After more than ten minutes of combat, Bai Qianqian and Zhou Tao appeared to have the upper hand, but their expressions remained solemn, devoid of any excitement. They both knew that despite holding the advantage, it was a valueless one.
Suddenly, the [Giant Forest Python], which had been passively defending, turned to attack. Its massive body reared up high, its cavernous maw opening wide, poised to tear into them.
"Is it starting!"
Zhou Tao steadied himself, his expression growing more solemn.
"[Azure Flame Eagle], maintain distance, do not engage rashly!"
Having learned from Li Mo's previous encounter, Zhou Tao remained cautious. Seeing the opponent finally launch an offense, he immediately adopted a defensive stance.
Man Shan grinned, "Heh heh, where can you possibly escape to now?"
In beast-taming arena duels, there were certain restrictions for flying-type contracted beasts. Firstly, the flight range could not exceed the competition grounds, and secondly, their altitude could not surpass the arena's ceiling, otherwise, it would be considered a forfeiture.
At this moment, the [Azure Flame Eagle] soared into the air, its gaze fixed intently on the [Giant Forest Python].
In the next instant, the robust snake head lunged forward. While the [Azure Flame Eagle], as a flying-type contracted beast, might not excel in attack power, speed was its forte. With a twist of its body, it dodged the incoming strike.
"I told you, you can't dodge!"
Almost simultaneously, before the [Azure Flame Eagle] could fully regain its balance after evading the attack, the massive snake head was upon it again!
The [Azure Flame Eagle]'s eyes widened in alarm!
"Bang!"
With a loud thud, the [Azure Flame Eagle] was sent flying, gouging a trench in the ground.
The [Azure Flame Eagle], known for its speed, had a weak defense. Once hit, the damage was evident. This single blow incapacitated the [Azure Flame Eagle]!
"Such speed! How is this possible!"
The [Azure Flame Eagle], renowned for its speed, had actually lost a speed contest to the incredibly clumsy-looking [Giant Forest Python]?
This was something Zhou Tao could not accept.
"Hahaha." Laughter suddenly rang out.
"Don't let Man Shan's burly physique fool you; he possesses Beast Tamer talent, [Swift Burst]."
Upon hearing this, Zhou Tao's expression turned grim.
No wonder the [Giant Forest Python] had been able to launch a second attack in an instant. This was all thanks to [Swift Burst]. The skill's effect was to significantly reduce the interval between a contracted beast's attacks, allowing for nearly simultaneous consecutive strikes!
On the other battlefield, Bai Qianqian's battle had also concluded. Like Zhou Tao, after the examiner Huo Wu began to fight seriously, even the illusion-attribute [Elegant Celestial Maiden] could not compete with the utterly relentless [Armored Monkey].
The monkey attacked as if possessed, showing no mercy, grabbing the [Elegant Celestial Maiden] and smashing it repeatedly, preventing the opponent from even launching ranged attacks.
This caused the usually aloof and refined Bai Qianqian to turn pale with shock. How could Huo Wu, who appeared so beautiful and graceful with a smiling face, be so brutal?
What was her Beast Tamer talent?
As Bai Qianqian remained lost in thought and confusion.
Huo Wu, as if guessing her thoughts, smiled and clarified, "My Beast Tamer talent is different from Man Shan's, who, despite his rough exterior, is refined within. His is [Swift Burst], while mine is [Defense Break Frenzy]."
From afar, Man Shan, whose hearing was exceptionally acute, couldn't help but furrow his brow. Refined within? Didn't that sound like it wasn't a compliment?
Bai Qianqian held her breath, then let out a sigh of realization. [Defense Break Frenzy] was another high-level Beast Tamer talent. Once activated, for one minute, the contracted beast would enter a berserk state, doubling its attack power and halving its defense. While this skill was formidable, allowing beasts with strong attack capabilities to reach a new level, its weakness was also evident. If it encountered an agile beast that solely focused on evasion, by the time the berserk state ended, the offensive bonus would disappear, but the defense-halving buff would remain.
Therefore, the Beast Tamer talent [Defense Break Frenzy] was often used as a finishing move, and it was rare for anyone to reveal their trump card at the beginning of a match.
The onlookers exchanged glances, not daring to breathe. Li Mo, Bai Qianqian, and Zhou Tao had all been defeated. The three most outstanding youths of Cang Town Beast Taming Academy had lost. Who else would dare to step forward?
After a moment of silence, Lei Mang clapped his hands and stepped forward.
"Junior Sister Bai and Junior Brother Zhou, your strength is already very impressive. With you two leading the team in this inter-academy competition, I believe we will achieve excellent results." He then looked at the rest of the crowd.
"Are there any other juniors who wish to challenge?"
A long moment passed, and everyone took a step back, an awkward silence filling the air.
Lei Mang understood perfectly. Since Bai Qianqian and Zhou Tao had lost, there was no way others would step forward for a match; it would simply be a waste of time. Although he spoke words of praise and flattery, he had his own calculations. This trip, which included a special challenge, was indeed meant to allow this younger generation to recognize their own strength, but it was also to see how they compared to himself at their age. Currently, he was in good spirits. While these top juniors were not weak, they still fell short of his own capabilities in his youth.
"Then..."
Just as Lei Mang was about to speak.
"Screech~~"
At that very moment, everyone heard a sharp bird cry erupt from above!
They all looked up, only to see a large bird with a wingspan of over ten meters circling in the sky!
"Look! There's someone on the back of this flying-type contracted beast!"
Everyone collectively looked.
"There really is someone!"
The next moment, the figure leaped from the bird's back. Beneath him, there was something unknown!
Before everyone could react.
A roar echoed.
"Lu Fei of Class Two, Year Two, requests to participate in the mid-term test!"
Suddenly, from the hands of the unknown contracted beast beneath him, the person slowly drew a sword, a broken sword!
As the person descended closer to the ground, the cold glint of the broken sword preceded it!
He slashed the sword towards the [Giant Forest Python]!
Man Shan's expression changed, but with his combat experience, how could he not react? He calmly stated, "[Giant Forest Python], use [Dissipate]."
[Dissipate]!
The [Giant Forest Python]'s signature skill, instantly absorbing all physical attacks!
Except, it was instantly killed!
However, in the next moment, the entire body of the [Giant Forest Python] was deeply embedded into the ground from the sword strike, its massive pupils rolling in its snake head!
Killed with a single blow!
The previously agitated beast-taming arena fell silent, a deathly stillness.
Man Shan's eyes widened.
Lei Mang glanced over, his expression unreadable.