Chapter 319: Home Court Advantage

Ten crates of A-grade energy recovery potions, an S-grade artifact, and a Greatmouth's Dragon egg, what kind of insane luck was this?

For a fleeting moment, Qiao Sang was tempted to try her hand at buying lottery tickets.

Forget the dragon egg; even scoring ten crates of A-grade potions would be a blessing!

Heaven knew how much she had spent recently on potions for Yabao. The little guy had been guzzling them like water while training for the Meteor Rain move, reducing her bank balance's most significant digit yet again.

Qiao Sang sighed. Raising beasts was truly a costly affair.

And this was before Yabao and the others had evolved into high-grade beasts. Once that happened, how would she even afford it? Maybe she should try the lottery. What if she struck it big?

Snapping out of her dangerous line of thought, Qiao Sang shook her head furiously.

No way! That's just a tax on the gullible!

This was nothing like betting on the Interstellar Cup, where analysis and insight could boost her chances. Lottery tickets were pure luck, a gamble with nearly zero odds of success.

Stay rational, she told herself.

Once the Flame Hound and the psychic-type beast news went public, she wouldn't have to worry about affording Yabao and the others anymore.

Clearing her mind, she asked, "If that person won three lottery jackpots, they must be famous around here, right?"

Xu Yixuan thought for a moment.

"Not sure. News reports usually just use aliases and list the prizes. I only remember they called him Mr. Zhang."

In Hongrao Town, a middle-aged man with glasses, slightly curly hair, and a scholarly demeanor rode a bicycle. A basket at the front held fresh produce from the market.

As he passed a small convenience store, an elderly man sitting outside called out warmly, "Rongtang, off to cook for that Wu family kid again?"

Slowing his bicycle, the man turned and smiled.

"Yep, almost mealtime."

The old man didn't press further as Rongtang pedaled away.

Watching him disappear down the road, a woman emerged from the store and sighed.

"Zhang Rongtang really is a good man. He's been cooking for that Wu boy for over two years, hasn't he?"

The old man nodded.

"Poor kid, though. At least someone's taking care of him now."

"Poor? He's a beastmaster and attends a beastmaster high school. That's not too shabby."

The woman countered, before adding curiously, "Still, it's odd. Why is Zhang Rongtang so dedicated to the boy? Even a biological father might not do so much."

"Maybe he just feels a connection." The old man mused.

"Though I have noticed something, every time Zhang Rongtang comes back from the Wu house, he buys several lottery tickets. I've seen it more than once."

"Lottery tickets? They're cheap. Let the man spend his money as he pleases." The woman replied dismissively.

The old man hesitated, then asked tentatively, "Think I should buy some, too?"

"Don't you dare!" She barked, her voice sharp.

At 4:56 p.m., the Hongrao Beastmaster Center was packed. Cars clogged the roads near the entrance.

For a small town, hosting a provincial beastmaster tournament with students from dozens of high schools was a tremendous honor. Out of all the possible venues, theirs had been chosen, a clear acknowledgment of the town's environment and orderliness.

The students of Huicheng Beastmaster High were already a source of pride for the town. Now, with so many participants arriving, the townsfolk were eager to witness the event firsthand.

Despite their best attempts to remain orderly, the crowd grew chaotic, forcing local traffic police to step in.

"Do you think the students from Shengshui High will come?" A girl in the crowd asked.

"Look! Isn't that their uniform?" A boy nearby exclaimed, pointing toward the Beastmaster Center's entrance.

At the gate, staff verified the IDs of Sun Boyi, Qiao Sang, and the rest before allowing them inside.

Accommodations in Hongrao Town were limited, so participants were housed in the Beastmaster Center. Though the center wasn't large, the government had reserved enough rooms for all contestants.

As they walked to their assigned quarters, Qiao Sang asked, "The competition isn't until tomorrow. Why is there already such a crowd outside?"

"You'll get used to it." He Datang chuckled.

"People in small towns and counties are just more enthusiastic about these things."

"It's actually calmer than usual." Xu Yixuan added.

"During the matches, students and parents from Huicheng High will probably pack the place. You'll see how lively it gets then."

Qiao Sang paused, a realization dawning.

"Our group must include a Huicheng High student, right?"

"Yeah, just one." Xu Yixuan confirmed, scrolling through her phone.

"A boy named Wu Chang."

"Bet the entire crowd will be cheering for him." He Datang remarked.

"Honestly, home court advantage is no joke. He'll probably advance without a hitch."

Qiao Sang nodded, understanding.

This was the infamous home field advantage.

The Beastmaster Center offered single, double, and quadruple rooms. Qiao Sang shared a double room with Xu Yixuan.

"Yap!"

Yabao, who had just been summoned, wandered the room, looked out the window, then tugged at the blanket on Qiao Sang's bed.

"Yap! Yap!"

Let's go play!