Beast Taming: Starting From Zero Chapter 991: The Match Isn''t Over Yet
"Thunder-Numb Spirit has broken free and dodged the Holy Sword!"
From the commentary stand, Tian Yiwan blurted out words at lightning speed: "Now, the Lightning Field unleashes bolts once more. Steel Sword Falcon expended all its power on that Holy Sword, so it's probably low on reserves. The remainder of this battle could force it into pure defense."
Tang Xueran checked the time on her phone below and observed: "Just one minute has passed since Thunder-Numb Spirit first triggered the field to alter the arena. A Perfection-level Lightning Field hits every 90 seconds. But with strikes coming after only 60 seconds, it appears Thunder-Numb Spirit's Lightning Field has advanced to the Ultimate level."
The crowd went quiet for a brief instant before uproar swept through like a storm.
"Ultimate-level Lightning Field? That means these strikes could continue intermittently for half an hour?"
"No surprise Wu Tianjiao started with Thunder-Numb Spirit! Her field has hit the Ultimate stage!"
"Facing an Ultimate-level field, Qiao Sang is finished in this round."
"I sensed it! Those bolts packed much more punch than normal..."
"Even before the upgrade, the falcon stood no chance. Thunder-Numb Spirit is Wu Tianjiao's second contracted beast, likely close to King-level."
"Reaching King-level isn't simple. It demands talent, resources, and fortune—all three. No shock it hasn't advanced yet."
"Sigh, I truly believed the falcon might win..."
"If only that Holy Sword had connected, perhaps. But the announcers claim she's depleted. She'll be fortunate to endure the upcoming lightning barrage."
---
In the family viewing section, Little Treasure shot a fierce glare at a spectator nearby who questioned his little sister.
Ye Xiangting's gaze flickered with concern. Qiao Sang had dominated with mostly 3:0 victories in her streak. Her mother's feelings evolved from early parental joy to urgent wishes for success, then to unshakeable faith in her child's supremacy. It had been ages since she'd witnessed her daughter appear so exposed in battle.
---
Down on the arena.
Storm clouds churned wildly, with lightning twisting like furious serpents, slamming down with haughty force. Gangbao, her form shining in iron-gray luster, beat her wings furiously and darted swiftly to avoid the blasts. Explosions ripped the earth where the strikes touched.
The bolts came thick and fast, and Gangbao's large frame turned her into a prime target. Even with her quickness, multiple strikes pounded her.
Wu Tianjiao sensed the tension ease. Easing up a bit, she peered at the distant young trainer. Noting no trace of torment or twisted pain on Qiao Sang's face, a rare bewilderment stirred in her thoughts.
At the same time, Qiao Sang queried mentally:
"Gang Zhan." Gangbao answered.
... Qiao Sang's spirits dropped. Things grew grim. Truth be told, she hadn't foreseen the Thunder-Numb Spirit evading inside Air Absorption's reach.
Qiao Sang caught her mind wandering and refocused sharply. Gangbao's evolution during this fight remained mere speculation. The spot fit the foretelling, and the foe aligned, but nothing more.
Battles abounded here, and Central Sky Region held multiple Thunder-Numb Spirits. She'd braced for this not being the instant. Deep down, she'd wished the opening strike would connect.
Had Holy Sword struck true, the bout would end. Yet the spirit resisted the choking, and the blow missed. Given Gangbao's leftover stamina, firing another Holy Sword seemed out of reach.
"Gang Zhan."
Gangbao's voice echoed in her head.
Qiao Sang's eyes widened, her face growing grave.
"Lei ma!"
In the arena, the spirit's coat spiked into deadly spines. Innumerable Lightning Needles launched forth, chasing after Gangbao. With bolts pouring from above, Gangbao couldn't halt for offense; she depended on exact dodges and Flash to escape.
The spines trailed her like a fierce downpour. Gangbao burst into white radiance, her motion a streak. She veered her body at an angle, allowing the needles to skim the glow's borders before they cratered the floor.
The spines dissolved. The Thunder-Numb Spirit bellowed, and the heavens wove a twenty-meter Lightning Web that plunged toward Gangbao.
Gangbao surged faster. Yet electric sparks crackled beneath the spirit's paws, and it disappeared.
Qiao Sang yelled inwardly.
Gangbao, on guard, boosted her pace again. But the Thunder-Numb Spirit proved far swifter. A massive lightning bolt, many times quicker than Gangbao's Spark, raced along the surface, matched her height, then rocketed upward to collide precisely with the white glow.
The glow hurled skyward, straight into the Lightning Web. Sparks exploded, revealing Gangbao ensnared within.
"Thunder-Numb Spirit has rammed Steel Sword Falcon during Spark! The Lightning Web has captured it perfectly!" Tian Yiwan bellowed.
"A pure clash of velocities, and Thunder-Numb Spirit holds the edge!"
Captured in the web, Gangbao plummeted earthward. Yellowish sparks crackled over her frame. Qiao Sang endured pulses of ache and paralysis. She pushed the sensations aside and pondered:
Gangbao lifted a wing. Meanwhile, Wu Tianjiao ordered: "Gather Lightning."
"Lei ma!"
The spirit howled, its fur rising like spikes. A single spike from its crown fired out, floating right over Gangbao.
