Beast Taming: Starting From Zero
Chapter 764: Explosive Fist

Just as one of the ball-shaped figures was about to reach Little Treasure, the one on the far right suddenly flickered and appeared behind Little .

It stretched out all four limbs, fully revealing its form.

Standing at about five meters tall, with brown and white fur, pinkish eyes, distinct markings on its face and neck, and a short tail-

It was unmistakably Elastic Bear.

“Elastic.”

Elastic Bear’s paws gathered dark-colored energy. A jet-black claw mark flashed in the air, slashing from behind Little Treasure toward its front.

At the same time, Elastic Bear’s figure appeared in front of Little Treasure.

The two spinning giant white ball clones vanished.

“Elastic Bear used its clones to draw Ghost Ring King’s attention and successfully landed a Sneak Strike!” The announcer shouted passionately, narrating the unfolding scene.

In mid-air, the small Ghost Ring King touched its neck, staring in disbelief at the brown-and-white figure not far away. It clearly hadn’t expected such a fast ambush.

The crowd erupted with noise.

Sneak Strike, a high-level Dark-type move that exploits split-second openings to deliver critical blows. It has a high chance to strike vital areas and deal massive damage.

Dark-type moves are strong against Ghost-type beasts, and taking a hit like that meant the match outcome was nearly sealed.

“This might be Qiao Sang’s first loss.”

“Seems like it…”

“Honestly, even though Elastic Bear’s main type is Fighting, its battle style is a solid counter to Ghost Ring King.”

“Wakhe’s battle experience is top-notch. He’s known for winning against stronger opponents. This win wouldn’t be surprising.”

“Yeah, Wakhe’s no pushover!”

“I’m just saying, he’s really strong.”

Suddenly, a bespectacled viewer stared at the field and said hesitantly, “Wait, don’t you guys think something’s… off?”

“What do you mean?” Someone beside him asked, playing along.

“Shadow of Darkness and Shadow Bind… they didn’t disappear.”

That sentence made everyone focus their gaze on the arena.

Then, almost in unison, their eyes widened.

Not only were Shadow of Darkness and Shadow Bind still active, but the mini Ghost Ring King, who had just touched its neck with a stunned expression, now wore a sinister grin.

And then, it vanished.

Someone’s eyes lit up with realization.

“Oh! That was a Substitute!”

The entire arena erupted in a buzz.

“It managed to use Substitute while also using Shadow of Darkness and Shadow Bind?! That’s insane!”

“The mastery level of all three must be off the charts!”

“No wonder Qiao Sang didn’t look panicked at all, she was totally prepared!”

“So where’s the real Ghost Ring King?”

“Above the Shadow Bind net!”

---

On the field.

Little Treasure reappeared above the web of crisscrossed shadows, completely isolated from Elastic Bear.

“Ghost Ring King used Substitute to move above the shadows!” The announcer’s voice grew more excited.

“Teleportation wouldn’t work for that position. It must have used Spatial Shift!”

The crowd blinked, then quickly processed this information.

Ghost Ring King had previously used Fighting-type moves like Brick-Breaking Break and Psychic-type moves like Psychic Headbutt, so adding a Spatial skill didn’t seem all that strange anymore.

Substitute. Spatial Shift… Wakhe froze for a split second, then his pupils shrank. He shouted: “Roll!”

Shadows surged down from all sides, rapidly descending toward Elastic Bear.

At that moment, the bear had its back to the sky.

Though it didn’t turn around, its master’s shout and the whistling speed of the shadows clued it into the danger.

Elastic Bear curled midair, trying to ball up and roll away.

But the shadows moved too fast, and without its earlier rolling momentum, the bear couldn’t escape.

Very quickly, shadows wrapped tightly around its limbs.

“Elastic!”

Elastic Bear struggled wildly.

But in the next moment, all the shadows wrapped around its entire body, leaving not a single gap.

Its muffled growls were also swallowed up by the darkness.

“Ghost Ring King’s Shadow Bind has finally subdued Elastic Bear!” The announcer declared.

From the wide-angle view, a net of shadows was laid out in the air, with Elastic Bear completely cocooned in shadow threads beneath it.

It’s bound... Wakhe’s eyelid twitched. Seeing the bear fully restrained, his veteran instincts kicked in. Without hesitation, he shouted: “Go all out!”

Just as he said that, the black shadows surrounding the bear bulged outward in the shape of a massive arm.

Boom boom boom!

It looked as if a monstrous beast was thrashing inside the shadow cocoon, its raw power terrifying.

Immediately after, the shadows trembled violently as if a savage beast was thrashing inside, giving off a terrifying aura.

