Beast Taming: Starting From Zero Chspter 994: S-Rank Water Absorb

"It’s raining!" Tian Yiwan exclaimed, his face showing clear surprise.

"Could that be a Rain Prayer from Ice Emperor Ram?"

The downpour intensified rapidly, indicating impressive skill mastery. Spectators exchanged puzzled glances, uncertainty etched on their features. While Ice Emperor Ram did have partial Water-type traits, its main attack style revolved around Ice. In contrast, Wu Tianjiao’s Capybara Overlord was famous for its Water Absorb and Hydration abilities.

With rain falling like this, the Overlord would definitely gain the upper hand. Moreover, the Overlord stood completely encased in ice right now, making it seem impossible for it to summon Rain Prayer.

---

"Xun xun?" Little Treasure gestured toward the rain pouring over the arena and turned to Mikayla with a bewildered look. During last night’s breakdown of the massive capybara by his trainer, he’d paid close attention and realized Lubao couldn’t possibly be behind the rain. His trainer often reminded him: "If you don’t understand, ask the teacher."

Mikayla didn’t grasp Little Treasure’s words, yet her extensive knowledge let her interpret his intent. She clarified: "This Rain Prayer came from the Capybara Overlord."

Ye Xiangting and Liu Yao both turned their heads at once.

"Xun xun?" Little Treasure blinked in confusion. 

Mikayla responded with patience: "Once a skill hits a high enough proficiency, the way it’s unleashed can shift. Consider Ram’s Ice Flower Seal—she can now channel energy via her forehead gem or just by remaining motionless, with only faint frost escaping. Moments ago, lightning had smashed a fissure into the Overlord’s icy covering. Through that gap, it invoked Rain Prayer. Probably by emitting energy straight from its form, in a highly discreet manner."

"A sharp conclusion. Just like we’d expect from an Imperial Beast University instructor, catching on so fast..." Liu Yao shifted her gaze back to the arena.

Ye Xiangting nodded as understanding dawned. Still, she glanced at the field again, now more puzzled than before, unsure why rain would benefit a beast named the Capybara Overlord.

A lot of viewers simply enjoyed the spectacle without knowing the details of each trainer’s beasts or their powers. Ye Xiangting fell into that group.

"Xun xun..." Little Treasure pondered deeply. Abruptly, he froze in place, channeling his energy. In that instant, his shadow on the ground extended just a touch ahead.

---

Qiao Sang swiftly pieced together the foe’s intention. "Smart move, but the moment’s off. The Lightning Field’s strikes are about to end."

She held no grudge against the rival; that fissure represented the sole opportunity for the Overlord to unleash any move. As the idea formed, the relentless lightning assault ceased. Ominous clouds lingered overhead, yet only the fierce rain kept descending.

Wu Tianjiao’s face flickered with unease. Qiao Sang grinned and commanded: "Big."

"Lu Di."

Lubao let out a bark.

The very next moment, a colossal ice mountain, vast enough to blanket the whole arena, materialized above. The heavy rain got halted, casting the entire field into darkness.

"An 'Ice Mountain' has emerged! Ice Emperor Ram unleashes another Gigantic Ice Spike, spanning almost the full arena!" Tian Yiwan declared in awe.

"Seeing this always makes me wonder: This isn’t some spike—it’s a crashing glacier."

Tang Xueran broke it down: "Everyone knows the Overlord’s natural defense is average; it depends on techniques for protection. Without shattering the freeze and guarding promptly, it’s likely to fall to this one blow."

"Pairing the Ice Field Domain with a spike this size forms Ice Emperor Ram’s ultimate pairing." Tian Yiwan noted.

"Up to now, no competitor’s beast has endured it."

His words barely finished when a thunderous "BOOM" resounded, shaking the earth as the mountain dropped. The arena trembled fiercely, visibly dipping downward. Ice shards scattered wildly, and the rain began pouring once more.

 Wu Tianjiao’s expression twisted, though she managed to stay somewhat calm. The battle had thrown her plans into chaos from the beginning. Upon discovering her opponent was Qiao Sang, she’d adjusted her tactics carefully.

In the initial setup, the Overlord was meant to deploy a Water Barrier right away against Ice Emperor Ram. She’d drilled its quickness for exactly that purpose.

For whatever reason, during the fight, the Overlord lagged a fraction behind its training pace, getting iced over before the barrier finished. Yet she had a contingency: If trapped in ice, trigger the Lightning Field to escape. She hadn’t anticipated it demolishing the entire Ice Field Domain, but a top-tier field ought to have fractured it at least.

With fractures present, the Overlord could summon Rain Prayer. The rain would amplify the lightning’s strength, whether to strike at Ram or crack the icy prison. But right when the rain began, the lightning halted!

Nevertheless, Wu Tianjiao steadied herself. The Overlord’s Water Absorb ranked S, paired with B-rank Hydration. Thanks to that S-rank Water Absorb and B-rank Hydration, provided the rain kept drenching it, there was a solid shot at regaining some condition before the official ended things.

, Wu Tianjiao pondered. 

