Beast Taming: Starting From Zero Chapter 959: Money-Grabbing Ghost and Flower-Bud Lizard

"Ice Emperor Ram! Ice Emperor Ram!"

"Qiao Sang! Qiao Sang!"

"Qiao Sang is incredible! She actually managed to contract a pet like Ice Emperor Ram!"

"Did you forget the Qinyin Fairy?"

"I don't really believe what I see on the internet unless I see it with my own eyes. Qiao Sang wasn't even in the video of Breezewing Nini's evolution. Who knows if it's real."

"Qiao Sang! Qiao Sang! Keep going for the one-vs-three sweep!"

"You don't even need to shout that. Shi Bing has no King-level pets left. Ice Emperor Ram sweeping three is a sure thing."

"Shi Bing is unlucky. His only King-level pet just happened to be Ice-type."

"Please, Ice Emperor Ram just used a Super-tier skill. Even a pet of the same level with a different attribute wouldn't be able to break free."

"How on earth does she train? Two of the three pets she's sent out have learned Super-tier skills, and that Steel Sword Falcon who learned Holy Sword is only a General-level pet."

"I saw in the news that the Steel Sword Falcon's Holy Sword was a self-awakened skill after evolution."

"Qiao Sang is truly amazing. I heard that Steel Sword Falcon is a completely new evolutionary form even on the Chaosu Star, and she's the first to nurture it."

"Holy crap! For real?!"

The audience stands were reaching a fever pitch. Generally, King-level pet confrontations trigger heated debates regarding strength and combat prowess. However, the current conversation was centered almost entirely on Qiao Sang and her Ice Emperor Ram. The all-encompassing freeze of the "Ice Field Domain" had even caused the crowd to overlook the impressive blizzard-avalanche combination previously displayed by the Sky Ice Crow.

Family Area.

Ye Xiangting stared at Lubao on the battlefield before shifting her gaze to her daughter, who remained as composed as if the entire situation was under her thumb. It took a long time for her to process the scene, as she whispered: "Is Qiao Sang already this strong...?"

Having attended numerous Regional Championships in the Yuhua Region, she had rarely seen a match as breath-taking as the one unfolding before her.

Liu Yao, possessing keen hearing, overheard her and commented with a grin: "She is the youngest B-rank Beast Master in history, after all."

Ye Xiangting remained in a daze; she suddenly felt a strange impulse to request Lubao's autograph through Qiao Sang. Only now, witnessing Qiao Sang dismantle an opponent's King-level pet with such ease, did the reality of her daughter being a B-rank Beast Master truly sink in.

Official Livestream.

[Is this really the Super-tier skill Ice Field Domain...? The condensation speed for other Ice-type techniques is incredible. Those giant ice cones are raining down like energy is free.]

[God Qiao! God Qiao!]

[Ice Emperor Ram!!! Mommy loves you!!!]

[I am begging God Qiao to publish a guide on how to master Ice Field Domain. I will pay whatever it takes!]

[Ice Emperor Ram! It belongs to our Guwu Region!]

[God Qiao! She's from our Yuhua Region!]

[So people from the Yuhua Region actually are watching. I thought the chat was entirely taken over by the Guwu crowd...]

While the netizens and spectators debated, the "10" light-shadow countdown manifested. From the commentary booth, Tian Yiwan remarked: "Qiao Sang has opted not to return Ice Emperor Ram to the Beast Codex. It appears she intends to maintain her record from the prior rounds and achieve another one-vs-three sweep."

Tang Xueran added with excitement: "It seems Qiao Sang is on track to be the first participant in this Regional Championship to secure a one-vs-three sweep across all three rounds!"

With Shi Bing's sole King-level pet out of the running and Qiao Sang keeping her heavy hitter on the field, the outcome of the match seemed inevitable to everyone.

Shi Bing’s expression soured as he looked at the majestic and enigmatic Ice Emperor Ram standing in the distance.

As a Beast Master who commanded a King-level pet, he had always maintained high self-esteem, thinking the only thing separating him from a B-rank Beast Master was brain development. He believed that once his brain development progressed, he would easily attain B-rank status himself.

He had aimed for a Top 50 finish in this tournament, but he hadn't expected to encounter a B-rank Beast Master so early, let alone one with a King-level pet capable of a Super-tier skill. The prospect of being swept by this B-rank Beast Master in front of such a massive audience made Shi Bing's heart sink.

The countdown shifted: "8, 7, 6... 3, 2, 1."

As the final number vanished, Shi Bing executed his hand seals. An orange-yellow star array shimmered into existence. A humanoid pet, standing roughly two meters tall, appeared shortly after. The creature possessed a golden body, limbs, black eyes, and horizontal markings near its eyes that resembled eyeglass frames.

This was a Money-Grabbing Ghost, a General-level Ghost-type pet. Legend says its golden form is the result of a deep craving for and the consumption of wealth. It is known for a cheerful temperament and is one of the few Ghost-types friendly toward humans—provided they are wealthy.

In combat, it launches gold to strike its foes. It is among the few Ghost-types held in high regard by the public... Qiao Sang mentally reviewed the information.

Suddenly, the Money-Grabbing Ghost turned invisible. Qiao Sang gave no orders. Against a mere General-level opponent, Lubao was capable of acting independently. Lubao scanned the empty arena, recalling the opponent's data her Beast Master had provided. Such details were second nature to her now.

