Beast Taming: Starting From Zero

Chapter 144: Searching for the Ghost Lamp

The task seemed easy and well-paid.

If it were any other time, Qiao Sang might have taken it, but remembering Zheng Baolong's words, she decided not to consider it further.

Yabao had mastered the Ember skill to perfection and was already highly skilled at controlling fire energy.

A task involving controlling fire for cooking during a camping trip wouldn’t offer much training value.

Qiao Sang continued scrolling through several more tasks.

[Task: Seeking fire-type pet beasts with good looks and charm. Beastmasters who are eloquent are preferred. Details to be discussed.]

[Task Location: Baoshu Fire-Type Training Center, 91 Xinde Street, Fengwu City, Zhejiang Province.]

Even though the details weren't clear, experienced Beastmasters would know what this kind of task involved.

This task was similar to hiring extras.

When a new training center opened, they would hire some Beastmasters to pretend to sign up, making actual interested parties feel that they'd miss their chance if they didn't act quickly.

In short, it was a publicity stunt. It offered no training value, so she skipped it.

[Task: Looking for grass-type pet beasts with the Sleep Powder skill or ghost-type pet beasts with Hypnosis for insomnia relief.]

Too simple. Pass.

[Task: Hiring a fire-type pet beast capable of using the Mimic skill to perform for three days. Each performance only lasts three hours.]

The Mimic skill allows a fire-type beast to alter the shape of its flame, though the power remains unchanged.

This skill is often used by performance pet beasts. Since Yabao didn’t know this skill, she passed.

After a long time browsing, Qiao Sang still couldn’t decide.

There were many tasks, but not many that fit her criteria of offering both challenge and growth.

"Is there a particular requirement you have for a task?" The staff member asked enthusiastically.

Qiao Sang looked up and replied, "I'm looking for something challenging that will help me improve."

Hearing this, the staff member was filled with admiration. Look at her! Not only a genius but also hardworking, no wonder she’s so impressive.

"I think this task would suit you." The staff member suggested, looking at the computer screen.

"Task 665: Searching for the Ghost Lamp."

Qiao Sang was surprised and checked the task.

Since the desk screen and the staff computer were synced, she didn’t have to scroll down further.

[Task Number: 665]

[Task: Searching for the Ghost Lamp. Beastmasters with ghost-type pet beasts preferred. No set date. Details to be discussed.]

[Task Location: 702, Unit 5, Xiying Residential Area, Hanggang City, Zhejiang Province.]

[Reward: Negotiable]

Qiao Sang paused for a moment as she read. She didn’t expect someone to think so highly of her…

Where would a Ghost Lamp be in a town?

If there was one, the patrol department would have captured it by now. You’d need to venture into a secret realm to find one…

Qiao Sang looked up and said, "I think I’m too inexperienced. It doesn’t seem safe to head into a secret realm at my level."

The staff member smiled and explained, "No need to enter a secret realm. The task isn’t about finding a wild Ghost Lamp, it’s about the task giver’s contracted Ghost Lamp that has gone missing."

That made sense.

Losing a contracted pet beast wasn’t unheard of, especially with novice Beastmasters.

It usually happened when the Beastmaster’s level was too low, resulting in a limited sensing range, and the pet beast accidentally wandered too far.

Summoning the pet beast would be difficult as the range exceeded their capability.

However, novice Beastmasters were typically very careful and kept a close eye on their pet beasts, rarely losing them.

Even so, finding a ghost-type pet beast was difficult…

The task giver had probably reported it to the authorities but couldn’t find the beast, leading them to issue this task.

Little Treasure, her little Treasure-Seeking ghost, could see the invisible Ghost Lamp, and this task would test various skills. Plus, the task location was convenient in Hanggang City.

It was indeed a suitable task for her.

With that in mind, Qiao Sang made her decision. She clicked on the task’s details, pressed Confirm, and signed her name.

---

The others had already chosen their tasks and were gathered together, discussing them.

"Shi Gaofeng, why did you choose the fat-suction task again?" Wang Yao teased with a smile.

"Because I didn’t succeed last time, I want to try again. If you fall, you have to stand back up! Plus, there aren’t many pet beasts capable of fat suction. If I don’t take this task now, it’ll be gone for half a year." Shi Gaofeng said confidently.

"Besides, your task is similar to your last one, you’re just standing there as a model again."

"I’m doing it to train Xiaoyan’s patience." Wang Yao shrugged.

Shi Gaofeng scoffed and patted Xu Yajie on the shoulder.

"At least you're honest and didn’t pick a similar task to last time."

Xu Yajie was silent for a few seconds before replying, "I wanted to, but the task giver from last time gave me a one-star rating and a thousand-word negative review. I probably won’t get a similar task again."

Shi Gaofeng: ...

Task givers and task takers are free to choose one another. If a Beastmaster has a poor task history, task givers can refuse to hire them.

Shi Gaofeng awkwardly withdrew his hand, glancing aside to change the subject.

"Why isn’t Qiao Sang done yet?"

---

When Qiao Sang found them, the atmosphere felt odd.

"You’re finally here. What task did you pick after all that time?" Shi Gaofeng sighed in relief.

"I’m looking for a missing Ghost Lamp." Qiao Sang replied.

Wang Yao looked concerned. "That won’t be easy to find. Is there a time limit?"

Qiao Sang shook her head.

"No."

Shi Gaofeng raised his hand, wanting to pat Qiao Sang on the shoulder, but then awkwardly put his hand down, remembering she was a girl.

"Smart choice. You found a task without a deadline. Even if it’s incomplete by the next gathering, you’ll have an excuse."

Wang Yao gave him a side-eye.

"Did you forget how you were scolded after taking a month long task and not completing it? Zheng Baolong won’t care about deadlines as long as the task is unfinished."

Shi Gaofeng froze, his body tensing up.

The memory of that scolding was so distant, he’d almost forgotten it...

Wang Yao turned to look at Qiao Sang sympathetically.

"You haven’t experienced Zheng Baolong’s temper yet. All I can say is, good luck."

Zheng Baolong always set a five-day deadline for tasks. For a task like searching for a ghost-type pet beast with no fixed location, success truly depended on luck.

"Enough about me. What tasks did you guys choose?" Qiao Sang asked.

"Shi Gaofeng went for the fat-suction task again, I’m sending Xiaoyan to model for three days at an art studio, and Xu Yajie will be on medical support at a competition for five days." Wang Yao replied.

"Both of you picked tasks similar to last time. Won’t Zheng Baolong have something to say about that?" Qiao Sang asked curiously.

"I wouldn’t say anything." A familiar voice answered from behind.

Qiao Sang: …!