Nether Nest Bar

The Underground Trading Market... Qiao Sang froze for a moment. She had only seen things like underground trading markets in TV dramas.

"Can you send me the exact address?" Qiao Sang asked.

"No problem." LoverWithNoResult readily agreed.

Soon, a private message from the official Pet Tamer Center website arrived in her phone's inbox.

Qiao Sang hung up and opened the message:

Kao Xie Street, No. 39

Qiao Sang checked the distance on her navigation app. Two kilometers.

Not too far...

After thinking it over, she went to a nearby clothing store and bought a black hooded jacket, then bought a pack of white medical masks from the pharmacy next door.

TV dramas always showed protagonists getting targeted in underground trading markets for all kinds of reasons, or getting robbed the moment they left after finding something valuable. Though she did not really know what the Underground Trading Market was like, it was better to be cautious.

Qiao Sang changed into the black jacket, using the hood's shadow to obscure her general appearance, then put on a mask.

"Ya Bao, Gang Bao, you're too conspicuous. Go into the Pet Beast Codex for now. I need to keep a low profile where we're going next," Qiao Sang said.

Pet beasts were a pet tamers' identifying marks, especially rare ones. Some people might not remember a pet tamer's name or face, but as soon as they saw their pet beast, they would recall the pet tamer who owned it.

Ya Bao was a pet beast from Blue Star, and it was currently the only Blazing Star Hound. Even if she disguised herself, anyone who had seen Ya Bao would think of her.

Gang Bao was Little Steel Falcon's brand-new form. It was far too unique and would also be easily remembered.

If she brought them along, there would be no point in concealing her appearance at the Underground Trading Market.

"Yap..."

Ya Bao wore a helpless expression.

It understood. It was simply too handsome. With it around, there was no way to keep a low profile.

Qiao Sang: "..."

"Steel Guard."

Gang Bao nodded calmly.

With a wave of her hand, Qiao Sang recalled the two of them into the Pet Beast Codex.

"Xun Xun?"

Little Treasure could not hold back any longer. It appeared and cried out. Wasn't it conspicuous?

Qiao Sang's mouth twitched. "You can turn invisible."

"Xun Xun?"

Little Treasure looked thoughtful.

Did that mean it could not appear in front of anyone later?

"Not exactly," Qiao Sang said. "If I run into danger, just make your move."

Besides its invisibility, the main reason she kept Little Treasure outside was so it could protect her in time.

After all, this was the Middle Tenth District, where Wild Pet Beasts could suddenly appear. At the very least, she needed a pet beast by her side to ensure her safety.

"Xun Xun!"

At that, Little Treasure immediately perked up and nodded with a serious expression.

Its pet tamer had not called for Luobao to act, but had told it to act instead.

What did that mean?

It meant that, in its pet tamer's heart, it was definitely stronger than Luobao!

Sure enough, the position of Number Two was still its!

Just as Little Treasure was feeling fired up, Qiao Sang spoke:

"Luobao, same for you. Don't poke your head out casually. If we run into danger and Little Treasure can't handle it, then come out."

"Icek."

Luobao called out from inside the backpack, indicating that it understood.

"Xun Xun..."

Little Treasure's body instantly stiffened.

Can't handle it...

Then you come out...

That meant...

"Xun Xun!"

Little Treasure gritted its teeth, its gaze resolute.

There was nothing it could not handle!

Qiao Sang had no idea about Little Treasure's determination.

She casually hailed a taxi and headed for Nether Nest Bar.

More than ten minutes later, Qiao Sang, wearing a hood and mask, entered Nether Nest Bar.

The lighting was soft, with no deafening noise or crowds of people dancing wildly together.

The music was soothing, giving the place the atmosphere of a music bar.

A pet beast whose species Qiao Sang could not name was singing "woo woo" onstage.

Though she could not understand what it was singing, she had to admit that the melody was quite good.

Almost every booth was occupied.

At the entrance, a staff member receiving guests stopped Qiao Sang.

"Hello, please show your Identity Card."

"Why?" Qiao Sang asked.

"We need to check your age. Minors aren't allowed in," the staff member said.

Good grief, she'd nearly forgotten she was a minor... Qiao Sang paused, then said without changing her expression, "I forgot my Identity Card. Can I use my Pet Tamer Badge instead?"

When the staff member heard that, his smile immediately became much more respectful. "Of course."

Qiao Sang took out her Pet Tamer Badge, spread it open before the staff member, and flashed it briefly. "Is this enough?"

Though he had only seen it for a moment, the staff member clearly saw that it belonged to a D-rank Pet Tamer.

"Please come in." The staff member stepped aside.

Normally, the Pet Tamer Badge had to display its information according to procedure. But since the other party was already a D-rank Pet Tamer, the staff member instinctively ruled out the possibility that she was underage.

That was close. Good thing I'm wearing a mask... Qiao Sang quickly walked inside and approached the bar.

She remembered that TV dramas always had people exchange information in places like this.

"What would you like to drink?" asked the handsome bartender with silver earrings, smiling.

Qiao Sang pushed her Pet Tamer Badge forward and got straight to the point. "I want to trade."

The bartender's smile did not change.

"Wouldn't you like a drink before you go?"

"No," Qiao Sang refused.

The bartender smiled. "First time here?"

Qiao Sang gave an "Mm." "Someone referred me."

"No wonder." The bartender fiddled with something, then pushed a blue-green drink toward her. "Take a sip. Only after drinking it can you find the place you want to go."

Qiao Sang hesitated, then picked up the glass, pulled down her mask, and took a sip.

The instant she drank it, she caught a scent similar to mint.

Even after she set down the glass, the scent remained.

Qiao Sang quickly put her mask back on, afraid that he would see her collagen-filled face and suspect her age.

"How much?" Qiao Sang asked.

"This drink is free," the bartender said. "Can you smell a scent now?"

He means this minty smell? Qiao Sang gave an "Mm."

The bartender smiled. "Follow that scent, and you'll find where you want to go."

That's quite something... Qiao Sang was inwardly surprised, though her face remained calm. "I understand."

With that, she stood and followed the direction of the minty scent.

For some reason, even though the air was filled with smoke and all sorts of other smells, the mint scent was exceptionally clear.

This Underground Trading Market is certainly making things mysterious. It would be so much easier to have someone lead the way, yet they insist on making people drink a glass and follow a scent... Qiao Sang grumbled inwardly as she followed the minty scent through the air.

She really is a pet tamer... The bartender watched the girl's departing figure for a while before silently withdrawing his gaze.

Following the scent, Qiao Sang turned through winding paths and passed through several corridors before arriving outside a private room.

Laughter and conversation continued from within, clearly indicating that there were people inside.

But the mint scent was clearly coming from within... Qiao Sang fell silent for a moment, then raised her hand and knocked.

Soon, the door opened.

A pet beast that was almost entirely green, with grass-like fur growing on its head, appeared before Qiao Sang.

The moment it appeared, Qiao Sang was certain that the mint scent came from it.

"Bo Bo."

The mint-scented pet beast stepped aside and called out.

Qiao Sang roughly guessed what it meant and walked in.

The people inside fell silent for a few seconds.

But they soon acted as if they had not seen Qiao Sang and resumed chatting and laughing.

"Bo Bo."

The mint-scented pet beast led Qiao Sang to the wall and knocked twice on a certain spot.

A hidden door slowly opened.

Qiao Sang looked inside. A staircase stretched downward without end.

PS: I might get back late tonight, but I don't want to request leave after you've given me so many monthly votes. If tonight's chapter isn't posted, then this chapter will be today's one.