Beast Taming: Starting From Zero Chapter 962: Inheritance and Temperament

A heavy silence blanketed the entire arena.

As the turbulent air currents and shockwaves finally settled a few moments later, the Flower-Bud Lizard was revealed, lying motionless on the turf with its eyes shut tight. The spectators seemed to snap out of a collective trance, suddenly erupting into a deafening roar of excitement.

Seated in the front-row guest section, a young man wore a look of utter confusion. "What just happened? How did the Qinyin Fairy perform the Flower-Bud Lizard's own skill?"

"It was Power Swap," a middle-aged man beside him remarked with a professional air.

"That is a high-rank Psychic-type technique. It utilizes psychic energy to trade the user's attack and special attack status changes with those of the target. Even among Psychic-type pets, this skill is exceptionally rare."

"No way! Doesn't that make her basically unbeatable? If she goes up against a stronger foe, can't she just pull this out every time?"

"It’s a god-tier move for anyone trying to challenge a higher level! Why is such a broken ability only considered high-rank?"

"Well, it comes with significant drawbacks. To execute the swap, the user has to be intimately familiar with the opponent's techniques. Furthermore, the skill's proficiency level is transferred during the exchange. If the gap in power is too wide, the user might lack the energy reserves to actually pull off the opponent's move, even if the stats are swapped."

"Typically, only the most elite Psychic-types can master this. Most high-level pets prefer their own innate power over Power Swap, which is why we rarely see it in action."

"The move actually loses its edge as a pet grows stronger. Competitors in the Interstellar Cup have honed their personal skills to perfection. It's a rare find, and from what I've heard, those who can use it usually only do so because it was awakened through their bloodline."

"As expected of a legendary pet, to awaken a technique like that while only at the High-level stage..."

Even though Power Swap is a Psychic-type move, legendary pets are famous for utilizing skills outside their natural attributes. Consequently, the crowd wasn't shocked by the element, but rather by the sheer rarity of the move.

The audience was buzzing with fervor. Just moments prior, she had been on the defensive, yet she managed a complete turnaround, devastating her rival with the very attack he had launched. The fact that the legendary Qinyin Fairy was the one to pull it off only heightened the crowd's hysteria.

"AHHHHH! Qinyin Fairy! Qinyin Fairy!"

"Now I get why Qiao Sang was talking all that trash earlier. She was baiting Shi Bing into having the lizard use its most powerful attack!"

"A legendary pet really is on another level! Even its skill set is terrifying! She basically just robbed the opponent's move!"

"Don't call it 'robbing,' that sounds bad. It's a 'swap'! The lizard could have used the Qinyin Fairy's moves too; it just didn't get the chance."

"The lizard's defense was so pathetic it collapsed after one hit."

"Its defense isn't actually that weak. Shi Bing had it learn Grass Barrier just to cover that flaw, but it was likely too disoriented by the swap to defend itself."

"I always thought Qiao Sang was the quiet type who won through raw Cultivation. I didn't realize she was so cunning..."

"That isn't being devious, it's called being a tactician. If she hadn't said those things, do you think Shi Bing would have rushed his ultimate move so early?"

---

Official Livestream.

[Holy crap! Legendary pets are monsters even before they reach god-tier!]

[She wouldn't have secured the win in a direct confrontation. It's only because Qiao Sang exhausted him first and then played mind games. Otherwise, the outcome was anyone's guess.]

[I never doubted she could win!]

[That's not a devious move, that’s a Qiao god play!]

While the digital world and the live crowd debated the match, a mechanical referee pet drifted over to the Flower-Bud Lizard. After a quick inspection, it signaled toward Qiao Sang with a green flag.

The massive virtual display shifted. Shi Bing’s image flickered away, replaced by an enlarged victory shot of Qiao Sang and her pets in the center.

"Let's give it up for contestant Qiao Sang for her third-round triumph! She has officially moved on to the Top 54!" Tian Yiwan bellowed with enthusiasm.

"By baiting out the opponent's strongest move and then reflecting it with Power Swap, she delivered a truly stunning match!"

"It seems contestant Qiao Sang never wastes a single word in the arena," Tang Xueran commented.

