One was Lu You, who commanded attention the moment he appeared.
Whether it was his background or his Little Rhinocerous Dragon, he had always been a hot topic of discussion in the Bǎixīn Competitions.
The other was Qiao Sang, the only contestant who dared to contract a Fire-type beast.
Her combat rhythm and the performance of her Fire-Fang Dog had also been major points of focus for everyone.
As soon as these two appeared, the platform's bullet comments surged instantly.
【Exciting, so exciting!】
【This grouping feels rigged; this match knows exactly what we want to see.】
【Fire-Fang Dog changed its sunglasses again! Link, please!】
【Taking a guess, I think the winner will be Lu You.】
【Taking a guess, I think the person before me is right.】
Although both were highly anticipated, the support for Lu You and the Little Rhinocerous Dragon steadily outweighed that for Qiao Sang and the Fire-Fang Dog.
The two had already taken their respective positions.
The few spectators in the stands were cheering and shouting, mostly calling out the names of Lu You and the Little Rhinocerous Dragon.
Qiao Sang did not like to make grand claims before a match, and Lu You was cold and aloof, so neither of them spoke.
Not until the referee called the start.
"Digging Tunnel."
The first to issue a command was Lu You.
As a beast with dual Ground and Dragon attributes, a basic skill like Digging Tunnel was naturally second nature to the Little Rhinocerous Dragon.
As soon as Lu You finished speaking, the Little Rhinocerous Dragon dug its claws into the earth and dove underground.
Because its proficiency was not yet high enough, the process was not instantaneous. If the Fire-Fang Dog were fast enough during this interval, it could completely interrupt the Little Rhinocerous Dragon's digging.
However, Qiao Sang did not issue a command.
"It seems contestant Lu You wants to resolve this in close combat. I wonder how contestant Qiao Sang will respond."
Only after the Little Rhinocerous Dragon's digging skill was completed did Qiao Sang speak: "Shadow Clone."
The Fire-Fang Dog immediately split into five, lining up in a straight row.
The ground remained motionless. The people on the field held their breath, terrified that a moment of inattention would cause them to miss the instant of clash.
Lu You frowned slightly.
Five is a bit too many...
According to his plan, he would first use the tunnel to ambush the opponent and then use his ultimate move to finish them off before they could recover.
But his first rhythm had been disrupted.
However, this was also the charm of competition.
What would be the point if everything went exactly as he planned?
"Now!"
As Lu You's voice fell, the Fire-Fang Dog standing in the middle position quickly took a step back.
Lu You's eyes lit up, and he shouted, "The middle position!"
At that moment, the Little Rhinocerous Dragon suddenly burst from the ground at the position where the Fire-Fang Dog had retreated, slamming into it and sending it flying.
"I didn't expect contestant Lu You's opening command to be a feint! The purpose was to lure out the true body of the Fire-Fang Dog! What a devious... ingenious tactic!"
The corners of Lu You's mouth curled up involuntarily.
Although the process was slightly different from what he had envisioned, it wasn't far off, and the result was as perfect as ever.
He raised his right hand and snapped his fingers, preparing to issue the final command, "Dragon..."
The final syllable of "Dragon Breath" died in his throat.
He stared at the scene before him in disbelief.
The Fire-Fang Dog in the middle had been sent flying across the ground, only to vanish into thin air!
That was actually a clone?!
He had been tricked!
Lu You realized it and was about to speak, but unfortunately, it was too late.
"Flame Vortex."
Taking advantage of the opponent's momentary daze, Qiao Sang issued her attack command.
The four remaining Fire-Fang Dogs on the field opened their mouths simultaneously.
Four rotating torrents of scorching flame struck the Little Rhinocerous Dragon in unison.
"Rhinoceros!!!"
The Little Rhinocerous Dragon let out a painful howl.
"This is...! Contestant Qiao Sang is actually this ingenious! She completely misled contestant Lu You! The Flame Vortex has hit the Little Rhinocerous Dragon from all sides! Will the winner be contestant Qiao Sang?!" the commentator shouted excitedly.
