The afternoon sun was just right, and the racing competition venue was ready.
The aerial track consisted of dozens of floating platforms, winding through the entire campus airspace.
The ground track featured various obstacles and special terrains, testing the synergy between contestants and their pets.
“First up is the first-year aerial racing competition!” the host’s voice announced over the broadcast. “All contestants, please take your positions.”
Liu Yi stroked Chiying’s dragon horn. “Are you ready?”
“Moling.”
Chiying’s crimson eyes gleamed with steady light, and it gently rubbed against Liu Yi’s palm in response.
“Bingbing!”
Ziyue swept Chiying’s tail with her own, cheering it on.
Chen Yutong waved at Liu Yi from the starting line, her Windbell Bird already eagerly flapping its wings.
On the starting platform, the first-year aerial group contestants and their flying pets were in position.
Besides Liu Yi’s Chiying and Chen Yutong’s Windbell Bird, there were also other first-year students’ Rainbow Birds, Little Feather Sparrows, Wind Eagles, and so on.
“The rules are simple,” the referee teacher said, pointing to the fluorescent markers in the air. “Fly along the marked route, complete three laps around the markers, then sprint back to the starting line. Using offensive skills to interfere with other contestants is prohibited, and violators will be immediately disqualified.”
“On your marks—” The referee raised the starting flag. “Go!”
Chiying shot forward like an arrow released from a bow, instantly taking a half-length lead.
The Windbell Bird followed closely, letting out a crisp chirp.
“Go, go!” Chen Yutong shouted to her Windbell Bird.
Liu Yi’s gaze followed Chiying intently.
At the first turn, Chiying displayed astonishing agility, completing the maneuver with almost no deceleration, leaving its opponents behind.
“That’s incredible!” Li Hao, watching from the side, exclaimed. “That turn was absolutely perfect!”
“Bingbing!”
Ziyue nodded, as if it were obvious.
By the second lap, Chiying was already nearly fifteen meters ahead of the second-place Windbell Bird.
Just as they were about to enter the final lap, an unexpected event occurred—
A Little Feather Sparrow suddenly veered off course, flying directly towards Chiying!
Liu Yi raised an eyebrow slightly.
In the nick of time, Chiying sharply ascended, and the Little Feather Sparrow barely scraped past beneath it.
This sudden incident affected both the Windbell Bird and the Wind Eagle behind Chiying, forcing them to adjust their flight paths.
“Was that on purpose?” Chen Yutong exclaimed angrily.
The referee teacher shook his head. “It looks like a control error. We’ll review the footage to confirm.”
Liu Yi thought the same. She didn't believe anyone would intentionally instruct a Little Feather Sparrow to collide with Chiying, given Chiying's defensive capabilities.
If they had actually collided, it likely would have had no effect on Chiying, but the Little Feather Sparrow would have been disoriented by the recoil.
Chiying remained undisturbed on the field, and in fact, used the incident to further widen its lead.
Ultimately, Chiying crossed the finish line with an overwhelming advantage, with the Windbell Bird and Wind Eagle taking second and third place, respectively.
When Chiying landed on the podium, the entire venue erupted in enthusiastic applause.
“The first-place winner of the first-year aerial racing competition, from First Year Class A-1, is Liu Yi’s Moling Dragon!” the host announced loudly.
Liu Yi walked onto the podium and gently stroked Chiying’s dragon horn.
Chiying affectionately nudged her, drawing even more cheers.
“That was amazing!” Chen Yutong ran over, her Windbell Bird landing on her shoulder. “That emergency dodge was incredible!”
Liu Yi smiled and nodded. “Thank you.”
...
Next was the first-year ground track racing competition, with Li Hao participating with his Swiftwind Dog.
The arena featured various obstacles, including sand, water hazards, and log bridges, testing the pets’ all-terrain adaptability.
Li Hao crouched down and gave his Swiftwind Dog a final pat on the head.
As the starting flag waved, over a dozen pets of various forms burst from the starting line.
The Swiftwind Dog shot out like a bolt of lightning, making a beautiful leap over the first obstacle, drawing cheers from the crowd.
“Go, Little Swift!” Li Hao shouted excitedly from the sidelines.
Ziyue squatted at Liu Yi’s feet, watching the track intently.
When it saw a Mushroom Spore almost slip at a turn, its ears involuntarily twitched.
Ultimately, the Swiftwind Dog secured first place with a narrow lead.
Li Hao excitedly picked it up and spun around, eliciting a round of good-natured laughter.
“That’s fantastic!” Chen Yutong cheered. “Our class has already secured two first places!”
Next were the second-year group matches.
Liu Yi noticed that Wei Tan'an also participated in the ground group. Her Sandstorm Scorpion displayed astonishing speed in the sandy areas, ultimately winning first place.
“Senior Wei has improved so much,” Liu Yi murmured to Ziyue and Chiying. “She’s much more agile than during our last battle.”
Finally, it was time for the highly anticipated third-year group matches.
As rumored, Li Chengying had indeed signed up for both the aerial and ground categories.
The ground group started first.
Li Chengying’s Lightning Leopard caused a stir as soon as it appeared, its golden fur shimmering in the sunlight.
Once the match began, it demonstrated incredible explosive power, effortlessly clearing various obstacles, and ultimately claimed victory with an overwhelming advantage.
“So strong!” Chen Yutong and Li Hao exclaimed. “As expected of a third-year senior.”
After a short break, the aerial group competition began.
Li Chengying switched to her Cloud Howler Sparrow, taking off alongside other third-year students’ flying pets.
This match was even more intense, with various flying techniques constantly emerging.
Li Chengying’s Cloud Howler Sparrow executed a beautiful spiral dive at high altitude, instantly overtaking the leading Lightning Falcon, and ultimately crossed the finish line first.
The entire venue erupted!
Li Chengying stood on the podium, her Cloud Howler Sparrow circling above her head, while her Lightning Leopard proudly squatted at her feet.
She winked in Liu Yi’s direction, as if to say, “Watch me.”
Liu Yi smiled and applauded.
“Next up is today’s final event—the performance show!” The host’s voice drew everyone’s attention back to the stage. “First, please welcome Yu Jianshu from Third Year Class B-1 and his Honeydew Butterfly!”
Yu Jianshu walked onto the stage with his Honeydew Butterfly.
To the gentle music, the Honeydew Butterfly danced gracefully, its wings scattering shimmering light powder.
The light powder condensed in the air, gradually forming the shape of a blooming flower, drawing gasps of admiration.
“So beautiful…” Chen Yutong whispered.
The next few performances also had their own unique characteristics.
There was a Fire-type pet’s Dance of Flames, a Water-type pet’s water curtain cinema, and even a Psychic Monkey that used telekinesis to levitate various objects into an abstract sculpture.
Liu Yi looked at Yan Xinliu, who was taking deep breaths beside her. “It’s almost your turn. Are you nervous?”
“A little,” Yan Xinliu said, pushing up her glasses. “Although Pipi has practiced a few fancy skills, it’s never participated in a formal performance.”
Liu Yi noticed that Pipi, beside Yan Xinliu, was repeatedly practicing tossing and catching a metal ball with its tail, its movements noticeably stiffer than usual.
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