giving her too much credit by writing a recommendation letter for her back then.
But thinking back now, her strength really did far exceed her peers.
When your strength is unmatched at the high school level, academic scores might not matter as much.
Otherwise, the Imperial Beast University wouldn’t have gone out of their way to recruit her.
Dean Gilbert said in a serious tone: "In fact, our university never officially rejected your application. We were still observing and planned to give you a response before the deadline."
He paused, then continued, "We just didn’t expect the Imperial Beast University to snatch you up so quickly."
Wait, her application wasn’t rejected? Qiao Sang froze for a moment.
So she was this close to being selected by Yulianton University?
At that thought, Qiao Sang’s first reaction was: Holy crap, thank goodness the Imperial Beast University moved fast...
Her second thought: Why am I even thinking like this?
After all, Yulianton University consistently ranks third among all top institutions in the interstellar world. When she submitted her application, she never really expected to get in...
Qiao Sang adjusted her mindset and said, "I didn’t expect to end up at the Imperial Beast University either."
Gilbert stiffened slightly at her words.
Something about that sentence just felt… off.
After a brief pause, he gently pushed a black-gold card toward her and said: "I hope to make up for the mistake our university made."
What? Qiao Sang looked at the card being pushed to her, momentarily confused.
Gilbert explained slowly, "This is a no-limit card. You can use it freely. In the future, I can also provide resources for nurturing your pet beasts. I hope you’ll reconsider and choose our Yulianton University."
Qiao Sang: !!!
No-limit card!
He's actually trying to buy me over with a no-limit card?!
Her pupils contracted, shocked beyond belief.
Only those who’ve once held a no-limit card and then lost it can truly understand this feeling of impact.
Unlike the prize card she’d received before, where the government covered the expenses, this card was clearly from Dean Gilbert’s personal funds. Every cent spent would come out of his pocket.
After what felt like forever, Qiao Sang finally broke out of her shock and asked, with a complicated expression, "So as long as I transfer to Yulianton University, I can use this card?"
Dean Gilbert smiled: "To be precise, you can use it until the end of the Interstellar Cup. By then, I’m sure you’ll have your own personal no-limit card."
Until the Interstellar Cup ends… that could take years. Qiao Sang sat silently, her gaze slightly dazed.
Gilbert watched her expression and felt satisfied.
The idea of the no-limit card had come from a dream-induced response extracted by Dream Czech a few days earlier.
In the dream, the subject doesn’t realize they’re dreaming and gives their most honest, instinctual answers.
If Qiao Sang wanted a no-limit card in the dream, she was bound to be tempted by one in reality.
Gilbert then added, "I heard yesterday that Dean Annmaria had a pure-blood Thundercrack Dragon egg, so I went and got it. I can offer that to you as further compensation, as long as you transfer to Yulianton University."
He didn’t specify a department, he assumed she’d naturally go to the Beast Taming Department if she transferred.
A pure-blood Thundercrack Dragon egg… Qiao Sang was stunned for a moment.
A no-limit card plus a pure-blood dragon egg, this… this was irresistible!
Then Dean Gilbert added, "This pure-blood Thundercrack Dragon can be your fifth pet. But to compete in the Interstellar Cup, you'll need at least seven. Once your brain domain expands enough to contract a sixth or seventh pet, just let me know what type you want, I’ll help you find it."
As he spoke, he looked at the Rare Pet Beast Enclopedia on the table and said, "Even if it’s a pet listed in this book."
Stop talking, my brain is shutting down… Qiao Sang felt completely overwhelmed by all the information, tempted to agree on the spot, but the last sliver of reason told her this was an important decision. She needed to calm down before making any commitments.
Dean Gilbert silently watched her, waiting for her answer.
Aside from her being from Blue Star and the fact that the Imperial Beast University outranked Yulianton by one slot, he didn’t think Yulianton fell short in any other way.
Even the number one ranked interstellar university wouldn’t offer this much to a student before they had accomplished anything.
He believed that any rational person would choose what was best for themselves.
