Chapter 980: Counter Fifi
Chapter 980: Counter Fifi (Combined)
She then recalled how the Ao Bao Parrot King had cast a Bewitching Glance at Steel Treasure, and thought that it seemed to be in a good mood early in the morning, so it probably didn’t stay up late last night.
Qiao Sang got up, picked up Fangy, and headed for the backstage area.
She was in the third group, so if the first two groups didn’t have a tight battle, she would likely be up in the morning.
...
In the backstage area.
Qiao Sang glanced around and noticed that Qing Fuqing wasn’t there.
She found a spot to sit and started describing the opponents’ familiars to Fangy.
Just then, her phone vibrated.
Qiao Sang took it out and saw a message from Rong Yuhua:
【I have some information on Qing Fuqing. Do you want it?】
This guy had booked all the training grounds and was still acting so friendly... Qiao Sang rolled her eyes internally and replied:
【Free?】
Teacher Mikara had only asked her to participate in this match for the experience, unlike when she first joined the National School Beastmaster League, where a teacher would look up and analyze each contestant’s information and provide detailed explanations.
Currently, her information came from the internet, and there was no guarantee that she wouldn’t encounter another situation like with Chen Tianqin.
If it was free, why not take it?
Rong Yuhua replied instantly:
【Of course!】
To put it bluntly, Qiao Sang was now his only connection in the National Beastmaster Bureau.
Despite his wealth and background, they didn’t mean much to the prodigies in the National Beastmaster Bureau. If he could build a better relationship with Qiao Sang, he might be able to visit her during her training at the Bureau and make a good impression on the coaches, potentially leading to a spot in the National Beastmaster Bureau.
Even if the chance was only one percent, he wasn’t willing to miss it.
The more he thought about it, the more he felt this was his best opportunity to get closer to the National Beastmaster Bureau. He wished he could instantly become Qiao Sang’s best friend.
【Alright, go ahead.】 Qiao Sang replied.
Rong Yuhua quickly sent over the prepared file.
Qiao Sang clicked to download it.
Just as she was about to open it, Rong Yuhua sent another message:
【When are you officially going to report for training at the National Beastmaster Bureau? After the match?】
Since he had just given her the information for free, Qiao Sang was more patient with him and typed her reply:
【Maybe in twenty years.】
Rong Yuhua: 【??】
Qiao Sang ignored him and opened the file.
She scanned through it and found detailed records of Qing Fuqing’s match results, the skills and proficiency levels of her Bonded Beast Companions, and the weaknesses of each familiar.
It was surprisingly thorough, with information on every move’s proficiency and even the weaknesses of each familiar... Qiao Sang took this information more seriously and had to reassess its value.
No wonder professional beastmasters participating in major matches had entire teams dedicated to gathering and analyzing information. With this level of data, if the contestants were evenly matched, the chances of victory could increase by about 10%.
Of course, that was assuming the opponent didn’t have similar information.
Qiao Sang closed her phone and continued describing the opponents’ familiars to Fangy.
...
Time passed.
The first two groups’ matches ended with scores of 2-3 and 3-1, respectively. The second group finished relatively quickly, so there wasn’t much delay.
Soon, the battered arena sank, and a new one took its place.
It was now the third group’s turn.
“The next contestants are incredibly popular!” the commentator, Tian Yiyi, announced. “One of them is Qing Fuqing, who has participated in multiple regional tournaments and achieved impressive results. She was recently named one of the ‘Top Ten Most Charismatic Beastmasters of Hollow Plains’ this year!”
Tang Xueran chimed in:
"The other one is the world's youngest and most talented Beastmaster. I don't even want to say 'one of the,' I believe there is no 'one of the.' Although this is her first time participating in the Regional Tournament, it hasn't stopped her from being the strongest dark horse of this Regional Tournament. She has made it through each round and was even selected to join the National Beastmaster Bureau just two days ago. She is Contestant Qiao Sang!"
"Let's give them the warmest welcome as they step onto the stage!"
The arena erupted in thunderous applause, the cheers almost reaching the heavens.
The Regional Tournament happens every year, but being selected to join the National Beastmaster Bureau is incredibly rare.
In recent years, only Chen Tianqin, a web legend, was rumored to have entered the National Beastmaster Bureau. However, this was never officially confirmed by the Bureau's authorities.
Qiao Sang is different. Coach Tao Yun Kai publicly announced that Qiao Sang has officially joined the National Beastmaster Bureau, which is as good as an official confirmation by the authorities.
They were witnessing a Contestant joining the National Beastmaster Bureau firsthand.
