Jiang Xiu pondered for a few seconds before saying, "I have a friend whose beast can perform memory reading. However, I’m not sure about its proficiency level. Let me call and ask."

As he spoke, he took out his phone and began scrolling through his contacts.

Qiao Sang immediately felt that the matter was as good as settled.

Memory reading, a high-tier psychic ability, allows one to read another’s memories.

Unlike Touch Perception, which senses past events by touching people or objects, psychometry can only detect recent events. The older the event, the more proficiency is required to perceive it.

Memory reading, on the other hand, can access any memory stored in a living being’s mind, regardless of its age. It’s particularly effective when the target is consciously recalling the memory, making the reading smoother.

With higher proficiency, even deeply buried and almost-forgotten memories can be retrieved.

Most people cannot recall every detail of their past, as some memories fade and get stored in the subconscious, deep within the brain.

This is where a highly skilled memory reader proves invaluable.

Jiang Xiu quickly dialed a number.

Qiao Sang clearly heard two beep tones before the call connected, followed by a deep male voice on the speakerphone:

"Speak."

Jiang Xiu got straight to the point:

"What’s the proficiency level of your Tuo Luola’s memory reading?"

The man’s tone was indifferent.

"Mastery."

Jiang Xiu’s face lit up with delight.

"Can you come to the Deep Sea Mantis Hotel? I need your help with something."

"I’m busy." The man replied coldly.

"I haven’t completed today’s training quota."

Unperturbed, Jiang Xiu explained,

"It’s to check the memory of an Ice Qiya. It wants to go somewhere but hasn’t described it clearly. You know Qiao Sang, the contestant from the Yuhua region? It’s her Ice Qiya."

Silence fell on the other end.

Qiao Sang instinctively held her breath.

After a long pause, the man finally said, "I’ll be there."

On the waterway, the Sea Salt Lizard turned around.

"His name is Pei Shipan. He’s a training fanatic. If you spend time in the Guwu region, you’ll definitely hear about him. He participates in the regional competitions every year and is somewhat of a local celebrity."

Jiang Xiu said. After a moment’s thought, he added, "Don’t be fooled by his obsession with training; he’s actually very warm-hearted. See? The moment I mentioned I needed help, he agreed to come."

If I hadn’t heard the call myself, I might’ve believed you… Qiao Sang thought to herself.

Jiang Xiu, sensing an opportunity, continued, "Actually, it’s not just him. Everyone in the Guwu region is like that. If you ever decide to settle here, it’ll feel just like home."

To be honest, Qiao Sang did like certain aspects of the Guwu region. If she could buy a house here and come for occasional holidays, it would indeed be quite enjoyable...

Noticing her thoughtful expression, Jiang Xiu felt encouraged and launched into an enthusiastic account of the Guwu region’s attractions.

Forty minutes later, they arrived back at the Deep Sea Mantis Hotel.

On the way, Jiang Xiu had deliberately slowed the Sea Salt Lizard, chattering on about the region’s culture, local delicacies, and fascinating wild Water-type beasts they passed by.

"You see that glowing purple beast earlier? It’s actually milky white in its natural state. It’s called a Feathered Cottonfluff. The feathery antennae on its head can-"

Before he could finish, a tall man in a hat, mask, and sunglasses, who had his face covered almost entirely, leaned against a hotel pillar and called out, "Jiang Xiu."

Jiang Xiu turned and, surprised to see him, remarked, "Didn’t expect you to get here so fast. Normally, it’d take over an hour by submarine from your training spot."

The tall man strode over with long legs.

Suppressing his surprise, Jiang Xiu introduced him to Qiao Sang,

"This is Pei Shipan. Just call him Uncle Pei."

Another one who looks much younger than his age… Qiao Sang straightened her expression and greeted politely, "Hello, Uncle Pei."

Pei Shipan removed his mask, nodded, and replied, "Hello."

Then, as if recalling something, he pulled his lips into an awkward smile.

He actually smiled? Jiang Xiu was taken aback.

Pei Shipan was infamous for his perpetual poker face. In nearly ten years of knowing him, Jiang Xiu had never seen him smile before.

Reflecting on the recent smile, Jiang Xiu concluded: Yeah, he’s better off not smiling.

After a brief exchange, the three of them took the elevator to room 2088.

Pei Shipan removed his hat, mask, and sunglasses, revealing a cold, stern face.

At the same time, Qiao Sang formed a hand seal, summoning her Lubao.

The previously cold face broke into excitement.

So this is the Ice Qiya... Pei Shipan’s cheeks flushed as he crouched down, reaching out to touch it.

Just as his hand was about to make contact, Lubao opened her mouth and blasted a jet of water larger than his face, drenching him completely.

The water cannon struck directly, turning Pei Shipan into a soaked mess.

Jiang Xiu silently covered his face.

"Sorry!" Qiao Sang quickly scooped up Lubao, bowing her head apologetically.

"Lubao, apologize!"

Lubao looked conflicted but was about to comply when Pei Shipan, drenched and wiping his face, interjected loudly,

"No need!"

Qiao Sang froze.

"But that’s—"

Pei Shipan cut her off earnestly, "It’s my fault. I tried to touch it without its consent. Its reaction was justified."

With that, he pulled out his phone, snapped a selfie of his drenched state, and posted it with a caption: "Drenched in water, courtesy of the Ice Qiya."

Though Qiao Sang couldn’t see his post, Jiang Xiu, standing at a similar height, caught a glimpse.

For a moment, he felt envious but reminded himself of the importance of maintaining good rapport with the beast. He resisted the urge to let Ice Qiya drench him too.

What is he doing, taking selfies and playing with his phone… Qiao Sang found his behavior puzzling.

"Let’s not waste time. Get started." Jiang Xiu interjected, steering the conversation back to the task at hand.

"Alright." Pei Shipan set his phone aside and made a hand seal. A red star array lit up in the room.

A moment later, a 110 cm deer-like beast with blue and white coloring materialized in the array.

Qiao Sang noticed a lightweight miniaturization bracelet on its left front leg, identical to the one on her Yabao.

Its actual size must be much larger… she thought as she knelt to explain to Ice Lubao, "You’ve been wanting to go somewhere, right? But there are too many places that match your description. I can’t find it. That’s why I brought someone who can help. This beast can perform memory reading to clearly see the place you’re recalling."

"Just let it work and don’t resist, okay?"

"Lu..."

Lubao looked at her master, then at the unfamiliar beast and the human she had just sprayed, before finally nodding.

So obedient... Jiang Xiu’s heart melted at the sight.

Pei Shipan suppressed his desire to pet it and said, "Let’s begin."

Tuo Luola placed its antlers gently on Lubao’s head.

Ripples spread from the antlers, and it let out a soft cry, "Tuo Tuo."

Closing its eyes, Lubao followed suit.

"It’s asking the Ice Qiya to recall the scene." Pei Shipan explained.

Qiao Sang nodded. It made sense, the clearer the memory, the easier the reading.

A minute later, Tuo Luola opened its eyes.

"Did it see anything?" Pei Shipan asked.

"Tuo." The beast nodded.

"What did it see?"

"Tuo Tuo, Tuo."

"Tuo Tuo."

"Tuo."

Tuo Luola carefully described the scene it had retrieved.

When it finished, Qiao Sang asked eagerly, "What did it say?"

Pei Shipan hesitated before replying, "It mentioned a tree, a house, and a small green beast."

Qiao Sang: ???