Translator: 549690339
As Xu Ran was diligently recording the details of each competitor, on the other side of the audience, four young girls sat together observing the performances of the other contestants.
âXiaoxiao, these competitors seem really strong.â Lin Yue had a look of worry on her face as she watched the ten Beast Masters on the field, feeling a bit timid.
âDonât worry about it,â Su Xiaoxiao reassured her, patting Lin Yueâs shoulder. âDidnât I analyze it for you earlier? That Earth attribute Pet Beast is the most suitable opponent for you. It hardly has any aerial attack skills; against your Green Wind Eagle, itâs just a sitting duck.â
âMoreover,â Su Xiaoxiaoâs face was brushed with a teasing smile. âIf you donât make it today, there are still two more days of preliminary selection. You can go to Boss Xuâs shop tomorrow for Washing and Protection, and Iâm sure youâll pass then.â
âYes!â Lin Yueâs eyes lit up. âThatâs a great idea!â
âPff,â Gu Ling chuckled at the girlsâ conversation, covering her mouth. âI wonder what Boss Xu would think if he knew you two were planning to go to his shop for Washing and Protection just to advance to the next round.â
âItâs fine!â Lin Yue waved nonchalantly. âBoss Xu is busy managing his Foster Shop. He probably doesnât even know about this competition!â
âYou never know-â A mischievous glint pixilated in Gu Lingâs eye.
Because of her fatherâs connections, she had more insider information. She had clear understanding of the situations of other competitors who scored more than a thousand in the initial selection.
To be honest, she was quite surprised when she saw that name.
âEnough about that.â Su Xiaoxiao grabbed Duan Anxunâs hand, who was unable to join in the conversation. âAn Xun, has your aunt forgiven you yet?â
âItâs gotten better,â Duan Anxun nodded slightly.
Once sworn enemies, the two women had quickly bridged the gap after that one emotional confrontation. In contrast, Du Ting, who had previously been close to Duan Anxun, was now gradually distancing herself.
Realizing her mistakes, Duan Anxun spent the past week trying to mend her relationship with the Colorful Cloud Parrot. Ultimately, after plucking up the courage to stand against her mother, any previous conflict with the Colorful Cloud Parrot had melted away.
However, due to her not doing many things as per her motherâs wishes and outspokenly expressing her thoughts, Duan Anxun ended up in a cold war with her mother.
âThatâs good, if you feel wronged you can always talk to me,â Su Xiaoxiao patted her hand. âGood luck with the competition later. If you get through the preliminary selection, maybe your aunt will be happier.â
âAlright!â Duan Anxun let out a slight, relieved smile.
The best way to end this cold war with her mother would probably be to prove that she can be outstanding even without following her plan and demands.
Gu Ling rested her chin on her hand, staring at Su Xiaoxiao with a smile.
This kid is still the same as she was when she was younger, caring about everyone around her, like a flame, warming everyone equally.
âThat Earth attribute Pet Beast just got challenged once, Iâll give it a shot now!â Lin Yue suddenly stood up, shouting excitedly before scrambling down to the field.
âUmâ¦â Su Xiaoxiao turned to look at Lin Yueâs retreating figure, her mouth twitched slightly. âIsnât this a bit like taking advantage of someoneâs difficulties?â
âWell, indeed it would be, if that Earth attribute Pet Beast wasnât substituted.â Gu Ling suddenly began to laugh. âBut the Beast Master Association isnât that naive.â
âEh?â Just as Su Xiaoxiao was about to ask Gu Ling what she meant by that, she immediately understood upon seeing the change in the field.
The Earth attribute Pet Beast and its Beast Master were replaced!
In their place came another Pet Beast of the same species and a new Beast Master.
âDuring the breaks in the matches, these ten Pet Beasts will recover as much as they can. If they havenât regained their peak conditions when challenged next, they will be directly replaced by another alternate Beast Master,â Gu Ling shrugged. âSo thereâs no such thing as whittling down their strengths through successive battles.â
Looking at Lin Yue, who was dumbfounded on the field, Su Xiaoxiao couldnât help but let out a chuckle.
âIt serves her right!â
âLin Yueâ¦â
Subconsciously writing down the name of the new contestant on his notebook, Xu Ran abruptly looked up, surprised to see a familiar customer on the field.
She is participating in this competition as well?
And what about the other few girls that he knewâ¦
Following the direction from where Lin Yue had appeared, Xu Ran soon saw the figures of the other three girls.
It seems they all showed up.
There was no need to keep any record of his regular customers. Xu Ran put down his notebook and began to watch the competition.
On the field, Lin Yue gave a commendable performance. With the high altitude and long-range attack advantages of her Green Wind Eagle, the Earth attribute Pet Beast, devoid of any aerial attack abilities, was forced on the back foot.
However, Earth attribute Pet Beasts were known for their strong defenses. It was in a bit of a predicament but showed no signs of panic.
As the fight proceeded, the Green Wind Eagle which had been launching attack after attack quickly depleted its strength, while the Earth attribute Pet Beast, cool as a cucumber, shook the rocky shield covering its body, undamaged.
The challenge failed.
Ziyun had its back paws on Xu Ranâs thigh while its front paws were pressing on his arm, raising its body to watch every match. Presently, seeing the familiar Green Wind Eagle fail, it pondered a bit then spoke.
âMeow-â (If it were me, I couldâve beaten it with Electric Spark!)
âExactly, Electric Spark has greater power and enough to break its defense,â Xu Ran nodded in agreement, replying via Contractual Sensing.
Upon receiving Xu Ranâs affirmative response, Ziyun squinted its eyes happily.
Well, it seems the preliminary selection is not that difficult then!
âToo bad there are no Thunder attribute beasts here. Otherwise, we couldâve brought one back to the shop for Washing and Protection and you might have had a chance to learn a new skill,â Xu Ran lamented using Contractual Sensing.
âMeow-â (Got it!)
Ziyun nodded, carefully watching the next contestant on the field.
Thunder attribute, huh? Iâll keep an extra close eye!
âOld Zhuang is finally up!â On the side, Tian Futao looked at Zhuang He, who was getting ready to go on stage, his eyes brimming with anticipation. He patted Xu Ranâs shoulder, âLetâs see how Old Zhuang performs. He said heâs confident of passing!â
âAlright,â Xu Ran nodded with a smile. âWhat attribute is Zhuang Heâs Pet Beast?â
âHisâ¦â Tian Futao chuckled, âIs a Thunder attribute.â
Xu Ran:â!!!â
âI think I need to pay careful attention then,â he said with a suggestive smile, picking up his pen and paper.
Keynotes to take!
Ziyun, in Xu Ranâs arms, twitched its ears, its gaze fixed on Zhuang He, who was preparing to enter the field.
A walking new skill, I must keep a close eye on him!
On the field, as the competitor who went after Lin Yue was defeated, Zhuang He, under the hostâs introduction, stepped onto the stage, pointed to one of the ten Beast Masters and declared, âI choose you!â
âOh?â
The Water attribute Beast Master who was chosen squinted his eyes. âMy turn?â
These Beast Masters sent by the Beast Master Association would receive a bonus if they defeated the challenger. Having seen his companions being chosen one after the other, he had been itching to show off his skills.
Letâs use this kid to show off my strength.
The next moment, the Beast Master looked at Zhuang Heâs summoned Pet Beast, and his mouth twitched involuntarily.
Thunder attribute?!