Beast Taming: Starting From Zero Chapter 983: The Seventh Round

Late that evening.

Beast Center, Suite 2603.

Leaning against her headboard, Qiao Sang meticulously reviewed the biographies of the Top 8 competitors. With the quarter-finalists confirmed tonight, tomorrow’s matches would narrow the field to the Final Four.

The defeat of Chen Tianqin served as a stern warning, prompting her to be far more thorough in her investigations. To her frustration, the official records seemed stagnant, as if every participant was being entirely open about their capabilities.

However, after witnessing a Water-type pet reveal an unexpected Electric-type technique during tonight's bout, she realized the public files were far from exhaustive.

Qiao Sang pondered this in silence.

A sudden "thump-thump" echoed against the glass. Gangbao, who was resting on the adjacent side table, used a wing to pull the curtain aside.

Qiao Sang turned to see a small bird pet, roughly thirty centimeters in height. It pressed a smartphone against the window with its left wing, displaying scrolling text on the screen:

[Great Qiao, my Little Song Swallow is a huge fan of the Steel Sword Falcon. Is a joint photo possible? If that’s too much, just a picture of the Falcon alone would be amazing.]

Qiao Sang analyzed the bird while recalling her data, her thoughts briefly drifting. She was no longer shocked by fans tracking her down; she had already dealt with several at her villa and in the residential corridors earlier that day.

Gangbao looked toward her Beast Master for guidance. Seeing the silent approval in Qiao Sang's nod, she reached out. "Go ahead and open it."

As Gangbao unlatched the window, the yellow bird hopped inside. Its eyes shimmered with pure adoration as it stared at Gangbao, looking every bit the devoted fangirl.

"Are you here for Gangbao?" Qiao Sang inquired.

"Gang Zhan?" Gangbao asked with a hint of surprise, observing the small visitor.

"Ge-ge?" The Little Song Swallow chirped, gesturing toward Gangbao to confirm her identity.

"Gang Zhan," the Falcon confirmed with a nod.

"Ge-ge!" Overjoyed by the acknowledgment from her idol, the Little Song Swallow nodded vigorously, confirming her fan status.

"Gang Zhan," Gangbao called out to Little Treasure.

"Xun xun~" Little Treasure immediately abandoned his snacks and used teleportation to appear before the swallow. He snatched the phone, expertly navigated to the camera app, and captured the photo. After handing the device back, he teleported straight back to his food.

"Ge-ge~" The Little Song Swallow beamed at the image, her eyes crinkling with joy. Suddenly, she broke into a loud, soaring melody.

"Ge~ ge-ge-ge~ ge-ge~ ge-ge~"

Invisible ripples of sound vibrated through the air. Any lingering drowsiness Qiao Sang felt vanished instantly. Yabao, who had been mid-yawn, sat bolt upright, suddenly revitalized. Lubao briefly opened her eyes within the water tank to scan the room before resting again, while Qingbao emerged to watch the performance with curiosity.

"Xun xun~" Little Treasure offered his support by clapping his small claws together.

Gangbao, however, watched the Little Song Swallow with a contemplative expression. Once the song concluded, the bird offered a polite bow and fluttered happily out into the night.

"Gang Zhan..." Gangbao remained by the ledge until the bird was out of sight. Only then did she seal the window and draw the curtains.

"Is something bothering you?" Qiao Sang asked, sensing her partner's hesitation through their deep connection.

"Gang Zhan?" Gangbao chirped softly.

"Yes," Qiao Sang replied. "Is there an issue?"

"Gang Zhan..." Gangbao paused before chirping again.

Qiao Sang’s posture stiffened, her expression becoming grim. "You think... someone sent that bird on purpose?"

She suddenly recalled a specific detail regarding the Little Song Swallow species.

---

Meanwhile, inside a secluded booth at a tea house near the Beast Center.

"Ge-ge~" The Little Song Swallow arrived, chirping with excitement.

A youth of about sixteen with prominent eyebrows looked up eagerly. "Did you manage to get the picture?"

"Ge-ge~" The bird handed over the smartphone with a happy nod. Still caught up in the moment, she spread her wings to sing once more.

"Ge~ ge..."

The melody was cut short when a man with a sleek ponytail sitting opposite the boy popped a yellow berry into the bird's beak. He chuckled, "I’d rather not be wide awake for the rest of the night."

"Ge-ge..." The swallow chewed the fruit, her song immediately forgotten.

"It’s a real photo!" The youth was ecstatic, though a hint of regret crossed his face. "If I’d known Great Qiao was that approachable, I would have gone myself. I might have even landed an autograph."

The man with the ponytail gave a small smile. "She might pose for pets, but humans are a different story. If you broke into her room like that bird did, you'd be labeled a stalker. She wouldn't have spoken to you."

"Point taken..." The youth sighed, then added, "Brother, thanks for suggesting the Little Song Swallow. Qiao Sang is so elusive; she always uses Spatial Shift to vanish right after her matches."

Taking a sip of tea, the man replied, "A friend of mine lives near her training grounds. He mentioned his pet came home with the Divine Blazing Lion’s autograph and refused to be washed. That’s why I thought the Little Song Swallow had a chance."

The boy blinked. "What does a bath have to do with it?"

