Super Divine Pet Shop

"Hello."

Su Ping walked over politely. Since she was a customer, he naturally had to be courteous.

"Boss, I'm here to retrieve my star pet." Seeing the store owner appear, Su Yanying withdrew her gaze from the empty shop and said, "The Thunder Rat I left here for boarding half a month ago—how is it?"

"The owner of the Thunder Rat?" Su Ping was momentarily stunned.

A memory surfaced in his mind.

He quickly recalled it, his expression turning strange as he looked at the girl twice.

So, she was the lucky one…

Thinking about how he was about to return the Thunder Rat to its owner, Su Ping felt a bit reluctant. It was partly emotional attachment, but mostly… heartache.

After all, this was a Thunder Rat that had mastered one of the ten great secret techniques!

And now, he had to just hand it over?

Well… it was hers to begin with.

With a few silent sighs, Su Ping felt utterly disheartened. With a lifeless tone, he said, "It's doing great, better than ever. Come over and settle the bill first."

Su Yanying was taken aback. Why did this store owner sound so gloomy? Almost as if he was… depressed?

She seemed to realize something and quickly said, "Don't worry, Boss. Even though I'm picking it up early, I'll still pay the full boarding fee as agreed. You won't lose a single cent."

"Heh…"

"??"

Ignoring her, Su Ping pulled out the invoice from the counter. When he saw the number on it, his heart ached again.

Taking a deep breath, he slowly tore off the bill.

It felt as if he was slicing off a piece of his own flesh. His voice trembled as he spoke, his tone filled with deep sorrow: "After deducting the deposit, the remaining balance is… 108." His voice nearly choked.

108…

108 bucks!!

A star pet that had mastered one of the ten great secret techniques was being handed over at an absurdly low price!

"Uh…"

Su Yanying still found the store owner a bit odd but couldn't quite put her finger on it. She quickly completed the payment. "Here's the money. Now, Boss, can you take me to see my star pet?"

She was eager to confirm that her Thunder Rat was safe and sound.

After all, some pet shops mishandled their animals, leading to illness. Though rare, it was the last thing she wanted right now.

Hearing the payment confirmation, Su Ping's lips twitched. He let out a long sigh before turning away. "Wait here."

He walked into the pet room.

Seeing the Thunder Rat still sleeping soundly inside the ancient Stone Fang Formation, Su Ping felt reluctant to part with it.

"Wake up, it's time to go home." He sighed softly and gently picked up the Thunder Rat.

The Thunder Rat jolted awake but relaxed upon seeing Su Ping. Then, it closed its eyes again and continued sleeping.

After three days of life-and-death training, it had become used to sleeping soundly only in Su Ping's presence.

It was a habit—one built on trust!

A bitter smile appeared on Su Ping's face. Taking a deep breath, he steadied his emotions and walked out of the pet room.

"My Thunder Rat!"

Seeing Su Ping bring it out, Su Yanying's eyes lit up.

The moment she saw it, she knew it was hers. Although its appearance had changed slightly, the deep bond from their contract was unmistakable.

What puzzled her, however, was that when she first entered the shop, she couldn't sense their connection at all, as if something had been blocking it.

She didn't dwell on it. Taking quick steps forward, she reached out and took the Thunder Rat from Su Ping's arms.

The Thunder Rat woke up again. When it saw Su Yanying, its sleepy eyes immediately brightened, and it joyfully leaped toward her, squeaking excitedly.

Standing to the side, Su Ping watched as the Thunder Rat chirped happily. He felt… strangely emotional.

Emotional enough to want to strangle it.

This little traitor… It had never made such cute sounds for him.

But Su Ping knew that the emotional link from the contract had a powerful influence on star pets. This was why most star pets never betrayed their owners—some were even willing to die for them!

"Let's go home."

Seeing that the Thunder Rat was unharmed—only a bit thinner—Su Yanying felt relieved.

She had heard of unethical pet shops cutting back on food to save costs. Though she found it annoying, as long as her pet wasn't sick, she wouldn't bother arguing.

After all, treating a sick pet took time.

Setting the Thunder Rat on the ground, Su Yanying patted its head. Then, without even sparing Su Ping another glance, she turned and walked out.

She had already decided—this shop was getting a bad review. She would never return!

The Thunder Rat bounced happily around her, overjoyed to be reunited with its owner.

Su Yanying pushed open the door and left. Soon, both she and her pet disappeared from Su Ping's sight.

Watching the Thunder Rat hop away, Su Ping slowly retracted his gaze and let out a deep sigh.

Just then, the system's voice rang in his mind.

"Currency detected. [Shop] is now open…"

"Beep. Currency has been automatically converted into energy points."

Su Ping was momentarily stunned. Before he could check, another prompt appeared.

"Task: [Chaos Incubation Spirit Pool] has been established. The host must nurture a personal star pet within one week."

"Task Reward: One random Battle Pet Master skill book."

"Task Failure Penalty: Host rating will be lowered. If the rating falls below the threshold, extermination will occur!"

A Battle Pet Master skill book?

Su Ping was stunned. But I'm not a Battle Pet Master… My cells don't even have Astral Nuclei.

"The host can purchase [Awakening Potion] from the shop to obtain Battle Pet Master qualifications," the system replied.

Su Ping was dumbfounded. Then his breathing quickened. Awakening Potion?

Was this his chance to defy fate and become a Battle Pet Master?!

After all,

One's talent was determined at birth!

Only an extremely rare few awakened their abilities later in life. The odds were less than one in a million!

Of course, the Federation had supposedly developed potions made from rare plants harvested from the stars. These potions could drastically increase the chances of a postnatal awakening.

But such things were exclusive to the ultra-rich. Unless you had billions, don't even think about it!

And even then, most wealthy people, apart from a few thrill-seekers, wouldn't risk becoming a Battle Pet Master. Who would willingly head to the dangerous frontlines?

"Where's the shop?"

Su Ping was desperate. No matter what, he had to get his hands on that Awakening Potion!

Becoming a Battle Pet Master was a game-changer. It meant power, survival, and an entirely different life!

The starkest example was his own sister, Su Lingyue.

Ever since she entered the Star Pet Academy at age twelve, Su Ping had never been able to win a physical fight against her again. She had crushed him effortlessly every time!

Which was why, over the years, he had learned one golden rule: If you can argue your way out, never resort to violence.