“Ma Zongji from the Guwu region, possesses the high-level pet Thousand-Path Water Bear. As a dual-attribute Water and Fighting-type pet, its high-tier skills for both attributes were demonstrated in previous matches. It possesses extremely high offensive power whether on land or in water.”
“Deng Tianyue from the Xilu region, whose high-level pet is the Dark-type Black-Devouring Troll. It is said to have a terrifying appetite, eating anything and everything, capable of swallowing any object and converting it into its own energy. Be cautious if you see it gnawing at the ground or eating soil during a battle.”
“Duan Man from the Lianke region, possesses the Steel and Ground-type Steeltra. Its entire body is covered in several segments of plate armor; it enjoys eating Mad Iron Stone and iron-rich spring water. Its defensive power is terrifyingly strong.”
As the contestants took the stage one by one, related information surfaced in Qiao Sang's mind.
It had to be said that while her strength had improved by leaps and bounds since the start of the competition, she didn't dare guarantee a hundred percent victory in every match now that she had reached the regional qualifiers.
Qiao Sang withdrew her thoughts and couldn't help but consider another option: should she just use her points to let Lubao evolve... With two high-level pets, wouldn't her win rate skyrocket?
Time flew by quickly.
As noon approached, the morning matches finally drew to a close.
“Teacher Yi, you can let the next group take the stage!”
The next group of contestants... Hearing the slightly excited voice in his earpiece, Yi Ao's heart inevitably accelerated.
He took a deep breath, brought the microphone to his lips, and tried his best to keep his voice from trembling
“Next, let us welcome Tang Zhongyi from the Lianke region, and Qiao Sang from the Yuhua region, to the stage!”
The entire audience fell silent in perfect unison for a second, and then collectively exploded.
“Ahhhhhhhhh!”
“Ice Lugia! Ice Lugia! My Ice Lugia is finally coming!”
“Qiao Sang! Qiao Sang! I beg you! Summon Ice Lugia!”
“I waited for it! I finally waited for it! Heaven knows I was almost falling asleep just now!”
“I... I suddenly feel like crying!”
“Huh? Ice Lugia? I'm actually about to see Ice Lugia?!”
Although the regional qualifiers had gathered the most skilled young battle-masters from various regions, it was still a high school competition.
The audience, having seen too many high-level Beast Tamer matches, simply couldn't get their emotions fired up.
As a result, for the entire morning, they looked like people paid by the officials just to fill the seats and maintain appearances—and unprofessional ones at that.
When contestants appeared, only a few people gave symbolic applause.
The sudden boiling of the spectator stands now left the contestants—except for those from the Guwu region—completely bewildered.
“Holy crap, you scared me. What happened?”
“Did the audience come back to life?”
“What's the situation? Did someone famous arrive?”
“I think I know what's going on. The data says this Qiao Sang has a pet that is an endangered species from the Guwu region.”
“This is too exaggerated; the whole place is cheering for Qiao Sang.”
“I'm so jealous. If you didn't know better, you'd think this was her home turf.”
“To be fair, wouldn't the pressure be huge in this situation? What if she loses?”
“That's not something we need to worry about.”
In the Yuhua region's contestant area.
Before Qiao Sang could even react, a brilliant blue light descended, and in the next second, she appeared on the battlefield.
This scene immediately sparked more discussion among the contestants.
“Holy crap, why? Why is it a blue light for her?”
“Most importantly, Tang Zhongyi still has a white light. It's a blatant contrast...”
“Why is the light Qiao Sang uses to enter the stage different from ours?”
“Is the Guwu region too double-standard?! I want to protest! I want a blue light too!”
On the field, Tang Zhongyi's mental state was collapsing.
No one could remain unfazed when every sound hitting their ears was cheering for their opponent.
To be honest, it wasn't that he had never attended matches in other people's home regions, but it had never been this exaggerated; even the surface-level fair treatment was gone.
It's just an Ice Lugia, is it really that big a deal...
But what truly disheartened him was the opponent in front of him.
Before the match, Tang Zhongyi had checked the data of all contestants who made it to the regional qualifiers and memorized everyone who possessed a high-level pet.
As long as he wasn't paired with a high-level pet owner in the first elimination stage, he had a chance to make it into the top 40.
But he was just that unlucky, matched against one of the 21 contestants with a high-level pet.
And it was a contestant with explosive popularity in the Guwu region.
Tang Zhongyi suddenly felt that his luck today had hit rock bottom.
The venue did not proceed directly to a countdown to let the contestants summon their pets as before.
Instead, a passionate BGM began to play.
“Friends! It is now 11:01 AM Guwu time, and this is the final match of the first morning of our regional qualifiers! Tell me, is everyone tired?!” Above, Yi Ao spoke and pointed the microphone toward the audience.
“NOT TIRED!!!” the audience answered in unison.
“Then let me hear your voices cheering for the contestants!” Yi Ao shouted.
“Ice Lugia! Ice Lugia!”
“Qiao Sang! Qiao Sang!”
“Ice Lugia! Ice Lugia!”
Only these two chants echoed from the stands.
Tang Zhongyi was numb.
“Very good! I believe both contestants have felt everyone's passion!”
*No, I haven't...* Tang Zhongyi thought dryly.
“Let's have a full-venue countdown to welcome the summons of our two contestants!”
As soon as Yi Ao finished speaking, a holographic number “3” appeared in the air.
Simultaneously, the audience shouted in unison
“3!”
“2!”
*Good grief, even I'm getting a bit excited...* Qiao Sang's heart beat slightly faster.
The Guwu region's intention to have her summon Lubao was simply too obvious. However, emotion is contagious.
She had to admit that their excitement was indeed affecting her.
“1!”
As the countdown ended, Qiao Sang formed a hand seal.
The audience collectively held their breath.
Upon a green star-array, a pale blue pet appeared in everyone's sight. It looked like a fox, with a brilliant blue diamond-shaped jade embedded in the center of its forehead and white fluff distributed across its tail fin and neck. Its entire being exuded an aura of aloof elegance.
“Lu.” Lubao flicked its tail.
“Ahhhhhhhhh! Ice Lugia! It's Ice Lugia!”
“Qiao Sang! I love you!”
“I can't take it, I'm going to cry, I'm so moved, Qiao Sang actually summoned Ice Lugia!”
“Ice Lugia just wagged its tail! It's so cute I could die!”
“I'm becoming a Qiao Sang fan! Just because she summoned Ice Lugia in her first match! I'll be a fan until I die!”
The spectator stands were a sea of screams, and many people's eyes were glistening with tears.
The people in the contestant area felt their scalps tingle.
The Guwu region is too terrifying...
While feeling numb, they also felt a sense of relief—thank goodness they weren't the ones matched with Qiao Sang...
Amidst the feverish atmosphere, Yi Ao announced the start of the battle in a voice so excited it cracked.