Chapter 996: Finalist List

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

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The venom ceased to flow from the Four-Poison Algae Flower.

"Poison!" Wu Tianjiao shouted.

Covered in ice flowers, the Algae Flower remained motionless. It was unclear if it couldn't hear or if it was simply powerless to respond.

"The Four-Poison Algae Flower is sealed by the Ice Flower Seal!" Tian Yiwan announced from the commentary stand. "Can it break free?!"

How can this be... Wu Tianjiao sensed her pet's condition, and her face grew increasingly pale.

As seconds ticked by, the whispers in the stands grew into a loud roar of conversation.

"Why isn't it moving?"

"Is it finished?"

"I think so. It can't break the seal."

"That shouldn't be right. Ice Emperor Ram used the Ice Flower Seal in previous rounds against weaker pets, and they all eventually broke free."

"The Algae Flower relies on its four pollens to strip away the target's five senses, but that trick is useless against Ice Emperor Ram. Between the Ice Armor and Healing Light, as long as Ice Emperor Ram has energy, she wins."

"Who says it only has poison? It’s a triple-attribute pet with high defense, high attack, and healing skills!"

"Tell that to the referee. Look at the field."

"Don't you think the Ice Flower Seal looks way more powerful this time? In previous rounds, the flowers didn't grow this fast."

"Exactly! And look at that frost, I can see it clearly from all the way up here. It wasn't like that before."

"Is the frost because of the Ice Field Domain?"

"Now that you mention it, Ice Emperor Ram used to sneak the Ice Flower Seal in alongside its Snowfall trait. This is the first time it's used it after setting up the Ice Field Domain. Maybe they stack?"

While the crowd debated, the mechanical referee appeared before the Algae Flower and began the countdown. According to the rules, if a pet isn't knocked out but is incapacitated, like by sleep or freezing, it must recover within a set time or forfeit.

Wu Tianjiao didn't scream encouragement. She could feel through their bond that the Algae Flower was struggling. Just as the referee was about to raise the green flag, she finally shouted: "Four-Poison!"

The ice flowers trembled slightly. It was using raw strength to try and shatter the seal.

"Lubao." Qiao Sang said calmly.

"Lu Di."

Lubao barked, and the cold air around her surged. The trembling on the Algae Flower stopped, and it returned to a deathly stillness.

The referee waved the green flag toward Qiao Sang. The giant virtual screen appeared. Wu Tianjiao’s photo vanished, replaced by a large, frozen frame of Qiao Sang, Gangbao, and Lubao. Light-and-shadow fireworks erupted across the screen.

"The match is over! The Four-Poison Algae Flower could not break the combo of Ice Field Domain and Ice Flower Seal! Let us congratulate Qiao Sang for advancing to the Grand Finals with a 3:0 victory!" Tian Yiwan shouted.

Tang Xueran added, "The two finalists are now decided: Yuan Tianlong and Qiao Sang!"

In the player area, Yuan Tianlong, who had watched the entire match, smiled at Qiao Sang on the field before standing up and leaving.

"Tomorrow night at 8:00 PM! The final battle of this Regional Tournament! We'll see you there!"

The arena exploded into a deafening chant: "Qiao Sang! Qiao Sang!"

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Qiao Sang returned to the tunnel and headed to the locker rooms. In the public rest area, Wu Tianjiao was gloomily packing her things. Feeling a gaze, she looked up to see a shiny Ghost Ring King blinking its golden eyes at her.

"Xun xun~" Little Treasure grinned at her.

Is it smiling at me? Wu Tianjiao looked around to confirm she was alone, then gave a polite, awkward smile and packed faster. She didn't really want to face Qiao Sang after a 0:3 loss.

As she swung her bag over her shoulder, she heard footsteps. Qiao Sang appeared.

"Xun xun!" Little Treasure teleported over and rubbed against Qiao Sang’s head.

"How was watching from the stands?" Qiao Sang asked with a smile.

"Xun xun! Xun xun!" Little Treasure enthusiastically described his experience.

Good, they didn't notice me... Wu Tianjiao turned to slip away.

"Thank you." Qiao Sang said.

Wu Tianjiao froze. "Thanking me?"

"When Gangbao was evolving, you had your Thunder-Numb Spirit use a Lightning Web to protect her." Qiao Sang explained.

Wu Tianjiao regained her composure. 

"I would do that for any pet evolving mid-match. I'm sure you would too." 

After a pause, she added, "Congratulations."

"Could you let your pets out for a moment?" Qiao Sang asked. 

"I'd like Lubao to use Healing Light on them as a thank you for protecting Gangbao."

Wu Tianjiao wanted to say "I don't need it" and walk away, but she couldn't resist the allure of a King-level Healing Light. "That would be appreciated."

She summoned her team, and Qiao Sang summoned Lubao. A deep blue light shone from the gem on Lubao’s forehead, washing over the three pets. In seconds, their injuries vanished.

"Lei ma!" The spirit barked happily.

"Tun tun~" The Capybara Overlord looked at Lubao bashfully. (T/n: Someone has a vrish~)

"Four-Poison..." The Algae Flower remained wary, still remembering the feeling of being frozen.

"Healing Light really is a super-tier skill." Wu Tianjiao whispered. She finally let go of her resentment. 

"Good luck in the finals. If you beat Yuan Tianlong, people won't laugh so much at my 0:3 loss."

"I will" Qiao Sang nodded.

Wu Tianjiao walked away, then turned back and pulled out her phone. "Let's exchange contacts. I'll send you the data I have on Yuan Tianlong."

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At the Hotel, Ye Xiangting was busy on the phone, her face flushed with pride as she bragged to relatives about her daughter's natural intelligence.

In another room, Qiao Sang lay on her bed reviewing the data on Yuan Tianlong sent by both Wu Tianjiao and Rong Yuhua.

"Xun xun~" Little Treasure called out.

Qiao Sang and Gangbao looked over. Little Treasure didn't say anything, but his eyes were sparkling with pride.

"Qing qing!" Qingbao chirped in surprise. Why is your shadow different from you?

Little Treasure’s shadow was standing with its paws on its hips, looking incredibly smug despite having no face.

"You can control your shadow without using your paws now?" Qiao Sang asked, amazed.

"Xun xun~" Little Treasure nodded, indicating he had practiced it out of boredom while watching the match.

"Lu Di..." Lubao, who was practicing energy recovery, looked over. The match was... boring?

"Xun xun!" Little Treasure panicked, waving his paws. I meant during the breaks! Just the breaks!

Lubao returned to her training. Little Treasure sighed in relief, and his shadow stopped posing, returning to normal.

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T/n: I'm back to school😭 I don't wanna go back yet but here we are😔

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