The live broadcasts from the two major satellite channels were still ongoing.

As Qiao Sang stepped down from the award stage with her prize, a swarm of media reporters surrounded her, cameras flashing incessantly.

The reporters from Zhejiang's two main satellite channels were invited by the government, while others had rushed over upon hearing the news.

“Qiao Sang, can you tell us under what circumstances Flame Hound evolved into Blazing Star Canine? It’s been over three months since Flame Hound first appeared, but no second one has been reported yet. Is it because the conditions for evolution are particularly difficult?” A reporter asked.

Qiao Sang replied, “Flame Hound evolved into Blazing Star Canine during a battle. As for the specific conditions for the evolution, a dedicated research team has already been formed. I believe the details will be revealed soon.”

Another reporter followed up, “Hello, Qiao Sang. I’m a reporter from the Ancient Guwu Region. Could you share how you encountered Ice Qiya?”

A reporter from the Ancient Guwu Region? Qiao Sang was momentarily surprised but then smiled.

“Of course. I was renting a house off-campus at the time. It was in the backyard pool of that house. Back then, it was still Water Luriana.”

The reporter was stunned.

He had considered many possible answers but never expected this one.

Encountering the rare and endangered Water Luriana in the backyard of a rental house? It sounded like a bizarre urban legend.

Another reporter chimed in, “Qiao Sang, do you have any special methods for identifying the potential of pet beasts?”

Qiao Sang shook her head.

“No, I don’t.”

The reporter seemed skeptical. After all, Qiao Sang’s three pet beasts all had extraordinary talents, mastering advanced skills with remarkable proficiency.

It might be a coincidence if one pet had such talent, but for all three to be exceptional seemed almost impossible.

Just as he was about to press further, another reporter seized the opportunity to ask,

“Qiao Sang, you’re only a first-year high school student. Why did you participate in the national campus beast mastering league for third-year students?”

The other reporters fell silent, clearly curious about the answer as well.

Qiao Sang smiled and responded, “It was the principal’s suggestion.”

The principal?

The reporters began looking around for the head of Shengshui Middle School.

On the outskirts of the crowd, Wang Weidou, who had been standing quietly for some time in a new outfit, almost lost his composure. His heart raced as the reporters finally noticed him.

That afternoon, a piece of news quickly trended online:

#NationalCampusBeastMasteringLeagueChampionOnly15YearsOld#

Although the topic was soon overshadowed by others, the news spread rapidly within Zhejiang Province.

At the same time, on a bus traveling from Kainan City to Hanggang City, Yabao excitedly wagged his tail while looking out the window.

It had been a long time since he enjoyed such a view!

Beside him, Little Treasure curiously poked at the black bracelet on Yabao’s paw from time to time.

Qiao Sang laughed as she snapped photos of them.

Xu Yixuan remarked, “I didn’t expect your prize to be that.”

“Neither did I.” Qiao Sang replied with a smile.

The moment she left the Kainan Beast Battle Arena, she had eagerly put the bracelet on Yabao. It turned out to be the lightweight miniaturization bracelet she had hoped for.

With a simple switch, the light adjusted Yabao’s size to match his former Fire Fang Dog form.

From the front row, Sun Boyi turned and explained with a smile, “The top three prizes in each competition are tailored to the participants’ needs.”

“They probably noticed that you’re a first-year student, and summoning a giant Blazing Star Canine during pet beast activity classes would be inconvenient. That’s why they chose this prize for you. It’s quite thoughtful.”

It really was considerate, Qiao Sang thought.

In high school, pet beast activity classes were part of the curriculum. Besides giving pet beasts more exercise, these classes also encouraged interaction between beasts to foster better relationships and prevent conflicts.

Such situations were particularly common for novice beastmasters.

For example, at the start of the school year, a classmate in Class Three had caused quite a scene. His pet beast was a Shui Leizhu, which would start crying uncontrollably when exposed to wind. Because of this, it hated the wind.

On the first day of school, a disciplinary committee member’s pet beast happened to be a Wind Eagle, which generated a strong gust with its wings.

Coincidentally, Shui Leizhu crossed paths with Wind Eagle at the school gate.

Wind Eagle, still flapping its wings, smiled kindly at Shui Leizhu. Shui Leizhu mistook this as a challenge, and the two beasts ended up fighting.

Such incidents highlighted the importance of pet beast activity classes.

Leaders likely chose the bracelet for Yabao because, despite its young age, its large size and strength might intimidate other pet beasts during these classes.

Qiao Sang glanced at Yabao and Little Treasue, then continued taking pictures.

Hanggang City, Long An Road, Tianjing Court, Apartment 1705.

Upon arrival, Lubao immediately started practicing energy concentration in the snowy courtyard.

From the outside, the courtyard appeared to be snowing.

Meanwhile, Yabao, still thrilled with his smaller form, abandoned training for once and played hide-and-seek with Little Treasure.

“Lubao, don’t you want to play?” Qiao Sang asked from the courtyard.

“Lu.” Lubao responded coolly, declining the offer.

Just then, the doorbell rang.

Qiao Sang opened the door.

“Mom, you’re here.”

Ye Xiangting placed the groceries on the floor, removing her shoes.

“The store was busy; otherwise, I would’ve been here two hours earlier. You must be hungry. I bought a lot of ingredients and will start cooking now.”

“I’ll help you.” Qiao Sang offered, picking up the groceries.

Ye Xiangting paused, then smiled.

“Alright.”

The two entered the kitchen, and Qiao Sang slid the glass door shut.

Noticing Little Treasure sneaking in invisibly, she glanced through the glass at Yabao, who was searching the living room, and couldn’t help but think: When it comes to hide-and-seek, Yabao is no match for Little Treasure.

“What are you thinking about?” Ye Xiangting asked while washing vegetables.

“Nothing.” Qiao Sang replied.

After a pause, Ye Xiangting said, “Your grandmother called me today.”

“Grandmother?” Qiao Sang was surprised.

“She saw you on TV and said she wanted to visit you.”

“Let’s not.” Qiao Sang refused.

“I wouldn’t know what to say.”

“Actually, your grandmother cares about you.” Ye Xiangting said while cutting vegetables.

“When your father and I divorced, she was so upset she ended up hospitalized.”

“Let’s talk about it after my competitions are over.” Qiao Sang deflected.

“By the way, Mom, how’s your house-hunting going?”

“I found one.” Ye Xiangting replied.

“But it’s quite far from your school. On the plus side, it’s spacious and soundproof, so training won’t disturb the neighbors.”

With Little Treasure’s spatial abilities, distance wasn’t really a concern. Before Qiao Sang could ask for the address, her phone buzzed.

It was a message from Teacher Sun:

“The regional competition is confirmed to be held in the Ancient Guwu Region. We depart in three days.”