Deep Sea Mantis Hotel.

It was breakfast time. Just as Qiao Sang was about to head to the top-floor revolving restaurant for breakfast, she heard a knock at the door.

"It's me." A somewhat familiar voice came from outside.

Walking to the door, Qiao Sang opened it to find a blond-haired, handsome man standing there.

It was none other than Professor Jiang, who had escorted them here in the middle of the night.

"Professor Jiang, what brings you here?" Qiao Sang asked.

Jiang Xiu subtly glanced inside the room. His gaze paused for a moment on a certain extraordinary beast he had dreamed of seeing, but he quickly averted his eyes, pretending nothing had happened. Maintaining a calm demeanor, he said:

"It's important for beasts to have breakfast before 9 a.m. I made some specially crafted energy pellets and thought I'd deliver them to you."

As he spoke, he handed over three boxes he was carrying.

Though Jiang Xiu appeared composed, his inner thoughts were in turmoil: Holy crap! It's Ice Qiya! It just looked at me! Stay calm. Stay calm. Ice Qiya’s species dislikes overly enthusiastic people or beasts at first meetings. Act natural.

Delivering the food personally… Qiao Sang accepted the boxes, moved by the gesture.

"Thank you, Professor Jiang."

"It's my pleasure." Jiang Xiu replied with a smile.

Yet, he made no move to leave, instead continuing to smile warmly at Qiao Sang.

Understanding his intention, Qiao Sang offered, "Would you like to come in and sit for a bit?"

"Sure!" Jiang Xiu’s eyes lit up as he stepped eagerly into the room.

Each box of energy pellets was labeled with the names of the specific beasts. Qiao Sang matched them one by one, placing them in front of Yabao, Lubao, and Little Treasure.

The beasts took a bite, their eyes curving with satisfaction, it was evidently to their taste.

While Lubao was focused on her food, Jiang Xiu couldn’t help but stare at her, his gaze filled with anticipation and subtle tension.

Noticing this, Qiao Sang smirked internally. Just as I thought.

She asked aloud, "Lubao, how does it taste?"

"Lu."

Lubao lifted her head, gave a cool reply, and continued eating.

Although Jiang Xiu, as an A-rank breeder, could interpret beast behavior, he still couldn’t resist asking, "What did Ice Qiya just say?"

"She said it’s delicious." Qiao Sang translated.

Hearing this, Lubao paused momentarily but didn’t refute, continuing to eat.

Jiang Xiu’s face lit up with excitement as he mentally prepared to make another hundred servings.

Just then, Qiao Sang's phone rang. She glanced at the caller ID: Xu Yixuan.

"What's up?" Qiao Sang asked after answering.

Xu Yixuan’s voice came through the speaker.

"Have you had breakfast? Want to eat together? I heard the restaurant here also serves energy pellets for the beasts."

"I haven’t eaten yet, but Professor Jiang just delivered energy pellets to my room." Qiao Sang replied.

"What?" Xu Yixuan exclaimed.

"Professor Jiang brought them directly to your room? Then I’ll wait a bit before heading up, I wouldn’t want to miss him if he comes by."

"Alright." Qiao Sang replied before hanging up.

She turned to Jiang Xiu, whose hands were conspicuously empty.

Crap! I was so excited about seeing Ice Qiya that I forgot to bring the other energy pellets… Jiang Xiu's exceptional hearing had picked up every word of the phone call. Feeling guilty, he stood up and admitted:

"I’ll head back now. I forgot the other energy pellets at home."

Qiao Sang: "…Alright."

10:30 PM

Leaning against her bed’s headboard, Qiao Sang scrolled through her phone, watching an interview video from Guwu District.

On-screen, a female reporter in a dress conducted random street interviews:

"Hello, do you know about the National Campus Beast Mastering League?"

The first interviewee, an elderly man with gray hair, answered proudly, "Of course! My grandson is participating in it."

The reporter’s eyes lit up.

"Could you share his name?"

"Liu Hengzhi." The old man replied.

"And what grade is your grandson in?"

"Twelfth."

"Will you be supporting him on-site?"

"No."

"Why not?" The reporter was puzzled.

"Because my grandson’s already been eliminated." The old man replied bluntly.

The reporter hesitated, about to offer consolation, but the old man continued seriously, "I’ll still go to the venue, but I’m supporting Qiao Sang from the Yuhua District! Even if my grandson hadn’t been eliminated, I’d still support her!"

Five seconds later, the reporter stopped a school-uniformed girl for another interview:

"Do you know about the National Campus Beast Mastering League?"

"Yes!"

"Do you have a favorite contestant?"

The girl grabbed the microphone, leaned close, and shouted excitedly into the camera, "Qiao Sang, you rock! Ice Qiya, you rock! I’ll always support you!"

The reporter hurriedly retrieved the microphone and continued her interviews.

Next, she approached a man in a suit and gold-rimmed glasses who exuded an intellectual aura.

"Do you know about the National Campus Beast Mastering League?"

"Yes. I’m rooting for Qiao Sang." He said succinctly before walking away.

Qiao Sang smiled, receiving a new message from Xu Yixuan: [Did you watch the video I sent?]

Qiao Sang replied: [Just started watching.]

Xu Yixuan responded: [Everyone interviewed in Guwu Region supports you!]

Qiao Sang’s smile deepened as she typed: [Really? I’ll keep watching to see for myself.]

Guwu Region’s people were friendlier than she’d expected…

The Next Morning

At 9:24 AM, riding the Sea Salt Lizard, Qiao Sang asked, "Professor Jiang, are you really free today?"

Jiang Xiu smiled warmly.

"Taking care of you all is my top priority these days. Don’t hesitate to ask for help, we in Guwu Region are known for our hospitality. If you decide to settle here someday, you’ll feel right at home."

"Our rwgion offers plenty of entertainment. You can explore on land or underwater, your choice."

After praising Guwu Region for a while, Jiang Xiu asked, "By the way, why are you heading to the Beastmaster Center?"

"I’m going to post a task." Qiao Sang replied.

"What kind of task?" Jiang Xiu turned to her.

"Maybe I can help, so you won’t have to make the trip."

After a brief hesitation, Qiao Sang explained, "It’s for Lubao."

Jiang Xiu’s interest was instantly piqued.

"Tell me everything!"