Chapter 979: Same return (two in one)

“Who will be paired with whom, to bring us a spectacular battle?!”

“Let’s welcome the referee from the Pet Tamer Notary Office!”

As the Host finished speaking, a man in a suit and Fen Tongji stood up and waved to the audience.

Immediately after, Fen Tongji split into two, and his head floated towards the screen.

After a ripple, it entered and disappeared.

Everyone in the contestant area stared intently at the virtual screen, but most of their expressions were calm, maintaining a big-shot demeanor, as if it didn’t matter who they fought.

Please don’t be Zeng Feitian, please don’t be Zeng Feitian… Qiao Sang silently prayed in her heart.

Compared to the opponent she had just defeated not long ago, she preferred to compete against an unknown opponent.

At the same time.

Front row.

Please don’t be Qiao Sang, please don’t be Qiao Sang… Zeng Feitian’s expression didn’t change much, but his heart rate was constantly accelerating, feeling a bit nervous.

Even after reviewing the match, he still wasn’t confident he could win against that Yan Jiaoou.

Qiao Sang was also the most watched contestant in this Regional Competition, and her matches had extremely high viewership and post-match popularity. He didn’t want people to see him in the future and only think about his two consecutive losses to the same opponent.

Soon, Fen Tongji’s head flew out of the virtual screen, its color unchanged.

“Zeng Feitian VS Qi Fuqing”

Zeng Feitian looked at his opponent’s photo and name and let out a huge sigh of relief.

“Qiao Sang VS Chen Tianqin”

I actually got matched with such a popular contestant… Qiao Sang’s heart skipped a beat as she looked at her opponent’s photo, but at the same time, she felt a faint excitement.

Chen Tianqin, 33 years old, achieved a good result of top eight in last year’s Regional Competition, and his popularity is very high this year, making him a strong contender for the top three.

She still remembered when she was sitting in the family area at the opening ceremony, and the cheers around him were terrifyingly loud the moment he appeared.

As she was thinking, Qiao Sang suddenly felt a gaze and couldn’t help but turn her head.

She found that her matched opponent, Chen Tianqin, was staring at her with an unfriendly expression.

Qiao Sang: “???”

He’s an opponent, not an enemy, why is he looking at me like that?

Chen Tianqin retracted his gaze, and his eyes returned to their previous calm.

…

Inside a Chinese-style residence.

Tao Yun Kai sat on the sofa, looking at the list on the virtual screen, her gaze falling on the names “Qiao Sang VS Chen Tianqin” and her eyebrows raising.

She didn’t expect them to meet so soon…

Her thoughts returned to yesterday, recalling the scene where Chen Tianqin questioned her.

“Why?! Everyone has worked so hard to get into the National Beast Appraiser Combat Team, Meditating at 5:30 every morning, training intensely all day, and the schedule is so tight that almost no one has time to rest!” Chen Tianqin said indignantly:

“Why is she special?! She doesn’t have to train or compete, yet her treatment is the same as ours!”

Tao Yun Kai patiently explained at first:

“She’s a student of the Imperial Beast Academy, with a teacher specifically guiding her. She’s still young now, and it’s a time for her to absorb knowledge and grow, so it’s indeed not suitable for her to undergo high-intensity training all day.”

Chen Tianqin sneered: “So what if she’s a student of the Imperial Beast Academy? Aren’t all the kids in our Guo Yu Bureau Youth Training Team running between school and the training base?”

“Did you join the Guo Yu Bureau for the benefits, and not to fight for the country in the future?” Tao Yun Kai said impatiently: “This is the decision of our entire coaching staff. If you have a problem, go ask the head coach.”

Chen Tianqin left in a huff.

Tao Yun Kai’s thoughts returned to reality as she looked at the list displayed on the virtual screen on the TV, sighing inwardly.

She could understand why Chen Tianqin was so angry. In fact, it wasn’t just him; others in the National Beast Appraiser Combat Team probably felt the unfairness.

After all, everyone had struggled step by step to get here, and it took a lot of effort to avoid falling behind in the National Beast Appraiser Combat Team and being replaced by others.

