Li Chengying's words drew the attention of those around her.
Gao Xue leaned over to glance at the battle schedule in Liu Yi's hand, raising an eyebrow slightly. “Fighting and Steel-types are indeed strong against Ice-types. However…”
She paused, looking at Ziyue, who was crouching at Liu Yi's feet. “Ziyue is already at the Intermediate stage, and her energy reserves and skill proficiency far surpass those of Junior pets. Attribute disadvantages can be compensated for by Level suppression, as long as she's careful not to get entangled in close combat.”
“So, Liu Yi, which one are you planning to send out?” Li Chengying asked curiously. “Ziyue or Chiying?”
This question made everyone nearby perk up their ears.
Wei Tan'an also came closer, her gaze moving between Ziyue and Chiying. “Logically, Chiying's Dragon-type doesn't have an attribute disadvantage against Fighting or Steel-types, and her Poison-type can slowly wear them down. However—”
She paused, glancing at the battle schedule in her hand. “The opponent only has one Junior pet, so anyone could win, right?”
“You can't say that,” Ouyang Qin said blandly, walking over with her coffee. “Even if the opponent is weak, don't let your guard down.”
Liu Yi nodded, her gaze shifting between Ziyue and Chiying.
Ziyue held her head high, her purple eyes sparkling with anticipation.
Her two tails swayed gently, clearly eager to enter the arena.
Chiying, meanwhile, hovered beside Liu Yi, her crimson eyes calmly sweeping over everyone, showing no intention of competing.
“Ziyue,” Liu Yi decided. “You're up tomorrow.”
“Bingbing!”
Ziyue chirped excitedly, her two tails wagging even more vigorously.
Li Chengying immediately leaned over. “Let me see who your opponent is again? Lu Ruili, Chenguang High School… Where is Chenguang High School?”
“From the Yongyang Region,” Gao Xue said, having already looked up the information on her phone. “It's a regular public high school with no particularly outstanding records. This Lu Ruili is a first-year new student, and her registered information only lists one Iron Claw Weasel.”
“Then it's even more of a sure thing,” Li Chengying patted Liu Yi's shoulder. “Ziyue can win just by unleashing a few skills.”
Liu Yi shook her head, saying earnestly, “We can't underestimate them. The Iron Claw Weasel's Metal Claw and Rock Smash are both skills strong against Ice-types. If Ziyue gets caught in a close-range combo, she'll be in danger.”
She paused, looking at Ziyue. “Tomorrow, at the start, create distance and use Ice Blade to wear it down. Don't give it a chance to get close.”
“Bingbing!”
Ziyue nodded solemnly, her purple eyes filled with seriousness.
Wei Xiuyu's voice came from the front. “Have you all checked your battle schedules? For tomorrow's first matches, I expect each of you to give your best. Don't be arrogant if you win, and don't be discouraged if you lose. Remember, this is a points-based competition, not an elimination tournament. The outcome of one match doesn't determine the final result.”
She scanned the room, her gaze lingering on each team member's face for a moment. “Now go back and rest. We'll gather and depart tomorrow at seven in the morning.”
“Understood!”
Everyone dispersed, returning to their rooms.
******
Room 1608.
Ziyue was crouching on the balcony, her purple eyes gazing at the Sky Colosseum in the distance, her tails gently swaying as if contemplating how to fight tomorrow.
Chiying, meanwhile, hovered in the center of the room, its golden patterns faintly shimmering with its breathing.
“Still thinking about tomorrow's battle?” Liu Yi walked over and gently rubbed Ziyue's ear. “How about you handle tomorrow's battle on your own?”
“Bingbing.”
Ziyue turned her head, rubbing against Liu Yi's palm. She chirped, her eyes full of confidence.
Liu Yi smiled. “Confidence is good, but you still need to take every opponent seriously. Although the Iron Claw Weasel is only at the Junior stage, its Fighting-type and Steel-type skills have a countering effect against you.”
She paused, continuing, “Your advantages lie in Level suppression and skill proficiency. Your Ice Blade has reached Arcane, Frost Breath is also Arcane, Ice Armor is Expert level, and Ice Spike is Proficient level. These basic skills are sufficient to deal with a Junior pet.”
“But there are two points to watch out for,” Liu Yi held up two fingers. “First, the Iron Claw Weasel isn't slow, so don't let it get close. Second, its Metal Claw and Rock Smash can both pierce armor. We practiced this with Teacher Wei before: you can use energy flow to focus your Ice Armor for localized defense.”
