The saying goes: Amateurs watch the spectacle, while experts focus on the technique."

To most onlookers, Lubao had simply dodged the Thorned Dragon’s dive attack and countered with a Water Stream Jet. However, to those familiar with water-type beasts or professional Beast Tamers, something stood out.

“So that’s why it expended so much energy to use Rain Prayer right off the bat! Turns out this water-type beast has the Swift Swimmer trait!”

“This water-type beast’s energy levels seem far beyond the standard for mid-tier beasts.” commented a Beast Tamer specializing in water-type creatures.

The size and force of a Water Stream Jet typically correlate with the beast's physical build. Yet, the Water Stream Jet Lubao unleashed earlier was several times larger than her own body, suggesting extraordinary energy reserves.

First Row of the Contestant Area

Xu Yixuan glanced at the Blazing Star Canine, the pet beast tightly restraining his excitement, visibly holding back its urge to cheer.

Unable to resist, she asked, “Are you trying to cheer for your tamer? Why not just shout?”

“Yap... woof!”

Yabao barked in explanation: Their tamer had told them him was more effective to channel cheering energy internally rather than shouting, so vocalizing support wasn’t ideal.

Xu Yixuan, clueless, guessed, “Are you saying they don’t need cheering to win?”

“Yap.”

Yabao hesitated for a moment, realizing that wasn’t wrong, and nodded.

See? I knew I had a talent for understanding beast languages. Should I just major in it at university? Xu Yixuan mused.

On the Battlefield

The rain continued to fall.

“Hisss…”

The Thorned Dragon shook its dizzy head but didn’t collapse.

As expected of a dragon-type beast, its defenses are formidable, Qiao Sang thought in awe.

The Thorned Dragon, with its dual attributes of dragon and ground, was naturally weak against water. Logically, Lubao’s Water Stream Jet, enhanced by the Swift Swimmer trait, should have delivered a one-hit knockout. Yet, the Thorned Dragon merely appeared dazed rather than severely injured.

“Keep attacking!” Qiao Sang commanded decisively.

“Lu!”

Seizing the moment, while the Thorned Dragon was still dizzy, Lubao unleashed another Water Stream Jet.

“Hiss…”

This time, the Thorned Dragon took a direct hit to the head.

But Lubao wasn’t done.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Under the rain, Lubao’s speed doubled, chaining attacks one after another. Each time it landed, it transformed into a torrent of water, relentlessly striking the Thorned Dragon.

The ferocity of Lubao’s attacks left the Thorned Dragon no room to counter.

To the audience, the scene was nothing short of a one-sided thrashing.

Although everyone expected Qiao Sang to win, given her opponent was a dragon-type beast, the overwhelming display still stunned the crowd.

“Dig!” Wang Rui shouted, clenching his fists. Though his voice sounded determined, his heart churned with frustration and defeat.

Lubao was undoubtedly the weakest of Qiao Sang’s three beasts in terms of combat power, yet he was still utterly crushed.

“Hisss…”

Sensing its tamer’s emotions, the Thorned Dragon fought through the pain and dizziness, forcing its eyes open.

Another Water Stream Jet hurtled toward it from behind.

This time, the Thorned Dragon barely staggered but stayed upright. In the next moment, it swiftly dug a hole and disappeared underground.

Wang Rui was briefly stunned, then a flicker of hope lit his face.

His command to dig had been more theoretical than practical. Given the intensity of Lubao’s attacks, there was barely any chance for the Thorned Dragon to execute it. On top of that, it had already suffered significant damage.

To his surprise, the Thorned Dragon had managed to follow through.

Meanwhile, Lubao’s next Water Stream Jet was aimed directly at the spot where the Thorned Dragon had been. Though the dragon was now underground, Lubao didn’t stop.

The blue torrent surged straight into the freshly dug tunnel.

Wang Rui’s eyes widened. Seriously? It followed into the tunnel? That’s insane!

The audience erupted.

“Holy crap! Did Ice Qiya just follow it into the tunnel?!”

“What a move! But a water-type beast shouldn’t be able to see underground, right? And what if the Thorned Dragon dug a maze of twists and turns? Wouldn’t it get stuck?”

“Even one turn is enough to mess it up. With the speed of that Water Stream Jet, it could easily knock itself out by slamming into the walls.”

“I think it just couldn’t stop its momentum in time. It won’t get knocked out, though, at most, it’ll take some damage. Plus, doesn’t it know Healing Light?”

“Wait a second... Holy!”

The audience collectively fell silent, their eyes glued to the battlefield.

What they had expected didn’t happen. Instead, the Thorned Dragon burst out of the ground with a pained roar, launching straight into the air. A massive torrent of water followed, and emerging triumphantly from the tunnel was none other than Ice Qiya.

Boom!!!

The Thorned Dragon crashed to the ground, this time completely unconscious.

Lubao calmly dispelled the water surrounding her and stood coolly beside the fallen dragon.

Wang Rui was dumbfounded.

The crowd exploded into cheers.

“What the heck?! Can a water-type beast actually launch Water Stream Jet underground?!”

“How is this even possible? Even if it could see underground, how could it control its movements through a narrow tunnel at that speed?!”

“This is outrageous! If this were a regional championship, I’d understand, but that kid is only 15! How do you even train a water-type beast to this level?!”

“This Qiao Sang is incredible! She’s trained her water-type beast to perfection!”

Unbeknownst to the cheering crowd, Qiao Sang herself was stunned.

Honestly, I didn’t expect Lubao to follow the Spiked Dragon into the tunnel.

What surprised her even more was Lubao successfully navigating the tunnel and striking the Thorned Dragon.

Her vision might be enhanced by the Blue Dew Crystal elixir, but seeing the tunnel doesn’t mean her reflexes and reaction time should match. I clearly underestimated Lubao’s capabilities. After this match, I’ll need to test her skills properly.

The referee’s whistle signaled the end of the match as Qiao Sang waved to recall Lubao.

The livestream chat, which had been full of “Whoa,” “Amazing,” and “OMG,” suddenly shifted to desperate pleas.

[Don’t! Why recall it?! I want more Ice Qiya action!]

[Please don’t do this! Just let Ice Qiya take on all of them!]

[Summon it back! I’m begging you!]

[Cool it, folks. Wang Rui’s next beast is psychic-type. Sending out Ice Qiya wouldn’t be a great matchup.]

[Relax. Ice Qiya’s energy is probably low after all those Rain Prayer and Water Stream Jets. No way it can keep going.]

[I don’t care! I just want to see Ice Qiya again!]

Ignoring the frenzy, Qiao Sang made a hand seal and summoned her next beast, Little Treasure.