But now, someone didn’t have to do anything to be associated with the Guo Yu Bureau, and they wouldn’t have to worry about being kicked out of the National Beast Appraiser Combat Team for the next twenty years.

This match, Chen Tianqin would likely be filled with too much personal emotion.

If Qiao Sang could win, it should help them understand the coaching staff’s decision a little.

…

Competition venue.

After looking at their opponents, many contestants in the contestant area stood up and left.

Qiao Sang glanced at the match order and found that it would be her turn in the afternoon, so she didn’t get up.

She had been watching this Regional Competition since the preliminaries and had a general idea of each contestant’s information.

Chen Tianqin was a popular contestant, and he had just participated in the Regional Competition last year. All of his Pets had been in combat, and many people had discussed them.

All the public information that should be known is known. Even if the opponent’s strength has greatly increased this year, it’s impossible for her to investigate hidden tactics in one morning… Qiao Sang thought, looking in Chen Tianqin’s direction, and saw that he also hadn’t left, which made her frown slightly.

Could it be that the opponent also knows a lot about her and feels there’s no need to investigate further?

She pondered for a moment, then stood up and left.

To be safe, it’s better to plan tactics with Ya Bao earlier.

As time passed, the sunlight gradually became scorching, baking the venue.

However, cool breezes occasionally blew from all directions of the venue, preventing everyone from feeling the unbearable heat.

The sunlight gradually became less dazzling.

Time quickly arrived in the afternoon.

A fierce match had just ended on the field, with a blue avian Pet flying the contestant back underground.

On the commentary stand, Tian Yiwan looked at the list in his hand and said excitedly:

“The next pair of contestants is truly the focus of attention! One is last year’s top eight contestant from the Regional Competition, Chen Tianqin!”

The entire venue erupted in enthusiastic cheers.

“Tianqin, Tianqin! Heaven rewards diligence! Invincible!”

“He is only 33 years old, and he has won all of his previous matches with a perfect record. Many people predict he will win the championship this year.” Tian Yiwan continued:

“And the other is contestant Qiao Sang, who contracted the legendary Pet, Qingyin Fairy, and is also the youngest dark horse of this Regional Competition!”

The entire venue once again erupted in cheers.

“Qiao Sang, Qiao Sang! Youngest in age! But the most awesome!”

“It’s very interesting that these two are grouped together.” Tang Xueyi smiled and said: “Chen Tianqin is the youngest contestant among the B-Grade Professional Pet Tamers besides contestant Qiao Sang, which means that the two youngest B-level Beast Tamers will show us a wonderful battle.”

Tian Yiwan then continued:

“Who will win this round of the competition?”

As soon as the words fell, two blue avian Pets carrying two figures rose directly from underground.

The entire venue erupted in cheers that echoed throughout the stadium.

B-level Beast Tamer and B-level Beast Tamer are not entirely the same. The two on the field are both highly popular contestants among all B-level Beast Tamers.

The audience heard their hearts pounding, and everyone became nervous and excited, even if their idols were not Qiao Sang and Chen Tianqin. This was undoubtedly the most anticipated match of the day.

“I didn’t expect to see a super popular contestant battle in the top 16.”

“It pains me to think that one of them won’t make it to the top 10. I feel like they both have the strength to reach the top 10.”

“Who do you think will win?”

“I bet on Qiao Sang, her odds are higher.”

“Chen Tianqin, I guess. I heard he’s already joined the Guo Yu Bureau, and Beast Tamers who trained there must have different strengths.”

“I think it’s Qiao Sang. Ice Emperor Ram’s Ice Heaven Domain is simply unsolvable, and it also has a Healing Light move. Unless Chen Tianqin has a Pet with more HP than an Iron War Dragon, he’ll definitely lose.”

“It must be Chen Tianqin. I don’t deny that Qiao Sang is highly talented and her Pets are amazing, but she only recently became a B-level Beast Tamer. Chen Tianqin was already a B-level Beast Tamer last year and even made it to the top eight of the Regional Competition.”

Family area.

“Qiao Sang, Qiao Sang! Youngest in age! But the most awesome!” Ye Xiangting shouted along with Qiao Sang’s fan club.