“Bingbing!”
Ziyue nodded earnestly, committing Liu Yi's words firmly to memory.
Chiying also flew over, gently touching Ziyue's tail with its dragon tail.
Liu Yi watched the interaction between her two pets, a slight smile playing on her lips. She took out Ziyue and Chiying's latent energy pills and offered them. “Eat these and get some rest. We have to wake up early tomorrow.”
Ziyue and Chiying took the latent energy pills, eating them in small bites.
Liu Yi ate something herself, then went to the bathroom for a quick wash.
When she came out, Ziyue was already lying on her exclusive mat, eyes half-closed, her tails gently resting on the edge of the mat.
Chiying was coiled on the mat on the other side, breathing steadily.
Liu Yi lay on the bed and glanced at her phone.
The screen lit up, and the group chat for 【Tianqi 99th Batch First Year Class A-1】 already showed 99+ messages.
She casually tapped it open to see what her classmates were discussing.
【Tianqi 99th Batch First Year Class A-1 (45 members)】
Tianqi 99th Batch First Year Class A-1 (45 members)
【[Yan Xinliu]: @All Members Tomorrow is the first stage of the National League! Our class has three School Team members, let's all cheer them on! [clapping hands][clapping hands]】
【[Li Hao]: @Liu Yi @Song Qingshu @Lu Yiming Good luck tomorrow! Bring glory to our class!】
【[Chen Yutong]: When is Liu Yi's first match?】
【[Zhao Mingxuan]: @Liu Yi I saw the battle schedule. Your opponent is Lu Ruili from Chenguang High School? An Iron Claw Weasel? Fighting + Steel-type, a bit of a counter to Ice-types...】
【[Ding Mei]: @Zhao Mingxuan What do you know? Liu Yi's Ziyue is at the Intermediate stage, and the opponent is only Junior! Don't you understand Level suppression?!】
【[Shen Taihe]: Exactly! And Ziyue's Ice Blade proficiency, I was stunned when I saw it during the performance show. With that accuracy, the Iron Claw Weasel won't even get close!】
【[Chen Yutong]: By the way, which one is Liu Yi sending out tomorrow? Ziyue or Chiying?】
【[Li Hao]: @Chen Yutong It must be Ziyue, right? If Chiying's Dragon-type appears, won't the opponent just cry from fright? (dog head emoji)】
【[Yan Xinliu]: Rational analysis: the Iron Claw Weasel's attributes do counter Ice-types, but Ziyue has the advantage of Level and skill proficiency. As long as she controls the distance, it should be a solid win.】
【[Lin Xiaomeng]: @Yan Xinliu How are you even analyzing this? You're not even on the School Team!】
【[Yan Xinliu]: (pushing glasses emoji) As a class member, isn't it normal to care about classmates?】
【[Liu Yi]: Ziyue will go.】
【[Lin Xiaomeng]: Ahhh, go Ziyue! (Ziyue charging duck emoji)】
【[Li Hao]: Wait, where did this emoji come from?】
【[Lin Xiaomeng]: I made it last night! There's a Chiying version too! (Chiying coolest emoji)】
【[Zhao Mingxuan]: 666, a tech guru】
【[Zhao Mingxuan]: Oh, right, right! Did you see the pre-match predictions posted on the Beast Tamer Forum today? An account called “Monte Spectator Group” specifically analyzed our school!】
【[Ding Mei]: Screenshot it! Let's see!】
【[Zhao Mingxuan]: (Screenshot.jpg)】
Screenshot content:
【Monte Spectator Group · Pre-Match Review — Longwu Region Tianqi Beast Taming High School】
Key Players to Watch:
First Year · Liu Yi — Silver Snow Fox (new evolution form of Ice Fox) + Moling Dragon (newly discovered Dragon-type)
Overall Assessment: A first-year new student with two Intermediate pets, possessing astonishing talent. The Silver Snow Fox once defeated an Intermediate Moonlight Marten as a Junior in the Longwu High School Entrance Tournament and unleashed the A-rank skill Extreme Cold Storm. After evolving, the Moling Dragon gained flight ability, and its wingless flight trait provides a massive advantage in the floating island environment.
First Week Prediction: No opponents of the same grade, a perfect record is expected.
Rate on N.U.
