Beast Taming: Starting From Zero Chapter 989: Semi-Finals
While they spoke, Ye Xiangting concluded her browsing and inquired, "What do you think of the Sky King Hotel? It's a five-star establishment located extremely close to the Sky Beast Arena. The description says you can view the arena directly from the guest rooms."
... Qiao Sang gave a nod of approval. "That works, let's book it."
She recalled dining there previously with Coach Tao and remembered the location was indeed very convenient for the arena.
---
7:00 PM.
Sky King Hotel.
Qiao Sang’s party was escorted into the presidential suite by a member of the hotel staff.
"Our establishment prides itself on its prime location, offering a direct view of the Sky Beast Arena through the window. Furthermore, our presidential suites include the services of a private butler. Should you require any assistance, simply use the service button, and your butler will attend to you immediately," the employee stated with a respectful bow.
"Fu fu." A pet resembling a cat, standing roughly 1.5 meters tall and dressed in a miniature uniform with a bowtie, let out a soft cry.
Details regarding the pet surfaced in Qiao Sang’s mind. She acknowledged it with a slight nod and said politely, "Understood."
"In that case, I shall leave you to your rest," the staff member said before departing.
"Fu fu." The Butler Meow chirped, following the employee out and gently pulling the door shut behind them.
Once they were in the hallway, the staff member’s professional mask slipped into a look of pure thrill. Pulling out a phone, they typed a message into a group chat with frantic speed: [Oh my god! Qiao Sang is so nice! And that Qinyin Fairy is incredibly adorable! I was too nervous to even look them in the eye.]
After hitting send, the staff member leaned toward the Butler Meow and whispered, "The person in that room is incredibly influential. You must provide the highest level of service, do you understand?"
"Fu fu." Butler Meow gave a firm nod.
The employee leaned in closer still. "Many people here are her fans. If your service is excellent and she decides to stay longer, the positive energy you'll harvest will be greater than ever before."
"Fu fu."
Butler Meow nodded and rested a paw on the employee. A ripple of pink energy was instantly drawn into its form. It had already sensed that since this human arrived, the overall mood of the hotel had soared. The very air was thick with a delightful fragrance.
---
Presidential Suite.
"Xun xun~"
"Qing qing."
Little Treasure and Qingbao drifted through the various rooms with curiosity.
"Mom, why don't you just stay here?" Qiao Sang suggested after inspecting the suite. Beyond the study and the main living area, there were two bedrooms, each featuring a large double bed.
Ye Xiangting agreed without hesitation. "Fine, I'll go check out of my other room shortly." Staying together was certainly more practical for her.
"I'll be taking my leave now. Make sure to rest early," Mikayla announced.
"Teacher, why not stay here as well?" Ye Xiangting invited.
Mikayla shook her head. "That won't be necessary. Returning here takes me only a moment." Her primary reason for accompanying them was to establish a spatial coordinate for quick teleportation later.
Qiao Sang said, "Have a good rest, Teacher."
Mikayla’s expression softened slightly. She offered Qiao Sang a smile before vanishing into thin air.
Ye Xiangting was taken aback. "Spatial Shift? Where was her pet? I didn't see it at all."
"It's a Psychic-type pet that stays invisible most of the time," Qiao Sang clarified.
Ye Xiangting pondered for a second. "Is Little Treasure capable of using Spatial Shift while remaining invisible?"
"It's possible," Qiao Sang replied tentatively. During her matches, Little Treasure usually utilized Teleportation while hidden to jump between locations. For long-range Spatial Shift, he normally became visible. She hadn't actually witnessed him performing it while concealed. However, if his mastery of both techniques was high enough, it should be feasible.
"Xun xun~"
Having overheard the talk, Little Treasure floated over and gestured with a small toe.
"Xun xun?"
He directed a questioning chirp toward his Master's mother.
Qiao Sang interpreted for her: "He's asking if you'd like to check out now. He can transport you."
Ye Xiangting blinked in surprise, then laughed. "Alright then."
Little Treasure gave his Master a confident look and faded from view. A moment later, Qiao Sang's mother disappeared from the room as well.
