Beast Taming: Starting From Zero Chapter 948: Wood-whiskered Flower Monster

A gentleman dressed in a formal suit stood up alongside a Base-Divider Unit, gesturing toward the spectators. This refereeing duo was different from the officials present during the previous round.

The Base-Divider Unit was also a different individual. To qualify as a Notary Office referee, one must not only pass the rigorous interview and testing process but also possess a contracted pet that fulfills the specific requirements of the office.

Consequently, the majority of the personnel at the Central Hollow Region's Notary Office have a Base-Divider Unit as part of their team.

"Fen fen."

The Base-Divider Unit underwent a split. Its twin heads drifted toward the massive virtual display at the stadium's center and merged into the screen. Every portrait began a frantic shuffle. Ten seconds later, the images clicked into pairs and froze in place.

Shortly after, the spherical heads of the Base-Divider Unit emerged from the display, their hue remaining steady. Only then did the announcer declare: "The roster is finalized! The pairings for the Top 216 moving into the Top 108 are set!"

Every gaze in the arena shifted to the giant screen. Qiao Sang scanned the grid and located her photo instantly. She checked the name of her assigned opponent: Xiang Wenyi.

Xiang Wenyi, age 36, C-rank Beast Master. She had reached the Top 100 in the Regional Championships five years prior... Details regarding this woman surfaced in Qiao Sang’s thoughts.

She hadn't gone out of her way to study her; the commentator had provided a profile during the preliminary rounds. With her enhanced memory, Qiao Sang didn't need to struggle to memorize data; if she heard or saw something once, it was essentially etched in her mind.

Having followed the seven-day livestream of the preliminaries, Qiao Sang recalled that this woman possessed an orange-yellow star array and remained a C-rank Beast Master. However, her combat prowess had dwarfed her previous opponents. She had utilized a single General-level pet to dismantle two of her opponent's beasts before swapping it out for a second pet to clinch the final round. It had been a flawless victory without a single loss.

Meanwhile, in the seating area for families.

Observing the opponent her daughter had drawn, Ye Xiangting began a quick search on her smartphone. She let out a breath of relief upon seeing the statistics for a C-rank Beast Master.

"Judging by the placement on the roster, Qiao Sang’s match should take place this evening," Liu Yao remarked while studying the screen.

Ye Xiangting’s brow furrowed. "Does that mean we’re stuck sitting here until tonight?"

"If you’re feeling worn out, you can head out to rest. I’ll give you a call when Qiao Sang is up," Liu Yao offered.

"I finally have a chance to watch the Regional Championships from such incredible seats, how could I possibly be tired?" Ye Xiangting replied, though her voice carried a hint of concern.

"I’m more worried about Qiao Sang. She won't just be sitting out here until the evening, will she? I wonder if the backstage area has a place for her to lie down."

Having visited her daughter’s room recently, she knew the girl had been glued to the livestream, watching every single bout. Now that she was here in person, she likely wouldn't move an inch until the day ended.

Liu Yao replied with a calm tone: "There's no need to fret over that. She has Lubao with her."

"...That does make me feel better," Ye Xiangting admitted.

---

Contestant Area.

It seems my turn won't come until tonight... Qiao Sang calculated the timing while reviewing the schedule.

Aside from those scheduled for the opening day, most competitors preferred not to fight on the same day the roster was announced, as it offered very little time to prepare. Qiao Sang was unbothered; the tournament was still in its infancy.

As long as her path didn't cross with a B-rank Beast Master, she felt secure. This was the poise granted by her own power.

"Xun xun?"

While Little Treasure watched the stream occasionally, he couldn't keep track of every single participant. Seeing the list finalized, he turned toward her with a questioning chirp.

Is the person we're fighting strong?

Qiao Sang looked down at him. "Quite formidable."

"Xun xun..."

Little Treasure set down the bottle of energy recovery fluid held in his paws, looking dejected. If the enemy is truly strong, it means I probably won't get to fight today...

"Why did you stop drinking?" Qiao Sang inquired.

"Xun xun..."

Little Treasure let out a listless cry, signaling that he was full.

Qiao Sang: ...

Elsewhere.

Various contestants were reacting to their matchups; some were composed, others were thrilled, and some looked miserable. Xiang Wenyi fell into the latter category. While she didn't typically over-analyze every competitor, she was well aware that Qiao Sang was the youngest B-rank Beast Master in recorded history.

Drawing a B-rank opponent this early in the Regionals usually served as a one-way ticket out of the tournament.

