Chapter 766: Ice Epallu VS Fighting Cold Duck (two in one)

Information on star players is easy to find; a quick search brings up everything.

However, Qiao Sang hadn’t understood these stars from the Super Dormant Star before, so it was hard to tell if the information she found was real or fake. But one thing was consistent in all online reports: the Pet they had contracted.

Although she had a general understanding of each participating star player beforehand, once she knew her opponent for the day, Qiao Sang still picked up her phone and searched for Stella’s name again.

Stella, female, 34 years old, born in the Ninth District, a C-level Beastmaster, Pet performer, actress, singer. She self-awakened at 14, and her family spent half a year finding a purebred Gel Duck for her to contract…

As she was reading, Pilit suddenly spoke up:

“When you contract Pets in the future, it’s best to find purebred ones.”

He must have glimpsed the content on my phone… Qiao Sang muttered to herself and said, “I prioritize fate more when contracting Pets.”

While talent is undoubtedly important, with a Gold Finger, whether a Pet is purebred or not becomes less significant.

Unless this Pet, besides being purebred, has a clear advantage over other Pets—like the purebred Shattered Thunder Dragon Egg that the Dean of the Tool Academy tempted her with—it would be hard for her to be moved.

Fate? Others might be excused, but your goal is the Interstellar Cup, and you’re still considering that? Among the bigshots participating in the Interstellar Cup, whose Pet isn’t carefully selected… Hearing this, Pilit felt both absurd and that this was exactly something Qiao Sang would do.

He wanted to instruct her that choosing a Pet wasn’t that simple, but when he saw the Flame Qilu in Qiao Sang’s arms and recalled her other three Pets, Pilit fell silent.

Never mind, perhaps Pets with whom she has a fated connection are all extraordinary…

At this moment, Qiao Sang asked:

“Are purebred Pets more likely to awaken innate abilities?”

Pilit hummed in affirmation.

Qiao Sang then asked, “What is the Gel Duck’s innate ability?”

Pilit thought for a moment and said, “Impact Absorption. The feathers on its head have the property of absorbing impact. Generally, when attacked, it will use its head to withstand the impact.”

If that’s the case, then find a way to attack other parts… Qiao Sang mused.

…

Half an hour later.

The Commentator’s passionate voice echoed through the arena:

“Next up, entering the stage are Player Stella and Player Qiao Sang!”

“Qiao Sang! Qiao Sang!”

“Stella! Stella!”

As soon as the two entered, cheers erupted.

Both Qiao Sang and Stella were highly popular players.

After both sides entered, some of the audience eagerly began discussing:

“Who do you think will win?”

“Stella, probably. Qiao Sang is strong, but her hand speed for forming seals is a critical weakness. As long as Stella seizes the opportunity to make the first move, the battle will pretty much be decided. After all, the outcome between Professional Beast Tamers can often be decided in an instant.”

“Purely in terms of competition, that’s true. However, Stella is unlikely to let her Pet directly unleash a big move and quickly end the match as soon as it appears.”

“Why?”

“Are you stupid? This is the Beastmaster Star Tournament, with so much media coverage. Stella has endorsed many tool-related products. She has to use those products in front of the public. If the match ends too quickly, those tools will be useless.”

“But if the opponent is Qiao Sang, wouldn’t it be difficult to fight later if she doesn’t take advantage of the seal-forming to end it quickly?”

“That depends on how Stella chooses.”

…

On the field.

Stella… Qiao Sang’s gaze moved forward, settling on the woman directly opposite her, dressed in leather, with naturally curly brown long hair.

Qiao Sang… Stella’s heart was heavy, but she maintained a polite smile on her face.

She did not underestimate her opponent just because she was a minor.

On the contrary, as a Professional Beast Tamer, she knew better than anyone how difficult the young girl in front of her was to deal with.

A mechanical voice sounded on the field: “3, 2, 1, match start!”

As soon as the voice fell, Qiao Sang quickly formed seals.

The seal training over the past two days had significantly increased her hand speed, but that was only compared to her previous self. Compared to Stella, who had rich combat experience, she was still clearly a bit slower.

An orange-yellow star array first lit up in front of Stella.

A duck-type Pet, about six meters in size, almost entirely deep blue, with some silver-white hair on its head resembling a slanted fringe, light blue wavy patterns on its waist and above its ankles, and three exceptionally bright teardrop-shaped feathers at its tail, appeared within the star array.

Dou Leng Duck, a Water-type and Fighting-type General-level Pet, the General-level form of the Gel Duck… Qiao Sang’s hands were fixed in the final seal gesture, gazing at the distant Pet, its basic information appearing in her mind.

To use her ace right from the start, she really thinks highly of me…

Stella didn’t issue any commands. The newly appeared Dou Leng Duck’s eyes glowed with a deep blue light.

Six streams of water suddenly burst from the calm ground, twisting like mad snakes, fiercely lashing out towards the figure ahead that hadn’t fully materialized yet.

