Beast Taming: Starting From Zero

The entire hall was stunned.

To be honest, the shock experienced during this opening ceremony was far more intense than any Top Ten Unbelievable Events they had read about online.

It was like reading a forum post that said, "I saw a Dominator Catfish Dragon in the secret realm. Not only did it not attack me, but it also gave me food and kept clinging to me. It even kept calling out ba-ba, ba-ba. I think it wanted to recognize me as its parent, so I formed a contract with it."

Shocking and amazing, but ultimately irrelevant to them.

But the event that happened at today’s opening ceremony was real, right before their eyes.

A freshman. Two pet beasts. Over 200 consecutive battles.

With the ability to replenish energy at any time, this was still barely within their range of comprehension.

One was a Treasure-Seeking Ghost, the other a Flame Hound. They could accept it, as anyone with money could theoretically acquire any pet beast, provided they were willing to spend.

New species of pet beasts were hardly seen in recent years.

But every few years, there would be a trending topic about some research institute developing a new evolutionary form of a pet beast, so they had some tolerance for it.

At most, they were just surprised that a beast master with newly evolved pet beasts appeared among them.

However, the fact that both pet beasts had mastered advanced skills was beyond their ability to endure!

Everything the freshman displayed defied the common understanding of pet beasts!

"A meteor rain! Another advanced skill!"

"Are advanced skills that easy to learn?!"

"That Flame Hound is so awesome! I’ve decided that my next pet beast will definitely be a Fire Fang Dog!"

"Wait, do you think if I skip the teleportation manual and ask Qiao Sang how to teach a pet beast advanced skills, she’ll tell me?"

"Keep dreaming!"

"Are you kidding? The teleportation manual and the value of advanced skills aren’t even in the same league."

"Not necessarily. Think about it: Although this junior is incredible, I don’t think anyone her age could teach both her pet beasts advanced skills. One of them is a low-level pet beast. She must have a powerful mentor backing her. If we trade the teleportation manual for the mentor’s contact information, she might agree."

"By the way, the Flame Hound is down. Does that mean we won?"

"I’m not sure. She didn’t say she’d battle everyone in the school, just that anyone who defeated her would get the teleportation manual. But we haven’t won. The last person only ended in a draw with her, and she still has the Treasure-Seeking Ghost."

As the crowd buzzed, the female teacher acting as referee snapped out of her daze, swallowed nervously, picked up the microphone, and announced, "Flame Hound and Force-Headed Duck are both out of combat. Qiao Sang wins!"

Though it was a draw, Chen Zhenming’s pet beast was only the Force-Headed Duck, while Qiao Sang still had the Treasure-Seeking Ghost.

The battle rules weren’t one-on-one but allowed any contracted pet beasts to participate in combat.

Since the strength exhibition was meant to showcase power, having multiple pet beasts was a form of strength. Naturally, no one objected.

"Qiao Sang, will you continue with the Treasure-Seeking Ghost?" The female teacher turned and asked cautiously.

Qiao Sang instinctively looked at the small Little Treasure.

The little ghost froze, then wobbled and displayed a deeply exhausted expression.

"Xun…"

Qiao Sang: ...

Qiao Sang shook her head, "No more."

"Xun!"

Little Treasure immediately perked up.

Finally, it was over... The female teacher also let out a sigh of relief.

Heaven knew she almost felt like a broken record at this point.

Normally, by this time, not only would the strength exhibition be over, but the ceremony itself would have long ended.

With a nod from the female teacher, a man in formal wear took the stage as the host and said, "That concludes Qiao Sang’s strength exhibition. Now, let’s welcome the next team member!"

The students were not pleased.

The Flame Hound was finally down, the school doctor couldn’t continue treatments, and only the Treasure-Seeking Ghost remained. But they just called it quits, so what about their teleportation manuals?

"Don’t leave! Fight us again!"

"Come on, keep going! Don’t quit!"

"Are you afraid?" The Shengshui Hall erupted in noise.

Qiao Sang stopped and turned back toward the stage.

The female teacher instinctively handed her the microphone.

Qiao Sang took it without hesitation, gave a quick Hello to test the sound, and the entire hall fell silent.

The host beside her marveled silently, students didn’t even get this quiet for the principal.

"You can challenge me anytime. As long as someone beats me within the next three years, everyone who fought me today and the 242 students who just stepped up will get the teleportation manual." Qiao Sang declared.

Everyone was furious but dared not speak.

If anyone protested now, it would suggest they believed no one in the entire school could beat her.

Qiao Sang smirked, confident she wouldn’t be short on points during her time at the school.

Just as she was about to hand the microphone back to the female teacher, the Shengshui Hall doors opened, and a group of uniformed police officers entered.

"Hello, everyone. We’re officers from the Hangang City Police Department. Is Qiao Sang here?"

The students froze, their first reaction being: Did Qiao Sang break the law?

After all, when the police come looking for someone, it’s rarely good news. But several people still pointed to where she stood on stage.

The lead officer looked her way and grinned, "Sorry we’re late."

Teachers and students: ???

---

On September 1st, Qiao Sang became a phenomenon, instantly rocketing to fame in the school.

Not only did she shock the crowd with her strength display, but the police even came to present her an award.

Regardless of her future achievements, creating such a commotion on her first day was unparalleled in the school’s history.

5:33 p.m., dismissal time.

Qiao Sang was gathering her things.

"A lot of people are watching you from outside the windows." Jin Feifan whispered, sounding amused.

Thanks to Qiao Sang, the strength exhibition ended early, and each team member retained their spot.

Qiao Sang glanced to either side of the classroom.

Not only were the hallway windows packed, but even the windows on the outer wall were crowded, with students perched on flying-type pet beasts.

Seeing her look over, they grew excited.

Many held up notes against the window, hoping to catch her attention.

Sitting near the outer window, she glanced over and could easily read the notes.

[Don’t leave after school; we’ll settle this!]

[7 p.m. on the field, we’ll determine the winner!]

[I’m Zhou Yuwei from Class 2-3. Can I take a picture with the Flame Hound?]

[If you’re a true beast master, don’t run. I’ll wait downstairs for you.]

[Hey, can I get the teleportation manual in advance? I promise to beat you while I’m here!]

Qiao Sang sighed. If she wasn’t so exhausted, she would have picked a few from the crowd to rack up some points.

At that moment, the homeroom teacher walked in and said, "Qiao Sang, just in time. The principal wants to see you."