Chapter 748: Making an Appearance
Chapter 748: Making an Appearance (Combined)
"Let's just get on with the show. Why are you so excited? Is there a celebrity you like participating?" one of the classmates asked.
"Yes!" the blonde boy who started the conversation said, "Apollo, have you seen The Ultimate Gathering? The male lead is him, and he's super cool in it! He starts as a Rootgrass and rises from the Lower Ten Districts to the Upper Ten Districts, becoming the Champion of the Day at the A-Class Beastmaster Arena. Then, he and his friends return to the Lower Ten Districts to solve the Wild Familiar problem and protect the ordinary people. You should check it out; it's really intense!"
Another classmate with spiky hair waved his hand dismissively:
"That's just acting, not real."
The blonde boy's face immediately turned serious:
"Even if you acted, you couldn't do it."
The spiky-haired boy scoffed, "I wouldn't be an actor anyway."
"Alright, alright, stop arguing", Dorothy interjected in a timely manner.
The blonde boy and the spiky-haired boy turned to look at Dorothy, their gazes involuntarily falling on Qiao Sang, who was sitting beside her. They exchanged a glance, let out a cold snort, and turned away, giving her some face.
"Seriously, just a few words and you're almost fighting", Dorothy complained. She turned her head to Qiao Sang and whispered, "Do you want to watch the Beastmaster Star Tournament tonight? I managed to get two tickets."
Qiao Sang gave her a strange look:
"You're interested in the Beastmaster Star Tournament too?"
Dorothy pondered for a moment and said:
"Not really, but it's one of the most anticipated events recently. All the Artificers and Rune Masters are promoting it, saying how powerful their profession's celebrities are. As a Professional Beastmaster, I should at least show up to support the Professional Beastmasters."
Qiao Sang listened attentively, but her mind was elsewhere:
The Beastmaster Star Tournament isn't just for professional Beastmasters; many famous Artificers and Rune Masters also participate. Knowing their detailed information in advance and studying them still has its uncertainties.
After all, Artifacts and Spirit Patterns can be changed before the match, unlike Familiars, whose levels, attributes, and stats are already known...
It seems I can't rely too much on the data; adaptability during the match is crucial...
"Want to come with me?" Dorothy asked again.
"No, thanks", Qiao Sang said, "I have an elder taking me to a match tonight."
If it were just her, she would have no problem going with Dorothy, but with a teacher from the Imperial Beastmaster Academy, it would be a bit inconvenient.
"What match?" Dorothy asked curiously.
Qiao Sang coughed and lowered her voice, "The Beastmaster Star Tournament."
Dorothy: "???"
At that moment, all the classmates turned their attention to them.
I was speaking so softly, yet you all heard so clearly... Qiao Sang felt the gazes of her classmates and inwardly complained, though she showed no outward reaction.
She had undergone replenishment and knew these guys had been paying attention all along, which was why they reacted so quickly.
"You're going to participate in the Beastmaster Star Tournament?"
"Really?"
"Isn't it only for celebrities?"
"What's that supposed to mean! Isn't Qiao Sang better than those celebrities!"
"I didn't mean it that way! Qiao Sang isn't a celebrity!"
The classmates chattered excitedly, each adding their own comments.
Qiao Sang coughed, "Um..."
The class immediately fell silent, their gazes refocusing on her.
Being a celebrity isn't easy... Qiao Sang repeated Birit's explanation: "I once had the Ghost Ring King star in a promotional video and a minor role in a movie, so I managed to register."
If anyone else had said this, the classmates would have immediately shot them down.
A promotional video and a minor role in a movie don't make someone a celebrity. To participate in the Beastmaster Star Tournament, one had to be a well-known figure, not just a minor character or a few ads.
But coming from Qiao Sang, everyone found it quite reasonable and saw no issue with it.
"Oh, I see..."
"The Ghost Ring King starred in a movie?! Which one, I'll go watch it right away!"
"What promotional video? I've never seen it!"
"Ugh, the Blue Star Variant Familiar appeared in a promotional video and a movie, and I didn't even hear about it!"
"It looks like someone is afraid of Qiao Sang's popularity. It must have been suppressed from trending."
"You're right, I agree!"
Really, it's not that serious... Qiao Sang's lips twitched slightly as she listened to their conversation.
"Qiao Sang, I'll support you!" Dorothy finally digested the information and said sincerely.
