Chapter 961: This Skill Isn't Bad

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

-----

"Flower-bud!"

The Flower-Bud Lizard’s eyes glowed with a green light, and a storm formed of flying leaves instantly coalesced.

Following this, it whipped its head, and a large amount of white powder drifted from its red flowers, merging into the leaf storm.

Whirlwind Paralysis: a combination skill of Leaf Storm and Paralysis Powder. Even if the Leaf Storm can’t catch the opponent immediately, the paralysis powder dispersed by the storm’s range will be inhaled by the foe. This causes paralysis, slowing her down until she is struck by the Leaf Storm itself.

It’s true the Qinyin Fairy can use Wind Transformation, but even in wind form, the drifting paralysis powder will affect her, perhaps even more easily than other pets. They say the Qinyin Fairy fears no wind-based skills, but Leaf Storm isn't just wind; it’s a storm of leaves. The leaves are the real threat. If the Qinyin Fairy dares to use Wind Transformation and charge in, she's finished... 

Shi Bing’s heart hammered against his ribs. He was so excited his hands were balled into fists, his eyes glued to the scene, terrified of missing the moment the Qinyin Fairy was shredded by the storm.

He knew Qiao Sang had a legendary Breezewing Nini that had recently evolved, but he never imagined she would actually field a freshly evolved Qinyin Fairy in a real match.

No wonder she recalled the Steel Sword Falcon mid-battle.

Shi Bing’s blood reached a fever pitch. He felt a complex mix of emotions, unsure if Qiao Sang respected him or looked down on him. The former, because she sent out a legendary pet; the latter, because that legendary pet was only at the High-level stage.

Regardless, he had to thank her. This was going to be the most famous battle of his career!

The storm of leaves and white powder raged across the arena.

"Hold your breath! Counter-wind!" Qiao Sang issued the command calmly.

If it were Yabao or the others, their combat experience and mutual understanding would mean they’d hold their breath without being told. But since she was fighting with Qingbao, the one with the shortest contract time and the least experience,she was careful to make the instruction explicit.

As soon as the command was given, a strange gale kicked up on the field, blowing directly into the Leaf Storm. However, this wind was less powerful than the Leaf Storm and was instantly dispersed.

"Increase it!" With one look, Qiao Sang knew Qingbao hadn't used the full power of Tailwind. She was likely afraid of her lower energy reserves and didn't want to exhaust herself too early.

Hearing her Beast Master’s voice, Qingbao, currently in wind form, did not hesitate to surge her internal energy.

A gale several times stronger than before blasted into the Leaf Storm. The violently rotating leaves actually reversed direction, surging back toward the Flower-Bud Lizard.

"Disperse!" Shi Bing’s face changed as he made a split-second decision.

The green light faded from the lizard’s eyes. The storm vanished, and leaves scattered across the ground.

"The Qinyin Fairy actually changed the direction of the Leaf Storm!" 

On the commentary platform, Tian Yiwan analyzed: "They say Qinyin Fairies can change the direction of any wind, but usually, they have to enter the wind to control it. The Flower-Bud Lizard used Leaf Storm mixed with Paralysis Powder. Even if the Qinyin Fairy held her breath to avoid paralysis, she should have been struck by the tearing force of the leaves."

He marveled, "It seems the Qinyin Fairy possesses abilities we aren't yet aware of."

Because Qingbao was invisible in wind form, the commentators could only guess her methods. Tang Xueran added: "Qinyin Fairy is a full tier lower than the lizard. To change the wind direction without entering it, there’s only one other possibility: a move like Tailwind with a proficiency level far exceeding that of the Leaf Storm."

"Correct." Tian Yiwan nodded. 

"While Tailwind is primarily used in team battles to increase speed, it has many derivative uses,like generating a wind strong enough to redirect natural air currents."

During the commentary, Qingbao reappeared, clutching her nose with a pained expression. She hadn't practiced holding her breath, and she had reached her limit.

Seeing this, Shi Bing reacted instantly: "Paralyze!"

Legendary or not, she's only High-level, she shouldn't have any skills to break the lizard's defense. I just need the lizard to keep spreading powder. A pet like the Qinyin Fairy, which requires high air quality, will eventually have to surface.

"Flower-bud!" The lizard whipped its head, scattering massive amounts of powder.

"Inhale!" Qiao Sang shouted.

Qingbao turned her back to the incoming pollen, took a deep, lung-bursting breath, puffed out her cheeks, and used Wind Transformation again. White powder continued to flood the arena.

"Wind."

At Qiao Sang’s word, another gale kicked up, blowing the white powder away, mostly back toward the Flower-Bud Lizard. The lizard stood its ground, immune to its own powder, and continued to spread it from its antennae.

In the stands, many spectators were filled with worry, while some couldn't hide their disappointment.

"I thought a Qinyin Fairy could go toe-to-toe with a lizard, but she's getting suppressed just like a normal High-level pet."

"A legendary pet, yet she just hides in wind form to avoid the fight..."

"Wind Cloud God is the powerful one, not necessarily the Qinyin Fairy. If her talent or resources are lacking, she might not even reach her god-tier form. We need to stop overhyping legendary pets."

Liu Yao, in the family area, wasn't surprised by these comments. Humans naturally admire strength. People loved Qingbao before they saw her because she's a legendary pet that can evolve into the Wind Cloud God. These expectations projected a Powerhouse image onto Qingbao. Now that she was struggling against a General-level pet, they felt let down.

Lubao was different, in Guwu, she was an endangered, peaceful, and precious pet that saved lives. People wanted to see her fight but didn't want her hurt. If Qingbao lost, she would fail their secret expectations. But Qingbao had asked to fight at this stage; she clearly didn't care about the opinions of others.