"I'll admit, I thought she was just being cocky."

"The clouds on the Qinyin Fairy's lower body have turned completely purple," Tian Yiwan observed, his tone shifting from excitement to worry.

"Qiao Sang needs to get her to a medical station immediately."

Down on the field, Shi Bing looked crushed. His spirit was broken. He hadn't suspected for a second that Qiao Sang’s insults were merely a trap to set up a Power Swap.

"Qing qing..." Qingbao let out a pained cry as the winds around her began to swirl with strange intensity.

Observing the purple discoloration in Qingbao’s clouds, Qiao Sang gestured with her hand and withdrew her into the Beast Codex.

11:50 AM, Beast Center, Room 2603

Following Qingbao’s grand debut, Qiao Sang found herself mobbed by fans whenever she went out, forcing the group to dine in their room. By now, Qingbao's clouds had faded back to their original snowy white.

"When did Qingbao pick up Power Swap?" Mikayla asked casually over their meal.

"It was a skill she awakened during her evolution," Qiao Sang explained.

Mikayla stole a glance at Qingbao, who was currently laughing and playing with Gangbao. While all of Qiao Sang’s pets possessed freakish talent, the level of control Qingbao displayed with a brand-new skill was still startling.

"Legendary pets often possess inherited memories," Mikayla cautioned.

"These ancient memories can sometimes alter a pet's personality. You need to keep a close eye on Qingbao for any changes."

Qiao Sang stiffened, recalling Qingbao's new traits. Her expression turned solemn.

"I'll make sure to do that!"

She glanced over at Qingbao. The small fairy turned at that exact moment, her innocent eyes crinkling as she smiled brightly. Qiao Sang’s heart softened instantly.

"Will her personality change for the better or the worse?" Ye Xiangting inquired.

"That depends entirely on the individual pet," Mikayla answered carefully.

"However, the god-tier evolution of the Qinyin Fairy is known as the Wind Cloud God, and historical records describe the Wind Cloud God as having a very volatile temperament."

Ye Xiangting took the hint. She looked at the gentle Qingbao and sighed, then turned to Qiao Sang. "I'm heading out to pick up some local gifts later. I'll need Qingbao to put a paw print on them."

"You're asking for Qingbao's autograph?" Qiao Sang teased with a laugh.

"And Yabao's as well," Ye Xiangting noted.

"I plan to put them on display in my shop."

Liu Yao cleared his throat. "If you don't mind, I’d like paw prints from Yabao and Lubao too. Some of my colleagues from the Guwu region were asking about Lubao's autograph today."

"Xun xun?" Little Treasure set down his fruit, looking on with puppy-dog eyes.

"You're included too," Qiao Sang assured him.

"Plenty of my old classmates want your signature."

---

11:30 PM

Qiao Sang scrolled through the trending topics. Nearly every headline was focused on Qingbao.

[Qinyin Fairy's Victory!]

[Qiao Sang’s Psychological Warfare]

[I Like Your Skill, So I'll Take It]

She looked up and spotted Little Treasure at the desk, focused intently on a piece of paper. "What are you working on?"

"Xun xun~" Little Treasure chirped without turning around. He was busy perfecting his signature. Qiao Sang left the desk lamp on for him and climbed into bed, cuddling with Yabao.

Thirty minutes later, Qingbao woke up with a yawn. She floated over to where Little Treasure was working. "Qing qing?"

"Xun xun~" Little Treasure nodded in response.

"Qing qing?"

"Xun xun!" Little Treasure explained that he wanted his signature to be loved by humans.

"Qing qing?"

Little Treasure paused for a moment before asking if she wanted to join him.

Qingbao blinked then gave a nod. She took a pen, figuring that since she had no upcoming battles, practicing her autograph wouldn't be a waste of her time.

Suddenly, Little Treasure dropped the pen, his face turning dark and serious.

"Qing qing?"

"Xun xun." Little Treasure fixed his gaze on the door.

The bright blue in Qingbao's eyes deepened into a dark, shadowy hue. Without uttering a sound, she activated Wind Transformation and vanished into thin air.