Beast Taming: Starting From Zero Chapter 971: The Fifth Round

Qiao Sang felt a momentary sense of daze.

A B-rank Beast Master is essentially a prominent figure, representing a threshold that most ordinary Beast Masters spend their entire lives trying to cross. An A-rank Beast Master, however, is practically a titan; at that level, even a minor comment could be immortalized as a famous proverb.

After a few moments of consideration, Tao Yunkai replied, "Alright."

A smile touched her lips after she spoke. "Let’s start with the meal. We can continue our discussion while we eat."

Had Qiao Sang been enrolled in any other elite institution, Tao Yunkai might not have conceded so readily. But Qiao Sang was a student at the Imperial Beast University, the top-ranked school on Blue Star. Furthermore, her background check revealed that the woman accompanying her was an honorary mentor at that very university and an S-rank Beast Master.

The presence of such a legendary figure, traveling specifically to the Central Hollow region of Dragon Nation to oversee Qiao Sang’s Regional League performance, left no doubt about how much the Imperial Beast University prized this student.

Only then did Mikayla offer a smile. Picking up her chopsticks, she sampled a dish from the table.

"Delicious," she remarked in praise.

"You must try the signature dish of this establishment. It’s universally acclaimed," Tao Yunkai suggested, indicating a dish coated in a rich glaze. She then turned a warm, sincere look toward Qiao Sang.

"You should have some as well."

Qiao Sang took a bite of the fish maw that had been recommended. It had a springy, tender texture that released more flavor with every chew.

"Xun xun..."

Little Treasure materialized, his eyes fixed on the plate of fish maw. Noticing his interest, Qiao Sang placed a portion onto a clean side plate and said softly, "Go ahead and eat."

"Xun xun~"

With eyes curved into crescents, Little Treasure followed his Beast Master’s example. He picked up a pair of chopsticks and clumsily tried to grab the food to bring it to his mouth.

Tao Yunkai watched the scene with a brief glint of amusement in her eyes. She then resumed her casual conversation with Mikayla, occasionally making sure to include Qiao Sang in the talk.

Once a comfortable rapport had been established at the table, she steered the conversation back to the primary topic.

"It is acceptable if Qiao Sang does not participate in the battle team's regular training. However, the National Bureau has many other competitors working tirelessly for these tournaments. To secure a position as a primary combatant for international stages, she will eventually have to prove herself by defeating the other members of the battle team."

The people at the table were all experienced "old foxes" who could grasp the deeper implications of a single sentence instantly.

Mikayla intended to personally mentor Qiao Sang and had no interest in her joining the team just to serve as a training partner or a reserve player. Typically, new recruits—especially those as young as Qiao Sang—must earn their stripes unless they possess the overwhelming power to dominate the roster.

Tournament spots must be seized through individual strength. Often, even securing a substitute role for an international event involves trials beyond one's imagination.

While Tao Yunkai held the position of coach, she was not the head coach; she lacked the singular authority to grant anyone a starting position for international matches right away.

"Do not worry," Mikayla said, taking a sip of her soup.

"When the time is right, Qiao Sang will claim her starting spot through her own merit."

She spoke with total composure, her voice naturally saturated with certainty.

"Very well," Tao Yunkai smiled.

"I will have the contract delivered once the draft is finalized."

Entering the national team required a formal contract, which functioned as an official appointment. For any professional Beast Master, the path to greater strength is paved with massive expenses.

This official status provided a consistent income and career path during their active years, as well as financial security following retirement.

Naturally, the trade-off for such benefits was rigorous training.

"I require a specific clause stating that her personal growth and activities are not to be restricted. Furthermore, attendance at assemblies, training sessions, and matches should not be mandatory," Mikayla added while continuing her meal.

Qiao Sang continued to sip her soup in silence.

Even without prior experience with the Dragon Country Imperial Beast Battle Team, she understood that this was an extraordinary request. Usually, members of the National Bureau are expected to prioritize training and competition above all else.

Tao Yunkai looked at Qiao Sang, considering her youth, her contracted pets, and her recent arena displays, before nodding. "Agreed."

Rules are sometimes flexible for geniuses of a certain caliber. Qiao Sang was clearly that exception.

The dinner concluded on a pleasant note. Before leaving, Qiao Sang even exchanged contact details with Coach Tao.

"Feel free to reach out if you encounter any difficulties or have questions," Tao Yunkai said as she stowed her phone. She then smiled as a thought occurred to her.

