Chapter 978: Anti-Wobbuffet Measures

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

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Then she remembered the wink the Aggro-Bust Sparrow King had given Gangbao. Seeing it in such a good mood this early in the morning, she figured it hadn't stayed up late last night.

Thinking this, Qiao Sang stood up and carried Yabao toward the backstage. She was in the third group, if the first two matches weren't too gridlocked, her turn should come before noon.

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Backstage.

Qiao Sang scanned the area and noticed Qi Fuqing wasn't there yet. She found a random seat and prepared to brief Yabao and the others on the opponent’s pets.

Just then, her phone vibrated. Qiao Sang checked it and saw a message from Rong Yuhua: [I have detailed data on Qi Fuqing. Do you want it?]

This guy booked all the training grounds yet acts so friendly... Qiao Sang grumbled internally, but typed back: [Is it free?]

Mikayla’s purpose in having her participate was purely for training. Unlike when she competed in the National Campus League, there was no dedicated teacher here to find, analyze, and explain every contestant’s information. 

Currently, her intel came from the internet, and she couldn't rule out another "Chen Tianqin" situation where hidden facts might bite her.

If it was free, she might as well take it.

Rong Yuhua replied instantly: [Of course!]

It was no exaggeration to say that Qiao Sang was currently his only connection inside the National Bureau. Although his family had money and background, that meant nothing to the monsters in the Bureau. If he could build a good relationship with Qiao Sang, he could visit her during training. 

Once the coaches got used to seeing his face and he showed a bit of skill, a coach might discover his outstanding talent and let him in. Even if the chance was only 1%, he wouldn't give it up.

The more Rong Yuhua thought about it, the more he felt this was his closest shot at the National Bureau. He wished he could fast-forward his friendship with Qiao Sang to sworn brotherhood immediately.

[Go ahead then.] Qiao Sang replied.

Rong Yuhua quickly sent over a prepared file. Qiao Sang clicked to receive it. Just as she was about to open it, another message popped up:

[When do you officially report to the National Bureau for training? Is it after the tournament?]

Since he had just provided free intel, Qiao Sang was more patient. She typed: [Maybe in twenty years.]

Rong Yuhua: [???]

Ignoring him, Qiao Sang opened the file. She scanned it and found a comprehensive record of Qi Fuqing’s match history, the skills and proficiency levels of her contracted pets, and even specific weaknesses for each one.

This is incredibly detailed. Even the proficiency of every move and their weaknesses are listed... Qiao Sang turned serious, re-evaluating the value of this data. No wonder professional Beast Masters in major tournaments had entire teams for data collection and information scrambling. 

With this level of intel, if the combatants were evenly matched, the win rate could jump by about 10%, provided the opponent didn't have the same level of info on her.

Qiao Sang turned off her phone and resumed her briefing.

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Time passed. The first two groups finished with scores of 2-3 and 3-1 after intense duels. Because the second match was relatively quick, things weren't too delayed. Soon, the scarred arena floor sank away, replaced by a pristine new field. It was time for the third group.

"The following contestants both possess incredible popularity!" 

On the commentary platform, Tian Yiwan introduced: "One has competed in multiple regional league with excellent results and was recently voted one of the 'Top Ten Most Charismatic Beast Masters of the Year' in the Zhongkong Region, Qi Fuqing!"

Tang Xueran chimed in: "The other is the world's youngest and most talented Beast Master, I'm not even willing to add 'one of' to that title. I believe there is no 'one of.' Although this is her first regional league, it hasn't stopped her from being the strongest dark horse. She has carved her way through the competition and was just selected for the National Bureau two days ago. She is Qiao Sang!"

"Let us welcome them to the stage with our loudest applause!"

The stadium erupted in ear-splitting cheers. Regional grand prix happen every year, but those selected for the National Bureau are rare. In recent years, only Chen Tianqin was rumored to have gotten in, and that was never officially confirmed. 

Qiao Sang was different, Coach Tao Yunkai had publicly stated she had joined. That was as good as an official confirmation.

The audience was witnessing a member of the National Bureau in the flesh. This was Qiao Sang's first appearance since the news broke, and for a moment, the stadium was so filled with her name that even the Most Charismatic Qi Fuqing was momentarily overshadowed.

Amidst the roaring cheers, two flying platforms rose from the ground. Qi Fuqing smiled and waved to the stands. Qiao Sang was stunned by the volume of her own welcome. To be honest, this was the loudest her name had been since the start of the tournament. 

Even in the match where she used Qingbao, the cheers were mostly for the Qingqing Ni. Today, they were shouting for her. Affected by the atmosphere, she waved back, sending the crowd into another frenzy.

The "10" countdown hologram appeared. The crowd fell silent.

"9, 8, 7... 3, 2, 1."

Qiao Sang and Qi Fuqing formed hand seals simultaneously. Two brilliant red star arrays lit up the field. Soon, two pets of vastly different sizes appeared. Simultaneously, the temperature plummeted as large snowflakes began to drift down.

Wobbuffet, a Psychic-type King-level pet. It dislikes initiating attacks and is very patient, preferring to take hits before counterattacking. Its highest proficiency skills are Counter and Mirror Coat, skills that return double the damage received. 

Its trait is Telepathy, allowing it to predict and dodge attacks. Its weakness is its tail, if the tail is hit, it loses its patience and will do everything possible to attack... Qiao Sang recalled the data. The pet stood two meters tall, mostly cream-colored, with two black eyes, a jagged black tail, and lips so red they looked like they were painted with lipstick.

Then, she remembered a specific note from Rong Yuhua's data: Wobbuffet's weakness is no longer a weakness. Qi Fuqing has trained it to endure hits even to its tail. If it acts furious or attacks wildly after its tail is hit, it's faking. Be careful.