This was Qiao Sang's first appearance since being officially confirmed to join the National Beastmaster Bureau. For a moment, the entire arena was filled with cheers for her, even overshadowing Qing Fuqing, who had just been named one of the top ten most charming Beastmasters of the year.
Amidst the cheers, two Flying Beasts rose from the ground.
Qing Fuqing waved to the audience stands, seemingly unaffected by the crowd's cheers for her opponent.
Qiao Sang was taken aback by the overwhelming cheers for her.
To be honest, from the start of the Regional Tournament to now, today's cheers were the loudest she had ever heard.
Even in the match where Qingbao had been dispatched, after winning, the crowd had mostly been shouting "Clear Hidden Sprite." Today, however, they were all shouting her name.
Moved by the atmosphere, she waved back to the audience stands.
The cheers from the stands rose to an even higher level.
The number "10" appeared in the center of the arena.
The crowd fell silent in unison.
The number began to count down with a mechanical voice:
"9, 8, 7... 3, 2, 1."
Qiao Sang and Qing Fuqing simultaneously formed hand seals.
Two brilliant Crimson Star Arrays lit up the arena.
Soon, two familiars of vastly different sizes appeared within the Star Arrays.
At the same time, the temperature in the arena dropped sharply, and large snowflakes began to fall.
Counter Fifi, a Psychic-Type Royal Beast, does not like to initiate attacks. It is very patient and prefers to endure attacks before retaliating. Its most proficient skills include Double Retaliation and Mirror Reflect, which can double the damage it receives and return it to the opponent. Its trait is Telepathy, allowing it to read the opponent's attacks in advance and dodge them. Its weakness is its tail; when the tail is attacked, it becomes unable to endure and will try to attack the opponent at all costs... Qiao Sang looked at the familiar in the distance, a creature about two meters tall with a cream-colored body, black eyes, a black saw-toothed short tail, and a mouth red as if it had been painted with lipstick. Information about it flashed through her mind.
Then, she recalled a piece of information from the data Rong Yuhua had given her:
Counter Fifi's weakness is no longer a weakness. Qing Fuqing has trained it to endure attacks to its tail. If it shows anger and launches a frenzied attack when its tail is hit, it is feigning. Be cautious.
As these thoughts raced through her mind, Counter Fifi's hands came together.
Instantly, a faint blue light enveloped its body.
The light flickered once and then disappeared.
Snowflakes fell on Counter Fifi, leaving no trace.
Mystic Guard, a general Advanced Skill, protects the familiar using it with a mysterious strength for a certain period, preventing it from falling into any abnormal status. Using this move right at the start, it seems they studied her previous match. Qiao Sang watched the scene unfold, reflecting that the 16 qualifiers were indeed no pushovers.
Lulu’s Snowfall Trait would create the perfect opportunity to silently cast Frostflower Seal. In the past, Lulu needed to lift her head and call out to cast Frostflower Seal, but now, she could simply emit a chill aura to activate it.
This chill aura was not noticeable amidst the heavy snow, as it had been when she dealt with the Toxic Sweet King.
If a familiar had poor defensive capabilities, less energy and strength than Lulu, or no preparation, it would be defeated by this move instantly.
The opponent clearly anticipated that Lulu would cast Frostflower Seal at the start.
Qiao Sang stared at Counter Fifi, hesitating to give a command.
Counter Fifi watched Lulu, making no move, waiting for her to attack first.
However, Lulu did not immediately attack as she had in previous matches.
The scene became tense.
The audience stands buzzed with speculation:
"What’s going on? Why hasn’t the battle started yet?"
"Qing Fuqing’s Counter Fifi has a battle style like this. It usually waits for the opponent to attack and then returns the attack with greater force."
"If Ice Emperor Ram doesn’t attack, will they just stand there?"
"Did you forget the match rules? Both sides can’t stay in one place without any action for 30 seconds, or they’ll be warned. One of them will definitely make the first move."
"I think Ice Emperor Ram should use the same strategy as against the Toxic Sweet King. Start with Frost Haven, then a super-amplified Colossal Ice Spike. I don’t believe Counter Fifi can withstand a mountain-sized Colossal Ice Spike."
"Qiao Sang is probably waiting for the right moment. Ice Emperor Ram’s combination techniques are quite energy-consuming."
Since Qiao Sang defeated Chen Tianqin and was officially announced as joining the National Beastmaster Bureau, everyone’s confidence in her has soared.
On the field.
Ice Emperor Ram made no move. Qing Fuqing thought for a moment and decided to change her battle strategy, ordering:
"Attack."
