The manâs tone was stern:
âI donât care when your Guwei Blossom evolves. When you get back, youâre watching the video. If it evolves right after you return, then watch it after it evolves!â
âDonât you understand the principle of overconfidence leading to failure? Fire and psychic types, your Guwei Blossom wonât gain any advantage even after evolving into a Guwei Sunflower!â
âI donât have only one contracted beast." Ding Yanjing retorted, unfazed by the principalâs authority.
The two boys beside him kept their heads down, silently absorbed in their phones, hoping to avoid any fallout.
They were far too familiar with this scene and knew Ding Yanjing wouldnât get away unscathed.
Sure enough, the manâs face darkened as he added,
âWhen you get back, watch the video and write a 1,000-word strategy. If you donât, forget about dinner tonight!â
Ding Yanjing: ...
Litan Royal Beast High Schoolâs principal, Huang Renbiao, was a former military officer.
Even with students like Ding Yanjing, who brought great honor to the school, he maintained strict discipline.
This strictness was one reason Ding Yanjing always studied his opponents thoroughly and achieved remarkable results in competitions.
---
In Xihuai District, at the Royal Beast Training Base...
A middle-aged man ended his call and entered a nearby convenience store. He placed a bottle of mineral water on the counter.
The cashier, engrossed in a video, didnât even notice someone standing at the register.
The man seemed to think of something. With a wave of his hand, the small beast napping in his pocket vanished.
A subtle, unseen force dissipated around him.
Startled, the cashier suddenly realized someone was in front of him. Hastily setting his phone down, he scanned the barcode.
âThatâll be three alliance coins.â
The man placed three coins on the counter without a word, picked up the bottle, and walked out.
The cashier, staring at the manâs back, muttered,
âWeird... Heâs a big guy. How did I not notice him walk in?â
---
Meanwhile, battles in Group A2 were ongoing.
Having secured her 18 points, Qiao Sang didnât leave but instead stayed in the Saintwater High seating area to watch the matches.
âYap?!â
Yabao still hadnât recovered from his shock.
Itâs over? Already?!
Qiao Sang gently patted his head to comfort him.
âItâs okay. Thereâs still a long way to go. Youâll only face stronger opponents from now on.â
âYap...â
Yabao looked doubtful.
Is that really true?
Qiao Sang noticed his growing skepticism and thought,
Well, well... growing up, arenât we? Learning to question me now...
Feigning seriousness, she said,
âDonât you trust me?â
âYap yap!â
Yabao shook his head firmly, his gaze full of unwavering trust.
His expression was so earnest that Qiao Sang felt a little guilty. After all, sheâd tricked him countless times before.
Clearing her throat, she diverted his attention.
âFocus on the matches.â
âYap!â
Yabao turned to the battlefield, watching the two battling beasts with an unusually serious expression.
Meanwhile, Qiao Sangâs gaze drifted upward to the mechanical beast acting as referee.
A mechanical beast... Itâs my first time seeing one in real life.
Qiao Sang studied the metal-covered creature floating in midair, her thoughts drifting.
Mechanical beasts, also known as artificial beasts, are different from other types. Most are created and imbued with life artificially.
Of course, not all mechanical beasts are made this way.
As the field of beast taming advanced, people discovered new ways to create them.
Initially, it was believed they could only be cloned through DNA or formed from artificial materials without human intervention.
Later, researchers found that mysterious rays, dark ghostly energies, and a man-made soul called a
Soul Core
could also grant them sentience and mobility.
The referee beast above was one such creation, made using smart chips and mechanical materials.
Most mechanical beast tamers build their beasts themselves, as this allows them to maximize potential and plan for future evolution.
Because of their rarity and complexity, mechanical beasts are seldom seen contracted by everyday tamers. Some regions, however, tell a different story.
In Yuhua District, mechanical beasts are a rarity. But in Liaoxi, theyâre a common sight.
The reason?
Many locals grow up to become researchers and scientists, fostering an environment where artificial intelligence thrives.
With this technological influence, children in Liaoxi often aspire to create their own mechanical beasts, carrying on the tradition generation after generation.
Staring at the referee beast, Qiao Sang thought,
If I ever get enough contract slots, a mechanical beast would be a nice addition.
Its appearance and functions could be tailored to her preferences, and with a smart chip installed, it could analyze and solve problems on the go.
A must-have for daily life and travel!
---
The league continued smoothly. Though Xu Yixuan and He Dadao didnât finish their opponents as swiftly as Qiao Sang, they still secured their 18 points over six matches.
---
Half an Hour Later
At the Xihuai District training groundsâ dormitories...
With matches spanning an entire week, all teams competing in the area were housed in the on-site dorms, built to hotel standards.
Each room accommodated two people, but with contracted beasts sharing the space, it felt a bit crowded.
âYap yap!â
âYan!â
Yabao and YanYan locked eyes, instantly adopting battle stances. Flames flickered on Yabaoâs teeth, while Flame Sparrow spread its wings wide.
It wasnât that they didnât get along, they just loved a good fight.
âXun~â
Little Treasure appeared, his expression brimming with excitement. Floating between Yabao and YanYan, he pulled out his round ring and rummaged through it. Moments later, he retrieved a whistle.
At that moment, Qiao Sang was chatting with Wang Yao.
âDidnât expect us to be roommates.â Qiao Sang said.
âYeah, but itâs nice. Some people have to room with competitors from other schools. Thatâs gotta suck.â
Raising an eyebrow, Qiao Sang teased,
âYou mean Senior Xu?â
Wang Yao burst into laughter.
âHahaha! Exactly her!â
âPweeet!â
Suddenly, a sharp whistle interrupted their conversation.
Startled, Qiao Sang turned to see Little Treasure holding a red whistle in one paw and swinging his other paw downward.
The motion felt oddly familiar...
While Qiao Sang pondered, Wang Yao commented,
âWhen did you buy that whistle, Qiao Sang? It looks just like the refereeâs.â