Beast Taming: Starting From Zero Chapter 996: Finalist List

Previously on Beast Taming: Starting From Zero...

Qiao Sang chose not to recall her exhausted Ice Emperor Ram, Lubao, into the Beast Codex as the battle resumed against Wu Tianjiao's team. The opponent summoned their King-level Four-Poison Algae Flower, a triple-attribute beast capable of debilitating senses with toxic pollens, prompting Qiao Sang to command Lubao to initiate Energy Regeneration under her protective Ice Armor. Wu Tianjiao countered by deploying Sunny Day to dispel the lingering Lightning Field, unleashing a powerful Solar Beam that Lubao evaded with her Melting Water trait. As the Algae Flower followed with Fissure to exploit the dodge, Lubao unleashed her Ice Field Domain, freezing the arena and shifting the environmental advantage. Tensions escalated with exchanges of poison and ice techniques, as both sides vied for control amid the intensifying clash.

The flow of venom from the Four-Poison Algae Flower suddenly halted.

"Poison!" Wu Tianjiao yelled.

Encased in ice flowers, the Algae Flower stayed completely still. Whether it failed to hear or lacked the power to react remained unknown.

"The Four-Poison Algae Flower stands sealed by the Ice Flower Seal!" Tian Yiwan declared from the commentary booth. "Will it manage to escape?!"

.. Wu Tianjiao checked on her pet's state, and her expression turned paler by the moment.

Moments passed, and the murmurs from the audience swelled into a booming wave of chatter.

"Why's it not budging?"

"Is it done for?"

"Looks like it. No way it's breaking that seal."

"That doesn't add up. In earlier battles, Ice Emperor Ram's Ice Flower Seal trapped lesser pets, yet they all managed to escape eventually."

"The Algae Flower depends on its four pollens to rob the foe of their five senses, but that move falls flat against Ice Emperor Ram. With Ice Armor and Healing Light in play, Ice Emperor Ram triumphs as long as she holds any energy left."

"Who claims it's just poison? This triple-attribute beast boasts top-tier defense, fierce attacks, and recovery abilities!"

"Go explain that to the ref. Just glance at the arena."

"Doesn't the Ice Flower Seal seem far stronger this round? Back in prior fights, those flowers didn't spread so swiftly."

"Spot on! And check out that frost—it's visible even from way up in these seats. Nothing like the earlier matches."

"Is that frost tied to the Ice Field Domain?"

"Thinking about it, Ice Emperor Ram previously slipped in the Ice Flower Seal with her Snowfall ability. This marks the debut of deploying it post-Ice Field Domain setup. Could they amplify each other?"

As spectators argued back and forth, the mechanical judge approached the Algae Flower and started counting down. Per the regulations, should a pet avoid knockout but end up disabled—say, through slumber or ice—it gets a limited window to snap back or face defeat.

Wu Tianjiao held back from yelling cheers. Their connection revealed the Algae Flower's fierce resistance. Right as the judge prepared to hoist the green flag, she burst out: "Four-Poison!"

The ice flowers quivered faintly. It channeled brute force to attempt cracking the seal.

"Lubao." Qiao Sang uttered steadily.

"Lu Di."

Lubao let out a bark, sending a rush of frigid air swirling. The quivers on the Algae Flower ceased, plunging it into utter silence once more.

The judge signaled with the green flag in Qiao Sang's direction. A massive virtual display lit up. Wu Tianjiao’s image faded away, supplanted by an enormous still of Qiao Sang alongside Gangbao and Lubao. Dazzling fireworks of light and shadow burst forth on the screen.

"The bout concludes! The Four-Poison Algae Flower failed to shatter the tandem of Ice Field Domain and Ice Flower Seal! Join us in celebrating Qiao Sang's push to the Grand Finals via a flawless 3:0 win!" Tian Yiwan bellowed.

Tang Xueran chimed in, "Our finalists are set: Yuan Tianlong versus Qiao Sang!"

