On the field, Qiao Sang and Wu Chang exchanged glances without saying a word.

Qiao Sang felt that Wu Chang seemed different, as though he had matured significantly since the recent upheaval.

Indeed, maturity often comes at a cost… As this thought crossed Qiao Sang’s mind, the whistle signaling the start of the match blew.

Green and gray star arrays lit up simultaneously.

Meanwhile, at the rift of the Hongrao Town secret realm.

A man in a brown jacket lit a cigarette and said, “Danger index: 7%. Based on the past few days, it’s within manageable limits. I think we can pull out.”

“Did you forget the file’s content?”

A red-haired woman beside him said calmly, “The child who witnessed the rift forming claimed they saw a Silver-armored Sim.”

The man hesitated. Silver-armored Sim, a dual-attribute King-grade pet beast, both steel and flying type. If it emerged from the rift, the entire Hongrao Town would be doomed.

“But didn’t that child say they couldn’t recognize the beast?” The man glanced at the large red butterfly-like pet beside him as he spoke.

The pet immediately adjusted its position, its rear end emitting a spark to light the cigarette in the man’s mouth.

He took a drag and continued, “The file compared the child’s description to images. What if they were mistaken?”

The woman rolled her eyes.

“Silver-armored Sim. Name another pet beast that looks anything like it.”

The man shrugged.

“But based on protocol and the analysis team’s data, the secret realm should no longer warrant a safety alert. Even if someone needs to stay here, it doesn’t have to be our entire team.”

The woman looked behind the man.

A dozen staff members busied themselves with instruments, silently conveying, Talk all you want; we’re just background props.

“Wait…”

At that moment, one staff member glanced at a detection device and exclaimed, “There’s a change in the readings. A wild pet beast just emerged. Judging by the energy fluctuation, it’s a high-level pet beast.”

People couldn’t constantly stare at the rift, and some pet beasts that could hide their presence wouldn’t be visible to the naked eye even if they came out.

In such cases, devices designed to detect energy fluctuations became crucial.

Huicheng Beast Master High School

Bang!

Encased in flowing water, Lubao shot through a cloud of dust and struck directly at the Desert-tail Fox’s head.

Dust swirled under the impact, and when it settled, everyone saw the Desert-tail Fox lying motionless on the ground and the composed Ice Qiya standing tall.

Chirp!

“Shengshui High’s Qiao Sang wins!”

The swift end to the battle left the audience calm and unsurprised.

“Ice Qiya might be a water-type pet beast, but its speed is leagues ahead of the Desert-tail Fox.”

“The Desert-tail Fox’s defense is too weak. I thought it’d last at least a few rounds.”

“Wu Chang’s rhythm was fine, he attacked immediately but the opponent was just too overpowering.”

“And Ice Qiya’s Healing Light? If it doesn’t take you down in one hit, just watching it shrug off attacks is enough to drive you mad.”

“Even though I support Wu Chang, I kind of expected this…”

“Same here…”

“Wu Chang’s loss isn’t a big deal; this was his last group-stage match, and I’ve checked his points, he’s already advancing.”

The second match began as the audience discussed.

Lubao and the Sensory Bird stood on opposite ends of the field, eyeing each other cautiously.

At the whistle, Lubao, encased in water, lunged at the Sensory Bird.

The bird flapped its wings hard, soared upward, and quickly gained altitude.

Water streams had limited range and duration, so after circling twice in the air, Lubao landed back on the ground and dispelled its water cloak.

“Brave Bird Assault!” Wu Chang seized the opportunity to issue his command.

Hearing its master’s order, the Sensory Bird dived toward Lubao, accelerating mid-flight as a green aura enveloped its body.

“Jump.” Qiao Sang said calmly.

Lubao leapt forward and vanished from sight.

The audience murmured.

“I’ve noticed. Ice Qiya always starts with a water move to wet the ground, making it easier to hide.”

“That’s a clever tactic.”

“No wonder! I was wondering why it used water skills first when ice counters flying types.”

The Sensory Bird’s attack missed.

“Air Slash at the ground!” Wu Chang quickly adapted.

The bird ascended and flapped its wings, unleashing over a dozen energy blades aimed at a specific spot on the ground.

Though the probability of hitting the tiny water droplet concealing Lubao was less than 10%, miraculously, all the slashes targeted its surroundings.

Seeing one blade about to hit, Lubao leapt out of the droplet.

Thanks to her lightning reflexes, Lubao evaded each blade, skillfully weaving through the barrage.

Good thing we practiced Scatter Stone Barrage… But wow, that bird’s eyesight is unreal, Qiao Sang thought.

Though the Sensory Bird’s keen vision was renowned, she hadn’t expected it to track which droplet Lubao jumped into even while executing Brave Bird Assault.

“Icy Wind.”

As the Air Slash ended, Lubao opened her mouth, sending a freezing gust toward the Perceptive Bird.

The bird soared higher to avoid the attack.

Now’s the time to use Rain prayer! Qiao Sang’s eyes lit up. “Rain Prayer.”

The audience gasped as her voice carried across the quiet arena.

“Did she just say Rain Prayer?”

“It sounded like it…”

“Rain Prayer is a high-tier skill, isn’t it?”

“So what? Ice Qiya knows Healing Light; why not Rain Prayer?”

“But Healing Light is inherited, while Rain Prayer has to be learned!”

“Shush, we’ll see soon enough.”

On the field, Lubao tilted her head back, gathering energy as it prepared to use Rain Prayer.

But before she could, something cold fell into her mouth.

“Lu?”

Confused, Lubao looked up.

The next moment, snow began to fall.

“What the heck? Snow in November?”

“That’s impossible!”

“Look! There’s a pet beast up there!” Someone exclaimed, pointing skyward.

“Lu…”

Curious, Lubao opened her mouth to catch another snowflake.

The air trembled.

Feeling a surge of icy energy within, Lubao’s mind suddenly cleared, a breakthrough in understanding after a night of training.

“Lu.”

This time, her expression turned serious as she opened her mouth wide.

Icy energy swept across the arena like a storm.

One second. Two seconds.

Frost fell heavily.