Chapter 370: first day? Stimulate! (2-in-1)

Wang Rui scoffed and said nothing more.

Although he occasionally couldn’t stand this guy, he had to admit that in terms of strength, he was qualified to say that.

Even though Qiao Sang from Saint Water Middle School had a talent that was strong enough to make people despair, she was still two grades lower.

In Yu Beast Master competitions of the same level, those who were slightly older often had stronger abilities.

After all, age wasn’t just for show.

Li Zonglin couldn’t stand the silence. Seeing that both of them had stopped talking, he asked, “Fu Xiaodan and the others are coming to Kai Nan City for their competition in a couple of days. Do you want to go watch then?”

Fu Xiaodan was also a member of Li Tan Royal Pet High School’s third-year School Team, but she was participating in the individual Yu Beast Coordination Competition.

Coordination competitions, in order to highlight the splendor of skills, were usually held at night, so they didn’t conflict with the time of individual Yu Beast Battle Competitions.

“No,” Wang Rui refused.

Are you kidding? This was a critical time for the competition. Every day, he had to return and recuperate, preparing for the next day’s match. How could he have time to watch some Yu Beast Coordination Competition?

He might as well prepare a few more tactical plans with that time.

“Brother Ding, you’ll definitely go, right?” Li Zonglin said to Ding Yanjing in a teasing tone.

Everyone said that high school students shouldn’t date early, as it would affect their studies. Although that was said, a considerable number of them were secretly dating.

Ding Yanjing was one of them.

As a popular figure on campus, the teachers knew more or less about his relationship with Fu Xiaodan. However, at that time, both of them had achieved excellent results throughout the province. For students whose futures were secure without relying on the college entrance examination, the teachers simply turned a blind eye.

Ding Yanjing picked up his phone again and said, “No.”

Li Zonglin was surprised to hear that. “It’s fine if Wang Rui, that single dog, doesn’t go, but why aren’t you going either?”

Wang Rui: “???”

Ding Yanjing replied without lifting his head:

“How can a girlfriend be more important than a competition? Ruan Yunwen from Wu Cai Middle School is no longer the same as before. She is an obstacle in my elimination round this time. Without absolute certainty of winning, I won’t waste time going out at this critical juncture.”

Li Zonglin immediately looked at him with respect.

Wang Rui looked at Ding Yanjing, his expression becoming complicated.

Yes, he had almost forgotten. Ding Yanjing’s current strength was definitely not just due to talent.

When he first entered the School Team in his first year of high school, he trained more seriously than anyone. It was only later, when he had no opponents in the same grade, that he gradually changed, making him almost forget Ding Yanjing’s original self.

Just then, the phone rang.

Ding Yanjing looked at the caller, answered the phone, and his tone changed:

“Hello, of course I was just thinking of you.”

“You’re coming the day after tomorrow, right? What time is the competition at night?”

“Time? Of course I have time.”

“I promise to go cheer you on then. I’ve even thought of my cheering slogan.”

“I just asked Li Zonglin and the others if they wanted to go.”

“You know Wang Rui’s character; he’s not interested in coordination competitions. Li Zonglin will go with me.”

Li Zonglin: “…”

Wang Rui: “…”

…

The next day.

Outside the Kai Nan Pet Beast Battle Arena.

Several reporters were broadcasting.

“It’s time for the annual National Campus Pet Beast League again. Behind me is the Kai Nan Pet Beast Battle Arena, where today’s elimination rounds will be held. I believe many people are familiar with this competition.” A delicate-looking female reporter smiled and said to the camera:

“At this stage of the competition, the remaining contestants are all the top talents among our Zhehai Province’s third-year high school students this year.”

“This year’s provincial competition can be said to have not allowed Li Tan Royal Pet High School to dominate as it did in previous years.”

“Ruan Yunwen from Wu Cai Middle School, Xu Yixuan from Saint Water Middle School, Liao Chaonan from Shengding Royal Pet High School, and Qiao Sang from Saint Water Middle School, who is only 15 years old but competing in the third-year division, have all shown astonishing performances in this year’s preliminary and group stages.”

“Li Tan Royal Pet High School, as our province’s top-ranked high school, has performed stably. Ding Yanjing, Wang Rui, and Li Zonglin, all three contestants, have entered the elimination rounds.”

