Beast Taming: Starting From Zero Chapter 1003: Five Minutes Left

Yuan Tianlong observed the Disaster Dragon rising unsteadily across the arena, a uncommon look of confusion appearing on his features. It was the first occasion where he sensed things escaping his grasp entirely.

Not even during the moment when Ice Emperor Ram released Avalanche against the Red Warm Dragon in its Blaze state had he experienced such bafflement. The Blazing Divine Lion's Fire Fang clearly reached Ultimate rank, and thanks to the Moonlight Power trait, every attribute doubled under the night sky. Yet for an attack-oriented King-level beast to unleash an Ultimate move on a mere General-level foe and achieve an immediate takedown...

He relied on expert handlers to check his beasts' attributes each day, so he would certainly detect any boost in its resilience. Moreover, the Disaster Dragon hadn't activated any protective abilities moments ago. Yuan Tianlong's thoughts whirled through potential explanations until his gaze shifted to the slim silhouette far off.

She had commanded the Blazing Divine Lion to restrain itself.

This epiphany struck him, filling Yuan Tianlong with a rush of unease blended with irrepressible thrill. In his mind, he acknowledged that Qiao Sang deserved her reputation as the youngest B-rank beast tamer in history. Such profound anticipation and strategy surpassed anything a typical 17-year-old could manage.

"Zai zai..."

The Disaster Dragon hauled itself upright laboriously, its face showing astonishment mixed with joy. Mindful of its key task to sustain the Dragon Luck Field and buy extra moments for the Sawtooth Dragon, it directed a spit toward Yabao, now positioned farther away via teleportation, while adopting a taunting pose.

"Zai zai!"

"Yap yap..."

Yabao's talons scraped into the earth. Drawing on Qiao Sang's directives from before the bout, he curbed the impulse to rush ahead and shred the rival.

Qiao Sang glanced at the display and reckoned the duration, a wave of ease washing over her.

Clearly, Yabao adhered to the scheme. He'd not only restrained his strikes but also held off from instant retaliation despite the provocation.

The Sawtooth Dragon's Dragon-type offensive strength was already horrifying; facing it sans the Dragon Luck Field proved nightmarish. Under the field's enhancement, ignoring Dragon Sonic Blast, Yabao could barely endure even its standard assaults.

The optimal and straightforward approach involved retaining the Disaster Dragon in play until the countdown ended. Naturally, should the adversary catch on, he might simply withdraw the Disaster Dragon and yield the bout.

Yet Qiao Sang wagered he wouldn't dare. As a renowned tamer aspiring to Dragon-type Heavenly King status, conceding a round before millions of eyes was unthinkable for him.

"Yabao landed Fire Fang on Disaster Dragon via teleportation! However, Disaster Dragon has risen again—it's still in the fight!" From the commentary box, Tian Yiwan expressed awe.

"Disaster Dragon honors its Dragon-type heritage perfectly. It endured the blow and even deployed the Dragon Luck Field successfully. Curious if the field's boost allows it to truly challenge Yabao."

Tang Xueran remarked pensively: "Yuan Tianlong's following beast must be the Sawtooth Dragon. Here's my idea: might Qiao Sang be reining in Blazing Divine Lion to avoid clashing with Sawtooth Dragon amid the active Dragon Luck Field?"

Tian Yiwan hesitated. "Quite possible. Disaster Dragon provoked Blazing Divine Lion, yet after three seconds, no response came. For such a fiery-tempered breed as Blazing Divine Lion, that's unusual."

While they discussed, the Disaster Dragon parted its jaws, firing a silvery-white ray at Yabao. The Dragon Luck Field amplified Dragon Pulse's might considerably, yet against Yabao, a full rank superior, it fell short. Yabao refrained from countering, merely vanishing via teleport to evade.

BOOM!

The ray struck empty space, detonating aloft and stirring a fierce blast wave.

Yuan Tianlong commanded: "Boom."

"ZAI ZAI!!!"

The Disaster Dragon reared its head and bellowed. A unseen sonic ripple spread outward. Yabao shifted position through teleportation for separation, though the grating waves still assaulted his hearing. He eyed his foe, irritation plainly etching his features.

"Malice." Yuan Tianlong directed afterward.

The Disaster Dragon fixed its stare on Yabao, eyes shifting to full blackness brimming with icy hostility. Malice, a intermediate Dark technique. Gazing at a foe with venomous intent induces dread and sharply diminishes their will to strike.

That said, when the recipient vastly outlevels the user, the result reverses, instilling venom in the recipient's core and sharply heightening their urge to assault.

As soon as Yabao caught sight of the foe's darkened eyes, Qiao Sang's prior description of the ability flashed in his mind. He started zigzagging unpredictably on instinct, avoiding any glance toward the Disaster Dragon.

... Yuan Tianlong eyed the passive Yabao and recalled his former Disaster Dragon. After swift deliberation, he ceased issuing directives.

"Zai zai..."

