Beast Taming: Starting From Zero

"Releasing a clone takes time. If your opponent only has a few seconds to attack, you'll have to first summon the clone, then simultaneously use the fire whirl and telekinesis. Even if it's possible, realistically, the opponent's attack might land before you can even launch this airborne counter-shield." Zheng Baolong said with a silly smile but serious words.

Qiao Sang fell into deep thought. When she initially conceived the airborne version, she only considered defense and protecting Yabao’s fur, without considering other factors.

However, Zheng Baolong's words did bring something to her attention.

If it’s merely a matter of using the airborne counter-shield, there’s no problem. But in terms of practical use during a battle, the issues become significant.

Firstly, as Zheng Baolong mentioned, there’s the timing gap between offense and defense.

While her opponent only needs to gather energy and release an attack, she has to ensure that Yabao is airborne and that a clone is nearby to use the shield within the opponent's attacking window.

Secondly, the energy consumption is massive.

The opponent might only launch a simple water jet, but Yabao would need to summon a clone, create a fire whirl, and use telekinesis all at once, consuming several times more energy, a completely disproportionate trade-off.

Then there's the fact that the clone itself is a major vulnerability.

If the clone isn't next to the main body and protected by the counter-shield, the opponent might not have an immediate counter the first time, but any opponent who’s seen this airborne counter-shield tactic would know to simply target the clone, making the move useless.

In short, it’s flashy but impractical, with numerous drawbacks and limited battle utility.

Zheng Baolong’s feedback was undeniably timely.

If Yabao spent all that time learning the technique only to realize his flaws in the heat of a match, he would likely ruin her mood for the entire day.

With this thought, Qiao Sang nodded earnestly.

"Teacher, I know what to do now."

"I'm just giving you some small pointers." Zheng Guoping chuckled.

"Your idea is actually excellent; it’s just that practicing it is too difficult. The ground-based version is already great; you don’t need to complicate things at your age."

These words were simply his attempt to dissuade Qiao Sang from practicing the airborne counter-shield.

If someone other than Qiao Sang had come up with this idea, he’d probably scold them directly.

Combination moves that integrate two skills smoothly always require extensive training.

You first have to consider whether the beast even has the ability to use both skills simultaneously, and then, whether their internal energy won’t clash when activating both skills.

And Qiao Sang's airborne counter-shield idea isn't just two skills in tandem.

Clone, fire whirl, telekinesis.

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That’s three!

Even many professional beast tamers wouldn’t be able to do that!

But because it was Qiao Sang, Zheng Guoping’s first thought was: Only a genius could think like this. At such a young age, already considering combo techniques. Her potential is limitless...

"I understand, but I still feel it’s better to use this move in the air." Qiao Sang said, looking in Yabao’s direction.

Zheng Guoping paused, surprised.

"Didn’t you just say you knew what to do?"

Qiao Sang nodded, saying, "Thank you for reminding me, Teacher. Having the clone control the main body to spin has too many drawbacks. I’ve decided to let Yabao spin on his own in the air."

Zheng Guoping: ???

What on earth? Qiao Sang’s words left him utterly dumbfounded!

When did he ever say having the clone control the main body to spin was a disadvantage? He hadn’t even mentioned it!

"I was just saying that if your opponent initiates an attack, using the airborne version of the counter-shield might be too late." Zheng Guoping repeated his earlier persuasion.

Of course, this was an excuse to make her give up, the real reason being he thought this move was impossible to master.

"I understand." Qiao Sang said seriously.

"So I’ll skip the clone step. If I can get Yabao to spin on his own in the air while using the fire whirl, there’ll be plenty of time for defense."

Zheng Guoping paused, realizing she had a point...

But that was just his excuse!

Should he just come out and say, "Don’t practice this move; it's a waste of time and energy because it’s impossible to master"?

Even without the clone, coordinating telekinesis with the flame vortex is still a combo!

"If you want to use two skills simultaneously, the skill proficiency needs to be very high." Zheng Guoping said tactfully.

Coordinating two skills requires proficiency, no doubt about it. The higher the proficiency, the more effective the combo.

This is a headache for most professional beast tamers.

Improving proficiency takes time. Without that, no matter how good the concept is, it’s just theory.

"I understand, Teacher." Qiao Sang nodded.

"I’ll work on improving Yabao’s telekinesis and fire whirl proficiency next."

Zheng Guoping: ...

He really couldn’t keep up with a genius’s thought process...

---

8:01 PM.

Yabao and Little Treasure sat side by side, watching Qiao Sang sitting cross-legged on the sofa, munching on an apple.

"I’ve modified the counter-shield. Instead of having the clone control the main body to spin, Yabao, you’ll spin yourself." Qiao Sang said, taking a bite of the apple.

"Let’s practice at about a centimeter off the ground so it won’t hurt if you fall."

"Once you can spin without getting dizzy, we’ll start allocating some time to practice telekinesis and the fire whirl together."

"Yap!"

Yabao wagged his tail, signaling no problem.

"Xun..."

Little Treasure pouted, disappointed he wouldn’t be helping with the spinning. He actually found that part fun.

Qiao Sang smiled at Little Treasure.

"You can spin by yourself if you want."

"Xun."

Little Treasure quickly shook his head. Spinning himself was nowhere near as fun as spinning others.

"Yap?"

Yabao blinked, looking over at his buddy.

So, he was helping spin him just for fun?

Little Treasure: ...

Before bed, Qiao Sang went to the sink and picked up the milk bottle she’d left there in the morning.

Still full.

She twisted the cap.

It had been opened.

Qiao Sang couldn’t help but smile.

Tsk, drank it again…

---

Late at night, with everything quiet and still.

Outside Room 1705, where Qiao Sang lived, crouched a figure under a palm tree.

"I assure you, what you saw this morning was either a mirage or an accident." The chubby security guard said, looking down at his reluctant Water Snail.

"You likely encountered the Water Luriana we’re looking for. It might know the Mirage skill, and what you saw was probably just an illusion it created."

"Drip?"

Water Snail turned to him, its innocent eyes looking up at its beast tamer.

Really?

"Really, I swear." The chubby guard raised three fingers in an oath.

"At this hour, you’ll find everyone inside asleep. There’s no way you’ll run into anyone. If I’m lying, may I stay single forever."