“Releasing a clone takes time. An opponent's attack might only last a few short seconds. By the time you condense a clone and then simultaneously release a Fire Vortex and use Telekinesis—setting aside whether it's even possible—objectively speaking, the opponent's attack will have already landed before you even have time to deploy the aerial version of this Repelling Shield.” Zheng Baolong had a silly grin on his face, yet he was speaking with complete seriousness.
Qiao Sang fell into deep thought. When she first thought of this aerial version, she had only considered defense and the issue of protecting Yabao's fur; she hadn't thought of anything else.
However, Zheng Baolong's words served as a reminder.
If it were simply a matter of deploying the aerial Repelling Shield, it wouldn't be a big deal. But when it came to practical utility in a battle competition, the problems were immense.
First, as Zheng Baolong mentioned, there was the time gap between attack and defense.
An opponent only needs to condense energy and release it, whereas on her end, she would have to ensure Yabao was in the air and that a clone was present nearby to possibly defend within the opponent's attack window.
Secondly, the energy consumption was too high.
The opponent might only use a Water Spout, but Yabao would have to use a clone, Fire Vortex, and Telekinesis simultaneously. The energy consumed would be several times that of the opponent; it was completely disproportionate.
Furthermore, the clone would absolutely be a massive vulnerability.
If the clone wasn't beside the main body during a match and wasn't protected by the Repelling Shield, an opponent might lack the experience to react immediately the first time the move was used.
But subsequently, any opponent who had seen her use the aerial Repelling Shield in a match would know that as long as they attacked the clone, the move would be rendered useless.
In short, it was flashy but impractical, riddled with flaws, and lacked combat viability.
It had to be said that Zheng Baolong's feedback was very timely.
If Yabao had gone through the trouble of mastering this move only to discover so many problems during a competition, she would likely have been depressed for an entire day.
Thinking of this, Qiao Sang said with a serious expression, “Teacher, I know what to do now.”
“I was just offering a small suggestion,” Zheng Guoping chuckled. “Actually, your idea is great, it's just that the difficulty of training it is too high. This move is fine to practice on the ground; at your age, you shouldn't be thinking about such complex techniques.”
The above reasoning was simply his way of trying to get Qiao Sang to give up on practicing the aerial Repelling Shield.
If the person who came up with this idea hadn't been Qiao Sang, he would have scolded them to their face long ago.
Combination skills that successfully merge two different abilities require long-term training.
First, one must consider whether the pet has the capacity to use two skills simultaneously, and whether the energy within the body will conflict when executing them.
The aerial Repelling Shield Qiao Sang envisioned involved more than just two skills.
Clone, Fire Vortex, Telekinesis.
Three whole skills!
Even some professional Beast Tamers couldn't pull that off!
However, since the person who thought of this was Qiao Sang, the first thought in Zheng Guoping's mind was: *The thought process of a genius really is on a different level from us ordinary people. Considering combination skills at such a young age... the future is limitless...*
“I understand, but I still think this move is better used in the air,” Qiao Sang said, looking toward Yabao.
Zheng Guoping paused. “Didn't you just say you knew what to do?”
Qiao Sang nodded and said, “It's a good thing you reminded me, Teacher. The drawback of having a clone control the main body to spin is too great. I've decided to let Yabao spin in the air on its own.”
Zheng Guoping: “???”
What on earth? Qiao Sang's sentence left Zheng Guoping completely bewildered!
When did he ever say that having a clone control the main body to spin had too many drawbacks! He hadn't said that at all!
“I feel that if someone launches an attack, it might be too late for you to use the aerial Repelling Shield,” Zheng Guoping had to repeat his previous deterrent.
Of course, this was just an excuse to get Qiao Sang to quit; the root cause was that he believed the move was simply impossible to master.
“I know,” Qiao Sang said seriously. “That's why I've omitted the clone step. As long as a clone isn't used, if Yabao spins in the air using Fire Vortex on its own, there will be plenty of time to defend.”
Zheng Guoping froze. It seemed that actually made sense...
But that was just his excuse!
Was he supposed to just say: *Don't practice this move; it's a waste of time and energy because you'll never fucking master it!*
Even without the clone, it was still a combination skill of Telekinesis and Fire Vortex!
“If you want to execute two skills simultaneously, I'm afraid the proficiency cannot be too low,” Zheng Guoping said tactfully.
To coordinate and combine two skills, proficiency was undoubtedly the most critical factor.
Only with sufficient proficiency could the completion rate of a combination skill be higher.
This was a headache for most professional Beast Tamers.
Proficiency isn't improved overnight. No matter how many ideas one has, they only exist in theory; they fall apart when it comes to actual proficiency.
“I understand, Teacher,” Qiao Sang nodded. “Next, I will work hard to increase Yabao's proficiency in Telekinesis and Fire Vortex.”
Zheng Guoping: “...”
There really was a wall between him and the thought process of a genius...
...
8:01 PM.
Yabao and the little Treasure-Hunting Ghost sat side-by-side, watching Qiao Sang, who was sitting cross-legged on the sofa munching on an apple.
“I've modified the Repelling Shield. The final effect won't involve a clone controlling the main body to spin; instead, Yabao, you'll spin yourself,” Qiao Sang said, taking a bite of the apple. “We'll start practicing about one centimeter off the ground first, so it won't hurt if you fall.”
“Once you can spin without getting dizzy, we'll set aside some time to practice the release of Telekinesis and Fire Vortex.”
“Ya ya!”
Yabao wagged its tail, indicating it wasn't a problem.
“Xun...”
The little Treasure-Hunting Ghost curled its lip. Was it not needed to help spin anymore? It had found it quite fun.
Qiao Sang looked at the little Treasure-Hunting Ghost and smiled. “You can spin yourself for fun too.”
“Xun.”
The little Treasure-Hunting Ghost quickly shook its head. Spinning itself wasn't nearly as fun as spinning someone else.
“Ya?”
Yabao paused and turned to look at its lackey.
So, it had only helped spin because it was fun?
Little Treasure-Hunting Ghost: “...”
Before going to bed, Qiao Sang went to the sink and looked at the milk she had left there in the morning.
It was full.
She twisted the cap with her hand.
It had been opened.
Qiao Sang couldn't help but smile.
Tsk, drunk again...
...
In the dead of night, when all was quiet.
Outside Room 1705 where Qiao Sang lived, a person was crouching under a palm tree.
“I guarantee you, what you saw this morning was either a hallucination or an accident.” The fat security guard stared at the Water Slime on the ground, which refused to look at him. “It's very likely you encountered the Water Luanna we're looking for. Maybe it knows the Mirage skill, and everything you saw was an illusion it created.”
“Ti ti?”
The Water Slime turned its head, its innocent eyes staring straight at its Beast Tamer.
Really?
“Really, I guarantee it.” The fat security guard held up his index, middle, and ring fingers to swear. “If you go over there right now, the people and pets inside are all asleep. You definitely won't run into anyone. If I'm lying to you, let me stay a bachelor for the rest of my life.”
(End of Chapter)