Chapter 771: Steel Dragon
Chapter 771: Steel Dragon (Combined)
As the Announcer's words echoed, the entire audience erupted in cheers.
Qiao Sang, seated in the Contestant Area, looked toward the Vip seats.
With her exceptional vision, she easily spotted Vice Principal after scanning two rows.
"You should head to the backstage to Prepare", Birit's voice suddenly said.
There was only one match tonight, and the opponent was already known, so there was no need to wait for the system to confirm the list.
Just as he finished speaking, Qiao Sang saw a familiar face of a staff member approaching her.
"I'll head over then", Qiao Sang said as she stood up.
Birit nodded slightly.
Qiao Sang followed the staff member toward the backstage.
Apollo Novitsky also left around the same time.
Birit turned his head, casting a deep gaze at Apollo's retreating figure.
Qiao Sang wouldn't have it as easy tonight as she did in the past few days.
But that was for the best; this was precisely what he had hoped for...
...
Yulinton University.
The first-year Beastmaster Program Class One was brightly lit at this hour.
Yulinton University offered evening classes, but students could choose to study in the library, classroom, or dedicated Training Field based on their daily schedules.
Of course, skipping was also an option; everything was up to the individual.
Gathering the entire class, except for Qiao Sang, in the classroom was a first since the start of the term.
A massive holographic screen dominated almost an entire wall.
It was live streaming the Beastmaster Star Tournament.
Everyone was excitedly discussing which two familiars Qiao Sang would send out tonight.
"I think it will be Flame Kiru and Iceapura."
"I agree. It's the final, so she'll definitely send out her strongest familiars."
"But the Ghost Ring King isn't bad either. It's a Ghost-type and Psychic-type Dual Attributes General-Class Beast Companion."
"I watched Qiao Sang's previous matches. The Ghost Ring King is strong, but it mostly relies on Shadow Control for controlling, and its attack power isn't quite enough. If it faces Apollo's Steel Dragon, it might not fare well. Flame Kiru and Iceapura seem better suited for a serious fight."
"Right, and the Ghost Ring King is too fragile. It won easily before because it wasn't attacked much. In the final against Apollo, it's likely to take some hits." The blonde boy analyzed seriously, clearly concerned for Qiao Sang.
"Who cares if it's Apollo or Apollo, Qiao Sang will definitely win", the spiky-haired boy said.
The blonde boy didn't respond, tacitly agreeing, as if he had never supported Apollo.
...
District 26.
In a small street in the city's lower levels, a gaunt-faced teenager entered a noodle shop and called out:
"Boss, a bowl of egg noodles."
He found a spot to sit and fixed his gaze on the color TV above.
Soon, the boss brought a bowl of egg noodles to his table and, following the boy's line of sight, smiled and said,
"You always come at this time, don't you? Just to watch this match?"
Tim nodded, slightly embarrassed, "The channel at home costs extra."
It wasn't that he couldn't afford it, but the Beastmaster Star Tournament only lasted a few days, and it wasn't worth the extra expense. He could solve his hunger and watch the match at the same time.
The noodle shop wasn't far from his home, and he often visited it. He was just changing his mealtime.
"What, do you see a favorite celebrity up there?" The owner didn't leave.
Business at the shop wasn't good, so when a customer occasionally came in, he was happy to chat.
Tim looked at the TV, his eyes sparkling: "Qiao Sang, she's my idol, but I don't think she's a celebrity."
Isn't the Beastmaster Star Tournament only for celebrities... The owner, who didn't follow the news much, was a bit confused.
Just as he was about to ask more, a customer walked in:
"Owner, a bowl of beef noodles, no scallions."
"Sure thing!" Seeing a customer, the owner immediately forgot what he wanted to ask and headed to the kitchen.
The match is about to start... Tim couldn't take his eyes off the slender figure walking onto the field.
Since parting ways with his savior last time, he thought he'd never see her again. He never expected to see her so soon on TV, and in such a grand match.
Tim's eyes were filled with admiration and longing.
He was feeling a bit restless again...
...
Third District.
Tao Film Studio.
Makeup Room.
Sylvia sat on the sofa, holding her mobile phone and watching the live stream of the match.
"What are you watching?" A well-dressed woman suddenly sat down next to her, leaning in to look at the phone screen.
"Beastmaster Star Tournament?" The woman raised an eyebrow. "Do you want to participate?"
Sylvia glanced at her. "Do you think I can?"