At that precise moment, she caught Qiao Sang’s words: "Freezing Rain."

Wu Tianjiao: ???

Before she could react to the order, the pouring rain overhead suddenly sparked with crackles as a delicate ice coating formed around each droplet, halting them frozen in flight.

"!!!"

Myriad raindrops transformed into icy pellets, hovering in the sky. The sight was stunning yet chilling.

"Ram has iced over every bit of rain up there!" Tian Yiwan cried out.

"What’s the point of that?"

Tang Xueran explained: "The Overlord of Wu Tianjiao possesses Water Absorb and Hydration. Qiao Sang’s probably aiming to block any recovery."

"Could it bounce back from damage that severe?" Tian Yiwan questioned, acting as the inquisitive voice for the crowd. With the 'Ice Mountain' gone, the Overlord lay collapsed in a pit, seemingly out cold.

"If Water Absorb’s level is sufficiently advanced, revival could happen almost instantly." Tang Xueran answered.

---

The rain kept coming, but the moment it dropped to a specific level, it solidified into icy beads. The audience figured it was finished, yet suddenly all the frozen bits plummeted together like a barrage of shots.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The ice beads pounded the Overlord’s form. It remained still. Qiao Sang stayed vigilant, her thoughts whirling. 

Rain combined with the Lightning Field would enhance the lightning’s might. Even if the lightning failed to obliterate the full Ice Field Domain, it could target and break particular ice formations, such as the ones encasing the rain.

The lightning would probably hit before the referee declared anything, and quicker than Ice Emperor Ram could refreeze the liquid. Should water reach the Overlord, it might rouse. Reports indicated its Water Absorb hit S-rank.

Qiao Sang proceeded warily. "Freeze it."

Lubao willed it, and the Capybara Overlord found itself wrapped in ice once more.

"Why’s she doing that? Isn’t it already beaten?" The onlookers were perplexed.

Nearly the second the Overlord got frozen, a gigantic "BOOM" thundered from above. Golden lightning serpents reemerged amid the dark clouds, empowered greatly by the rain. Wu Tianjiao gazed skyward and grasped Qiao Sang’s prudence.

"Ice Emperor Ram has iced the Overlord anew!" Tian Yiwan yelled.

"Qiao Sang worries the lightning might shatter the ice, allowing rain to restore it." Tang Xueran broke down.

The spectators comprehended the layers of her plan. Then, their faces grew strange: 

BOOM!!!

Lightning and rain collided at once. The partially frozen rain in the atmosphere burst into mist. As the Overlord stayed iced and its aura concealed, multiple huge bolts crashed right onto its spot.

Qiao Sang timed it perfectly and called: "Release!"

Lubao, shrugging off the lightning via her ice shield, focused her intent 0.01 seconds following the order. The ice layer around the Overlord dissolved in a flash.

BANG!!!

The lightning struck the Capybara Overlord’s body head-on.

"!!!"

The descending rain continued to get frozen and fragmented, but numerous drops from the lightning’s hit splashed onto the Overlord. Ice Emperor Ram swiftly sealed it in ice again.

Wu Tianjiao sank into hopelessness. Facing this style that bypassed energy defenses, she lacked any response. As she pondered forfeiting, the lightning faded once more.

"That’s enough." Qiao Sang stated. The chilling fog encircling Lubao cleared, and the ice melted away. The rain persisted, though milder. The liquid struck the Overlord, and sharp-eyed folks noticed its injuries mending noticeably.

Wu Tianjiao let out a relieved breath.

The robotic referee materialized beside the Overlord. After two seconds, it raised the green flag in Qiao Sang’s direction. On the digital display, the Overlord’s image shifted to grayscale.

"Lu Di..." Lubao’s rigid tail loosened. She too had Water Absorb, so she fully appreciated the dread of S-rank healing.

"Congratulations to Qiao Sang on claiming the second round!" Tian Yiwan announced.

"The tally stands at 2:0. Qiao Sang’s at match point! Can she grab the win and advance to the finals?"

"Wu Tianjiao put up a strong fight." Tian Yiwan remarked with a sigh.

"But fortune wasn’t on her side. First came a Bond Evolution, then her Overlord clashed with Ice Emperor Ram. Had Qiao Sang chosen Blazing Divine Lion, the Overlord’s Water Veil could’ve offered an edge."

Wu Tianjiao held off on retrieving her beast right away, allowing it a moment more in the rain. The crowd erupted in cheers: "Qiao Sang’s insanely dominant! Back-to-back victories in the semis!"

"Wu Tianjiao’s got a shot left. The falcon’s exhausted, Ice Emperor Ram’s drained. Just Blazing Divine Lion remains."

"Why’s it so tough to accept she’s simply superior?"

"Hey! The Capybara Overlord’s stirring!"

All eyes followed as the downed Overlord gradually lifted its lids. Only then did Wu Tianjiao pull it back. Those doubting Qiao Sang’s vigilance quieted down.

"I was mistaken." Someone murmured.

"Qiao Sang’s got real vision..."