It seems Thunder-Numb Spirit aims for Gather Lightning, Tian Yiwan clarified. "All know this technique. It's the spirit's signature chain: Trigger Lightning Field, position a Lightning Needle above the foe, then funnel the entire field's power into that spot. The might matches super-tier attacks."
The spectators buzzed with anxiety and thrill.
"One strike and the falcon's toast."
"Never imagined Qiao Sang dropping a round first..."
"She could've avoided this with Yabao or Lubao out."
"Major blunder in team selection."
"I looked it up—an Ultimate field endures 30 minutes. Her next two beasts face this storm. Wu Tianjiao's path to finals looks solid now!"
Through the murmurs, Gangbao swung her wing low. Twin illusory blades formed icy rays, tearing the Lightning Web to shreds.
Yet the Lightning Needle lingered aloft. From the dark clouds above, every bolt gathered and hurtled toward that spike!
The web destroyed, Gangbao attempted to shift. But the needle plunged at once, touching her crown with no gap.
BOOM!
A tremendous blast. Endless electric bursts burst from the needle, hammering Gangbao. Qiao Sang reeled from intense torment and numbness. Before any idea formed, the amassed sky lightning crashed fully onto Gangbao!
"GANG ZHAN!"
Beneath the blazing glare, Gangbao emitted a piercing wail. Qiao Sang couldn't restrain herself; she staggered back, features contorted in agony.
Wu Tianjiao brimmed with assurance and eyed the far-off girl. She snapped her focus back. The falcon was the soft spot; Blazing Divine Lion and Ice Emperor Ram posed the true dangers.
"Steel Sword Falcon takes the focused lightning strike!" Tian Yiwan mourned.
"Despite her famed toughness, survival seems impossible."
"Steel Sword Falcon ripped the web, yet the needle detonated right to halt her escape." Tang Xueran noted.
Tian Yiwan nodded: "That sequence packs super-tier force. From that cry, her guard is broken. Does this end the fight?"
The lightning faded. Another minute elapsed. All eyes fixed on the burned silhouette in the arena.
"Xun xun..." Little Treasure observed, his posture rigid. Though aware of his sister's impending evolution, worry gnawed at him.
In the arena, Gangbao sprawled on the dirt, her hide scorched dark.
Qiao Sang steadied her face and signaled mentally.
Gangbao's wing quivered. The robotic judge, set to approach, halted its warp. With a mighty flap, Gangbao hauled herself upright.
The audience inhaled sharply. They recognized Wu Tianjiao's prowess; no same-rank beast had risen after a full Gather Lightning.
"She's up! Steel Sword Falcon is back on her feet!" Tian Yiwan exclaimed in astonishment.
"Her resilience is unmatched," Tang Xueran commented. Yet she must teeter on collapse.
"Needle." Wu Tianjiao directed without pause, intent on sealing the win.
"Lei ma!"
The spirit's coat spiked anew. Myriad Lightning Needles hurtled at Gangbao.
... Qiao Sang mused. Briefly, evolution slipped her mind; she yearned for one final blow to make Gangbao's stand count.
As the idea emerged, Gangbao unfurled her wings. Every plume ignited in violet sheen, hurtling at the spirit like a storm of edges!
Qiao Sang recalled a rare Gangbao tactic. Scary Face, a mid-tier Normal skill, employs a fearsome visage to terrify the target and slash its pace sharply.
"GANG ZHAN!"
Gangbao locked eyes on the Thunder-Numb Spirit. Violet power swallowed her gaze, icy, devoid of feeling, and utterly chilling.
Bang bang bang!
The Lightning Needles battered Gangbao, yet she held her stare steady, face unchanging.
"Lei ma..."
The Thunder-Numb Spirit shivered deep. Overwhelming dread hit, as if hunted by a nightmarish beast. In that momentary flinch, the violet plume barrage engulfed it.
"LEI MA!"
The spirit unleashed a sharp yelp of hurt.
"The needles strike the falcon!" Tian Yiwan cried.
"But the falcon deploys Scary Face for a flawless Wing Blade retaliation!"
His announcement unfinished, Gangbao wobbled. She toppled to the earth, kicking up clouds of debris. Wu Tianjiao, whose expression had flickered pale, composed herself and regarded the downed falcon with subtle admiration.
"Lei ma..."
The Thunder-Numb Spirit heaved breaths, marred by gashes. After a hushed pause, the stands thundered. All assumed the battle concluded.
, Qiao Sang summoned.
"Gang Zhan..." The feeble echo arrived two seconds later.
...
Qiao Sang inquired.
"Gang Zhan..." The response whispered weakly.
... Qiao Sang urged. She murmured tenderly:
Gangbao: ...
"Gang Zhan..."
Qiao Sang probed.
"Gang Zhan..." Gangbao answered.
Qiao Sang questioned.
"Gang Zhan..." Gangbao sounded utterly drained.
Qiao Sang stated, her mental words measured and clear.
Gangbao paused, recalling her earlier battle vow.
"Gang Zhan..." She trilled inwardly.
, Qiao Sang affirmed.
Gangbao fell silent once more.
In the arena, the mechanical referee scanned the prone Gangbao briefly and lifted its claw bearing the green flag toward Wu Tianjiao's zone.
Precisely then, a dazzling white glow burst from Gangbao's form.