Traveling that far? Qiao Sang looked at the message on her phone and murmured to herself.

The Dragon Nation was divided into 13 regions: Yuhua, Lianbo, Lianke, Liaoxi, Guwu, Xilü, Beilun, Zhongkong, Chongdao, Tuwei, Dongjia, Guri, and Zhidia.

The vast territory meant most people in the Dragon Nation would never visit all the regions in their lifetime.

The distances between regions varied. For instance, traveling from Yuhua to Guwu required passing through Lianke, Lianbo, and Chongdao regions. Even with a direct flight, the journey would take over ten hours.

“What’s up?” Ye Xiangting noticed her daughter staring at her phone for a while and asked.

Qiao Sang put her phone away and replied, “The teacher said the regional competition will be held in Guwu, and we’ll be leaving in three days.”

“That far?” Ye Xiangting paused her task and looked over, surprised.

Qiao Sang shrugged.

“No choice, I made it to the regionals.”

The regional competition, as the name suggests, pits participants from multiple regions against one another.

While there were 13 regions, some were stronger than others. Regions with advanced economies and technology tended to produce more skilled competitors. Sometimes, a tenth-place contestant from a strong region could be better than a first-place contestant from a weaker region.

To address this imbalance, the competition adopted a mixed-regional format. The 13 regions were divided into four zones, with one zone comprising four regions. The number of advancing contestants from these zones was increased accordingly.

Although Qiao Sang didn’t yet know which regions Yuhua would be grouped with, Guwu was confirmed since the competition would only be held in participating regions.

While Ye Xiangting found the distance concerning, she said nothing more. Her daughter had never left Zhejiang Province, let alone traveled to another region. The concern was natural, but making it to the regional competition was a lifelong bragging point. She wouldn’t interfere.

Late at night, with a gentle breeze wafting through the curtains, Qiao Sang lay in bed, scrolling through travel guides for Guwu.

This rare opportunity to visit another region couldn’t go to waste. She had to explore the local attractions.

Suddenly, she remembered something and got out of bed, slipping on her slippers before heading to the courtyard.

Snowflakes drifted down, blanketing the courtyard in a light layer of snow.

Lubao was still training, while Little Treasure enthusiastically built a snowman near the wall.

The dedication here is terrifying… Qiao Sang thought before calling out, “Aren’t you going to rest?”

“Lu.”

Lubao glanced over and let out a low growl, indicating she didn’t need to rest.

“We’re heading to Guwu in a few days. You’re from there, right? Is there anywhere you’d like to visit?”

“Lu…”

Lubao paused her training, tilting her head in thought.

Qiao Sang chuckled at her rare, confused expression. Normally, Lubao exuded an air of aloofness, even before she had experienced heartbreak. This was a rare sight.

“Is there?” Qiao Sang asked again.

“Lu.”

Lubao nodded after some hesitation.

So there is, Qiao Sang thought, smiling.

“Where?”

“Lu, Lu.”

Lubao gestured with her claws, describing a place with a tree and a house.

“And?”

“Lu, Lu.”

She gestured further, mentioning a long, green beast.

Qiao Sang nodded, signaling for her to continue.

“Lu…”

Lubao closed her eyes, lost in thought, before suddenly perking up.

“Lu Lu!”

She barked excitedly, emphasizing that the beast was green.

Qiao Sang stared at Lubao, her usually deep, mysterious eyes now shimmering with excitement. After a brief silence, she asked, “That’s it?”

“Lu.”

Lubao nodded earnestly.

Qiao Sang: …

How on earth am I supposed to find that place in an entire region with just these vague details?

The next morning, after breakfast, Qiao Sang finished packing her schoolbag before realizing it was Saturday.

Wow, these competitions have me forgetting what day it is…

At that moment, her phone buzzed. Seeing Mom on the caller ID, she answered.

“Had breakfast?” Her mother asked warmly.

“Yeah.” Qiao Sang replied.

“I’ve been busy at the shop lately, so I don’t have much time. Check out the house I mentioned yesterday. If you like it, go ahead and buy it. Put it in your name.” Ye Xiangting instructed.

Remembering the location and neighborhood her mother had mentioned during dinner, Qiao Sang nodded.

“Got it.”

After hanging up, she searched for Qinglu Courtyard on the map. It was about 27 kilometers from her current rental.

I wonder if Little Treasure’s teleportation skill will ever be strong enough to cover that distance, Qiao Sang thought, glancing at her pet floating nearby.

“Xun~”

Little Treasure blinked innocently.

Qiao Sang changed into casual clothes and put on a baseball cap. Sensing an outing, Little Treasure eagerly perched on her head.

“Xun…”

He wiggled around on the cap, trying to find the perfect spot.

Once ready, Qiao Sang bent down to pick up Yabao.

“Yap!”

But Yabao stepped back, barking enthusiastically as if to say, Wait a moment!

“Yap yap!”

He turned to Little Treasure and barked again.

“Xun Xun~”

Little Treasure promptly retrieved a selection of sunglasses from his dimensional ring, floating them in front of Yabao.

After careful consideration, Yabao chose his favorite red triangular shades.

“Yap!”

Striking a pose in front of the mirror, Yabao inspected himself from every angle before wagging his tail and signaling he was ready.

Qiao Sang: …

On the taxi ride to Qinglu Courtyard, the driver occasionally glanced at the rearview mirror.

Two trending topics in a row, and I still get recognized with a hat on… Qiao Sang thought.

Finally, the driver spoke up, “Young lady, are you planning to become a Coordinator? Your two pets, one with cool shades and the other with flashy gloves, are both so stylish.”

Qiao Sang: …