Chapter 207 - 172: Yu Bao, Showtime
...
Five minutes later, at a fork in one of the giant tree’s branches—
A massive, circular platform had been arranged here using leaves, supported by thick branches. It was remarkably sturdy.
In the center of the platform, the two humans, their two Pet Beasts, and the two Shadows of Ancient Jing stood facing each other, all looking eager to fight.
The platform was surrounded by Huajing Cats. The little kittens sat in neat rows with their paws tucked in, their little heads crowded together as they watched curiously, meowing and mewing in discussion.
A battle against an outside Pet Beast was a rare event; who knew how long it had been since the last one.
They were all Huajing Cats, so they usually just practiced against each other with the same few Skills. It had long since become boring. This was a brand-new spectator experience—how could it not be captivating for a cat?
"Meow."
The Clan Leader, Jiuyou, signaled for everyone to be quiet. He then glanced at Hua Renshan, who was serving as the referee, indicating that they could begin.
Hua Renshan nodded, but let out an almost imperceptible sigh.
As a senior Alliance Member, he understood the Clan Leader’s intentions.
It was called giving them a chance, but in reality, it was just another, more tactful way of refusing.
The sum of the Real-time Energy Values on both sides was indeed similar. At first glance, it seemed to be an evenly matched battle.
However, Xiaoyue hadn’t evolved yet, and her Energy Value maxed out at just over two thousand.
The opposing Shadows of Ancient Jing were, after all, a High Level Elite Race. Coupled with their higher Real-time Energy Values, handling Xiaoyue would be effortless for them.
And the support Yu Bao could offer Xiaoyue was much less than it seemed.
He did have the highest Real-time Energy Value, and his dual Earth and Fire elements had a certain advantage over the pure Wood Element Huajing Cats.
But when the difference in Energy Value wasn’t large, such an advantage wasn’t enough to decide the victor.
What was worse, the Yu Dian Dog’s Skill System was geared toward close-quarters combat, while the Huajing Cat was a classic ranged-combat Pet Beast.
Since Xiaoyue was the weaker one, the two Shadows of Ancient Jing could easily focus on Yu Bao together, wearing him down with their superior endurance and ranged attacks before slowly dealing with Xiaoyue.
All in all, this was a battle whose outcome was all but decided before it even began.
"Are young friends Su Zhi and Shao Ya ready?"
"Give us two more minutes to discuss our strategy!"
"Of course. Just let me know when you’re done."
Hua Renshan was understanding.
’Even though they’re sure to lose, they’re top students, after all. They wouldn’t just sit back and await defeat; they’d want to lose with some dignity.’
’Hmm... Time to go browse the group chat.’
Hua Renshan opened a group chat named "Common Defense Alliance Wo-rk Sl-ack-off Squad."
As the name suggested, this wasn’t an official work group for any squad or alliance, but an underground organization for all the slackers in the Common Defense Alliance.
[Flying Shadow Alliance - Ah Ba Ah Ba]: Coast is clear, post some lewds.
[Flying Shadow Alliance-Selena]: I could post a picture of a balloon and it would be lewder than you.jpg
[Dark Alliance - Master Cui Que’s Dog]: Holy crap, how is the model worker Captain Sai in here too?
[Flying Shadow Alliance-Selena]: Can’t a model worker slack off sometimes? /seriousface
[Purity Abyss Alliance - Huahua]: Can’t a model worker slack off sometimes? /seriousface
[Flying Shadow Alliance - Ah Ba Ah Ba]: Haven’t seen Huahua pop up in a while!
[Dark Alliance - Master Cui Que’s Dog]: Huahua’s busy getting his cat fix out in nature every day, what time does he have for you? /smirk
[Flying Shadow Alliance - Ah Ba Ah Ba]: Haha, how come Huahua has time to browse the chat now?
[Purity Abyss Alliance - Huahua]: Nah, I’m refereeing a Pet Beast Battle. It’s the pre-match prep time, so I figured I’d browse for a bit.
Hua Renshan briefly explained how Xiaoyue had tried to evolve but was refused by the Clan Leader, and how the Clan Leader had finally agreed to give her a chance through a sparring match.
