[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-beast-taming-starting-from-zero":3,"chapter-beast-taming-starting-from-zero-beast-taming-starting-from-zero-chapter-921":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Beast Taming: Starting From Zero",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1459767,1907,"Chapter 921: Burrow Rat and Leaf Stone","beast-taming-starting-from-zero-chapter-921",921,"\u003Cp>“Let’s go.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing that the Dark-Eyed Bird’s wounds had mostly healed, Qiao Sang didn’t wish to linger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t out of kindness, it was just that the injured bird had reminded her of Gangbao, back before they’d formed their contract, when the Little Steel Falcon was wounded and alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After speaking, she turned and continued walking in the direction they’d decided on earlier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After two steps, she suddenly remembered something. Turning back, she pointed toward the direction where the flock of Dark-Eyed Birds had flown earlier and said: “When I came, I saw your kin heading that way.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Dark.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Dark-Eyed Bird looked deeply at the human before it, let out a soft call of thanks, then flapped its wings and flew in that direction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Xun~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Little Treasure floated beside her, sighing softly as if lamenting that it was a pity to let it go.It could’ve helped them search for that so-called Lele Seed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides, if wild beasts were really that easy to communicate with, Qiao Sang would’ve saved every injured one she’d seen by now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To keep herself from saying that thought aloud, Qiao Sang simply acted like she hadn’t heard anything and continued forward along the planned path.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Atop the towering tree they’d passed earlier, the Dark-Eyed Bird that had flown away lowered its head, watching their figures disappear into the distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>---\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three of them moved through the humid jungle in silence, none of them took the initiative to speak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After what felt like ages, they crossed two ridgelines. Ahead was a broad mountain hollow, the view suddenly opened up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Night had already fallen. Under the pale moonlight, everything was still. A few wild pet beasts wandered past, ones Qiao Sang had never seen in this secret realm before. She immediately realized they’d likely reached another zone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, something occurred to her. Turning to Little Treasure, she asked, “Do you want Yabao to recognize you as the boss?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yabao, alertly scanning the surroundings, immediately turned to look.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Xun!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Little Treasure froze, then, feeling Yabao’s sharp gaze, waved his hands frantically.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had never thought about that!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yabao snorted softly and continued his watch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Good. It seemed the effects of the Truthflower had finally worn off. Qiao Sang relaxed and turned to Guo Ruiqi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you need to rest?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guo Ruiqi, exhausted, could barely speak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I… definitely do.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wanted to keep going, to find the Lele Seed as soon as possible, but his body wouldn’t allow it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qiao Sang surveyed the area.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then let’s rest here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ground was flat, vegetation sparse, a good place to stop. Even if a wild beast appeared, they’d spot it instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guo Ruiqi found a spot and collapsed without even bothering to lay out a sleeping bag.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qiao Sang turned to Xu Gehong. Just as she was about to speak, Xu Gehong met her gaze, then, without a word, swiftly pulled a sleeping bag from her pack, crawled in, and shut her eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qiao Sang crouched beside the sleeping bag.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t sleep yet. I need to talk.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s exactly why I pretended to sleep…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mikayla (disguised as Xu Gehong) mumbled drowsily without opening her eyes, “If it’s important, tell me when I wake up…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qiao Sang silently stared at the sleeping bag.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This Xu Gehong clearly knew far more than she let on, from the Tungsten Corpse Crystal to the Truthflower, she’d recognized both instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her knowledge was vast, too vast. Could such a well-informed B-rank Beast Master really have been so helpless under the effects of Nightmare Aura?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And that sound earlier… it definitely wasn’t from the Hidden Shield.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It sounded exactly like Mikayla's Spengami.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Honestly, if Qiao Sang hadn’t personally seen Xu Gehong’s red star array before departure, she would’ve thought this person was Mikayla herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But no Beast Master, no matter how skilled, could change the color of their star array.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After staring for a while, Qiao Sang sat cross-legged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, something yellow poked out from the ground ahead, a small, mouse-like pet beast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Burrow Rat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A ground-type Beginner-level beast that loved tunneling. It often peeked out of the soil, and was generally mild-tempered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the information surfaced in her mind, Qiao Sang took some snacks from her pocket, ones Yabao and the others liked, and offered them forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Burrow.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Startled, the Burrow Rat squeaked and ducked back underground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>About two seconds later, it carefully poked its head out again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qiao Sang extended her hand with the candy again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Burrow?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Burrow Rat pointed to itself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qiao Sang nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Burrow…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After hesitating for a moment, it took the candy and vanished underground again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qiao Sang’s ears twitched, faint chewing sounds came from below.