Beast Taming: Starting From Zero

Qiao Sang was still shaken.

The Fierce Arrow Fire Owl that had just picked her up turned and left in a dashing manner, as if it had completed its task and disappeared into the shadows, hiding its deeds and name.

Hou Xiangyu, sitting in the B section of the audience, watched in bewilderment as Qiao Sang and Wei Wenya were carried up to the stage by the Fierce Arrow Fire Owl and the Swift Swallow.

The awards ceremony started? What about him?

He was still the third-place winner, after all!

Why didn’t they come for him? No recognition at all!

Was he supposed to walk up there himself?!

Before he could complain further in his head, his body suddenly lost balance and appeared in the air.

"Ahhhhhhh!"

So this is what it feels like to see someone else getting carried up…

How embarrassing…

Qiao Sang made a decision.

If the organizers asked her to give a victory speech later, she was definitely going to curse a little in front of everyone.

The prizes were handed out starting with the third-place winner, and soon it was Qiao Sang’s turn.

The first-place prize was 200,000 Alliance Coins and a pet beast egg.

However, what was handed to Qiao Sang wasn’t the pet beast egg, but a voucher for selecting any egg from the Pet Beast Base.

The organizers were generous!

Qiao Sang recalled that the prize listed for first place was a random pet beast egg.

She had thought that the organizers didn't reveal the egg type to add some suspense, but it turned out she could pick one herself from the Pet Beast Base.

Although the voucher was limited to an egg worth no more than 500,000, this was much better than having an egg randomly handed to her.

The bond a Beastmaster shares with their contracted beasts is precious, and each choice must be carefully considered.

If she didn’t have a choice, it would be one thing, but if given the chance, she’d definitely choose something she truly wanted.

Qiao Sang had her eye on a water-type, grass-type, or flying-type pet beast for her second contract.

With this budget, her options had greatly expanded.

"Qiao Sang, what would you like to say after winning first place?" The host asked.

"First of all, I want to thank my mother. Without her support, I wouldn’t have been able to contract Fire fang Dog. Secondly, I’d like to thank Fire fang dog, who’s been with me all along. Without it, I couldn’t have won this competition. Lastly, I want to thank the organizers..."

After the awards ceremony and photo session, Qiao Sang approached San Duo, who was also in the group photo. "Mr. San Duo, I have a friend who's a fan of yours."

---

Qiao Sang returned to the audience.

The final part of the Bai Xin Competition was the drawing of five lucky winners. Unfortunately, Bai Yunmiao wasn’t selected.

"Genius Qiao! Are you going to check out the pet beast eggs right away or wait until your Beastmaster codex unlocks a second page?" Bai Yunmiao asked with a smile, showing no signs of disappointment.

"I’ll probably go to the Pet Beast Base tomorrow." Qiao Sang replied.

Bai Yunmiao was about to continue chatting when Qiao Sang suddenly pulled out a piece of paper and handed it to her.

"I just got this autograph from San Duo for you."

Bai Yunmiao stared in disbelief at the paper for a moment.

Then...

“Ah! Genius Qiao, I love you so much!” Bai Yunmiao threw herself at Qiao Sang.

"Yap!"

Fire fang dog, caught in the middle, yelped.

Bai Yunmiao quickly let go, fearing Fire fang Dog might bite her.

---

In a café near Shouke Park.

Soft, warm lighting cast a cozy and peaceful atmosphere over the walls.

A completely pink pet beast carefully carried a tray holding three cups of coffee to the table where two women sat by the window.

“Here you go.”

It placed the coffee on the table one by one, its long, almond-shaped brown eyes narrowing into a smile.

“And who is this?” Song Yuan asked.

“This is my friend, Bai Yunmiao.” Qiao Sang introduced.

"Nice to meet you." Bai Yunmiao responded, trying to act mature and composed.

Qiao Sang felt a bit helpless. Ever since she had given Bai Yunmiao San Duo’s autograph, it was as if Bai Yunmiao had elevated their friendship to a new level.

Topics they’d never discussed before suddenly came pouring out.

Usually, after leaving the pet beast competition arena, they’d go their separate ways, as they took different buses home.

But this time, when Bai Yunmiao heard Qiao Sang mention she had a business meeting, she insisted on tagging along, citing that at 15 years old, Qiao Sang was too young and might get scammed.

"Your friend is really pretty. As expected, a beauty’s friends are also beauties." Song Yuan complimented.

"No way." Bai Yunmiao’s face flushed red as she lowered her head shyly.

Qiao Sang: …

A little praise, and she’s already like this? Bai Yunmiao’s the one who’s likely to get scammed.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Song Yuan got down to business.

“This is the draft of the contract. Please have a look and let me know if there’s anything you’re not happy with.”

Qiao Sang took the contract and carefully read it.

Three minutes later…

“I can only sign for half a year.” Qiao Sang said, looking up.

“Why? Are the terms not to your satisfaction?” Song Yuan frowned.

The terms she offered were already quite good, considering that Qiao Sang had only just won first place in the Bai Xin Cup.

After the hype died down in a few days, she wouldn’t have the same appeal to attract customers.

The rest would rely on how well they could market her.

A one-year endorsement fee of 600,000 was a price she offered to build a good relationship, believing in Qiao Sang’s potential.

“It’s because Fire fang Dog will evolve in six months, and the contract is specifically for Fire fang dog, not its evolved form, Blaze fang dog. Once that happens, I’d be in breach of contract if Fire fang dog doesn’t appear.” Qiao Sang explained.

The glasses were designed to be a hot-selling product for a quarter, with a new product coming out every few months.

By the time six months passed, Fire fang dog wouldn’t be available to shoot for this product line.

Song Yuan: ...

Evolve in six months? Where does she get that confidence from?

The Bai Xin Competition title, maybe…

It’s not like she contracted something like a Cottonbug...

For a moment, Song Yuan regretted discussing this endorsement deal with Qiao Sang.

Many rookie Beastmasters, after winning a few matches, tended to get overconfident. Only after a while did reality hit them.

It seemed Qiao Sang was one of them.

"Fine, six months it is. If you have no other issues, I’ll print the formal contract based on this draft." Song Yuan nodded.

Although her opinion of Qiao Sang had soured slightly, she maintained her outward smile, as polite as ever.

However, Qiao Sang keenly sensed the change in her tone.

But she didn’t think too much of it, assuming Song Yuan was simply unhappy with the shorter contract term.

Once the contract was finalized and signed, the three of them casually chatted for a while before Song Yuan suddenly asked, “By the way, what’s Fire fang dog’s name?”

Qiao Sang froze for a moment, then hesitated, “Name?”

Song Yuan: ...

Bai Yunmiao laughed and explained, “She’s asking if you’ve given Fire fang dog a nickname. But I’m guessing you haven’t yet, right?”

Song Yuan chimed in, “That won’t do. When we start promoting, we can’t just call it ‘Fire fang dog’ all the time. It needs a unique name to distinguish it from other Firevfang dogs. What do you think of calling it Hanggang’s Handsomest Fang?”