The main text was accompanied by a photo of her during the interview, with Ziyue proudly tilting her little head.
The reporter wrote in the article:
"...When asked by reporters, Contestant Liu Yi unhesitatingly stated that she 'would win' and frankly declared her goal was the championship.
When asked about her formidable opponent, Cui Xiangming, she merely said, 'Every opponent deserves to be taken seriously,' her attitude remarkably calm..."
Liu Yi: "..."
She clearly said, "I'll do my best to get first place," so how did it turn into "aims directly for the championship" in the news?
And the news was released incredibly fast, wasn't it?
It hadn't been long since she finished the interview, walked into the player tunnel, and arrived at the player waiting area.
【The Beautiful Master of Cute Shadow: Hahaha, I'm dying of laughter! These reporters are too good at writing!】
【The Beautiful Master of Cute Shadow: But I think you're right! The championship belongs to you and Ziyue!】
Just as Liu Yi was about to reply, the waiting area suddenly stirred again.
She looked up to see Cui Xiangming striding over with his Blazing Flame Mouse.
He walked up to Liu Yi and sneered, "Aiming for the championship? With just your Junior stage Ice Fox?"
The Blazing Flame Mouse cooperatively chirped a couple of times, staring at Ziyue with disdain.
Liu Yi's typing hand paused.
What's going on? Is Cui Xiangming some kind of NPC that automatically triggers in the player waiting area?
He comes over to throw threats every so often.
Liu Yi calmly put away her phone: "We'll see on the field."
Cui Xiangming snorted: "I hope you can last until you meet me."
With that, he turned to leave, and the Blazing Flame Mouse deliberately flicked its tail, raising the temperature in their area by several degrees.
Liu Yi: "..."
When a person is too speechless, they genuinely feel like laughing.
What does that mean? Is he planning to roast Beast Tamers with Ice-type pets to death by raising the temperature?
After Cui Xiangming left, the waiting area returned to calm.
Liu Yi continued to watch the matches on the screen, occasionally checking the group chat messages for the 77th Longwu High School Entrance Tournament, while Ziyue rested her head on Liu Yi's lap, eyes closed.
As Liu Yi scrolled through the group chat messages, several striking comments suddenly caught her attention:
【Help! I was eliminated by Su Wenxi! Her Moonlight Marten is too terrifying!】
【I get it, I get it, I was eliminated by her too!】
【Tell me more?】
【The Moonlight Marten has two B-rank skills! Moonlight Slash and New Moon Leap! My Sproutling didn't even have time to react before it was one-shotted!】
【Wait... Su Wenxi? That name sounds familiar...】
【I remember now! She was a contestant in the previous entrance tournament, she made it to the Top 16, but had to withdraw due to a sudden high fever!】
【Yes, yes, yes! Then the Top 16 into Top 8 match was supposed to be between her and Cui Xiangming. When she withdrew, Cui Xiangming directly entered the Top 8!】
Liu Yi exited the group chat and typed "Su Wenxi" into the search bar. Sure enough, relevant reports popped up—
《The Girl Who Regrettably Withdrew Returns! Su Wenxi Re-enters the Entrance Tournament with Her Partner, Evolved from a Little Moon Marten to a Moonlight Marten!》
The article mentioned that after Su Wenxi's pet evolved into a Moonlight Marten, it mastered two B-rank skills, "Moonlight Slash" and "New Moon Leap." Coupled with its Fairy-type advantage against Dragon-types, it was considered the nightmare of Dragon-type contestants in this competition.
Her electronic bracelet vibrated, indicating the match was about to begin—
【Qualifiers First Round: Arena 1 in District A, Liu Yi VS Cheng He, starting in 15 minutes】
Liu Yi put away her phone and squeezed Ziyue's ear: "It's our turn to go on stage."
Ziyue immediately perked up, shook her fur, and leaped onto Liu Yi's shoulder.
...
