Beast Taming: Starting From Zero
Chapter 958: Ice chestnut (two in one)
As the audience cheered, they enthusiastically discussed the recent match:
“This Ghost Ring King uses Dark Shadow and Substitute; you can’t figure out its real body at all.”
“You’re right, and it’s a Ghost-type Pet. Not only can it turn invisible, but it can also teleport. It’s so hard to hit it.”
“If there was a skill that could affect the entire arena, it might work.”
“I think the Ghost Ring King’s big attack move seems to be Mind Headbutt, which requires close-range contact. If you can withstand that move, maybe you can seize the opportunity to capture the Ghost Ring King.”
“If you ask me, if the last wave of Flame Tail Tread could have unleashed a wide-range attack, it should have been able to damage the Ghost Ring King’s real body behind the Substitute.”
“Xiang Wenyi must have seen it, but there was no time to say anything.”
“When you put it that way, I suddenly realized that Qiao Sang didn’t seem to give many commands in this match either. The later part of the match was all up to the Ghost Ring King’s own performance.”
“Some Professional Beast Tamers formulate tactics before the match. As long as the situation is under their control, they won’t issue commands.”
“She’s only 17, but she acts like those veteran Yu Beast Masters. It’s terrifying, a nightmare for Professional Beast Tamers…”
“If you hadn’t mentioned it, I would have almost forgotten her age…”
“The Ghost Ring King is so cute, don’t you guys feel it?”
“What do you want to say?”
“I want to make a contract.”
“…”
While everyone was discussing, Qiao Sang coughed on the field.
Xiao Xunbao turned its head.
“Are you still okay?” Qiao Sang asked with a look.
Although Xiao Xunbao wasn’t injured just now, it had used too many skills, so its energy must have been depleted. She wasn’t sure if it could still participate in another intense battle.
“Xiao Xunbao!”
Xiao Xunbao let out a firm cry.
It can do it!
Upon hearing this, Qiao Sang immediately gave up the idea of recalling it.
Tian Yiwan’s slightly excited voice then rang out:
“Contestant Qiao Sang still hasn’t chosen to recall the Ghost Ring King! Is she planning to send the Ghost Ring King out again for the third match, to achieve a 1-vs-3 sweep like in the preliminaries?!”
Tang Xueyi chimed in, “If the Ghost Ring King can win the third round, then Contestant Qiao Sang will become the first contestant in this Regional Competition to achieve two consecutive 1-vs-3 sweeps.”
“I wonder what Pet Contestant Xiang Wenyi will send out for the third match,” Tian Yiwan said.
“I’ve been swept 1-vs-2…” Xiang Wenyi stared at her opponent in the distance, slowly exhaling and adjusting her state.
She knew where the problem lay. Besides the Ghost Ring King’s erratic movements, making it difficult to hit, and the difficulty in distinguishing between its Substitute and real body, Qiao Sang’s almost complete lack of direct commands was also a crucial point.
Because of this, she couldn’t make rough judgments based on her opponent’s commands. She could only adjust her response after seeing what skills the Ghost Ring King used.
As a result, Flame Tail Tread’s actions would always be a step slower than the Ghost Ring King’s.
Unless, the Pet didn’t need to wait for her specific commands, and its own mobility and adaptability could keep up with the Ghost Ring King…
As thoughts flickered, the light projection of “10” appeared in the center of the arena.
At the same time, a mechanical voice sounded: “9, 8, 7… 3, 2, 1.”
The light projection disappeared.
Xiang Wenyi formed hand seals.
An orange-yellow star array lit up.
A Pet, about six meters tall, standing on two feet, covered entirely in fluffy white fur, with thick and long facial fur that almost covered its entire face, revealing only a pair of deep green eyes, immediately appeared within the star array.