“So, who will stand out and represent our Zhehai Province in the divisional competition? Let’s turn the camera to the arena!”

At the same time, high above the Kai Nan Pet Beast Battle Arena, a Fat Home Dove wearing headphones and carrying a camera immediately aimed its camera downwards.

…

Player area.

Students in various school uniforms gathered.

“Which school is that brown uniform from? They even brought a cheerleading squad? Isn’t today Wednesday? Don’t they have classes?” A boy with a buzz cut looked at a certain spot in the audience and said with envy and jealousy.

“They’re from Suchong Royal Pet High School.” The person next to him glanced at the group of people in brown uniforms and replied:

“No one from their school made it into the elimination rounds in the previous two years. It’s rare for someone to make it this time, so they’re probably too excited.”

At this, the boy with the buzz cut was no longer jealous; he burst out laughing:

“Laughing so hard, how awkward would a one-day trip like this be.”

This time, the person next to him stared at the position in the front left and didn’t respond.

The boy looked in that direction and instantly became excited: “It’s Qiao Sang! I finally get to see her in person. She’s much prettier than in photos. I want to ask her and Ice Dew Qiya for a photo later. I wonder if she’ll agree.”

The person next to him was silent for a moment, then said, “Let’s go together then. I want to take a photo with Yan Ling Dog.”

…

As a rising star, many people were watching their movements.

Qiao Sang looked around and sighed, “This is quite a big spectacle.”

The entire audience section of the Kai Nan Pet Beast Battle Arena was filled with people. In the air and around the venue, there were visibly more than ten cameras, and a Commentator sat at the commentary table on a high platform, making it look like a large-scale competition that could be broadcast on television.

“This is already the elimination round; how could it not be a big spectacle?” Xu Yixuan had experienced two National Campus Pet Beast Leagues, so she was mentally prepared for this scene. She explained:

“During the elimination round, almost all the famous schools in the province will come. Aside from friends and family, a large portion of the people who come to watch the competition are parents with middle school students.”

“These parents specifically travel from other places to scout which school is more suitable for their children.”

Qiao Sang understood.

Parents who could choose among famous schools usually had children with good academic performance and decent family financial situations.

Even if their household registration wasn’t in the location of their desired school, it wasn’t a big deal for them to buy a house and register their household in another city for their children’s sake.

No wonder the Principal and Sun Teacher were dressed so smartly this time; part of the reason was for this.

At this moment, a man sitting in the first row stood up and walked to the center of the arena. On his shoulder stood a tiny bat-like Pet.

The man spoke:

“The first round of elimination matches has been paired. Please look at the big screen.”

This person did not hold a microphone, yet his voice was exceptionally loud at this moment, causing everyone in the venue to hear him.

Qiao Sang’s gaze fell on the bat-like Pet on the man’s shoulder, and information about this Pet appeared in her mind.

The Expansive Bat, possessing the Amplification characteristic, could amplify its own voice and the surrounding sounds to a corresponding volume based on the level of the characteristic. If coordinated well with the Yu Beast Master, the volume could also be adjusted at any time according to personal requirements.

It wouldn’t have issues like microphone feedback, making it a favorite among musicians.

At the same time, four huge virtual screens appeared in the air within the arena, facing the audience and contestant areas.

The names and photos of the contestants’ matchups were slowly scrolling upwards.

Qiao Sang shifted her gaze upwards and read down line by line.

[Kai Nan Third Royal Pet Middle School, Li Lizhen VS Jiangyang No. 1 Middle School, Liang Yuan]

[Guangde Middle School, Chen Ying VS Hanwen Royal Pet No. 9 Middle School, He Hao]

[Li Tan Royal Pet High School, Ding Yanjing VS Shengding Royal Pet High School, Wu Lu]

[Saint Water Middle School, Xu Yixuan VS Shuangchuang International Middle School, Chen Libo]

[Shidou Royal Pet High School, Wang Shiqian VS Lianyue Royal Pet Affiliated Middle School, Huang Kaijun]

[…].

[Saint Water Middle School, Qiao Sang VS Wu Cai Middle School, Ruan Yunwen]

Wu Cai Middle School, Ruan Yunwen… Hmm? Ruan Yunwen?