“Dou Leng Duck has launched the first attack!” The Commentator’s voice provided real-time commentary on the current situation: “The Pet summoned by Player Qiao Sang is Ice Aipalu!”

With Lu Bao’s appearance, Snowfall began in the sky.

Dou Leng Duck only faltered for a moment before continuing to control the water streams to attack.

At this point, the six water streams were only about half a meter away from Lu Bao, and Lu Bao had just barely appeared.

Looking at the attack so close at hand, Lu Bao’s pupils contracted slightly. At this moment, she heard her Yu Beast Master’s voice:

“Jump!”

“Ice Ai!”

Without time to think, Lu Bao leaped towards the oncoming water streams from the front, then disappeared.

The six water streams missed, spilling all over the ground.

Melt Water… Stella frowned slightly.

“Ice Aipalu jumped into the water surge! But it wasn’t repelled by the impact inside! Instead, it just melted into it, concealing its figure!” The Commentator excitedly explained:

“However, Ice Aipalu must have also suffered considerable damage, but it hasn’t revealed itself. This way, Dou Leng Duck, wanting to take advantage of this opportunity for continuous attacks, probably won’t be able to.”

The Commentator was right. With its leg muscles tensed, Dou Leng Duck, which had originally intended to rush in for a close-range attack while the target was still injured, paused in place.

The brief exchange sparked continuous discussion in the stands.

“I didn’t expect Ice Aipalu to have the Melt Water ability!”

“Why didn’t Ice Aipalu just use Ice Heaven Domain?”

“You didn’t even look at how close the water surge attack was just now. At that distance, there probably isn’t enough time to gather energy.”

“Speaking of which, is Water Fusion that effective? Can it melt into Water-type skills that are attacking?”

“No, this Ice Aipalu’s Melt Water ability level must be either A or S. Generally speaking, Pets with Melt Water ability don’t melt into water that quickly, let alone when there’s Water-type energy inside. Even if a Pet with Melt Water ability melts into water, it will still be impacted by internal attacks and then exit the Water Fusion state.”

“Why didn’t Ice Aipalu exit the Water Fusion state?”

“Didn’t you hear the Commentator? It must be enduring it.”

…

Lu Bao has the Water Storage ability, and it’s at B-level, so it should be able to withstand the impact of the water surge just now without getting injured… Qiao Sang subtly sensed Lu Bao’s state and position.

Ice Aipalu is injured, and I don’t know if it can still use Ice Heaven Domain in its current state… But what’s certain now is that the rhythm is still in her hands… Stella said without hesitation:

“Shake!”

“Dou Leng!”

Hearing its Yu Beast Master’s words, Dou Leng Duck raised its lower right limb, and blue energy instantly condensed as it lifted.

Then, it stomped down hard.

The ground vibrated.

The water droplets that had previously flowed all over the ground due to the water surge attack simultaneously floated into the air!

Dou Leng Duck moved its feet, its speed suddenly erupting, turning into a blurry afterimage. It used both its hands and feet, striking the water droplets in mid-air with Fighting-type moves.

Because Dou Leng Duck’s speed was too fast, it attacked most of the water droplets in an instant, making them seem as if they were frozen in mid-air.

Almost… Qiao Sang was fully focused on the situation before her, her heart racing, not daring to be careless.

Just as Dou Leng Duck’s afterimage appeared at a certain position, Qiao Sang loudly exclaimed:

“Now!”

As the voice sounded, Dou Leng Duck seemed to understand something, and the muscles of its swinging fist swelled by a factor of two.

Water droplets splattered.

However, the expected figure did not appear.

Dou Leng Duck froze for a moment.

It didn’t notice that Lu Bao’s head suddenly emerged from the water droplets on the ground!

Just as its head emerged, a huge stream of water instantly enveloped it!

“Below!” Stella’s voice suddenly rose.

However, it was already too late. At the moment she spoke, the massive “water pillar” completely struck Dou Leng Duck’s backside!

“Dou Leng!”

The impact sent Dou Leng Duck screaming, shooting straight up a considerable distance, then falling back down.

Seeing it about to hit the ground, Stella said:

“Use water to cushion!”

Dou Leng Duck, head down, sprayed Water Gun.

With the Water Gun cushioning, its falling speed instantly slowed down considerably.

Suddenly, Dou Leng Duck felt its surroundings darken.

From a panoramic view, a giant Ice Cone, like a small mountain, suddenly appeared above Dou Leng Duck!

“Above!” As the giant Ice Cone appeared, Stella immediately warned.

“Dou Leng!”

Dou Leng Duck’s head was currently facing downwards, completely unable to see the movement above, only knowing there was danger above.

It continued to use Water Gun.

At the same time, its lower limb muscles tensed, condensing a layer of thick white energy.

“Bang!”

Dou Leng Duck’s head hit the ground, in an inverted stance, its feet supporting the gigantic Ice Cone that resembled a small mountain.

Well, that’s something… Qiao Sang looked at Dou Leng Duck’s current posture, really wanting to pull out her phone and take a picture, but she knew it wasn’t the time for photos.