As her thoughts flashed, Wobbuffet clasped its hands together. A faint blue glow flickered around it for a moment before vanishing. Snowflakes fell on Wobbuffet without leaving a mark.

Safeguard, a high-tier Normal-type skill. The user is protected by a mysterious force for a set time, preventing status ailments... Using this right away means she studied my last match... Qiao Sang realized that none of the Top 16 opponents were easy.

Lubao creates a snowfall upon entry, so it's the perfect cover for an Ice Flower Seal. Previously, Lubao had to look up and howl to use it, but she had trained to release it simply by radiating cold air from her body. 

Amidst the heavy snow, this chill was hard to detect. This was how she handled Sweet Poison King. Any pet without high defense or preparation would fall instantly to this move.

The opponent had clearly anticipated an opening move from Lubao. Qiao Sang didn't give a command yet. Wobbuffet stared at Lubao, standing perfectly still, waiting for an attack to counter. Lubao, likewise, did not move. The scene fell into a stalemate.

Whispers broke out in the stands: "What's going on? Why aren't they fighting?"

"Qi Fuqing's Wobbuffet always plays like this. It just waits for the opponent to hit first so it can double the damage back."

"If Ice Emperor Ram doesn't attack, will they just stand there forever?"

"Did you forget the rules? If neither side moves for 30 seconds, they get a warning. Someone has to strike."

"I think Ice Emperor Ram should just do what she did to the Sweet Poison King, Ice Field Domain plus that mountain-sized Giant Ice Spike. No way Wobbuffet can 'endure' that."

Ever since Qiao Sang defeated Chen Tianqin and joined the Bureau, public confidence in her had skyrocketed.

Why isn't Ice Emperor Ram moving... Qi Fuqing thought for a moment and decided to change tactics. "Attack."

Wobbuffet’s eyes glowed blue. Two silver rays of light shot from its eyes, hurtling toward Lubao.

Wobbuffet has incredible patience and a natural talent for defense/reflection skills, but it's not gifted in offensive skills. Even if it learns them, it’s hard to raise their proficiency... Qiao Sang remained calm.

Lubao stood her ground as a thick layer of Ice Armor condensed over her.

BANG!

The silver rays struck Lubao. A few shards of ice fell, but the armor didn't even crack. Lubao was unharmed. Wobbuffet didn't attack again. Lubao didn't move.

She isn't even counter-attacking... Qi Fuqing frowned. Ice Emperor Ram had Healing Light, Ice Armor, and Aurora Veil. She had defensive measures for both melee and range. 

With Wobbuffet’s low attack power, it was impossible to break Ice Emperor Ram's defense. Even if it succeeded, the opponent could just heal. The best way was still to wait for Lubao to use a powerful attack, endure it, and then double-reflect it to get a one-shot kill.

It seemed the opponent knew this and wasn't jumping in with a big move like before.

Meanwhile, Qiao Sang noted: Perfect-level Safeguard lasts 30 seconds. It's been 29...

"Domain." Qiao Sang commanded.

She was confident that Safeguard couldn't resist the Ice Field Domain, but since the opponent could use reflection skills while under Safeguard, she had waited for the effect to expire for safety.

"Lu Di."

Lubao had been waiting for this. She stomped her front left paw, and a visible wave of freezing air exploded from her.

"Safeguard!" Qi Fuqing shouted.

Actually, Wobbuffet didn't even need the command. It had already predicted the move through Telepathy. It clasped its hands 0.1 seconds before its master spoke.

However, the cold air covered it almost instantly. Just as the blue light began to glow on Wobbuffet, it was frozen solid in that exact pose. The arena was transformed into a world of ice in an instant.

The crowd erupted.

"Lubao finally used the Ice Field Domain! I've been waiting for this!"

"Wobbuffet shouldn't be able to endure or reflect while frozen, right?"

"Hard to say. Wobbuffet's reflection skills come from internal energy release, it doesn't need to move its body. The domain probably only froze its body, not its energy."

Amidst the discussion, a bone-chilling wind howled. The white snow suddenly swirled into a blizzard, galloping across the field like a disaster about to swallow the arena.

Blizzard... Qi Fuqing grew nervous. Even though she trusted Wobbuffet's patience, she had never faced an Ice Field Domain before. She didn't know if Wobbuffet could still reflect under these conditions.

The endless white snow swallowed Wobbuffet instantly. The blizzard battered the ice shell, shattering it. Wobbuffet vanished into the white void.

Suddenly, a blue light shone through the white. The blizzard stalled as if blocked by an invisible force. On the ground, Wobbuffet glowed with blue light, a semi-transparent mirror condensed in front of it as it struggled to stand up from the snow.

Qi Fuqing’s face lit up with joy.

As expected, skills released via internal energy can be used even if the body can't move... and Safeguard was successfully cast too. It's impossible to react that fast to a verbal command, Wobbuffet must have used Telepathy... Qiao Sang analyzed.

Just then, the blizzard suddenly turned around. With a momentum even more unstoppable than before, it swept back toward Lubao.

Lubao stood proud and motionless. The blizzard swallowed her instantly.

"Wobbuffet successfully used Mirror Coat, reflecting the attack back!" Tian Yiwan shouted excitedly. 

"The blizzard has swallowed Ice Emperor Ram instead!"

Before his voice could fade, Lubao emerged from the snow, completely unscathed.

The crowd gasped.

How? That was a Blizzard with double the power... Qi Fuqing was filled with confusion.

Ice Body trait: slowly recovers status in snowy weather. At B-rank, it works even under a Blizzard... Why do you think I used Blizzard instead of Giant Ice Spikes? It was to test if Wobbuffet could reflect while frozen... Qiao Sang looked at the bewilderment in her opponent's eyes, her expression calm.

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