Beast Taming: Starting From Zero Chapter 1006: A Champion''s Destiny

The spectators found the noise shrill and horrifying, yet it brought them no bodily harm. A intense buzzing emanated from the whole protective shield, with waves surging over its surface akin to stormy ocean swells. Under the intense pressure, the shield stayed solid above the arena, declining to break.

Within the shield, unseen sound waves spread out at tremendous velocity. Positioned nearest to the Sawtooth Dragon, Yabao took the full force of the assault.

As soon as Yabao’s left front paw hit the earth, a fierce, searing ache exploded in his skull. His thoughts blanked out entirely, robbing him of any reasoning. Next, his gaze turned vacant and hazy, like after a massive strike that blurred his vision completely.

BOOM!!!

A fearsome, unseen power burst forth all around Yabao. The terrain heaved upward. Debris flew in every direction. At the same time, below the surface, scorching red, bubbling magma emerged.

Though aware that the Blazing Divine Lion concealed Lava Purgatory as its secret weapon, Yuan Tianlong’s eyes still narrowed sharply at the dreadful scarlet glow underground. He bellowed: "Protect!"

"RUMBLE!"

Boiling magma burst skyward. The whole surface caved in suddenly as the molten flow poured from below like a volcano exploding, shooting upward before crashing down across the entire arena with unstoppable might.

The Sawtooth Dragon and Yabao got fully engulfed by the magma, which rushed over them like a raging torrent. The earth appeared to quake. The nearby atmosphere scorched from the intense heat, and choking warmth howled by as a huge wave of scorching air spread outward in all directions.

The crimson, nearly golden, stream of magma transformed the whole battleground into an inferno. Fire licks flickered and fiery surges splashed; despite the shield blocking it, the onlookers sensed the blistering warmth, which felt like it could dissolve anything in its way.

... The spectators gaped at the spectacle, jaws dropped.

Even though Yuan Tianlong and Qiao Sang had just ordered "Dragon Sonic Blast" and "Lava Purgatory" seconds earlier, witnessing the real event stunned everyone deeply.

In the announcer’s area, Tian Yiwan jumped to his feet, his expression blending astonishment and thrill:

"For the first time in this regional event, the arena’s protective mechanism has kicked in! The Sawtooth Dragon and Blazing Divine Lion have both deployed their Super-tier abilities. This marks the initial confrontation of two Super-tier skills in the competition!"

"Moments ago, the duration of Dragon Luck Field came to an end!"

Tang Xueran rose too, her voice brimming with fervor: "Yet, the Dragon Sonic Blast fired off precisely in the last instants of Dragon Luck Field. The might of a Dragon-type Super-tier skill lived up to expectations, instantly activating the safeguard. This ability not only harms the foe’s nerves; it wipes out their thinking, leading to blackout and loss of fighting ability, plus it sets off sonic explosion strikes near the target."

"Meanwhile, the Blazing Divine Lion’s Lava Purgatory lives up to its title, converting the arena into a molten hellscape. Enhanced by Moonlight Power, its dread amplifies even more. Even from afar, I sense the approaching blaze!"

"Each Super-tier skill landed squarely on their marks! Can the Sawtooth Dragon and Blazing Divine Lion rise again? Does the battle conclude now?"

Tian Yiwan chimed in: "In my view, both endured a deadly strike. The one who endures and gets back on their feet will claim victory in this bout!"

The stadium plunged into utter quiet, only stirring after the broadcast to unleash a roaring surge of clamor.

"Damn! Both the Sawtooth Dragon and Blazing Divine Lion hid a Super-tier skill! They buried them away, unveiling only in the championship round."

"Glance at their prior rivals; not one could compete. They won without deploying their top techniques."

"Back when Yuan Tianlong summoned Dragon Sonic Blast and it missed, I mocked him. Never imagined the Sawtooth Dragon truly possessed it..."

"So Qiao Sang’s call for Lava Purgatory was indeed Lava Purgatory..."

"Hardly another move with that label."

"Is this the regional event’s safeguard? First time I’ve witnessed it..."

"Tallying Radiant Impact, the Blazing Divine Lion commands two Super-tier skills..."

"That Lava Purgatory’s might is horrifying. Might the Blazing Divine Lion claim the win?"

"No way. With the safeguard on, we miss the raw force of Dragon Sonic Blast. Absent that shield, the whole crowd would likely suffer. The Blazing Divine Lion stood so near the dragon; the hit must’ve been enormous. Feels like a tie."

