This was the first time she had encountered a skill specifically designed to counter Ghost-types during a battle.
However... it wasn't a big problem.
While *Insight* could detect the movements of the Little Treasure Ghost, it came with a prerequisite: she had to keep her eyes fixed on it.
For a Little Treasure Ghost, whose Hypnosis only worked effectively if it could make eye contact, this was practically a vulnerability delivered on a silver platter.
"Hypnosis."
Following Qiao Sang's command, the Little Treasure Ghost, whose position had been exposed, revealed itself and looked at the staring Dull-Eating Bear with eyes glowing purple.
Four eyes met—red against purple. Drowsiness washed over the Dull-Eating Bear; its body swayed from side to side, and its eyelids drooped uncontrollably.
"It's over, it's over, it's finally over."
"Another one taken down by Hypnosis."
"Speaking of which, this Treasure Ghost's skill proficiency is incredibly high, even though it's only a primary-stage pet."
"Don't jump to conclusions so early. Xue Chuhua was on the school team, after all; he can't be that pathetic."
"True, that... Dark Shadow Control from earlier didn't seem to do much to the Dull-Eating Bear."
While the crowd was buzzing with discussion, Xue Chuhua focused his energy and shouted at the top of his lungs, "Spicy Beef Burger!"
The Dull-Eating Bear's ears twitched, and its body stopped swaying.
"Seven-layer Cheese Patty Fried Egg Burger!" Xue Chuhua continued to shout.
The Dull-Eating Bear snapped its eyes open.
"And a Super Big Mac Medium Burger!"
"Shi-shi!"
The Dull-Eating Bear's drowsiness vanished completely. Its gaze was no longer vacant; instead, it looked around with an excited expression.
Where? Where is the food?!
Seeing this, a smile played on Xue Chuhua's lips as he delivered the final temptation: "If you win this match, I'll buy you a hundred of each of those when we get back."
"Shi-shi!!"
The Dull-Eating Bear let out an excited howl toward the sky, and immediately after, it looked at the Little Treasure Ghost with eyes full of fighting spirit.
Qiao Sang: "!!!"
To be honest, this was the first time since becoming a Beast Tamer that she had been this shocked during a battle.
A Great-Success level Hypnosis had been broken just like that.
Was this the power of a foodie?!
The Little Treasure Ghost shared the same shocked expression.
Its Hypnosis actually didn't work on this guy either...
"Rocket Headbutt!" Seeing the opponent dazed, Xue Chuhua waved his hand and seized the opportunity to give the command.
"Shi-shi!"
In the next second, the Dull-Eating Bear's massive body leaped into the air, charging violently toward the Little Treasure Ghost. During the charge, a streak of white energy condensed atop its head, and its speed was so great that air currents swirled around its body.
If this hit landed, given the Little Treasure Ghost's defensive capabilities, it would likely lose the ability to fight on the spot.
Watching the situation on the field, everyone held their breath.
"Is it finally going to win!"
"It's already the 50th match; it's time for her to go down."
"This kid Xue Chuhua has some tricks up his sleeve, actually managing to pull the Dull-Eating Bear back from Hypnosis using food."
"Forget a Treasure Ghost, even my Armored Beast couldn't withstand that Rocket Headbutt."
Shocked as she was, Qiao Sang continued to observe the situation.
Actually, the moment the Dull-Eating Bear appeared, she had thought of the safest way to fight.
That would be to rely purely on evasion and stall until its energy ran out.
It was well-known that while the Dull-Eating Bear had strong attack and defense, its reaction speed was slow.
The Little Treasure Ghost possessed teleportation, leaving it ten thousand miles ahead in terms of speed. As long as the Dull-Eating Bear kept attacking and consuming energy, it would be the first to exhaust itself.
However, Qiao Sang changed her mind now.
She had cared for the Little Treasure Ghost since birth. While she couldn't say she knew every single thought in its head, she could guess most of them.
From the Little Treasure Ghost's expression and the fact that it hadn't even bothered to stealthily approach and use Hypnosis at the start—choosing instead to use telekinesis to control the opponent from where it stood—she knew it was likely tired of fighting.
In the previous dozens of matches, the Little Treasure Ghost had fought almost entirely on its own combat instincts. Now, facing a Dull-Eating Bear, it was absolutely no match for the bear if relying solely on its limited combat experience.
