To the surprise of both of them, it wasn’t the more formidable Jin Lin that made the first move, but Netherworld.
Even though Yu Bao had thrashed it this morning, Netherworld showed no signs of stage fright. Its assault was incredibly sharp, with no hesitation whatsoever.
Its target was clear: it was coming straight for Yu Bao!
"Black Wood, Earth-Shaking Impact, protect our ally!"
"MOO!"
Black Wood immediately lifted its heavy hooves and stomped on the ground.
The arena instantly began to rumble and vibrate. The powerful shockwave even distorted the air, sending out a ring of pale white-colored ripples.
However, as a Pet Beast known for its defense, Black Wood ultimately couldn’t match the speed of an Azure Wave Claw.
The Earth-Shaking Impact did make Netherworld wary, but it didn’t stop its offensive momentum.
Nimbly using Water Manipulation to maneuver, Netherworld darted out of the Earth-Shaking Impact’s range, only to instantly double back the moment the shockwave dissipated and charge straight for Yu Bao!
"WHOOSH!"
Yu Bao unleashed a Sandstorm, and the surging wind and sand covered half the arena.
Under the protection of the Shield of Torrents, the attack couldn’t do anything to Netherworld; it didn’t even slow it down.
An Azure Wave Claw’s greatest strength was against this kind of Skill—wide in area but lacking in power!
Seeing its attempt to block had failed, Yu Bao lowered its body, preparing to withstand the impact.
But Netherworld screeched to a halt, using its body’s agility to turn around and charge back the way it came.
Not far behind it was another Yu Bao—one that had just been formed, preparing a sneak attack!
Seeing the dazed look on Yu Bao’s face, a glint of smug satisfaction flashed in Netherworld’s cruel, vertical pupils.
’Trying to trick me with the same move twice?’
’So you’re the only one who can use a Stand-In, huh?!’
"SWISH!"
A turbulent torrent instantly enveloped its long, slender claws.
Before Yu Bao could even dodge, Netherworld was already upon it, bringing its claws down hard.
’Eat my Torrential Breakthrough Strike!’
"BANG!" The sharp claws struck the ground unimpeded, splitting Yu Bao in two and instantly turning it into two piles of sand.
"HISS?!" Netherworld was shocked.
’How is this one a Stand-In?!’
Netherworld whipped its head around, but a sharp Furious Sand Blade was already upon it...
"SWOOSH!"
The Furious Sand Blade was incredibly swift. Fortunately, thanks to the boost from its Beast Taming Talent, Netherworld had faster reflexes and managed to sidestep it just in the nick of time.
However, when it raised its head, Yu Bao’s foot filled its vision—
This move was called the Mule Kick!
"BANG!"
Under the force of Yu Bao’s Skybound Strike, the Azure Wave Claw was sent flying through the air, tumbling like a kite with a broken string. It fell back toward the opposite side, only managing to regain its balance by controlling the water currents just before it landed.
Its serpentine face showed a humanlike expression of frustration and fury.
’I’ve really had it with this sneaky bastard!’
Yu Bao, on the other hand, swished its tail smugly.
In the Flying Shadow Alliance’s spectator stands, a wave of cheers erupted:
"God Su is awesome!!"
"Holy shit, those feints left me dumbfounded! I was watching from a bird’s-eye view and I still got totally fooled..."
"That’s called ’I predicted your prediction’!"
"God Su is doing great! He’s got the Water Element Azure Wave Claw handled, and Yu Bao has an advantage over the Electric Element one. This match should be in the bag."
"It’s hard to say. The Thunder Qilin Beast is a Low Level Commander Race, after all. Its Skills are all very powerful, and it’s hard for an ordinary Pet Beast to compare, even an Evolutionary Type."
"That may be true... but I’m still betting everything on God Su!"
The Cold and Refined Beauty in a beige trench coat sat in the last row, listening to the discussion in front of her with her arms crossed.
Chopper sat beside her, sipping bubble tea while watching the match, with two large dark circles under his eyes.
"Shouldn’t you go get some rest since you just got back? You came to watch the match without even taking a break?" Selena said softly.
"Yeah. I wanted to come see the Flying Shadow Alliance’s future rising star." Chopper grinned at her before turning his gaze back to the arena.
"Xiaosai, what are your thoughts?"
Selena nodded. "Su Zhi’s Pet Beast is fighting very intelligently."
"In terms of pure speed, Yu Bao certainly can’t compete with the Azure Wave Claw, but there’s a saying in the Beast Taming Realm: ’Awareness comes before ability.’"
"Yu Bao read the Azure Wave Claw’s eagerness to attack from its Strong Attack, so it used tactical deception against it, and finally landed a hit with a predictive Skybound Strike."
"Throughout the entire process, Yu Bao has been on a whole other level of awareness than the Azure Wave Claw. If it keeps fighting like this, there shouldn’t be any problem."
Selena concluded.
"I’m not so sure."
Chopper leisurely shook his head. "I know both of the Beast Tamers on the other side. They’re outstanding campers from the Purity Abyss Alliance’s summer camp this term. Their strength is not to be underestimated."
"It’s not necessarily something they couldn’t have thought of just because Su Zhi did. You say Su Zhi’s awareness is superior, but looking at it from another angle, isn’t it possible that Gao Yuxiang intentionally exposed a flaw to Su Zhi, to probe his intentions?"
"Now that you mention it, that’s true." Selena blinked in sudden realization. "Then who are you betting on?"
"Hmm..."
Chopper rested his chin on his hand, thinking for a moment.
"How should I put it? They’re evenly matched. It wouldn’t be a surprise no matter who wins."
"HISS!"
After being knocked back, Netherworld showed no signs of decline. With a whip of its long tail, it launched a Towering Waves attack at Su Zhi and Yu Bao.
Even though an Azure Wave Claw is a Water Element Pet Beast that leans toward close combat, Netherworld’s long-range Skills were in no way inferior to a heavy-hitter like the Hao Waterfowl!
Yu Bao decisively activated Yellow Earth Wall to protect itself and Black Wood.
"CRASH—"
The torrent of water slammed into the Yellow Earth Wall, carving out circles of cracks, but it failed to break through.
Reinforced by a layer of the Thick Earth Blessing, the Yellow Earth Wall was strong enough to block a normal attack from a distance.
Blocked by the Yellow Earth Wall, the currents split and flowed to either side, not harming the two Pet Beasts in the slightest.
But Su Zhi’s eyes widened. "Yu Bao, watch out!"
Yu Bao froze for a second and looked toward the opposite side: Jin Lin had raised its front paw, and a golden Light Array had appeared above its head, faintly flickering with electricity...