Beast Taming: Starting From Zero Chapter 986: Mimicry Master

Two brilliant crimson star arrays flared to life on the battlefield. From within the light, two pets of vastly different proportions materialized.

"Contestants Qiao Sang and Yu Zhenyi have summoned their respective partners, Blazing Divine Lion and Mimicry Master," Tian Yiwan announced to the crowd.

"We are witnessing yet another intense clash between King-level pets."

Tang Xueran chimed in, "The tension is palpable. I'm eager to see who will emerge victorious in this bout."

The Mimicry Master was a General-type King-level pet. However, Yu Zhenyi’s partner was a rare shiny variant, possessing a smaller frame than its peers and a formidable A-rank Mimicry trait. This creature was a specialist in versatility, capable of mastering fundamental skills across various attributes and utilizing a massive library of techniques.

Qiao Sang analyzed the five-meter-tall opponent: it possessed grayish-yellow skin adorned with pink patterns, a prominent forehead, and a feature resembling a pink headscarf.

While standard Mimicry Masters feature yellow markings, this specific mutation sported pink ones. Legend suggests this variant can internalize cross-attribute skills with greater efficiency. Though these are usually basic maneuvers, they provide a much higher level of deception during high-stakes combat.

"Yap yap!"

Yabao’s eyes shimmered with competitive fire as he stared down his foe. In a flash, he vanished from his position.

"Harden!" Yu Zhenyi barked his command instantly. "Mimic!"

With a sharp cry, the Mimicry Master’s form stiffened, taking on a silver-white metallic sheen. This was the unmistakable radiance of an Ultimate level Harden skill.

He’s fast, Qiao Sang thought with a secret smirk, though her expression remained stoic.

Rather than reappearing for a physical strike behind the Mimicry Master, Yabao used Teleport to reach a high altitude. Tilting his head back, he gathered a massive amount of red energy and launched a terrifying sphere of power straight into the heavens.

Meteor Rain! Yu Zhenyi’s face paled with shock as he pivoted his strategy: "Mimic!"

The Blazing Divine Lion’s Meteor Rain was clearly at the Ultimate level. Even with an Ultimate level Harden, that skill was only mid-tier; Yu Zhenyi knew his pet couldn't survive a direct hit from such a devastating bombardment.

"Mimicry!"

The Mimicry Master’s body liquefied like wet cement before vanishing entirely. High above, the red energy sphere detonated, staining the sky a bruised, dark crimson.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

A catastrophic deluge of fire descended. The thunderous explosions rang through the stadium, filling the air with a suffocating, scorched scent. The ground was shredded by the impact, leaving the arena floor pockmarked with craters.

Dancing flames transformed the stage into a searing wasteland. Yet, despite the relentless and horrific barrage, there was no sign of the Mimicry Master.

Speculation rippled through the stands: "What form did it take? It hasn't taken any damage yet."

"It probably turned into sand."

"Could sand even survive that heat?"

"It's possible. Some areas might have escaped the direct blast."

---

In the VIP family seating area, Ye Xiangting questioned a faculty member from the Imperial Beast University. "Teacher, what is your assessment of its transformation?"

Liu Yao listened intently.

"It transformed into sand," Mikala replied with composure. Her keen perception allowed her to track the nuances of the shift.

Ye Xiangting’s brow furrowed. "Where is it hiding then? Is it surviving purely on luck?"

"No, it's because it maintained the Harden skill while mimicking the sand," Mikala clarified.

Ye Xiangting was taken aback. "What?"

This implied the pet could sustain defensive techniques even while in a non-living state. Such a feat was exceptionally rare; typically, only foundational defensive moves like Harden can be sustained during such a mimicry.

Surprise flickered in Liu Yao’s eyes. This put Yabao at a disadvantage regarding energy reserves; he was expending massive amounts of Qi on high-level moves while the opponent used a trait and a mid-tier skill to weather the storm.

However, seeing Yabao’s escalating fervor, Liu Yao’s concern faded. He knew Qiao Sang and Yabao wouldn't allow this to become a war of attrition.

---

Qiao Sang raised her arm and performed a sharp finger snap.

Yu Zhenyi braced himself. He assumed that regardless of the move, Yabao would simply continue to drain his energy.

