The next morning, Shao Zifeng woke up early, dragged the still-sleeping Qiuqiu, and went out to exercise.
Yesterday, in order to escape the scene, he ran wildly all the way despite not exercising often. By the end, it was sheer willpower that kept him going. He vaguely seemed to see a black man giving him a reassuring smile. Thankfully, he was lucky enough not to let the "Seven Sages" successfully take him in.
After resting overnight, although his body was extremely sore when he woke up, he still gritted his teeth and insisted on running three laps around the neighborhood.
No matter which timeline, as an exercise novice, he had never done so much physical activity. Every step Shao Zifeng took felt like treading on cotton, and every muscle fiber seemed to be screaming wildly.
Sweating all over, he went to the public bathhouse for a shower and returned to his room, only to see Qiuqiu holding the handle of a Tang sword, looking intoxicated. Shao Zifeng clicked his tongue, bewildered by Qiuqiu's sudden strange hobby, and didn't bother it.
The mutated house cat was still sleeping; checking its status showed it had changed from critical condition to serious injury, indicating its life was saved.
Glancing at the time, it was still early for class. Shao Zifeng habitually took out his phone to see if there was any news worth paying attention to.
"Breaking News!! General Li Tianwen's pet, the Golden Pond Dragon Fish, completed its evolution last night in the Southern War Zone. The city was filled with thunderous roars, with a faint sound of dragon chants..."
In the video, thick black clouds seemed to be attracted by something, rotating like a funnel. Lightning snakes occasionally swam through the clouds, creating rumbling thunder, though the wind was so strong that the thunder was intermittent. At the end of the video, a beam of light shot up from beneath the clouds, seeming to carry a dragon's roar, and then the video cut off abruptly.
The comment section was buzzing, with comments increasing by the hundreds with each refresh.
kwpog: "Golden scales are not ordinary fish in a pond; when they encounter wind and rain... what next?"
Silver Mom: "What's ghs?"
Glory Belongs to Nyarlathotep: "What's ghs? I think the first comment's line is very apt, aren't you using the poet's original line?"
...
Venomous Snake: "Is General Li Tianwen's Golden Pond Dragon Fish evolving towards ancestrality? I have a bold guess!"
Pure Innocent Boy Who Writes: "Coincidentally, seeing the fish's mouth, I have a bold idea."
Novice Unable to Catch the Expert: "Doubt based on evidence."
...
How Could You Know: "General Li's Golden Pond Dragon Fish is already at the eighth stage pinnacle, right? I wonder if he will challenge the Twelve National Column Pillar Beasts this year."
Kaguya Not Black: "It's no longer Golden Pond Dragon Fish after evolution, right? I hope we see an official report soon."
Coalball: "Speaking of General Li, suddenly reminds me his son is attending Su City University. Will he compete in the 'National University Cup' this year?"
Koi from Africa: "Are you talking about Li Yu? He's my classmate."
Coalball: "Three minutes, I need all his information."
Koi from Africa: "I only know his tricolor Koi is pretty odd. During campus qualifiers, either his opponents had diarrhea or they injured themselves with their skills. Isn't that infuriating?"
...
"Eighth stage..." Shao Zifeng turned off the phone, leaned back in his chair, recalling the evolution scenes in the video, and stared blankly at the ceiling.
He wondered when Qiuqiu could reach the eighth stage. Then perhaps he could...
Shaking his head to clear his chaotic thoughts, Shao Zifeng picked up Qiuqiu, who was engrossed in the sword handle, and prepared to go to school.
...
Su City University.
Today was Monday. As Shao Zifeng had expected, more and more students applied for battles over the past few days. The school administration was responding to every request and had exceptionally loose review standards. Combat training students seemed to have gone mad, blending in the battle arenas whenever they had time.
Wang Hao and his round spot viper were in the limelight recently. Luckily, due to the required official toxin identification reports and antidote serums for poison-type pets before battles, fewer and fewer people were willing to fight Wang Hao, despite the preparations.
Shao Zifeng watched a bout of rookies pecking at each other from afar, then turned to head back to the classroom.
"Student Shao?"
At that moment, a familiar-looking middle-aged man approached Shao Zifeng. He smiled gently, seeming very approachable.
"Director Zhao?" Shao Zifeng hesitated for a moment before recalling who he was.
"Yes, I see Student Shao is very interested in pet battles. Have you considered transferring to the combat training department?" Director Zhao nodded slightly, smiling at Shao Zifeng.
"Me? Combat training department?" Shao Zifeng was puzzled. He didn't understand what Director Zhao meant by that. Normally, with his file and family background, the school should be aware. Inviting him to join the combat training department seemed unbelievable under such circumstances.
"Yes, if you are willing, the school's upper management can personally help you register as a combat training master. By then, you can contract a pet. How about it? Not willing?" Director Zhao wasn't in a hurry, just standing quietly beside Shao Zifeng, seemingly waiting for his answer.
Shao Zifeng was tempted. He really wanted to become an official combat training master. At the very least, with this identity, Qiuqiu wouldn't have to secretly hide in his pocket anymore when they went out together. Besides, with the aid of energy potions, Qiuqiu's growth rate would accelerate significantly, and sooner or later, the truth would come out.
It seemed Qiuqiu sensed Shao Zifeng's emotional fluctuation involving itself. Sneakily, a pair of small eyes peeked out from Shao Zifeng's pocket, cautiously eyeing Director Zhao. Director Zhao seemed to notice, glancing at Qiuqiu with a faint smile. Frightened, Qiuqiu quickly retracted its head into the pocket.
"Thank you, Director Zhao, but I think..."
"I don't want what you think. I want what I think," Director Zhao reflexively interrupted before Shao Zifeng could finish. Feeling a bit awkward, he chuckled.
"Oh ho,"
Shao Zifeng hadn't realized before. This seemingly amiable middle-aged man turned out to be a master of MIng's philosophy.
"Haha, force of habit... Well, Student Shao, take your time to think it over. Once you've decided, you can find me at my office on the third floor. Don't worry, as long as you want to become a combat training master, the school will handle the rest. For the sake of the little one in your pocket, consider it seriously." Director Zhao checked his watch, smiled at Shao Zifeng, then turned and left without saying more.
By the artificial lake, Shao Zifeng stared absentmindedly at the sparkling waves. He was tempted but always cautious of others. Shao Zifeng dared not easily accept anyone's kindness, always feeling uncomfortable when others treated him well.
His mind was in turmoil, engaged in an intense internal struggle.
"Ying Ying Aow~"
At that moment, Qiuqiu reached out a small paw from the pocket, tugging at Shao Zifeng's sleeve, looking at him with determined eyes, as if to say it would support whatever decision Shao Zifeng made.
Yes, it seemed he had nothing to lose. An unknown force was still weaving its web. If he didn't quickly grow stronger...
Thinking of this, Shao Zifeng's gaze grew firm, seemingly having made a decision in his heart.
"Thank you, Qiuqiu." Shao Zifeng petted Qiuqiu's head.
"Ying Ying~"
A red koi jumped out of the water, its splashing droplets drawing a rainbow under the sunlight.
A few blue dots twitched slightly, then awkwardly halted in place. The delay was so high...