Qiao Sang came up with the idea of weighted training to improve Firefang Dog's speed.
Increasing speed relies on both explosive power and frequency.
If it could maintain the same speed while carrying extra weight, then once the weights were removed, Firefang Dog's speed would see a noticeable boost.
But there's a difference between proper weighted training and overdoing it—too much weight could harm Firefang Dog's body.
Qiao Sang remembered reading in a fitness magazine back in her previous life that beginners should start with weights equal to 8–20% of body weight.
Firefang Dog weighed 19 kg, yet the weighted beads it had picked out were around 25 kg.
Qiao Sang put down the beads and was about to check the weighted ring options when a store clerk approached.
"Hello! Can I help you find anything? I can give recommendations," the clerk said.
"I want to buy something for weighted training for my Firefang Dog," Qiao Sang replied.
The clerk smiled. "Then you'll want a gravity necklace. Yongchuang Group just released the OM‑8 model—it can adjust weight levels according to the pet's load tolerance. Suitable for beginner to advanced pets. Your Firefang Dog could use it for at least six years."
High-tech, huh?
Qiao Sang became interested. "How much?"
The clerk's eyes lit up. "350,000 Alliance Coins. If you join our store membership, you get 5% off."
She could buy three Firefang Dogs with that…
Qiao Sang silently glanced at Firefang Dog.
Firefang Dog looked back, clueless.
"Forget it, I'll get the gravity rings instead," Qiao Sang said.
The clerk remained enthusiastic, picking up a black ring from the shelf. "For beginners, I recommend this 10 kg ring. The black color looks good on Firefang Dog too."
"Isn't that too heavy?" Qiao Sang asked.
"No problem. Firefang Dog can handle half its body weight. For combat-type pets, even dozens of times their weight is manageable," the clerk answered.
Qiao Sang understood.
This is the Beast Taming era—old-world science doesn't fully apply.
Under the clerk's guidance, she bought three gravity rings: 10 kg, 15 kg, and 20 kg, spending a total of 3,500 Alliance Coins.
She brought Firefang Dog to a leisure bench in the center of the mall and put the 10 kg ring on its right foreleg.
The rings were adjustable from 3–15 cm, with a buckle that allowed size changes. The weight distributed evenly across the body, so there was no need to worry about overloading just one limb.
"How does that feel?" Qiao Sang asked.
Firefang Dog stared straight at the virtual screen above the mall, giving no answer.
Following its gaze, Qiao Sang saw that the screen was no longer showing ads—it was broadcasting the Grandest Alliance Tournament.
The Global Interstellar Alliance Beast Tamer Cup, or Interstellar Cup for short.
The Interstellar Cup only allowed top Beast Tamers selected from four planets. Held once every three years.
Blue Star alone had over 7 billion people, and the other three planets combined totaled more than 380 billion.
Selecting the absolute best Tamers from 380 billion people wasn't easy.
First, a Tamer must win at least two national championships within a year, then gain government support to enter the World-Asia Beast Tamer League.
Top six from that league proceed to the Global World Alliance Tournament.
Finally, the top six in that tournament earn a spot in the Interstellar Cup.
The screen showed the Interstellar Cup in progress.
A refined-looking man in a white coat stood beside a giant Celestial Toad, roughly 60 meters tall.
The toad was gray-black, massive and imposing, with a solemn expression and custom black sunglasses, exuding both coolness and mystery.
The 300,000-seat arena erupted with deafening cheers for Lin Ya and the Celestial Toad.
Wave after wave of noise rolled across the venue.
Qiao Sang's heart raced, feeling the burning passion of a Beast Tamer!
After all, what every Beast Tamer dreams of is to compete in the Interstellar Cup.
She glanced at Firefang Dog, still staring at the screen.
At this moment, she felt a meeting of minds with her pet.
Qiao Sang gently turned Firefang Dog's face toward her. "Firefang Dog, trust me! One day, we'll stand up there too!"
Firefang Dog: "???" It looked utterly confused.
Up there? What?
When Qiao Sang gently held its face, Firefang Dog realized something was on its paw—a newly purchased accessory.
"Ya!"
It didn't care, raised its paw slightly toward the screen, and barked excitedly.
Qiao Sang: "…You mean you want the sunglasses?"
Firefang Dog nodded vigorously.
"You were looking at the sunglasses, not the tournament?"
"Ya?"
It tilted its head, clueless.
What tournament?
Qiao Sang: "…Forget it, meeting of minds my foot!"
…
Cha Gui Park.
"Ya!"
A fiery spark shot out.
Wearing its black triangular sunglasses, Firefang Dog trained with vigor.
The sunglasses seemed like a strange switch. Since wearing them, Firefang Dog remained high-spirited.
It had already released 21 consecutive Fire Sparks and still seemed energized.
Qiao Sang couldn't help but think… this is like it's on some kind of stimulant…
Twenty minutes later, the effect wore off.
Firefang Dog collapsed, unable to move.
Luckily, there was still plenty of Qi Yuan Milk. As it drank, Qiao Sang opened the Beast Tamer Codex.
[Name: Firefang Dog]
[Attribute: Fire]
[Level: Beginner (121/1000)+]
[Skills: Bite (Entry 74/100)+, Charge (Proficient 138/500)+, Fire Fang (Entry 41/100)+, Fire Spark (Entry 32/100)+]
[Points: 55]
This session, Firefang Dog had used 18 Fire Fangs and 26 Fire Sparks!
Qiao Sang looked at it, her eyes shining. "What other style of sunglasses do you like?"
"Ya~"
Even in its weak voice, Firefang Dog sounded excited.
Following its choice, Qiao Sang ordered six different sunglasses online—one for each day of the week, no repeats.
At 15:32, Firefang Dog had recovered.
This time Qiao Sang prevented overexertion, letting it release 4 Fire Fangs and 8 Fire Sparks before stopping.
The Beast Tamer Codex updated Firefang Dog's stats:
[Name: Firefang Dog]
[Attribute: Fire]
[Level: Beginner (121/1000)+]
[Skills: Bite (Entry 74/100)+, Charge (Proficient 138/500)+, Fire Fang (Entry 45/100)+, Fire Spark (Entry 40/100)+]
[Points: 55]
"Firefang Dog, next we'll start weighted training," Qiao Sang said.