Tang Ningzhi's gaze swept over the information of both contestants displayed on the big screen. She said, "Based on the data, Cui Xiangming's Blazing Flame Mouse holds a clear advantage. Its Intermediate stage energy reserves, the Fire attribute's dominance over the Ice attribute, and the explosive power of its B-rank skill, Blazing Charge, all contribute to this."
"However, battles are always full of uncertainty."
She paused slightly, then continued, "Before coming here, I also watched contestant Liu Yi's previous match footage. Her tactical acumen and on-the-spot command ability are quite outstanding."
Ning Qiu keenly picked up on something. "Ms. Tang seems to be particularly interested in contestant Liu Yi?"
Tang Ningzhi's lips curved slightly. "Indeed. I know her older sister, Liu Ran, this year's champion of the Luohai Regional Tournament. Liu Ran has always spoken of her younger sister frequently, and recently, she's been boasting about her quite a lot."
She faced the camera, a flicker of anticipation in her eyes. "So, I'm very eager to see what kind of performance this newcomer, who has such high hopes placed on her by her champion sister, will deliver today."
A commotion immediately erupted in the spectator stands.
"Liu Ran's sister?!"
"The Quasi-Master Beast Tamer Liu Ran?"
"No wonder she's so strong!"
"No way, don't you guys check the forums? Wasn't all this information already dug up there?"
"Don't even mention it, I actually came to watch her sister's match because of Liu Ran. But during the Qualifiers, I became a fan of Liu Yi."
"Aside from the regional tournament early this year, Liu Ran hasn't participated in any other competitions. But Liu Yi is different; she's about to enter high school, so she'll definitely keep competing!"
In the player waiting area, Cui Xiangming violently crushed the beverage can in his hand.
"Just for show." He sneered. The Blazing Flame Mouse sensed its master's mood, and the flames on its tail shot up with a 'whoosh'.
"It seems Ms. Tang is also very much looking forward to this match!" Ning Qiu turned to the camera. "And now, let's welcome both contestants to the stage!"
Stirring background music began to play, and the player tunnels on both sides simultaneously lit up.
From the left tunnel, Cui Xiangming strode out, his Blazing Flame Mouse perched on his shoulder, flames blazing fiercely on its tail.
A mixed wave of cheers and boos erupted from the spectator stands.
From the right tunnel, Liu Yi walked out, carrying Ziyue. Ziyue's purple eyes sparkled under the lights, and a faint, ethereal chill emanated from her body.
"Liu Yi!"
"Ice Fox!"
Suddenly, a synchronized cheer erupted from a section of the spectator stands.
The two walked onto the battle platform, and their close-ups were simultaneously magnified on the circular big screen.
The referee walked to the center of the arena and announced loudly, "First match of the Top 16: Liu Yi versus Cui Xiangming! The rules are 1v1. The match ends when one pet loses combat capability and remains down for 10 seconds, or when its Beast Tamer concedes!"
The entire venue fell silent.
"3, 2, 1... Begin!"
"Blazing Charge!" Cui Xiangming roared.
The Blazing Flame Mouse's entire body erupted in dazzling fire, rushing towards Ziyue like a burning meteor.
Liu Yi calmly commanded, "Ice Armor! Sidestep!"
Ziyue's body instantly condensed into a crystalline ice armor, while she nimbly rolled to the right.
The Blazing Flame Mouse's Blazing Charge grazed the Ice Armor, leaving a charred mark on its surface.
"That was close!" Ning Qiu exclaimed. "Contestant Liu Yi and the Ice Fox's timing for deploying Ice Armor was absolutely perfect!"
Tang Ningzhi nodded slightly. "It seems she was well aware that contestant Cui Xiangming would open with his strongest skill."
The Blazing Flame Mouse missed its attack, visibly stumbling upon landing.
Cui Xiangming's expression subtly changed. "Don't stop! Flame Charge!"
"Ice Blade!" Liu Yi seized the interval while her opponent was adjusting its stance.