The man grinned. "Apparently, the signature was on its stomach."

The youth laughed loudly. "On the stomach? Did the pet actually ask for that?"

"Who can say," the man replied with a smirk. The youth then asked, "But how did you figure out she was in Room 2603?"

"Her staying at the Beast Center isn't exactly a state secret. A little bit of effort is all it takes to find the room." The youth’s expression turned to one of concern.

"She really should move. If her location is common knowledge, she'll never get any peace."

The man simply smiled without answering. After a moment, he looked at the bird. "Are you satisfied with the photo?"

"Ge-ge~" The bird nodded happily.

"And were you happy enough to burst into song?"

"Ge-ge~" The bird nodded again, and the man looked pleased.

"Brother," the youth said, "I couldn't secure a ticket for tomorrow. Could you ask Brother Yu for a favor? Since he's in the Top 8, the organizers should be able to give him a guest pass."

The man didn't decline. "I'll see what I can do."

He then pulled out his device and typed a quick message: [The Qiao Sang matter has been dealt with.]

It wasn't a direct assault, merely a standard psychological tactic. Of all the remaining competitors, only Qiao Sang’s movements were this easy to track.

---

Beast Center, Room 2603.

"Gang Zhan." Gangbao chirped, explaining that while she wasn't certain of a plot, she was worried about their rest. She felt the bird's fandom was real—unless its acting skills rivaled her own.

"Don't stress over it," Qiao Sang comforted her. "Lubao has Healing Light. We can use that if we feel drained. However..."

She trailed off for a moment. "It seems my room number is out there. Once the quarter-finals are over, we're moving."

Regardless of the bird's intentions, the fact that it found her room with the curtains closed while carrying a phone proved it was being directed by someone.

"Gang Zhan." Gangbao nodded, clearly pleased by her Beast Master’s vigilance.

Seeing this, Qiao Sang grinned. "Do you feel like our connection has grown even stronger?"

"Gang Zhan," Gangbao replied, waving a wing dismissively.

"Do you still remember the place from your evolution dream?" Qiao Sang asked.

"Gang Zhan." Gangbao’s face grew serious as she nodded. When she had first envisioned her evolution, she had only reached an advanced form temporarily. Though the dream took place in the Central Hollow, it wasn't where her permanent General-level evolution had occurred.

"The Sky Beast Mastering League Venue," Qiao Sang stated firmly. "If we face the opponent from your vision, I’m putting you on the field."

"Gang Zhan." Gangbao nodded with gravity. Though she was technically the least powerful on the team, if this match involved the prophecy of her true evolution, she had to face it, regardless of the difficulty.

Qiao Sang returned to her notes. Past experiences with Yabao and the others regarding Adinishi's predictions had shown her that evolution required more than just being in the right place; she had to actively facilitate the prophecy.

She focused on one specific name: Wu Tianjiao.

The adversary in Gangbao’s dream possessed a Thunder-Numb Spirit. Among the remaining field, only Wu Tianjiao commanded such a pet.

---

8:30 AM.

Sky Beast Mastering League Venue.

"Greetings, viewers!" a reporter announced to the lens. "I am reporting live from the Sky Venue. The atmosphere is electric, and the stands are packed. We have reached the Top 8. Fireworks are currently lighting up the sky in honor of our remaining trainers. With only four spots remaining, who will advance? Let’s look to the arena."

The focus shifted to the center stage. After the host finished the opening remarks, the referee from the Beast Mastering Notary Office was summoned. A massive virtual display flickered to life. A Unit-Based Divider split into two, its components merging with the screen as eight portraits began to shuffle at high speed before locking into place.

The contestants were paired into four brackets. Qiao Sang quickly located her name: [Qiao Sang vs. Yu Zhenyi]

In Section A, Row 6, the youth from the tea house groaned. "Poor Brother Yu, he’s been matched against Great Qiao."

The man with the ponytail glanced at him. "Why are you so sure she'll win?"

The boy gestured wildly. "Is it even a debate? She took down Chen Tianqin, and Brother Yu has lost to him in the past."

"Ge-ge," the Little Song Swallow in his lap chirped in agreement.

The man fell silent, his gaze drifting toward the participant area. He noted that Qiao Sang showed no signs of exhaustion.

In the waiting area, Qiao Sang’s phone buzzed. A message from Rong Yuhua had arrived: [Yu Zhenyi.txt]

[A little something to help. No pressure.]

Qiao Sang typed back: [Thank you.]

She had to admit his intelligence was far more detailed than anything available to the public, particularly regarding the mastery levels of specific skills.

Rong Yuhua responded immediately: [No need for thanks, I consider us friends. So, when do you actually begin your training at the National Bureau?]

Qiao Sang: [...Didn't I mention it? In about twenty years.]

Rong Yuhua: [Liar! I don't buy that for a second!]

Qiao Sang: [I'm being serious.]

If she managed to become an A-rank Beast Master within her personal timeframe, she would move directly into professional circuits. The National Bureau was merely her safety net if she missed that mark.

She exited the chat and pulled up the dossier on Yu Zhenyi.

Yu Zhenyi, age 36, B-rank Beast Master. Awakened at age twelve. This marks his third appearance in the Regional League. His primary pet: Mimicry Master.