Beast Taming: Starting From Zero

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Qiao Sang turned to look at Shi Gaofeng.

Shi Gaofeng hadn’t expected to get slapped in the face so quickly, and he hurried to save face: “The remaining one percent who didn’t pass probably just lack the qualifications to be a professional beast tamer.”

Qiao Sang didn’t comment. From that brief battle just now, it didn’t look like the examiner had been as lenient as Shi Gaofeng claimed.

And that was indeed the case.

“That Wu Ding guy is really something.” Muttered a female examiner with tanned skin and a low ponytail, clearly dissatisfied.

“He just tests a couple of moves, then fails people if he sees their skill proficiency hasn’t reached an intermediate level. But if it has, he lets them pass. Evaluating E-level beast tamers can’t be based solely on skill proficiency.”

“Well, that’s not entirely true.” Said another examiner, a young man who looked about twenty, wearing a black baseball cap.

“Skills are foundational for beasts. It’s challenging for E-level tamers to combine different basic skills effectively, so the best indicator is individual skill proficiency.”

“An intermediate level of proficiency is a decent standard for E-level beast tamers, it’s not too high or too low. As long as they meet it, it’s clear the tamer has put in effort training their beast.”

The woman frowned.

“So, are you going to assess people based only on proficiency?”

“Of course not.” The male examiner said, rubbing his smooth chin.

“I mainly focus on the bond and coordination between the beast and the tamer. Skill proficiency can be achieved with resources and time, but the bond with the beast shows if someone truly has the potential to be a professional beast tamer.”

The woman’s expression relaxed, clearly agreeing with his standards.

“Maybe you should lower your standards a little, too.” The male examiner said, turning to her.

“You’ve already tested all morning, and no one’s passed under you.”

“It’s not that my standards are high.” She retorted.

“I want more beast tamers to pass too, but none of the ones I’ve tested have shown the talent for professional beast taming.”

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“See the one on the left? They call her ‘Don’t Even Think About Passing.’ If she’s the examiner, almost no one gets through.” Shi Gaofeng said in a low voice to Qiao Sang.

“She was the one who tested me last time.”

He sighed. “As long as I don’t run into her again, I’m 90% sure I’ll pass this time!”

Qiao Sang glanced at him and slowly said, “Given the universal rule that setting a flag guarantees failure, your chances of getting her are pretty high.”

Shi Gaofeng: …

“The one on the right, the examiner in the black hat, is more reasonable. About 55% of people pass with him.” Shi Gaofeng continued, clearing his throat.

“With these three on rotation, at least half of us here should pass.”

“You’ve certainly done your homework.” Qiao Sang chuckled.

Actually, she didn’t think knowing this would help much, they should’ve investigated the examiners’ beast partners instead. That would better inform her choice of which beast to send out.

Not that it mattered in her case… Qiao Sang looked over at her companion, Yabao, who was eagerly watching the current match.

Since bonding with Yabao, she’d decided that no matter which opponent appeared, Yabao would be her partner for the exam.

The assessment moved quickly, with a person finishing almost every two or three minutes.

“Next up, Shi Gaofeng.”

Shi Gaofeng’s examiner was the man in the black hat.

The E-level beast tamer test is the lowest-level exam for professional beast tamers. Each examiner has different standards, but there’s still a significant difference in skill between those who pass and those who don’t.

As a member of the Shengshui High School team, Shi Gaofeng naturally excelled among his peers.

However, there’s no age restriction for the tamer exam, and examiners don’t lower standards for younger candidates.

Shi Gaofeng had a rough start, but he and his beast, the Thunderberry Beast, had good synergy.

With a combination of a wide-ranging Sleep Powder and a Leaf Blade that could curve around obstacles, Shi Gaofeng showed potential that caught the examiner’s eye.

Seeing his skills, the examiner relaxed his standards slightly and let him pass.

Excited, Shi Gaofeng waved proudly to Qiao Sang.

“Move along after you finish, don’t disrupt the next candidates.” The black-hatted examiner finally said, exasperated as Shi Gaofeng kept waving for over twenty seconds.

Shi Gaofeng replied hastily, “I’m on my way!”

He shot Qiao Sang a look that said, I’ll wait for you, and left with an excited grin.

“Next, Qiao Sang.”

Finally, her turn… Qiao Sang shared a knowing glance with Yabao before stepping onto the field.

As soon as she entered, all eyes were on her.

A student taking the E-level beast tamer test wasn’t particularly unusual. Although rare, a few could usually be seen. But a beast tamer with a Flame Hound? That was something else.

Currently, no official evolution requirements for the Flame Hound had been released by the alliance, and there were no other confirmed sightings of a second Fire Fang Dog evolving into one.

In other words, this student was the only person in the world known to have a Flame Hound!

“I heard the Flame Hound supposedly has psychic abilities, but I’m not sure if it’s true.”

“No way. That’d put a Fire Fang Dog’s price at over a million. You see how the market price has risen, but it’s still nowhere near that.”

“She looks even younger than the last one. Can she pass?”

“Hard to say. Testing for professional beast taming is more than just attributes. Flame Hounds may be rare, but that doesn’t mean they’re strong…”

The murmurs were tinged with envy.

While the candidates whispered among themselves, the examiners were bickering.

“I’ll take this one. You’ve already tested three people straight, a break would do you good.” Said Wu Ding.

“Oh please, what’s so tiring about this?” The black-hatted examiner scoffed, preparing to step forward.

“We agreed: Five people each per rotation. This is only my fourth. If you want a turn, I’ll give you the next one.”

Yeah, like he’d let him have this chance. It was obvious he wanted to test the Flame Hound himself.

Wu Ding grabbed his arm.

“I’ll be blunt, let me take this one.”

The examiner in the hat sneered.

“Why should I?”

“I’ll treat you to dinner afterward. How about that new place on Xinghe Street?”

The other examiner wasn’t swayed; any beast tamer would jump at the chance to test such a rare creature.

Just as the black-hatted examiner prepared to refuse, Wu Ding threw in another offer: “Give me this test, and I’ll introduce you to my sister.”

The examiner paused, studying Wu Ding’s face.

Maybe… this wasn’t such a bad idea.

“What the—! When did Wen Lei get on the field?!” Wu Ding suddenly exclaimed.

The black-hatted examiner: !!!

He turned to see Wen Lei, who had been sitting with them on the examiners’ bench, already standing on the field.

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