Inside the Royal Sports Arena, beneath an artificial night sky glittering with starlight, the roar of a million spectators crashed like a physical wave over the massive central battle platform, which was etched with reinforcing Runes.
A spotlight suddenly snapped on, illuminating the two young men walking out from the tunnels on either side.
On one side was Zhao Qing, clad in the deep blue battle robes of North Netherworld Academy.
He had a powerful build and a resolute face, his eyes burning with undisguised battle lust and confidence.
He waved to the stands on both sides, drawing a wave of cheers from the audience.
On the other side was Gu Ming himself. Having shed his Shadow Cloak, he stepped into the spotlight and walked onto the field with a calm demeanor.
Unlike Zhao Qing’s ostentatious display, Gu Ming’s expression was placid and his steps were steady. It was as if the roaring, tsunami-like atmosphere around him meant nothing. Only his eyes, clear and focused, stared straight ahead.
This gave his colleagues, who were stealing a moment from work to watch the live stream on their phones, an inexplicable sense of familiarity.
"That demeanor... it’s a bit like Teacher Tang’s, isn’t it?"
Someone in the office muttered.
But no one replied. They were all glued to the live stream.
"Ladies and gentlemen! The moment we’ve all been waiting for is here!
"The first round of the National Tournament main event, and it’s the match of the hour!
"It’s North Netherworld Academy’s practical combat star, Zhao Qing, versus Wenquxing University’s academic genius, Gu Ming!"
The commentator’s voice boomed throughout the arena, amplified by an Array.
"Contestant Zhao Qing might be a new face to many of you, but our friends in the Zhou Capital will certainly recognize him! He was the champion of the combat division in last year’s Zhou Capital High School Beast Taming Tournament. His ferociously powerful Molten Rock Giant Ape left quite an impression!
"And contestant Gu Ming is the top scholar from the national exams, an academic with astonishing abilities. He’s authored several major papers for the *Peak* journal, but his actual combat prowess remains a mystery—one that will be unveiled today!"
Almost in sync with the commentator’s introduction...
...a few lines of text flashed almost imperceptibly before Gu Ming’s eyes.
’At fifty years old, you entered the National University Beast Taming League for the first time in your life.’
’Opponent: Zhao Wuhuo, son of Zhao Qing. Main Pet Beast: Molten Rock Giant Ape, Three-star, Adolescent Stage, Attributes: Fire/Earth, Trait: Heart of Fury... Threat Level: High.’
’Secondary Pet Beast: Wind Fang Wolf King, Three-star, Adolescent Stage, Attribute: Wind, Trait: Gale Shadow... Threat Level: Medium-High.’
Gu Ming hadn’t known who his opponent would be before arriving; he only found out from the commentator’s announcement.
Therefore, he’d had no time to gather intelligence.
With the system, however, he could at least obtain some potentially useful information.
It was only "potential" information because the system could sometimes misjudge an opponent’s Evolution and Star Level.
’I’ll have to assume this is what I’m up against.’
’Cyan Treasure has a Light Grass Spiritual Root and finishing moves like Mastery of Wood Escape, Plant Life Light Wave, and Rootless Wood.’
’But it won’t be an easy fight against Fire, Earth, and Wind Attributes.’
’Attribute-wise, it’s severely countered by the Molten Rock Giant Ape. The risk is immense.’
’Ah Kun is Water Element and also has the Fear Attribute, which can counter the opponent.’
’Ah Ji has Light and Dark Dual Spiritual Roots. It hasn’t learned many Light Element Combat Skills, but it knows a whole slew of Dark Element ones.’
The information vanished in a flash.
Gu Ming had already made his decision.
Just then, the commentators began announcing the rules: the match was a fair duel, meaning both sides had to deploy an equal number of Pet Beasts.
In other words, since his opponent had two Pet Beasts, Gu Ming could only use two as well.
This was precisely why Gu Ming was analyzing his opponent and selecting which of his Pet Beasts to field.
’Cyan Treasure, you’ll have to sit this one out and watch.’
