Chapter 573: Direct

“Ya…”

Ya Bao showed an embarrassed expression.

Although it couldn’t read, it knew that a note appearing meant trouble.

She was indeed set up… Qiao Sang almost failed to manage her facial expression.

“I didn’t expect Qiao Sang from Sainan High School to be the first to draw, which is quite surprising.” The Principal of Saher School smiled, “Congratulations on getting two consecutive byes.”

I don’t see any surprise in your expression… Qiao Sang’s tone was calm: “I didn’t know my luck was this good.”

This, of course, wasn’t a matter of luck… Everyone showed a ‘you know, I know, everyone knows’ smile.

…

On the way out of the competition venue, Qiao Sang finally couldn’t hold back and asked:

“What are the characteristics of the Pocket Bird?”

“Rain Dish.” Hugh Lewis thought for a moment and said, “Most Pocket Birds have the Rain Dish characteristic, which allows them to slowly recover during rain.”

“Anything else?” Qiao Sang asked again.

Hugh Lewis shook his head: “No, other characteristics depend on whether individual Pocket Birds have natural talent.”

Geta, who was nearby, heard the conversation and turned to ask:

“Are you interested in Pocket Birds?”

Qiao Sang didn’t hide it and said directly:

“I just want to know how they managed to make me so accurately choose the Pocket Bird with the note.”

Hugh Lewis chuckled at her words:

“This isn’t a secret on our Super Dormant Star. Many entertainment shows and interactive segments where guests select people use Pocket Birds. Someone revealed that the Pocket Bird’s mouth looks very much like a net bag underneath, right? They’ll put things in the Pocket Bird’s mouth beforehand, and the Pocket Bird will press the item under its tongue, which is to say, keep it in the ‘pocket.’ When the pre-arranged guest selects it, they’ll move the item from the ‘pocket’ back onto its tongue.”

Qiao Sang’s mouth twitched.

She thought it was some amazing characteristic, but it turned out to just be using the Pocket Bird’s physical features…

No wonder others were so calm when she got two consecutive byes. It turned out everyone knew about this underhanded method, and she was the only one kept in the dark…

…

The next afternoon, Qiao Sang arrived at the Pet battle arena with Ya Bao.

In the morning, the contestants who advanced to the semifinals had already been decided.

The audience seats were almost full.

Today was the last day of the friendly match. Some students from Sahe’er School who were not participating or volunteering also came to watch the matches, making the scene very lively.

“Is that Qiao Sang, the one holding the Pet? She looks so young, not at all like a senior in high school.”

“That’s her. Among the contestants here, no one else is holding a Pet except her.”

“I heard she has an endangered Pet. Is it true or false?”

“I don’t know, but it should be true, otherwise such an absurd rumor wouldn’t spread.”

Everyone turned their heads and discussed Qiao Sang.

Some of them came to watch the match because they were very interested in the Pets from Blue Star.

Although they had money and the ability to acquire Pets from other planets to contract, everyone clearly knew that it was better to contract a Pet that they knew inside and out, and understood comprehensively.

Even if they were tempted by Pets from other planets through channels like the Interstellar Cup, they would restrain themselves and wait until their Yu Beast Master level was higher before contracting.

“Don’t look anymore. Contracting Pets from other planets itself carries great risks. You even want to contract a newly evolved Pet. Do you know its subsequent evolution methods? Don’t end up finding that High Level is the end.”

The speaker was a curly-haired black girl. She was trying to persuade her friend, Levina, to give up the impulsive idea of contracting a Fire Fang Dog.

“I know, but don’t you think the Liao Xing Hound looks really handsome?” Levina looked at the miniature Liao Xing Hound in the distance, unwilling to give up.

The black girl frowned slightly:

“We have many good-looking Pets on Super Dormant Star. You don’t necessarily have to contract a Pet from another planet.”

“But the Liao Xing Hound really appeals to me,” Levina said.

The black girl sighed silently: “I’m just advising you to be cautious. This is not a small matter.”

Her friend was good in all aspects, except that she was a bit too obsessed with looks.

“I’ll think about it again. Qiao Sang won’t return to Blue Star for another year, so I have plenty of time to consider,” Levina said with a smile.

It wasn’t that there were no other ways to find someone to bring her a Fire Fang Dog from Blue Star, but after all, it was a Pet from another planet. It couldn’t be like their own planet, where if they liked a certain species of Pet, they could bring a whole line of them for selection. At most, they could select one Pet on Blue Star and then bring it over.

But this had its drawbacks. It would be very troublesome if she wasn’t satisfied with the Pet’s talent or other issues.

And with Qiao Sang’s background, being an Interstellar Exchange Student, and having such a well-trained Liao Xing Hound, she believed the other party could select a Fire Fang Dog that she would be satisfied with.

…

Qiao Sang was completely unaware that so many people were discussing her.