"Yeah, prior to Lava Purgatory’s burst, the Blazing Divine Lion’s stare had already dulled."

"I sense this Lava Purgatory’s strength feels exceptionally potent..."

"It’s a Super-tier skill; naturally it packs a punch."

"Not quite. I caught a King-rank Fire-type beast using it on television once, and it didn’t outdo this."

"How do you equate screen to live? In-person always hits hardest."

"...True enough."

"This is a real showdown..."

"Truth be told, I’m dying to know how Qiao Sang drills her beasts to master so many Super-tier skills..."

"I’m betting on the Sawtooth Dragon. Its natural armor outstrips the Blazing Divine Lion’s. In the closing instant, Yuan Tianlong ordered Protect. Should the dragon manage it, it could’ve weathered the surge."

"I back the Blazing Divine Lion. Imagine if Blaze ignites once more?"

. In a secluded spot among the seats, Wu Tianjiao, donned in a cap, shades, and face covering, fixed her gaze on the arena, murmuring inwardly.

---

Ye Xiangting watched the arena with tense anticipation. She pivoted to inquire: "Teacher, who do you reckon takes the win?"

Mikayla paused briefly before responding evenly: "No assurances here. Outcomes sometimes hinge not solely on power and synergy with the trainer, but on the beast’s inner resolve."

She had distinctly observed that in the closing phase, the Sawtooth Dragon employed Protect. Uncertain of that Protect’s rank, but the Blazing Divine Lion’s Lava Purgatory surely surpassed beginner level.

The Blazing Divine Lion lacked shielding moves against Dragon Sonic Blast, yet possessed the Blaze trait. To her, the next instants boiled down to a willpower clash; victory could swing either way.

Just then, Liu Yao declared firmly: "Yabao’s Blaze will surely activate."

He’d observed countless Qiao Sang battles, essentially tracking her and Yabao’s joint rise to now. Yabao’s fighting spirit burned fiercely. Beyond routine drills, in such a crucial contest, he’d refuse to just drop.

Without the Blaze trait, it’d differ, but he carried it. Blaze’s triggering relies not only on trait potency, but on the beast’s rivalry zeal and steadfast determination.

Yabao owned both. Paired with his link to Qiao Sang, his drive to triumph for his trainer intensified. Yabao would ignite it for certain, Liu Yao believed without doubt.

---

The magma streamed, seeming to quiet into stillness. The arena’s protective shield dissolved.

"Saw saw..."

Panting heavily, marred by gashes and shimmering with a faint glow, the Sawtooth Dragon gradually rose from the molten pool. It wobbled once as the sheen faded, yet stayed upright.

The venue exploded in uproar. Yuan Tianlong’s supporters leaped up, howling wildly. Cheers for Yuan Tianlong and the Sawtooth Dragon filled the space. It seemed triumph lay within grasp.

In the announcer’s area, Tian Yiwan yelled: "He’s risen! The Sawtooth Dragon stands! Amid Lava Purgatory’s fury, it endures!"

Tang Xueran noted: "The Sawtooth Dragon deployed Protect moments ago; looks like it pulled off a solid block."

"Seems the bout’s verdict is set. Contestant Yuan Tianlong regains a point successfully."

Tian Yiwan, recalling his actual backing of Qiao Sang, appended: "The Sawtooth Dragon now bears severe wounds, whereas Qiao Sang’s Steel Sword Falcon remains at full vigor. Should Steel Sword Falcon achieve Bond Evolve in the closing round, this segment’s champion stays uncertain."

"Precisely..."

Tang Xueran started to concur, but her gaze bulged at the arena. She cried out in astonishment: "The Blazing Divine Lion rises too! He’s ignited the Blaze trait! Clearly, this clash persists!"

---

Some ten seconds prior to the broadcast...

On the arena, Qiao Sang fixed her eyes on Yabao’s collapse site, calling: "Yabao!"

No stir came from beneath the magma. Yuan Tianlong sensed rising caution and ill foreboding. Stats showed the Blazing Divine Lion’s Blaze trigger rate soared markedly when weakened, nearing certainty. His Blaze trait rated at least Grade A. This round, it could fire again.

The Sawtooth Dragon marked his final summon, and Dragon Luck Field had faded.

Yuan Tianlong gathered his focus and commanded instantly: "Dragon Pulse!"