“Thanks…”
That day, the post about #Beast Mastery Department’s Strongest Freshman Qiao Sang Preparing to Participate in the Beastmaster Star Tournament# appeared on the front page of Yulinton University Forum.
…
6:00 PM.
The Future Curve building.
Various forms of Flying-type Companions, adorned with glowing devices, flew through the night sky like streams of light.
The interplay of light and shadow created a mesmerizing neon atmosphere throughout the streets.
At the center was a massive open-air Beastmaster arena.
Almost everyone was riding their familiars, converging here.
“Ya Ya!”
Fangy excitedly took in everything around her.
“Xunxun!”
The Treasure Seeker appeared, occasionally teleporting to new and intriguing objects and holographic advertisements.
“Ice Ai…”
Lulu peeked out of the backpack, her eyes wide with curiosity at the scene outside.
Since arriving in the First District, Qiao Sang soon moved into a villa near Yulinton University. The area was quiet, with few people around.
The places he frequented were mostly nearby fitness clubs.
Later, the Treasure Seeker became familiar with the route, and Qiao Sang’s life revolved between Yulinton University and the villa. He had never been to such a bustling place at night.
Qiao Sang and Fangy, synchronized, looked up at a large bird familiar in the sky, adorned with various mechanical devices, with a look of amazement.
“Not used to going out much, huh?” Birit said tactfully.
Qiao Sang withdrew his gaze, nodded, and said, “Since I came here, my evenings have been mostly occupied. I haven’t had much chance to go out.”
“Sometimes it’s good to get out and see more,” Birit said. “Imperial Beastmaster Academy can teach you textbook knowledge, but once you return to Blue Star, you might not get another chance to come to Supernest.”
Qiao Sang thought about it and agreed, “I’ll try to get out more.”
As they chatted casually, the two of them verified their identities and entered the open-air Beastmaster arena.
The audience stands were packed, with everyone holding glow sticks and excitedly discussing their favorite stars with their companions.
The giant holographic screen above played highlights from previous Beastmaster Star Tournaments.
Qiao Sang, holding Fangy, followed Birit to the Contestant Area.
The sounds around them reached his ears:
“Ah! Medea! She’s so beautiful in person! I wonder when she’ll be on stage today!”
“Birit is here too! This year’s lineup is great, all my favorite stars are here!”
“If you could only support one, who would it be?”
“It’s still Medea. After all, she’s an Artificer like me. Artificers, we must win!”
“Artificers don’t have a high chance, they’re too proud. They mostly show off Artifacts and don’t draw Spirit Patterns.”
“Rune Masters are the same, they refuse to use Artifacts.”
“We’re all grown-ups. To win, you need to use both Artifacts and Spirit Patterns. It’s just that the capital behind them doesn’t allow it, you understand?”
“Don’t be so conspiratorial. This is the Beastmaster Star Tournament, broadcast on many platforms. With such a large audience, everyone will want to show their professional strength.”
“Huh? Who’s that kid? Why are they in the contestant area?”
Kid? Qiao Sang instinctively looked around but didn’t see any kids.
Then, the same voice spoke again, “What’s that Red canine familiar she’s holding? I’ve never seen it before.”
“Envious. Must be a rich kid, able to sit next to the stars just to watch a match.”
Red canine familiar… Qiao Sang silently looked down at Fangy, his lips twitching slightly.
So, the kid they were talking about was him…
Suddenly, Birit said, “You need to go backstage. The contestant introductions are about to start.”
“Okay.” Qiao Sang nodded, got up, and walked backstage with Fangy.
The Beastmaster Star Tournament differs from other competitions; all the contestants enter the arena one by one before the start, making a grand entrance, and the Announcer introduces each of them individually.
Qiao Sang arrived backstage, where various stylishly dressed and well-groomed people had already gathered.
“Please line up, everyone,” a staff member said.
The line quickly formed, and Qiao Sang joined the queue.
“Where’s your guardian?” a blonde woman behind him tapped his shoulder and asked.
Qiao Sang, recalling the conversation he overheard in the audience stands, realized something and patiently explained, “I’m a contestant.”
The blonde woman frowned.
People nearby heard the commotion and turned to look.
A red-haired man in front, wearing silver earrings, turned and smiled handsomely, “Little sister, if you want anyone’s autograph, I can get it for you. We’re about to enter, and you can watch us from the audience stands.”