A woman seated beside her, possessing dark hair and soft features, spoke up: "I actually have a history with Qiao Sang. Do you want me to have a word with her and ask if she can go easy, so you don't get totally humiliated?"

Xiang Wenyi looked at her with wide eyes. "You're acquainted with Qiao Sang?"

Fang Lan nodded. "We worked an assessment task together. We spent three days keeping order at the Flying Tournament."

"How come you never mentioned this?" Xiang Wenyi pressed.

"Don't even get me started," Fang Lan sighed.

"I knew she was entering the Regionals, but I assumed her real age was much higher than she looked. At the time, she claimed she had only finished four tasks. That was seven months after registration opened. I figured she was just a nobody. Who would have guessed she’d blitz the rest of the requirements in such a short window?"

Xiang Wenyi remained silent for a moment. "Do you think she still remembers you?"

Fang Lan’s eyes popped. "You aren't actually considering my offer, are you? I was just teasing."

Xiang Wenyi rolled her eyes. "I’ve bled and sweated to get this far. Do you think I’m looking for a handout?"

Fang Lan offered an apologetic grin. "I knew you wouldn't."

"Since you worked with her, what can you tell me about her pets?" Xiang Wenyi asked.

Fang Lan pondered for a second. "There’s one with fiery wings that looks like a Fire-type, but it flies without flapping, so it likely has psychic abilities. Then there's a Ghost-type that uses Teleportation."

She tilted her head toward Little Treasure’s spot on the left. "That's the one right there."

Xiang Wenyi followed her gaze. "That's a Ghost Ring King. I'm aware of it—it's a species from the Yuhua Region. It’s been all over the internet. I've seen the clips."

"Doesn't the web also claim she competed in the National Campus Beast Tamer League just a year ago?" Fang Lan added.

"I heard from a relative that the top performers in those leagues get sent off-world as interstellar exchange students. You should look it up; there might be footage of her battling on other planets."

"A year ago, she was only a D-rank Beast Master. Watching old match footage probably won't help much now."

"Fair point." With that, Xiang Wenyi stood up suddenly and exited the area. Many other participants were doing the same, particularly those with later matches who wanted to scout their opponents.

---

The tournament moved forward with mechanical precision.

Hours slipped away. During the midday and afternoon intervals, Qiao Sang stepped out to ensure Yabao and the others were well-fed before returning to observe the ongoing duels.

It wasn't until the sun dipped below the horizon and the moon took its place that a staff member approached and whispered to her. Qiao Sang rose to follow, joined by several other contestants heading for the tunnels.

"Xun xun?"

Little Treasure floated alongside his Beast Master, sipping milk and chirping a question about whether Yabao or Lubao would be taking the stage.

Qiao Sang glanced down. "Get yourself ready."

"Xun xun!"

Little Treasure paused, his face lighting up with sheer delight. However, his excitement was quickly replaced by a look of worry.

"Xun xun..."

But you said the opponent was strong...

Qiao Sang looked at him again. "You aren't exactly weak yourself."

"Xun xun~"

Little Treasure began spinning in happy circles.

After thirty minutes, Tian Yiwan spoke from the commentary booth: "The upcoming match features the highly anticipated Qiao Sang against Xiang Wenyi."

The stadium instantly erupted into a deafening roar. The cheering was more intense than the climax of most matches: "Qiao Sang! Qiao Sang!"

"Ah! Breezewing Nini! I need to see Breezewing Nini in action!"

"Get a grip! Breezewing Nini is just an Intermediate-level pet!"

"I don't care! I just want to see her!"

"Steel Sword Falcon! Steel Sword Falcon!"

The scattered support for Xiang Wenyi was utterly buried by the noise.

Finally, it's Qiao Sang's turn... Ye Xiangting’s energy surged as she gripped her phone, prepared to record every moment.

Tian Yiwan continued: "Contestant Qiao Sang delivered a perfect sweep during the prelims. As the youngest B-rank Beast Master to ever live and the standout dark horse of this Regional Championship, we are all eager to see which pet she chooses today."

Tang Xueran added: "Xiang Wenyi also showcased an impressive performance in the early rounds. This marks her second appearance in the Regionals, and we’re excited to see her go all out."

As the commentary concluded, two blue avian pets ascended from the ground, hovering in mid-air. The cameras zoomed in, providing high-definition close-ups of both Qiao Sang and Xiang Wenyi.

The crowd roared again, welcoming their entry. Even though the general consensus was that Xiang Wenyi stood little chance, her earlier performance had earned her a respectable following.

On the arena floor.

