Beast Taming: Starting From Zero Chapter 984: Zip-Head Bird

The Mimicry Master is a General-type King-level pet. By scanning a foe with its gaze, it can instantly replicate their form or manifest any target it has previously observed. Furthermore, it possesses the capability to imitate an opponent's techniques. However, these duplicated moves are merely optical illusions—visual replicas that lack any offensive strength.

Nevertheless, Yu Zhenyi's Mimicry Master is proficient in several authentic skills across various attributes. Frequently, what an opponent perceives as a harmless illusion turns out to be a genuine attack. Consequently, maintaining a total defense against every move is the only viable strategy.

As Qiao Sang reviewed the details of this trait, she couldn't help but recall her days on Planet Supersaturate, where she employed a Mimic Dummy to stand in for her during lectures. A bittersweet sense of nostalgia washed over her.

At the King-level, the effectiveness of mimicry diminishes if the target utilizes clones, as the spiritual bond between a Beast Master and their pet allows for the immediate identification of the true body.

Still, the ability to replicate environmental elements like rocks and sand, as well as skill animations, remained a significant threat. Qiao Sang pushed these reflections aside and focused on the remaining data.

---

The tournament progressed steadily as time ticked away. The Top 8 bracket was organized into four distinct groups, with Qiao Sang scheduled to compete in the third slot during the afternoon session.

To avoid the growing crowds, she ate a quick meal in the restricted backstage area. After briefing Yabao and her other pets on their upcoming adversaries, she made her way back to the contestant seating. Despite the oppressive heat of the midday sun and the half-empty stands, the fans who had arrived early erupted into a roar of cheers the moment she appeared.

Qiao Sang responded with a polite, measured smile. Her senses as a B-rank Beast Master were far sharper than those of a normal human; even from a great distance, she managed to pick out a specific group in the bleachers.

Qiao Sang’s eyes narrowed slightly.

A young man was waving his arms energetically toward her while holding a Little Song Swallow. Seated next to him was her opponent for the round, Yu Zhenyi. The Little Song Swallow was vigorously shaking a support stick, looking every bit the devoted fan. It was clearly the same creature that had sought her autograph the previous evening.

"Gangbao, isn't that the Little Song Swallow from yesterday?"

"Gang Zhan..." Gangbao squinted toward the stands but chirped back that the distance was too great to be certain.

"Lu Di." Lubao, however, poked her head out from the backpack and gave a firm, affirmative cry.

Qiao Sang’s brow twitched. Yu Zhenyi was sitting right beside the bird's owner, engaged in casual conversation as if they were close friends.

1:30 PM.

"The afternoon's opening match is about to begin!" Tian Yiwan’s voice boomed with professional excitement.

"Representing one side is the 'King of Simulation', Yu Zhenyi! Facing him is this season's most formidable dark horse, Qiao Sang!"

As the introductions finished, two teal-colored avian pets soared from the arena entrances. The wall of sound from Qiao Sang’s supporters was overwhelming, momentarily eclipsing even the popularity of the tournament favorite, Yuan Tianlong.

A countdown of ten seconds flickered in the air, rendered in light and shadow.

Both competitors gave the signal at the same time. Two vivid red star arrays erupted, summoning two massive creatures into the arena. The temperature in the stadium plummeted instantly, and heavy snowflakes began to drift through the air.

"Qiao Sang and Yu Zhenyi have deployed the Ice Emperor Ram and the Zip-Head Bird!"

The Zip-Head Bird was a dual Electric and Flying-type. It was known for utilizing blinding flashes to disorient enemies before striking with high-voltage lightning. Its illumination was so intense it could turn the darkest night into day for several miles. Qiao Sang mentally checked the bird's description: a yellow body, piercing red eyes, mask-like facial markings, and two glowing yellow spheres at the tips of its wings.

"Zip!" With a powerful beat of its wings, the bird transformed into a yellow blur. It ascended hundreds of meters into the sky, crackling with electricity that vaporized the falling snow before it could touch its plumage.

Qiao Sang analyzed the move. Her opponent had immediately sought the safety of high altitude to avoid the effects of the domain and the Ice Flower Seal.

"Domain, Stairs," Qiao Sang ordered calmly.

Since Lubao lacked the ability to fly, she had two methods to close the vertical gap. One involved Rain Prayer and the Melting Water trait to travel upward through the downpour, but that was a dangerous gamble against an Electric-type. The second option was far more secure.

Lubao stepped forward, a visible aura of frost radiating from her. In an instant, a thick sheet of ice raced across the arena floor, transforming the ground into a frozen wasteland.

"Thunder!" Yu Zhenyi shouted.

Violent bolts of electricity tore through the sky, homing in on Lubao. The crowd gasped in anticipation. "The Ice Field can't reach that high! The Ice Emperor Ram is a sitting duck!"

Suddenly, massive Gigantic Ice Spikes manifested in mid-air at staggered angles, creating a literal staircase leading toward the clouds. Lubao sprang onto the first spike, using the icy platforms to leap higher and higher. The lightning bolts struck the empty space where she had just been.

Qiao Sang remained composed.

"Thunderstorm Weather!" Yu Zhenyi countered immediately.

"Zip!" The bird surged with energy. The sky turned a bruised purple as heavy storm clouds rolled in, with lightning snakes coiling within the darkness.

CRACK!

A deluge of yellow lightning rained down, saturating half the arena. The ice spikes shattered under the bombardment. One bolt lunged directly for the mid-air Lubao. Just before impact, a shimmering, crystalline layer of Ice Armor encased her body.

BOOM! The electricity slammed into her with full force.

"Jump!" Qiao Sang commanded.

From the cloud of ice shards, Lubao pushed off. A fresh ice spike materialized beneath her paws at the perfect moment. She propelled herself upward just as the platform below was vaporized by another strike.

She emerged from the electrical storm without a scratch. Lubao’s Ice Armor had been honed to the Ultimate level, and with the environmental boost from her domain, her defense was virtually unbreakable unless the opponent concentrated their entire power on a single point.

---

"Ascend! Thunder Flash!" Yu Zhenyi yelled.

The Zip-Head Bird climbed even higher to maintain its range. A colossal pillar of lightning then descended from the heavens like a divine execution.

Recalling Yu Zhenyi’s previous tactics, Qiao Sang shouted, "Eyes closed! Move!"

Trusting her partner completely, Lubao squeezed her eyes shut and leaped to a new position. Simultaneously, the emitters on the bird’s wings released a blinding, searing radiance that turned the sky into a white void.

The spectators covered their eyes, wincing at the glare. This was a signature combination: using Flash to blind the target and Thunder to ensure a direct hit.

BOOM!

The lightning cratered the arena floor. High above, Lubao was already ascending her invisible staircase, her eyes still shut, guided only by her intuition and Qiao Sang’s voice.

"Now," Qiao Sang signaled.

"Ice."

Lubao snapped her eyes open, locking her gaze onto the Zip-Head Bird.

In the blink of an eye, the bird was encased in a block of solid ice, frozen in mid-air in its downward-looking pose.