Counter Fifi’s eyes glowed blue.
Two silver beams shot from its eyes, hurtling toward Lulu’s position.
Counter Fifi’s endurance and defensive skills were exceptional, but its attack skills were less proficient, even after learning them. Qiao Sang remained calm.
Lulu stood firm, instantly condensing a thick layer of Ice Armor around her body.
"Bang!"
The silver beams struck Lulu, causing a few ice fragments to fall, but the Ice Armor did not crack, and Lulu remained unscathed.
Counter Fifi did not attack again.
Lulu made no move either.
Not countering... Qing Fuqing frowned slightly.
Ice Emperor Ram had Healing Light, Ice Armor, Ice Spikes, and Aurora Curtain. Whether in close combat or ranged attacks, it had defensive measures.
Counter Fifi’s attacks were not strong enough to break through Ice Emperor Ram’s defenses. Even if it used its strongest attack and succeeded, Ice Emperor Ram could quickly heal with Healing Light.
The best strategy was to wait for Ice Emperor Ram to launch a powerful attack, endure it, and then double the damage with a counterattack, possibly taking Ice Emperor Ram out in one go.
It seemed the opponent was also aware of this and did not immediately use Frost Haven followed by a powerful ultimate move as before.
Meanwhile.
The Perfection-level Mystic Guard, which lasts for 30 seconds, was now down to 29 seconds. Qiao Sang spoke up:
"Domain."
She was confident that Mystic Guard wouldn't hold up under Frost Haven, but the opponent could still use other counter skills while under Mystic Guard. To be cautious, she decided to wait until the Mystic Guard effect wore off before attacking.
"Ice Emperor."
Lulu had been preparing for this moment. Its left front paw pressed down, and a visibly chilling aura spread from its body.
"Guard!" Qing Fuqing shouted.
In reality, there was no need for her Beastmaster to give the command, as Counter Fifi had already predicted the opponent's move through mental induction.
It clasped its hands together 0.1 seconds before Qing Fuqing issued the command.
However, the chilling aura covered it almost instantly.
Counter Fifi's blue light had just started to glow when it was frozen in place, maintaining that pose.
The arena instantly turned into an icy world.
The audience stands erupted in noise.
"Ice Emperor Ram finally used Frost Haven! I've been waiting for this move!"
"Under the ice seal, Counter Fifi should have a hard time countering, right?"
"Not necessarily. Counter Fifi's counter skills are based on internal energy absorption and release, unlike other familiars that need to open their mouths or stomp their feet to use skills. The Frost Haven might only freeze its body, not its internal energy."
Amid the audience's chatter, a bone-chilling wind howled, and white snow suddenly swirled, surging across the arena like a disaster, threatening to engulf everything in endless white.
Blizzard... Qing Fuqing couldn't help but feel nervous.
Even though she was confident in Counter Fifi's endurance, this was the first time she had encountered Frost Haven. She wasn't sure if Counter Fifi could still successfully counter under its effects.
The endless snow instantly swallowed Counter Fifi whole.
The Blizzard battered the ice shell, shattering it.
Counter Fifi disappeared into the white haze.
Suddenly, a blue light flashed through the snow.
The Blizzard paused, as if blocked by an invisible force.
On the ground, Counter Fifi was glowing with a blue light, and a translucent mirror was forming in front of it. It struggled to stand up from the snow.
Qing Fuqing's face lit up with joy.
As expected, skills that release energy internally can still be successfully used even if the body is immobilized... and it seems that the Mystic Guard was also successfully cast, which couldn't have been done just by Qing Fuqing's command speed. It looks like Counter Fifi used mental induction... Qiao Sang analyzed.
Just then, the Blizzard suddenly changed direction and surged toward Lulu with even greater force.
Lulu stood its ground, unmoving.
The Blizzard instantly enveloped it.
"Counter Fifi successfully used Mirror Reflect, deflecting the attack back!" the commentator, Tian Yiyi, exclaimed. "The Blizzard has now engulfed Ice Emperor Ram!"
As the words left her mouth, a fully intact Lulu appeared before the audience.
The crowd was stunned.
How could this be? This was a doubled attack from the Blizzard... Qing Fuqing was filled with confusion.
Frost Body. During Snowfall, it gradually recovers status. A B-Rank Frost Body works the same way under a Blizzard... That's why I didn't use Colossal Ice Spike like before; I used the Blizzard to test if Counter Fifi could still use counter skills under the ice seal... Qiao Sang saw the shock and bewilderment in the opponent's eyes and remained calm.
Everyone, get a good night's sleep! (End of Chapter)
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