Beast Taming: Starting From Zero Chapter 1008: Zidia Region

Tianan City, Central Hollow Region.

Tianwang Hotel.

Morning sunlight poured through the expansive floor-to-ceiling windows. Qiao Sang gazed out from beside the glass, observing the swarm of reporters hovering in the sky atop bird-type pets. A slight numbness prickled her scalp.

Reporters packed the area densely. To anyone unaware, it might seem a colossal scandal had erupted within this hotel. Thankfully, Tianwang Hotel provided excellent privacy; views outward were clear, but nothing peered in from outside.

Nearby, Ye Xiangting folded clothes into the suitcase while advising: "When you arrive in the Zidia Region, obey your teacher. For any tricky Ghost-type pets, release Little Treasure to negotiate with them."

Though unfamiliar with the Zidia Region herself, she understood that nearly all supernatural events there stemmed from Ghost-type pets. With Little Treasure being a Ghost-type, communication would come naturally.

With that in mind, Ye Xiangting added: "Ideally, keep Little Treasure visible instead of hidden."

"Xun xun!"

Understanding the vital role ahead in this new region, Little Treasure puffed his chest proudly and barked resolutely, vowing to safeguard his tamer!

Qiao Sang replied helplessly: "Mom, I’m already a B-rank Tamer. Plus, invisibility doesn’t hide Little Treasure from other Ghost-type pets anyway."

Ye Xiangting chuckled lightly. "I nearly forgot you’ve reached B-rank Tamer status."

Qiao Sang inwardly teased her mother.

"Oh, I grabbed some pet treats downstairs and stashed them in the suitcase. Share them with Yabao and the rest during travel." Ye Xiangting shut the suitcase top as she spoke.

"Qing qing~"

Right before zipping it, Qingbao’s call sounded close by. Ye Xiangting turned to find Qingbao gazing at her with sky-blue pure eyes. Her heart softened instantly.

"What’s Qingbao saying?" she inquired.

"She wants to eat them now." Qiao Sang interpreted.

Ye Xiangting promptly flipped the suitcase open again. "Help yourself to anything."

"Qing qing~"

Qingbao snatched a bag of candies, flashed a charming smile, and departed. Ye Xiangting lost her train of thought, lost in that grin’s memory. Moments later, she continued packing.

Preparations wrapped up quickly. Little Treasure removed his ring, expanded it, and deftly stored the luggage within. Ye Xiangting’s attention shifted to the pet egg on the coffee table.

"What about this pet egg? Leaving it exposed like that?"

Qiao Sang traced her mother’s line of sight and affirmed with a hum. "Pet eggs don’t fit well in Little Treasure’s ring. I’d miss the hatching if stored inside."

"Is it safe?" Ye Xiangting fretted. Running a pet breeding shop now, she knew certain eggs were delicate; mishandling risked developmental issues or death in-shell.

"No problem." Qiao Sang assured.

"Teacher Mikayla says this protector is top egg-care gear available. It supplies nutrients and resists shocks. As long as the egg remains inside, all’s well."

"That reassures me..." Ye Xiangting relaxed somewhat, only for fresh concern to arise.

"Won’t it get stolen?"

She recalled Liu Yao’s words from yesterday: a Dragon-type egg, specifically Little Thunder Dragon. Unfamiliar with the breed, she grasped Dragon-type eggs’ immense value. Online info was scarce.

Regrettably, post-championship, Liu Yao got summoned back urgently by a call. Funding approved, he rushed to study Blazing Hound evolutions. Otherwise, more details on the Little Thunder Dragon egg might’ve come from him.

"No chance." Qiao Sang smiled confidently.

"Even if they ignore me, Teacher Mikayla’s presence deters them."

Frankly, as a B-rank Tamer, she wouldn’t stroll with a Dragon-Electric dual-attribute egg unprotected. But beside an S-rank Tamer, one egg—or ten—stayed secure.

Before Ye Xiangting could respond further, Mikayla materialized in the room.

"All set?" she inquired.

"Yes." Qiao Sang nodded.

"Great, time to depart." Mikayla declared.

Qiao Sang shouldered her backpack with Lubao inside and scooped up Yabao.

"Xun xun~" Little Treasure drifted to the coffee table, grasping the pet egg’s device.

"Heed your teacher, and contact me upon Zidia Region arrival." Ye Xiangting, aware of the schedule, still showed parting reluctance on her face.

"I will."

Qiao Sang paused, then suggested: "Mom, since you’re in Central Hollow Region at last, explore a bit before returning."

Ye Xiangting smiled.

"No time for that. Post-championship, my phone buzzes nonstop. Fire Fang Dog prices elsewhere doubled, mine unchanged. Shop’s swamped, everyone demands my return. Tons to handle. Once calm, I’ll tour properly."

Yabao, cradled in his tamer’s arms, suddenly brightened his eyes.

"Fine then." Qiao Sang yielded. Though funds sufficed for her mother’s lifetime comfort, she knew her mom wouldn’t abandon her passion.

"Teacher, Qiao Sang’s in your care." Ye Xiangting addressed Mikayla solemnly.

Mikayla nodded faintly. "Rest easy, I’ve got it covered."

Thereupon, she, Qiao Sang, and the pets vanished. Ye Xiangting eyed the void, a wave of odd emptiness washing over her.

Outside Tianwang Hotel meanwhile, media kept airing: "Regional competition champ Qiao Sang resides at Tianwang Hotel. Unseen since last night’s entry. We’ll keep watch."

"Hovering over Qiao Sang’s hotel airspace, pushing for that interview."