“Aren’t you worried about her losing this round?” Liu Yao heard the slogan and, remembering her slightly worried appearance in the previous rounds, asked with amusement.

Ye Xiangting chuckled: “Didn’t she already make it to the top 32? For the rest of the matches, just do her best. Besides, even if I worry, it’s useless. It’s better to cheer her on properly.”

Even though she wasn’t from the Zhongkong region, she had heard of Chen Tianqin’s name. Against such a formidable opponent, she felt that just doing her best was enough.

Liu Yao understood. The other party thought Qiao Sang couldn’t win and that it was already amazing for her to have made it this far, so participation was key.

“Is the opponent very famous?” Mi Jiala asked, hearing the cheers around them.

Ye Xiangting hummed:

“He participated in the Yuhua Regional Competition across regions when he was a C-level Beastmaster.”

After a pause, she added: “It is said that he was also selected for the National Beast Appraiser Combat Team of the Guo Yu Bureau.”

Guo Yu Bureau… Mi Jiala then recalled something and said:

“Qiao Sang was also selected for the Guo Yu Bureau.”

Ye Xiangting: “?!! ”

Liu Yao: “!!!”

Amidst the enthusiastic cheers and discussions of the crowd, a glowing “10” appeared on the field.

Everyone tacitly fell silent.

A mechanical voice changed with the light and shadow:

“9, 8, 7… 3, 2, 1.”

Qiao Sang and Chen Tianqin simultaneously formed hand seals.

Two massive crimson star arrays lit up on the field.

Soon, two Pets of vastly different sizes appeared within their respective star arrays.

Phantom Fury Fox, an Evil-type General-level Pet, whose body emits resentment energy, intensifying the target’s negative emotions and preventing them from staying calm… Qiao Sang looked at the fox-like Pet in the distance, about six meters tall, with dark red fur wriggling like a living thing on its body, and black mane covering its back. Information related to it flashed in her mind, and at the same time, a hint of doubt crossed her heart.

She didn’t expect the opponent to send out a General-level Pet in the first match.

It should be known that the victory of the first battle is very important for the Beast Tamer’s mentality and momentum. B-level Beast Tamers generally send out King-level Pets first to win the first match.

Yan Jiaoou… Chen Tianqin looked at the magnificent Pet in the distance, and the corners of his mouth uncontrollably curled into a smile.

In the audience, everyone couldn’t help but discuss the Pets summoned by both sides:

“Yan Jiaoou versus Phantom Fury Fox, King-level versus General-level. No suspense, Qiao Sang will definitely win.”

“Why did Chen Tianqin send out a General-level Pet at the start?”

“Maybe he wants to use a General-level Pet to wear down a King-level Pet first, so that the Pets sent out later can win.”

“General-level versus King-level, how can that wear anything down? Especially with an attack-oriented Pet like Yan Jiaoou, it’s just a one-shot deal.”

“Maybe two moves. Don’t forget, Qiao Sang’s last match was at night. Yan Jiaoou has the Moonlight Power characteristic, so its state can be doubled. It’s afternoon now, so Yan Jiaoou’s state isn’t as strong.”

“Even if it can last two moves, what can it wear down?”

“I don’t quite understand Chen Tianqin’s move. After a match ends, the winner can retrieve their Pet into the yu beast codex. Yan Jiaoou can completely recover the consumed energy before its next appearance.”

On the field.

Could it be that the opponent is planning to use the resentment energy emitted from the Phantom Fury Fox’s body to make Ya Bao fall into negative emotions, so that it makes mistakes in subsequent matches? If so, then as long as we don’t engage in close combat, the resentment energy from the Phantom Fury Fox isn’t enough to spread across the entire field… Thinking of this, Qiao Sang said:

“Bounce.”

As soon as she finished speaking, she sensed that something was amiss.

The opponent did not issue an command immediately, and likewise, the Phantom Fury Fox did not move.

Moreover, now, even seeing Ya Bao attack, it made no defensive or offensive moves.

It’s too strange, it’s as if it’s deliberately throwing the match…

As thoughts flickered, Ya Bao’s mouth had already fired a red-gold beam of light, shooting directly towards the Phantom Fury Fox.