“Ice Fur Chestnut, an Ice-type General-level Pet, doesn’t like contact with the outside world, mostly lives in mountains with perpetual snow, and can condense Ice blocks on its belly that taste like popsicles, which can temporarily resist a certain degree of cold when eaten…” Information about the distant Pet appeared in Qiao Sang’s mind.
She was not unfamiliar with Ice Fur Chestnut. Xiang Wenyi had sent it out during the preliminaries.
“Xiao Xunbao!”
The moment the opponent appeared in the star array, Xiao Xunbao immediately brought its claws together and pointed them upwards.
A giant Ghost Ring King, about thirty meters tall, instantly appeared.
The giant Ghost Ring King’s eyes were cold, and an invisible Pressure descended, causing the Ice Fur Chestnut, which was originally preparing to attack, to inevitably feel fear and not launch its attack in time.
The overwhelming Pressure, which the distant audience might not feel, was palpable to Xiang Wenyi, who was facing the giant Ghost Ring King head-on.
Fortunately, the Pressure was not directed at her, causing her to merely flinch inwardly before shouting:
“Snap out of it!”
Her Yu Beast Master’s voice rang in Ice Fur Chestnut’s ears like a resounding bell.
The fear in its heart dispersed, and it clenched its fists, striking them together.
A visible chill spread from its fists.
And at this moment, a thick, wide Dark Shadow was rushing towards it!
“Li Li!”
Ice Fur Chestnut extended its chill-condensing claws and grabbed the thick, wide Dark Shadow.
Where it was gripped, a layer of Ice crust formed with a crackling sound, and it continued to spread forward.
“Separate!” Qiao Sang issued the command.
Almost the very next second after she gave the command, the part of the Dark Shadow that hadn’t been frozen suddenly split apart, forming dozens of eerie Dark Shadows that fiercely and violently coiled around Ice Fur Chestnut.
“Freeze!” Xiang Wenyi’s eyes sharpened, and she shouted loudly.
Dozens of Dark Shadows rapidly coiled around Ice Fur Chestnut, leaving no gaps.
The giant Ghost Ring King moved a finger, and the coiled dark ball was lifted up.
But just then, the Dark Shadow emitted a visible chill from the inside out.
Before Xiao Xunbao could start controlling it to spin, the dark ball was completely covered in a layer of Ice crust from the inside out, transforming from a dark ball into an Ice ball.
“Crack!”
Immediately after, cracks appeared on the surface of the Ice ball, becoming more and more numerous, covering the entire surface like a spider web.
“Li Li!”
With a roar, the Ice ball completely shattered, Ice shards fell, and Ice Fur Chestnut landed steadily on the ground from within.
In the audience stands, everyone gasped at the sight, marveling that Ice Fur Chestnut could break through such a thick Dark Shadow Control so quickly.
Only Ye Xiangting’s eyes were filled with worry.
“Ice Fur Chestnut has broken free from the Ghost Ring King’s Dark Shadow Control!” Tian Yiwan explained, “It looks very relaxed, and it took a very short time. Has this Ice Fur Chestnut’s energy already reached the late or peak General-level?!”
“Xiao Xunbao…”
Seeing this, Xiao Xunbao couldn’t help but regret trying to be strong and fighting the third match.
Dark Shadow Control could be considered its signature skill, and for the opponent to break it so easily caused its confidence to plummet.
The energy within this Ice Fur Chestnut is also far superior to Xiao Xunbao’s… Qiao Sang’s heart sank.
Xiao Xunbao had fought the previous two matches, and its internal energy was already depleted. Facing this Ice Fur Chestnut, whose energy was far superior to its own, it would likely be a difficult fight.
It seems this match needs to be a quick one…
Thinking of this, Qiao Sang spoke:
“Illusion.”
“Xiao Xunbao!”
Xiao Xunbao stood on the giant Ghost Ring King’s head and extended its short digits.
The giant Ghost Ring King synchronously extended its short digits.
Rays of light mixed with several colors instantly shot out from its short digits towards the newly landed Ice Fur Chestnut.