The Sawtooth Dragon parted its jaws, silver-white radiance forming swiftly.

... Noticing the dragon’s action, Qiao Sang’s eyes constricted. She yelled at full volume: "Yabao!!!"

The idea of that strike landing on a still Yabao twisted her gut. Yet she realized the prior Dragon Sonic Blast had left Yabao in a dazed state, deaf to her call. Even so, she cried out on reflex, her fiercest shout ever.

Beneath the magma, Yabao gradually lifted his lids. Facing the fuzzy, doubled foe, awareness slipped away. Recollections whirled past like a spinning display: Drills alongside his trainer, Little Treasure, Lubao, Gangbao, and Qingbao; scouting rivals; joining contests; the path onward to this instant.

BOOM!!!

The dread silver-white ray slammed into the magma. Molten bits sprayed high, but Yabao, once sprawled there, had vanished.

In the seats, the throng cheering Yuan Tianlong and the Sawtooth Dragon abruptly hushed.

"Saw saw..."

As though detecting peril, the Sawtooth Dragon tilted its head skyward. Up there, the rival meant to lie prone hovered aloft, cloaked in red-gold fire, appearing far more savage than earlier.

Yuan Tianlong’s look turned somber.

... Qiao Sang exhaled deeply in relief, her features alight with joy. Checking her Beast Codex now would reveal Yabao’s Blaze trait data climbing sharply.

Tang Xueran’s announcement echoed: "Indeed... the Blazing Divine Lion rises! He’s sparked the Blaze trait! Evidently, this battle endures!"

Fire blazed as Yabao morphed into a red-gold streak. Ere the Sawtooth Dragon reacted, the streak dove slantwise from above, streaking by and crashing into its form.

BANG!

The Sawtooth Dragon hurtled airborne. Right then, Yabao bared his maw, unleashing a red-gold ray at once. The badly hurt dragon hadn’t ceased flying when the ray struck.

BOOM!

A thunderous blast resounded. Flame-laden tremors tore through the area.

"SAW SAW!"

The Sawtooth Dragon wailed in agony. Yabao unfurled his wings, his frame suddenly sheathed in golden fire. With a mighty beat, he became a golden flash soaring upward. In moments, he hit an altitude even with the moon.

The masses gazed upward, as if beholding sun and moon in tandem. Abruptly, the Blazing Divine Lion plunged straight down at horrifying velocity.

.. Yuan Tianlong’s visage twisted in alarm. He wagered all. He roared: "Dragon Sonic Blast!"

The Sawtooth Dragon peered up and gaped wide: "SAW SAW!!!"

The arena’s protective system engaged once more. The faint shield wrapped the battleground. Waves churned over the shield as the inner terrain burst under hidden pressure.

BOOM!!!

The Blazing Divine Lion crashed down. The surface plunged sharply. The whole arena, focused on the strike point, caved into a bowl-shaped pit. Burnt stones soared, magma gushed. From above, the impacted zone glowed with extreme heat, warping visibly.

Despite prior views of Radiant Impact, the crowd reeled anew, deeming it more cataclysmic than before.

The blast’s ripple and glare from the Radiant Impact faded. All discerned clearly that the Blazing Divine Lion and Sawtooth Dragon lay senseless in the bowl pit.

Hush enveloped the venue. Even announcers held back at first. A mechanical beast materialized on the field. It approached the Sawtooth Dragon for inspection, then Yabao.

Next, it hoisted a blue-white banner and signaled.

The throng stayed mute.

In the announcer’s area, Tian Yiwan rose, drew a steadying breath, and proclaimed with vigorous zeal: "Esteemed viewers, spectators, the verdict for this regional finale has emerged! Both Blazing Divine Lion and Sawtooth Dragon have collapsed. It ends in a tie!"

"The ultimate tally stands at 3:2! Yuan Tianlong deployed all three beasts, and each has fallen!"

Tang Xueran released a prolonged sigh and voiced with matching fervor: "Let’s applaud Contestant Qiao Sang as the Champion of this Hollow Region Competition!"

Her statement landed, a vast holographic display lit the arena’s heart. Yuan Tianlong’s image dissolved, supplanted by a prominent, steady portrait of Qiao Sang with her beasts. At once, myriad dazzling fireworks burst in the nocturnal heavens, resembling a vibrant canvas.

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T/n: Kung Hei Fat Choi to those celebrating the Chinese New Year!