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The audience held their breath, staring intently at the virtual screen.
Who faced whom in the semifinals was crucial, as the matchups could determine who advanced to the finals.
Four photos shuffled continuously.
After five seconds, they settled.
[Zhongkong Region: Zhao Chuanyu VS Yuhua Region: Qiao Sang]
[Chongdao Region: Zhang Wandi VS Zhongkong Region: Tang Yi]
A collective uproar erupted from the audience.
“Holy crap! Zhang Wandi and Tang Yi? They were the champion and runner-up in last year’s high school second-year division. I can’t believe they’re clashing in the semis this time. This is going to be intense!”
“Good thing Tang Yi is his opponent. If it were one of the other two, Zhang Wandi would be in trouble.”
“Don’t be so quick to doubt him! Do you think the nickname ‘Perennial Runner-Up Zhang Wandi’ was given for no reason? No matter who he faces, he always makes it to the finals.”
“Wait a second! Why are the Zhongkong Region contestants always placed in separate matches?!”
“I’m starting to worry... what if Qiao Sang stops at the semifinals?”
“Shut up! Don’t jinx it!”
“But Zhao Chuanyu has two high-level battle beasts, and one of them is a Dragon-Fire type.”
“So what if it’s Dragon-Fire? Qiao Sang has three high-level battle beasts, and any one of them alone can crush most opponents. How could she lose?”
“She might lose because of experience. I want Qiao Sang to win too, but her battle beasts only recently evolved. Objectively speaking, she’s at a disadvantage.”
“Why are you even worried? Sure, Qiao Sang’s battle beasts are younger, but they’re just as strong as fully evolved ones. Blazing Star Canine has mastered the Ultimate-level Meteor Rain, Ghost Ring Phantom has developed Three-Dimensional Shadow Control, and Ice Xilu’s Ice Flower Seal can now form dozens of ice flowers.”
“But that’s a high-level dragon-type beast!”
The previous speaker fell silent.
Dragon-type battle beasts were universally acknowledged as formidable. Their reputation for dominance at the same level wasn’t just hype, it was backed by data.
And the stronger a dragon-type beast became, the more terrifying its power grew. The high-level stage was where their potential truly began to shine.
“I remember that Zhao Chuanyu’s Crimson Rush Dragon has horn-like protrusions on the inner side of its second wing joint. If I’m not mistaken, that means it’s between 10 and 20 years old.” Said Liu Yao as he analyzed the matchup.
Wait, so which is it? 11 or 19? That’s a huge difference… Qiao Sang gave him a look of admiration.
“Vice Principal, you’re amazing! You even know the details of Zhongkong Region’s battle beasts?”
Liu Yao glanced at her.
“If you read more books, you’d know this too.”
At that moment, Sun Boyi asked, “What does the wing protrusion have to do with its age?”
Liu Yao explained, “The Crimson Rush Dragon’s wings develop different protrusions at different ages, one at a time. It has eight joints, and the protrusions grow in sequence. From ages 1 to 10, they form on the first joint. After age 10, the first one recedes while the second joint develops a new one. This pattern continues.”
…So does that mean it dies at 80?
Qiao Sang couldn’t help but ask, “What about after 80?”
“The protrusions stop at the eighth joint. They don’t change anymore.” Liu Yao replied.
Ah, so it doesn’t just drop dead at 80… Good to know.
Liu Yao continued, “A Crimson Rush Dragon under 20 is a formidable opponent in every way.”
Then he turned to Qiao Sang with a serious expression.
“Zhao Chuanyu was able to form a contract with such a rare and powerful dragon, and their coordination is seamless. This opponent is not to be underestimated.”
Qiao Sang was momentarily taken aback before nodding solemnly.
Sun Boyi looked at Liu Yao, hesitating to speak. His expression seemed to say: Wait, isn’t it my job as the coach to say that? Why are you stealing my lines?
Liu Yao shot him a glance that clearly read: Well, maybe if you were actually useful…
Twenty minutes later.
The crowd erupted in cheers as Qiao Sang and Zhao Chuanyu stepped into the battlefield.
The stadium buzzed with excitement, fans shouting their names.
Zhao Chuanyu… One of the strongest contenders for this year’s championship. Qiao Sang studied the boy across from her.
She had already considered every possible matchup in the semifinals, including this one.
With both sides allowed two high-level battle beasts, the first one she sent out was crucial.
If she led with Yabao, then Zhao Chuanyu’s best response would be his Crimson Rush Dragon.
But if he instead sent out his other high-level battle beast, the Venomous Starfish, Yabao would be forced to expend a large amount of energy.
Even if Yabao won, he wouldn’t be in peak condition for a fight against the Crimson Rush Dragon. And without being at full strength, his chances of victory would drop significantly.
After all, Yabao’s strongest moves were fire-type attacks, and the Crimson Rush Dragon was both dragon and fire-type. Nᴇw ɴovel chaptᴇrs are published on novel·fire.net
Everyone knew that battle beasts had natural resistance to their own elemental attributes.
If that resistance was strong enough, they could even develop specialized abilities like the Fire-Subduing Bird’s Flame Absorption trait.
The referee’s whistle signaled the start of the match.
Qiao Sang didn’t hesitate. She swiftly formed a hand seal.
A glowing green star array appeared on the ground.
Since she had anticipated facing Zhao Chuanyu in the semifinals, she had already decided on her first move.
Lubao emerged from the array with a frosty, aloof expression.
Venomous Starfish floated into the air, its head held high in arrogance. Two streams of purple poison gas billowed from its nostrils.
Ice Xilu… Zhao Chuanyu’s eyes narrowed as he focused on the gemstone on Lubao’s forehead.
As the battle beasts took the field, the audience buzzed with discussion.
“Ice Xilu versus Venomous Starfish. Who do you think will win?”
“Probably Ice Xilu. The starfish doesn’t have any moves that can take it down in one hit.”
“One-hit K.O.? That’s not the point! Venomous Starfish is a battle beast that thrives on attrition. I’m telling you, Ice Xilu is going to run out of energy first.”
“All I know is that there’s no way Qiao Sang is pulling off a two-in-a-row sweep this time.”
“I admit that Qiao Sang is insanely talented, but Zhao Chuanyu isn’t just strong because of his Crimson Rush Dragon. Last year, he reached the national high school championship using only his Venomous Starfish.”
“The starfish was his first battle beast. Of course, it’s insanely powerful.”
“Ahhh! Ice Xilu must win!”
“Whether it wins or not depends on how much energy it has.”
“I bet those Yuhua Region people have never had a contestant make it this far before. They don’t even know what they’re talking about, just screaming nonsense. Watch, they’ll be crying soon.”
“…Uh, actually, the ones cheering are from Guwu Region.”
Even though the championship was being held in Zhongkong Region, attracting spectators from all over, the Zhongkong supporters were the loudest.
For now, most of the audience was betting on Zhao Chuanyu.