---

The lizard is immune to its own powder... Qiao Sang thought. This isn't working. Tailwind and roots aren't enough of a threat. I need Qingbao to see the lizard use its most powerful offensive skill so she can replicate it during the swap...

Qiao Sang’s lips curled into a smirk. She looked at her opponent and said mockingly: "Is that all?"

Shi Bing: "???"

What kind of arrogant talk is that? I'm the one suppressing you!

Qingbao, hearing her Beast Master, caught the drift. She appeared, face flushed red from holding her breath, forced out a "that was nothing" expression, and used Wind Transformation again.

The lizard and its master were stunned. Am I actually losing? Or is this opponent just playing with me? The lizard began to doubt itself.

"Contestant Qiao Sang has expressed her disdain!" Tian Yiwan noted with surprise. 

"It seems she thinks very little of the strength Shi Bing has shown."

"Youth should be bold." Tang Xueran said. 

"If I had this strength at 17, I'd be even more arrogant. But the Qinyin Fairy is clearly on the back foot. Is she just gauging his strength before a real attack?"

During the commentary, Qiao Sang put a hand to her mouth and yawned. The move caused even the commentators to stutter. The audience looked at each other, confused by Qiao Sang’s sudden change in attitude.

Shi Bing: "!!!"

Nothing was more insulting than an opponent getting bored during a fight.

"You're trying to provoke me? What's the point? The Qinyin Fairy is still just a High-level pet. This match is your loss!"

Qiao Sang laughed. 

"Is that so?"

"Poison Vine!" Shi Bing’s eyes sharpened, shifting his strategy.

"Flower-bud!" The lizard’s eyes glowed green. Thick, purple vines erupted from the ground, growing tens of meters high and lashing out at the air. As they whipped, they sprayed a vast cloud of toxic mist.

Holy crap, this lizard had a Poison-type trump card... but even this won't do enough damage. I hope Qingbao can hold out... Qiao Sang’s heart skipped a beat, but she remained steady, a smirk still on her face as if she were watching a clown.

Qingbao appeared in the air, clutching her nose.

"Bind!" Shi Bing commanded.

The purple vines homed in on Qingbao like predators.

"Charm." Qiao Sang said.

The lizard had broken out of it quickly before, but the move did work, if only for a split second. Qingbao used Wind Transformation, weaving through the lashing toxic vines. She reappeared just meters from the lizard, winked, and blew a kiss.

The lizard’s eyes glazed over with infatuation. The vines covering the arena went limp.

"Drain." Qiao Sang commanded.

Even if the lizard snapped out of it quickly, at this range, the hit was guaranteed. Qingbao blew a kiss of pink energy.

Suddenly, the lizard’s eyes cleared. The purple vines behind Qingbao surged back to life, instantly coiling around and binding her.

"She's caught!" The audience gasped.

The pink kiss hit the lizard, causing it to frown as it felt its energy being siphoned.

"My lizard has vast combat experience. Did you think it would fall for the same trick twice?" Shi Bing sneered. Normally, he wouldn't talk so much, but he couldn't help it after being looked down upon.

Qiao Sang’s gaze followed his words to the lizard’s foot. A wooden spike was driven through its own claw.

Such fast reaction speed, and it's ruthless to itself... Qiao Sang admired him inwardly, but kept her no big deal face on.

Being bound was fine, she could use Wind Transformation. The problem was the poison on the vines. It had to be fast. Qiao Sang smiled: "So what if she's bound? Qingbao can use Wind Transformation. Can you one-shot her?"

"Qing qing..." Qingbao showed a pained expression as the toxin set in. She prepared to use Wind Transformation, but stopped upon hearing her Beast Master.

Shi Bing stopped talking. He decided to show her a one-shot. He roared: "Bind! Solar Beam!"

All the purple vines on the field constricted around Qingbao. Her figure was quickly buried inside a massive purple sphere of vines.

"Flower-bud!" The lizard cried out to the sun. The light became blinding. It opened its mouth, and a beam of white light capable of crushing anything erupted, blasting the purple sphere.

With a massive boom, the center of the sphere was hollowed out. The vines disintegrated.

The audience went silent, feeling a heavy weight in their chests.

Solar Beam, a high-rank Grass-type skill. It collects solar energy and fires a powerful beam. The power is perfect... Qiao Sang smiled genuinely.

"That’s a nice skill. It’s mine now."

Shi Bing: ???

Qingbao appeared a hundred meters up in the sky. The crowd, who had been sighing in disappointment a second ago, went wild.

"How did she escape?!" Shi Bing’s eyes bulged.

"Swap!" Qiao Sang shouted.

With an S-rank Wind Transformation characteristic, escaping that binding was child's play.

"Qing qing!"

Qingbao looked down at her opponent, her eyes glowing with blue light. Shi Bing sensed something was wrong and instinctively ordered: "Bind!"

A single purple vine poked out of the ground.

Shi Bing: "??? What use is one vine?!"

"Flower-bud!" The lizard cried out in panic. It couldn't use its skills!

In the next second, thick purple vines erupted and bound the Flower-Bud Lizard itself.

Shi Bing: !!!

Combining that with Qiao Sang’s words, he finally understood. Power Swap! This was a Psychic-type Power Swap!

"Qing qing!"

Qingbao cried out to the sun. The light intensified. She lowered her head, aimed at the bound opponent, and opened her mouth.

A dazzling beam of white light condensed in her mouth and blasted directly into the Flower-Bud Lizard.

-----

Previous Chapter_Next Chapter

-----