Chapter 54: The Third One
Once this thought emerged, it became increasingly uncontrollable.
Qiao Sang immediately searched for the lineup of the next match in the Instellar Cup on her phone.
Pasol vs. Chen Mo.
Every match in the Instellar Cup follows a 6v6 format.
99% of Beast Masters participating in the Instellar Cup have seven beasts, so the lineup is always unknown before each match.
Among the seven beasts, one will definitely be sidelined.
This adds considerable difficulty for the audience who wants to analyze the lineup and attributes before placing bets.
Qiao Sang didn't have this concern.
She quickly searched for posters of Pasol and Chen Mo with their respective beasts to show Fire Fang Dog.
"Who do you think is stronger and will win?"
Fire Fang Dog began to compare carefully.
Earlier, it had predicted that the fat dive would win, but it lost; the large bird it had pointed out just now also lost. Rarely did its Beast Master trust it enough to ask this question.
This time, it would not let its Beast Master down and prove itself to her!
"Yap!"
After studying for a while, Fire Fang Dog pointed at the sturdier Pasol and barked.
Qiao Sang nodded, then logged into the Star Cup betting site to place a bet of 1,000 Alliance Coins on Chen Mo.
July 2nd.
The screen above the arena was displaying the photos of the top 64 progressing to the top 32 in the Bai Xin Competition. (I'm resorting to the raw name of this one because it's a hassle to type😞)
In the middle position of Row 9 in Zone C.
"It's rare to see you release the Golden Vine." Qiao Sang remarked in surprise.
She had encountered Bai Yunmiao a few times already.
Each time, she was alone, and after yesterday's match, she immediately recalled the Golden Vine.
"I was interviewed yesterday, and when I got home, my little Jin saw the video and said I didn't bring it along. Today, it insisted on coming out for an interview." Bai Yunmiao said helplessly.
Qiao Sang glanced at the Golden Vine.
Its once lonely tendrils were now tied up with a pink bow, clearly prepared for the interview...
"Don't talk about me. What's wrong with your Fire Fang Dog? It looks expressionless. Did you upset it?" Bai Yunmiao leaned in and whispered.
The reputation of fire-type beasts among novice Beast Masters was still quite strong.
Even though Fire Fang Dog had seemed obedient, as long as it showed any sign of displeasure, Bai Yunmiao would still feel apprehensive.
"No, it's just that thing you said yesterday about its funny expressions." Qiao Sang explained.
"After watching its match video, it realized the importance of managing its expressions. So, when it came today, it turned into a poker face, but it will be fine once the match is over."
"Yap."
Fire Fang Dog nodded coolly.
"So cool!" Bai Yunmiao sighed.
Fire Fang Dog suppressed a grin and tilted its head up at a 45-degree angle.
Qiao Sang: ...
After the first match began, Qiao Sang looked around and asked, "Why are there so many fewer people today?"
"Did you watch the match with God Ya yesterday?" Bai Yunmiao countered without directly answering.
"I only saw the last match." Qiao Sang replied.
"God Ya lost, didn't he? He made it to the top 10 in the last two Instellar Cups, but this time he's outside the top 10. I guess most people couldn't accept it right away and are not in the mood to come." Bai Yunmiao explained.
Qiao Sang understood.
Lin Ya, as the only participant from Dragon Country in Blue Star, had everyone placing their hopes on him.
The disappointment of his loss felt a thousand times worse than the men's football team not making it to the World Cup in the previous life.
Not to mention, the emotional impact at that time had left people without much hope for the football team, feeling heartbroken and frustrated when they lost.
Now, however, Dragon Country had high hopes for Lin Ya.
"Player Guo Yiqi won easily in his last match, but this time he's in a predicament." The middle-aged commentator said in a slightly hoarse, emotionless voice.
His demeanor was worlds apart from yesterday.
In the audience, parents watching their children's matches chatted away.
"How much did you lose yesterday?"
"20,000. And you?"
"100,000."
"Do you still have the heart to watch the match today?"
"My condition isn't great, I stayed at home because I was afraid my wife would find out."
The person asking glanced at his bloodshot eyes and nodded in understanding.
"20,000 isn't a small amount. Does your wife know?"
"Haha, she lost 150,000 herself and cried all night at home."
"..."
"Let's not talk about that. Which match is your kid in?"
"Son, what group are you in?" The bloodshot-eyed man turned to his child.
"Dad, I already finished my match."
"..."
The atmosphere at today's matches felt a bit gloomy.
Both the audience and the commentators lacked enthusiasm, but Qiao Sang continued to record as usual.
Only 17 of the 21 Beast Masters she had noted down were left after yesterday's matches.
As Qiao Sang deleted the eliminated contestants from her notes, another contestant was eliminated just as it was nearly her turn.
The Bai Xin Tournament didn't treat these contestants with intermediate beasts as seeds to be saved for the end.
Instead, they shuffled the order randomly, inevitably causing two contestants with intermediate beasts to meet each other early.
In the eleventh match, Qiao Sang took the stage.
Her opponent was Jin Chengxi, one of the remaining contestants on her list.
"Your Fire Fang Dog is quite strong."
"But you're unlucky to face me. I won't be sending out my recently contracted beast like that idiot Xie Jianyin."
"Don't worry; I won't let you lose too badly."
Qiao Sang remained silent.
"Don't you have anything to say to me?" Jin Chengxi couldn't help but ask.
"Then, thank you in advance." Qiao Sang said.
It wasn't because he said he wouldn't let her lose too badly, it was for sending out his first contracted beast.
The tactics she had studied for so long were finally coming into play!
Jin Chengxi felt a bit embarrassed.
He hadn't expected that after saying so many provoking words, the other party would be so polite.
He might as well let her have this one...
The next moment, Jin Chengxi summoned his beast, the Sand Fox.
With the referee's command, Fire Fang Dog split into two and charged forward.
"Sand Throw!"
Seeing that Qiao Sang hadn't given any commands for Fire Fang Dog, Jin Chengxi launched an attack, momentarily flustered.
Qiao Sang smiled. This was exactly the move I was waiting for—Sand Throw.
The two indistinguishable Fire Fang Dogs rushed into the sandstorm.
Jin Chengxi was taken aback: Who would voluntarily enter someone else's skill?
While Sand Throw couldn't cause decisive damage, the dust covering Fire Fang Dog would definitely impair its condition if it got into its nostrils and fur.
This was the perfect moment to press the advantage!
At that moment, Jin Chengxi also forgot his earlier intention to let the other side have this match.
"Use Quicksand!"
"Mo."
The Sand Fox called out, and its tail gradually emanated a dusty glow.
The dusty arena ahead suddenly spun, forming a quicksand pit that collapsed inward.
Within the dust, two red figures struggled.
Just then, the third Fire Fang Dog suddenly appeared behind the Sand Fox.
Jin Chengxi: !!!
What the hell! When did this show up!