Qiao Sang was stunned. This was exciting?

She had encountered one of only two people in the entire venue who possessed a High-level Pet in the very first match?

“Chen Libo…” Xu Yixuan pondered as she saw the name of her opponent.

“I know this person. His strength is considered to be in the second tier, and his combat style is more on the stable side. It seems my first match shouldn’t be a problem.”

After speaking, she turned her head and asked, “Who are you guys fighting?”

He Datao’s face darkened: “Zhou Jing from Pinghai High School.”

Zhou Jing, whom he had lost to once in the preliminaries? Xu Yixuan looked at He Datao in surprise:

“How unlucky!”

You can say that again… He Datao was truly feeling quite upset.

At this moment, Qiao Sang spoke, “What are you afraid of? Losing once doesn’t mean you’ll lose a second time.”

He Datao was startled for a moment, then firmly said, “You’re right! There won’t be a second time!”

After speaking, he looked at Qiao Sang in a much better mood and asked, “Who are you fighting?”

“Ruan Yunwen,” Qiao Sang said.

“Who?!”

“Ruan Yunwen from Wu Cai Middle School?!”

He Datao and Xu Yixuan exclaimed in shock at the same time.

Qiao Sang had a “making a fuss” expression: “Why are you two so agitated?”

He Datao lowered his voice and said, “Ruan Yunwen has a very high chance of being the provincial champion this year. Her Tonghua Owl has evolved for some years now. Before, the Tonghua Owl wasn’t willing to listen to her, but this year is different. Your Yan Ling Dog just evolved not long ago, so I’m a little worried.”

“You should worry about Ruan Yunwen instead!” Xu Yixuan said excitedly:

“I didn’t expect to see such an exciting match on the first day! Speaking of which, Ruan Yunwen is quite unlucky. She finally got her Tonghua Owl to listen to her this year, but she met Qiao Sang in the first round of the elimination tournament. It seems she’s destined to miss out on the top few ranks.”

Just now, when you heard my opponent was Zhou Jing, your reaction wasn’t like this… He Datao looked at Xu Yixuan expressionlessly.

Soon, the first group of participants entered the arena.

Everyone who made it into the elimination tournament had good strength, so the outcome wouldn’t be decided immediately.

Furthermore, the matchups for the elimination tournament were randomly assigned on the same day, so there wouldn’t be pre-arranged tactical plans like in the preliminary and group stages.

As a result, one match lasted for over ten minutes.

Are these two a bit too weak? They’ve already made it to the elimination tournament… Qiao Sang frowned secretly as she watched.

However, the next second she realized it wasn’t that they were weak, but that during the group stage, she had only compared the opponents’ strength to Lu Bao.

Now, in the elimination tournament, she also considered the strength of Ya Bao and Little Qunbao, so naturally, there was a difference.

Time flew by quickly.

During this period, Xu Yixuan won easily, while He Datao lost one round first, but his Magma Burst Gorilla, sent out later, won the match with a two-win streak.

After He Datao left the arena, his mouth hadn’t stopped talking.

At this moment, he was grinning widely, commenting on the player who had just left the arena:

“That person just now wasn’t good enough. If it were me, I would have let the Power Head Duck charge straight in. You can lose anything but not momentum, right? How can you be timid just because of a type disadvantage?”

Just then, the man with the Kuokuo Flying Squirrel on his shoulder loudly announced:

“Qiao Sang from Saint Water Middle School, Ruan Yunwen from Wu Cai Middle School, enter the arena!”

At this moment, there wasn’t much reaction from the audience, but the competitor area was already boiling.

When the match list came out, everyone first paid attention to their own opponents, and only had extra time to pay attention to their teammates or opponents they were interested in.

Since the list was revealed by scrolling upwards, everyone basically just saw their name and then eagerly looked up information about their opponent.

As for who else was fighting whom, they didn’t pay much special attention.

They never expected that on the first day of the elimination tournament, Qiao Sang would actually be matched against Ruan Yunwen!

“Oh my god, how did these two run into each other on the first day?!”

“I was almost falling asleep, but now I’m suddenly wide awake, what’s going on?”