Gu Ming gently relayed the thought to the eager Cyan Treasure in his Beast Taming Space.
He could feel Cyan Treasure’s excitement, which turned to palpable disappointment upon hearing his decision.
But Cyan Treasure was sensible. It already knew the rules and that one of the three Pet Beasts had to sit out.
’I’ll let you fight next time there’s an opportunity.’
*Hiss...*
Cyan Treasure flicked its forked tongue, signaling that it was okay; it would watch from the Beast Taming Space to gain experience.
"Both contestants, please release two Pet Beasts!" the referee’s voice rang out.
Without hesitation, Zhao Qing waved his hand, and two beams of light flashed.
To his left, a three-meter-tall Molten Rock Giant Ape landed with a deafening CRASH. Dark red molten light flowed across its body, and its scorching aura made the very air around it shimmer.
To his right, a lithe Wind Fang Wolf King appeared without a sound. Its fur was like silver, its fangs were sharp, and its emerald eyes glinted with a cunning ferocity.
Zhao Qing took a step forward, his tall frame radiating a palpable pressure. A battle-hungry grin split his face, and his voice boomed, dripping with undisguised provocation:
"Hey, Wenquxing!
"It doesn’t matter how good your papers are; that’s just armchair theorizing!
"This arena is no place for a scholar. In a minute, my ape’s fists and my wolf’s claws will teach you what *real* Beast Taming is!
"Don’t come crying back to your data reports after just the first round!"
The disdain and confidence in his voice were plain to see—a style typical of North Netherworld Academy’s practical combat faction.
They worshipped power above all else and saw Gu Ming’s academic fame as an empty bubble. Zhao Qing was eager to pop it in actual combat, proving that his own path was the orthodox one.
Gu Ming merely glanced at him before raising a hand to summon his Pet Beasts from the Beast Taming Space.
A ripple of aquamarine light spread out, and the chubby, somewhat dazed-looking Ah Kun materialized, hovering in mid-air. A platter of flowing water condensed beneath it.
Another shadow flowed like liquid, coalescing at his feet into the form of the black Cat Demon, Ah Ji.
Then, just as quickly, it silently melted back into the shadows on the ground, as if it had never appeared at all.
"Two on two! Match, begin!"
ROAR!
Zhao Qing didn’t bother with probing attacks, launching an all-out offensive from the start!
As a practitioner of combat, he firmly believed that against an inexperienced student, a lightning-fast opening blitz for a swift victory was a tried-and-true tactic.
The Molten Rock Giant Ape smashed its fists together with a thunderous BOOM and immediately activated "Molten Rush," transforming into a searing torrent of destruction as it charged straight for Ah Kun!
Simultaneously, the Wind Fang Wolf King let out a long howl. Its form flickered, instantly creating four or five indistinguishable "shadow clones."
The clones pounced on Ah Kun and Gu Ming from various angles, Wind Blades already forming on their claws.
"It’s North Netherworld Academy’s signature tactic!
"The Molten Ape provides frontal pressure while the Wind Wolf executes a flanking ambush!
"Let’s see how contestant Gu Ming handles this!" the commentator rattled off.
Throughout the stands, countless people held their breath.
High above in the royal viewing box, the Thirteenth Prince, Zhou Shichen, gazed calmly down at the platform. His long, slender fingers rested lightly on the crystalline railing, his expression unreadable.
Teacher Huo, watching the live stream, was so nervous his fists were clenched. He muttered under his breath:
"Come on, kid, you’ve got to hold on. Don’t let it end in the first round..."
「In a secondary Dao Field at Wenquxing University, where a match had just concluded.」
Lu You didn’t even have time to wipe the dust off her Mouse Treasure before she scrambled to pull up the live stream on her phone.
She tuned in just in time to see Gu Ming caught in a pincer attack, and her heart leaped into her throat.
Facing the thunderous assault, Gu Ming’s eyes narrowed:
"Ah Kun, summon the waves!
"Ah Ji, disrupt the Wolf King!"
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