Beast Taming: Starting From Zero Chapter 961: This Skill Isn''t Bad

"Flower-bud!"

A tempest of swirling leaves manifested instantly as the Flower-Bud Lizard’s eyes ignited with a vibrant green glow.

With a sharp flick of its head, the creature released a cloud of white powder from its crimson blossoms, weaving the substance directly into the leafy gale.

Whirlwind Paralysis: This was a sophisticated combo merging Leaf Storm and Paralysis Powder. Even if an opponent managed to dodge the initial impact of the leaves, the wide-reaching dispersion of the powder ensured they would inhale the toxin. The resulting paralysis would then slow the target down until the Leaf Storm finished them off.

..

Shi Bing’s pulse raced against his chest. His fingers were clenched into tight fists as he stared at the arena, consumed by the anticipation of seeing the Qinyin Fairy overwhelmed by the onslaught.

He was aware that Qiao Sang possessed a legendary Breezewing Nini that had recently evolved, yet he never suspected she would actually deploy a newly evolved Qinyin Fairy in a high-stakes match.

It was now clear why she had recalled the Steel Sword Falcon in the middle of the fight.

Shi Bing’s excitement reached its peak. He felt a messy surge of emotion, torn between feeling respected by Qiao Sang for facing a legendary pet, or insulted because that legendary pet was still only at the High-level stage.

The vortex of foliage and white dust swept violently across the battlefield.

"Hold your breath! Counter-wind!" Qiao Sang commanded with total composure.

If she were commanding Yabao or her other seasoned pets, their deep bond and battle experience would have prompted them to hold their breath instinctively. However, since she was battling alongside Qingbao—who had the shortest contract duration and the least experience—she made sure to give the explicit order.

Following the command, an unusual gale surged across the field, slamming into the Leaf Storm. Despite the effort, this wind lacked the necessary power and was quickly snuffed out by the storm.

"Increase the power!" Qiao Sang realized with a single glance that Qingbao was holding back on Tailwind. The pet was likely worried about her limited energy reserves and was trying to conserve strength.

Upon hearing her Beast Master’s voice, Qingbao—presently in her wind form—did not hesitate to unleash her internal energy.

A blast of wind, many times more potent than the first, collided with the Leaf Storm. The force was so great that the spinning leaves actually reversed their trajectory, hurtling back toward the Flower-Bud Lizard.

"Disperse it!" Shi Bing’s expression shifted instantly as he made a split-second call.

The green light in the lizard’s eyes vanished. The storm dissipated immediately, leaving nothing but scattered leaves on the arena floor.

"The Qinyin Fairy actually managed to redirect the Leaf Storm!"

From the commentary booth, Tian Yiwan offered an analysis: "While it is said that Qinyin Fairies can manipulate any wind, they typically must enter the air current to control it. The Flower-Bud Lizard utilized a Leaf Storm laced with Paralysis Powder. Even if the Qinyin Fairy held her breath, the sheer cutting force of the leaves should have struck her."

He expressed his awe, "It appears this Qinyin Fairy possesses capabilities that remain a mystery to us."

Since Qingbao was invisible while in her wind form, the commentators were left to speculate. Tang Xueran joined in: "The Qinyin Fairy is an entire tier below the lizard. To redirect the wind without entering it suggests only one thing: a move like Tailwind performed with a proficiency level that dwarfs that of the Leaf Storm."

"Precisely," Tian Yiwan agreed.

"Tailwind is usually a utility move for speed in team matches, but it has various advanced applications, such as creating a gust powerful enough to override natural currents."

As they spoke, Qingbao materialized again, pinching her nose with a look of distress. She wasn't used to holding her breath for so long and had finally reached her limit.

Shi Bing caught the opening and reacted immediately: "Paralyze!"

"Flower-bud!" The lizard shook its head, spraying a massive volume of powder once more.

"Inhale!" Qiao Sang barked.

Turning her back to the drifting pollen, Qingbao took a massive, lung-filling breath, puffed out her cheeks, and vanished back into Wind Transformation. The white powder continued to saturate the arena.

"Wind."

At Qiao Sang’s signal, another gust erupted, blowing the white dust away and pushing most of it back toward the Flower-Bud Lizard. The lizard remained unmoved, being immune to its own toxins, and continued to emit powder from its antennae.

In the audience, many viewers looked on with concern, while others couldn't hide their irritation.

"I expected a Qinyin Fairy to dominate, but she’s being pinned down just like any other High-level pet."

"For a legendary pet, she spends a lot of time just hiding in wind form to avoid the fight..."

"The Wind Cloud God is the one who is truly powerful, not necessarily every Qinyin Fairy. Without the right talent or resources, she might never reach that god-tier evolution. We should stop over-hyping legendary species."

Sitting in the family section, Liu Yao wasn't surprised by the chatter. It was human nature to worship power. People had adored Qingbao previously because of the legendary image of the Wind Cloud God. These high expectations had created a perfect image of Qingbao in their minds. Seeing her struggle against a General-level pet felt like a letdown to them.

Lubao was a different case; in the Guwu region, she was seen as a rare, peaceful savior of lives. People wanted to see her succeed but didn't want her in harm's way. If Qingbao lost, she would disappoint those secret expectations. However, Qingbao had requested this fight herself; she clearly wasn't bothered by the crowd's judgment.

---

Qiao Sang thought to herself.

