[I just heard that Qiao Sang is attending the Imperial Beastmaster Academy!]
As time ticks on, it reaches nine in the morning.
The host steps onto the stage, greets the audience, introduces the guests, and after going through all the procedures, finally gets to the main event:
"Next, weāll proceed with the pairing for the top 108 advancing to the top 54! Letās welcome the judge from the notary office!"
A giant virtual screen appears out of nowhere in the venue.
Everyone stops their conversation and focuses on the screen and Fen Tongji.
"Fen, Fen."
Fen Tongji steps into the arena, splits into two, as his head floats towards the center of the giant virtual screen, merging into it.
Photos of all contestants start to shuffle rapidly, mixing up.
After about ten seconds, the photos pair up two by two, freezing on the screen.
Qiao Sang glimpses at the third pair and sees her own photo.
Nice, competing all three times on the first day, so she wonāt be harassed by malice during night rest... Qiao Sang feels at ease and starts viewing her opponent.
However, when she sees the opponentās photo, the smile that had just started to form drops again.
Shi Bing, 38 years old, C-rank Beast Tamer, though only C-rank Beast Tamer, has actually nurtured a King-level Pet Beast.
As a C-rank Beast Tamer, having a King-level Pet Beast naturally attracts attention.
Even though he settled each of his previous two rounds with two Pet Beasts, Qiao Sang knows the rank of all his Pet Beasts from the media.
One King-level, two General-level, and one High-level.
If nothing unexpected happens, heāll likely send out a King-level and two General-level.
No luck meeting opponents who would send out High-level Pet Beasts... Qiao Sang sighs inwardly.
A General-level Pet Beast, even at the initial stage, would be sure loss for Qingbao.
As thoughts flicker, staff members approach, respectfully reporting the names of the top three paired contestants, inviting them backstage to prepare.
Qiao Sang gets up and heads backstage with the group.
This time, instead of waiting directly in the backstage waiting area, she goes to a vacant corner.
"Qingbao," Qiao Sang calls out.
"Qingqing." Qingbao appears.
"The next opponent will send out the weakest, but it will still be a General-level Pet Beast," Qiao Sang shares the opponentās situation.
"Qingqing..."
Qingbao is taken aback.
What does this mean?
Not going to compete?
Qingbao seems to understand something, revealing a disappointed expression.
The wind around blows fiercely at the same time.
Qiao Sangās hair flies, her face resolute as she continues:
"So, are you prepared? To face the General-level Pet Beast."
"Qingqing..."
Qingbao raises its head, looking blankly at its Beast Tamer.
Meanwhile, the strong wind abruptly halts.
Qiao Sang goes on: "You rest assured, Iāll first consume a wave from the General-level Pet Beast, but even then, its power would surely surpass you. If you think the odds arenāt great, I have lots of other competitions to join later."
Truth be told, unless the General-level Pet Beast is almost down, Qingbao really has little chance of winning.
If Qingbao were like Yaobao or Little Treasure Hunter, carrying an idol burden, she wouldnāt advise sending Qingbao out into this match for its debut under everyoneās watch.
"Qingqing!"
Almost immediately after her words, Qingbao nods decisively.
Itās going to compete!
"Even if it might lose?" Qiao Sang asks.
"Qingqing!"
Qingbao nods vigorously.
"Why do you want to compete so much?" Qiao Sang canāt contain her curiosity.
To her view, Qingbao isnāt the type that loves to excel and compete.
"Qingqing."
Qingbao thinks seriously for a moment, giving a call to express its desire to try.
"Try?" Qiao Sang is momentarily stunned.
This is an answer she hadnāt anticipated.
"Qingqing."
Qingbao nods.
To try, whether Gangbao or Little Treasure Hunter, they both seem to enjoy competing, and...
"Qingqing."
Qingbao pauses, then shows a sweet smile before calling out.
Weāre companions, arenāt we? I want to win the competition for you too.
Qingbao... after hearing this, Qiao Sang is moved beyond measure, fervently declaring:
"Alright! Weāll win the match!"
...
Time flows.
The competition unfolds smoothly.
At the commentary stand, Tian Yiwang looks at the next contestantsā profiles, his tone involuntarily excited:
"Next up are contestant Qiao Sang and contestant Shi Bing, both highly anticipated in this tournament!"
"Thatās right," Tang Xueran concurs:
"One is the youngest in this tournament, the most discussed and frequently trending, even during non-competition days, contestant Qiao Sang, and the other is one of the few C-rank Beast Tamers owning a King-level Pet Beast, who can hold his own against B-level Beastmasters, contestant Shi Bing."