After a long silence, Qiao Sang finally tore her gaze away from the no-limit card and said with difficulty, “I need some time to think about it.”
Dean Gilbert smiled at her words.
“Of course. You can contact me anytime.”
Just then, Dream Czech who had somehow appeared out of nowhere, handed over a business card.
Qiao Sang accepted it solemnly and tucked it into her pocket.
---
That evening, when Qiao Sang returned to the villa, the first thing she saw was the steaming dishes on the dining table.
She was silent for two seconds, then began summoning Gangbao and called for Yabao and the others to start eating.
Yabao and the others happily dug in.
As Qiao Sang ate, she flipped through the Illustrated Guide to Rare Pet Beasts that she had borrowed earlier.
She hadn’t flipped far when she came across the entry for the Thundercrack Dragon.
>Thundercrack Dragon, a dual-type dragon and electric pet beast, is one of the rare few that possesses immense destructive power even at the primary stage. Seldom seen in public, it is believed to be born from lightning as electric flashes often appear near them.
>Thundercrack Dragons enjoy wandering in thunderstorms. Each time they evolve, they store a staggering amount of electricity inside. If not properly managed, it becomes difficult to control, and the dragon itself may grow irritable due to the excess stored electricity...
After reading it, Qiao Sang didn’t turn the page but instead asked: “Yabao, how do you guys feel about staying on Chaosu Star?”
The other party had clearly wanted her to transfer to Yulianton University and even mentioned the Interstellar Cup, this clearly wasn’t just a five-year undergrad matter.
If she were really to transfer, she might have to stay here for a very long time.
Rationally, the offer was excellent, an unlimited credit card, and access to pet beasts she normally wouldn’t even come across.
Take the Thundercrack Dragon, for instance, purebred, at that. Even with an unlimited card, she probably wouldn’t have been able to contract one under normal circumstances, let alone without the card.
As a beast master, who wouldn't want to contract an ultra-rare pet beast? Not to mention, Dean Gilbert also promised to help find her sixth and seventh pet beasts in the future.
But emotionally, all the people and the environment she was familiar with were back on Blue Star.
To her, Blue Star clearly held a different meaning from Chaosu Star.
She had even been thinking about returning to participate in the regional competitions.
In short, Qiao Sang was very conflicted.
But truth be told, she was leaning slightly toward staying on Chaosu Star.
After all, the conditions offered were too tempting to turn down.
“Yap yap…”
Yabao made a carefree noise while chewing his energy pellets, indicating that Chaosu Star was pretty good too.
With that word too, Qiao Sang immediately realized Yabao had understood her conversation at the library today.
“Xun xun~”
Qiao Sang somehow understood what Yabao meant, and her heart was moved. Just as she was about to speak, the little Treasure beside her let out a sweet call, indicating he was fine anywhere.
“Lu Ai.”
Lubao followed up with a cry, expressing the same sentiment.
Little Treasure, Lubao… Qiao Sang felt a wave of emotion wash over her. 𝖓𝔬𝔳𝔭𝖚𝖇.𝔠𝔬𝖒
“Gang Slice?”
At this moment, Gangbao called out, asking why she was suddenly bringing this up. Were they going to stay on Chaosu Star permanently?
Qiao Sang turned her head and saw Gangbao’s expression was calm, seemingly just asking a simple question.
She had almost forgotten the things she had said to coax Gangbao back then… Qiao Sang paused for a few seconds, then said honestly, “Dean Gilbert from Yulianton offered me some resources and hopes I’ll transfer to their university. If I do, we might be staying here for quite a while.”
“Gang Slice.”
Gangbao replied calmly.
Staying for a long time wasn’t the same as staying forever, she could accept that.
After speaking, she lowered her head and resumed eating energy pellets.
What Gangbao didn’t say was that, after spending this time together, she had long since stopped thinking about Blue Star and even forgotten her original reason for forming a contract.
Given the bond they now shared, Qiao Sang naturally understood Gangbao’s message: She had said that just for her, to let her make her decision without being burdened by past promises.
