Wei Xiuyu nodded. "This is another feature of the first phase of the new format: environmental factors will be significant variables."
Liu Yi thoughtfully looked at the image of the Sky Colosseum, unconsciously stroking Ziyue's head and Chiying's dragon horn beside her.
Ziyue, with her Ice Frost Path skill, and Chiying, with her Cloud Walking trait, would likely face no disadvantage in such an arena, even against contestants from local schools in the Monte Region.
"Now, I'll announce our school's assignment," Wei Xiuyu said, bringing up a new screen. "Our Tianqi Beast Taming High School has been assigned to the Monte Region."
"The Monte Region?!" Li Chengying jumped up excitedly. "Then my Mianmian will be able to show off her skills!"
Gao Xue pressed down on Li Chengying's shoulder. "Don't get too excited yet. Students in the Monte Region grow up on floating islands. Their training methods for flying pets might be different from ours."
Ouyang Qin, standing nearby, frowned slightly. Being assigned to the Monte Region wasn't particularly favorable for her Berserker Bear and Steel-Armored Bear.
Wei Xiuyu surveyed the room and continued, "Each region is allocated an average of 118 schools. Among the other 117 schools in the Monte competition zone, there are a few to note. First, there's the local Monte Beast Taming Academy and Skywing High School."
She brought up a holographic projection, displaying a magnificent school built on a floating island. "The Monte Beast Taming Academy is a well-established strong school in the Monte Region. Their contestants excel at three-dimensional combat using the floating island terrain."
The screen switched, and an image of another school appeared. "Skywing High School, on the other hand, is renowned for cultivating Beast Tamers specialized in Flying-type pets. Last year, three of their contestants reached the final stage of the third-year segment of the National High School League Finals."
The projection changed again, showing two school emblems. "The other two schools to note are Blazing Sun High School from the Yongyang Region and Golden Scale Academy from the Jinhuai Region."
Wei Xiuyu turned off the projection. "Before the first phase of the competition officially begins in two weeks, the coaching staff will compile detailed information on the contestants from the other 117 schools assigned to the Monte competition zone."
She paused, looking at the team members whose faces showed worry. "However, there's no need to worry excessively. The Sky Colosseum isn't entirely airborne; there will also be space for ground combat."
Ouyang Qin's expression relaxed slightly, while Li Chengying excitedly pulled Gao Xue to discuss tactics.
After all, her Cloud Howler Sparrow and Gao Xue's Frost Crystal Butterfly both possessed flying abilities. Furthermore, her Lightning Leopard countered Flying-type attributes, and Gao Xue's Night Shadow Doll had the floating trait of Ghost-type pets, so they should be able to quickly adapt to floating island combat.
Wei Xiuyu clapped her hands, and the training ground immediately quieted down.
"Starting today, all School Team members will begin special training," she announced. "Key training programs include high-altitude combat and adapting to floating island terrain."
"Considering the unique environment of the Monte Region," Wei Xiuyu continued, "the school has already constructed a simulated floating island training ground on campus."
She turned towards the newly opened passage at the back of the training ground. "Everyone, move to the simulated training ground now."
The School Team members walked towards the passage one by one. Liu Yi, walking in the middle of the group, could hear the rising and falling chatter around her.
"I heard there's a special delicacy in the Monte Region called Cloud Cotton Candy!"
"Why are you only thinking about food? Last time I rode a flying pet, I threw up. What should I do now?"
"Don't worry, Teacher Wei will definitely have a solution."
Upon arriving at the simulated training ground, everyone was stunned.
The previously flat battle arena had transformed into dozens of platforms suspended in the air. The platforms were spaced unevenly, and some were even slowly moving.
"This... this is too much, isn't it?" Li Chengying asked, craning her neck. "Are we really going to train on these?"
Gao Xue shook her head. "The Sky Colosseum in the Monte Region is said to be even more complex than this, with platforms moving faster and fluctuating up and down."
Liu Yi looked at Chiying and Ziyue beside her and asked softly, "What do you two think?"
Chiying lifted her head, her eyes gleaming with confidence.
Ziyue, on the other hand, twitched her ears and instantly extended an Ice Frost Path, directly connecting to the nearest floating platform.
"Looks like we'll be fine," Liu Yi said, smiling as she petted her two pets. "Still, we need to get familiar with the characteristics of the floating island environment."
"Attention, everyone!" Wei Xiuyu's voice echoed through the training ground. "Now, divide into grade groups and collect your safety equipment. First-years go first, then Second-years, and finally Third-years."
Liu Yi followed the First-year team towards the equipment area at the edge of the field.
Two rows of equipment were neatly arranged there: on one side, safety ropes with magnetic devices, and on the other, sleek maglev skateboards.
"Each person gets one set of safety ropes and one maglev skateboard," explained the coach's assistant, who was distributing the equipment. "The safety ropes will automatically detect a fall and activate magnetic suction, but I don't want to see anyone actually use them. Maglev skateboards are common transportation tools in the Monte Region, and you must master them."
Liu Yi took the equipment and skillfully fastened the safety ropes.
She had seen such devices in match footage she'd watched before.
"Liu Yi," Li Chengying leaned over, fiddling with her maglev skateboard. "How do you use this? It looks so complicated."
Just as Liu Yi was about to answer, a holographic projection suddenly lit up at the edge of the training ground, displaying a tutorial video.
In the video, a young man from the Monte Region deftly navigated between floating platforms on a maglev skateboard.
"Oh, that's how it works!" Li Chengying realized, and immediately tried to step onto the skateboard.
Because Wei Xiuyu had announced last week that all pets would participate in the upcoming training, Li Chengying had brought her Lightning Leopard back from the training hall. The pet now curiously circled the skateboard, occasionally nudging it with a paw.
"Watch out—" Liu Yi's warning was cut short as Li Chengying lost her balance and tumbled forward.
The Lightning Leopard reacted swiftly, clamping its mouth onto Li Chengying's collar.
However, the pet, worried about its Beast Tamer, pulled too hard, not only stopping Li Chengying but also pouncing on her.
Its two front paws tightly gripped her waist, and the entire leopard hung onto her.
"Little Leopard! Let go! No, let go of my mouth!" Li Chengying struggled awkwardly, eliciting laughter from the surrounding team members.
"Yunyun!"
Even her Cloud Howler Sparrow circled above, letting out schadenfreude cries.
Gao Xue shook her head, turning to Liu Yi. "It seems not everyone's pets can adapt to high-altitude environments like yours."
Liu Yi looked at Ziyue and Chiying. Ziyue was intently observing the movement patterns of the floating platforms, her ears twitching occasionally.
Chiying, meanwhile, had already flown to the nearest platform, observing the entire training ground's layout from above.
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