Beast Taming: Starting From Zero Chapter 970: Dragon Nation Imperial Beast Battle Team

"Xun xun?"

Little Treasure whispered softly. Silence filled the room. After pondering for a moment, he drifted through the door, phasing into the next room.

"Qing qing?"

He had only floated a short distance down the corridor when Qingbao’s voice echoed nearby. Turning his head, Little Treasure watched as Qingbao materialized out of thin air in a previously vacant spot.

"Xun xun?"

With the concerned air of a tiny guardian, Little Treasure questioned her whereabouts. He remained wary of the humans in the Central Hollow region, knowing how obsessed they were with the fifth member of their squad; the fear of her being kidnapped kept him on edge.

"Qing qing."

Gesturing toward a nearby suite, Qingbao explained that new humans had checked in. She had gone to investigate whether they posed a threat to their Beast Master.

"Xun xun?" Little Treasure’s gaze hardened instantly. 

"Qing qing."

Qingbao gave a small shake of her head. 

"Xun xun~" Little Treasure let out a breath of relief and made a gesture. 

"Qing qing."

Qingbao signaled for him to return while she finished scouting the remaining rooms. Suddenly, she dissolved into a gust of wind and disappeared. Caught off guard, Little Treasure tracked her presence and hurried after her.

"Qing qing?"

Reappearing a few meters ahead, Qingbao looked at Little Treasure with confusion, wondering why he hadn't left yet.

"Xun xun~" Little Treasure flashed a wide grin. 

After observing him for a moment, Qingbao offered a lovely smile and resumed her rounds. This time, she remained in her physical form instead of turning into wind.

The two small figures glided from one room to the next. Their moods shifted from intense focus to bafflement, eventually settling on: "Let’s just watch some television here; they can't see us anyway." Their excitement mounted with every door they passed, as if they were unboxing surprises.

By the time they finished touring the Beast Center’s lodging area, Qingbao still felt restless. She peered at a radiant hotel in the distance and chirped: "Qing qing."

"Xun xun!" Little Treasure nodded with enthusiasm. 

---

Over at that glowing hotel, on the 26th floor.

A black rabbit-like pet sat perched by the window, its ears twitching as it focused on the building across the street, eavesdropping on distant sounds.

"Is a Lie-Ear Rabbit really capable of hearing at that range?" a black-haired man asked, his eyes heavy with exhaustion.

"Rest assured, I picked this one from a pool of thousands. Its Thousand-Mile Ear trait has hit B-rank. It can definitely pick up the audio; it just needs to filter out the background clutter," the veteran paparazzi replied, peering through his binoculars. He eventually lowered them, revealing dark circles that matched his companion's.

"Qiao Sang’s lights are off. It seems she’s turned in for the night," the paparazzi noted.

"The Steel Sword Falcon is stationed by the window, but its eyes are shut. It’s likely asleep as well." He let out a sigh.

"I never knew the sleeping patterns of a Steel Sword Falcon were like that." He grabbed a pen and notebook to document the observation.

The black-haired man stared blankly at the dark, quiet room across the way. "Has Qiao Sang really not been bothered by those bizarre winds during her stay?"

The paparazzi’s expression soured at the memory of several sleepless, taxing nights. However, he analyzed the situation logically: "The Qinyin Fairy is a child of the wind. Even if a draft appeared in the room, she would neutralize it instantly."

"It feels like she gets a perfect night's sleep while we're out here suffering mental fatigue," the black-haired man muttered, feeling as though he was bearing the brunt of her bad luck.

The paparazzi shot him a look. "Did you see her performance in the arena today? Any interference was probably dealt with before it even reached her."

The man’s bitterness turned to wonder. "How can one person be so gifted? Coach Tao from the National Bureau was clearly there specifically for her. She exited the moment Qiao Sang’s bout concluded."

The paparazzi nodded. "Why else would I ignore every other athlete just to watch her? Qiao Sang is the hottest topic in this Regional League. If the National Bureau scouts her, our intel will be worth a fortune."

The black-haired man started to smile, but a sudden, violent gale tore through the room.

He was thrown against the wall with a heavy thud before he could even blink. Pain radiated through his back as he collapsed to the floor. Dazed, he watched as furniture and belongings swirled through the air.

"Lie-ear!" The rabbit was sucked out the window, only to be yanked back inside a second later by an invisible force.

The paparazzi was likewise caught in the blast and slammed into the wall. He stared at the localized storm, his mind spinning in circles. 

The duo didn't linger. They scrambled up and bolted from the room in a panic.

The wind died down instantly. Objects tumbled to the floor. Little Treasure and Qingbao stepped out of their invisibility.

"Xun xun!" Little Treasure cried out. He hadn't realized the humans from the Beast Center had relocated here to spy on his Beast Master. He threw an appreciative look at Qingbao. 

"Qing qing." Qingbao looked down shyly, implying it was merely a standard precaution.

"Xun xun..." Little Treasure recalled an earlier scene in a different room where Qingbao had unleashed a gust of wind upon seeing a couple kissing, sending a hairpiece flying. A seed of doubt sprouted, but looking at her innocent, shy face, he dismissed it.

He had assumed the fifth member was just tagging along for fun, but she was actually hunting down anyone with ill intentions toward their Beast Master.

Qingbao looked at the mess on the floor with growing concern. Before she could worry, Little Treasure’s eyes shimmered with blue light, and he used telekinesis to return every item to its proper place.

"Qing qing~" Qingbao blinked at him, her eyes crinkling into a joyful smile.

---

The following morning, 7:30 AM.

