How did I forget the Pet Beast Cultivation Association? Qiao Sang's eyes lit up. Then something occurred to her, and she asked:
"I remember that high-level cultivators usually need to be booked in advance. Some are booked solid for the next year. If we just show up, will we find anyone suitable?"
Mikala took a leisurely sip of milk. "That applies to human cultivators, not Pet Beast cultivators."
"Pet Beast cultivators aren't like that?" Qiao Sang asked curiously.
Mikala smiled. "Pet Beasts tend to follow their hearts. They aren't bound by all those rules. Offer one something it wants badly enough, and it'll move your checkup forward even if its schedule is full. You won't need connections."
Got it. A bribe... Qiao Sang asked, "But how do we know what those Pet Beast cultivators want?"
Mikala looked at her. "You've met a few cultivators yourself. What do you think excites them?"
Qiao Sang thought for a moment. "Rare Pet Beasts."
She still remembered how Teacher Yakelin's eyes had shone as she carefully examined Ya Bao, Gang Bao, and Qing Bao. They had shone less brightly for Lu Bao and Little Treasure, while Ting Bao had received an entirely businesslike examination.
"Exactly," Mikala said with a smile. "What cultivators want most is the chance to cultivate rare Pet Beasts. Pet Beast cultivators are no different. Once one learns what you're asking it to examine, it might even beg you to let it do the checkup."
That made sense, but... Qiao Sang glanced at Xia Bao, who was eating an Energy Meal, and frowned. "But we can't openly tell them which Pet Beast we want examined."
Under the Pet Beast Cultivation Association's procedures, anyone who wanted a particular cultivator had to book through a staff member and submit the Pet Beast's information