Chapter 769: Before the Final
Chapter 769: Before the Final (Combined)
Birit’s thoughts were really wandering. "Shouldn’t you be asking about the match...?" he grumbled internally, but on the surface, he answered calmly:
"The seals for summoning different numbers of familiars vary. The final of the Beastmaster Star Tournament is tomorrow. I’ll teach you the seal properly after the match."
In most cases, Beastmasters don’t need to use the seal for summoning multiple familiars simultaneously, except for those who compete in doubles or when a Beastmaster reaches a certain level and naturally learns it.
Of course, some Beastmaster Lineages teach the seal gestures before their brain domain even awakens.
Once you bond with a familiar, you won’t need to waste time learning it anymore.
Honestly, he was a bit surprised.
He had assumed Qiao Sang would have learned these seals before becoming a formal Beastmaster, but it turned out she hadn’t.
"Alright." Qiao Sang nodded.
The final match was tomorrow, so she needed to focus more on improving her seal speed and studying her opponent’s information.
...
11:10 PM.
The villa.
The bedroom.
"Xunxun~"
Treasure Seeker floated over to Qiao Sang and called out, indicating that it was going out to find Little Brother.
Qiao Sang, sitting at her desk, turned her gaze from the computer to Treasure Seeker and nodded slightly. "Go ahead, and come back early."
"Xunxun~"
Treasure Seeker called out sweetly in acknowledgment and then vanished.
Qiao Sang returned her attention to the computer screen.
#Beastmaster Star Tournament Final Lineup, Apollo! Qiao Sang!#
#Apollo vs. Qiao Sang, Who Will Win the Title#
#Where Did Qiao Sang’s Familiar Get Its Styling Done at a Companion Beauty Salon?#
#Apollo Has Been Radiant Lately, Seemingly Close to Good News#
#Comprehensive Analysis of Qiao Sang’s Familiar#
#Comprehensive Analysis of Apollo’s Familiar#
Ever since the final lineup was announced, the Beastmaster Star Tournament’s Authorities Forum had been buzzing with discussions about her and Apollo. Qiao Sang’s eyes skimmed over the posts and clicked into the one analyzing Apollo’s familiar.
[Apollo’s familiars are well-known: he has four, three of which are General-Class, and the last one, bonded a year ago, is still Intermediate and won’t be summoned in the match, so we can ignore it.]
[Among the three Champion-level familiars, the strongest is undoubtedly the Steel Dragon. Its defensive strength is unmatched, and it’s a rare familiar in its race with the Light Metal Trait, which reduces its weight by half, making it much faster than other Steel Dragons.]
[It also has the Durability Trait, which increases its defensive strength when attacked. I believe the Steel Dragon could likely withstand Qiao Sang’s Flame Kiru’s Mars Rain.]
[However, it rusts easily when it comes into contact with water, weakening its defensive strength. It particularly dislikes Rainfall and probably Snowfall as well. If it faces Qiao Sang’s Iceapura, its combat power might be halved.]
[Among the other two, I think the second strongest is the Swim Beast. Like Qiao Sang’s Iceapura, it’s an ice and water dual-attribute Champion-level familiar with the Frost Body Trait, which allows it to gradually recover status during Snowfall, and the Snow Clearing Trait, which increases its speed during Hailstorms or Snowfall.]
From a Trait standpoint, it seems like Iceapura would have the upper hand against Swim Beast, but I believe that if Swim Beast were to face Iceapura, Swim Beast would actually be at a disadvantage.
After all, Iceapura knows the Advanced Skills Frost Haven and Healing Light. It's the only familiar among all the contestants that has Advanced Skills, and it would definitely use Frost Haven right from the start in the finals, instantly taking out the opponent.
Apollo's final Champion-level familiar, Bimo Fox, was the first familiar he bonded with, but it clearly isn't as strong as Steel Dragon or Swim Beast in the later stages.
Moreover, it's a pure fire-type familiar, and its proficiency with various Fire Skills is far lower than Qiao Sang's Flame Kiru. I don't think there's a high chance that Bimo Fox will be sent out.
In summary, I believe Apollo has a chance to win, but it definitely shouldn't be Steel Dragon facing Iceapura. If Steel Dragon, as the ace, is taken out by Iceapura, the situation would become very difficult to predict.
Bimo Fox... Qiao Sang's gaze lingered on these three words after reading the post.
The post revealed a lot of information to her.
However, the only things she knew about Bimo Fox were its level, that it was the first familiar Apollo bonded with, and that it was a fire-type familiar.
