Beast Taming: Starting From Zero

"Yap?"

Yabao tilted his head, asking what was going on.

Qiao Sang stared seriously at Yabao and said sternly, "We need to make Lubao experience heartbreak within 11 days."

"Yap?"

Yabao tilted his head even more, looking confused.

"You heard right."

Qiao Sang said solemnly, "And only you can make this happen."

Only he could do it?

Yabao instantly straightened his head, wagging his tail, and stared at his Beastmaster with bright, curious eyes.

"You don't know, but Lubao can only evolve through heartbreak."

Thinking that the atmosphere wasn’t dramatic enough, she let out a heavy sigh.

"I've never seen such a tragic evolution condition."

"Yap..."

Yabao blinked, nodding in agreement.

Even though he didn't think heartbreak was that bad, since his Beastmaster said it was tragic, then it must be…

Qiao Sang continued, "Though the evolution requirement is a bit harsh, breaking the limits of life through evolution is what really matters."

"Yal!"

Yabao nodded enthusiastically but then showed a puzzled expression.

What did Lubao’s evolution have to do with him?

Qiao Sang looked at Yabao with a complicated expression.

"Lubao likes you. You’re the key to her evolution."

"Yap?!"

Yabao’s eyes widened.

Lubao liked him? That kind of like?!

"Yap yap!"

Yabao quickly shook his head, questioning his Beastmaster’s judgment for the first time.

No way! Absolutely impossible! Lubao was practically an elderly pet!

Qiao Sang laughed awkwardly, "I forgot to tell you; I misunderstood before. Lubao isn’t seven years old; she’s seven months old."

Yabao: !!!

Yabao’s mind went blank, overwhelmed by this revelation.

So, Lubao wasn’t old? She really did like him?!

Qiao Sang patted Yabao on the head, saying earnestly:

"So, to help Lubao evolve smoothly, you’ll need to act a bit more charming. After she likes you even more, you’ll break her heart, and only then can she evolve."

Qiao Sang had done some online research to figure out how to maximize the emotional impact of heartbreak.

She concluded that the more someone likes another, the more intense the heartbreak.

She thought this logic would apply to pets as well.

Now, the plan was to make Lubao like Yabao even more. Once Lubao's Healing Light reached its full potential, they could proceed with the heartbreak plan.

"Yap…"

Yabao showed a bewildered expression.

This task seemed so daunting…

"I know it’s tough, but Lubao likes you."

Qiao Sang said seriously, "Yabao, only you can do this."

Only he could do this…

"Yap!"

Yabao's expression shifted from confusion to determination.

If only he could do this, then so be it!

After communicating with his Beastmaster, Yabao walked out of the room with a sense of righteous resolve.

Just as he was about to step into the courtyard, he spotted a full-length mirror.

Yabao turned to face the mirror, glancing at his own handsome reflection and adjusting his angle a few times.

"Yap…"

After a moment, Yabao let out a helpless sigh.

It was all because he was just too handsome…

---

11:55 p.m.

Qiao Sang lay in bed scrolling on her phone.

Normally, she’d be asleep by now, but the thought of no classes over the weekend kept her wide awake.

She opened the chat app and checked the group messages.

The Invincible Shengshui group was abuzz with activity.

Unlike the freshman team, the sophomore team members could bring their phones during missions, as they needed to stay in touch with task issuers.

The latest message in the group chat was from Shi Gaofeng, posted just a minute ago.

Shi Gaofeng: Next week, I’m planning to take the E-level Beastmaster exam again. Anyone free and want to join?

Qiao Sang was surprised and replied:

Qiao Sang: You haven’t passed the E-level Beastmaster exam yet?

Shi Gaofeng replied immediately: Nope…

Qiao Sang felt conflicted.

The Beastmaster exam was mainly used to distinguish between professional and non-professional paths. Those who didn't focus on combat wouldn't usually aim for the test.

There were various paths a Beastmaster could take, and no need to cling to one.

There were exams for breeders, coordinators, and rune masters, too.

Some Beastmasters might never pass the D-level Beastmaster exam but could still be top-notch A-level coordinators.

Some Beastmasters could have a red star array representing a B-level Beastmaster, but their strongest contracted pet might still be intermediate.

These types wouldn’t even qualify to take the B-level Beastmaster exam.

To Qiao Sang, though, it seemed odd. Shi Gaofeng was a sophomore team member in the combat group; his comment suggested he’d failed the test once.

That didn’t make sense…

As Qiao Sang pondered, Shi Gaofeng seemed concerned about his image and sent a series of explanations:

Shi Gaofeng: It’s normal I haven’t passed. I just started my sophomore year, and I’ve only been a Beastmaster for about a year. Just look at the requirements for the E-level Beastmaster exam, you need two pets that have evolved once to qualify!

[Not just one! Two!]

[It’s impressive I even have two intermediate pets ready to take the test; you actually expect me to pass?]

[Only Wang Yao from our class passed so far, Xu Yajie didn’t pass either; I’m not alone.]

[But I’m confident I’ll pass this time!]

[Then Xu Yajie will be the only one in the sophomore combat group who hasn’t passed. Hahaha, a moment of silence for Xu Yajie.]

Xu Yajie suddenly joined the conversation:

Xu Yajie: Why bring me into this for no reason!

Qiao Sang was momentarily speechless.

Shi Gaofeng had a point. Achieving a contract with two pets and evolving them into intermediate forms within a year, all while passing the combat assessment, wasn’t easy.

Why had she subconsciously thought this was simple?

Without her special abilities, even if her mental faculties developed quickly, it’d be unlikely for Yabao and Little Treasure to reach their current skill levels.

Qiao Sang adjusted her mindset slightly.

In the group chat, Shi Gaofeng and Xu Yajie were passionately debating whose combat skills were worse, and the discussion veered further off-topic.

Shi Gaofeng: You’re calling me weak, but don’t forget you lost to me once!

Xu Yajie: I had my Plishoya, and you had your Thunderberry Beast. You had the attribute advantage!

Just then, a message appeared in the chat:

Qiao Sang: @Shi Gaofeng, when are you going to register for the E-level Beastmaster exam next week?

Lying in bed, Shi Gaofeng thought for a moment and replied:

Shi Gaofeng: Next Friday. It’s the sports festival, so we’re allowed to leave campus.

By next Friday, Little Treasure should have evolved…

Qiao Sang started typing:

Qiao Sang: Alright, I’ll go then.

Shi Gaofeng: ???