Beast Taming: Starting From Zero

Chapter 110: Energy Testing Machine

It turns out that the competition includes not only battles but also coordination contests, with both individual and team categories.

Qiao Sang finally understood why there were pet beasts like Little Ball Pofu, which weren't adept at solo combat.

In team battles, Little Ball Pofu could act as a healer with its recovery skills. If it had vine-like abilities, it could control the battlefield, and if it could use Leaf Blade, it could even serve as a harasser. It was definitely the best choice for team fights.

Even if it didn't participate in battles, its appearance alone made it a good fit for the coordination group.

“There’s an important reason why you’ve been chosen. Your synchronization and cooperation with your pet beasts far exceed those of other freshmen. While they’re still struggling with how to bond with their beasts, you can already command yours in battle. That’s your talent.” Qin Wen praised them loudly.

“Some of you might not be the best in other areas, but when it comes to nurturing pet beasts, you’re the top!” Her words ignited a spark in everyone, and even Jin Feifan, who had been trying to blend into the background, straightened up slightly.

Only Qiao Sang was left puzzled.

Commanding pet beasts in battle?

Wasn’t forming a contract enough?

Qin Wen noticed their reactions and shifted her tone.

“Let me make this clear: While you’re the school’s initial selection, you’re not the final choice. I hope that through this training, all of you make it into the final team, rather than being replaced halfway through.”

Qiao Sang quietly mused. Praising them and then reminding them of the difficulty of this opportunity... Classic teacher tactics.

Sure enough, everyone stood even straighter.

“Enough talk.” Qin Wen said, pointing to an energy testing machine beside her.

“Let’s test your energy levels. Line up and have your pet beasts put on the testing helmets.”

The energy tester was different from a force tester. The latter measured strength, while the energy tester gauged the energy levels within the pet beast’s body.

In short, it was a high-tech product far more expensive than a force tester.

Qiao Sang couldn’t help but feel a little uneasy about the machine.

However, since it only involved wearing a helmet instead of skill-testing, she thought it shouldn't be too big of a deal.

“We're not testing this for the battle group selection, are we?” Zheng Yining asked quietly.

“It’s quite possible.” Qiao Sang nodded.

Energy levels indicate a pet beast’s endurance and the power of its skills, which are crucial in battle. In coordination contests, they’re less relevant.

“Oh no! If I’d known we were doing this on the first day, I would’ve fed Long-Eared Cat more energy food this morning.” Zheng Yining panicked.

Energy food takes time to digest, so if it was just consumed, the test result could be slightly off, though not by much.

Qiao Sang glanced at Long-Eared Cat, elegantly licking its paws, and said, “I think Long-Eared Cat is more suited for coordination contests.”

Zheng Yining sighed, “I know, but Long-Ears isn’t interested in coordination contests. It only likes battles.”

Qiao Sang blinked, looking again at Long-Eared Cat licking its paws.

Looks really can be deceiving…

Suddenly, she turned to Jin Feifan beside her and asked, “Do you have a group in mind?”

Jin Feifan shyly replied, “Both Little Ball and I want to join the coordination group.”

“Ball.” Little Ball Pofu echoed weakly from beside her.

Qiao Sang nodded; she wasn’t surprised by that.

As they chatted, the line moved quickly, and soon the first person’s test was complete.

“Wang Jihang, 2602.” Qin Wen announced, reading from the screen connected to the helmet.

For a beginner pet beast, with energy values ranging from 1 to 10,000, this was a decent result for a newly contracted beast.

Luo Qian stood nearby, taking notes.

“Next.” Qin Wen said as she reached to remove the helmet from the Bubble Bell.

But Bubble Bell dodged, tilting its head.

Qin Wen, surprised, tried again, but this time Bubble Bell floated upward, still wearing the helmet.

“Bell.” Bubble Bell laughed, thinking it was playing a game.

“Wang Jihang.” Qin Wen called, exasperated.

“Ling King, behave and take off the helmet.” Wang Jihang rushed forward, pleading.

“Bell.” Bubble Bell called out to its trainer, then floated in the opposite direction.

Qiao Sang: ...

And they expect this to follow battle commands?

Fortunately, the helmet was connected by a cord, so Bubble Bell didn’t float too far.

The tests continued smoothly.

Out of the first ten people, the highest score was 5630 from Lu You's Little Dragon, and the lowest was 911 from Peng Xiaoyuan's Pointed-beak sparrow.

Zheng Yining returned dejectedly, holding her freshly tested Long-Eared Cat.

With an energy score of 1156, she knew she wouldn’t make it into the top six if the groups were based on energy levels. Especially since there was still the formidable Qiao Sang.

“Next.”

Qiao Sang stepped forward.

The other 11 people all turned to watch her, giving her their full attention. Especially Lu You and Lu Liangye, who had both lost to her before, stared at her intently.

Rivalry among peers is natural, and Lu You had never lost to anyone after contracting Little Dragon—until he met Qiao Sang…

Lu You glared at her back.

After losing to her, he’d watched every one of her subsequent matches in the Bai Xin Competition.

He had to admit, she was much stronger in battle than him. She even managed to defeat Kong Cheng's Scale Controller Doll with her Fire Fang Dog.

But still, a part of him believed that given more time, he could beat her.

After all, he had contracted a dragon-type pet beast, Little Dragon, while Qiao Sang had a Fire Fang Dog.

In terms of both elemental advantages and future growth potential, he was sure he had the upper hand.

He hadn’t expected to see her again, but there she was, a freshman at Shengshui High School, just like him.

And now she even had a Treasure-Seeking Ghost.

But still, if her Fire Fang Dog’s energy level was lower than Little Dragon’s, he could comfort himself.

He just needed time…

“Xun~” Little Treasure eagerly floated over.

He had been itching to try out the machine after watching from the back.

Meanwhile, Yabao remained lost in thought in his trainer’s arms.

Not training today felt a bit dull...

Qin Wen snapped back to attention and placed the helmet on the Treasure-Seeking Ghost’s head.

“Qiao Sang, Treasure-Seeking Ghost, 1388.”

Qiao Sang was stunned when she heard the number. Others might not know, but she was well aware that Little Treasure wasn’t even a month old yet.

His score ranked seventh among all the pet beasts tested so far.

Is that too high?

After reporting the score, Qin Wen reached out to remove the helmet.

But Little Treasure tilted his head, avoiding her, and stared at her with wide eyes.

Qin Wen: ...

“Qiao Sang.” Qin Wen called, addressing her directly.

Qin Wen silently shook her head. While this girl was undeniably talented, contracting both a fire-type and a ghost-type beast was a bit ambitious.

Training them to work together would take a lot of time and effort.

She knew the Fire Fang Dog wouldn’t be a problem, but this Treasure-Seeking Ghost…

“Little Treasure.” Qiao Sang called.

“Xun~” Little Treasure responded obediently, lifting his own paws to remove the helmet.

Qin Wen: ...!

Everyone stared in disbelief at the Treasure-Seeking Ghost's actions, then turned, almost in unison, to look at Wang Jihang.

Wang Jihang, his face flushed with embarrassment, snapped, “What are you looking at me for!”