Beast Taming: Starting From Zero

Qiao Sang was at a loss for words.

Who would have thought that both the Dreamless Doll and the Three-Eyed Phantom Cicada would believe the absurd idea that after making it through the Lost Town, they could make a wish by seeing a legendary pet beast?

Was she really scared out of her wits by these two clueless creatures?

Qiao Sang calmed herself down. Though these two wild beasts seemed a bit silly in some ways, she couldn't deny their impressive combat capabilities.

Especially the Three-Eyed Phantom Cicada.

Even without a Beast Tamer, it could continuously unleash skills, defending against Yabao's attacks while also finding the perfect opportunity to sneak attack her. Its battle experience was evident.

In the secret realm, wild beasts were abundant, and they probably fought every few days.

Qiao Sang came to a conclusion:

Indeed, pet beasts improve through actual combat.

Simply practicing skill release only increases proficiency. To improve nerve reactions, spatial awareness, body balance, and adaptability to opponents' attacks, real battles are essential.

For example, when Yabao used the Meteor Rain skill earlier, despite it being a high-level skill, Dreamless Doll could interrupt it with a mid-level skill, Strange Light.

No matter how high-level a skill is, if you can’t release it, it’s useless.

Without today's battle, just passing through the maze wouldn't have allowed Yabao to rapidly improve his mental strength and simultaneously release different skills with his main body and clone.

It seems that in the future, part of their training time must be devoted to real combat...

---

Several familiar officers helped Qiao Sang with the report.

It was a quick Q&A session, and they were done in no time.

Just as Qiao Sang was about to leave, a well-groomed male officer beside her smiled and said, "You’re from Shengshui High School, right? Have you thought about which university you want to attend?"

Qiao Sang was a bit stunned. She recognized this officer, he had led the police team when they entered the maze earlier.

He was the captain of the Hanggang City Public Security Bureau, surnamed Liu.

"I haven’t really thought about it. I haven’t even started my first year of high school yet." Qiao Sang replied honestly.

"I know, but some geniuses have already entered university in their first year of high school. I don’t think you're any less talented than they are." Liu Zhezhen said.

"I was wondering if you might be interested in joining Dragon Military Academy."

"If you're willing, I can recommend you. As long as you pass the assessment, you can sign a sponsored training contract, and you won’t need to take the college entrance exam. You’ll go directly to Dragon Military Academy."

Qiao Sang was dumbfounded. Of course, she knew about Dragon Military Academy.

Dragon Military Academy was the first military academy in the Dragon Kingdom.

With a long history, it not only produced numerous military talents but also nurtured many politicians, entrepreneurs, and scientists for the Dragon Kingdom, gaining worldwide fame.

If she could get in through the college entrance exam, she would pack her bags and go in a heartbeat.

But this was sponsored training...

Sponsored training meant that the academy would accept students on behalf of an organization, with the organization providing funding.

After graduation, the students would work directly for that organization.

In other words, after graduating from Dragon Military Academy, she would have to work at the Hanggang City Public Security Bureau.

In her previous life, this would have been an incredible career path.

But in this world of beast taming, she finally had a chance at a different life.

How could she stay in Hanggang City forever, especially when her future career path would be so limited?

No time for competitions, no time for secret realms, how could she become a professional beast tamer and participate in the Interstellar Cup?

Sensing Qiao Sang's hesitation, Liu Zhezhen continued:

"You don’t have to answer me right away. You can go home and think about it, or discuss it with your family. Let’s exchange contact info. You can reach out whenever you've made up your mind."

"Thank you, Captain Liu!" Qiao Sang said gratefully.

Though a police captain might be a big deal in the city, he wouldn't stand out at Dragon Military Academy. Securing a sponsored training slot wasn’t easy for him.

After exchanging contact information, Liu Zhezhen smiled and held his cup of tea.

"You’ve helped our city solve two major threats. When school starts, the bureau will send a banner to your school to honor you."

"There’s no need for that." Qiao Sang politely declined.

"I was just doing what I should have. If I hadn’t defeated them, I would’ve been in danger myself."

"Plus, there’s a reward." He added.

"Thank you, Captain Liu!"

After thanking him, Qiao Sang paused for a moment and reminded him, "School starts on September 1st."

Liu Zhezhen: ...

After Qiao Sang left, a young officer who had been listening to the conversation couldn’t help but ask, "Captain Liu, I admit she’s a genius, but wasn’t it a bit hasty to offer such a valuable slot like this?"

Liu Zhezhen glanced at him and said in a low voice, "Go watch the surveillance footage from the maze, and you’ll understand why."

---

After leaving the police station, Qiao Sang headed to the Beast Taming Center.

Although some areas had already closed for the day, the medical section was staffed 24/7.

Little Treasure was injured and needed a check-up.

Qiao Sang called a car using her phone.

While waiting for the ride, Fang Sisi, holding her Cotton Bug, asked seriously, "What do you think of my Cotton Bug?"

Qiao Sang turned her head. The Cotton Worm blinked its big round eyes back at her.

Now that it had been cleaned, its original appearance was revealed. Though the evening light obscured its full color, its size had doubled compared to a month ago, showing it had been well-cared for.

Qiao Sang blinked in surprise.

"I think it’s great."

Who would have thought that after everything, Fang Sisi’s Cotton Bug would still be this plump...

"See? My Cotton Bug is so beautiful. When it evolves into a Fire Wing Butterfly, it will definitely be the prettiest of them all." Fang Sisi said, blinking her eyes.

"Ji~"

The Cotton Bug nodded in agreement.

Qiao Sang was used to Fang Sisi’s random thoughts.

Earlier, she wanted the Cotton Bug to evolve into a Ghost Fly Butterfly to pair with Little Treasure. Now, she’d changed her mind to Fire Wing Butterfly. Wait...

Qiao Sang suddenly had a thought and twitched at the corner of her mouth.

"What are you trying to say?"

Fang Sisi flicked her hair and giggled. "How about this, when my Cotton Bug evolves into a Fire Wing Butterfly, it can marry your Flame Hound."

"…Get lost."

She had guessed right...

---

Tianjing Garden, Apartment 1705.

By the time Qiao Sang got home, it was already the middle of the night. Fortunately, after sleeping all morning, she wasn’t too tired.

Yabao slept soundly, unaffected by the intense battle earlier.

Little Treasure came out of the Beast Taming Center full of energy as usual.

Except for one thing... He no longer stayed perched on her head.

Qiao Sang couldn’t figure out why until she looked in the mirror in the bathroom.

"Little Treasure!!"

"Xun~"

Little Treasure clutched the spot where he had been hit by the Three-Eyed Phantom Cicada’s Shadow Ball, pretending to be in pain.

Qiao Sang: ...

Forget it. It’s just dirty hair; a wash will fix it... It’s not that big of a deal...