Beast Taming: Starting From Zero Chapter 960: Qingbao''s Debut

A massive virtual display materialized at the arena's center. Directly beneath Qiao Sang, the portrait of Gangbao shifted from vibrant color to a somber black and white.

Following a momentary hush, the stadium erupted into a chaotic sea of noise.

"What was the reason for Qiao Sang withdrawing Steel Sword Falcon?"

"Is this her debut in the Regional Championship? Is she unaware that retracting a pet before it is defeated results in an automatic forfeiture of the round?"

"That's impossible. She might be a novice and young, but she is a B-rank Beast Master. With her intellect, there is no way she's ignorant of such a fundamental rule. Furthermore, even those who don't compete in the Dragon Kingdom are well-versed in the Regional regulations."

"Could it be that Qiao Sang has only ever observed the Yuhua Regionals, and their guidelines differ?"

"That seems highly probable!"

"Even if a misunderstanding caused her to lose this point, it isn't a disaster. She still has a fresh pet and Ice Emperor Ram available for deployment."

"Hahaha, it would be hilarious if she really pulled Steel Sword Falcon back just because she didn't know the rules."

"What a waste. If that's the case, she should have permitted Ice Emperor Ram to complete a three-pet sweep."

"Ah! Steel Sword Falcon is actually a favorite of mine! Being a fan of Flying-types, I was eager to witness it execute Holy Sword!"

At the same time, the official livestream chat was moving at a frantic pace.

[???]

[Ice Emperor Ram! Ice Emperor Ram! I’m certain Qiao Sang intends to bring Ice Emperor Ram back out to settle the score!]

[God Qiao likely felt Steel Sword Falcon was taking too long, so she chose to swap back to Ice Emperor Ram! God Qiao! I adore you!]

[This marks the first time I've witnessed a Beast Master recall a pet in the middle of a Regional match...]

[Are there any Yuhua locals present? Is mid-match recalling allowed over there?]

[Yuhua native here. No, we aren't permitted to recall pets during a fight either.]

[I have a theory: maybe God Qiao had an urgent bathroom break, so she’s bringing in Ice Emperor Ram to end this quickly.]

[That logic is actually very sound!]

[This Shi Bing guy is quite lucky, getting a free round victory like that.]

[Am I alone in wanting to see Steel Sword Falcon actually battle?]

---

On Stage.

"Contestant Qiao Sang has actually returned Steel Sword Falcon to the Beast Codex in the heat of battle!"

From the commentary booth, Tian Yiwan recovered from his shock and recalled his professional role: "This strategy truly has me perplexed."

"This is the inaugural instance of a contestant recalling a pet mid-bout during this championship," Tang Xueran remarked.

"As a result, this also signifies the first round loss for contestant Qiao Sang in the duration of this tournament."

In the spectator stands, Mikayla, who was already privy to Qiao Sang's intentions, kept a neutral expression.

Family Area.

Liu Yao sat up straight, his gaze fixed intently on Qiao Sang. He understood that the main event was commencing.

"Qingbao is coming out next..." Ye Xiangting hurriedly grabbed her smartphone and launched the camera app, prepared to document Qingbao's first appearance.

On the Field.

Shi Bing was momentarily stunned before being overcome with joy. Prior to the match, his objective was to defeat at least two of her pets. He had even entertained the thought of winning the whole match if her King-level pet proved weak.

However, after Ice Emperor Ram made its entrance, he realized its exceptional nature. Once it utilized Ice Field Domain to neutralize Sky Ice Crow and took out Money-Grabbing Ghost in a single hit, he assumed he was finished, likely facing a complete wipeout.

Who could have predicted that Qiao Sang would swap Ice Emperor Ram for Steel Sword Falcon, and then withdraw Steel Sword Falcon during the fight?

Shi Bing struggled to hide the smirk forming on his face.

"Flower-bud..." The Flower-Bud Lizard drifted into deep thought. The blossoms atop its antennae couldn't help but tremble.

Suddenly, a "10" light-shadow manifested. A mechanical voice thundered: "9, 8, 7... 3, 2, 1."

The illumination faded. Qiao Sang executed her hand seals. A massive red star array ignited upon the turf. Instantly, a pet emerged that neither the spectators nor the online viewers could have possibly anticipated.

"Qing qing."

The stadium fell silent for a single heartbeat before the stands erupted with a roar ten times more intense than before. Over half the crowd rose in shock, eyes wide with disbelief as they stared at the summoned creature. The sound seemed to shake the heavens.

"AHHHHH!!! Qinyin Fairy! It really is the Qinyin Fairy!!!"

"Good heavens! Qiao Sang has summoned a Qinyin Fairy!"

"Unbelievable! Qinyin Fairy! It’s actually here!"

"I assumed I'd never get to see Qiao Sang use it in a real fight! Not only am I seeing it, I'm seeing it in person!"

"So that footage of the Qinyin Fairy truly belonged to Qiao Sang. I was convinced it was just an edit..."

Once the initial excitement peaked, some spectators began to think more logically.

