Chapter 65: No Will to Win
“Bang.”
“Again.”
“Bang.”
“Again.”
……
Inside a separate training room of the Jinyang Beast Taming Training Hall in Qinshan Base, Zhou Ming was conducting special training for his beasts.
Given the potential of Inkband and Vermilion Jade, as well as Zhou Ming’s current resources and capabilities, it was simply unrealistic to expect a significant power increase in a short time.
Therefore, he could only focus on improving their techniques.
As for what technique that was — naturally, it was the Mad Python Martial Way Zhou Ming had learned himself.
Of course, Ferocious Beasts were born with an instinctive understanding of how to channel power through their bodies. It was a natural ability that required no teaching.
Zhou Ming never foolishly believed that by teaching Inkband how to channel its strength, it could suddenly skyrocket in power.
What he sought to do was simply to dig deeper into his beasts’ latent potential.
After all, even if both used their strength properly, one might unleash eighty percent of its total power, while another could reach a full hundred percent — and that difference was already significant.
Zhou Ming’s goal was to help Inkband perfect its bodily exertion technique, enabling it to unleash even greater strength.
After all, Ferocious Beasts relied entirely on instinct when it came to technique — leaving ample room for improvement.
Considering Inkband and Vermilion Jade’s respective traits, Zhou Ming mainly trained Inkband on maximizing the power of its tail strikes — compensating for its lack of offensive methods beyond venom.
As for Vermilion Jade, he trained her to move faster, to fully display her innate talent in speed.
Controlling his beasts through his Spiritual Threads, Zhou Ming continuously refined Inkband’s tail attacks.
Under his command, Inkband darted forward swiftly, leapt into the air, and lashed its tail fiercely against the specially reinforced alloy pillar in front of it.
Once, twice, thrice…
For Ferocious Beasts, there was no need for flashy techniques — just one lethal strike was enough.
Moreover, time was limited.
There was no room to develop new abilities.
Training was monotonous. Under Zhou Ming’s guidance, Inkband repeatedly executed its tail strikes.
Only when blood began seeping from between its scales did Zhou Ming finally allow it to rest, administering a low-grade Nutrient Potion and Spirit Nurturing Pill.
During this period, Zhou Ming didn’t bother Inkband further, instead turning to Vermilion Jade’s training.
After less than two days, both Inkband and Vermilion Jade’s eyes were filled with exhaustion and confusion.
Fortunately, Zhou Ming remembered that he had a duel waiting, so on the third day, he stopped the intense training, simply feeding them low-grade Nutrient Potions and Spirit Nurturing Pills for proper recovery.
When he left the Jinyang Beast Taming Training Hall, that specially made alloy pillar was already covered in marks of all shapes and sizes.
“Zhou Ming, you got here fast.”
Outside the entrance of the Yuelai Hotel, Wang Yan was already waiting after receiving Zhou Ming’s call.
“Coming early lets you worry less.”
Seeing Wang Yan’s unusually serious expression, Zhou Ming patted him on the shoulder.
“Thanks.”
Wang Yan didn’t know what else to say to his friend.
“Haha, that’s not like you. Come on, let’s go inside and check out the situation.”
Seeing Zhou Ming’s confident smile, Wang Yan finally relaxed and led him into the hotel.
They entered and pushed open the door to a luxurious private room — two people were already waiting inside.
“Zhou Ming, this is my father.”
Standing beside Zhou Ming, Wang Yan introduced a man in his forties or fifties — with rough skin and a slightly plump build.
“Hello, Uncle Wang.”
It was Zhou Ming’s first time meeting Wang Yan’s father. Though the man’s appearance was ordinary, the firm look in his eyes told Zhou Ming that he was someone with responsibility — otherwise, he wouldn’t go this far to fight for his son’s future.
“Sorry to trouble you, young man.”
Rather than putting on false courtesy because Zhou Ming was his son’s friend, Uncle Wang’s tone carried a hint of genuine embarrassment.
“It’s fine. Wang Yan’s my brother — of course, I’ll help.”
“And this is…?”
For a man of such pride, having to rely on his son’s friend was surely uncomfortable. Understanding that, Zhou Ming smoothly shifted the topic aside.
“Ah, almost forgot. Let me introduce — this is He Yong, a Beast Tamer I invited through a friend.”
Zhou Ming’s eyes narrowed slightly as he looked at the man before him.
The man’s demeanor was overly gentle, his neatly pressed clothes and fair skin made him look more like an office clerk at some base company.
Such a person was either a true expert — or completely useless. Zhou Ming leaned toward the latter.
Not every Beast Tamer pursued the path further after awakening.
Some used the title merely as a stepping stone to climb social ranks, securing cushy positions within the bases.
For such Beast Tamers, Zhou Ming could easily handle them with a single Thunder Type-2 Revolver. If it were against a Mutated Animal rather than a Ferocious Beast, even a Blood Hunter Type-1 Handgun would suffice.
Still, since Uncle Wang had invited him, Zhou Ming kept his thoughts to himself and greeted politely.
“Hello.”
He Yong gave a faint nod in response, his eyes carrying a hint of disdain — perhaps because Zhou Ming looked too young.
“Wang Yan, everyone’s here. Tell the waiter to bring the food.”
Perhaps trying to ease the awkwardness caused by He Yong’s cold reaction, Uncle Wang turned to instruct Wang Yan.
“Uncle Wang, no need. I’d rather first understand tonight’s duel situation. As for food, we can have a victory banquet afterward.”
Hearing that, He Yong’s lips curled slightly — as if mocking Zhou Ming’s arrogance.
“This…”
“Dad, let’s listen to Zhou Ming.”
Though his father had hired He Yong, Wang Yan trusted Zhou Ming far more. If nothing else, Zhou Ming had ventured into the wilds twice — something He Yong couldn’t even dream of.
If not for their family’s lack of money and connections, Wang Yan would never have agreed to let He Yong take part in the duel.
To the Wang father and son, this duel was practically lost already. They were only holding on for the sake of face.
After all, their opponent had issued a formal duel challenge. If they refused, Uncle Wang might not even be able to keep his small foreman job.
“Alright then. Here’s what I’ve managed to gather — only general information, but it should help.”
He pulled several sheets of paper from a file bag and placed them before Zhou Ming and He Yong.
Though the pages were few, Zhou Ming took them seriously, studying each line carefully and analyzing the opponent’s strength in his mind.
In contrast, He Yong flipped through them perfunctorily, his attitude half-hearted. This made Wang Yan frown deeply, though in the end, he could only sigh and suppress his anger.
“By the way, it’s a best-of-three match. Don’t tell me, Wang Yan, you’re one of the participants?”
“Of course. How could I let you take the stage while I sit and watch?”
“Zhou Ming, this duel isn’t a life-and-death battle. We’ve agreed beforehand that if things go bad, we can concede.”
Uncle Wang explained the rules — the reason he had allowed Wang Yan to participate.
“Alright. I understand the situation. Then let’s wait for the time to come — and begin tonight’s show.”
Zhou Ming’s casual tone stood out against the tense atmosphere of the room, leaving the other three unable to tell what he was really thinking.