"Yap yap!"

Yabao ignored the sky. Instead of teleporting higher, he dove straight toward the scorched earth.

Yu Zhenyi recognized the startup of another major technique. "Mimic Flight!"

The silver-white sand rose, swirling into the shape of a tiny bird pet only a centimeter long, still glowing with a metallic luster.

Lava Purgatory... Qiao Sang noted as Yabao collided with the ground.

The earth buckled the moment he made contact. A heartbeat later, a monstrous force of fire erupted from the depths—Lava Purgatory.

The resulting inferno flipped the soil. The miniature silver bird was caught in the peripheral blast, its wing scorched, slowing its flight. The remaining fire rain finally found its mark, slamming into the small target.

"Mimicry!"

The Mimicry Master shrieked in pain but desperately continued to weave through the falling embers.

"Gasp!"

While in motion, the silver bird let out a wide yawn. An invisible ripple of energy vibrated through the air. Yabao was suddenly overwhelmed by a wave of lethargy and couldn't stop himself from yawning back.

Yawn, a General-type mid-tier skill.

I was too careless... Qiao Sang realized. She knew she shouldn't react to the opponent's verbal commands, but instinct had taken over. Given Yabao’s sensitive hearing, Yawn was nearly impossible to avoid.

"Body Slam!" Yu Zhenyi shouted, seizing the moment.

The tiny bird soared upward, twisting and expanding until it had mimicked a ten-meter-tall replica of Yabao himself.

"The Mimicry Master has copied the Blazing Divine Lion!" Tian Yiwan yelled.

"It's initiating a Body Slam! The Blazing Divine Lion looks dazed—can he react in time?!"

The massive form dropped like a white meteorite. Qiao Sang remained perfectly still before screaming at the top of her lungs: "YOU'RE GOING TO LOSE!"

"Yap yap?!"

Startled, Yabao’s heavy eyelids flew open. The shock snapped him into full alertness, and he vanished instantly.

CRASH! The white silhouette hammered into the burning earth, carving out a massive crater.

"Blazing Divine Lion evaded the strike!" Tang Xueran shouted with excitement.

"Qiao Sang snapped him out of it with just four words! It appears that the prospect of losing is a major trigger for the Blazing Divine Lion."

The Mimicry Master reverted to its true form at the bottom of the crater, its silver luster still active.

"Mimic Flight!" Yu Zhenyi commanded desperately.

Yabao reappeared a hundred meters away at the crater's rim. He slammed his front left paw down. Immediately, a violent explosion of fire surged from within the pit, swallowing the Mimicry Master whole.

"Mimicry!!!"

The creature’s screams echoed as it was engulfed by the flames.

It has the Harden skill... Qiao Sang reminded herself. To ensure a finish, she ordered: "Melt."

Yabao opened his maw, unleashing a spiraling Fire Whirl. He followed up with a red-and-gold beam—Explosive Flame Bullet—shot directly into the heart of the vortex. The combined power amplified the attack's lethality, striking the screaming Mimicry Master with full force.

BOOM!!!

The resulting explosion shook the surroundings. The Mimicry Master was hurled a hundred meters away, plowing a long trench into the earth before coming to a rest, completely unconscious.

The referee checked the fallen pet and signaled toward Qiao Sang with the green flag.

"Yabao utilized a powerful combination of Fire Whirl and Explosive Flame Bullet, likely enhanced by Illusion Flame, to secure the win!" Tian Yiwan shouted.

The arena erupted in cheers. "Qiao Sang! Blazing Divine Lion! Final Four!"

With Yu Zhenyi’s remaining team consisting only of General-level pets, Qiao Sang’s victory was all but certain.

In Section A, Row 6, a young boy was cheering wildly. His older brother, the man with the ponytail, looked incredibly tense.

"I told you, Brother Yu couldn't beat her," the youth said.

"I'm aware," the man snapped.

"Then why do you look so upset?"

"You're just a kid, you wouldn't get it," the man muttered. He had placed a bet on a 3-1 score. He had been counting on Qiao Sang recalling Yabao and dropping a round to a General-level pet.

Amidst the thunderous applause, Qiao Sang raised her hand, recalling Yabao back into her Beast Codex.