The host rambled on with a lot more words than in the previous rounds.
After about ten minutes, he said:
"In todayâs matches to decide the top 8 from the top 16, we will not use the unified battle method. Instead, we will have players compete one by one."
In other words, there were just too few participants.
Intermediate and lower-level Pet Beast battles are short. If all the players were to compete at once, even with a camera on each battle ground, it wouldnât take much time. So, to extend the broadcast channel time, having the participants compete in groups is the best choice.
The same will apply to the next few rounds of matches.
This was explained to all contestants by the on-site manager when they arrived.
Qiao Sang took her place in the front row of the contestant area and waited quietly.
The list of competing groups was drawn by guests.
Fu Jian drew "Qiao Sang, Little Ting Dragon," while Tie Daoyi drew "Yushike, Electric Mad Dog."
The Electric Mad Dog is an intermediate Electric Type Pet Beast, with a trait of being strongly attracted to fast-moving objects, so it often chases vehicles or Pet Beasts on the road... Information about her opponentâs Pet Beast flashed through Qiao Sangâs mind, and she sighed inwardly:
Another intermediate Pet Beast...
In the previous match, Little Ting Dragon got lucky, triggering the Multiple Scales trait, and the opponent used Flame Wall around him, which enhanced the power of his attack, clinching the victory.
Now all the remaining contestants probably know about Little Ting Dragonâs Multiple Scales trait, so this match likely wonât be as lucky.
There are only so few intermediate Pet Beasts, and yet how could I be so unlucky, facing two in a row before even making it to the top 10...
Little Tingbao hung from Qiao Sangâs neck, showing little interest in its opponent, seemingly unaware of the gravity of the situation.
The competition proceeded smoothly.
Battles between intermediate and lower-level Pet Beasts are quick, usually ending within five minutes.
Qiao Sang watched with interest.
Although the competing Pet Beasts are of low level, and the commands issued by the Beast Tamers held little merit, these Pet Beasts were all new and unique to those from Blue Star and Chao Su Star.
Soon, after a green monkey-like Pet Beast fell, the host announced:
"Next up are contestants Qiao Sang with Little Ting Dragon and contestant Yushike with Electric Mad Dog!"
Under the gaze of the crowd, Qiao Sang brought Little Ting Dragon to their position on the field.
A black-haired, black-eyed man, looking about 20 years old, brought a roughly eighty-centimeter-tall, primarily yellow dog-like Pet Beast with short limbs and a lightning bolt-shaped tail to the opposite side.
In the audience, people began to chatter:
"How come Little Ting Dragon matched up with another intermediate Pet Beast."
"Just bad luck, but it doesnât necessarily mean theyâll lose. Yesterday, under Qiao Sangâs command, didnât Little Ting Dragon defeat the Fire Shell Snail?"
"Electric Mad Dog seems stronger than the Fire Shell Snail, though."
"Qiao Sang has really rotten luck. Dragon-type Pet Beasts are notoriously arrogant. Wasnât there a news story about a renowned genius Beast Tamer who contracted a Dragon-type Pet Beast, then lost in a competition, and the Dragon-type Pet Beast didnât dissolve the contract but merely moved to another place to live alone? During mediation, the Dragon-type Pet Beast directly said that its Beast Tamer was too poor in skill for it. Do you think if Qiao Sang loses this match, Little Ting Dragon will still contract with her?"
"It surely will, right? Qiao Sang looks like a genius too. Otherwise, Little Ting Dragon couldnât have beaten the Fire Shell Snail yesterday. Plus, her demeanor suggests sheâs from a wealthy family. Dragon-type Pet Beasts look for Beast Tamers based on wealth and talent, and she has both."
"Not necessarily. Didnât that genius Beast Tamer from the news meet the criteria too?"
"Donât forget, this Little Ting Dragon is a Pet Beast from Blue Star. Its disposition might be a bit better than our Dragon-type Pet Beasts."
Amidst the chatter, a "3" projected on the field.
A mechanical voice announced the countdown:
"3, 2, 1, the match begins."
Little Ting Dragon and Electric Mad Dog almost simultaneously emitted arcs of yellow electricity, converging and striking forward.
Qiao Sang estimated the power of Electric Mad Dogâs discharge and decisively commanded:
"Dodge."
Upon hearing, Little Ting Dragon instinctively moved quickly to the side.
The two yellow bolts, one thick and one thin, collided in midair, with the thicker bolt swiftly overpowering the thinner one, striking where Little Ting Dragon once stood.