A smirk played on Qiao Sang’s lips. She looked toward her opponent and spoke with a mocking tone: "Is that all you've got?"

Shi Bing: "???"

Hearing her Beast Master, Qingbao understood the plan. She appeared, her face crimson from the effort of holding her breath, and forced a "that was easy" look before vanishing back into Wind Transformation.

Both the lizard and its master were stunned. The lizard even began to feel a seed of self-doubt.

"Contestant Qiao Sang has shown her blatant disdain!" Tian Yiwan noted, surprised.

"It seems she isn't impressed by the power Shi Bing has displayed so far."

"The young should be bold," Tang Xueran remarked. "If I possessed that kind of strength at seventeen, I’d be just as arrogant. Still, the Qinyin Fairy is clearly being pressured. Is she perhaps testing his limits before launching a real strike?"

During the commentary, Qiao Sang raised a hand to her mouth and let out a yawn. The gesture was so dismissive it made the commentators stumble over their words. The spectators exchanged confused looks, baffled by Qiao Sang’s sudden change in demeanor.

Shi Bing: "!!!"

There was no greater insult than an opponent acting bored in the heat of battle.

"You think provoking me will work? What's the point? That Qinyin Fairy is still just a High-level pet. You’ve already lost this match!"

Qiao Sang chuckled.

"Oh, is that how it is?"

"Poison Vine!" Shi Bing’s gaze turned sharp as he pivoted his tactics.

"Flower-bud!" The lizard’s eyes shimmered green. Massive, violet vines burst from the earth, reaching heights of tens of meters and lashing out at the air. As they moved, they released a thick, toxic fog.

Qiao Sang’s heart hammered for a moment, but she kept her cool, maintaining the smirk as if she were merely watching a circus act.

Qingbao reappeared in mid-air, still holding her nose shut.

"Bind her!" Shi Bing ordered.

The purple vines lunged toward Qingbao like hungry predators.

"Charm," Qiao Sang said softly.

The lizard had resisted it quickly before, but the move would still work, even if only for a heartbeat. Qingbao used Wind Transformation to weave through the toxic vines. She materialized just a few meters from the lizard, gave a playful wink, and blew a kiss.

The lizard’s eyes immediately went hazy with infatuation. The vines that had been thrashing throughout the arena suddenly went limp.

"Drain," Qiao Sang commanded.

Even if the lizard regained its senses quickly, the attack was guaranteed to land at this proximity. Qingbao blew a kiss of shimmering pink energy.

Suddenly, the lizard’s vision cleared. The violet vines behind Qingbao snapped back to life, instantly wrapping around her and locking her in a tight grip.

"She’s been caught!" the crowd gasped.

The pink kiss struck the lizard, making it wince as it felt its vital energy being siphoned away.

"My lizard is a veteran of many battles. Did you really think it would be tricked by the same move twice?" Shi Bing sneered. He usually wasn't the type to boast, but he couldn't resist after Qiao Sang's earlier disrespect.

Qiao Sang’s eyes shifted from him to the lizard’s foot. A wooden spike was driven through its own claw.

... Qiao Sang felt a flash of admiration for his resolve, but she kept her expression neutral.

Being captured wasn't the end; she could use Wind Transformation to escape. The real danger was the toxin on those vines. She had to act fast. Qiao Sang smiled: "So what if she’s bound? Qingbao can just use Wind Transformation. Do you actually have the power to one-shot her?"

"Qing qing..." Qingbao let out a pained sound as the poison began to take effect. She prepared to use Wind Transformation, but hesitated upon hearing her Beast Master's words.

Shi Bing went silent. He was determined to prove he could end it in one blow. He shouted: "Bind! Solar Beam!"

Every purple vine on the field tightened around Qingbao. She was quickly swallowed by a massive sphere of violet thorns.

"Flower-bud!" The lizard let out a cry toward the sun. The light grew blindingly intense. It opened its maw, and a devastating beam of white light erupted, slamming into the purple sphere.

With a thunderous boom, the center of the vine sphere was vaporized. The vines crumbled into nothingness.

The arena fell silent, a heavy atmosphere settling over the crowd.

Solar Beam was a high-rank Grass-type technique that gathered solar energy for a massive discharge. Qiao Sang gave a genuine smile.

"That’s an impressive skill. I think I’ll take it."

Shi Bing: ???

Qingbao suddenly appeared a hundred meters up in the sky. The audience, who had been mourning her defeat a moment ago, erupted into cheers.

"How did she get away?!" Shi Bing’s eyes were wide with shock.

"Swap!" Qiao Sang yelled.

With an S-rank Wind Transformation characteristic, escaping such a binding was a simple task.

"Qing qing!"

Qingbao glared down at her foe, her eyes glowing with a sharp blue light. Shi Bing sensed imminent danger and instinctively shouted: "Bind!"

A solitary purple vine limply poked out from the ground.

Shi Bing: "??? What is one vine supposed to do?!"

"Flower-bud!" The lizard cried out in terror.

In the following instant, massive purple vines exploded from the earth, tightly binding the Flower-Bud Lizard itself.

Shi Bing: !!!

Connecting the events to Qiao Sang’s previous words, the truth finally dawned on him.

"Qing qing!"

Qingbao called out to the sun. The solar glare intensified. She tilted her head down, locking onto her trapped opponent, and opened her mouth wide.

A brilliant beam of white light condensed in her maw before blasting directly into the Flower-Bud Lizard.