Seven Ice Blades shot out from Ziyue, and the Blazing Flame Mouse hastily swung its tail to form a "Tail Flame Barrier," but three remaining blades still grazed its body.
"A beautiful counterattack!" Ning Qiu said excitedly. "Contestant Liu Yi exploited the Blazing Flame Mouse's skill transition vulnerability!"
Tang Ningzhi's gaze was sharp; she noticed the flames on the Blazing Flame Mouse's tail but said nothing.
On the field, fine sweat beaded on Cui Xiangming's forehead. "Don't give them a chance! Consecutive Spark Splash!"
The Blazing Flame Mouse swung its tail, showering dozens of sparks like raindrops towards Ziyue.
Liu Yi immediately commanded, "Frost Breath."
The intensely cold mist collided with the sparks, erupting into a swirling mist of ice and fire in the air.
Ziyue seized the opportunity to flank, releasing Ice Blade again.
"Tail Flame Barrier!" Cui Xiangming shouted.
The Blazing Flame Mouse's tail spun rapidly, but this time the barrier was noticeably much weaker than before.
Four Ice Blades broke through the defense, piercing fiercely into the Blazing Flame Mouse's back.
"Chichi—!"
The Blazing Flame Mouse cried out in pain, its movements stalling.
Cui Xiangming's face turned ashen. "How is this possible?! How can an Intermediate stage pet be injured by a Junior stage pet's skill!"
"Because your Blazing Flame Mouse's evolution is unstable," Liu Yi calmly stated. "An Intermediate stage with unstable energy is not as good as a solid Junior peak."
At the commentary desk, Ning Qiu posed a question, "What does contestant Liu Yi mean by that? Does Ms. Tang know?"
"Contestant Liu Yi is correct," Tang Ningzhi nodded and said:
"Normally, the flames on a Blazing Flame Mouse's tail should be deep red. However, the flames on contestant Cui Xiangming's Blazing Flame Mouse are more orange-red, which indicates its energy isn't pure enough."
"Another point is that after the Blazing Flame Mouse uses Blazing Charge once, the flames on its tail start to flicker inconsistently. This proves that using Blazing Charge places a significant energy burden on it."
"All these signs indicate that contestant Cui Xiangming's Blazing Flame Mouse likely had unstable energy before its evolution. It's highly probable that its latent energy was forcefully boosted, and it evolved directly without properly digesting that power."
Upon hearing Tang Ningzhi's explanation, the spectators in the stands also began to discuss among themselves.
"I see, no wonder Cui Xiangming always used Blazing Charge to quickly finish battles before."
"Yeah, yeah, so it turns out the Blazing Flame Mouse's energy can't handle using B-rank skills multiple times!"
"Are you all speaking with hindsight now?! Let me ask you, did the opponent directly lose after just one Blazing Charge from the Blazing Flame Mouse or not!"
"Is an Intermediate stage winning against a Junior stage even worth mentioning? Isn't that just expected?"
...
Liu Yi's words completely enraged Cui Xiangming. "Shut up! Blazing Charge! Finish it!"
The Blazing Flame Mouse once again transformed into a flash of fire and charged towards Ziyue, but its speed was noticeably much slower this time.
"This is what I was waiting for," Liu Yi said. "Ice Spike!"
Five Ice Spikes descended from above, four pinning around the Blazing Flame Mouse to form a cage.
The last one struck its back directly, and intensely cold ice crystals rapidly spread across the Blazing Flame Mouse's body.
"Blazing Flame Mouse!" Cui Xiangming was clearly flustered. "Use your flames to melt the ice..."
"Consecutive Frost Breath!" Liu Yi gave her opponent no chance to counterattack.
Ziyue continuously unleashed three Frost Breaths, and the ice mist completely enveloped the Blazing Flame Mouse.
When the mist cleared, the Blazing Flame Mouse had been frozen into an ice sculpture, with only a faint flicker of flame still coming from the tip of its tail.
The referee began to count down: "10, 9, 8..."
Cui Xiangming frantically yelled, "Blazing Flame Mouse! Break free!"
The ice sculpture trembled slightly.
Rate on N.U.
