Beast Taming: Starting From Zero Chapter 3: Moving Houses

"Mom, why did you hit me on the back of my head?"

Ye Xiangting clenched her teeth tightly.

"You managed to awaken successfully, so why the sigh?"

"The examiner mentioned my brain domain shows strong fluctuations and I should rest. But with just 20 days before the exam, won't this hold back my preparation?" Qiao Sang replied with wide innocent eyes.

Ye Xiangting: "…"

"What are you doing, Mom!"

"Mom!"

Only Cialiguo, who had emerged alongside Qiao Sang, stood there messily in the breeze.

"Cialiguo!"

…

Once home, Qiao Sang shut herself in her room and powered up her computer.

Her mother intended for them to visit the Hanggang Pet Beast Base that afternoon to pick out a pet beast, yet Qiao Sang turned it down.

In this world where Beast Tamers dominate as a key profession, picking the perfect pet beast matters immensely since most folks contract just one for life.

Beast Tamer ranks span from F to SSS.

F-rank Beast Tamers qualify easily: awaken the Beast Taming Manual at 15, contract a pet beast, and certify at the Beast Taming Center.

For E-rank, expand the brain domain by 10% first to allow a second contract in the Beast Taming Manual.

Then raise two mid-level pet beasts that have evolved once.

Follow that with a victorious 1v1 battle, officiated by the Beast Tamer Alliance's notary.

Only after all that does the rank update to E.

Many opt for insects with quick evolution times to fast-track mid-level beasts.

Still, mid-level insects remain feeble; victory demands top-tier battle prowess.

The former Qiao Sang, a struggling student short on knowledge, recalled only flashy-looking extraordinary creatures.

Without wins, how could she climb to higher Beast Tamer levels?

Pet beast selection demands high-potential, battle-ready options.

Heading to Hanggang Pet Beast Base now, she'd fail to identify names, attributes, or evolution stages. How to choose wisely?

Qiao Sang believed rushing unwise; homework came first.

She launched the forum and signed into her account, "Poor Student's Epic Reversal".

This handle screams the counterattack fantasy of every underachiever.

Rather than starting a thread, Qiao Sang scrolled through discussions. Pet beast culture here thrived, with countless new awakeners posting yearly.

Posts flooded in about pet beasts:

- [Top Picks for Newbie Beast Tamers]

- [Budget Beast Recommendations]

- [

- [Easiest Evolutions]

Her eyes fixed on the final one.

[First Pet: Dragon-Type? Yay or Nay?]

Dragon-type pet beasts boast legendary might.

Save for ultra-rare exceptions, they top the price charts among all pet beasts, reserved for the rich.

Even affording one barely means sustaining it.

Dragons demand years of nurturing for mid-level evolution.

Qiao Sang would shout a firm no if replying.

No way!

Yet if a dragon-type appeared ready for contract…

Qiao Sang scrolled past, ignoring the tempting frustration.

- [Sand Diggers: Nighttime Nightmares?]

The replies buzzed with debates.

"Bet the OP never endured a sleepless night with Sand Diggers. Warning: they grind teeth!"

"Why skip what they grind on?"

"My White Sand Fox says nope."

"Deepfur Turtle demands battle."

…

Beast Tamer society had perfected starter pet beast lists for rookies.

Little Fat Dove, White Sand Fox, Short-tailed Snake, Sand Digger, Deepfur Turtle.

These five cost reasonably, fit most budgets, and sport docile natures.

Train right, and mid-level evolution is guaranteed.

Forums brim with newbie talk on these exact five.

Qiao Sang's mom started with a Little Fat Dove, evolving to Fat Dove.

As flying-type, its bulk slows it versus sleeker flyers.

Newbies love it for the mighty Great Flying Owl evolution.

White Sand Fox packs fierce attacks but fragile defenses; hits hurt bad.

Sand Digger excels at burrowing, shying from head-on fights.

Deepfur Turtle, no water ties like typical turtles, shines in defense.

All earth-types—White Sand Fox, Sand Digger, Deepfur Turtle—spark endless comparisons.

But White Sand Fox's stunning looks make it queen for girl newbies.