It is said that pets learn everything very quickly in the early stages; whatever the Beast Tamer instills in them becomes their truth.
Having finally encountered a powerful opponent, if she won by simply dodging as she had originally planned, the Little Treasure Ghost might subconsciously try to dodge whenever it faced strong opponents in the future.
Coupled with the fact that the Little Treasure Ghost seemed to have lost its passion for battle, it was better to settle this quickly.
Although Qiao Sang had gone through a long brainstorming session, only two seconds had passed in reality.
Because the Dull-Eating Bear's transition had been so fast, the Little Treasure Ghost didn't react in time to the sudden attack and froze in place.
At that moment, it heard its Beast Tamer's voice.
"Barrier."
Barrier?
Though very confused, the Little Treasure Ghost instinctively waved its short toes, circulating the energy within its body.
As the energy gathered, a semi-transparent barrier only about 20 centimeters wide appeared in front of the Little Treasure Ghost.
The Little Treasure Ghost's eyes widened as it looked at the behemoth charging toward it, its little heart pounding wildly.
"Xun-xun..."
So scary...
This barrier can't stop it, right? It's not even as big as the opponent's head...
Immediately after, it heard its Beast Tamer's next command
"Use Dark Shadow Control on the shadow on the barrier!"
The shadow on the barrier?
The Little Treasure Ghost looked at the barrier in front of it and indeed saw the shadow of the Dull-Eating Bear.
"Xun-xun!"
The Little Treasure Ghost let out an excited cry and quickly moved its short toes upward.
Just as the Dull-Eating Bear was less than a centimeter away from the Treasure Ghost, it abruptly stopped right before the impact.
Instantly, everyone who thought the Treasure Ghost couldn't withstand the Rocket Headbutt fell silent.
In the next second, a roar of noise erupted.
"Holy crap! Holy crap! You can do that?!"
"I told you the Treasure Ghost used Dark Shadow Control at the start, but you guys didn't believe me!"
"Telekinesis couldn't control the Dull-Eating Bear, but Dark Shadow Control did!"
"No kidding! Telekinesis requires constantly increasing power based on the opponent's size and energy, but Dark Shadow Control only needs to control the shadow. Otherwise, why would the League classify it as a high-tier skill?"
"By the way, can a barrier reflect a shadow?"
"How did you even pass the entrance exam?"
"I was a special recruit, so what?"
"Oh, then that makes sense. A shadow is a projection formed when an object blocks light. Look at the environment; there are lights overhead. The Dull-Eating Bear charged straight at the barrier, so its shadow definitely appeared on it. But for Qiao Sang to think of combining a barrier with Dark Shadow Control so quickly... she's not ordinary..."
On the field.
"Just keep controlling it and make it spin in circles!" Qiao Sang gave the final command.
"Xun-xun!"
Without even needing a reminder from its Beast Tamer, the moment the Little Treasure Ghost gained control of the Dull-Eating Bear, it excitedly began drawing circles with its short toes on the barrier, playing with it.
"Shi-shi!!!"
The Dull-Eating Bear let out a miserable scream.
"You spendthrift! Struggle to break free! Think of your Super Big Mac Medium Burger!" Xue Chuhua shouted loudly.
"Shi-shi!!!"
Tears welled in the Dull-Eating Bear's eyes.
It wanted to! But it couldn't move at all!
Ultimately, Xue Chuhua had underestimated the power of a high-tier skill. After screaming for over forty seconds, the Dull-Eating Bear went completely silent.
"Xun-xun~"
Looking at the fallen Dull-Eating Bear, the Little Treasure Ghost excitedly floated toward its Beast Tamer to celebrate.
However, it suddenly remembered something. Its body swayed, and it put on a weary expression, looking at its Beast Tamer with pitiful eyes.
"Xun-xun..."
Qiao Sang: "..."
This acting...
"Dull-Eating Bear is unable to battle. Qiao Sang..." the female referee announced the result.
Just then, Xue Chuhua interrupted, "Teacher, I have another pet. You can't count her as the winner yet."
The female teacher paused and corrected herself: "Dull-Eating Bear is unable to battle. Qiao Sang wins the first round."
Having said that, she turned to Qiao Sang and asked, "Do you need to replenish energy now?"
Qiao Sang shook her head. "No need. I also have another pet; it's time for it to step up."
(End of Chapter)