"Make sure you reach A-rank as soon as possible. I look forward to seeing you officially at the National Bureau."

Qiao Sang made a quiet joke to herself. Outwardly, she maintained a look of resolve and replied, "I will give it my all!"

---

Qiao Sang and Mikayla exited the Heavenly King Hotel together.

"The coaches in Dragon Country are surprisingly accommodating," Mikayla chuckled. She had braced herself for a long debate regarding the schedule, yet the coach had conceded quite easily.

Looking up at the night sky, Qiao Sang let out a sigh. "Perhaps I truly am a once-in-a-lifetime talent."

Mikayla: ...

"Yap yap!"

Yabao barked in total agreement with his Beast Master's assessment.

Suddenly, a nearby pedestrian cried out in shock, "It's Qiao Sang!"

Instantly, the attention of the crowd shifted toward them. Little Treasure was ready; his eyes flared with a blue light as he immediately teleported Qiao Sang and Mikayla away from the scene.

---

Suburban Villa.

Muscle-Guard Tiger opened the door for them. Qiao Sang and Mikayla stepped into the living room. Even though Little Treasure was capable of teleporting them directly inside, they always used the entrance as a sign of respect.

Hearing them arrive, Yu Ke put her phone down and turned around, her expression brightening. "You've returned!"

Qiao Sang gave a simple nod of confirmation.

"I just saw social media posts claiming you were spotted at the Heavenly King Hotel," Yu Ke mentioned.

With an internal sigh, Qiao Sang replied, "Yes, I just came from dinner there."

"Have you moved in there?" Yu Ke asked.

Qiao Sang shook her head. "No, it was just for a meal."

Before Yu Ke could continue, Mikayla called out from the glass doors leading to the training area, "It's time to train."

"I'm on my way!" Qiao Sang called back, hurrying toward the field.

Yu Ke was forced to keep her thoughts to herself. She picked up her phone, looking at a photo of Coach Tao Yunkai leaving the Heavenly King Hotel shortly after Qiao Sang. She stared at it for a few seconds before setting the device aside.

---

Outdoor Training Field.

Mikayla inquired, "What are your takeaways from this latest round of matches?"

Qiao Sang answered with a serious expression, "The power of a B-rank Beast Master is significantly higher than that of a C-rank one."

Mikayla: ...

"In your battle against the Ice Emperor Ram, you could have actually secured a victory with much less effort," Mikayla pointed out.

Surprised, Qiao Sang immediately shifted into a focused, learning mindset. "How?"

To her, the match had been grueling. She felt as though they wouldn't have been able to pierce the Iron Battle Dragon's defenses at all if they hadn't targeted its mouth.

"Lu Di." Lubao looked up at her Beast Master’s mentor.

"The Ice Field Domain is an ice-type domain ability. Within its boundaries, casting ice-type skills you already know allows for much faster manifestation and discharge," Mikayla explained.

"At higher levels of mastery, it can even result in near-instantaneous activation."

"Of course, Ice Emperor Ram is still a long way from achieving that."

"However, inside this domain, specific offensive ice-type skills can be materialized from any coordinate within the field, rather than needing to form near the pet's body and fire outward."

Qiao Sang reflected on this for a moment.

"Are you talking about the ice spikes used against the Iron Battle Dragon's mouth?"

"Precisely," Mikayla nodded.

"Those dozens of massive ice spikes could have been condensed by Ice Emperor Ram to strike from several meters away. This wouldn't just make the attack faster; that kind of attack frequency would mean you wouldn't have to keep re-freezing the target's mouth."

"Furthermore, with enough proficiency in both Ice Field Domain and Giant Ice Spike, you could have Ice Emperor Ram materialize spikes from multiple angles at once to strike different points on the Iron Battle Dragon simultaneously."

"I understand now!"

Qiao Sang felt a sudden surge of inspiration and wanted to test the theory immediately. She turned and called, "Lubao!"

"Lu Di!" Lubao caught her Beast Master’s drift. She barked and slammed her front left paw onto the ground.

A visible wave of freezing air exploded from her. Every object on the field—excluding the people and pets—was instantly encased in a thick layer of frost.

"Xun xun..."

Little Treasure held a paw up in the air and blew on it to keep warm. In the next instant, six massive ice spikes, each several meters long, appeared around him, pointing at him from every possible direction.

"Xun xun!"

