The second match was scheduled to take place 90 minutes later.

Wang Rui's contracted beast needed time to recover and adjust its state. While advanced medical techniques could quickly heal injuries and restore energy, rushing into another battle would inevitably leave it at a slight disadvantage compared to a fresh competitor.

To ensure fairness, the 90-minute interval was necessary.

In cases where a beast suffered severe injuries, the rest period would be extended accordingly.

Time passed swiftly, and most of the audience remained in their seats.

As the match approached, Xu Yixuan glanced at the crowd in the stands and asked curiously, "Why are so many people still here?"

Though Qiao Sang had no intention of showing off, she had to respond since Xu Yixuan asked.

"Probably because Yabao is still here."

"Yap."

Hearing his name, Yabao glanced at the stands and raised a paw in greeting.

The crowd erupted in excitement.

"Did you see that?! It waved its paw!"

"Whoa! Such a big-shot aura!"

"Ahhh! I just put my phone away! Dang it, I didn’t catch this on camera!"

Xu Yixuan: …

After his evolution, Yabao's charisma had undoubtedly doubled. He puffed out his chest proudly.

Ninety minutes later, the second match began.

Both Xu Yixuan and Wang Rui were familiar opponents to Qiao Sang.

Wang Rui's Scaled Control Doll could perform mental sensing, giving it an edge over ghost-type beasts that relied on invisibility.

If not for Little Treasure’s additional psychic-type abilities, it would’ve been nearly impossible to land a move on Scaled Control Doll while relying solely on invisibility. Xu Yixuan’s Dream Lure Spirit likely wouldn’t fare much better against it.

Then there were Xu Yixuan’s Blaze Dog and Wang Rui’s Thorned Dragon.

From both a type advantage and overall capability, the Thorned Dragon held the upper hand.

Additionally… Qiao Sang glanced at Yabao.

"Yabao!"

Yabao couldn’t contain his excitement and cheered loudly for the Blaze Dog on the field.

Qiao Sang sighed, rubbing her forehead. She was about to tell Yabao to quiet down when the Thorned Dragon used its Nth Dig move to burrow underground. Xu Yixuan commanded the Blaze Dog to breathe fire into the hole.

Because of earlier exchanges, the Thorned Dragon had dug its burrow right next to the Blaze Dog’s feet.

The Blaze Dog bent down, opened its mouth, and aimed fire directly at the hole.

Just as the audience thought the Thorned Dragon would either get injured or be forced to surface prematurely, a violent burst of silvery energy shot out from the hole, striking the Blaze Dog head-on as it prepared to unleash its fire.

The Blaze Dog was defeated.

“Clever move.” Someone commented.

“The Thorned Dragon intentionally dug the hole near the Blaze Dog’s feet, baiting it into aiming directly. It was all a setup to unleash Dragon Breath at the perfect moment. This wasn’t just strategy, it was a premeditated plan! Definitely not Blaze Dog’s jinxing effect…”

Qiao Sang nodded to herself. In future matches, she’d make sure not to let her beasts linger near suspiciously placed burrows.

The match grew increasingly intense.

Though Wang Rui’s Spiked Dragon won the first round, Xu Yixuan adjusted her approach and was noticeably more cautious in the second.

Her Dream Lure Spirit, now at full strength, faced off against the energy-drained Thorned Dragon. After a five-minute clash, the Dream Lure Spirit used its signature move, Dream’s End, to secure victory.

The third round saw both Xu Yixuan and Wang Rui at their peak focus. They knew that the provincial finals of the National Campus Beast Mastering League would likely be their highest achievement this year.

The battle was fierce.

Dream Lure Spirit’s forte was its dream manipulation abilities, but as an old rival, Wang Rui was well-acquainted with its tricks. Combined with the Scaled Control Doll’s mental sensing, a perfect counter to ghost-types, the match lasted over ten minutes before the Doll Psychic Beast’s Illusion Ray delivered the final blow.

Xu Yixuan returned to the competitor’s area, visibly disheartened.

"I thought with Ding Yanjing out of the picture, I’d move up a rank. But it seems I’m destined for third place."

Qiao Sang comforted her.

"You still have a chance at second place, if you beat me in the next match."

According to the rules, the winners of the first and second rounds would face each other to determine the champion. Since Wang Rui had already battled Qiao Sang in the first round, a single-round-robin system was implemented. Winners earned 3 points, losers 0, and ties 1 point.

After the first two rounds, Qiao Sang and Wang Rui both had 6 points, while Xu Yixuan had 3.

With Wang Rui having fought both opponents, the final match was between Qiao Sang and Xu Yixuan.

If Xu Yixuan won both rounds, she’d take first place.

"Beat you?" Xu Yixuan’s lips twitched. She couldn’t even imagine a tie, let alone a win!

Hanggang City, Wenduan Street.

Inside the newly opened Fire Fang Beasts Breeding Shop, the space was packed with visitors, a promising start for the fledgling store.

A massive virtual screen covered half of the left wall, broadcasting an with the Zhejiang Sea TV logo in the corner.

Five staff members busily attended to customers.

Ye Xiangting occasionally glanced at the screen.

Eventually, the broadcast switched to a well-dressed man sitting in a holographic studio backdrop. Smiling, he said:

“Let’s continue following the Zhejiang High School Division Finals of the National Campus Beast Mastering League. Up next is the grand final.”

The screen cut to the Kainan Beast Battle Arena.

Ye Xiangting immediately pulled out her phone and tagged everyone in the family group chat:

[The match is starting!]

After two seconds of silence, she sent a red envelope.

The envelope was claimed instantly.

[Second Sister-in-law: I’m already watching! I didn’t even change the channel during the 90-minute break!]

[Eldest Brother: When Qiao Sang wins, you’d better host a banquet. Your sister-in-law and I will definitely come back for it.]

[Third Uncle: Qiao Sang’s really making us proud. Mom and Dad have been glued to the screen all morning.]

[Brother-in-law: Ah, I wish I could watch, but I’m stuck at work. I’ll catch the replay tonight!]

The group chat buzzed with activity, and Ye Xiangting scrolled through the messages, thoroughly satisfied.