“Ice Wheel!” Xiang Wenyi issued the command.
“Li Li!”
Ice Fur Chestnut bumped its fists together, and its entire body immediately condensed a layer of crystal-clear Ice Armor. Then it rolled forward, and at the same time, the Ice Armor on its body became even thicker.
“Bang!”
The rays of light mixed with several colors directly hit Ice Fur Chestnut, creating a strong explosion.
In the shockwave, the giant Ice ball rushed straight out, continuing to roll forward, seemingly unharmed.
This isn’t just Ice Wheel, it also has Ice Armor… Qiao Sang recognized the skills on Ice Fur Chestnut.
Ice Wheel, an Ice-type High Level skill, allows the user to condense a smooth Ice shell on their body to rush forward and attack the opponent, causing damage and also having a certain chance to freeze the opponent.
If this move is combined with the defensive skill Ice Armor, it not only increases the attack power of the charge but also prevents damage while forcibly breaking through obstacles along the way.
What a combination skill that can both attack and defend… Qiao Sang secretly admired it, and with an unruffled expression, issued the command:
“Net.”
“Xiao Xunbao!”
Xiao Xunbao crossed its short digits.
The giant Ghost Ring King performed the same action synchronously.
Dozens of Dark Shadows emerged from the ground, quickly intertwining to form a large net blocking the front.
The giant Ice ball charged into the net.
The super large net formed by the Dark Shadows was directly dented by the impact. The ten-meter radius of the dark net at the point of impact was completely covered in a layer of Ice, barely stopping about one centimeter in front of the giant Ghost Ring King.
This scene on the field caused a commotion in the audience stands.
“So Dark Shadow Control can be used like this? I’ve learned something new…”
“I also didn’t expect Dark Shadow Control to be able to completely wrap and spin opponents before. It feels like Qiao Sang’s Ghost Ring King always uses skills in unexpected ways.”
“It feels like Xiang Wenyi’s Ice Fur Chestnut is very strong.”
“When Xiang Wenyi participated in the Regional Competition five years ago, Ice Fur Chestnut was still a Snow Fur Cake. At that time, it was only High Level, but it could last five minutes against a General-level Pet. It was quite strong. I heard that after the match, Snow Fur Cake evolved into Ice Fur Chestnut.”
“Xiao Xunbao…”
While everyone was discussing, Xiao Xunbao’s will rose on the field, and the giant Ghost Ring King took a big step back.
A super large net, over thirty meters high, descended.
Just as it was about to cover Ice Fur Chestnut, the Ice shell that had formed where Ice Fur Chestnut impacted shattered with a “crack” sound.
“Lock.” Qiao Sang calmly spoke.
“Xiao Xunbao!”
Xiao Xunbao’s and the giant Ghost Ring King’s eyes simultaneously glowed blue.
In an instant, a translucent barrier formed around Ice Fur Chestnut, enveloping it.
Ice Fur Chestnut itself couldn’t see clearly within it, but under the lights and panoramic view, the audience could see it extremely clearly.
In the audience stands, a clamor suddenly arose:
“Holy cow, this Ghost Ring King can even use Space Lockdown!”
“It feels like it knows so many High Level skills.”
“A Ghost-type Pet actually knows so many Superpower System skills!”
“I kinda want to cry. My Superpower King has been learning Space Lockdown for half a year and still hasn’t mastered it…”
Superpower King, a genuine Superpower System Pet.
“The Ghost Ring King has unleashed Space Lockdown.” Tang Xueran exclaimed, “This Ghost Ring King must have extraordinary talent in the Superpower System. You know, skills like Space Lockdown are very difficult for many Pets whose main attribute is Superpower System to learn.”
“Xiao Xunbao…”
Xiao Xunbao was unaware of everyone’s comments. It was fully focused on the match, only knowing that its energy was running low.