"Why not." The woman smiled. "I heard the movie you're filming is going to be released early. What if it becomes a hit?"
Dream on... Sylvia looked back at her phone, not bothering to respond.
Just as the woman was about to say more, she heard a voice from the phone: "Now approaching the stage are the contestants who have made it to the finals, Apollo and Qiao Sang!"
Qiao Sang... The woman heard the name and looked at the phone screen, suddenly remembering something. "You're specifically watching Qiao Sang's match, aren't you?"
She had heard about Sylvia's upcoming movie. It wasn't supposed to be released so soon, but due to the attention a Ghost-type Beast Companion had received in a cameo, the release was moved up.
And the Beastmaster of that Ghost-type Beast Companion, apparently, was Qiao Sang, the focal point of the recent Beastmaster Star Tournament.
Sylvia nodded, her expression complicated.
"She's amazing. I can't help but pay attention to her..."
The last time they met, her familiar was only at the Advanced stage, but had evolved to the General-Class in such a short time. Furthermore, her strength in the Beastmaster Star Tournament was on par with a thirty-something Young Beastmaster, advancing all the way to the finals. Every aspect of it was astounding to Sylvia.
"She's pretty talented, but she's up against Apollo", the woman said, looking at the tall figure on the screen.
Even though she hadn't watched many matches, she favored the already famous Apollo over Qiao Sang.
Four-time Beast Arena Championship champion, after all, isn't something just anyone can achieve.
...
First District.
Outdoor Beastmaster Stadium.
Vip Section.
Liu Yao didn't shout excitedly like the other spectators when Qiao Sang appeared, but he kept waving his cheer stick.
Skyglow Bat did the same beside him.
Come on... Liu Yao thought, watching the girl step onto the field.
Then, a mechanical voice echoed throughout the stadium:
"3, 2, 1, Match Begins!"
On the field.
Qiao Sang and Apollo sealed their Beasts at lightning speed.
Their hand movements were so fast that ordinary people couldn't keep up.
Two Amber Star Arrays lit up almost simultaneously.
Their hand speed is even faster than yesterday... Birit, in the Contestant Area, watched with bright eyes.
Soon, two powerful and awe-inspiring auras appeared on the field.
A Dragon-type, Steel-type dual-attribute General-Class Beast Companion, the Steel Dragon... Qiao Sang looked at the massive familiar in the distance, which stood nearly seven meters tall on two legs, its body entirely made of steel with curved black stripes, and its hands, lower abdomen, and feet composed of different colored metallic substances. He felt a chill run down his spine.
But more than that, he felt excitement.
"Ya!"
Fangy, who had just entered the arena, was equally excited. With a rocket-like head, he stared at his opponent from afar, feeling the long-awaited rush of adrenaline.
Without a word, the Steel Dragon stomped its foot hard.
Instantly, an incredibly powerful white energy spread out in all directions, and the entire arena, with the Steel Dragon as the epicenter, collapsed toward Fangy's position with a thunderous roar.
Fangy sensed the danger and vanished from his spot, reappearing high in the sky.
The next second, a massive crater over a hundred meters wide appeared where Fangy had been.
Fangy's figure vanished again.
Then, with its mouth open, revealing sharp fangs, it appeared behind the Steel Dragon.
Fiery flames instantly enveloped its fangs.
At the same moment, a giant Flame Kiru, with a fiery head formed by condensed flames, also appeared, its mouth open.
"Bang!"
With a deafening explosion, Fangy bit down hard on the Steel Dragon's head.
Flames erupted, and a wave of heat swept through the area.
"Flame Kiru's Flame Fang successfully attacked the Steel Dragon!" the Announcer exclaimed with passion.
Flame Kiru, a Fire-type, Psychic-type dual-attribute familiar, possessed both formidable offensive power and the ability to teleport over long distances. Despite the Steel Dragon's Light Metal trait, it was still difficult to attack a familiar with Psychic attributes. The best strategy was to lure Flame Kiru into a close-range attack and then counter when its guard was down... Qiao Sang's matches were well-known, and Flame Kiru often teleported close to use Flame Fang. This time was no different... Apollo's mind raced, and he issued his command:
"Attack!"
The Steel Dragon, with Fangy's fangs still clamped onto its head, did not let out a loud cry like other familiars.
Without warning, it raised its claws and grabbed Fangy's tail.
"The Steel Dragon has grabbed Flame Kiru's tail! Can it not feel pain?" the Announcer exclaimed with excitement.