But the shadows were incredibly tough. Even with the ferocious force battering from within, and bulging in resistance, there wasn’t even a tear, no sign of breaking.

Ultimate mastery…

Watching the struggle above, Wakhe suddenly realized that Ghost Ring King’s Shadow Bind might have reached the level of ultimate mastery, his heart sank instantly.

A loud wave of gasps echoed from the audience, especially Wakhe’s fans. Hearing their idol shout 'go all out' and yet seeing the shadows still perfectly intact, many couldn’t stay calm anymore.

Even though Fighting-type moves are normally ineffective against Ghost-types, the current 3D-mode Shadow Bind had become physical, and Elastic Bear, whose punches usually had armor-breaking strength, couldn’t break through it.

It was outrageous!

Just then, Qiao Sang’s voice rang out: “Swing it!”

“Xun xun~”

Little Treasure twisted his short toes.

The enlarged Ghost Ring King mirrored it, rotating its toes in sync.

The shadows binding Elastic Skin Bear were suddenly whipped into motion.

And almost at the exact moment the spinning started, the internal attacks ceased.

The rhythm was completely under the opponent’s control.

If this kept going, it wouldn’t work, it had to break out of the shadows.

Wakhe’s face darkened. He took a deep breath and shouted: “Break it open!”

“Go all out” meant using a Fighting-type move, but “break it open” was a direct command. Elastic Bear understood what its Beast Master wanted.

Despite the nausea and dizziness, it raised a paw and clenched it into a fist.

In a flash, a white and red light exploded along its entire arm.

“Elas… tic…”

Elastic Bear tightened its grip. The muscles in both arms tensed up instantly, radiating terrifying strength.

At the same time, the red glow intensified, searing flames burst forth, sweeping from its shoulder down to its fist!

BOOM!!

In the next instant, a punch filled with terrifying strength and blazing heat slammed directly into the shadows.

A massive explosion followed.

A flaming arm burst out of the shadows and appeared in everyone’s view.

“Elastic Bear has broken free of Shadow Bind!”

The commentator’s voice was filled with excitement.

The audience erupted in cheers and astonishment.

Everyone thought Elastic Bear would be restrained until the match ended, but to their surprise, it managed to give them such a huge shock!

“This Elastic Bear is incredible! It actually broke through an ultimate-level Shadow Bind! In all of Qiao Sang’s previous matches, once Ghost Ring King bound an opponent with Shadow Bind, it was basically over. I thought this bear would be no exception!”

“Could it be that Ghost Ring King’s energy is simply inferior to Elastic Skin Bear’s? And since it’s been maintaining both Shadow of Darkness and Shadow Bind, it’s exhausted too much energy.”

“That’s possible. In terms of energy, I think Qiao Sang’s beasts probably have less than other contestants.”

“Come on now, it’s not just about energy, Wakhe’s Elastic Bear is seriously strong, alright? That move, Explosive Fist, if it hits, it basically one-shots beasts of the same level.”

“Explosive Fist? That a real move?”

“It’s Wakhe’s original creation, a combo move combining Flame Punch and Arm Hammer. Normally, Flame Punch’s fire only covers the fist. But with Arm Hammer added, Elastic Skin Bear actually trained its whole arm to channel fire energy.”

Arm Hammer: A high-level Fighting-type move that delivers devastating blows with heavy fists, though at the cost of reduced speed.

This move, beyond needing raw energy, requires absolute strength in both arms and fists. When fully infused with Fire energy, its power far surpasses the regular Flame Punch, easily more than ten times stronger.

No wonder it could break through an ultimate-level Shadow Bind…

The crowd immediately pulled out their phones, eager to capture this stunning moment.

To think it actually broke free of Shadow Bind… Qiao Sang’s eyes lit up, not with panic, but with excitement.

As expected, fighting stronger opponents is the most fun!

With a spark in her tone, she shouted: “Big Hypno!”

Big Hypno?

Little Treasure was momentarily confused by his master’s command, but when he saw the enlarged version of himself below, he immediately understood.

“Xun xun~”

He moved his short toes, causing the shadows restraining Elastic Bear to drop slightly, bringing it level with the giant Ghost Ring King.

Boom!

Before Wakhe could even figure out Qiao Sang’s intent, another flaming arm burst from the shadows!

Immediately after, two fire-covered arms tore the Shadow Bind apart with brute force.

The next moment, Elastic Skin Bear’s head poked out from the opening.

At that instant, Wakhe suddenly understood what Qiao Sang had planned.

His pupils contracted. He shouted: “Explosive Fist!”

But, it was too late.

The moment Elastic Skin Bear lifted its head, it locked eyes with the giant version of Ghost Ring King.