Maintain focus. She knows I’m a C-rank and likely won't start with a King-level pet. As long as it isn't a King-level, I have a shot. Even taking one round would be a victory... Xiang Wenyi stared at her rival across the field. Her heart was racing, but she kept her expression stony.

Qiao Sang observed her opponent, wondering if she had managed to find any of her Chaosu Star battle data... She had overheard their conversation earlier in the contestant area. It was unavoidable; when someone is talking about you just a few feet away, your ears naturally tune in.

In a moment of focus, a holographic countdown of '10' materialized in the center of the stadium. A synthesized voice announced: "9, 8, 7... 3, 2, 1."

Both competitors executed their hand seals. An orange-yellow star array and a deep crimson star array ignited on the field simultaneously. Moments later, two creatures of vastly different scales emerged from the light.

Seeing the small figure on the field, which looked no larger than a low-level pet, the audience began to murmur: "That must be the Ghost-type with Teleportation they were talking about. It looks even tinier than it did in the clips."

"It’s a Ghost Ring King. I checked the database; apparently, Qiao Sang’s is a rare mutated color variant."

"Honestly, I'm not even shocked anymore. Once you've contracted a Breezewing Nini, owning a shiny mutation seems normal."

"Sigh, if only Qiao Sang had entered Secret Realm 16 a year sooner and gotten that Breezewing Nini then. With her talent, we’d be watching a legendary pet dominate the Regionals right now."

"Xun xun!"

Feeling the weight of over a hundred thousand pairs of eyes, Little Treasure was buzzing with excitement. He had to fight the urge to wave to every section of the crowd.

Stay focused, stay focused. This is a real fight, I have to watch the enemy... Recalling his Beast Master’s briefing, Little Treasure vanished from sight immediately.

Simultaneously, on the opposing side, the massive green creature gave a powerful shudder, releasing a cloud of green spores that blanketed the sky.

A second later, Little Treasure reappeared, clutching his face to block his nose and mouth, barely a meter away from the giant opponent.

"Bind!" Xiang Wenyi commanded instantly.

"Mu xu!" The giant pet roared.

In a flash, dozens of glowing emerald vines erupted from the earth, lashing out to ensnare Little Treasure. Just before they could grab him, Little Treasure blinked out of existence and reappeared high in the air, safely away from the spore cloud.

Aside from those who had already researched him, the spectators gasped in amazement, shocked to see a Ghost-type pet utilizing a move like Teleportation so fluidly.

"Ghost Ring King, a General-level Ghost-type from the Yuhua Region," Tang Xueran’s voice boomed.

"Qiao Sang’s specimen features a unique color and a smaller stature. It appears to be a mutation that has granted it the Psychic-type attribute."

"A dual Ghost and Psychic-type... in all my years calling the Regional Championships, I’ve never seen anything like it," Tian Yiwan said, playing up his amazement.

He had already seen the reports on the Ghost Ring King before today, but he knew his job was to mirror the audience's wonder and keep the energy high.

Wood-whiskered Flower Monster, a General-level Grass-type. Known for a passive temperament, it dislikes conflict and uses spores to disrupt a pet's internal Qi. Inhaling the powder causes most skills to fail. Furthermore, Ghost-types caught in the cloud are forced out of invisibility...

I remember she used this pet to sweep her first match in the preliminaries... Studying the creature—nearly six meters tall, covered in pale green fur with dark brown limbs and floral growths around its neck—the data flowed through Qiao Sang’s mind.

She definitely watched Little Treasure's clips, otherwise, she wouldn't have used such a massive AOE spore attack immediately...

It's lucky I warned Little Treasure about the Wood-whiskered Flower Monster beforehand. Hold your breath when closing in, and if it gets too thick, back off...

"Shadow of Darkness," Qiao Sang commanded with sharp focus.

Little Treasure pressed his paws together. Instantly, a gargantuan, titan-sized version of a Ghost Ring King, towering thirty meters high, materialized on the battlefield.

It's... it's massive... Xiang Wenyi’s jaw dropped.

"Mu xu..."

The Wood-whiskered Flower Monster craned its neck to look at the colossus before it, its mouth falling open in terror.

Shadow of Darkness creates an image ten times the user's size. At higher levels, it can reach a hundred times the scale. Little Treasure’s mastery of the skill is advanced; thirty meters is just the start. If he pushed it, he could exceed sixty meters...

The spores can mess with Qi, but as long as Little Treasure stays outside the cloud and lets the Shadow of Darkness do the fighting, he’s perfectly safe... Qiao Sang watched the field, her face a mask of calm.