With a loud “bang,” the Phantom Fury Fox made no movement as the beam exploded on its body.

“Phantom Fury!”

Heat waves rolled, and flames soared into the sky.

Amidst the powerful flames and shockwaves, the Phantom Fury Fox screamed and flew backward.

It was severely injured all over, its eyes closed, lying on the ground, seemingly instantly killed.

Chen Tianqin’s expression remained unchanged, even showing a hint of a smile.

He slowly said:

“Mutual Demise.”

“Ya Ya!”

As the words fell, Ya Bao showed an expression of extreme pain and let out a tragic cry.

Immediately after, its body shook violently and it crashed to the ground.

The entire venue was in an uproar.

What, what happened? The audience, who had just been lamenting that the Phantom Fury Fox was indeed instantly killed, showed shocked and stunned expressions the next second.

How did Yan Jiaoou also fall?!

“Why is this happening?!” In the family area, Ye Xiangting’s face was full of confusion.

Liu Yao’s expression was serious.

Mi Jiala said in a deep voice: “It’s the S-level Mutual Demise characteristic.”

…

“Yan Jiaoou has fallen!” On the commentary stand, Tian Yiwan’s eyes widened, and he suddenly stood up: “It fell without taking any damage! What exactly happened?!”

Tang Xueran was a little calmer and said:

“It’s the Mutual Demise characteristic.”

The Mutual Demise characteristic, also known as “If I fall, you fall too,” allows a Pet with this characteristic to make the target that attacks it suffer the same damage as itself. When this characteristic reaches S-rank, it can even make the attacking target have the same physical condition as itself, meaning whatever pain it feels, the target feels the same, without the damage being reduced because the opponent’s level or defense is far superior to its own… Qiao Sang looked at the fallen Ya Bao, her face grim.

No wonder, no wonder the opponent sent out Phantom Fury Fox in the first match.

No wonder Phantom Fury Fox stood still and took the beating.

Its purpose in coming out was to take a beating and trigger the Mutual Demise characteristic!

No matter if she knew about this beforehand or not, she couldn’t prevent Ya Bao from falling down in the same way!

“The Mutual Demise characteristic can make the target attacking it have the same pain and state after taking damage as itself.” Tang Xueran explained: “Yan Jiaoou is one level higher than Phantom Fury Fox, yet it was still affected. This Phantom Fury Fox’s Mutual Demise characteristic level must be very high.”

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone suddenly understood.

A tidal wave of clamor erupted in the audience:

“Holy cow! I knew Chen Tianqin couldn’t have sent out a General-level Pet for no reason in the first match. It turns out he wanted to exchange a General-level Pet for a King-level Pet! This move is too insidious!”

“How can you call this insidious? This is strategy, understand?!”

“The Mutual Demise characteristic is that awesome? Does that mean a Pet with this characteristic can fight a King-level Pet even if it’s two or three levels lower?”

“The greater the level difference, the smaller the impact. Most importantly, this Phantom Fury Fox’s Mutual Demise characteristic level is high enough, it must have reached S-rank, otherwise it wouldn’t affect a King-level Pet.”

“Qiao Sang is so unlucky, she lost a trump card right at the start…”

“Chen Tianqin actually had such a trick up his sleeve! Amazing!”

“Such an awesome characteristic, he used it so quickly. If I were him, I’d definitely save it for later.”

“What are you talking about? Exchanging Phantom Fury Fox for Yan Jiaoou is a huge profit, okay?!”

“Ah! Yan Jiaoou! I haven’t even properly watched it battle much! Its battles are so cool!”

While everyone was discussing, a mechanical Pet referee appeared out of thin air beside Ya Bao.

“Ya Bao! You can do it!” Qiao Sang shouted.

Almost the instant she finished speaking, a scorching ball of flame suddenly exploded at Ya Bao’s location, and hot waves swept outwards wildly.

The mechanical Pet referee reacted quickly and disappeared from its original spot.

“Ya Ya…”

Crimson fire shadows flickered and danced. Amidst the burning flames, Ya Bao slowly stood up.

Chen Tianqin’s raised smile instantly froze.