And at that moment, Ghost Ring King’s eyes had turned purple.

Using Shadow of Darkness to cast Hypnosis doesn’t amplify the effect, but it draws attention to the caster’s eyes, enhancing its success rate.

Besides, Little Treasure is too fragile, and Elastic Bear doesn’t only use Fighting moves, it’s quick, reactive, and hits hard. Letting the real Little Treasure get close to cast Hypnosis would be too dangerous.

Having Shadow of Darkness use Hypnosis was the best move…

Qiao Sang analyzed the situation calmly.

Even though Little Treasure had never practiced combining these two techniques before, she had no doubt he could pull it off.

After all, when it came to Hypnosis, Little Treasure had already mastered it to ultimate peak level, it was his signature move.

“Elastic…”

Elastic Bear’s mind went fuzzy. A wave of exhaustion and sleepiness flooded over it.

Then came its master’s voice: “Hang in there!”

“Elastic…”

Elastic Bear forced itself to resist the drowsiness. It raised its fist and, with sheer willpower, summoned its energy again.

Instantly, fire surged up its arm once more.

Elastic Bear swung its Explosive Fist forward.

But just then, the glowing purple-eyed opponent vanished.

“Elastic…”

Its mind hazy, the bear still swung its punch instinctively.

It staggered. Its eyelids drooped lower and lower.

Boom!

“Elastic!”

Suddenly, a sharp pain pierced its skull. Elastic Bear jolted awake with a cry of agony.

In full-view mode, as Shadow of Darkness vanished, the real Ghost Ring King, shrouded in white light, slammed downward from the sky, ramming directly into Elastic Bear’s head.

What just happened?!

Most of the audience looked dumbfounded. Discussions erupted instantly: “Wasn’t Elastic Bear about to be hypnotized? Why would Ghost Ring King follow up with Psychic Headbutt?”

“I think it’s smart. That last punch might’ve made Shadow of Darkness disappear, no more Hypnosis. And if Elastic Bear could still attack like that, it’d likely recover quickly. Might as well attack now.”

“But I think the Hypnosis probably worked, Ghost Ring King’s skill level with it is pretty high.”

“Elastic Bear only got swung around in the Shadow Bind earlier, didn’t really take damage. If it’s only hypnotized, it might wake up after a while.”

Amid the chatter, Elastic Bear clutched its head and swayed.

As it regained some clarity and opened its eyes, it was greeted by those familiar glowing purple eyes, just this time, in miniature form.

“Elastic…”

Its mind fogged up again.

Wakhe had already planned how to counter Hypnosis before the match. He took a deep breath and bellowed: “Hit!”

To break out of Hypnosis, aside from extreme mental or spiritual strength, there’s another method, pain-induced clarity.

“Elastic…”

Elastic Bear forced its fading consciousness to form a fist, preparing to strike itself.

“Elastic!”

But before it could land the hit on its own head, another wave of intense pain struck.

Wakhe: !!!

“The Ghost Ring King attacked Elastic Bear again with Psychic Headbutt right after using Hypnosis!” The announcer froze for a second, then regained his voice with renewed passion:

“Ghost Ring King is now alternating between Psychic Headbutt and Hypnosis!”

“Oh! Another Psychic Headbutt!”

“Followed by Hypnosis!”

“Psychic Headbutt!!”

“Hypnosis!”

“...Psychic Headbutt!”

“...Hypnosis!”

On the battlefield, Little Treasure repeatedly switched between Psychic Headbutt and Hypnosis.

Each time Elastic Bear mustered the will to punch itself, Little Treasure's Psychic Headbutt would strike first.

Eventually, Elastic Bear could no longer lift its arms.

Even if Wakhe had commanded it to attack something else, it wouldn't matter.

After another Psychic Headbutt, Little Treasure prepared to teleport for one more Hypnosis.

But then, he heard his master’s voice: “That’s enough.”

Boom!

Following Qiao Sang’s command, Elastic Bear collapsed, eyes shut, completely motionless.

“Elastic…”

The announcer paused for once, then quickly resumed: “Elastic Bear has fallen! Is this the end of the match?!”

The audience fell into silence.

Ghost Ring King’s relentless Hypnosis and Psychic Headbutt loop had made even the spectators feel sympathy for Elastic Bear.

A Mechanical-type beast referee flew over and examined the bear.

After a few seconds, it blew the whistle that signaled the end of the match.

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T/n: Little Treasure's brutal for that. Anyways, I was actually not freed from jail(school) yet because I have a remaining research defense this week. We're double-checking every single thing so we can answer the panelist. After this week, I can say I'm truly free🥹

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