Lubao stepped forward with her front left leg, releasing a visible wave of frigid air. The battlefield was instantly transformed into a frozen wasteland, the ground encased in a thick layer of ice.

At that same moment, the Money-Grabbing Ghost was caught in the freeze and forced into visibility in the center of the arena. Trapped within the ice, its short fingers were raised, holding a spherical piece of gold that had just begun to materialize.

"Xun xun..."

From within the Beast Codex, Little Treasure watched his fellow Ghost-type being exposed and frozen. Recalling his own sparring matches with Lubao, he shielded his eyes with his paws, yet left a small gap between his fingers; he was hesitant to watch but couldn't look away.

"Gold!" Shi Bing cried out, his heart turning cold, though he refused to surrender just yet.

Following his shout, a massive cone of ice formed dozens of meters above the Money-Grabbing Ghost and plummeted down with devastating force.

Bang!

The ice shattered and the mist cleared. The Money-Grabbing Ghost lay there, already unconscious. Shi Bing was left in a state of despair.

The mechanical referee performed a status check and signaled toward Qiao Sang with a green flag. On the digital display, the portrait of the Money-Grabbing Ghost faded to black and white.

The second round had concluded so swiftly that the crowd was momentarily stunned.

"That was so quick, I didn't even have time for a drink..."

"A King-level against a General-level; a one-hit knockout is to be expected."

"Using Ice Field Domain on a General-level pet? It seems Qiao Sang doesn't want to waste any time..."

"The Money-Grabbing Ghost is a Ghost-type. Without Ice Field Domain to force it out of hiding, that invisibility would have been a nuisance."

"That's like using a cannon to kill a fly..."

"Qiao Sang likely doesn't mind. With only one General-level pet remaining, the match will be over in minutes."

On the field, Shi Bing watched in surprise as Qiao Sang withdrew Ice Emperor Ram. His shock quickly turned to a surge of hope. Shi Bing felt his confidence returning.

The "10" light-shadow countdown began once more.

"9, 8, 7... 3, 2, 1."

Both Qiao Sang and Shi Bing performed their seals at the same time. Red and orange star arrays glowed brightly.

"It's Steel Sword Falcon and Flower-Bud Lizard!" Tian Yiwan called out.

"This promises to be a fierce confrontation!"

Qiao Sang looked at Gangbao with total confidence. Lubao was at the King-level; any of her attacks would likely instantly defeat or severely wound the opponent, leaving no chance for Qingbao to participate.

She had originally intended for Little Treasure to go out and exhaust the opponent, but he had declined, insisting he couldn't afford to lose in front of such a large crowd. Luckily, Gangbao had stepped up to help.

Qiao Sang thought back to their exchange.

"You worked so hard for that sweep in the first round. If you don't win this round, wouldn't that previous effort be for nothing?" she had asked him.

"Gang Zhan," Gangbao had replied with his usual calm.

"Net!" Shi Bing barked the first order.

"Flower-bud." The Flower-Bud Lizard's eyes flashed green. A multitude of roots burst from the earth, knitting together into a massive aerial net that plummeted toward Gangbao. Gangbao reacted by transforming its left wing into a razor-sharp blade and slicing upward. The net was cut clean in half as Gangbao soared higher.

The Flower-Bud Lizard was a General-level Grass-type pet. It produces a fragrance that dampens aggression. During combat, this scent saps the opponent's will to fight. Its breath even has the power to restore dead plants... Qiao Sang recalled the details.

"Powder!" Shi Bing ordered.

The lizard's antennae twitched, and a yellow dust began to drift from the two large red blossoms on its head, saturating the air. Gangbao beat its wings downward, creating a powerful gust that blew the powder away.

The lizard extended its antennae, anchoring itself into the ground to withstand the wind. Gangbao adjusted its posture, launching hundreds of purple-tinted feather blades through the air toward the lizard.

"Defend!" Shi Bing yelled.

The lizard's eyes glowed green again, manifesting a hexagonal, honeycomb-shaped green shield. Most of the purple feathers were repelled, though a few managed to pierce through and strike the lizard.

"Flower-bud!" The lizard pushed through the pain to mend its defenses.

Gangbao halted his assault. The purple-glowing feathers curved back through the air and returned to his body.

"Leaf Storm!" Shi Bing commanded.

As the wind died down, the lizard pulled back its antennae and whipped its head around. A swirling tornado of green leaves surged toward Gangbao in the sky.

Qiao Sang watched closely.

Gangbao abandoned his defensive stance and used his wings to maneuver out of the way. The lizard directed the storm to follow. For thirty seconds, they engaged in a high-speed pursuit. The audience started to whisper among themselves:

"What is going on? Why isn't Steel Sword Falcon striking back?"

"It looks like Steel Sword Falcon is just toying with it. Whenever the storm gets close, it speeds away, then slows down on purpose."

"Is it trying to drain the lizard's energy?"

Realizing the tactic, Shi Bing shouted: "Paralyze!"

While the storm continued its chase, the lizard's antennae vibrated, releasing a fine white powder.

With a wave of her hand, Qiao Sang suddenly recalled Gangbao—who was still mid-flight—back into the Beast Codex.

Shi Bing was stunned.

Flower-Bud Lizard was equally confused.

The entire stadium went silent in shock. The livestream chat was flooded with question marks.

In a formal match, withdrawing a pet before it has been defeated is the same as forfeiting the round.