[Flying Shadow Alliance - Ah Ba Ah Ba]: ...
[Flying Shadow Alliance-Selena]: ...
[Flying Shadow Alliance - Ah Ba Ah Ba]: This Huajing Cat’s owner... is she a little girl with white hair?
[Purity Abyss Alliance - Huahua]: Huh? How did you know?
[Flying Shadow Alliance - Ah Ba Ah Ba]: Ahem, it’s nothing.
[Dark Alliance - Master Cui Que’s Dog]: In that case, should we start a betting pool, as is tradition?
[Cui Feng Alliance - Ke Yan]: Let’s go! Degenerate gambler right here!
[Divine Strategy Alliance - Anonymous]: A rational analysis: the two Shadows of Ancient Jing have this in the bag. There’s not much to bet on.
[Huichun Alliance - Qiuqiu Kills Me]: The cat-dog combo will definitely win, you guys should all bet on them /smirk
In the end, the poll results were announced: 2 people bet that the "cat-dog combo" would win, and 116 people bet that the "double-cat combo" would win.
"Damn it!"
Hua Renshan’s finger had slipped and he’d accidentally voted for Su Zhi and Shao Ya.
[Huichun Alliance - Qiuqiu Kills Me]: Vice Alliance Leader Sai and Alliance Leader Qiao both misjudged? That can’t be right, it’s such an obvious one-sided match...
[Flying Shadow Alliance - Ah Ba Ah Ba]: Oops, my finger slipped. Nothing to be done, guess I’ll leave it.
[Flying Shadow Alliance-Selena]: Yeah, my finger slipped too.
[Dark Alliance - Master Cui Que’s Dog]: Vice Alliance Leader Sai and Alliance Leader Qiao have lost their minds!
[Dark Alliance - Master Cui Que’s Dog]: I bet ten thousand, you know. I reckon most of your money will be mine by the end of this /smirk
[Huichun Alliance - Qiuqiu Kills Me]: What about you, Huahua? What’s your excuse?
[Purity Abyss Alliance - Huahua]: Finger slipped +1...
[Dark Alliance - Master Cui Que’s Dog]: Huahua’s lost his mind!
[Divine Strategy Alliance - Anonymous]: Huahua’s lost his mind!
[Cui Feng Alliance - Ke Yan]: Huahua’s lost his mind!
Hua Renshan’s heart went cold. He stopped looking at the flood of "+1s" in the chat.
It wasn’t a big deal. He’d only bet a few dozen. It’s not like you can spend money deep in these old mountains anyway... He’d just consider it a treat for his bros on Crazy Thursday.
Just then, Shao Ya waved at him. "We’re ready!"
"Meow." The two opposing Shadows of Ancient Jing also nodded in acknowledgement.
Hua Renshan nodded and pressed the timer on his phone. "Let the sparring match begin!"
"SWOOSH!"
The moment the battle began, three dense rows of vines erupted on the field, instantly separating the two sides.
At the same time, more vines shot out from all around, striking at Yu Bao and Xiaoyue from every angle.
—Core Skill of the Shadow of Ancient Jing, a Wood Element Middle Elite Skill, Deep Forest Grip!
Jiuyou nodded, quite satisfied.
As an Advanced Skill of Vine Fury, Deep Forest Grip had a faster casting speed, greater compatibility and flexibility, and a wider area of effect.
And when two Shadows of Ancient Jing fought side-by-side, their Deep Forest Grips could interact and stack, multiplying their power several times over.
Their move looked like an aggressive opening, but its true intent was containment.
That Yu Dian Farm Dog had a slightly higher Real-time Energy Value. If fighting one-on-one, both Shadows of Ancient Jing might actually have been defeated.
That’s why they had to seize the initiative right from the start, suppressing him with defensive harassment tactics to control the tempo of the battle.
The alternating release of a Triple Vine Barrier was, in principle, similar to creating a firebreak, and it could also effectively block the Yu Dian Farm Dog’s potential fire attacks!
’This gives them the advantage... huh? Wait a second.’
