Beast Taming: Starting From Zero

T/N: I've been reading this novel's mtl for a long time, and I came to a realization (as I was editing) that Lubao only gained her name after this chapter! I've been using her name since the past chapters😅 I totally forgot since it's been long. Because of that, please don't be puzzled at some of the dialogues in this chapter.

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Amidst a torrential downpour, a pet beast appeared in the courtyard, exuding a majestic and aloof aura.

It was predominantly light blue with a fox-like appearance, a dark blue diamond-shaped gemstone embedded in the center of its forehead, ears resembling snowflakes, and translucent white fur on its tail fin, neck, and limbs. Her deep, dark eyes gazed coldly at the scene around her.

Ice Qiya...

Qiao Sang murmured the unfamiliar species name in her mind.

"Yap..." Yabao had somehow followed her outside, staring in astonishment at the unfamiliar companion in front of him.

But he hadn’t even shaved his fur yet…

Noticing Yabao's presence Ice Qiya flicked her tail and, with a regal air, began to stride past him without stopping.

“Lu.” Ice Qiya turned her head.

“How about we call you an Lubao from now on?” Qiao Sang suggested.

Ice Qiya stared at Qiao Sang for a moment before flicking her tail and turning to walk inside.

Just as Qiao Sang thought Ice Luxia had rejected the idea, she let out a cold response.

“Lu.”

Qiao Sang smiled.

Even though her personality had changed, her tsundere nature was still evident.

"Yap yap?"

Yabao looked up at Qiao Sang with wet eyes.

Now that this one has evolved, does that mean he doesn’t have to shave his fur?

Qiao Sang rubbed Yabao's head, laughing.

“Of course. Congratulations, you get to keep your fur.”

“Yap!”

Qiao Sang returned to the living room, sitting on the couch.

Smiling brightly, she looked at Yang Du and asked, “How did Lubao evolve so suddenly?”

Yang Du blinked, surprised.

“How would I know? I was about to ask you! When it evolved, I was shocked; there wasn’t even a hint of it.”

“That’s impossible.” Qiao Sang explained,

“For Lubao, she must experience heartbreak to evolve, using the emotions within to trigger the transformation. Something must have happened to make it heartbroken.”

Yang Du chuckled helplessly.

“What a strange evolution requirement.”

“Tell me about it.” Qiao Sang replied, shaking her head.

Yang Du recounted what had happened in the courtyard. “That’s all we talked about, and then it just evolved.”

Qiao Sang, having been single her entire life, had no clue about Lubao’s feelings at that time.

After pondering for a while and failing to understand the reason for Lubao’s heartbreak, Qiao Sang decided to drop it. She had evolved, and that was what mattered.

Meanwhile…

Lubao stood in front of a full-length mirror, admiring her new appearance. After a moment, a satisfied smile spread across her face.

Of course, this smile was so subtle that no one would have noticed it without a close-up.

“Xun~”

Little Treasure was watching intently from the side, inspecting Lubao with curiosity.

“Lu?”

Lubao called out suddenly.

Who looks better: Yabao or herself?

Little Treasure froze for a second, looked around, then pointed a paw at himself.

“Xun?”

Are you asking me?

“Lu.”

Lubao nodded.

Little Treasure looked around again and, seeing Yabao wasn’t there, gave a decisive answer.

“Xun!”

You, of course!

“Lu.”

Lubao smiled, this time a bit wider.

Qiao Sang and Yang Du continued their conversation.

“So, is the task complete?” Yang Du asked.

Qiao Sang nodded.

“Of course.”

Yang Du’s eyes lit up with excitement.

“Do you have any other plans tonight?”

Qiao Sang thought for a moment and replied, “I still have three assignments left to do.”

Although she hadn’t gone to school today, the assignments had been sent to her by her homeroom teacher.

Yang Du’s enthusiasm waned a bit.

“But.”

Qiao Sang continued, “Since there’s a sports meet at school over the next two days, it’s fine if I don’t finish today. If you’re eager to get to the hospital, I can accompany you now.”

Yang Du looked at her with gratitude.

“Thank you!”

Qiao Sang waved her hand dismissively.

“This is the reward for your task. No need to thank me.”

The chance to cure an incurable disease with just summoning the rain was too precious… Yang Du felt a bit emotional but held back his words.

Without much preparation, Qiao Sang put on her shoes, and together they set off on a large flying-type pet beast Yang Du had summoned to take them to the hospital.

After about five minutes in the air, Yang Du suddenly asked, “By the way, why did you issue this task?”

Normally, it would be inappropriate to ask such questions, but Yang Du’s question seemed to bridge the gap between them.

“Oh, I forgot to mention.” Qiao Sang replied. “For a Water Luriana to evolve, it needs to experience heartbreak, and it must be raining at the time.”

“But rain doesn’t come every day, so I wanted a rain-summoning pet beast to stay by her side 24/7.”