“Again!” Qiao Sang exclaimed, her voice slightly excited.

“Dou Leng!”

Dou Leng Duck bent its knees slightly, then unleashed an even greater force, kicking upwards with all its might!

Immediately, with a crisp “crack,” the Ice Cone instantly became covered in cracks.

Just then, another gigantic Ice Cone, like a small mountain, appeared in mid-air, crashing down hard on top of the second Ice Cone!

“Ice Aipalu has used Mega Ice Cone again! Can Dou Leng Duck still hold on?!” The Commentator passionately narrated.

“Dou Leng…”

Dou Leng Duck’s forehead bulged with veins, and it gritted its teeth, holding on.

At this moment, yet another gigantic Ice Cone appeared in mid-air, smashing down fiercely on top of the second Ice Cone.

“Bang!”

With a loud bang, the first Ice Cone completely shattered, and Dou Leng Duck’s entire head sank deep into the ground.

Things are not looking good… Stella’s heart sank, and she shouted:

“Use tool!”

The fourth, the fifth, the sixth…

When the seventh gigantic Ice Cone smashed down on top of Dou Leng Duck, its entire body was buried in the ground.

Hiss, how miserable… The scene on the field made everyone pull out their phones to take pictures and record videos.

“Dou Leng Duck is being crushed under a series of Mega Ice Cones! Will the match end here?!” The Commentator’s voice rang out.

Dou Leng Duck has the Impact Absorption innate ability, and Stella just called for a tool. But seeing Dou Leng Duck doing nothing, this tool should be acting on its head… Is it for defense… Qiao Sang watched the movements on the field, feeling it might be too early to say it was over.

She gave Lu Bao a look.

Lu Bao instantly understood.

“Ice Ai!”

It opened its mouth, tilted its head slightly, and let out a cry.

The entire arena’s temperature plummeted.

The snowflakes that had stopped falling began to reappear, dropping in large swaths, carrying a strong icy chill.

Ice Flower Seal… No, I must act before the Ice Flower Seal falls… Stella knew the battle had reached a critical moment and couldn’t help but shout:

“10 seconds!”

This was an instruction Dou Leng Duck had just learned. When its Yu Beast Master called out a time, it meant the match had to end within that time.

“Dou Leng!”

Dou Leng Duck, deeply embedded in the ground, now had a layer of solidified white light condensed around its head, and it was wearing something like a helmet.

It cried out, and a powerful stream of water suddenly swirled around its body.

At the same time, all of Dou Leng Duck’s muscles swelled, condensing a layer of white energy, then its body twisted and spun.

And it spun faster and faster upwards, like a massive rotating stream of water.

“Bang!!!”

Just as everyone thought the match was about to end, a high-speed rotating stream of water suddenly rose from underground, breaking through one gigantic Ice Cone after another!

Then it abruptly changed trajectory and rushed towards Ice Aipalu!

At this speed, there’s no time to dodge… Qiao Sang subconsciously shouted:

“Aurora Veil!”

Previously, Lu Bao could use Water Fusion to enter the water surge unleashed by Dou Leng Duck because that was purely a special attack skill. But now, Dou Leng Duck itself was inside the rotating water stream, which was clearly a special attack plus a physical attack. Lu Bao would definitely be severely injured by this blow.

If it tried to dodge with Water Jet as usual, it would be caught in less than a second.

If it used Water Fusion to dodge, Lu Bao wouldn’t have time to move at this speed, and its current Water Fusion position would be locked onto and attacked.

For some unknown reason, even though it was an attack form similar to Water Jet, Qiao Sang somehow felt that this move had an extremely high danger rating.

She had only one thought: she absolutely could not take this attack head-on!

If that was the case, then all that was left was defense!

Aurora Veil can only be used when Hail or Snowfall occurs.

Ice Flower Seal is also snow!

“Ice Ai!”

Lu Bao let out a loud cry, and the surroundings instantly erupted with endless dazzling colors, as if a celestial curtain had been drawn open.

The beautiful scene on the field immediately made the audience in the stands exclaim in surprise, each excitedly picking up their phones and opening their cameras.

The conditions for using Aurora Veil are too harsh for the people of Super Dormant Star, where the temperature is constant throughout the four seasons. Nearly 90% of them have never witnessed this skill firsthand.

More often, they had only heard about it.

“Bang!”

With a loud bang, Dou Leng Duck slammed hard into Lu Bao.

Lu Bao was sent flying backward, with stone fragments scattering.

It hit! Stella’s eyes lit up.

However, the next second, she saw Ice Aipalu slowly getting up from the ground, looking as if it hadn’t suffered much damage.

Aurora Veil! That damned Aurora Veil! Stella’s face changed, and she almost spat blood.

She understood that if this blow failed to knock down Ice Aipalu, then she would be the one to lose this match.

Looking at Dou Leng Duck again, just after completing its attack, before the water stream on its body had completely dissipated, it was already entirely covered in delicate Ice Flowers, like a work of art placed in the snow.

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