Chapter 943: Still Able to Fight

Read at: https://blogspot-translatedstories.blogspot.com/?m=1 

-----

"Will contestant Qiao Sang choose to continue with Steel Sword Falcon, or switch to another pet?" Tian Yiwan asked.

Gangbao didn't consume too much energy just now and can still fight. Let's see what the opponent's next pet is first... Qiao Sang stared at her opponent in the distance without making a move.

"It seems Qiao Sang has chosen to let Steel Sword Falcon continue the battle." Tang Xueran said. 

"I wonder which pet Lü Fengba will choose for the second round."

The light-shadow of 10 appeared once more in the center of the field, accompanied by the shifting mechanical countdown.

9, 8, 7, 6...

Meanwhile, the spectators engaged in an interested discussion: "This Steel Sword Falcon is a General-level pet, but why is its size as massive as a King-level pet? When it first appeared, I really thought it was King-level."

"I've heard that some Beast Masters specifically like to cultivate their pets for giantification. Maybe Qiao Sang is one of them."

"Not necessarily. Some pets are naturally taller and larger than others of the same rank."

"The entire evolution path relies on bond power. I like that. It's a pity it's not a pet from our Blue Star; otherwise, I’d definitely try to contract one, even if it meant going to another region."

"Why do you think Steel Sword Falcon kept one feather on its body when it used Wing Blade? Being able to launch that many feathers as blades definitely means it's at the Secret Art level; it surely didn't lack that one extra feather."

"I've never seen a flying pet in any competition shoot all its feathers out for Wing Blade."

"Well, if you put it that way, I've never seen a flying pet leave exactly one feather on its body either."

"Hahaha, I have a feeling this will be the highlight reel moment of tonight's match."

Even though it was a battle between two people, the audience was discussing almost nothing but Qiao Sang and Steel Sword Falcon. Although Lü Fengba had participated in the Regional Championships twice before and had a few fans, they instantly defected under the halo of the 17-year-old B-rank Beast Master and the alien pet, passionately joining the discussion about Qiao Sang.

On the field.

As the light-shadow reached 1, Lü Fengba took a deep breath and formed hand seals. An orange-yellow star array lit up.

Soon, a bird pet about six meters tall with purple-red lace-like textures on its wings, yellow eyes, and a triangular beak appeared within the array.

Poison Night Bird, a dual-attribute General-level pet of Flying and Poison types. It can fly for an entire day without rest and prefers to be active when night falls, often being more energetic at night than during the day... Qiao Sang watched the distant pet as the relevant data surfaced in her mind.

Her expression instinctively grew solemn.

The opponent had definitely guessed that Gangbao used Air Absorption earlier, so he specifically sent out this Poison Night Bird. She remembered that according to the data, when the Poison Night Bird flaps its wings, it carries toxic gas. If that was the case, Air Absorption could no longer be used...

"Gang Zhan."

Just as the thought arose, Gangbao's voice rang in Qiao Sang's head, signaling understanding.

Qiao Sang: ...

As expected, she still wasn't used to her thoughts being naked...

However, thought synchronization indeed provides a huge advantage in battle... Qiao Sang's expression was serious as she thought: Go!

"Gang Zhan!" Gangbao flapped her wings and rose high into the air.

Air Absorption. The Steel Sword Falcon must have used Air Absorption just now, which caused the Wind-Riding Bird's attack to fail as it approached... Lü Fengba watched the Steel Sword Falcon, which was as large as a King-level pet, and his brain quickly analyzed the situation.

Others might not be clear, but as the Beast Master of the Wind-Riding Bird, he knew very well that the failure was caused by his pet suddenly being unable to breathe. The rhythm of the previous fight was too tight to think much, but with the first round over, he had time to realize a skill like Air Absorption was responsible.

This pet called Steel Sword Falcon is also Steel-type, meaning high defense, and it knows Air Absorption and Wing Blade. Ordinary skills from same-rank pets can't break its defense. 

However, Poison-type skills can destroy it from the inside; no matter how high its external defense is, it's useless. It consumed some energy fighting the Wind-Riding Bird; this round isn't impossible to win.

After all, while it’s true the opponent is a B-rank Beast Master, the pet she sent out is only General-level.

Lü Fengba was much calmer than in the first round, and his resolve grew firmer. After preparing for so long, even if he lost, he had to lose with honor, at least taking down one of her pets!

As these thoughts flashed, Gangbao flapped her wings downward with force. Instantly, a raging gale suddenly whipped up.

Lü Fengba thought of something, gritted his teeth, and shouted: "Charge!"

