Chapter 59: Thick Skin
One is Lu You, who has been the center of attention since his first appearance.
Whether it's his background or his Little Dragon, both have been hot topics in the Bai Xin Competition.
The other is Qiao Sang, the only contestant daring enough to contract with a Fire-type beast as her first pet.
Her battle rhythm and the performance of her Fire fang Dog have consistently drawn everyone's attention.
As soon as these two appeared on the field, the platform's bullet comments surged instantly.
[Exciting! Exciting!]
[It's like this match-up was predetermined, this competition knows exactly what we want to see.]
[Fire fang Dog changed its sunglasses again, someone share the link!]
[Based on my observation, I think Lu You will win.]
[Based on my observation, I think the person above is right.]
Although both are highly anticipated, the support for Lu You and his Little Dragon easily overshadows that for Qiao Sang and her Fire fang Dog.
The two of them stood in their respective positions.
In the audience, the few cheering voices mostly called out Lu You and Little Dragon's names.
Qiao Sang isn't one for trash talk before a match, and Lu You is also aloof, so neither of them spoke.
Until the referee shouted, "Begin!"
"Dig!"
The first to give a command was Lu You.
As a dual-type Ground and Dragon pet beast, Little Dragon naturally had no trouble with the basic skill of digging.
Once Lu You spoke, Little Dragon began to claw at the ground, burrowing into the earth.
Since its skill proficiency wasn't high enough yet, the process wasn't instantaneous.
During this time, if Fire fang Dog's speed were quick enough, it could have interrupted Little Dragon's digging.
But Qiao Sang didn't issue any command.
"It seems Lu You intends to solve this in close combat. I wonder how Qiao Sang will respond."
Only after Little Dragon completed its digging did Qiao Sang speak, "Shadow Clone."
Fire fang Dog instantly split into five, forming a line.
The ground remained still, and everyone held their breath, afraid to miss the moment of confrontation.
Lu You frowned slightly.
Five is a bit much...
His plan was to dig, ambush the opponent, and then use a finishing move before they could recover.
But now, his initial rhythm was disrupted.
However, that's the charm of competition.
If everything went according to plan, what would be the point?
"Now!"
As Lu You's voice fell, the Fire fang Dog in the center suddenly stepped back.
Lu You's eyes lit up, and he shouted, "The one in the middle!"
At this moment, Little Dragon suddenly burst out from the ground where Fire fang Dog had stepped back, sending it flying.
"Who would have thought that Lu You's initial command was a feint! The goal was to lure out the real Fire fang Dog! What a cunning... I mean, clever tactic!"
Lu You couldn't help but smile.
Although the process was slightly different from what he had imagined, the result was still perfect, as always.
He raised his right hand, about to give the final command, "Dragon..."
The last syllable got stuck in his throat.
He couldn't believe what he was seeing.
The Fire fang Dog that was sent flying in the center... had disappeared!
It was a clone?!
He had been tricked!
Lu You realized it and was about to speak, but it was already too late.
"Fire Whirl."
Seizing the moment of distraction, Qiao Sang issued the attack command.
All four remaining Fire fang Dogs simultaneously opened their mouths.
Four swirling flames shot out, all hitting Little Dragon.
"Qiii!!!"
Little Dragon let out a cry of pain.
"Unbelievable! Qiao Sang has completely misled Lu You! The Fire Whirl hit Little Dragon from all sides! Could Qiao Sang be the victor?" The commentator shouted excitedly.
But it wasn't enough.
Qiao Sang assessed Little Dragon's condition.
Dragon-type beasts aren't praised for nothing.
Whether it's in attack, speed, or defense, they're well-rounded.
Moreover, Little Dragon has a Ground attribute that counters Fire-type.
The combined power of the three illusory Fire Whirls and one real one wasn't enough to break Little Dragon's defense and achieve a one-hit knockout.
"Fire Fang!"
Qiao Sang immediately followed up.
Fire Fang had already reached the intermediate stage, making it Fire fang Dog's strongest attack.
Given Little Dragon's current state, it should be enough.
"Dig!" Lu You shouted in panic.
In its full state, Fire fang Dog could stop Little Dragon from digging, let alone now.
Little Dragon, enduring the pain, reached its claws toward the ground.
At the same time, four blazing fangs bit down on Little Dragon.
One on its left limb, one on its right, one on its left shoulder, and the last on its head.
"Qiii!!!"
Little Dragon let out a heart-wrenching scream.
As it screamed, a white Dragon Breath spewed uncontrollably in all directions.
Everyone watched intently.
Could the Dragon-type beast, known for being unbeatable among its peers, really lose like this?
Ten seconds passed.
Little Dragon still hadn't fallen.
But the Fire fang Dog biting down on its left limb, right limb, and left shoulder had disappeared one after another due to Little Dragon's violent struggle.
Only one Fire fang Dog with a fierce expression remained, biting down hard on its head.
So this one is the real one!
Lu You was overjoyed.
No one had ever pushed his Little Dragon this far.
He didn't even know Little Dragon could withstand so much damage. He thought he had lost the moment Fire Fang landed.
"Use Iron Head!"
Lu You shouted.
Fire fang Dog bit down hard on Little Dragon's head, but the power of Fire Fang was waning.
Yet, despite its trembling, Little Dragon showed no signs of collapsing.
Firefang Dog couldn't help but feel frustrated.
Usually, opponents would have been done for long before now. This guy has such thick skin...
Just as it was starting to feel down, the sensation in its mouth became increasingly strange.
It was then that it heard its master's command.
"Jump back."
Fire fang Dog didn't hesitate, immediately following the order.
Bang!
The audience gasped.
Just as Little Dragon executed Iron Head, Fire fang Dog didn't release its bite. But the moment Litle Dragon's head hit the ground, Fire fang Dog leaped away!
The timing was too perfect!
Little Dragon raised its head, its vision spinning.
Why are there so many people here all of a sudden...
Its foot slipped.
The sky is so blue...
I want to sleep...
"Little Dragon has lost the ability to fight! The winner is Qiao Sang!" The referee announced the result excitedly.
Having been a referee for so long, he had grown numb to most match outcomes.
But winning this match, despite the disadvantages in both attribute and species, was just too cool!
"The opening of this match seemed to be in Lu You's favor, but in reality, it was Qiao Sang who controlled the rhythm throughout. It was truly a spectacular battle! San Duo, what do you think?" The commentator asked, being the first to react amid the stunned audience.
"Qiao Sang has the potential to become a professional Beastmaster. I look forward to seeing her in future regional tournaments." San Duo replied.
As soon as those words were spoken, the crowd both at the venue and watching the live stream erupted.