“Oh no! I was still thinking of getting acquainted with Qiao Sang during this time. Now that this match is over, will she have to return to school overnight?!”

“Don’t panic, don’t panic. Think about Qiao Sang’s Pet. How amazing it is, she might not lose.”

“If it were last year’s Ruan Yunwen, of course I’d know Qiao Sang might not lose, but this year’s Ruan Yunwen is different. She can now fully command her Tonghua Owl.”

Li Tan Royal Pet High School competitor area.

“Tsk, I went to all the trouble of keeping the evolution of Guwei Flower a secret, as Principal Wang wanted, saying it was for that potential award. Now it seems there’s no need to hide it anymore,” Ding Yanjing said with a smile.

“I just don’t understand how those people from Saint Water Middle School agreed to let Qiao Sang participate in the third-year competition,” Li Zonglin said, puzzled:

“With her strength, not to mention participating in the first-year competition, even if she participated in the second-year competition, she could easily represent our province in the divisional competition.”

“You know what, I rarely agree with you,” Ding Yanjing acknowledged.

Wang Rui, standing nearby, watched the arena with a serious expression.

He wanted to see if he would have any hope of winning if he were to face these two.

Some things only count when you see them with your own eyes.

…

First row of the audience, leadership area.

Principal Huang Renbiao of Li Tan Royal Pet High School slowly said, “Principal Wang, I originally wanted to experience Qiao Sang’s strength, but it seems I won’t have that opportunity.”

“Heh heh.” Principal Wang Weidou smiled without speaking.

Huang Renbiao raised an eyebrow, what did this guy mean by “heh heh”?

“Does Principal Wang think Qiao Sang has a chance to win?” Huang Renbiao probed.

Principal Wang Weidou grinned: “She should have more hope than Ding Yanjing from your school.”

Heh heh… Huang Renbiao stopped talking.

The principal of Wu Cai Middle School, standing nearby, really wanted to interject, but after thinking about the schools these two represented, he held back.

Forget it, can’t afford to offend them…

…

Qiao Sang stood up and walked into the arena.

At the same time, she saw a girl at the competitor area, about six meters away from her, also stand up and walk towards the arena.

The audience cheered symbolically.

Having watched the matches until now, everyone was already tired.

Some people only came to watch their own children compete, not knowing who the other competitors were. Announcing the school names was more effective than announcing the competitors’ names.

And others came specifically for the schools.

Although one of the current competitors was from Saint Water Middle School, they had already seen other competitors from Saint Water Middle School compete, so their enthusiasm wasn’t as high as before.

At this moment, the Commentator at the commentary desk, who only read the introduction of the competitors and did not provide live commentary, spoke:

“Ruan Yunwen, from Wu Cai Middle School, is the only competitor in the third year of high school in our Zhehai Province who possesses a High-level Pet! And the other competitor, Qiao Sang from Saint Water Middle School, is a young prodigy, only 15 years old, yet she possesses three Mid-level Pets! She is even competing on the same stage as seniors two grades older than her, and has reached this point with a perfect winning record in the preliminary and group stages!”

“I believe this will be a very exciting match!”

The audience was silent for a moment, then a clamor erupted.

“What did he just say? High-level Pet?!”

“I know about this. I came to watch when my son competed in the previous two sessions, and I was quite shocked then too. Later I found out that Pet was left to her by her father.”

“So that’s how it is… Then her father?”

“He’s gone.”

“Uh, what’s her High-level Pet?”

“It seems to be a Tonghua Owl.”

“By the way, what was that he said afterwards? 15 years old? Three Mid-level Pets? Is that true or false?”

“It should be true, right? So many people are watching, and there are reporters too…”

“Holy cow, what does 15 years old with three Mid-level Pets even mean?!”

“Hiss… If she’s 15, isn’t she just starting high school? Our Zhehai Province actually has such a monstrous child! What’s her name?”

“Qiao Sang, her name is Qiao Sang.”

…

On the arena.

Qiao Sang and Ruan Yunwen looked at each other from a distance.

The mechanical Pet wearing the referee’s badge blew its whistle.

The green and gray star arrays lit up simultaneously.

Two Pets with vastly different body sizes appeared before the audience.

“Tonghua.”

“Xun~”