Astral Pet Store

Chapter 56: A Test of Strength

Fan Yujing smiled as he gave Su Ping an explanation, “Brother Su, you don’t have to worry. My sister won’t be joining us. She’s not qualified enough yet, and can only stay in the outer edge of the unclaimed territory. She will be safe with other teams protecting her.”

This resolved Su Ping’s concern. He followed up with another question out of curiosity, “Didn’t you say that, usually, students can only train in Class C unclaimed territories?”

Fan Yujing sounded proud, “My sister’s grade is excellent and the academy she is studying in is a famous one as well. So, she was directly recommended to the Class B unclaimed territory. The academy contacted an explorers’ team that is as good as ours to escort her all the way here, and to accompany her to explore the outer edge.”

“I see.”

Su Ping had a clear idea after that.

That was the advantage and benefit that came with studying in a famous academy in the upper town, much better than the benefits offered by the academy Su Ping’s sister was in.

Both academies proclaimed themselves to be famous, but the one in the upper town was well-known in the entire Longjiang Base City, whereas the other was in the lower town area, and its fame was limited to the lower town and the outskirts.

“Hmm!”

Fan Xiaoyu retorted with a proud face, “Don’t belittle me just because I’m a student. I am a middle-level battle pet warrior at the upper position of the fourth rank. Besides, I have two fifth rank pets. In most cases where sixth rank pets are not involved, I can protect myself and get away!”

“That is good.” Su Ping nodded.

That kind of strength could earn her a place amongst the best students in the academy, similar to the master of that Lightning Rat. Fan Xiaoyu was even better in comparison. She was one step away from becoming a fifth rank battle pet warrior.

Fan Xiaoyu raised her eyebrows. She was unhappy because of Su Ping’s calm reaction.

But she could only feel vexed about it, since she recalled the strength Su Ping demonstrated at the pet store. She was outstanding as it was, but Su Ping was freakishly strong.

“This is so annoying!”

She clenched her teeth.

The whiskered strong man had been watching while Su Ping and Fan Xiaoyu were bickering. He asked after the two finished their exchange, “Fan, is this your new friend?”

Fan Yujing said at once, “Captain, this is the genius that I told you about. Brother Su, this is our captain, Fan Ganglie, an advanced battle pet warrior.”

“Heroes come from the young. Brother Su, you’re so young. You are twenty, right?” Fan Ganglie’s voice was hoarse and vigorous, but gentle at the same time.

Su Ping said, “I’m 18.”

“Only 18?”

Fan Xiaoyu and Fan Yujing were stunned speechless.

How could Su Ping be this strong at the age of 18?

This fact came as a greater shock to Fan Xiaoyu because she was also 18. They had the same age, but the gap between their strengths was huge!

Fan Ganglie and Li Ying were shocked as well. They knew that Su Ping was young, but he turned out to be even younger than he looked. He was practically their younger brother.

How could they ask a kid like Su Ping to go with them and explore the space fracture?

Su Ping frowned as he saw their reaction. He only went there to finish the quest. He didn’t want to deal with unexpected problems or to be forced to prove something.

“Well...” Fan Ganglie looked at Fan Yujing with questions and doubts in his eyes.

He had heard stories about Su Ping from Fan Yujing. But once he met him in person, Fan Ganglie found it hardly believable.

A man at the age of 18 could defeat Fan Yujing. Wouldn’t this man be a top student that could only be trained by some big forces? Why would someone like him show up to explore the unclaimed territory with them?

Fan Yujing collected himself. The meaning of the looks Li Ying and the captain darted at him were obvious. Fan Yujing himself was hesitating. Could it be that it wasn’t Su Ping that injured him but someone else?

If that was the case, then inviting Su Ping was a big mistake.

Fan Yujing was in a dilemma.

Fan Ganglie intervened with a remark. He didn’t question Su Ping directly, which would be a foolish action taken only by people with low EQ. Intending to feel Su Ping out he said, “Brother Su, our trip to the space fracture will be incredibly dangerous. If you want to join our team, you have to register first. Besides, for better cooperation during the battles, we hope you can call out your pet and let us get to know each other.”

After the pet testing, they could have a better understanding of Su Ping’s abilities.

Su Ping could tell what was on Fan Ganglie’s mind and knew that this was a subtle way to sound him out. Su Ping felt troubled but he had to play along. He stressed, “Sure, but note this: I’m not here to join your team. I’m only here to help. I will leave as soon as the lost pet is found. I do not plan on becoming an explorer.”

If it weren’t for the quest, he wouldn’t have gone there in the first place.

Wasn’t it more convenient to make money while sitting at the store? Why would he want to challenge death out in the field?

Fan Ganglie was surprised. Soon, he came back to his senses. If Su Ping had such abilities, given his talent, it was natural that he wouldn’t want to be an explorer.

“Of course,” Fan Ganglie agreed. “But the Federation has rules. Anyone that goes into a space fracture must be an explorer. Brother Su, you can first sign up as a temporary explorer. While the benefits enjoyed by temporary explorers are fewer, the basics are all there.”

“Temporary?” Su Ping raised his eyebrows.

“That’s right. You will see that in the contract when you sign up later,” Fan Ganglie said seriously, “Now, Brother Su, please let us see your pet.”

Su Ping took a glance at the group. They all appeared to be concerned about whether his ability would be up to standard. If not, Fan Yujing would have wasted his trip and they would have to see their hope fall through.

“Okay.”

The mysterious runes telltale of a pet space appeared as he summoned with his mind.

The Little Skeleton fell out from that pet space and smashed onto the ground, accompanied by a crisp sound.

“...”

Nobody said a thing.

But soon, the scattered bones were reassembled. The Little Skeleton patted its head, looked down to check the bone blade inserted by its hipbone, and then ran to Su Ping. The Little Skeleton looked around for enemies.

“...”

Still, nobody made a sound.

The Little Skeleton was looking around. The other people’s faces appeared to be twitching.

After a long while, Fan Xiaoyu became the first to talk. She whispered her question, “Is this your pet?”

“What else do you think?”

“...”

Fan Xiaoyu was hopping mad.

“That’s just a skeleton. What’s there to be proud of!”

Fan Yujing felt embarrassed as well. If something went wrong with Su Ping’s strength, then he would be the one making the biggest mistake.

He took up the unpleasant task and asked, “Mr... Su, do you only have this one pet?”

Su Ping nodded. “This is the only one I have for now.”

Fan Yujing felt he had been slapped in the face.

Fan Xiaoyu looked at Su Ping in confusion. “Don’t you run a pet store? How come you only have this one pet?”

“Are you implying that wedding planners have to get married every day?”

Out of habit, Su Ping retorted even though he knew that wasn’t what Fan Xiaoyu meant. Su Ping turned around, then he looked at the space by the side and gave the Little Skeleton a mental instruction, “Intermediate Saberplay!”

The Little Skeleton heeded the order and drew its blade at once.

Other than Fan Ganglie, maybe no one else was paying close attention to the little thing; they didn’t see how the Little Skeleton drew its blade.

Fan Ganglie barely saw a blur. By the time he could see clearly, the little skeleton was holding the blade tightly.

The Little Skeleton’s posture was a bit intimidating!

Slash!

Bang!!

The bone blade was wielded. An explosive sound was heard and a ray of black saber aura was released. The ground burst open, leaving a deep crack all of a sudden!