Ji Hongyuan fell silent for a few more seconds.
His Windbell Bird was at the Junior stage. On the other hand, the Moling Dragon opposite was at the Intermediate stage, a Dragon and Poison-type, immune to Poison-type attacks, Psychic-type skills, and negative statuses, and possessed several A-rank skills.
How long could the Windbell Bird last? Ten seconds? Twenty seconds?
Ji Hongyuan quickly reviewed the situation in his mind. The Windbell Bird's advantages were its speed and Healing Chime. However, in complex terrains like floating islands, its speed advantage would be greatly diminished. While Healing Chime could restore stamina, the Moling Dragon's attack power was too high; the recovery speed simply couldn't keep up with the rate of depletion. Moreover, the dragon also had Dragon Breath and Venom Spray, both extremely powerful long-range attacks, leaving the Windbell Bird no chance to get close.
Ji Hongyuan sighed. “I concede.”
In the staging area, an uproar erupted.
“He conceded? Ji Hongyuan conceded?!” “He still had his Windbell Bird, why did he give up?” “The Windbell Bird is Junior stage, and the Moling Dragon opposite is Intermediate stage. How could he fight?” “But that's Ji Hongyuan… a third-year student from Monte Beast Taming Academy, just like that?”
“What else could he do but concede? The Rockwing Giant Lizard already lost, sending the Windbell Bird out would just be a waste. Rather than letting his pet take a beating for nothing, it's better to just concede directly.”
“Besides, look at Liu Yi's Moling Dragon, it's at full strength. The Windbell Bird really wouldn't stand a chance.” “Ji Hongyuan was quite clear-headed this time.”
After the referee confirmed Ji Hongyuan's intention to concede, a mechanical voice immediately sounded.
【Contestant Ji Hongyuan concedes! The winner is Liu Yi from Tianqi Beast Taming High School!】 【Points settlement in progress…】 【Liu Yi (first-year student) defeated Ji Hongyuan (third-year student), gaining 20 points!】 【Current total personal points: 345 points】
Ji Hongyuan stood on his maglev skateboard, his hands back in his pockets, his expression unreadable. He cast a final glance at Liu Yi opposite him, gave a slight nod as a gesture of acknowledgment, then stepped onto his skateboard and flew towards the exit.
When the door to the player waiting area was pushed open, Li Chengying was the first to rush over.
“Liu Yi! You won, you won, you won!” She grabbed Liu Yi’s arm, too excited to speak coherently. “You made Ji Hongyuan concede! A third-year! He was a third-year!”
The Cloud Howler Sparrow flew in behind her, equally excited, letting out two chirps.
Gao Xue stood up from the sofa, still holding her unfinished coffee cup, and gave Liu Yi a slight nod. “Well fought.”
Ouyang Qin leaned against the wall, arms crossed, a faint smile playing on her lips. “In the Rockwing Giant Lizard match, Ziyue’s Mirror Flower Water Moon was perfectly timed. The confusion effect from the shattering duplicates precisely interrupted the Sonic Burst’s charge. That timing was spot on.”
Wei Tan'an also walked over, with her Sandstorm Scorpion beside her. “Liu Yi, when did Ziyue learn that Ice Blast skill? I haven't seen her use it before.”
Liu Yi said, “I just learned it in the Monte Region.”
She walked to the sofa and sat down, placing her backpack at her feet. Chiying had been recalled to her Beast Taming Space, Ziyue was recovering inside, and Jinyao had long since curled up and fallen asleep there.
Li Chengying followed, plopping down beside her. “When Ji Hongyuan conceded, the whole arena went silent. The Monte Beast Taming Academy people must be furious; they were hoping to overtake us.”
Gao Xue sat on Li Chengying’s other side. “Overtake? How many points are they behind us now?”
“I don't know, but it's definitely hopeless now.” Li Chengying pulled out her phone and quickly swiped a few times.
Ouyang Qin also walked over and sat on the single sofa nearby. “Today's matches aren't over yet, and the results of the last few will affect the final rankings. But as long as there are no major surprises, first place should be secured.”
Liu Yi leaned back against the sofa, letting out a soft breath.
The door to the waiting area was pushed open again.
Chu Qian and Xie Jing entered, both smiling.
“You won?” Ouyang Qin asked. “We won.” Chu Qian nodded, sitting on a nearby chair. “Our opponent was a second-year, not too difficult to fight.”
Xie Jing also sat down. “I won my match too.”
Time passed minute by minute. The door to the waiting area opened and closed as contestants returned. Some wore smiles, others had calm expressions, and occasionally a few looked a bit down, but overall, Tianqi’s performance today was quite good.
At 6:30 PM, the last match concluded. Wei Xiuyu pushed open the door and entered the waiting area, holding a tablet computer, followed by two members of the coaching staff.
All eyes turned to her. Wei Xiuyu scanned the room, her gaze lingering on each team member’s face for a moment, then she spoke, “All matches for today are concluded. The organizing committee is currently compiling the points rankings for the first stage, which are expected to be announced in half an hour.”
She paused, her tone calm but with a hint of subtle satisfaction. “Currently, we are in first place.”
A suppressed cheer erupted in the waiting area.
Li Chengying was the first to stand up, nearly knocking over Gao Xue’s coffee. “First place! We’re in first place!”
Gao Xue quickly protected her coffee cup, glaring at her. “Get excited after the official announcement.”
“What’s the difference between getting excited now and getting excited later?!” Li Chengying retorted self-righteously, but still sat back down obediently.
Wei Xiuyu continued, “In half an hour, everyone will gather at the Central Main Arena for the first stage’s mini-closing ceremony. The top ten schools in the Monte Competition Zone will be announced, and advancement certificates will be awarded.” “For now, you are free to move around, but don’t go too far.”
“Understood!” everyone responded in unison.
Wei Xiuyu nodded and turned to leave the waiting area.
As soon as she left, the waiting area erupted in chatter.
“Top ten! We’re definitely first!” “Is that even a question? We’re so far ahead in points, how could we not be first?”
“I wonder where the second stage will be held. In previous years, it seemed to rotate among the various group regions?” “The competition format changed this year, so perhaps the second stage will also be different.”
Liu Yi leaned on the sofa, listening to the discussions around her, a slight smile on her lips.
Her phone vibrated. She pulled it out and saw a group message from 【Did You Work Hard Today Too?】.
【The Beautiful Master of Cute Shadow: Our Zell Competition Zone rankings are out! Yunhai is first! [Shadow looking proud.jpg]】
【Zimeng's Dream: Congratulations! Our Yunlin Competition Zone hasn't been announced yet, but it should be soon.】
【Green Lamp with Clouds: I heard the Longwu Competition Zone results are out too, Qinglan seems to be third.】
【The Beautiful Master of Cute Shadow: @Yi What about you guys? Are yours out yet?】
【Yi: Not yet, it'll be officially announced in half an hour.】
【Zimeng's Dream: Almost there then! Waiting for your good news!】
Rate on N.U.