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Burrow!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the noise stopped, the Burrow Rat popped back up, eyes gleaming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as friendly as the records said. Qiao Sang smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Want another one?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Burrow!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Burrow Rat nodded eagerly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How about this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qiao Sang coaxed, “You stay with me, help explore underground paths, and I’ll feed you treats every day.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She offered another candy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Burrow!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Burrow Rat gulped, nodded quickly, and this time stayed aboveground to munch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qiao Sang smiled in satisfaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gangbao and the Sleepbird could monitor the skies, Yabao and Little Treasure could guard the area, but underground threats were hard to detect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, with a tunneling pet like the Burrow Rat, they’d be much safer on the road ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Xun~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Little Treasure watched in admiration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qiao Sang gave him a discreetstay humblelook.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Qing qing?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qingqing Ni tilted her head and chirped, as if asking why she hadn’t let the dark-feathered one from before help too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Because that one’s a Dark-type.” Qiao Sang explained, knowing Qingbao was referring to the Dark-Eyed Bird.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They’re not as friendly as Burrow Rats. There’s risk in dealing with them. But this one’s harmless.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She’d said it loudly enough for the Burrow Rat to hear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Burrow!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sure enough, the Burrow Rat looked touched, like it had found a kindred soul, and patted its chest to promise it would scout diligently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Burrow.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then it added, as long as there’s more food.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Xun~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Little Treasure translated promptly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It felt good to be past the Truthflower’s effects again… Qiao Sang smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yap…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yabao was fighting to keep his eyes open, too wary to rest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Grave Spectre incident had shown him how much more dangerous this realm was than he’d imagined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>---\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Morning came. The temperature rose sharply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s move.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once Xu Gehong and Guo Ruiqi were awake, Qiao Sang stood and gave the signal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Burrow!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Burrow Rat popped up briefly, called out, then dove back down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mikayla wasn’t surprised, she hadn’t been asleep when Qiao Sang struck the deal last night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guo Ruiqi blinked at the little creature, then shrugged it off as a coincidence, until he noticed it popping up every few minutes, calling “Burrow, burrow!” and signaling that the path ahead was clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then did realization dawn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Senior Qiao… this Burrow Rat is-?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I met it last night. It’ll help us scout underground from now on.” Qiao Sang replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guo Ruiqi paused, then his expression lit up with understanding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So even wild pet beasts could be recruited for help inside a secret realm…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, only a powerful Beast Master could manage such a thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>---\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Days blurred into nights, and nights into days.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They searched mountain hollows, dense forests, caverns, valleys, along mountain ridges and cliffs, but not a trace of the Lele Seed appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qiao Sang’s hope dimmed bit by bit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How long has it been?” Mikayla asked, after commanding the Sleepbird to take down a few attacking flying-types.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Forty-three days.” Qiao Sang replied instantly, she’d been keeping count.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a pause, she added, “The mission I posted only said to enter the secret realm and assist, not for how long.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other words:Don’t expect extra pay just because it’s been long.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mijala’s lips twitched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I wasn’t implying that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good.” Qiao Sang’s tone was flat, she was starting to lose patience with her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Forty-three days.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All this time, nearly every battle had been handled by the Sleepbird.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only exception was when they’d encountered a swarm of hundreds of Advanced-level beasts, a dozen General-levels, and even one King-level creature, forcing that mysterious Hidden Shield pet to intervene briefly while hidden.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sometimes Qiao Sang felt having that teammate or not made little difference. Yet, the woman’s rare insights into exotic resources and beasts had saved them from missing key finds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still… her contribution was far less than expected. It felt like she was carrying two passengers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t you have anything important to do outside?” Mikayla asked casually.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.” Qiao Sang sighed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But for now, finding the Lele Seed is the priority.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If she failed, her mission would remain incomplete, meaning she couldn’t qualify for the Regional Tournament. Half a year’s work would go to waste.