That wasn't enough.
Qiao Sang judged the Little Rhinocerous Dragon's condition.
There was a reason Dragon-type beasts were so highly sought after.
Whether it was attack, speed, or defense, they were considered all-around powerhouses.
The Little Rhinocerous Dragon also possessed the Ground attribute, which happened to counter the Fire attribute.
However, the ultimate move used by the Fire-Fang Dog's Shadow Clones was not as powerful as the original body.
A Flame Vortex composed of three illusions and one real flame was not enough to break through the Little Rhinocerous Dragon's defense and achieve a one-hit kill.
"Fire Fang!"
Qiao Sang followed up immediately.
Fire Fang had reached the "Minor Success" stage and was currently the Fire-Fang Dog's most powerful attack skill.
For the Little Rhinocerous Dragon's current state...
It should be enough.
"Digging Tunnel!" Lu You shouted urgently.
In its prime, the Little Rhinocerous Dragon could have stopped the Fire-Fang Dog from using that skill, let alone now.
The Little Rhinocerous Dragon endured the pain and thrust its claws toward the ground.
At the same time, four flaming fangs bit into the Little Rhinocerous Dragon simultaneously.
One on the left limb, one on the right, one on the left shoulder, and one on its head.
"Rhinoceros!!!"
The Little Rhinocerous Dragon cried out miserably.
Along with its cry, a white Dragon Breath sprayed uncontrollably and aimlessly into the surroundings.
Everyone watched with rapt attention.
Was a Dragon-type beast, the symbol of invincibility within its rank, really going to lose like this?
Ten seconds passed.
The Little Rhinocerous Dragon had not fallen.
Meanwhile, the Fire-Fang Dogs biting the left limb, right limb, and left shoulder vanished one after another as the Little Rhinocerous Dragon struggled violently.
Only one fierce-looking Fire-Fang Dog remained, still biting hard onto its head.
It seems this is the real one!
Lu You was overjoyed.
No one had ever pushed his Little Rhinocerous Dragon to such an extent.
He hadn't known that the Little Rhinocerous Dragon could endure this much damage; he thought he had lost the moment the Fire Fang connected.
"Use Iron Head to slam the ground!" Lu You yelled.
The Fire-Fang Dog bit down hard on the Little Rhinocerous Dragon's head, and the energy of the Fire Fang gradually weakened.
But although the Little Rhinocerous Dragon was swaying, there were no signs of it collapsing.
The Fire-Fang Dog felt frustrated.
In the past, if an opponent had been bitten like this for so long, they would have been finished long ago. This thing's skin was too thick...
Before it could dwell on its frustration, the sensation in its mouth became increasingly wrong.
At that moment, it heard its Beast Tamer's command.
"Jump down."
The Fire-Fang Dog did not hesitate and executed the command immediately.
*Bang!*
The audience's hearts jolted.
As the Little Rhinocerous Dragon on the field attempted to use Iron Head, the Fire-Fang Dog did not let go, but at the exact moment of impact with the ground, the Fire-Fang Dog jumped away!
The timing was too perfect!
The Little Rhinocerous Dragon lifted its head, its vision swimming as it swayed from side to side.
Why are there suddenly so many...
Its foot slipped.
The sky is so blue...
I really want to sleep...
"The Little Rhinocerous Dragon has lost the ability to fight! The winner is contestant Qiao Sang!" the referee announced the result excitedly.
Having been a referee for so long, he had long since become numb to these results.
But to win this match despite being at a disadvantage in both attributes and species was simply too cool!
"At the start of this match, the initiative seemed to be in contestant Lu You's hands, but in reality, it has been following contestant Qiao Sang's rhythm all along. This was truly a brilliant match! Sha Duo, what do you think?" While the entire crowd was in shock, the commentator was the first to react.
"Contestant Qiao Sang has the potential to become a professional Beast Tamer. I look forward to encountering her in future regional competitions," Sha Duo said.
As soon as these words were spoken, the audience, both at the scene and watching the live stream on the platform, erupted in excitement.