Chapter 1066: 830: Lightning Lizard

Chapter 1066: Chapter 830: Lightning Lizard

“Gangzhan.”

Gangbao paused for a moment, then immediately put on a serious expression and nodded.

It was too embarrassed to admit that it hadn’t considered that point at all just now…

“Ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to Zone 1, the live stage of the ‘Tini Cup’ Youth Coordination Competition!” The booming voice of the host echoed from the virtual screen.

The competition had begun… Qiao Sang couldn’t help feeling a bit nervous as she looked toward the virtual screen.

After thoroughly understanding the competition’s mechanics and the abilities of the contenders who had advanced so far, honestly, she felt it would be very hard for Gangbao to win.

The loss wouldn’t necessarily be just from a 1v1 match but more likely from the combination of scores earned during the Coordinated Battle segment and the earlier performance showcase, which might not be enough to get Gangbao onto the podium.

Her current goal was to give it her all and ensure that Gangbao performed at its absolute best in the match…

The competition proceeded methodically as participants backstage paired off one by one, reducing the pool.

Every region or organization hosting a coordination competition had slightly different formats for their matches.

In the ‘Tini Cup,’ the matchup list for the Coordinated Battle was not revealed all at once. Instead, the system assigned the first group of opponents at the beginning of the competition day.

Once the first group concluded their battle, the system would then allocate the names of the next set of opponents on the spot.

This format added an element of thrill since you didn’t know beforehand who your opponents would be or whether you’d be the next participant called up.

The Coordinated Battle was limited to five minutes per match. Even with the introduction by the host, the matches progressed quickly.

A half-hour in, the virtual screen above the stage began cycling through photos of the remaining participants.

Soon, two pictures enlarged and froze in place.

One showed a girl with long red curls, a round face, slender brows, and graceful features radiating an air of elegance.

The other depicted a girl with black, neatly tied-up hair in a ponytail, her delicate facial features exuding a budding aura of dominance.

“Next up are contestants number 06, Yiluodi, versus number 78, Qiao Sang!”

The background music (BGM) started playing.

The stage lights flickered dramatically.

The crowd erupted into cheers, showing immense enthusiasm for the upcoming contenders.

Almost everyone in the audience had attended yesterday, and the introduction to the “only Gangzhan Giant Falcon currently on Chao Su Star” was still fresh in their minds.

Naturally, upon returning home, they had searched for more information and found out about Qiao Sang.

“Speaking of which, isn’t Qiao Sang a Professional Beast Tamer? I heard online that she’s currently studying in the Beast Taming Department at Yuliandun. How did she end up competing in a coordination match?”

“Maybe she’s planning on a dual discipline, trying out Harmonizer as well?”

“I think so too. Isn’t it pretty common for university students nowadays to pursue dual specializations?”

“But given Qiao Sang’s Beast Taming Talent, focusing on coordination seems like such a waste, doesn’t it?”

“Are you saying us Harmonizers are inferior to Professional Beast Tamers?!” Someone nearby glared immediately.

“That’s not what I meant.” The original speaker quickly explained, “I just think her talent for combat is so strong, dividing her energy into another domain feels like a pity.”

“I, on the other hand, think Qiao Sang’s Flame Kiru, Bing’ai Palu, and the Gangzhan Giant Falcon from yesterday all have strong coordination potential. She might achieve just as much in the Coordination Sector as she would as a Professional Beast Tamer.”

“What pet beast do you think she’ll send out for today’s match?”

“I’ll bet 100 Alliance Currency it’s Bing’ai Palu. The moment it steps on stage, showcases its presence, and casts Ice Heaven Domain, it’s a sure win.”

“Then I’ll pick something different. I’ll bet on Flame Kiru.”

…

Backstage.

Led by staff members, Qiao Sang stepped onto the stage’s elevator platform.

Taking a deep breath, she turned to Gangbao. “Let’s go.”

“Gangzhan.”

Gangbao nodded seriously.

With a wave of her hand, Qiao Sang withdrew Gangbao back into the Beast Taming Codex.

The elevator platform began to rise slowly.

Spotlights converged on her.

The BGM stopped.

Qiao Sang fixed her gaze on her distant opponent, her nerves tightening imperceptibly. She dared not relax in the slightest.

If she remembered correctly, Yiluodi had showcased an Electric-type General-level Pet Beast during the performance stage.

Electric-types countered Flight-types, and its level was one tier above Gangbao’s. If Yiluodi sent out that pet beast, Gangbao likely wouldn’t last the full five minutes…

Meanwhile, Yiluodi regarded the black-haired girl across the stage. She maintained a composed exterior but inwardly lamented her bad luck.

Of all the competitors here, how did she end up matched against this monster?!

If Qiao Sang summoned Bing’ai Palu or Flame Kiru, with just a single move like Ice Heaven Domain or Magma Purgatory, her pet beast would be obliterated instantly.

How was she supposed to fight that?

At that moment, the stage’s overhead holograph descended, forming the giant face of a mechanical pet beast that gazed downwards and announced:

“The match begins.”

Both participants simultaneously formed seal gestures with their hands.

The orange-yellow Star Array before Qiao Sang lit up first.

A massive purple figure appeared in the eyes of the audience.

For a split second, the previously excited and noisy spectators went silent.

Many faces reflected expressions of confusion and incomprehension.

To be honest, although the Gangzhan Giant Falcon was currently the only known advanced form of Little Steel Falcon on Chao Su Star, Qiao Sang also had Bing’ai Palu and Flame Kiru. Either one would have seemed like a better choice than the Gangzhan Giant Falcon.

No one had ever thought she’d send out a High Level Pet Beast for this match.

Turning what seemed like an easily winnable match into a disadvantage unnecessarily was baffling to the crowd.

While the audience expressed bewilderment, Yiluodi was more thrilled than anything else.

The Gangzhan Giant Falcon! She knew it—there was no way a prodigy Beast Tamer like Qiao Sang would suddenly cross into coordination for the sake of winning.

Clearly, that wasn’t her primary goal!

From another orange-yellow Star Array, an entirely yellow pet beast with black-tipped ears, tail, and claws slowly emerged on Yiluodi’s side.

The Lightning Lizard, an Electric-type General-level Pet Beast, typically found in deserts, possessed specialized cells capable of generating electricity under sunlight. As long as exposed to sunlight, it could sustain itself without food… Qiao Sang observed the pet beast and recalled its relevant details in her mind. As expected, Yiluodi had sent out a General-level Pet Beast.

“Gangbao,” Qiao Sang called out internally.

The next moment, Gangbao soared gracefully into the air, beating its wings downward with force.

In an instant, shimmering purple feathers, like violet blades, shot forth from its body, crisscrossing and surging toward the Lightning Lizard.

“The performance begins!” Yiluodi exclaimed.

At her command, yellow arcs of electricity leapt across the Lightning Lizard’s body. The arcs writhed and twisted upward rapidly, merging into a cohesive, intertwined lightning strike that shot toward Gangbao.

The lightning’s speed was extraordinary.

Under its brilliance, the dozens of violet blade-like feathers appeared sluggish by comparison.

Right before the lightning was about to hit Gangbao, the previously interlaced yet independent electrical currents converged into one, dramatically increasing their power!

At the same time, as the yellow lightning surrounding the Lightning Lizard’s body made contact with the violet blades, it temporarily froze them midair, suspending their motion.