Beast Taming: Starting From Zero

The next day, at Shengshui High School.

When Qiao Sang arrived at Training Field No. 1, all the members of the school teams from grades 10 to 12, including both individual and group combat teams, were already present. The coaches for each grade’s teams were also there.

Students from each grade stood in three separate lines, resembling three distinct factions.

“I thought it would just be us. Didn’t expect the seniors to be here too.”

“The competition isn’t until tomorrow. What’s the point of gathering us today?”

These murmurs came mostly from the first-year students, while second- and third-year students were busy discussing their beasts’ conditions.

“I’m telling you, my Spikeberry’s physical stats are top-tier across all high schools in Hanggang City.”

“You sure it’s not on steroids?”

“Of course not!”

“Qiao Sang! Over here!”

Instantly, heads turned.

“Qiao Sang!”

“Here, here!”

“Qiao Sang! Come over! We’ve been waiting for you!”

Students from all three groups were calling for her.

Qiao Sang, a person without indecisiveness, walked straight toward the third-year team without hesitation.

Though she was a first-year, and had once been part of the second-year team, she was now officially a member of the third-year team!

“Alright, everyone’s here. Let’s talk about preparations and key points for today and tomorrow.” Coach Sun Boyi announced.

The coach’s voice immediately silenced the crowd.

“Tomorrow is the preliminary round of the National Campus Beast Mastering League. All 384 beast-taming high schools in the province will participate. Matchups for the first round have already been decided through a draw by the principals of each school.” Sun Boyi explained.

He continued, “Our principal drew Fuqi Beast-Taming High School as our opponent.”

Fuqi Beast-Taming High School... Qiao Sang racked her brain but couldn’t recall hearing about it.

“Fuqi Beast-Taming High School competed against us once in last year’s National Campus Beast Mastering League. First-years may not know them. It’s a school from the neighboring Hanwen City, generally ranked below average locally." Sun Boyi elaborated.

“Oh, Fuqi High. That’s lucky for us!”

“Nice draw, Principal!”

“I remember them, they’re ridiculously weak. This is practically a free win.”

The atmosphere lightened as students whispered among themselves.

“Quiet!” Sun Boyi barked.

“This is just the first round! We’ll have seven matches in total this week! Your job is to take every match seriously, not get cocky and assume victory after hearing the opponent’s name!”

The stern reprimand silenced everyone.

“Let me explain the rules for the first-years.” Sun Boyi continued.

“In the preliminaries, 384 high schools will be divided into 48 groups, each consisting of 8 schools.

“Within each group, every school competes against the others. The matches are scored using a point system: 3 points for a win, 0 points for a loss, and 1 point for a draw."

“At the end of the preliminaries, rankings will be determined by total points.”

“Only the top 48 schools from the province will advance to the next stage. Remember, getting into the top 48 is just the beginning. Our ultimate goal is to secure a top-three spot. Only those ranked in the top three will qualify for the divisional championships.”

He raised his voice.

“Understood?”

“Yes, sir!” The students chorused.

Satisfied, Sun Boyi nodded, and Assistant Coach Qin Wen took over.

“Before the competition, there’s one crucial task: Pet beast physical exams. We’ll head to the Beast-Taming Center now.”

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On the school team’s bus to the Beast-Taming Center.

Xu Yixuan scrolled through her phone, eventually opening a document in her notes app.

She turned to Qiao Sang and asked, “I’ve got detailed information on Fuqi High’s third-year team from last year. Want me to send it to you?”

Before Qiao Sang could reply, Xu Yixuan added, “Actually, never mind. It’s outdated. This year’s data hasn’t been updated yet.”

“Not that it matters. Their team isn’t much of a challenge for you anyway. Some of their third-years probably still have one beast stuck at the beginner level.”

Still at beginner level in their senior year? That’s pretty weak. Qiao Sang silently commented.

In truth, most third-years only had one pet beast. Having two, one at beginner and the other at intermediate, was already considered impressive.

But being at Shengshu High School and part of the elite team, Qiao Sang’s perception was skewed. To her, such stats were shockingly low.

It was like how straight-A students, always surrounded by fellow overachievers, might be baffled to meet someone struggling with basic academics.

---

At the Beast-Taming Center.

Upon arrival, the students disembarked for their pets’ physical exams.

These checks ensured no one had used performance-enhancing substances or short-term power-boosting drugs, both banned in official competitions for their harmful effects on beasts.

The atmosphere was buzzing with anticipation as Shengshui High School’s team prepared for their first steps toward the championship.

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