Qiao Sang: ...
Qiao Sang quickly refreshed herself in the bathroom and returned to the bedroom to brief her team on their upcoming rival.
"Wu Tianjiao possesses two King-level pets, one General-level, one High-level, and one Beginner-level. We can ignore the High and Beginner ones for now. Our focus needs to be on the King and General levels..."
Qiao Sang continued her lecture. Yabao, Lubao, Gangbao, and Qingbao sat in a tidy line, listening with focus. This was the scene Ye Xiangting encountered when she teleported back. She watched them for a few seconds before quietly moving her bags into the second bedroom.
"Xun xun! Xun xun!"
Little Treasure floated back, chirping with indignation. He was frustrated that they had started discussing vital secrets without waiting for his return.
Qiao Sang looked at him. "I've decided that Gangbao will take the lead in this round."
"Xun xun..." Little Treasure fell silent immediately.
"Xun xun..." But then he began to feel conflicted once more. His teammate had already seen action in the previous round, and now he was eager for his own turn.
Qiao Sang explained with patience, "Gangbao had a vision of an evolution. If my theory is correct, it will likely happen during tomorrow's battle."
"Yap yap!"
Yabao's eyes sparkled with excitement.
"Gang Zhan."
Gangbao nodded seriously.
"Lu Di."
Lubao chirped a soft word of praise.
Qingbao appeared both puzzled and intrigued.
"Xun xun?!"
Just as he was about to ask more, Little Treasure recoiled, looking shocked.
Images began to swirl in his mind.
"Yap yap," Big Brother Yabao chirped in his vision.
"Lu Di," Lubao chirped.
"Gang Zhan," Gangbao chirped.
"Qing qing," Qingbao chirped.
Little Treasure felt lightheaded, as if his own future was looking bleak.
"Gang Zhan."
At that moment, Gangbao extended a wing and patted Little Treasure with a look of sincerity. She chirped to comfort him.
"Xun xun..."
Little Treasure gazed at Gangbao, his eyes suddenly welling up with gratitude.
"Gang Zhan."
Observing his reaction, Gangbao turned back to her Master, indicating they could proceed.
"Qing qing..."
Qingbao looked from Gangbao to the emotional Little Treasure, appearing to grasp the situation.
Qiao Sang cleared her throat and resumed: "The Thunder-Numb Spirit is a Thunder-type General-level pet. Its offensive power and speed are both remarkably high. Data shows it possesses the Volt Absorb and Quick Feet traits. You're already familiar with Volt Absorb. Quick Feet boosts the pet's speed if it suffers from a status ailment."
As she introduced this pet, she looked directly at Gangbao. "It is definitely faster than you are. Therefore, you must maintain Iron Defense from the very start of the match. Otherwise, you might not have the window to establish your protection."
"Gang Zhan."
Gangbao gave a solemn nod.
Qiao Sang went on, "Furthermore, if its fur begins to stand on end, that's the signal for an incoming Thunder-type skill. Use that visual cue to time your reactions. Based on my research, the Thunder-Numb Spirit was Wu Tianjiao’s second pet, yet it hasn’t reached King-level like her other two..."
"Xun xun..."
The touched Little Treasure snapped back to reality, and his mood darkened again.
Then, his Master’s subsequent words reached him: "This suggests the Thunder-Numb Spirit's power shouldn't be judged by typical General-level metrics. It’s likely at the late or peak General stage, held back from King-level only by extremely difficult evolution requirements..."
At this point, Qiao Sang noticed Little Treasure watching her intently. She added, "Or perhaps, like Little Treasure, it is holding out for a Perfect Evolution, but the necessary materials are too scarce to locate..."
"Xun xun..."
Little Treasure’s eyes brightened. He felt a sense of sudden clarity.
Qiao Sang noted his expression and smiled before returning to the strategy: "This Thunder-Numb Spirit is the very pet that appeared in Gangbao's dream. Unless something unexpected happens, Gangbao will be its opponent."