As a Beastmaster's first familiar and a powerful Fire Familiar, Qiao Sang didn't think Bimo Fox was as weak as the post suggested.
She exited the forum and typed "Apollo Bimo Fox" into the search bar of her browser.
Soon, a bunch of related content appeared.
There were differences between different Bimo Foxes, just like with Treasure Seekers. If she simply searched for "Ghost Ring King", she wouldn't find information about its Psychic Attribute.
Qiao Sang then clicked into a discussion thread.
"Has anyone noticed that Apollo's Bimo Fox seems to be appearing less in matches over the past year? Does anyone know why?"
Below were a bunch of replies:
"Apollo already has a Steel Dragon, and now his Sea Lurker has evolved into a Swim Beast. Bimo Fox is probably relegated to the second tier in Apollo's lineup."
"Bimo Fox isn't in the second tier. It just appears less often, but whenever it does, it always wins."
"Exactly, Bimo Fox has helped Apollo win the Familiar Arena Battles three times."
"But you're talking about three times. The most recent C-Class Familiar Arena Battle was won by Steel Dragon."
"Hey, don't make it sound like Steel Dragon is the only one that fights in the Familiar Arena Battles. It just decided the outcome of the final match."
"Ha, the fourth floor mentioned Bimo Fox winning three Familiar Arena Battles, and you're not even acknowledging it."
How did this turn into an argument... Qiao Sang scrolled down, ignoring some irrelevant comments, and stopped at a particular reply:
"Didn't a Reporter take photos of Apollo's Bimo Fox practicing Combination Techniques last year? The C-Class Familiar Arena Battle is coming up soon, so I think Apollo is holding back, not wanting to reveal Bimo Fox's training progress too quickly."
"I think you have a point. And didn't Bimo Fox fall into a Toxic Pool last year? Someone reported seeing Bimo Fox use the Mid-tier Toxic Skill Venom Fang."
"Right, right, right. That's when Bimo Fox started appearing less in matches. Apollo is probably training it in Combination Techniques with fire-type and toxic-type skills, planning something big."
Soaking in the Toxic Pool can teach one Toxic-Type Skills? Maybe I should let Fangy and the others... Qiao Sang suddenly realized she was getting ahead of herself and quickly refocused her thoughts.
A combination of Fire-type and Toxic-Type Skills... Analyzing it this way, it doesn’t seem entirely unreasonable. These two attributes, when used together, can both attack and continuously wear down the opponent, making them a potent trump card...
Even though it was just a guess from an internet friend, Qiao Sang somehow felt this possibility was quite high.
She didn’t think Apollo would go easy on her just because she saved his father. After all, this was still a deal.
Moreover, sending out one’s best lineup in a match is also a way of showing respect to the opponent.
Apollo should respect her enough not to hold back Bimo Fox’s trump card until the Familiar Arena Battles...
As she was thinking, her mobile phone vibrated.
Qiao Sang looked at the phone and suddenly remembered the Treasure Seeker who was out searching for Little Brother.
Maybe I should just get a mobile phone for Treasure Seeker. If anything happens, it’ll be easier to contact him... Qiao Sang thought as she picked up her phone and saw a message from Hylis.
【I’ve prepared all the Artifacts. I’ll deliver them to your place tomorrow at noon. I’ve prepared four Artifacts this time, so no matter which familiar you summon in the finals, they’ll be useful!】
Hylis, lying in bed, stared at the message he had just sent.
Actually, he still hoped that the Steel Slash Giant Falcon would be the one to showcase these Artifacts.
However, he understood that Qiao Sang was about to face the finals against a four-time Familiar Arena champion. Summoning an Advanced Familiar in such a match was almost impossible.
Upon further thought, Qiao Sang’s other three familiars were also very popular. As long as she won the championship, showcasing any of her familiars would effectively promote his Artifacts.
【What kind of Artifacts?】 Qiao Sang replied.
Hylis smiled as he typed:
【You’ll see tomorrow.】
...
The next day.
Qiao Sang awoke at seven in the morning.
She turned her head and saw Treasure Seeker playing on the computer at the desk.
“Treasure Seeker...”
“Xunxun!” Treasure Seeker perked up at the sound of his Beastmaster’s voice.
“When did you get back?” Qiao Sang asked, sitting up in bed.
“Xunxun~” Treasure Seeker turned around and called out sweetly, indicating he had returned before six.
Qiao Sang picked up her mobile phone and checked the time on the screen. “So, you’ve already been playing the computer for an hour, huh?”