Gangbao… Qiao Sang’s heart warmed again, and she felt moved.
After dinner, with their hunger satisfied, Little Treasure floated over to his beast master and blinked his eyes adorably.
Qiao Sang instantly understood and smiled: “Go play, but keep an eye on the time.”
“Xun xun~”
Little Treasure spun in excitement on the spot, then eagerly floated off toward the room.
Just then, Qiao Sang suddenly thought of something and called out, “Wait!”
“Xun xun?”
Little Treasure turned around, wearing a puzzled expression.
Qiao Sang cleared her throat and said, “When you’re playing on the computer, could you occasionally use Shadow of Darkness every few minutes?”
She had already decided on Little Treasure's next training direction: Combining Shadow of Darkness with Shadow Control for a combo move.
Practicing Shadow of Darkness was inevitable eventually, and since computer time was Little Treasure's reward for good spatial lockdown practice, Qiao Sang felt a bit embarrassed making the request now.
“Xun xun~”
Little Treasure raised his paw and made an “OK” gesture, indicating no problem.
Then, he cheerfully floated off to the room.
“If only he had more skills he could train while playing on the computer…” Qiao Sang mused quietly.
---
Ding-dong~
Ten minutes later, the doorbell rang.
Qiao Sang went to the entrance and turned the doorknob.
Crap, she forgot to tell Dean Virginia that Little Treasure had learned Spatial Lockdown… Seeing the person at the door, Qiao Sang’s face lit up with surprise:
"Dean Virginia!"
"Good evening." Dean Virginia greeted with a smile.
"That’s perfect! I was just about to contact you, Little Treasure has already learned Spatial Lockdown!" Qiao Sang said excitedly.
Virginia: ???
She paused mid-step while taking off her shoes, looked up, and asked with a confused expression, "The Ghost Ring King has learned Spatial Lockdown?"
"Yes, yes!" Qiao Sang nodded repeatedly.
"He just learned it recently. It’s all thanks to your guidance."
Virginia fell silent.
For the first time, she began to question her own teaching ability.
Not because she thought it was bad, but because… was her teaching really that effective?
"Can you have the Ghost Ring King demonstrate it for me?" Virginia asked.
"Of course." Qiao Sang said.
"Come on in first."
"Alright..." Only then did Virginia realize she’d taken off only one shoe.
After entering the living room, Qiao Sang called out, "Little Treasure!"
No response.
She added, "If you don’t come out, I’m cutting down your computer time!"
"Xun xun!"
The next second, Little Treasure suddenly appeared beside her.
Virginia: …
"Show Dean Virginia your Spatial Lockdown." Qiao Sang said.
"Xun xun~"
As soon as she finished speaking, Little Treasure's eyes glowed blue.
In an instant, an invisible membrane enveloped the surroundings.
Virginia could clearly see everything beyond a meter start to warp.
"It really did learn it…" Virginia murmured to herself.
"Xun xun…"
Little Treasure gave a soft cry, asking if he could leave now.
Qiao Sang nodded.
"Go ahead."
The moment she spoke, Little Treasure vanished on the spot.
Qiao Sang: …
The membrane disappeared.
Virginia came back to her senses and looked at Qiao Sang with a complicated expression.
"Looks like you don’t need me anymore."
"Of course not." Qiao Sang said with a smile.
"I haven’t forgotten our cooperation. I’ll still count on you for information in the future."
Virginia was momentarily stunned, then smiled.
"I look forward to the day you compete in the Interstellar Cup."
---
12:45 a.m.
The chandelier in the living room was still brightly lit.
Qiao Sang wasn’t sleeping like usual. Instead, she sat on the sofa reading Rare Pet Beast Illustrated Guide.
She couldn’t fall asleep, her mind stuck on whether to return to Blue Star or stay on Chaosu Star.
At that moment, the sound of a password being entered came from the door, and the security lock clicked open.
Liu Yao came in carrying a bunch of items, with Sky Bat beside him, both looking exhausted.
"Vice Principal, you’re finally back." Qiao Sang looked up, delighted.