She looked at Gangbao and detailed the plan: "Its energy reserves exceed yours, so a prolonged battle isn't in our favor. Given its aggressive style, it will likely start with a heavy offensive. To win, our best strategy is to use Air Absorption to cripple its speed and then strike back. However,"
Qiao Sang paused for effect, "If the vision is indeed for tomorrow, the fight likely won't go according to this analysis."
Statistically, when a pet undergoes evolution during combat, it usually occurs while they are being pressured. If they won too easily, Gangbao probably wouldn't achieve a Bond Evolution.
"Tomorrow's match may be exceptionally challenging for you," Qiao Sang warned.
"Gang Zhan."
Gangbao’s eyes burned with determination.
Suddenly, Qiao Sang’s phone buzzed. It was a message from Rong Yuhua containing a file: [Wu Tianjiao.txt]
There was no other text.
Qiao Sang opened the document. When she spotted a specific detail, her expression grew serious. She typed back: [Thank you.]
This information was a significant advantage.
---
The following day.
2:30 PM.
Sky Beast Arena.
"Honored guests and viewers across the nation, good afternoon!"
The announcer, perched atop a blue bird pet, shouted into the microphone, "We are about to begin the second semi-final of this Regional Tournament! It features Contestant Qiao Sang against Contestant Wu Tianjiao! This marks the eighth round and the second-to-last match to be held here at the Sky Beast Arena. Today's victor will remain here for the grand finale! Who will secure the final spot in the championship?"
"Please welcome Qiao Sang and Wu Tianjiao with your loudest cheers!"
The stadium erupted in a storm of applause and shouting.
"Qiao Sang! You have to win! I put my entire savings on you winning 3:0!"
"Are you crazy? You actually bet on a 3:0 in the semi-finals?"
"Fortune favors the bold, you wouldn't get it."
"A 3:0 is highly unlikely this time. Wu Tianjiao was a finalist in the Zidia Region previously."
"Can the Zidia Region even be compared to our Central Sky Region?"
"Don't forget Qiao Sang isn't a local either."
---
Family seating section.
"Xun xun!"
"Xun xun!"
An invisible Little Treasure was yelping with wild excitement.
"Wait, why do I hear a Ghost Ring King?" people nearby whispered, glancing around in confusion.
"Ahem..." Ye Xiangting cleared her throat loudly.
"Xun xun..."
Little Treasure’s voice cut out. He hadn't realized he needed to stay hidden even in the crowd. But he understood—if a sharp-eyed opponent like his Master saw him in the audience, they would realize he wasn't on the roster and might switch their strategy.
Amidst the roar of the crowd, two Cyan Bird pets carrying Qiao Sang and Wu Tianjiao ascended into the air and touched down on the battlefield.
In the commentary booth, Tian Yiwan remarked, "Qiao Sang and Wu Tianjiao have arrived on the field. The first finalist is already Yuan Tianlong. I wonder who will take the remaining spot."
Tang Xueran added, "On one side is Wu Tianjiao, a veteran of several regional tournaments with immense skill and fame. On the other is Qiao Sang, the youngest competitor here, who is dominating in a foreign region for the first time. I wouldn't be surprised by either outcome."
A "10" second countdown was projected in light and shadow onto the arena floor, accompanied by a synthesized voice.
Qiao Sang looked toward the woman with long dark hair and sharp, intense features.
The timer hit "1". The projections faded.
Qiao Sang could feel her heart racing. she moved her hands through the seals. Large red star arrays flared to life on the ground.
Two massive creatures emerged from the light.
"Lei ma."
"Gang Zhan."
"She actually opened with the Steel Sword Falcon..." Wu Tianjiao thought, a hint of surprise crossing her face. Then she smirked. Even if it wasn't what she expected, a Steel Sword Falcon was manageable; she could take this first round easily.
"Contestant Wu Tianjiao has deployed the Thunder-Numb Spirit, while Contestant Qiao Sang has chosen the Steel Sword Falcon," Tian Yiwan noted with surprise.
"Both competitors have coincidentally started the first match with General-level pets. Is this a sign of their rivalry?"
The spectators exchanged glances, seeing only confusion and curiosity in one another's eyes.