Beast Taming: Starting From Zero

Shadow Control, an advanced skill.

What exactly is an advanced skill?

It’s a skill that’s almost completely irrelevant to high school students.

Most people have only just become Beast Tamers and are still working on developing harmony with their beasts.

When it comes to skills, even learning a basic skill is something that ordinary high schoolers have to carefully consider, comparing training centers to see which one is suitable.

Top students might put in extra effort to master basic or intermediate skills.

And now you’re telling us your beast has mastered an advanced skill?!

If it were a highly-ranked professional Beast Tamer or a reputable Beast Breeder who managed to teach an advanced skill to a low-level beast, it wouldn’t be so shocking.

But you’re telling me that a freshman who hasn’t even started school yet has a second contracted beast at a beginner level, and it learned an advanced skill?!!

Wang Yao and the others were floored.

Is this girl even human?!

"Not-human." Qiao Sang quickly signaled Little Treasure to stop.

If he kept spinning, Yabao might just faint again.

“Xun~”

Little Treasure stopped, looking innocent.

What’s wrong with showing off a skill while also giving Big Bro Yabao some extra training?

“Yap…” Yabao\'s eyes were spinning, and he swayed a bit before finally regaining balance.

Hearing Little Treasure’s words, Yabao couldn\'t resist smacking him lightly on the head with a paw.

“Yap-yap!”

At least give me a heads-up next time!

“Xun~”

Little Treasure scratched his head sheepishly, then took off a small ring, pulled out a freshly bought potion, and held it out with both paws.

“Yap.”

Ya Bao’s expression softened to one of I see you’re learning from your mistakes.

Just as he was about to take the potion, Qiao Sang swooped in and took it instead.

“Yap?”

Yabao looked confused.

“This potion is for when you’re feeling nauseous or faint. Are you feeling like that now?” Qiao Sang asked, very seriously.

“Yap…”

Yabao thought for a second, then shook his head.

“Exactly. We only have a few of these, so we need to use them sparingly; otherwise, we’ll have to buy more soon.” Qiao Sang advised earnestly.

Even though they had money now, there was still a need to be thrifty...

“Yap.”

Yabao nodded in understanding. Their Beast Tamer was indeed frugal.

Just then, Xu Yajie snapped out of his shock, looking at Little Treasure with amazement.

“Shadow Control! It really is Shadow Control!”

“Whoa! If Zheng Baolong finds out, he’ll probably worship you!” Shi Gaofeng was consumed with jealousy.

Wang Yao still looked utterly dazed.

“See, I wasn’t lying to you guys.” Qiao Sang laughed.

“No, no!” Xu Yajie and Shi Gaofeng shook their heads in unison.

“Then go ahead and get started.” Qiao Sang gestured.

“Xun~”

Little Treasure looked at them expectantly.

Shi Gaofeng froze, not quite understanding.

“Start what?”

Qiao Sang blinked.

“Weren’t you saying one of you would do a handstand while...uh, going diarrhea, and the other would use it to wash their hair?”

Shi Gaofeng: …

Xu Yajie: …

After a brief silence, Shi Gaofeng chuckled awkwardly.

“We were just joking. You don’t actually want us to do it, right?”

Qiao Sang nodded.

“I want to see it.”

Shi Gaofeng and Xu Yajie were terrified, instinctively covering their pants. They never thought Qiao Sang would take it seriously.

Seeing their reaction, Qiao Sang shrugged.

“You don’t have to do the handstand diarrhea thing, just agree to one other condition.”

“Xun-xun~”

Little Treasure looked disappointed. He was actually looking forward to seeing it.

“Name it!” Shi Gaofeng and Xu Yajie shivered, seeing Little Treasure’s expression, and spoke in unison.

“I haven’t thought of one for you, Xu Yajie. But take down the bad review you left for Phantom Water Baby last time.” Qiao Sang said, revealing her true intention.

Xu Yajie sighed in relief.

Shi Gaofeng, however, stared for a moment.

“You got bribed?”

Can’t you phrase it more nicely… Qiao Sang’s mouth twitched as she replied tactfully, “It was just a mutual exchange.”

Shi Gaofeng hesitated, then suddenly looked up and said earnestly, “Or I’ll still let you watch!”

With that, he reached to pull down his pants.

“Dude! Calm down! Think this through!” Xu Yajie stopped him, horrified.

Qiao Sang watched Shi Gaofeng’s performance with a calm expression.

“Go ahead, take them off. If you’re brave enough to strip, I’m brave enough to watch.”

She didn’t believe he’d actually do it.

Qiao Sang had nerves of steel compared to a high schooler.

Shi Gaofeng was stunned to see the cool exterior of Qiao Sang hide such a wild side.

He was left frozen, neither able to go through with it nor back out.

After an intense pause, Shi Gaofeng steeled himself.

He’d bet on it! He didn’t believe Qiao Sang would really watch!

Just as he began lowering his pants, a familiar voice came from behind.

“Shi Gaofeng, what are you doing?”

“…”

In the end, Shi Gaofeng reluctantly agreed to take down the review.

---

Today’s training was much more effective than yesterday’s.

With Little Treasure’s help, Yabao improved from barely lasting 5 seconds to spinning for around 15 seconds.

Only two bottles of potion were used all day.

As they were leaving the school that evening, Qiao Sang sat atop Yanao, saying earnestly, “Yabao, let’s aim to get a good grasp on the Counter Shield technique in the next four days. That way, we’ll have better odds if we get challenged after school starts.”

The real reason was that they only had enough potion for four more days...

“Yap!”

Yabao was fully confident.

He completely believed Qiao Sang was focused on preparing for the upcoming challenge.

---

Qiao Sang didn’t forget her promise to Jin Feifan, stopping at a roadside phone repair shop.

“Boss, need a phone repair.”

The shop owner eyed the beast with her, which looked too fancy for the usual crowd, and then at Qiao Sang, her simple attire and ponytail, contrasting with the posh vibe from her Flame Hound companion. Three words came to mind:

Easy target.

The shop owner examined the phone, feigning a troubled look before summoning a magnetic-type beast with a few hand signs.

Having a beast assist in business always seemed to add a touch of class, which in turn allowed for a higher price.

“This phone has a big problem,” The shop owner said, glancing at the device.

“Xiao Han, see if it’s a circuit issue.”

He handed the phone to the magnetic beast.

But the magnetic beast stiffened, looking fearfully in Qiao Sang’s direction.

The shop owner froze.

“What’s wrong?”

“Mag-magnetic…” The magnetic beast seemed terrified.

Qiao Sang saw the electric shape of its tail and guessed why. Scratching her head apologetically, she said, “It’s probably sensing my ghost-type beast.”

The shop owner’s eyes widened in horror.

“A ghost-type…?”

“Yeah.” Qiao Sang nodded.

“It’s invisible right now.”

The shop owner: !!!

Five minutes later.

The shop owner handed back the phone, beaming.

“Your phone’s fine. The touch screen issue was just the screen protector. Changed it out for ten coins.”

-----