Beast Taming: Starting From Zero

Having a pet beast learn a skill is crucial, both for competitions and in daily life, as it can make a significant difference.

Learning just one more skill can open up many future opportunities.

For instance, if a water-type pet beast learns Air Bubble, it can envelop a person in a bubble and dive underwater, allowing them to enjoy the underwater scenery up close without any equipment.

Its beast master could then work as an underwater photographer, safety officer, or even an archaeologist.

Take the Gumu region, known as the Water World, where the provincial capital, Youshi, is crisscrossed by waterways.

Aside from boats, you’d rarely see any other means of transportation.

The reason Gumu is called the Water World is because the waterways beneath its nine cities are all interconnected.

Beneath these waterways lies a world-famous underwater city, filled with ancient ruins.

After extensive construction over the years, the underwater structures have spread throughout the region, becoming a must-visit spot for travel bloggers from around the world.

There, water-type pet beasts capable of using Air Bubble are a mandatory requirement for jobs with the local underwater management bureau.

Besides Air Bubble, the ability to summon rain is a necessary skill for the meteorological bureau, and water cannons are essential for firefighters.

A beast master with an otherwise mediocre talent might live comfortably for the rest of their life if their pet beast manages to learn a rare skill.

While everyone else was racking their brains trying to teach their pets new skills, Qiao Sang’s pet beasts somehow learned new ones on their own.

First, it was Yabao. Now, it’s her Little Treasure.

Qiao Sang was momentarily dazed, and a sudden thought flashed through her mind.

Who started the rumor that skills were hard to learn?

Little Treasure, holding in a deep breath, clenched his fists and tried to teleport. However, after six attempts, he was still on the same street.

“Xun~”

Little Treasure glanced behind himself, feeling that his sluggish speed might be due to not releasing the gas he was holding in.

He straightened his head, clenched his fists tighter, and strained harder, his face turning even redder.

“Ah-Sang, is that... teleportation?” A shaky voice sounded beside her.

Qiao Sang turned her head to see Ye Ranran standing there, frozen like a block of wood, her eyes wide with shock as she stared at the Treasure-Seeking Ghost.

She looks so silly…

Qiao Sang snapped out of her thoughts, completely forgetting she had the same expression just a moment ago.

“I think so.” Qiao Sang replied.

“If I’m not mistaken, the Treasure-Seeking Ghost is a ghost-type pet, right?” Ye Ranran’s voice trembled.

“You’re not mistaken.” Qiao Sang nodded.

“Then...” Ye Ranran began to mumble.

Before she could finish, Qiao Sang cut in, “It’s exactly what you’re thinking.”

Ye Ranran was stunned.

It took her a long time to find her voice. “How much did you pay?”

“I didn’t pay anything. I used a pet beast exchange coupon I won from the Bai Xin Competition.” Qiao Sang said.

Ye Ranran: !!!

The shock this revelation brought Ye Ranran was even greater than when she learned Qiao Sang had won five million in prize money.

“Where’s Uncle San and the others?” Qiao Sang asked.

Ye Ranran didn’t answer immediately. Instead, she stared at Qiao Sang with a look of resentment and said, “I’m officially depressed.”

Qiao Sang sighed.

“You know me, I don’t usually show off, but I really didn’t expect the Treasure-Seeking Ghost to suddenly learn teleportation.”

There was no need to hide a pet beast’s talents. With the Beast Master Codex in place, there was no worry about someone stealing a contracted pet beast.

Ye Ranran: …!

Was that intentional? That had to be intentional!

Although Little Treasure had learned teleportation, he was still young. His internal energy wasn’t enough to support multiple teleports, and his stamina was far from adequate.

He didn’t reach the finish line within the designated time.

However, there were 23 other pet beasts in the same fourth-tier group that didn’t make it either, so he wasn’t too embarrassing.

On the way back, Qiao Sang cheerfully carried Yabao, humming a few tunes.

Little Treasure wasn’t upset about losing either. He lay on Qiao Sang’s head, leisurely sipping milk, clearly not as competitive as Yabao.

As the family walked back, laughing and chatting, only Uncle San remained silent as usual.

The reason was simple: His hope, the Roaring Swamp Crocodile, lost by just 9 seconds to a Lightning Otter, taking second place.

“Dad, second place is pretty good! You can get reimbursed for six months of expenses at the Beast Master Center in Qitang, and you can take both the Roaring Swamp Crocodile and the Scale Fish for a checkup.” Ye Jingwen comforted him.

“Yeah, Uncle San, I think the second-place prize is even more practical than first place.” Qiao Sang chimed in with a smile.

Uncle San forced a smile. “I’m fine. Getting second place isn’t bad. You and Ranran did well.”

“It wasn’t hard at all.” Qiao Sang grinned.

She had thought they’d just be there to make up the numbers, but with Little Treasure learning a new skill, the effort was totally worth it!

Qiao Sang was in a great mood the entire way back, but the moment they arrived home, her smile vanished.

“Hmm? Where’s the bike I rode out on this morning?” Aunt San asked, staring at the empty spot where it was usually parked.

Qiao Sang: !!!

Nighttime.

7:28 PM.

Liugan Creek.

Qiao Sang helplessly watched Yabao, which had already begun channeling his internal energy.

Today, after a long marathon and then biking all the way back, he should have been resting.

But Yabao was too determined, insisting on practicing his Energy Ball.

Pet beasts needed to train, and as a beast master, she couldn’t very well say anything discouraging.

And so, here they were, at Liugan Creek, late at night.

Qiao Sang found a spot to sit cross-legged on the ground, resting her chin in her hand as she watched her Yabao, which was already forming an Energy Ball.

Was it just her imagination, or did the Energy Ball seem a bit bigger this time?

Qiao Sang wondered as she watched the ball.

Would they manage to blow up a fish tonight?

The Energy Ball kept rising.

1, 2, 3... 6 meters, and still going.

Qiao Sang blinked in surprise, sitting up straighter as she watched the Energy Ball ascend higher and higher.

How come he wasn’t losing control yet?

At this height, it looked like it had already reached the level for the Meteor Rain standard.

The red Energy Ball continued to rise until it reached a height of about 23 meters.

This time, the Energy Ball didn’t lose control or explode on its own. Instead, it hovered in the air for two seconds before shattering.

Three bursts of red flames descended through the silent night sky, like crimson meteors falling and lighting up the darkness.

Boom!

Boom!

Boom!

Scarlet embers hit the ground one after another, erupting with loud bangs.

Dust flew, and the fiery red sparks bloomed like eerie flowers.

One of the flames landed not far in front of Qiao Sang, illuminating her wide-open mouth, dilated pupils, and almost-dropping jaw.

Qiao Sang felt her mind go blank.

The Meteor Rain...

It seemed to have worked...

-----

-----