Space Lockdown… Don’t panic, Ice Fur Chestnut’s energy is far superior to the Ghost Ring King’s… Xiang Wenyi’s heart skipped a beat, then she quickly steadied herself and shouted:
“Charge!”
“Li Li!”
Ice Fur Chestnut, which had stopped rolling, continued to roll, and it rolled faster and faster.
The already icy and somewhat fractured Dark Shadow in front directly shattered completely.
Ice Fur Chestnut charged straight out through the large hole, colliding with the barrier.
“Recall.” Qiao Sang issued the command.
The blue light in Xiao Xunbao’s eyes intensified.
At the same time, the translucent barrier surrounding Ice Fur Chestnut shrank smaller and smaller.
Ice Fur Chestnut kept rolling within the barrier.
With a “crack,” a tiny crack appeared in the barrier.
Xiao Xunbao’s energy is running low, this move must finish off Ice Fur Chestnut… Qiao Sang shouted loudly:
“Ram with full power!”
“Xiao Xunbao!”
Xiao Xunbao understood its Yu Beast Master’s intention.
The next second, it controlled the giant Ghost Ring King to teleport into the air.
The Ghost Ring King in the high sky looked down with cold eyes, its body continuously expanding and growing, until it was about 60 meters tall.
A huge shadow enveloped the area.
Xiang Wenyi looked at the colossal object above, which seemed to completely block out the moonlight, her mouth slowly widening, her expression stunned.
The entire venue was briefly silent for two seconds, and everyone, including the two commentators, almost simultaneously opened their mouths wide.
The power of skills unleashed with Dark Shadow would indeed not increase, but for Xiao Xunbao, the area would increase by tens or even hundreds of times. In a way, this also meant that the power had increased by several levels.
The Ghost Ring King, approximately 60 meters tall, condensed a dense white light on its head and plunged straight down towards the barrier’s location, like a giant meteor streaking across the night sky, whistling as it crashed down.
Xiang Wenyi’s heart sank, and she shrieked: “Break! Break it open quickly!”
“Crack!”
Ice Fur Chestnut circulated its energy, speeding up its rotation, and the translucent barrier cracked in response.
“Bang!!!”
Just then, the massive white light heavily slammed into the ground.
Ice Fur Chestnut was directly smashed into the ground, disappearing from sight.
The entire ground completely sank.
The arena trembled, and shattered rocks flew.
The chaotic and powerful airflow caused the hair of the first two rows of spectators to fly backward.
The giant Ghost Ring King, about 60 meters tall, vanished.
In the sunken area underground, Ice Fur Chestnut had already closed its eyes and fainted.
Xiao Xunbao floated outside the giant pit, looking at its unconscious opponent within, its expression calm, as if everything was under control.
At the commentator’s desk, Tian Yiwan swallowed and said:
“We can see Ice Fur Chestnut has fallen under the super-enhanced Mind Headbutt. Has the third match been decided?”
As he spoke, a mechanical referee appeared beside Ice Fur Chestnut, then raised a green flag towards Qiao Sang’s direction.
A giant virtual screen immediately appeared.
Xiang Wenyi’s photo on it disappeared, leaving only Qiao Sang’s enlarged photo in the center.
“Let’s congratulate Contestant Qiao Sang for winning the match with another 1-vs-3 sweep and successfully advancing to the next round!” Tang Xueran shouted with an excited tone.
Only then did the entire audience react, erupting in a tidal wave of cheers.
“Xiao Xunbao…”
Xiao Xunbao used all its strength to raise its paw, a victorious smile appearing on its face, and waved it forward.
Then it tilted its head, desperately signaling its Yu Beast Master with its eyes:
“Quick, recall me! Quick, recall me! I can’t hold on much longer! I can’t hold on much longer!”
Qiao Sang’s mouth twitched, and with a wave of her hand, she recalled Xiao Xunbao into the yu beast codex. (End of this chapter)