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Qing qing…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, she noticed Qingbao in the air, shifting into wind form and scouting ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Actually, even if she didn’t make it to the tournament… at least she’d contracted Qingbao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Burrow!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ten meters ahead, the Burrow Rat popped out and called, the road ahead was safe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yap!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yabao translated immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Any readings?” Qiao Sang asked Guo Ruiqi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“None.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compared to forty-three days ago, Guo Ruiqi looked darker, leaner, and steadier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This couldn’t go on forever. Xu Gehong’s earlier warning about time pressure echoed in her mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As she walked, an idea struck her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When the Lele Seed was captured...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She asked, “Do you think it still had freedom of movement?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If it was taken by the Dull-Headed Swallow.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mikayla said thoughtfully, “Then yes, it probably did.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guo Ruiqi perked up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Senior Qiao, did you think of something?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qiao Sang said, “I’m thinking, if the Lele Seed can move freely, it might be drawn toward something.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guo Ruiqi’s sensing range for the Lele Seed was only a hundred meters, and the same applied in reverse.But what if the connection wasn’t based on the contract bond, but something else?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She stopped and turned to Little Treasure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Didn’t we stockpile a bunch of Evolution Stones last time? Was there a Leaf Stone in there?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leaf Stones had an irresistible pull for Grass-type beasts, even those far from evolution.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Xun~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Little Treasure nodded and enlarged its ring, sticking its head inside to rummage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>About thirty seconds later, it lifted a gleaming green crystal triumphantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Xun!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Found it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So you plan to lure Grass-types with it.” Mikayla said knowingly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qiao Sang nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Leaf Stone’s energy should attract them from over a hundred meters away.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guo Ruiqi’s eyes lit up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This could massively increase their chances!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As expected of Senior Qiao, ingenious!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mikayla, however, frowned slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But if a Grass-type that’s close to evolving finds it first, it’ll absorb the Leaf Stone entirely.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guo Ruiqi’s joy froze into panic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That would ruin everything…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qiao Sang had already considered it. She looked up toward the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Gangbao, split it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Gang Zhan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without hesitation, Gangbao flapped her wings. A purple-feathered blade sliced down, cleanly cutting the Leaf Stone in two.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guo Ruiqi gaped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qiao Sang explained calmly, “A broken Leaf Stone can’t be absorbed but it still emits energy strong enough to attract Grass-types.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mikayla nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Exactly. The energy will still leak out, though it’s a pity to waste such a fine stone.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guo Ruiqi clenched his fists.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Once we’re out, I’ll buy another one to repay you!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s find the Lele Seed first” Qiao Sang said, placing the two halves on the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Qingbao.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Qing qing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qingbao materialized.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qiao Sang instructed, “Spread the Leaf Stone’s energy around.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A whole Leaf Stone’s energy was contained but once split, its exposed surfaces would constantly leak energy until it eventually faded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Qing qing~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qingqing Ni turned into wind, circling above the split stones, then expanded its breeze outward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, faint green energy spread with the gusts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yabao, shrink down.” Qiao Sang ordered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yap!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yabao shrank, and Qiao Sang lifted him into her arms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Little Treasure, tree.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Xun~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Light flashed blue, and in the next moment, they stood atop a massive nearby tree.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before long, one after another, Grass-type beasts began emerging from the forest, drawn by the energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guo Ruiqi stared intently, terrified of missing the Lele Seed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More and more gathered below, but none were it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qiao Sang frowned slightly.If only Qingbao could send the wind farther…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From this eight, she estimated the farthest attracted beasts were only about five hundred meters away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Qingqing Ni could extend the reach just a little more…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then again, the time for Qingbao's evolution…was tonight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-----\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>T\u002Fn: Ahahhahahahaha I'm freee! I'm freeeeee!\u003C\u002Fp>",2095,"2026-06-06T02:23:30.155Z",1,"novelbin.me","0c74906c99e225009058e65716031cc62cfeabf0c504668f2733afd4655303e4","beast-taming-starting-from-zero-chapter-922","beast-taming-starting-from-zero-chapter-920",1023,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fbeast-taming-starting-from-zero-cover.jpg"]