Beast Taming: Starting From Zero

Chapter 218: Barrier

This was the first time she encountered a move specifically designed to counter ghost-types in battle.

However… it was no big deal.

Even though See Through could reveal Little Treasure's location, it required direct eye contact to be effective.

And for Little Treasure, who needed to lock eyes to cast Hypnosis, this presented the perfect opportunity.

“Hypnosis.”

Following Qiao Sang’s command, the now-visible Little Treasure appeared, his purple-glowing eyes meeting those of the dazed Hunshi Bear.

Four eyes locked, red against purple, and drowsiness overcame Hunshi Bear. Its body swayed from side to side, eyelids growing heavy.

“It’s over, it’s over, that’s it for him.”

“Another one taken down by Hypnosis.”

“I’ve gotta say, this Treasure-Seeking Ghost has some impressive skills for just a basic beast.”

“Don’t count Xue Chuhua out just yet! He was on the school team, after all; he’s not that easy to beat.”

“True, that Mind… Shadow Control skill barely did anything to Hunshi Bear.”

As the crowd chattered, Xue Chuhua took a deep breath and shouted, “Spicy Beef Burger!”

Hunshi Bear’s ears twitched, and its swaying stopped.

“Seven-layer Cheese Burger with Egg!” Xue Chuhua continued.

Hunshi Bear’s eyes popped open.

“And the Super Mega Burger within a Burger!”

“Grraaah!”

Hunshi Bear snapped out of its drowsiness, eyes no longer glazed, its gaze now scanning the area excitedly.

Where? Where’s the food?!

Seeing this, Xue Chuhua smirked and added one last temptation: “Win this match, and I’ll buy you a hundred of each!”

“HUUUUN!”

Guzzly Bear let out an ecstatic roar, its gaze now fully focused on Little Treasure, brimming with fighting spirit.

Qiao Sang: !!!

Honestly, this was the first time in her career as a Beast Master that she’d ever been so stunned in battle.

A master-level Hypnosis, dispelled just like that.

Could this be… the power of a foodie?!

Little Treasure wore a matching look of shock.

His Hypnosis… had failed on this guy?

“Rocket Headbutt!” Xue Chuhua, spotting Little Treasure’s momentary shock, seized the opportunity and issued his command.

“Huuuun!”

In the blink of an eye, the massive Hunshi Bear leapt, charging toward Little Treasure, white energy condensing above its head as the wind whipped around uts body from the speed.

If this hit connected, Little Treasure’s defenses would likely be obliterated in one blow.

Everyone held their breath as they watched the scene unfold.

“Is he finally about to win?!"

“It’s the 50th match; she should go down by now.”

“Xue Chuhua’s got some tricks, using food to pull Hunshi Bear out of Hypnosis.”

“That Rocket Headbutt, forget Treasure-Seeking Ghost, even my Armor Beast couldn’t withstand that!”

Though Qiao Sang was surprised, she continued observing the field calmly.

She had already thought of the most reliable way to win as soon as Hunshi Bear appeared.

That was to rely purely on dodging, wearing him down until his energy was exhausted.

Hunshi Bear had strong offense and defense, but its slow reaction speed was widely known.

And with Little Treasure’s Teleport, he could practically run circles around Hunshi Bear. As long as Hunshi Bear kept attacking and burning energy, it’d be the first to wear out.

But now Qiao Sang had a change of heart.

Since Little Treasure was born, she had taken care of him. She might not know every thought of his, but she could guess accurately enough.

From his expression and his reluctance to hide and use Hypnosis, instead controlling his opponent from a distance with Telekinesis, she could tell he was likely getting tired.

In the previous dozens of matches, Little Treasure had fought solely on his instincts.

Now, against Hunshi Bear, with his limited battle experience, he was clearly outmatched.

They say beasts learn rapidly in the early stages, absorbing everything their Beast Masters teach them.

If they won this match by relying on evasion alone, Little Treasure might instinctively resort to avoidance when encountering stronger opponents in future battles.

Moreover, with him already appearing to have lost enthusiasm, it was best to end this quickly.

Although Qiao Sang had considered her options thoroughly, only two seconds had passed in reality.

With Hunshi Bear’s rapid change in pace, Little Treasure was caught off guard by the sudden attack, freezing momentarily.

Then, he heard his Beast Master’s voice.

“Barrier.”

Barrier?

Little Treasure, though bewildered, instinctively raised his tiny toe, channeling his internal energy.

A faintly transparent barrier, only about 20 centimeters wide, formed in front of him.

Staring at the massive figure charging towards him, Little Treasure’s eyes widened, his heart racing.

“Xun…”

How terrifying…

This barrier wouldn’t hold up, right? It’s not even as big as the bear’s head…

Then, he heard his Beast Master’s next command:

“Use Shadow Control on the shadow on the barrier!”

The shadow on the barrier?

Little Treasure glanced at the barrier and indeed saw Hunshi Bear’s shadow on it.

“Xun!”

Excitedly, Little Treasure touched the barrier with his tiny toe.

Just as Hunshi Bear was about to hit, he abruptly stopped in his tracks, barely a centimeter away.

The audience, who thought the Treasure-Seeking Ghost couldn’t withstand Rocket Headbutt, fell silent.

The next second, a wave of noise exploded.

“What?! Is that even possible?!”

“I told you the Treasure-Seeking Ghost was using Shadow Control earlier, but you didn’t believe me!”

“Telekinesis can’t control Hunshi Bear, but Shadow Control can!”

“Well, duh. Telekinesis requires constantly increasing power to match the target’s size and energy, but Shadow Control only needs to control the shadow. That’s why it’s a high-tier skill!”

“By the way, can a barrier cast shadows?”

“How’d you even get accepted here?”

“I was recruited as a special case; why?”

“Oh, that explains it. Shadows are cast when an object blocks light. Look at the lighting here, the whole place is brightly lit. With Hunshi Bear charging directly at the barrier, his shadow would naturally appear on it. But for Qiao Sang to think of combining Barrier and Shadow Control this fast, that’s something.”

On the field:

“Now, keep making it spin in circles!” Qiao Sang issued her final command.

“Xun!”

Without needing a reminder, Little Treasure began gleefully spinning Hunshi Bear around in circles, twirling his tiny toe on the barrier for fun.

“GRRRAAAAH!”

Hunshi Bear cried out in frustration.

“Don’t give up! Break free! Think about the Super Mega Burger within a Burger!” Xue Chuhua shouted.

“GRRRAAAAH!”

Tears welled in Hunshi Bear’s eyes.

It wanted to, but it couldn’t move!

Ultimately, Xue Chuhua had underestimated the strength of a high-tier skill. After forty seconds of wailing, Hunshi Bear went silent.

“Xun~”

Seeing Hunshi Bear fall, Little Treasure floated over to his Beast Master, eager to celebrate.

But then he remembered something, his body suddenly swaying, a fatigued look in his eyes as he gazed up pitifully at her.

“Xun…”

Qiao Sang: …

What an act…

“Hunshi Bear is unable to fight. Qiao Sang…” The referee, the female teacher, announced the outcome.

Just then, Xue Chuhua interrupted, “Teacher, I still have one more beast. She hasn’t won just yet.”

The teacher paused, correcting herself.

“Hunshi Bear is unable to fight. Qiao Sang wins the first round.”

She then turned to Qiao Sang and asked, “Would you like to replenish energy now?”

Qiao Sang shook her head.

“No need. I also have another beast; it’s time to bring him out.”