Liu Yi nodded slightly. “Thank you for your guidance, Senior Meng.”
“No guidance at all,” Meng Tao said, waving his hand. “I’ve really learned something today. Let’s spar again sometime; I need to properly research how to deal with your Moling Dragon.”
...
For the next few days, Liu Yi appeared promptly at the training base at 5 PM daily.
Tuesday’s sparring partner was a Beast Tamer with an Advanced rank Thunderhorn Rhinoceros.
It was a behemoth over four meters long, covered in thick grayish-brown skin, with a giant, lightning-glowing horn protruding from its forehead. Each step it took caused the ground to tremble slightly, and electric arcs occasionally crackled from its horn.
Ziyue entered the battle.
The Thunderhorn Rhinoceros was a Ground and Electric-type, not fast but with astonishing defense, and its horn could unleash powerful Electric-type attacks.
Ziyue started by using Frost Path to create distance, then utilized Snowfall to boost Ice-type power, continuously wearing it down with Ice Blade and Ice Blast. The Thunderhorn Rhinoceros tried to get close several times but was always pushed back by Ziyue's Frost Path, and its long-range Thunder Shocks were skillfully dodged by Ziyue.
The battle lasted nearly twenty minutes, and ultimately...
Wednesday’s sparring partner was a Beast Tamer with an Advanced rank Illusion Light Butterfly.
It was a giant butterfly whose wings shimmered with iridescent light, scattering specks of light with every flap.
Chiying entered the battle.
The Illusion Light Butterfly was a Psychic-type pet, skilled in mental attacks and predicting opponent's moves.
Its Foresight skill could briefly predict the opponent's attack trajectory, and combined with Mental Shock and Illusory Mist, it caused Chiying's attacks to miss several times.
However, Chiying possessed the True Dragon's Eye trait, making it immune to all illusions and falsehoods.
When the Illusion Light Butterfly tried to confuse it with illusions, Chiying directly ignored them and launched a Dragon Starfall towards the Illusion Light Butterfly’s true body.
Although the Illusion Light Butterfly dodged multiple times using its precognitive ability, Chiying continuously adjusted its attack angles, and ultimately...
Thursday’s sparring partner was a Beast Tamer with an Advanced rank Steel-Armored Giant Lizard.
Ziyue entered the battle.
The Steel-Armored Giant Lizard was a Steel-type pet with extremely high physical defense and some resistance to Ice-type skills.
Ziyue’s Ice Blades only left shallow marks on its carapace, and Frozen Bite couldn’t deal effective damage.
But Ziyue utilized the mobility of Frost Path to continuously circle, boosting her own defense with Snowfall, while steadily wearing down the opponent with Ice Blast.
Though the Steel-Armored Giant Lizard's defense was astonishing, its speed was slow, and Ziyue easily evaded its several attempts at counterattack.
Ultimately, Ziyue, relying on her Eternal Heart trait to continuously recover stamina in the Snowfall, literally exhausted the Steel-Armored Giant Lizard's energy.
Friday’s sparring partner...
Every day brought a different opponent, different attributes, and different tactical styles.
Liu Yi took turns with Ziyue and Chiying, sometimes winning, sometimes losing, but learning something new from every battle.
Professor Lin recorded data throughout, occasionally offering commentary at critical moments.
“Watch closely, the opponent’s attack rhythm has changed…”
“That position is bad; you should have anticipated it earlier…”
“Ziyue’s Ice Armor energy distribution could be more precise…”
A week passed in the blink of an eye.
On Friday evening, October 3rd.
After the last training session, Professor Lin closed his tablet and walked up to Liu Yi.
He pushed up his glasses, a gentle smile on his face. “Student Liu Yi, I’ve been observing your performance these past few days.”
Liu Yi nodded, waiting for him to continue.
“With your talent and strength, you should achieve excellent results in the National High School League.” Professor Lin paused, his tone suddenly becoming half-serious, half-joking. “After the league, would you be interested in securing an early admission spot at Longwu Beast Taming University? I can write you a recommendation letter.”
Wei Xiuyu, standing nearby, raised an eyebrow. “Professor Lin, aren’t you being a bit too eager? Liu Yi is only a first-year.”
“What’s wrong with a first-year?” Professor Lin retorted righteously. “Of course, you have to snag good prospects early. Although our Longwu Beast Taming University isn’t quite on par with those top-tier prestigious schools, it’s still one of the best in the country.”
Wei Xiuyu chuckled. “If Principal Shen heard you say that, she wouldn’t be pleased.”
“I’ll talk to Principal Shen,” Professor Lin waved his hand, then looked back at Liu Yi. “So? Think about it?”
Liu Yi was startled for a moment, then politely replied, “Thank you for your kind offer, Professor Lin. But I haven’t thought that far ahead yet; I just want to focus on doing well in the upcoming competitions.”
“Right, right, no rush, no rush,” Professor Lin said, smiling and nodding. “With your rate of improvement, by the time you’re a third-year, you might have even better options. But Longwu Beast Taming University will always welcome you.”
By the time they left the training base, it was completely dark.
Wei Xiuyu drove, glancing at Liu Yi in the back seat through the rearview mirror.
“What do you think about Professor Lin’s offer just now?”
Liu Yi was silent for a moment. “I really haven’t thought that far ahead.”
“That’s normal,” Wei Xiuyu nodded. “You’re only a first-year; you have a long road ahead. Longwu Beast Taming University is indeed good, but if you have higher aspirations—”
She paused, her tone calm yet profound. “The world’s number one Beast Taming university isn’t on our Saint Card East Asia Continent, but on the Nickerich Continent.”
Liu Yi was slightly taken aback.
“But it’s too early to talk about all that,” Wei Xiuyu averted her gaze. “First, focus on doing well in the current competitions. Opponents in the National High School League won’t go easy on you just because you’re young.”
“I understand, Teacher Wei.”
The car sped into the night, the city lights outside the window rapidly receding.
Liu Yi looked at Ziyue and Chiying beside her; both pets were already asleep from exhaustion. Ziyue’s head rested on her lap, breathing steadily; Chiying coiled on the seat, its dragon horns occasionally flashing with a faint golden light.
“The world’s number one university…” Liu Yi murmured to herself.
The Nickerich Continent, huh?
She shook her head, temporarily pushing those thoughts aside.
The most important thing now was the upcoming National High School League.
The lights outside the car window reflected in her eyes, sparkling faintly.
...
When the car stopped at Liu Yi’s doorstep, the street was completely enveloped by night.
Streetlights cast a warm glow on the street, and occasionally, a few pet cries could be heard in the distance.
“Thank you, Teacher Wei, for driving me home.” Liu Yi opened the car door, and Ziyue and Chiying followed her out.
Wei Xiuyu nodded. “Get some good rest tonight. We meet at school at 8 AM tomorrow, don’t be late.”
“Got it.”
After watching Wei Xiuyu’s car disappear around the street corner, Liu Yi turned and headed for her front door.
The moment she pushed open the door, the familiar aroma of home-cooked food wafted out.
“Xiao Yi’s back?” Auntie Chen’s voice came from the kitchen. “Perfect, dinner’s just warmed up. Hurry and wash your hands, then come eat.”
“Quan Quan!”
Boxing Bunny was the first to rush over, circling Ziyue and Chiying a few times, seemingly checking if they were injured today.
Fluffy Butler floated beside Auntie Chen, its fur faintly glowing pink, clearly in a good mood.
Liu Yi changed her shoes and first went to check the incubator in the living room.
Rate on N.U.
