After finally seeing Lin Lin off, both she and Husky's dorm underwent a major makeover.
The original loft bed was replaced with a standard floor-level one. The wardrobe above, though damaged, was still somewhat functional, so they left it untouched. Meanwhile, Husky's camp bed was placed right beside the new bed, forming a shape resembling the Chinese character "凸"—which made the dorm's walkway extremely narrow.
Li Miao glanced at Husky, who was sulking and refusing to speak, and chirped, "Darling~ Starting today, we'll be sleeping together. No more worries about falling off the bed~"
Husky's tail wagged.
But then, upon second thought, he tucked his tail under his butt.
"Daaarling~ Aren't you happy?"
Li Miao cupped Husky's face, gazing deeply into his eyes. "I specifically moved the bed next to yours just so we could sleep together. Really!"
Husky side-eyed her suspiciously, but his master's expression was so earnest that, after a few seconds of hesitation, he chose to forgive her.
Sure, you're fickle—loving every new dog you meet.
But!
She called me darling!
She called me darling!
Husky perked up his ears, trying hard to stay cool—but his body had other ideas. Before his brain could catch up, he pounced on Li Miao and gave her a few enthusiastic licks.
Li Miao: "..."
Whatever. Too lazy to argue.
She decided to just roll with it.
As for the card Chen Bin had given her…
She pulled it out to inspect it, then turned her gaze to Husky.
"True Sight!"
Striking an over-the-top, chuuni-style Ultraman pose.
Husky: ?
"Ah, oops. Wrong move."
Li Miao quickly switched gestures, forming two circles with her hands and placing them over her eyes like glasses.
Husky: ???
Ignoring Husky's look of sheer bewilderment, Li Miao silently checked his stats.
[Beast: Husky
Race: Siberian Husky
Attribute: Ice
Quality: Bronze (Evolvable)
Level: 1 (Awakenable)
Note: Can consume 10,000 training points for self-awakening. Chance of failure exists during awakening.)
Personality: Lively, Active
Status: Confused
Passive Skills: Boundless Energy (Gold)
Active Skills: Bite (Basic 12/500), Paw Smash (Basic 4/500), Intelligent Stare (Basic 1/500)
Base Stats: Speed 50 (Max), Constitution 80 (Max), Attack 40 (Max), Defense 70 (Max)
Training Points: 111]
"Just as I thought…"
Li Miao exhaled. Most of this data aligned with common knowledge, with only minor additions. Previously, there had been no mention of a possible failure rate during awakening—but now, as soon as Chen Bin had mentioned it, the note appeared.
Meaning, the extent of her own knowledge directly influenced True Sight's effectiveness.
But for now…
Whatever.
Better focus on training and saving up points.
Sighing, she turned her attention to the quality stat.
[Quality: Bronze (Evolvable)
Evolution Paths: Siberian Highland Moon Hound / Siberian Tundra Hound / Siberian Ice Hound
Note: You already have a path in mind. No recommendations needed, I assume?)]
Emmmm
She did indeed have a preference.
Without hesitation, Li Miao selected Siberian Highland Moon Hound.
[Quality: Bronze (Evolvable)
Evolution Path: Siberian Highland Moon Hound [Locked]
Materials Required: Moon Essence x20, Snow Essence x20, Frostbloom x1, Moonshade Grass x1, Lunar Velvet x1
Note: You're too broke to afford these. Stop trying, peasant.)
(´ゝ`)
What's with this sassy note?!
Aren't you being a little too harsh?
Li Miao's face darkened as she realized her own power was subtly mocking her.
Still, at least she now knew the required materials.
Pulling out her phone, she opened a shopping app and searched for the items. Then...
Moon Essence: 10,000.
Snow Essence: 10,000.
Frostbloom: 50,000.
Moonshade Grass: 50,000.
Lunar Velvet: 100,000.
Thwack!
Her phone landed squarely on Husky's head with a dull clack.
Husky tilted his head, staring at Li Miao's devastated expression.
"Awoo?"
What's wrong?
"I'm wondering how we got so poor."
Li Miao sighed. "After spending over 7,000, we're left with just 800 for living expenses."
"Darling, I might not… actually afford your canned food now."
Husky: "... Awoo?"
Really?
"You literally saw me hand the money to Sister Lin Lin."
Husky thought for a moment—yeah, that did happen.
Holy hell!
He'd just stood by as his snack funds were given away?!
Ears drooping, tail sagging.
(;´Д`)
This revelation left Husky depressed for half the day.
Seizing the opportunity, Li Miao noted down the evolution materials, grabbed Chen Bin's card, and headed straight to the campus store, eagerly pulling up her phone—
Then.
Shoving the list at the clerk.
"Excuse me, do you carry these items?"
The clerk glanced over. "Evolution materials?"
"We do, but… you're a student, right? Buying these to evolve your beast?"
"Yep."
The clerk hesitated but ultimately didn't pry further, taking her card instead.
"Wait here. I'll check stock."
Li Miao waited patiently.
Unfortunately, the store only had five Moon Essences and Snow Essences left. The remaining materials were in stock, though apparently they'd been sitting around for a while—potentially less potent than fresh ones.
After some thought, Li Miao settled for the Moon and Snow Essences since they stored well.
As the ten crystalline items were packed into a box, Li Miao exhaled in relief, tucking it carefully into her backpack.
As for the rest… she'd figure it out later.
The next morning, Li Miao dragged Husky to the training grounds at dawn.
Despite Chen Bin giving her two days off, she was determined to grind for training points.
Three days of rigorous training later, she noticed the points were crawling in slower.
Originally, they'd earned 10 to 20 per day—but now, after a whole day of effort, only three points.
Total training points: 120.
Far too slow.
Just as she was fretting over how to earn more, her teacher called ahead of schedule.
"Get ready. I'll be there in about two hours."
Li Miao's eyes lit up.
"Got it, sir!"
She swiftly packed her bags—especially the Moon and Snow Essences.
"Awoo awoo awoo!"
Husky frantically grabbed his squeaky chicken toy.
My toy! Don't forget my toy!
Li Miao: "..."
You really have no higher aspirations, do you?