"Du-ye!"

The Poison Night Bird watched the incoming gale without fear. It flapped its wings and charged directly into it.

Qiao Sang was stunned for a moment, a bad premonition rising in her heart.

"The Poison Night Bird actively charged into the gale created by the Steel Sword Falcon! What exactly is it trying to do?" Tian Yiwan asked the question on the audience's mind.

Under everyone's gaze, Gangbao flapped her wings powerfully once more. Hundreds of blades formed from air suddenly shot into the gale, merging with it.

This was inspired by the Blade Cyclone combo Qiao Sang had seen the Fast-Sleep Bird (? I don't remember anymore) use in the secret realm. Although Gangbao didn't know Cyclone, her proficiency in Gale wasn't low. Her training over the last few days had successfully merged Air Blade with Gale to increase the tearing power within the wind.

The terrifying tearing force sliced repeatedly across the Poison Night Bird's body.

"Du-ye!"

The Poison Night Bird let out a miserable cry within the gale. However, at the same time it screamed, the already raging gale suddenly expanded in range. Not only that, its color changed from colorless to purple, then to deep purple.

The deep purple gale raged with a chilling howl, its range so wide that it covered nearly half the field.

She's actually using Gangbao's gale to spread the toxic gas over a wide area... Qiao Sang's heart tightened, followed by a sense of realization.

No wonder the Poison Night Bird dared to charge directly into the gale, it was prepared to let itself be injured just to ensure Gangbao wouldn't have it easy. Or, the opponent believed the damage Gangbao would take from the Toxic Gale was greater than the damage the Poison Night Bird took from entering the wind.

The strategy was good, and the courage was great, but unfortunately, he underestimated the tearing force in Gangbao's skill. One must remember that Gangbao has the A-rank Sharpness trait.

Gangbao flapped her wings and quickly flew toward a higher altitude. But the range of the purple gale was too wide, and Gangbao was massive, in the blink of an eye, she was completely enveloped by the purple gale.

Don't panic... Qiao Sang said in her mind.

"Gang Zhan."

Gangbao's calm voice echoed in her head. At this moment, they both thought of the same thing, as if their hearts were truly one.

"Du-ye!"

The Poison Night Bird continued to scream within the gale.

How can this be... Sensing the Poison Night Bird's condition, Lü Fengba’s heart sank.

There are many flying pets in the Central Hollow Region, and professional Beast Masters almost all have one, so he was very experienced in fighting them. He had specifically trained the Poison Night Bird's defense and mobility within gales. Even if the opponent added Air Blades, the Poison Night Bird shouldn't be taking such heavy damage.

"Contestant Lü Fengba's Poison Night Bird charged into the gale, used its own gale plus toxic gas to create a Toxic Gale combo that filled the field, successfully trapping the Steel Sword Falcon. This is a brilliant move!" Tian Yiwan praised from the commentary desk.

"However, the Poison Night Bird also has to take the risk of injury." Tang Xueran added. 

"From its cries, we can tell it is seriously hurt."

"The damage from poison is continuous." Tian Yiwan offered his view. 

"As long as the Poison Night Bird can hold on, the damage dealt to the Steel Sword Falcon will definitely be greater in the long run. I wonder how Qiao Sang will respond."

The audience's hearts instinctively tightened. One was an older Beast Master who hadn't left a deep impression in past matches, and the other was an unprecedented monster genius. The scales in their hearts had already tipped visibly.

"Du-ye!"

The Poison Night Bird flapped its wings and, carrying thick toxic gas and covered in wounds, charged out of the Toxic Gale.

Although the Poison Night Bird was battered, seeing that it could still move made Lü Fengba breathe a sigh of relief. Its poison could inflict a heavily poisoned status on the opponent, reducing the power of all skills and lowering defense. Over time, the toxin would worsen; even without fighting, the opponent would eventually fall if they just stalled for time.

Lü Fengba didn't want to stall. He shouted: "Acid Bomb!"

"Du-ye!"

The Poison Night Bird spread its wings and let out a cry. Dense green liquid with a pungent smell shot toward the purple gale!

However, at that moment, a massive white flash shot upward, charging through the falling Acid Bombs at an extremely high speed toward the Poison Night Bird.

Lü Fengba didn't issue a command. In his mind, although this attack was fast, the Poison Night Bird's rich experience and reaction speed should make dodging it no problem. Conversely, the opponent dared to attack directly through the Acid Bombs while in a poisoned state; it was simply a slight against the move's power.