Lacking guidance from its tamer, the Disaster Dragon took initiative. Possessing sharp wits, it remembered its tamer's words on Yabao, formulated a tactic, and morphed into a dark gleam, surging ahead.

The dark gleam traversed half the arena instantly. Witnessing this, Yuan Tianlong rubbed his temple in frustration. While battles occasionally demand trusting a beast's instincts, the Disaster Dragon's impulses frequently surpassed his predictions.

Hovering above, Yabao tracked the dragon's approach, pupils contracting as fury overtook him. Right before he could lash out, Qiao Sang's call echoed: "Don't move."

Yabao's fury-clouded gaze sharpened a bit. He held firm, complying in the end.

The dark gleam's path aimed directly at Qiao Sang.

"Where's that Disaster Dragon heading?!" Shouts of alarm erupted from the spectators.

Perched on her blue avian companion, Qiao Sang regarded the approaching dark gleam with steady, composed poise.

Qiao Sang pondered inwardly.

Indeed, upon nearing the battle area's boundary, the dark form veered abruptly and halted, unveiling the Disaster Dragon. It glanced upward at Yabao in astonishment. Never had it anticipated this beast would restrain itself under such circumstances.

At that instant, immense gravitational pressure slammed down, flattening the Disaster Dragon to the earth. It crumpled, immobilized.

Yabao had at last exhausted his tolerance and deployed Psychic.

"Yap yap..." Yabao glared downward at the immobilized dragon with clear displeasure. Despite sensing the feint, irritation burned intensely within him.

Amid the seats, murmurs grew louder: "What's happening? Why hold back on attacking Yabao?"

"Commentators mentioned it—Qiao Sang aims for the Dragon Luck Field to time out."

"Did Disaster Dragon just rush toward Qiao Sang?"

"Likely to provoke Blazing Divine Lion into action."

"Qiao Sang stays utterly composed. A beast like that charging me? I'd soil myself."

"Come on, she's a B-rank beast tamer. Mere General-level creature—fear? Unlikely."

Back on the arena.

"Zai zai..." The Disaster Dragon writhed, malice surging in its chest. It lifted its head and shot a venomous look at Yabao.

"Yap yap..." Yabao growled in fierce response.

Abruptly, the Disaster Dragon's eyes blackened once more, seething with malice.

"Yap yap..." Yabao met the stare, his anger and spite flaring as the scene of the dragon's charge at Qiao Sang replayed vividly.

"Zai zai." The Disaster Dragon uttered with eyes full of venom.

Spectators failed to comprehend the dragon's words, yet Yuan Tianlong grasped them. His lid twitched, yet he conceded the combination probably worked wonders against Blazing Divine Lion.

Qiao Sang couldn't view the dragon's expression, but Yabao's condition was evident. Noticing his fiery wings flare in wrath, she sensed trouble. Too late, though. Yabao broke at last. Parting his jaws, he launched a crimson-golden ray straight at the grounded Disaster Dragon.

Lost in wrath, he neglected to temper his force. The gravitational hold on Disaster Dragon vanished, prompting it to instinctively become dark light for evasion.

BOOM!!!

The arena quaked fiercely as the dragon's former position erupted in blazing inferno and raw power. The Disaster Dragon darted swiftly; its goal was delaying for Sawtooth Dragon, but it refused to serve as a mere target. The taunts aimed precisely to draw the foe into open combat.

As the Disaster Dragon fled, gearing for a pivot and reprisal, intense scorching hit it. Swiveling its neck, fire filled its vision. Yabao matched its pace flawlessly. Yabao's maw gaped, unleashing a colossal fiery spectral jaw that clamped down savagely.

"Zai zai!"

Flames burst outward, hurling the Disaster Dragon through the air amid shrieks. Yabao teleported to its crash site and hoisted a talon engulfed in raging fire. Yet moments later, spotting the Disaster Dragon's shut eyes, Yabao regained clarity.

"Yap yap..." Realizing his grave error, Yabao dropped his talon and turned to Qiao Sang.

"It's fine." Qiao Sang formed the words without sound.

As a Dark-type, the Disaster Dragon wielded numerous abilities to provoke dark feelings, and at General rank, it paled vastly against Yabao. Considering Yabao's temperament, enduring the entire ten minutes seemed improbable from the start. His restraint up to now already exceeded expectations.

Frankly, unease had gripped her when Yuan Tianlong halted orders. Had he delayed to the final instant for another Dragon Luck Field setup, the scenario would worsen. This result fell within tolerable bounds.

Yuan Tianlong observed the referee nearing the Disaster Dragon, face impassive.

Yabao's tail sagged, spirits sunk. He caught Qiao Sang's wordless cue but believed his rashness had sabotaged her tactic.

The referee examined the Disaster Dragon and signaled the green flag to Qiao Sang. The digital display refreshed, graying out the Disaster Dragon's image.

"Congratulations to competitor Qiao Sang for claiming victory in the second round!" Tian Yiwan announced exuberantly. The outcome stunned no one.

Yuan Tianlong summoned back the Disaster Dragon.

... Qiao Sang reflected.