“This process is actually somewhat similar to how you create the ice crystals for Ice Blast; it just requires more precise control.”
Ziyue’s ears twitched as she stared thoughtfully at the screen.
Suddenly, she jumped off the bed and stood in the open space in the center of the room.
“Bingbing!”
She let out a cry, and Ice-type energy began to gather around her.
Liu Yi raised an eyebrow slightly, “You want to try it now?”
“Bingbing!”
Ziyue nodded firmly.
Liu Yi didn't stop her, but gently reminded her, “Go ahead and try it, but don't aim for perfection yet; just focus on feeling the energy flow.”
Ziyue closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
An ice-blue glow began to gather around her, gradually forming a blurry outline of ice crystals beside her.
The outline slowly became clearer, faintly resembling the shape of a fox—but just then, the ice crystals suddenly burst, scattering into countless tiny ice shards that floated in the air.
“Bingbing...”
Ziyue opened her eyes and looked somewhat dejectedly at the dissipating ice crystals.
“For a first attempt, being able to condense a shape is already quite good.” Liu Yi walked over and gently rubbed her head. “See what the information says: creating a doppelganger requires ‘first condensing the core energy, then extending it outwards.’ You probably started building the outer form before the core was stable.”
Ziyue nodded seriously, and determination rekindled in her purple eyes.
She closed her eyes again, this time focusing first on the flow of internal energy.
Liu Yi could feel that the temperature in the room was slowly dropping. The ice-blue glow around Ziyue was more solid than before, and at the position of her chest, a fist-sized point of light gradually took shape—that was the energy core.
Once the core stabilized, the light began to extend outwards, slowly outlining the shape of a fox.
This time, the ice crystals didn't burst.
A translucent ice crystal fox gradually took shape, crouching beside Ziyue, and was roughly her size. Although the details were still blurry and the edges weren't sharp enough, the basic form was discernible.
Ziyue opened her eyes, looked at the ice crystal doppelganger, and a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes.
“Bingbing!”
She let out an excited cry, but the moment she became distracted, the ice crystal doppelganger suddenly shattered, turning into ice shards once more.
“That was great.” Liu Yi applauded. “To be able to condense a complete form on your first try, and for it to last almost five seconds, is impressive.”
She brought up the video she had just recorded and replayed it with Ziyue for analysis.
“Look here,” Liu Yi said, pointing to the slow-motion playback on the screen. “The speed at which the core extended outwards after stabilizing was too fast, resulting in the outer layer of ice crystals not being dense enough. When the doppelganger shattered, it began to disintegrate from the edges, indicating insufficient energy density at the periphery.”
“And here,” she said, pointing to another spot. “You got distracted the moment the doppelganger took shape, and the energy supply fluctuated. Remember, a doppelganger requires a continuous energy supply to be maintained; you can't let your guard down.”
Ziyue listened intently, nodding occasionally.
Chiying also came closer, her crimson eyes fixed on the screen, looking thoughtful.
“One more time?” Liu Yi asked.
“Bingbing!”
Ziyue nodded without hesitation.
For the second attempt, she focused more on the stability of the core, controlling the energy to extend outwards slowly and evenly. The ice crystal doppelganger formed again, this time with clearer edges and richer details—the outline of two tails faintly visible.
Five seconds, ten seconds, fifteen seconds...
The doppelganger lasted nearly twenty seconds before shattering.
“That's a huge improvement!” Liu Yi praised. “The energy density is much more even than the first time.”
Ziyue excitedly wagged her tails, but quickly refocused, preparing for the third attempt.
This time, she tried to suppress her own aura the moment the doppelganger took shape.
The moment the ice crystal doppelganger was complete, the energy fluctuations around Ziyue suddenly weakened. While it was only a reduction and not complete concealment, it was already a significant improvement.
The doppelganger lasted nearly thirty seconds before finally shattering due to Ziyue's excessive energy consumption.
“That's enough.” Liu Yi stopped her in time. “That's all for today. Continuing to practice will affect your condition tomorrow.”
She took out an energy liquid and handed it to Ziyue, watching her drink it in small sips, her eyes filled with relief.
“Practicing Ice Crystal Doppelganger can't be rushed; it requires gradual refinement.”
“Bingbing.”
Ziyue nuzzled her palm, and though she still felt like continuing, she understood that Liu Yi was right.
Chiying also flew over and gently nudged Ziyue's head with her dragon horn.
...
At 5:30 AM, the sunlight in the Monte Region filtered through the thin mist between the floating islands and into the room, casting dappled light and shadows on the walls.
Liu Yi opened her eyes precisely on time.
Ziyue was already awake, perched on the edge of the balcony, her two tails draped lazily over the railing, her purple eyes intently watching the Sky Colosseum in the distance as it gradually brightened.
Chiying was coiled on her exclusive mat in the corner of the room, and sensing Liu Yi stir, she slightly raised her head, a flicker of concern in her crimson eyes.
“Morning.” Liu Yi said softly, sitting up.
She didn't rush to get out of bed, but sat cross-legged and closed her eyes.
The moment her consciousness sank into her Beast Taming Space, the familiar white space appeared before her eyes. In the open area next to the pet room, the portable incubator was emitting a soft, warm glow.
Liu Yi glanced at the hatching progress—86%.
Soon.
She composed herself and began to meditate.
This daily morning meditation had become a habit. It not only steadily advanced the development progress of her Beast Taming Space but also kept her mind clear throughout the day.
Two hours later, Liu Yi opened her eyes.
Her consciousness withdrew from the Beast Taming Space and returned to the room.
Ziyue had already jumped back from the balcony into the room and was crouching by the bed, waiting for her. Chiying also floated up and gently nuzzled Liu Yi's cheek with her dragon horn.
“Hungry?” Liu Yi asked with a smile, stroking both pets' heads. She took out some latent energy pills and distributed them.
Liu Yi also ate something herself, then went to the bathroom for a quick wash.
After changing her clothes, she glanced at her phone; it was 7:45 AM.
Perfect, time to head downstairs.
In the hotel lobby, the school team members had gradually all arrived.
Li Chengying was leaning on the sofa, yawning. Her Cloud Howler Sparrow stood on the back of the sofa, gently pecking her hair, trying to wake her up.
Her Lightning Leopard was curled up at her feet, also looking sleepy-eyed.
“What time did you go to bed last night?” Gao Xue asked expressionlessly.
“T-ten, eleven?” Li Chengying replied guiltily.
“You were still posting on Beast Link at 2 AM.” Gao Xue gave her a death glare.
“...I had insomnia!”
Ouyang Qin stood in the center of the lobby, accompanied by her Berserker Bear and Steel-Armored Bear. Both bear pets were full of vigor and as composed as their owner.
Wei Tan'an and several second-year team members had also arrived and were quietly discussing something.
Wei Xiuyu and members of the coaching staff emerged from the elevator, holding tablet computers, and their gaze swept over everyone. “Today's main task is to familiarize yourselves with the competition venue. The Monte Region Beast Tamer Association has arranged dedicated adaptive training time from 9 AM to 4 PM, with each school taking turns to use parts of the Sky Colosseum.”
She paused and looked around. “Remember, today is your only chance to experience the venue firsthand before the competition. Tomorrow, the official matches begin, and you won't be given any more time to adapt.”
“Understood!” Everyone responded in unison.
Wei Xiuyu nodded, “Let's go.”
Rate on N.U.
