Beast Taming: Starting From Zero

“Bo Bo.”

A pet beast with a minty scent darted to the side and let out a cry.

Just then, the sound of a camera shutter clicking suddenly rang out nearby.

“Bo Bo!”

The mint-scented pet beast was startled and instinctively jumped a step back.

The people chatting and laughing in the private room fell silent, glanced over, saw the pet beast identifier that had appeared out of nowhere, immediately understood what was happening, and then turned back to their conversation.

Little Treasure… Qiao Sang gave an apologetic smile to the mint-scented pet beast before stepping down the stairs.

The secret door slowly closed.

However, there were orange xenon lights lining both sides of the stairs, clearly illuminating the path downward.

A voice with the same tone as its own instantly rang out:

"You have me, what pet beast can't you scan in person…? Let me see… Mint Monster, a mid-tier Grass-type pet beast that emits a mint-like scent. This scent has a numbing effect on ordinary people, causing them to collapse upon inhalation."

"The pollen it carries, if consumed, not only clears the mind instantly but also enhances one’s sense of smell to that of a pet beast for five minutes, allowing the user to track the scent back to its source, the Mint Monster."

"But be careful, only Beast Tamers with developed brain domains can handle it. Ordinary people will be overwhelmed by the numbing effect of the pollen, leading to dizziness and paralysis… It's just a Mint Monster, why wouldn’t you scan it in person? You have me, you should be more confident."

This limited-edition pet beast identifier had a photo-taking function, allowing it to capture an image of a pet beast and identify it later. Little Treasure had figured out this feature within just two days of using it.

So that’s how it works… It seems that the drink she had earlier must have contained Mint Monster’s pollen… Qiao Sang suddenly realized but didn’t slow her pace.

She didn’t stop Little Treasure from using the pet beast identifier.

The scanner’s sound made it clear to others that there was an invisible Ghost-type pet beast beside her, making them more cautious even if they didn’t know what it looked like.

After descending for about three or four minutes, a spacious underground hall came into view. Stalls were neatly arranged, and most of the shoppers either wore hats or had high collars covering their faces.

Although Qiao Sang’s face clearly showed she was underage, she was over 1.6 meters tall. With a mask and hood covering her, she blended into the crowd without drawing much attention.

The items displayed at each stall were varied, with no proper descriptions. After browsing for a while, Qiao Sang realized she couldn’t recognize over 90% of the goods.

I need to expand my knowledge… Qiao Sang reflected, stopping at a stall and pointing at a silver ring with intricate engravings.

“What’s this?” She asked.

The stall owner looked up.

“A ring.”

“What’s it for?”

“For decoration.”

Qiao Sang: ???

You’re in an underground black market that only Beast Tamers can enter, and you're selling a purely decorative ring?

Qiao Sang was silent for a moment before asking, “How much?”

The stall owner looked surprised, as if he hadn’t expected anyone to actually buy it.

After a pause, he gave a somewhat honest answer: “100 alliance coins.”

Qiao Sang took out cash and handed it over.

After the stall owner accepted the money, Qiao Sang lowered her voice and asked:

“Do you know where I can find a Yin Dynasty Pearl?”

The stall owner thought carefully.

He didn’t have any on his stall, but since she had just bought something from him, even if it wasn’t expensive, he felt obligated to answer.

“Try stall B-13. They mainly sell items related to Ghost-type pet beasts.” He said.

Qiao Sang thanked him, stuffed the silver ring into her pocket, and quickly found B-13 using the stall numbers.

Yin Dynasty Pearl… Qiao Sang’s eyes lit up at the sight of a dark purple, almost black pearl on display.

“How much?” She asked.

The B-13 stall owner was a pale-skinned, gloomy-looking middle-aged man with no facial covering, seemingly unafraid of being remembered.

“800,000.” The man casually replied.

800,000… That’s low, not an S-rank Yin Dynasty Pearl’s price… Qiao Sang pondered for a moment before asking,

“Do you have an S-rank Yin Dynasty Pearl?”

The stall owner was startled.

“You want an S-rank Yin Dynasty Pearl?”

Qiao Sang nodded.

“Do you have one?”

“No.” The man shook his head.

Qiao Sang: …

“But you can go to the lower level’s trading area and post a request for one. If anyone here has it, they’ll contact you.” The man added.

There’s another level below? Qiao Sang was surprised but kept a calm expression.

“Thanks.”

The man smiled amicably.

Anyone who could afford an S-rank Yin Dynasty Pearl was worth befriending, even if there was a chance she was bluffing.

Qiao Sang turned to leave but stopped and returned to the B-13 stall.

“Which way do I go to get to the lower level?” She asked.

The man pointed to the right.

“Take the elevator over there.”

Qiao Sang thanked him again and followed his direction. Sure enough, she found an elevator.

A burly middle-aged man stood at the entrance, pressing the button for people.

Qiao Sang approached.

The man scrutinized her before asking, “Going out or going down?”

“Down.” Qiao Sang answered.

The man didn’t say more and pressed the button.

The elevator doors opened, revealing a ghostly pet beast inside, about a meter tall, with black eyes and a deep purple body.

“Going down.” The man instructed.

“In-in.” The deep purple pet beast nodded and pressed the button inside.

The elevator doors shut.

Click.

Just then, the sound of a camera shutter rang out.

“In-in.”

The deep purple pet beast grinned at the invisible Little Treasure.

“Xun xun~”

Little Treasure grinned back.

It had been a long time since he met someone who could see him whilehe was invisible.

Ding!

The elevator doors opened.

Qiao Sang looked out but saw no stalls or people, only five two-meter-long virtual screens in a circle at the center, standing out conspicuously.

Self-service transaction postings? Qiao Sang approached a screen.

She wasn’t unfamiliar with these, some Beast Tamer centers used the same system.

After quickly getting the hang of it, she posted a request for an S-rank Yin Dynasty Pearl.

The screen displayed:

[Please Wait]

Wait? How? Should she leave and wait, or stay here? If no one had an S-rank Yin Dynasty Pearl, would she have to wait indefinitely?

Just as she was contemplating, the screen changed:

[A transaction has been confirmed. Please wait in Room C3 for five minutes.]

Room C3… Qiao Sang glanced around and spotted a door labeled [C3].

No wonder it’s so quiet here, everyone’s making deals in private rooms… Qiao Sang walked toward C3.

Pushing open the door, she saw a small room about seven square meters in size, with two ergonomic leather chairs and a wooden table in the center. Nothing else.

She pulled out a chair and sat down.

About four minutes later, there was a knock on the door.

“Come in.” Qiao Sang said.

A handsome middle-aged Caucasian man in a black trench coat and hat entered, closing the door behind him before sitting in the opposite chair.

“You’re looking for an S-rank Yin Dynasty Pearl?” The man asked.

Qiao Sang nodded.

“Do you have one?”

“No.” The man said.

Then why are you here…? Qiao Sang almost lost control of her expression.

“But.”

The man continued, “I do have an SS-rank Yin Dynasty Pearl.”

Qiao Sang: !!!

Her eyes gleamed with excitement, but she maintained a calm demeanor.

“Name your price.”

“I don’t want money.” The man replied.

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