The scene on the field thrilled the audience, especially Apollo's fans.
The Steel Dragon certainly felt pain, but it was within its tolerance.
With one claw gripping Fangy's tail, the other claw spread out, and a solid white Energy Orb instantly formed in its hand.
Fangy, with its tail gripped, did not struggle or lash out... Apollo's mind was puzzled.
After all, for most fur-covered familiars, the tail was a sensitive area.
At that moment, Qiao Sang's voice rang out: "Explosion!"
The Steel Dragon's white Energy Orb slammed into Fangy's abdomen.
At almost the same instant, Fangy, still biting the Steel Dragon's head, seemed to have prepared a ball of energy deep in its throat, which instantly condensed and shot out in a burst of red and gold.
"Boom!"
Like a high-explosive bomb, the blast sent heat waves and shockwaves sweeping across the arena, shattering the ground.
"Ya Ya!"
"Iron Iron!"
Fangy and the Steel Dragon both let out cries of pain as they were sent flying.
Fangy flew backward into the sky, while the Steel Dragon was thrown backward.
They were hit... Qiao Sang's heart sank.
Flame Fang was only an Intermediate Skill, and even at Ultimate Mastery, she couldn't be certain it would cause damage to the Steel Dragon.
So, she initially planned to take advantage of the Flame Fang Bite Steel Dragon's attack to launch a Blazing Bomb at close range.
Even the Steel Dragon, she believed, would suffer severe injuries from such a close-range Blazing Bomb attack.
However, she didn't expect that the opponent would seize the same opportunity to counterattack.
"Steel Dragon and Flame Kiru were both sent flying backward!" the Announcer exclaimed with excitement.
"Wow!"
The roar of the crowd rose in layers, the brief clash igniting the audience's emotions.
In a Beastmaster battle competition, what they loved most was the kind of intense, heart-pounding action.
Blazing Bomb... Now that Flame Kiru was heavily injured, if she could attack first, it would be her chance... Almost the moment Steel Dragon stopped flying backward, Apollo shouted:
"Fire!"
Despite the intense pain in its head, Steel Dragon heard its Beastmaster's voice and immediately began to condense energy.
Instantly, a strong white light enveloped its entire body.
Then, the white light condensed forward, forming a straight beam of light aimed at Fangy, who was plummeting from the sky.
Its defensive strength is really impressive! To be hit by a Blazing Bomb at such close range and still recover so quickly to use Cannon Beam... Qiao Sang was momentarily stunned, then filled with admiration.
"Steel Dragon has risen! It's using Cannon Beam!" the Announcer narrated the current situation.
Cannon Beam, a Steel-type Advanced Skill, focuses the body's light into a single point and releases it, causing a powerful attack that can sometimes lower the opponent's defense.
"Dodge!" Qiao Sang called out calmly.
Fangy's defensive strength was far inferior to Steel Dragon's, but as long as it could regain some composure, it could use Teleport to dodge the attack.
The white beam shot upward at incredible speed, reaching Fangy in the blink of an eye.
At that moment, many hearts in the audience stands leaped with anticipation.
However, the expected impact of the white beam on Flame Kiru didn't happen. Just as the beam was about to hit, the falling Flame Kiru disappeared from the air and reappeared on the ground a hundred meters away.
"Yah!"
Fangy, looking at its distant opponent, looked unusually excited. It raised its head slightly and let out a high-pitched cry.
Instantly, a hundred identical Flame Kirus appeared out of thin air!
On the ground, in the air, and in mid-air, they densely filled the Arena!
Apollo's expression changed abruptly.
Regardless of the power of the clones, the visual impact of a hundred Flame Kirus appearing simultaneously was quite chilling.
The hundred Flame Kirus opened their mouths in unison, and a hundred swirling flames condensed.
The red flames instantly turned the entire Arena red!
Everyone's eyes widened, their heart rates sped up, and they held their breath instinctively.
"Metal Sound!" Apollo wasted no time, issuing the counter command.
The hundred swirling flames all headed toward Steel Dragon's position!
"Ti-iron!"
Facing the hundred flames, Steel Dragon's expression didn't change. It opened its mouth and emitted an extremely shrill sound.
The sound waves rolled out.
An invisible wave instantly spread throughout the Arena.
Under the impact of the sound waves, the hundred Flame Kirus and the hundred swirling flames all disappeared.
The terrifying red color vanished, and the Arena returned to calm, as if nothing had happened.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