Startled, Little Treasure let out a shiver. A moment later, both the spikes and the frozen domain dissolved into nothingness.

"Xun xun..." Little Treasure exhaled in relief, wiping imaginary sweat from his brow.

"Qing qing?"

Qingbao appeared nearby with a concerned chirp, asking if he was alright.

"Xun xun~"

Seeing the youngest member of the team, Little Treasure quickly composed himself, striking a pose that suggested everything was perfectly under control.

On the other side: "Lu Di."

Lubao looked pleasantly surprised by the result.

Qiao Sang's eyes sparkled. "This will be our new training focus from now on."

"Lu Di." Lubao wagged her tail, then adopted a serious stance, ready to begin her practice immediately.

Cold mist began to radiate from her again. The temperature dropped sharply as a new layer of ice spread across the training ground.

"Xun xun!"

Little Treasure, who had been busy showing off his muscles to Qingbao to prove his bravery, jumped in fright. He immediately used teleportation to reappear right next to his Beast Master.

Qingbao: ...

---

The Following Day. 12:00 PM.

Beast Center. Room 2603.

After finishing the contract, Qiao Sang passed it to Mikayla. The teacher reviewed it line by line to ensure the requested clauses were present. She then placed it on the table with a smile. "Excellent, they included the terms I asked for."

Tao Yunkai noted, "Our coaching staff had a very serious debate about this. The head coach reviewed Qiao Sang’s performance data and agreed that her potential is truly unprecedented. That is why we were willing to accept your conditions."

"However," she pivoted, pointing to a specific section of the document.

"I assume you’ve taken note of this."

Qiao Sang scanned the content but didn't find it particularly bothersome.

A twenty-year commitment seemed like a lifetime away to her.

"The nation’s resources are not infinite," Tao Yunkai explained.

"We cannot provide indefinite investment to a professional Beast Master without knowing when they will be available for competition. It wouldn't be fair to the rest of the team."

Qiao Sang nodded repeatedly, her eyes fixed on another clause stating she would receive a monthly stipend of 2 million Alliance Coins.

That was 24 million a year, guaranteed for 20 years without mandatory matches or training. To her, being a substitute under those conditions sounded perfectly fine.

"I've seen it," Mikayla said with a slight nod.

"This is acceptable." In her estimation, with Qiao Sang’s talent, reaching A-rank within twenty years was a certainty.

"Then it’s settled." Tao Yunkai smiled at Qiao Sang, and Mikayla followed suit.

Under their watchful eyes, Qiao Sang signed her name and pressed her thumbprint onto the document. Tao Yunkai took one copy and then pulled a red badge, embossed with a dragon-type pet, from her bag.

"This is your National Bureau work ID. You'll need this to enter the facility in the future. Furthermore, your official profile will now list you as an active professional Beast Master of the National Bureau."

Qiao Sang accepted the badge solemnly with both hands.

---

The Next Morning. Yukong Beast Arena.

"Just last night, the final five contestants from the losers' bracket were determined. Now, alongside the 27 who advanced directly, we have our Top 32. Who will face off today? What surprises are in store? Who will make it into the Top 16? Stay tuned as we find out!" a reporter announced into a camera.

In the audience, fans waved light sticks and banners, cheering for their favorites. At this stage, the remaining competitors were all B-rank professional Beast Masters, each with a loyal following and a legitimate shot at the title.

Contestant Area.

Qiao Sang noticed Zeng Feitian nearby, having successfully fought his way through the losers' bracket. She wasn't shocked; his skill level easily warranted a Top 32 spot, especially since most of the losers' bracket consisted of C-rank Beast Masters.

"Yap yap."

Yabao sat in her arms, looking incredibly stylish in his dark green sunglasses. Qiao Sang had resumed carrying him since his appearance in the last match, drawing many curious glances from other contestants.

"Xun xun..."

Little Treasure appeared out of thin air, sporting a black cape. A sudden gust of wind caught the fabric, making it billow dramatically behind him.

Qiao Sang looked at the cape, a hint of surprise crossing her face.

The host hovered in the air atop a Flying-type pet, shouting into the microphone:

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Regional League! Following the main rounds and the losers' bracket, our Top 32 have arrived! Look at the screens!"

As the host spoke, a massive virtual display flickered to life, showing 32 portraits. Qiao Sang found her own photo—the second one in the bottom row.

The stadium erupted in cheers.

The host continued: "Today, we will witness 16 of these warriors advance to the next stage of the tournament!"