The contestants on the bench all had the same thought flash through their minds when they saw the scene unfold:

The rumors were true, Qiao Sang really has a penchant for dizzying her opponents…

"No more waiting..." Ding Yanjing’s heart tightened. He decisively switched his strategy and commanded:

"Use the electric shock now!"

"Fwe!"

The Flash-Leaving Crow, Ya Ya, opened its eyes upon hearing the order. Its gaze was sharp and clear, a stark contrast to its earlier helpless state of wailing.

It let out a cry as lightning spread across its body, yellow arcs of electricity surging along the rotation's direction and descending from mid-air in an instant.

The lightning formed a circular pattern, wildly crackling and dancing across the ground.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Explosions echoed as shallow pits appeared on the ground, accompanied by flying debris. Some fragments inevitably flew in the direction of the Treasure-Seeking Demon.

Ding Yanjing recalled Coach Zhang’s teachings:

"Using high-level skills requires focus. For skills like Shadow Control, energy flow must be sustained. No matter the skill, as long as it’s still being executed, it can be interrupted."

"Shadow Control is a high-level skill, but its efficacy depends on the user. Essentially, it's a shadow-based technique. For a Treasure-Seeking Demon, a small, underdeveloped one at that, its shadow extension is significantly limited."

"Even though this Treasure-Seeking Demon has mastered the three-dimensional mode of Shadow Control, the mode has its flaws when used for binding control."

"First, it can only bind larger opponents after getting close, as its small size limits the shadow’s range."

"Second, sufficient strength is required. Look at its previous battle videos: Every time it tried to bind flying beasts in three-dimensional mode, it couldn't pull them down. That’s because it lacks the strength to drag its opponents."

"It's like using an unbreakable rope to tie someone up. To drag them, you need the strength to match."

"In two-dimensional mode, Shadow Control doesn’t require strength, but any disruption can break it."

"If your pet gets its shadow controlled, don’t panic. When the shadows connect, the ghost-type beast must stay stationary. Just find a way to force the Treasure-Seeking out of position."

As Ding Yanjing watched debris continuously pelt the Treasure-Seeking Demon, his confidence surged, and his usual expression returned.

So what if it knows a high-level skill? Once you understand it, breaking it is a piece of cake.

Just then, Qiao Sang’s voice rang out from across the battlefield:

"Use the opponent as a shield."

Ding Yanjing: ???

Before he could react, the Treasure-Seeking Demon abruptly stopped spinning and lunged downward, suddenly spinning again with even greater force.

The controlled Flash-Leaving Crow ceased its rotation as well and dropped straight down. It came to an abrupt halt just one centimeter above the ground, then began circling the Treasure-Seeking Demon in a wide radius.

Although the Flash-Leaving Crow didn’t discharge electricity during its descent, its rapid fall caused debris from its earlier strikes to continue flying. These fragments now struck the Flash-Leaving Crow itself.

Ding Yanjing’s face froze as exclamation marks flooded his mind.

What the hell?! This works?!

Meanwhile, the audience erupted into cheers and applause.

"Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant! Who would believe this was done by a high school student?"

"Incredible! If it were me, I wouldn’t have thought to use the Flash-Leaving Crow to shield against attacks so quickly."

"Please, don’t compare yourself to them. You're 36 and only have two pets."

"That Flash-Leaving Crow is amazing too. It’s been spinning like that and hasn’t gotten dizzy. It can even attack while being controlled."

"Right? I can’t even keep my eyes open on a pendulum ride, let alone use my phone!"

"And that Treasure-Seeking Demon’s reaction speed is insane. It not only understands Qiao Sang’s instructions but executes them instantly."

Reaction speed is different from reflex.

Reaction speed depends on the coordination between sensory and neuromuscular systems.

If the Treasure-Seeking Demon’s actions were purely instinctive, the observer wouldn’t be so impressed. Reflexes are unconscious and can be trained over time.

But reaction speed is more hereditary, with limited room for improvement.

In other words, it requires both intelligence and talent.

The Treasure-Seeking Demon comprehended its master’s commands, acted immediately, and timed the counter perfectly to block debris.

Such capabilities aren’t easily trainable.

On the battlefield.

If this goes on, I’m going to lose. What should I do? Ding Yanjing’s gaze swept across the field, landing on the ground. His eyes sharpened as he shouted:

"Stab your beak into the ground!"

The Flash-Leaving Crow was already dizzy, but the pain it felt kept it conscious. Hearing its trainer’s command clearly, it opened its eyes and saw the ground just inches away.

This is going to hurt...

The thought flashed through its mind before it steeled itself. Without hesitation, it lowered its head forcefully, driving its sharp black beak into the ground.

Meanwhile, Little Treasure continued spinning, dragging its shadow along.

The ground was plowed into a ten-centimeter-wide trench before the Flash-Leaving Crow’s motion finally stopped.

Due to its size and angle, Little Treasure didn’t notice the Flash-Leaving Crow stabbing its beak into the earth. Curious, he shifted his short claws in the same spinning direction.

"Xun?"

Little Treasure looked confused.

Why can’t I control it anymore?

A gutsy move! Qiao Sang thought. For a high schooler, this decisiveness is rare indeed.

"Pull it out." Qiao Sang commanded.

Pull it out? Little Treasure paused in confusion.

In that moment, Ding Yanjing seized the opportunity:

"Use Thunderbolt on the ground!"

Electric currents surged from the Flash-Leaving Crow, flooding into the trench beneath it.

The battlefield quaked. The ground beneath the Treasure Seeker cracked and collapsed.

"Xun!"

Little Treasure had no choice but to sever his shadow control and teleport into the air.

"Fwe!!!"

Although the Flash-Leaving Crow had unleashed the attack, its beak remained in the ground. Unable to escape, debris from the collapse rained down, injuring it further.

"Fwe…"

When the dust settled, the Flash-Leaving Crow panted heavily, battered and bruised, struggling to rise.

Now’s my chance… Qiao Sang’s eyes gleamed.

"Shadow Ball."

"Xun~"

A dark orb about 20 centimeters wide formed in Little Treasure’s left claw and shot toward the Flash-Leaving Crow, knocking it back down.

"Fwee!"

The Flash-Leaving Crow collapsed.

Ding Yanjing’s expression darkened. It had been so long since he last assessed the Flash-Leaving Crow’s defensive capabilities that he underestimated the damage it would take.

In contrast, the Treasure-Seeking Demon remained unharmed, having only spent some energy. This match was a miscalculation. But it didn’t matter, he still had the Guwei Sunflower.

"Fwe…"

The Flash-Leaving Crow opened its eyes, wings trembling as it tried to get up.

It didn’t give up.

But then it saw the look of disappointment on its trainer’s face.

"Fwe…"

The strength keeping it going suddenly vanished. Its eyes dimmed, and it slowly closed them.