Short-tailed Snake, poison-type, wields toxic fangs and lethal tail spikes for instant combat punch.

Contracting risks bites, possibly hospital visits.

Only tough-bodied dare it.

Qiao Sang pondered the choices endlessly, undecided.

Each has flaws, yet cheap prices and reliable evos shine bright.

Money dictates all.

Qiao Sang exited her room.

Mom lounged on the sofa, eyes on the TV.

"Mom, got 1 million? I want a Bubble Bell," Qiao Sang stated.

"Scram."

"Fine!"

Back in her room, Qiao Sang resumed forum surfing.

- [Black Market Beast Deals]

- [Wild Capture Tips]

…

Besides bases, snag pet beasts via black markets, beast betting, or wilderness hunts.

Black market beasts hide shady pasts; cash unlocks anything.

Beast betting? Pure gamble—could lose everything, pants included.

Wild captures suit D-rank or above.

Dangers lurk, taming extraordinary creatures proves tough; even contracted, obedience lags.

None suit her now.

Qiao Sang sighed deeply. Ideas aplenty, but reality cramped her style.

8:26 PM.

Qiao Sang shut down the computer, startled by the hour.

No dinner call from Mom? Truly mad?

She headed to the living room, but grabbed "Beast Taming History II" from the shelf first, unease nagging.

Door open revealed pitch-black living room.

No sign of Mom.

Quick bedroom check confirmed absence, so Qiao Sang flicked on the lights, flung "Beast Taming History II" on the sofa, and snatched matcha ice cream from the fridge.

She plopped down, ice cream in hand, TV flickering on, when the door squeaked.

Qiao Sang whipped around; eyes locked.

"…"

Silence hung heavy.

"Dinner time," Mom said, eyebrow arched, setting takeout on the table.

"On my way." Qiao Sang eyed her barely-touched matcha ice cream, gulped another spoonful—no waste allowed.

"Mom, why grab takeout today?" Qiao Sang asked, sliding to the table.

"Had errands, no time to cook, picked it up en route," Mom answered.

"What errands?" Qiao Sang probed.

Mom hesitated, then declared, "Sang Sang, let's relocate to a new place."

Qiao Sang froze mid-bite, baffled. "Why?"

Hanggang City, Zhehai Province's capital, boasts insane property costs.

This house, a pre-boom wedding gift from Dad's side, sat in prime Qingcheng Jiayuan—not top-tier pricey, but schools, subway nearby valued it over 50,000 per square meter.

Mom chewed, swallowed, eyed Qiao Sang, and pressed on: "Chatted with the agent earlier. Our 133 square meters fetch about 53,000 per meter now—over 7 million Alliance Coins."

"Plan's set: smaller house with down payment, rest buys your Bubble Bell, plus spare cash."

"I'll keep earning. Just a tighter home, life stays same."

Qiao Sang gaped, speechless.

Hours ago, no hint—now this bombshell.

"Mom…" she whispered, words failing.

Mom cut in: "Grades suck, sure, but self-awakened? Pure talent."

"Family's no tycoon, but any pet beast you crave, Mom delivers."

"Promise no study slacking—nurture it right."

Ye Xiangting hadn't pondered this till now, but daughter's superpower-type wish, plus self-awakening despite poor scores, screamed beast taming gift.

No prior self-awakener in family.

Thus, splurging on a pricey, high-promise pet her girl desired? Motherly must.

Qiao Sang's heart swirled. Only cure: finish that matcha ice cream.

Meeting Mom's gaze, she grinned: "Mom, you said I self-awakened with talent—I'll raise any pet beast fine."

"Just talk; no real Bubble Bell craving. Don't sell the house."

Mom rose for water, paused, then: "I know you want Bubble Bell. Self-awakened, so—"

Qiao Sang cut her off, dead serious: "Afternoon and evening research says Fire Fang Dog's perfect. That's my pick."

Bubble Bell ruled as superpower-type powerhouse, dragons, fairies, ghosts gleamed too—rare, mighty. Yet Qiao Sang saw them as mismatched for her now.

Like starters chasing gods blindly.

She craved a pet beast she could truly afford, raise, conquer with.