“Xunxun...”
Treasure Seeker first broke into a sweat, then suddenly remembered something and straightened his back, looking as if he had a good excuse.
“Xunxun!”
“Xunxun!”
He had spent the evening looking for Little Brother and hadn’t had time to play the computer, so he was just making up for lost time! It’s not like he was playing around!
Qiao Sang: “...”
Fine, you win.
“Play for a bit longer, then shut it down and come eat breakfast,” Qiao Sang said.
“Xunxun~”
Treasure Seeker immediately chirped happily, acknowledging her words, and then eagerly turned back to the computer.
Maybe I shouldn’t get him a mobile phone after all. He might go out at night to play the mobile phone instead of looking for Little Brother... Qiao Sang muttered to herself as she walked into the bathroom for a quick wash.
When she reached the living room, she unsurprisingly found a steaming breakfast on the table, with Vice Principal nearby, engrossed in his mobile phone.
“You’re awake.” Liu Yao heard the movement and smiled, looking up.
Qiao Sang pulled out a chair and sat down, giving a short “hmm” before looking at Vice Principal and organizing her thoughts:
“I have the final tonight. The organizers gave me a Vip ticket. Do you have time to come and watch?”
After last night’s match, when she was preparing to return through the passage, a staff member found her and gave her a Vip ticket. Her first thought was to give it to Vice Principal.
Liu Yao was taken aback for a moment, then chuckled, “You should have said earlier. I got a ticket for the final the day before yesterday.”
So, he had already planned to come and watch her match the day before yesterday... Qiao Sang felt a warm surge in her heart but then thought of something and felt a bit embarrassed:
“Vice Principal, you got your ticket the day before yesterday? Were you so sure I would make it to the final?”
Liu Yao didn’t hesitate, nodding confidently, “With your skills, I was certain you would make it to the final.”
This made me feel so awkward… Qiao Sang controlled her smile and said:
“Why don’t you return the ticket you bought? Mine is a Vip ticket, so the seat will be better.”
Liu Yao didn’t refuse, smiling and nodding, “Alright.”
After breakfast, under the Space Teleportation of the Treasure Seeker, Qiao Sang instantly appeared in the classroom.
As soon as she appeared, her classmates immediately surrounded her.
“Qiao Sang! Yesterday’s match was amazing! You actually dominated Vakher!”
“Iceapura is so cool! The Ghost Ring King’s appearance might be a bit funny, but his strength is undeniable!”
“Xunxun…”
The invisible Treasure Seeker couldn’t help but raise a claw to touch the two small tufts on its head.
Funny, huh?
“Qiao Sang, I’ll cheer for you at tonight’s final!” Dorothy said excitedly.
“Me too!” someone immediately chimed in.
“Beat Apollo!” The student who had initially said he liked Apollo was a blonde boy.
The spiky-haired boy who had argued with him earlier put a hand on his shoulder and laughed, “Aren’t you Apollo’s fan?”
The blonde boy coughed, “I’m now Qiao Sang’s fan.”
The room erupted in laughter.
Feeling the light and cheerful atmosphere in the classroom, Qiao Sang smiled, “Thank you all.”
At her words, the laughter and chatter instantly stopped. Everyone was taken aback for a moment, then they all started to fidget.
They had already placed Qiao Sang on a high pedestal, thinking they could only awkwardly approach her to say a few words, but she had thanked them so sincerely…
Honestly, they were a bit overwhelmed…
…
Noon, 12:00 PM.
Villa.
“Xianbao.”
Xianbao Butterfly called out, and a pink wave immediately spread from its antennae.
Under the effect of the Wave of Peace, Fangy’s eyes gradually took on a clear, unblemished look.
At that moment, the doorbell rang.
Qiao Sang was about to get up from the sofa, but Steel Treasure leisurely walked over, so she sat back down.
The sound of the door opening echoed.
A few seconds later, Steel Treasure used its wings to push a huge package over.
“What’s this?” Maral, sitting nearby, asked curiously.
She wouldn’t have asked about an ordinary package, but this one was so large that it was hard not to be curious.
So big… Qiao Sang hesitated, “It’s probably an artifact…”
“Steel Slash?”
Before Maral could ask more, Steel Treasure called out, asking if they should open it.
Qiao Sang nodded, “Open it.”
Without a word, Steel Treasure’s body trembled, and a purple-glowing feather instantly flew out from its body, slicing the package a few times.
The large package split into pieces, revealing its contents.
(End of Chapter)
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