"I adore the Qinyin Fairy, but didn't it just undergo evolution? How is it supposed to defeat a Flower-Bud Lizard?"

"I understand why Qiao Sang withdrew Steel Sword Falcon now. She simply wanted to exhaust the lizard so she could bring the Qinyin Fairy out!"

"I'm so touched. She must have read our requests to see the Qinyin Fairy battle and brought it out just for the fans!"

"Steel Sword Falcon was pulled out too soon. The lizard has barely used any energy and isn't wounded. Breezewing Nini is a fresh evolution; it should have waited for the lizard to be severely damaged."

"Please, the Qinyin Fairy is a legendary pet. You cannot evaluate it by the metrics of common pets."

An exuberant fan jumping nearby bellowed: "Does winning even matter? The point is that we actually got to see it!"

--

Official Livestream.

[!!!]

[!!!!!]

[Ah! Qinyin Fairy!]

[My request from yesterday was granted today!]

[I'm declaring Qiao Sang my eternal idol!]

[I can't even fathom how high the viewership ratings are right now.]

[I just yelled 'Qinyin Fairy' and my 97-year-old grandfather leaped out of his bed.]

[Isn't Qinyin Fairy a High-level pet? And recently evolved? Is a General-level encounter too much for it?]

[I see it now. Qiao Sang recognized the internet's obsession and summoned it in such a critical match just for us. I'm tearing up. She's willing to lose just to show it to us.]

[Lose? How is it possible for a legendary pet to lose?!]

[Wait, where did Ice Emperor Ram go? Why call out this little shrimp?]

[Who are you calling a shrimp? That is a future Wind Cloud God!]

---

On Stage.

Both Tian Yiwan and Tang Xueran stood up from their seats simultaneously, their eyes bulging.

"Qinyin Fairy! Following the appearances of Ice Emperor Ram and Steel Sword Falcon, the third pet Qiao Sang has called forth is the Qinyin Fairy!" Tang Xueran's professional calm had vanished; her voice cracked with sheer thrill.

Tian Yiwan’s voice was shaky: "Qinyin Fairy, the legendary pet of our Central Hollow region, the High-level state of the fabled Wind Cloud God! In all my years of broadcasting, this is the first time I've seen a legendary pet summoned in a competitive match!"

Tang Xueran exhaled deeply, forcing her voice back to a more intellectual tone, though the excitement remained: "Word is that Qiao Sang’s Qinyin Fairy has only recently evolved. Going up against a Flower-Bud Lizard will be a challenge. However, Qiao Sang must be certain of its power. I'm eager to see what surprises are in store!"

Tian Yiwan suddenly had an epiphany: "The early departure of Steel Sword Falcon was clearly intended to prepare the stage for the Qinyin Fairy!"

"Precisely!" Tang Xueran concurred.

"But one is a brand new High-level evolution, while the other is a seasoned General-level. Even if the lizard is slightly tired, it shouldn't be a match a High-level pet can easily handle."

She then changed her perspective: "Nevertheless, Qiao Sang is the youngest Beast Master in history, and she has deployed the legendary Qinyin Fairy. I suspect their synergy will provide us with a shock!"

---

On the Field.

While the crowd was locked in intense debate, Shi Bing stared blankly at the creature within the star array. He exhibited the one reaction a pro should avoid: he froze up completely.

"Wind," Qiao Sang directed.

"Qing qing!"

Qingbao’s gaze sharpened as she dissolved into the breeze.

Despite it being a basic Wind Transformation, the audience let out a collective gasp. Tian Yiwan cried out: "Qinyin Fairy has become the wind! That is its signature trait! It can move anywhere instantaneously!"

Qiao Sang observed the Flower-Bud Lizard, which was scanning the area in a panic. She thought to herself:

"Charm," Qiao Sang ordered.

"Qing qing~"

Just as the lizard glanced to its left, Qingbao materialized less than three meters away. She let out a melodic cry and blew a kiss. A pink heart impacted the lizard's head perfectly.

"Flower-bud..." The lizard's expression began to shift into a dazed, lovestruck look.

Qiao Sang noticed the lizard was successfully infatuated.

"Qing qing." Qingbao pursed her lips, preparing her next move.

However, the lizard suddenly broke the spell, its eyes sharpening and emitting a green glow. In an instant, dozens of ten-meter-tall wooden spikes burst from the ground beneath Qingbao! Reacting with speed, Qingbao vanished back into the wind.

Qiao Sang's expression turned grave.

In the stands that she had blocked out, the audience was losing their minds over the Charm: "I'M DYING! I'M DYING!"

"Good lord, she charmed every single one of us!"

"In my mind, that Charm counts as an AoE attack!"

On the battlefield, the lizard felt a sense of relief. It turned toward its master to prompt an order, only to hear a voice filled with a level of passion and intensity it had never heard before:

"Whirlwind Paralysis!"

Shi Bing, gazing at the legendary pet he had only read about in textbooks, felt his hands shake with fervor. He realized that the most significant achievement of his life was right in front of him.