Arena 1 in District A was already packed with spectators, almost all of them there for Liu Yi and Ziyue.
When Liu Yi and Ziyue walked onto the combat stage, the audience immediately erupted in cheers.
"It's Liu Yi and the Ice Fox!"
"Finally, I get to see them compete in person!"
"By the way, have you been to the Polar Ice Dessert Shop in the Pet Leisure Plaza? They have a huge poster of Liu Yi and the Ice Fox there, you can go check it out!"
"No, I haven't, but I'll go after this match!"
Across the field, Cheng He was already in position.
His Iron Ant was rubbing its forelegs against the ground, emitting a harsh "clack" sound.
"Qualifiers First Round, Liu Yi versus Cheng He." The referee waved the flag: "3, 2, 1—Begin!"
"Iron Ant, Metal Claw!" Cheng He attacked first.
A cold glint flashed from the Iron Ant's forelegs as it charged fiercely towards Ziyue.
Liu Yi calmly commanded: "Ice Armor."
"Clang—"
The Metal Claw struck heavily against the Ice Armor, sending ice shards flying, but failed to penetrate the defense.
The Iron Ant was forced back two steps by the recoil damage.
"What?" Cheng He's expression changed slightly. "This defense..."
"Ice Blade."
Ziyue seized the opportunity to counterattack, sending seven Ice Blades flying towards the Iron Ant.
But the Iron Ant quickly curled into a ball, its hard shell deflecting most of the attacks.
"It's useless!" Cheng He said confidently. "The Iron Ant's defense isn't something a Junior pet can break!"
Liu Yi ignored him and continued to command: "Frost Breath."
An extremely cold mist enveloped the Iron Ant, its movements noticeably slowed, and frost began to form on its shell.
Cheng He gritted his teeth: "Iron Ant, use Iron Wall to strengthen your defense!"
The Iron Ant's shell glowed brightly, and the frost was shattered.
"Now! Metal Storm!"
The Iron Ant suddenly spun at high speed, sending metal fragments flying like a storm in all directions!
A gasp rose from the audience.
"Could the Iron Ant win?"
"No way, I believe in the Ice Fox! The Ice Fox is so beautiful, it won't lose to this metal lump!"
Liu Yi's eyes narrowed: "Ice Spike."
Ziyue dodged the scattered metal fragments on the field while unleashing Ice Spike.
Five ice spikes descended from the sky, precisely pinning the Iron Ant in place, surrounding it tightly.
"What?!" Cheng He's eyes widened. "A B-rank skill?!"
The Metal Storm was confined by the ice spikes, and the Iron Ant was trapped. Frost began to spread over its body again, threatening to freeze it solid.
Liu Yi softly said: "Ziyue, finish it with Ice Blade."
Ziyue leaped onto an ice spike, and seven Ice Blades shot out simultaneously, all hitting the Iron Ant.
"Tietie—!"
The Iron Ant painfully collapsed, its lower half completely frozen.
The referee began to count down: "10, 9, 8..."
Cheng He clenched his fists: "Iron Ant!"
The Iron Ant struggled to push itself up with its forelegs, but soon its upper body also began to freeze.
Ultimately, the Iron Ant fell to the ground, unable to get back up.
"...3, 2, 1! Iron Ant is unable to battle!" The referee raised the flag towards Liu Yi: "Winner, Liu Yi!"
The audience immediately erupted in thunderous applause.
"So strong! It won even though Steel-type counters Ice-type!"
"Ahhhhhh! I knew it! Our Ice Fox baby would win!"
"When the Iron Ant used Metal Storm, I really thought Cheng He could win."
"Can a Junior pet really use B-rank skills? I've decided, I'm going to be a fan of Liu Yi and the Ice Fox!"
As Liu Yi led Ziyue off the field, her electronic bracelet updated with new information:
【Congratulations on advancing to the second round of qualifiers! The second round of matches will be held on August 16th】
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