Ever since her brain region developed to 39%, she could freely control her hearing. Although she couldn’t completely block out sounds, at a slightly farther distance, as long as she didn’t concentrate, she could, like ordinary people, only see their mouths opening and closing without hearing the specific sounds.

After she discovered she could control the range of her hearing, the world instantly became much quieter.

Sometimes, having too good hearing wasn’t a good thing.

At this moment, Qiao Sang was looking at the profiles of the other two semifinalists besides herself.

Just then, the Principal of Saher School walked onto the stage and said with a smile:

“After these past few days of intense competition, we finally welcome the day of the last match of this friendly competition. The top three contestants are Ladke from our Sahe’er School.”

As he said this, a spotlight specifically shone on Ladke.

“Kortan from Chegby Public School.”

Kortan was a red-haired, brown-eyed boy, and his hair color was exceptionally striking when the light hit him.

The Principal of Saher School continued: “And, Qiao Sang from Sainan High School.”

The spotlight shone on Qiao Sang. Ya Bao, in her arms, seemed to have been prepared, extending its paw and putting on the dark green triangular sunglasses that were specially hung around its neck before leaving.

Seeing this, everyone couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

If a Pet only had looks and was trying to act cool, they would dismiss it, but when a powerful Pet made such a cool gesture, they found it quite cute.

The Principal also saw this scene. He smiled and spoke, drawing everyone’s attention back:

“This friendly match is held on the principle of friendship first, exchange first. Yesterday, our leaders held a meeting and discussed, finding that one of the students in the top three has already far exceeded the level of a high school student. We decided to let her directly advance to the finals, which is also to hope that everyone can see the strength of other contestants more in this friendly match.”

“However, we will also seek the opinions of all schools present for this decision. If you agree, please raise your hands. As long as more than two-thirds of the schools approve, we will implement this plan.”

“I believe everyone knows which student will advance directly.” The Principal of Saher School smiled:

“That is Qiao Sang from Sainan High School.”

Qiao Sang: “???”

No, what does this mean?

Direct advancement?

Does this mean I’m losing the Points for another match?!

Two consecutive byes weren’t enough, and now I have to get another bye?

No!

She disagreed!

How can there be direct advancement in a competition?

Is this friendly match so childish?

This is unfair!

Qiao Sang looked indignant. Just as she was about to stand up and express her stance on upholding the principle of fair competition, she saw many people in the front row already raising their hands to vote.

Mai Ji, who was beside her, raised his hand and smiled:

“Their thinking is correct. With your strength, it’s obvious to anyone that you’re guaranteed to reach the finals. It’s better to let the other two compete in their best state, and the winner can enter the finals with a good mindset to battle you.”

Among all the contestants participating in the friendly match, only Qiao Sang had three High-level Pets. The other contestants who had High-level Pets at most only had one.

If any of the semifinalists, besides Qiao Sang, had two High-level Pets, the school leaders wouldn’t have discussed direct advancement.

No! This is unfair! Qiao Sang’s expression was indignant. Just as she was about to retort, a voice came:

“24 schools, a total of 23 votes, exceeding two-thirds of the votes. I now announce that Qiao Sang from Sainan High School will directly advance to the finals of this friendly match!”

“Clap, clap, clap…” Intense applause echoed throughout the venue.

A beam of light shone down.

Qiao Sang: “…”

Her mouth twitched, then she finally raised it, choosing to smile.

…

7:20 PM.

Sahe’er High School.

Pet battle arena.

At this very moment, the final match of the friendly competition was being held.

Although only one match was played in the afternoon, for the sake of fairness, the finalist, Ladke, was allowed to fully adjust his Pet’s condition before the final was held.

Thus, the final was scheduled for the evening.

I can finally compete… Qiao Sang stood on the field, almost crying.

Heaven knows how much her heart ached after three consecutive byes.

Ladke, a High Level Fairy-type Pet Bobonari, a Mid-level Fighting-type and Steel-type Pet Fist Hook Baboon… Qiao Sang calmed herself down, looking at her opponent in the distance, and relevant information appeared in her mind.

She had analyzed this person before. Little Qunbao and Steel Treasure against his two Pets wasn’t very safe. To be cautious, the combination of Ya Bao and Lu Bao would be better…

But in that case, Steel Treasure’s Points would be gone…

And the opponent also had a High-level Pet. If the Points could be added to Steel Treasure, it would probably be a few hundred…

But the risk was too great. If they unfortunately lost, the primary goal of gaining Points here would be directly reduced by 50.

50 Points! Besides evolving Steel Treasure, who knew if she would have another chance to get them in the future…

After a moment of hesitation, Qiao Sang glanced to the side:

“Ya Bao, you’re up.”

“Ya!”

Ya Bao was startled at first, then showed an excited expression and ran onto the competition field.

“Steel Treasure, and you too.” Qiao Sang looked at Steel Treasure.

“Gang Gang.”

Steel Treasure nodded without hesitation and flew onto the field.

At the same time, Ladke formed hand seals and summoned Bobonari and Fist Hook Baboon.