Seeing the Suspended Sand gather in front of Yu Bao and coalesce into several saber-shaped gusts of sandy wind, Jiuyou was momentarily baffled.
Then, vivid crimson flames suddenly coiled around the blades.
Jiuyou’s eyes flew wide open.
Even if he didn’t recognize the move, he could feel the dangerous aura emanating from it!
"SHIING—"
Before any of the Pet Beasts on the field could think, the Furious Sand Blades shot out in a volley, instantly slicing the triple vines into fine pieces.
The two Shadows of Ancient Jing sensed something was wrong and hastily dodged, narrowly escaping disaster.
The Furious Sand Blades’ momentum didn’t fade; they continued onward, trailing a streak of sandy wind through the air before viciously carving a deep, wedge-shaped crater in the tree trunk, where flames could be seen faintly flickering.
Watching this, Hua Renshan was completely stunned.
’What kind of Skill is that? Why haven’t I ever seen it before? It couldn’t be an original move, could it?’
’An original Skill... I guess it’s not entirely incomprehensible...’
’Incomprehensible my ass!’
’Are high school students these days so competitive that they even have to invent their own Skills?!’
The other spectating kitties were also dumbfounded.
A moment later, a chorus of approving meows erupted, echoing through the treetops.
They didn’t understand what they were seeing, but they were deeply impressed!
"Meow!"
A new hint of vigilance entered the eyes of the two Shadows of Ancient Jing as they looked at Yu Bao.
More vines struck out in Yu Bao’s direction; simultaneously, dandelions bloomed one after another on the vines, scattering white seeds in a strangely beautiful spectacle.
But the moment they touched Yu Bao, all the dandelions exploded in unison.
The vines then completely sealed Yu Bao in, with only the shockwaves from the explosions escaping through the gaps.
This was the White Bulb Dance of Blossoming, at its full power, enhanced by Deep Forest Grip!
The biggest weakness of an explosive skill is that its power is greatly diminished if the opponent dodges. But locked down by Deep Forest Grip, Yu Bao had no choice but to face the full force of the explosions head-on.
Even with the enhancement of Thick Earth Golden Might, it would be difficult for him to emerge unscathed!
White smoke filled the air. The vines used for the lockdown had been completely blown to bits.
Both Shadows of Ancient Jing froze for a second. After the smoke cleared, they didn’t see Yu Bao’s figure.
But they had clearly trapped him inside just now...
"Meow, meow!"
One of the spectating kitties cried out in excitement.
The two Shadows of Ancient Jing whipped around in alarm, only to find that Yu Bao had somehow appeared behind them!
"Yu Bao! Use Shield of Burning Sand on them!"
"Woof!"
Yu Bao barked in response as he charged, sand and flames swirling before him, weaving together into a shield.
The vines summoned by the Shadows of Ancient Jing struck the shield like raindrops on an umbrella—impressive in appearance but lacking any real threat, they all shattered into pieces.
However, as the distance closed, the combined Deep Forest Grip from the two Shadows of Ancient Jing still posed a considerable challenge for Yu Bao.
Fire could indeed burn Wood, but if the Wood was thick enough, it could also extinguish the fire.
After that initial explosive rush, Yu Bao found it difficult to pose a major threat. The two Shadows of Ancient Jing coordinated extremely well and soon began to push him back.
"Meow!" "Meeoww!" "Mew!"
The spectating kitties cheered for their fellow clan members.
But Jiuyou, the Clan Leader, frowned, sensing that something wasn’t right.
Even if the opportunity wasn’t good, Yu Bao’s performance seemed a bit too passive. His Burning Sand Blade was a huge threat; if Yu Bao used it to counter-attack, the two Shadows of Ancient Jing wouldn’t have an easy time.
Yet now, he was just passively maneuvering and defending, only dealing with the vines that got close to him.
He showed no intention of counter-attacking at all. It was almost as if he were throwing the fight.
’Unless...’
’He’s waiting for something!’
The ground was becoming increasingly covered with broken vines and shredded leaves. Jiuyou guessed at a possibility and abruptly turned his gaze toward the almost-forgotten Xiaoyue.
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