Qiao Sang woke up on her own. After washing up, she looked at the slumbering Yabao and Qingbao, then settled into a cross-legged position on the bed to meditate. Morning sessions were vital for both brain domain expansion and mental clarity.

A sudden double-tap sounded against the window glass.

Gangbao observed a mechanical bird pet outside—roughly the size of Little Treasure—and looked to her Beast Master for instructions. Sensing the pet's query, Qiao Sang opened her eyes and said: "Let it in."

Gangbao unlatched the window. The mechanical bird hopped onto the adjacent table. Its black eyes began to glow with a blue hue, projecting a virtual screen that displayed a woman’s silhouette.

Thanks to her perfect recall, Qiao Sang recognized the figure immediately: it was Coach Tao from the National Bureau.

"Greetings, Qiao Sang. I am Tao Yunkai," the woman on the screen began.

"I represent the National Bureau and serve as the coach for the Dragon Country Imperial Beast Battle Team. Should you have an interest in joining us, I will be waiting for you at 6:00 PM this evening in the Heavenly King Suite at the Heavenly King Hotel."

The projection cut out. The mechanical bird took flight and exited through the window without a second glance. Gangbao quietly shut the window behind it.

Qiao Sang sat in stunned silence, though she wasn't completely shocked. Between the Imperial Imperial Beast University's recruitment and the deans from the University of United Region trying to lure her away, she had grown accustomed to attention from powerful figures.

Nevertheless, her pulse quickened. The National Bureau was the pinnacle of prestige in Dragon Country. It brought together the nation's elite to compete on the international and interstellar stages, including the prestigious Interstellar Cup.

Reaching the Interstellar Cup required winning a position in the World-Asia Imperial Beast League—a hurdle that defeated many professional Beast Masters. Joining the Dragon Country Battle Team was the proven path to that level of support.

... Qiao Sang exhaled deeply to steady her nerves and dialed Teacher Mikayla.

"Hello," Mikayla answered.

Qiao Sang got straight to the point: "A representative from the National Bureau just contacted me."

There was a brief pause on the other end. "Where are you?"

"In my quarters at the Beast Center."

"Stay there," Mikayla said before hanging up.

A moment later, Mikayla materialized in the room, dressed in a silk nightgown. "You mentioned the National Bureau reached out?"

Qiao Sang nodded. "Coach Tao Yunkai—the one from the Regional League."

Mikayla pondered this. "What is her objective?"

"She invited me to the Heavenly King Hotel at 6:00 PM if I'm interested in joining the National Bureau."

Knowing her commitment to the Imperial Imperial Beast University would last for years, Qiao Sang realized that any training with the national team might interfere with Mikayla’s curriculum. She felt the need to be transparent.

Mikayla didn't hesitate. "Attend the meeting tonight."

She paused for emphasis. "However, I will be accompanying you."

Qiao Sang asked cautiously: "To discuss the terms of joining?"

Mikayla offered a smile.

"I understand your concerns. It is a positive development that your nation has recognized your potential so early. Our institution respects students who represent their country. Furthermore, you represent the Imperial Imperial Beast University as well. If you reach the Interstellar Cup, you'll be representing all of Blue Star."

Qiao Sang couldn't suppress a smile. 

Gangbao watched her Beast Master silently, thinking: 

Sensing a shift, Qiao Sang looked toward Gangbao, who quickly averted her gaze.

---

6:00 PM. Heavenly King Hotel. Heavenly King Suite.

Inside a suite adorned with traditional Chinese decor, a woman with dark hair and subtle wrinkles at her eyes sat calmly sipping tea. Appearing to be in her forties and dressed casually, she looked entirely at ease.

Qiao Sang thought to herself as she entered the room.

Tao Yunkai turned and saw Mikayla standing beside Qiao Sang. Showing no surprise, she rose with a welcoming smile. "You've arrived."

"Hello, Coach Tao," Qiao Sang said politely.

Tao Yunkai looked at Qiao Sang with visible approval. "Excellent, excellent! Please, have a seat."

"Greetings, I am Mikayla, Qiao Sang’s mentor," Mikayla said, extending her hand.

Tao Yunkai shook it firmly. "I am Tao Yunkai."

The trio sat down. Shortly after, pets dressed in uniforms arrived to serve the meal.

"I’ll get straight to it," Mikayla began.

"Is your intention to have Qiao Sang join the National Bureau?"

"That is correct." Tao Yunkai focused her attention on Qiao Sang.

"She is the most gifted Beast Master I have encountered in my career."

Qiao Sang put on a modest smile.

Tao Yunkai asked directly, "Do you wish to join the National Bureau? Specifically, the Dragon Country Imperial Beast Battle Team."

Qiao Sang nodded without a second thought. "I do!"

No Beast Master would turn down the national squad, just as no one would pass up the chance for the Interstellar Cup.

"Wonderful!"

Despite her confidence, Tao Yunkai couldn't hide her elation. As she prepared to elaborate, Mikayla intervened: "Qiao Sang is currently enrolled at the Imperial Imperial Beast University. We handle her daily Cultivation. I will not permit her to enter closed-door training. We will also determine which tournaments she enters, and I will authorize her participation when she is ready to compete."

Tao Yunkai looked at her. "There is no better environment for growth than the national team and top-level professional competition."

Mikayla remained silent. She was well aware of those matches; with Qiao Sang’s current level, she would likely just be a reserve or a backup player.

Tao Yunkai softened her stance. "What exactly do you mean by 'when she is ready to compete'?"

"When she achieves the rank of an A-rank Beast Master," Mikayla stated firmly.