Yang Du froze, then smiled awkwardly.

“It’s nothing. I just remembered I left my Abyssal Zegua at your place.”

Qiao Sang: …

How could he forget something like that?

Yang Du waved his hand, and in the courtyard, the Abyssal Zegua, silently summoning rain, vanished.

---

Hanggang Neurological Hospital.

At this hour, most doctors had left, leaving only those in the emergency or inpatient departments, along with patients and family members.

Yang Du, familiar with the layout, headed straight to the sixth floor's Neurology ICU.

He opened the door.

“Lily.”

A pink and white pet beast with wavy, ear-like features sat in a chair. It nodded at them in greeting.

Qiao Sang recognized this pet beast, Tariq. She’d seen it in hospital dramas before.

Known for its exceptional hearing, Tariq could gather information from surrounding sounds like radar and, by touching others with its feelers, gauge their health and emotions. Its gentle nature made it a favorite among family members of patients.

Families often hired Tariq to look after their loved ones, but the high cost made it rare in real hospitals.

Yang Du walked to the bedside, his expression solemn.

“Please help her!”

Qiao Sang stepped forward and saw a woman lying in bed, her face pale. Despite the lack of makeup, her beauty was apparent.

If she hadn’t known that this woman had suffered severe brain damage, she might not have seen anything unusual aside from her pale complexion.

Without further inspection, Qiao Sang summoned Lubao.

“Lubao, use Healing Light on her.” Qiao Sang directed Lubao toward the woman in bed.

Yang Du, standing beside her, clenched his fists nervously.

Lubao didn’t start immediately. Instead, she looked around, then flicked her tail and turned to Qiao Sang with a questioning look.

“Lu?”

Who’s stronger, Yabao or herself?

Qiao Sang: …

After a brief pause, she replied calmly, “Of course, you are.”

“Lu.”

Satisfied, Lubao turned back.

In the next moment, the blue gemstone on her forehead emitted a brilliant blue light.

When the light faded, the woman in bed slowly opened her eyes.

---

Later that night, Qiao Sang lay in bed, browsing the Beast Codex.

Name: Ice Qiya (Lubao)

Attributes: Water, Ice

Level: Intermediate (1001/10,000)+

Traits: [First Trait: Melting Water (B level 1229/2000)+, Status: Useful, Allows cellular transformation to merge with water.

Second Trait: Swift Swimmer (C level 67/1000)+, Status: Usable, Speed doubles in rainy weather.

Third Trait: Rain Sense (C level 811/1000)+, Status: Usable, Detects rain by absorbing moisture through ears and tail.]

Skills: Healing Light (Mystic 10002/20000)+, Water Gun (Mastery 455/500)+, Bubble Beam (Mastery 341/500)+, Water Tail (Mastery 392/500)+, Mist (Proficient 1677/2000)+, Water Stream Jet (Novice 36/100)+, Icy Wind (Novice 1/100)+, Gentle Snow (Novice 1/100)+, Ice Claw (Novice 1/100)+

Points: 0

Three new skills had appeared.

Icy Wind, Powder Snow, and Ice Claw… Qiao Sang calculated.

Though not as powerful as the skills Yabao gained during his evolution, these ice-type skills were still impressive for an intermediate-level pet beast, allowing for both ranged and melee attacks.

---

In the Courtyard.

"Lu!"

Lubao gritted her teeth, channeling nearly all her energy into her training.

At this hour, she would usually be resting by the pool, but tonight she was training hard.

For one reason only: To outshine Yabao!

---

The next day.

September 29, Sunny.

The sports meet at Shengshui High School took place today.

With Little Treasure perched on her head, Qiao Sang rode Yabao to school, brimming with enthusiasm.

All along the way, Qiao Sang offered encouragement.

"Little Treasure, what have we been preparing for? For this day to finally arrive! Now, it's finally here!"

"Xun!"

"Do you have confidence?"

"Xun!"

"Tell me! What's our goal?"

"Xun! Xun!"

"Exactly! To get the golden, no, I mean, to get first place!"

"Xun!"

Class 1, Grade 10.

Even though it wasn’t a regular class day, the students had all arrived early.

Everyone was chatting about the events at the sports meet.

Qiao Sang sat in her seat, giving Little Treasure a full-body massage.

Little Treasure kept flexing his claws, eyes full of determination.

Jin Feifan, watching this for a while, finally couldn’t help but ask, “Qiao Sang, what are you doing?”

“I’m helping Little Treasure warm up, aren’t we about to compete?” Qiao Sang didn’t stop her movements.

Jin Feifan was taken aback.

“You mean the Brick-breaking by hand event?”

Qiao Sang nodded.

“Yes, exactly.”

Jin Feifan was silent for a moment.

“You didn’t come yesterday, so you might not know… the Brick-breaking by hand event is tomorrow.”

Qiao Sang: …