The expected scene didn't happen.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The green liquid exploded repeatedly against the white flash, but it didn't slow down the white flash's speed at all.

Boom!!

With a thunderous sound, the white flash slammed violently into the Poison Night Bird's body.

"Du-ye!"

The Poison Night Bird screamed and fell downward. Immediately after, the white flash spread its wings at the peak, revealing Gangbao's figure. Then, she folded her wings and dove toward the spot where the Poison Night Bird was falling!

The massive purple silhouette, carrying a terrifying sonic boom and a powerful downward airflow, crashed heavily into the Poison Night Bird, completely enveloping it as they fell into the shrinking purple gale.

Before Lü Fengba could even react, there was a startling explosion, and the purple gale surged wildly. The powerful airflow blew the purple gale outward, revealing a massive crater a hundred meters in diameter sunk into the ground!

The purple gale dissipated. Gangbao flapped her wings and flew into mid-air. The ground was shattered, and at the center of the crater, the Poison Night Bird lay unconscious with its eyes closed.

"!!!"

Lü Fengba was dazed by the situation. How could this be? Why couldn't the Poison Night Bird dodge Quick Attack? And the Steel Sword Falcon, why didn't its speed and attack power decrease after staying in the Toxic Gale for so long? Instead, it was the Poison Night Bird whose reactions were noticeably slower. Even if it took damage from the Air Blades earlier, it shouldn't have been so slow that it couldn't dodge...

"The Poison Night Bird has fallen under the Steel Sword Falcon's Body Slam!" Tian Yiwan said. 

"Is the second round about to be decided?"

Following his words, the Mechanical pet with the referee badge appeared, checked the Poison Night Bird, and then waved a green flag toward Qiao Sang.

Next, a virtual screen appeared in the center of the field. It showed photos of Qiao Sang, Lü Fengba, and their respective pets. The next second, the photo of the Poison Night Bird beneath Lü Fengba turned from color to black and white.

An uproar broke out in the stands. Although they had thought this unprecedented genius might pull off a sweep, they didn't expect the victory to come so abruptly. 

It felt like the fight was back-and-forth just a second ago; the Poison Night Bird seemingly had the upper hand, and that Toxic Gale was something any pet would fear, even a King-level pet might fall for it. How did it lose so quickly the next second?

"Congratulations to contestant Qiao Sang for winning the second round!" Tian Yiwan said. 

"Steel Sword Falcon really amazed me. To stay in the Toxic Gale combo for so long and still win the match so cleanly."

"However, the Toxic Gale didn't seem to affect it much. I originally thought the Steel Sword Falcon's attack and speed would be halved."

"Steel Sword Falcon has high defense, but defense alone can't withstand a combo of poison and gale. Instead, it was the Poison Night Bird's abilities that weakened significantly." 

Tang Xueran offered her insight: "This situation reminds me of a rare trait."

"What is it?" Tian Yiwan asked.

"Mirror Armor." Tang Xueran said professionally. 

"When this trait is hit by an opponent's stat-lowering move or trait, it reflects those effects back onto the pet that used the move or triggered the trait."

Tian Yiwan was enlightened: "If Steel Sword Falcon has the Mirror Armor trait, then the effects of the poison lowering attack and defense were all reflected back onto the Poison Night Bird. That makes sense, no wonder the Poison Night Bird lost so quickly."

"However, even though the Poison Night Bird is down, its poison effect still persists. It seems Qiao Sang should switch pets now." Tian Yiwan said, looking at Gangbao, whose body had just swayed slightly on the field.

That's right, Mirror Armor. When enveloped by the Toxic Gale, Qiao Sang and Gangbao both thought of this at the same time, which is why they didn't panic.

The commentators are pretty good, spotting Mirror Armor in such a short time... Gangbao is in a poisoned state now, and she's used quite a bit of energy in two rounds. She should really take a rest... Qiao Sang raised her hand, wanting to recall Gangbao into the Beast Tome.

"Gang Zhan!"

Just then, Gangbao's determined voice rang in her head. She can still fight!

This stage is huge, and she wants more humans to see her species. Gangbao clearly knew she wasn't the strongest in the team. The further they went, the lower her chances of appearing would be. Only by seizing the moment now would more people see her species.

Qiao Sang froze for a moment. Under the gaze of over a hundred thousand people, she continued the movement of her half-raised hand, smoothed her bangs, and then lowered it.

-----

T/n: I really love how Qiao Sang respects her pet beasts decisions. And by the way, Merry Christmas, everyone!!! 🎄 🎁 ❄️ 

-----

Previous Chapter_Next Chapter

-----