"Time now 8:43 AM. Wondering if Qiao Sang’s up. After yesterday’s fierce battles, surely deep sleep claimed her."

"History’s youngest regional champ stays in the hotel behind me... Honestly, concern rises. She owns a Teleport-capable Ghost Ring King. Might Qiao Sang have slipped out already?"

---

One hour passed.

Airplane en route to Zidia Region.

First class.

Sunglasses and hat donned, Qiao Sang fixated on the purple-veined pet egg before her. Mikayla peeked from adjacent.

"Half an hour of staring already." Mikayla noted.

"Staring won’t speed the hatch."

Qiao Sang sighed in awe: "Never imagined the regional championship reward would be a Little Thunder Dragon egg."

Little Thunder Dragon, Dragon-Electric dual-attribute pet, stored external electricity for personal use. Emperor-level racial ceiling rendered its worth boundless.

Without Vice Principal’s—a researcher-breeder—verification, she’d doubt the competition organizers’ generosity.

Mikayla stated evenly: "Certain species gravitate to powerhouses. You and Yuan Tianlong shone brightly. Egg’s recipient wouldn’t displease the evolving pet regardless."

Qiao Sang blinked. "Meaning regional officials have a Little Thunder Dragon ancestor support?"

"Ancestor?"

Mikayla hesitated, then clarified: "Not officials collectively. Likely an administrator allied with that species’ ancestor, say, scouting top Tamers."

She paused, appending: "Resembles Flaming Star’s pet partnerships."

Qiao Sang blanked. Secretly, she pondered if Yuan Tianlong knew the prize insider, prompting his entry.

Mikayla eyed the safeguarded egg.

"Recall your aim. Little Thunder Dragon impresses, yet Interstellar Cup beckons. Emperor racial limit doesn’t guarantee this egg’s occupant attains it. Non-pureblood? Reassess."

To her, Qiao Sang’s gifts could snag superior contracts. For Interstellar Cup pursuit, pets demanded scrutiny, pureblood status included.

Qiao Sang regarded the egg. "I understand. But pet contracts hinge on fateful bonds for me. No fit? I’ll match it to a worthy Tamer."

At B-rank, authorities and Beast Taming Alliance permitted uncontracted pet carriage. Thus assured, Mikayla held her peace. Time together built trust in Qiao Sang’s instincts.

Even sans data aid or drills, Qiao Sang clinched regional title solo, surpassing expectations.

Suddenly recalling, Qiao Sang asked: "When’s Teacher Floridan arriving?"

"He’ll join us straight in Zidia Region." Mikayla replied.

"Planned Central Hollow meetup initially, but..." She grinned.

"Too much attention on you now. Early exit wiser."

Qiao Sang remembered morning’s window view, nodding vigorously.

---

8:30 PM.

Zidia Region, Youzhou.

Hat on, Yabao in arms, Qiao Sang exited the airport. Surveying, unfamiliar Ghost-type pets abounded, most folks owned one. Uncertain gazes converged on her.

"Xun xun..."

Then Little Treasure emerged clutching the pet egg, gawking at environs blankly. 

Abruptly, an excited yell: "Qiao Sang for real! With the mutated Ghost Ring King!"

Onlookers’ eyes ignited fervently. Thrilled and stirred, they stretched necks toward the sunglassed, hatted girl beside the Ghost Ring King.

Dragon Nation boasted 13 regions, each with competitions. Typically, unless pros toured widely, gained fame, or chased nationals, locals recalled only home champs.

Qiao Sang stood apart. Uniquely standout.

At 17, she innovated evolution chains, harbored endangered, mutated, alien, legendary pets. Multiple wielded Super-tier skills, toppling two-time champ Yuan Tianlong.

News-scrollers couldn’t forget her. Initial doubt fled at Ghost Ring King sighting—identity confirmed!

Airport exit erupted in frenzy.

"Xun xun?"

Little Treasure caught on, perking up with a flashy pose.

Crowd swelling, Mikayla commanded: "Let’s move."

Her words dropped; they Teleported away.

Kilometer-off roadside, Qiao Sang and Mikayla materialized.

"Li li!"

A leisurely cane-wielding elder startled, shrieking, cane clattering. She morphed into a 30cm Ghost-type pet, vanishing invisible.

Qiao Sang and Yabao gaped. Then the pet reappeared, grabbed cane, reinvisibled swiftly.

Qiao Sang: ...

Yabao: ...

Mikayla chuckled. "Local Ghost-type pets prove fascinating."

"Xun xun~"

Little Treasure, pet egg in grasp, sighed admiringly, signaling his fondness for the place.

Qiao Sang eyed him. "Just arrived and already smitten?"

"Xun xun~"

Little Treasure bobbed affirmatively.

"Any destination in mind?" Mikayla refocused.

Qiao Sang pondered briefly.

"You City Market. Heard Ghost-type pet goods abound. Little Treasure’s next evolution needs only Underworld Bamboo Flower. Checking availability."

You City named a market inside Youzhou bounds, not a municipality.

"Xun xun!"

Evolution item mention sparked Little Treasure’s excitement; he barked, querying immediate departure. Qiao Sang smiled, nodding.

"Xun xun!"

"Xun xun!"

Little Treasure buzzed more, orbiting with egg in tow.

Little Treasure’s antics left Qiao Sang amused yet exasperated.

Mikayla considered.

"I know of it. Zidia’s prime Ghost-type market. Head there now? Many items shine brightest nocturnally."

"Sure." Qiao Sang concurred, intent matching.

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