From the contestant zone, Yuan Tianlong, having observed the full clash, flashed a grin at Qiao Sang on the battlefield prior to rising and departing.

"Tomorrow evening at 8:00 PM! The ultimate showdown of this Regional Tournament! Catch it live!"

The stadium thundered with a massive chorus: "Qiao Sang! Qiao Sang!"

---

Qiao Sang made her way back through the tunnel toward the changing rooms. In the shared lounge, Wu Tianjiao sat dejectedly stuffing her gear into her bag. Sensing eyes on her, she glanced up to spot a gleaming Ghost Ring King winking its golden gaze her way.

"Xun xun~" Little Treasure beamed at her.

Wu Tianjiao scanned the area to ensure solitude, then offered a courteous yet uneasy smile while hurrying her packing. Facing Qiao Sang after a crushing 0:3 defeat held no appeal.

As she slung her bag across her back, approaching steps echoed. Qiao Sang stepped into view.

"Xun xun!" Little Treasure vanished and reappeared, nuzzling against Qiao Sang’s head.

"How'd it feel spectating from the crowd?" Qiao Sang inquired, smiling.

"Xun xun! Xun xun!" Little Treasure animatedly recounted his adventure.

Wu Tianjiao pivoted to sneak off.

"Thank you." Qiao Sang voiced.

Wu Tianjiao halted. "Thanking me?"

"During Gangbao's evolution, your Thunder-Numb Spirit deployed a Lightning Web to shield her." Qiao Sang clarified.

Wu Tianjiao steadied herself.

"I'd pull that for any beast evolving in the heat of battle. Bet you'd do the same."

After a beat, she continued, "Congratulations."

"Mind releasing your pets briefly?" Qiao Sang requested.

"I'd have Lubao apply Healing Light on them—my way of thanking you for safeguarding Gangbao."

Wu Tianjiao itched to refuse with "No need" and bolt, yet the draw of a King-rank Healing Light proved too tempting. "I'd appreciate that."

She called forth her squad, and Qiao Sang brought out Lubao. A profound azure glow emanated from the jewel atop Lubao’s brow, enveloping the trio of beasts. Their wounds disappeared in mere instants.

"Lei ma!" The spirit yipped with delight.

"Tun tun~" The Capybara Overlord eyed Lubao with shy admiration. (T/n: Someone has a crush~)

"Four-Poison..." The Algae Flower stayed cautious, haunted by the chill of encasement.

"Healing Light truly ranks as a supreme skill." Wu Tianjiao murmured. At last, she released her bitterness.

"Best of luck in the finals. Topple Yuan Tianlong, and folks won't mock my 0:3 wipeout quite as harshly."

"I will," Qiao Sang affirmed with a nod.

Wu Tianjiao departed, then wheeled around and fished out her phone. "Swap numbers? I'll forward the intel I've gathered on Yuan Tianlong."

---

Back at the hotel, Ye Xiangting chattered animatedly into her phone, cheeks aglow with maternal pride as she boasted to family about her daughter's feats.

In a separate chamber, Qiao Sang sprawled across her mattress, poring over the Yuan Tianlong dossier from Wu Tianjiao and Rong Yuhua alike.

"Xun xun~" Little Treasure piped up.

Qiao Sang and Gangbao turned their attention. Little Treasure stayed silent, but his gaze gleamed with smug satisfaction.

"Qing qing!" Qingbao trilled in astonishment.

Little Treasure’s shadow loomed with paws planted on hips, exuding faceless arrogance.

"You’re manipulating your shadow sans paw gestures now?" Qiao Sang questioned, astonished.

"Xun xun~" Little Treasure bobbed his head, signaling he'd honed the trick idly during the match view.

"Lu Di..." Lubao, immersed in energy replenishment drills, glanced aside.

"Xun xun!" Little Treasure flailed in alarm, paws flapping.

Lubao resumed her practice. Little Treasure exhaled in relief, his shadow dropping the stance and reverting to usual.

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