Qiao Sang: "......"
"Staff!" The man with a short ponytail, standing behind the blonde woman, called out impatiently.
"Is there a problem?" the staff member approached.
The black-haired man with the ponytail complained, "How do you manage this? How could you let a child sneak in like this?"
The staff member present had already familiarized themselves with the participants.
The staff member glanced at Qiao Sang and Fangy, then turned to smile, "This is one of the participants in this year's Beastmaster Star Tournament."
The crowd suddenly fell silent.
A participant? A child? Everyone was momentarily stunned.
I've been saying I'm a participant... Qiao Sang felt the gazes of the crowd but remained unperturbed.
Under the scrutinizing and surprised looks, Fangy's posture subtly straightened, as if he suddenly felt the weight of being an idol.
A few seconds later, the red-haired man smiled apologetically, "It seems I made a mistake. Could I ask what your profession is?"
Qiao Sang paused, "Student."
A student trying to get a backdoor entry into a tournament of this level... The red-haired man turned away, no longer engaging in conversation.
All eyes, filled with ambiguous expressions, were now on Qiao Sang.
Qiao Sang could keenly sense their thoughts but maintained a polite expression.
Because she had indeed used a backdoor...
...
At the open-air Beastmaster venue.
The Announcer's enthusiastic voice echoed throughout the venue, "This is her last appearance in the Beastmaster Star Tournament! She is Medea Hill, who at the age of 26, ranked third in the C-Class Artificer Challenge Cup and single-handedly sparked a craze for Artifacts!"
As he spoke, the lady in the red waist-cinched dress extended her right hand to the bear-like familiar standing beside her, which was about five meters tall.
"Zongzhong."
The bear-like familiar extended its left paw, and a claw the size of a human hand emerged from the silver mechanical device, gently grasping Medea's hand and lifting her.
Medea landed steadily on the bear-like familiar's shoulder, raised her hand, and waved to the audience in the stands.
The bear-like familiar walked toward the Contestant Area.
As another figure appeared, the Announcer's voice rang out again, "He has participated in the Familiar Arena Battles four times! F-Class, E-Rank, D-Rank, and C-Class Familiar Arena Battles, and he has dominated all of them!"
"He is your four-time Familiar Arena Battles champion!"
"From the Second District, standing at 1.88 meters tall, Apollo Novitsky!"
The red-haired man with silver earrings waved as he walked into the arena.
Beside him, a fox-like familiar, about six meters tall with red fur on its face, hands, neck, and chest, and yellow fur on its forehead, ears, and tail, tossed a coin-like Artifact into the air.
Then, it puffed out its lips and shot a flame about a centimeter in diameter at the "coin."
"Bang!"
The "coin" exploded, transforming into a brilliant red firework that fell from the sky.
The crowd erupted in cheers and screams.
The atmosphere reached its peak.
At this moment, a slender figure emerged from the passage.
The Announcer, maintaining his professional enthusiasm, continued, "She comes from Blue Star, and due to her unique familiar, she was chosen for a promotional video and even starred in a movie!"
"Only 16 years old! The youngest participant in this year's Beastmaster Star Tournament, Qiao Sang!"
The screams that had been ongoing abruptly stopped, and the atmosphere suddenly dropped to an icy silence.
The audience murmured among themselves.
"Who's this?"
"Never heard of her."
"From Blue Star, maybe she's a local star trying to break into the interstellar market."
"This kid must have used a backdoor. Only 16 and she's already in a tournament of this level."
"I'm impressed. Even Olim didn't get selected, so what makes her so special?"
Damn, this is awkward... Qiao Sang waved as she walked out.
"Xunxun~"
Treasure Seeker appeared, enthusiastically waving its claws to the audience.
Qiao Sang led Treasure Seeker straight to the Contestant Area.
Was that it for the introduction? A small part of the audience, who had been intrigued by the Blue Star connection, looked disappointed.
Qiao Sang, feeling the silent atmosphere around her, lowered her voice and asked the nearby Birit, "Teacher, why didn't you tell me I had to do a performance move during the introduction? I wasn't prepared."
Birit calmly shared his perspective, "Your purpose in participating is to improve your practical combat skills. These surface-level things are not important."
Qiao Sang: "......"
Alright.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
