August 9th, the day before the Longwu High School Entrance Tournament.
Morning sunlight filtered through the gaps in the curtains. Liu Yi woke up early and realized Ziyue was no longer by her pillow.
She pushed open the back door and, sure enough, saw Ziyue practicing her skills on the training field.
“No training today,” Liu Yi said. “We’re going to relax.”
“Bing bing?”
Ziyue’s ears twitched as she turned her head in confusion. If they weren’t training, what were they doing?
“I’m taking you out to play today.”
...
Ziyue perched on Liu Yi’s shoulder, her eyes curiously taking in her surroundings.
Liu Yi had brought her to the largest 【Pet Leisure Plaza】 in the Longwu Region.
This was a relaxation spot specifically designed for Beast Tamers and their pets. It featured a pet amusement area, a food street, and even small-scale skill performances.
Once you bought a ticket, you could experience all the activities inside for free.
Except for the food and drinks, of course.
“What do you want to play first?” Liu Yi pointed to the facilities nearby. “The rotating swings? Or the skating rink exclusive to Ice-type pets?”
“Bing bing!”
Ziyue excitedly raised a paw and pointed toward a stall with a snowflake symbol.
It was the 【Ice Sculpture DIY】 experience area, where many Ice-type pets were carving various shapes of ice blocks alongside their masters.
“Alright, let’s do that.”
The stall owner was a smiling elderly woman. Her eyes lit up when she saw Ziyue. “Oh, what a wonderfully raised Ice Fox! Come, pick a mold.”
She pushed forward a row of molds in the shapes of snowflakes, stars, cats, dogs, tigers, and foxes.
Without hesitation, Ziyue pressed her paw onto the fox mold.
“You have good taste!” The old lady chuckled as she handed over the tools. “Slowly inject your Ice-type energy into the mold. Be careful to control the intensity.”
Ziyue carefully released her frost, and ice crystals slowly condensed within the mold.
Gradually, a crystal-clear little ice fox statue took shape.
Under the sunlight, the ice sculpture reflected glints of light, and even its whiskers looked lifelike.
Liu Yi watched from the side, thinking to herself that this seemed like a good way for pets to practice their control and mastery over their own energy.
“Perfect!” The old lady Applauded. “That’s the most exquisite work I’ve ever seen! Let me give you a gift box to pack it in.”
The old lady took out a delicate, transparent gift box with a blue ribbon tied to the lid.
She carefully placed Ziyue’s ice fox statue inside and handed it to Liu Yi with a smile.
“Thank you,” Liu Yi said as she took the box.
Ziyue leaned in and gently nudged the lid with her nose.
“Bing bing~”
“You did a great job.” Liu Yi rubbed her head. “Where to next?”
Ziyue’s ears twitched. Suddenly attracted by a scent wafting from afar, she patted Liu Yi’s shoulder with a small paw and pointed toward the food street.
“Hungry?” Liu Yi chuckled. “Let’s go. I’ll take you to try some Ice-type desserts made specifically for pets.”
...
The food street was bustling with people. All sorts of pets followed their masters; some were carrying snacks in their mouths, while others stared longingly at the stalls.
Liu Yi led Ziyue to a shop with a sign that read 【Polar Ice Dessert Shop】.
Various desserts for Ice-type pets were displayed in a transparent freezer—Snowflake Jelly, Iceberry Cake, Frost Sugar Cookies...
Liu Yi pointed at the freezer and asked, “Which one do you want?”
Ziyue scanned the display before her gaze finally settled on a piece of ice crystal jelly shaped like a small fish.
“Bing bing.”
Ziyue pressed her paw gently against the glass and turned back with a call.
Liu Yi said to the clerk, “One order of Ice Crystal Fish Jelly, please.”
The clerk was a young girl with a ponytail. Her eyes sparkled when she saw Ziyue. “Wow! This Ice Fox is so beautiful! Is this your first time at our shop? We’re having a promotion right now—if you take a photo of the pet and master together, you get a free serving of Snowflake Frosting!”
Before Liu Yi could answer, Ziyue had already raised her head proudly and wagged her tail slightly, indicating her agreement.
“Then I’ll trouble you,” Liu Yi said with a smile. It seemed the compliment had gone straight to Ziyue’s heart.
The clerk excitedly took out a camera. She hadn't expected to run into the rising star she had seen on the forum just a couple of days ago.
Ziyue cooperatively perched on Liu Yi’s shoulder, her purple eyes narrowing slightly, looking exceptionally elegant.
Click—
The photo froze the moment. Ziyue had even playfully wrapped her tail around a lock of Liu Yi’s hair.
“So cute!” the clerk exclaimed as she looked at the finished photo. “Can we keep this photo to post on our ‘Star Pet Wall’? We can give you another limited-edition dessert!”
“Bing bing.”
Liu Yi looked at Ziyue. Ziyue tilted her head in thought for a moment and then gave a cry of agreement.
Consequently, the dessert Liu Yi received was upgraded from just one Ice Crystal Fish Jelly to a combo of 【Ice Crystal Fish Jelly + Snowflake Frosting + Limited Edition Ice Moon Pudding】.
Ziyue lay contentedly on the table, taking small licks of the Ice Crystal Fish Jelly, her tail swaying happily.
Watching her enjoy herself, Liu Yi couldn't help but reach out and stroke her back.
Ziyue looked up, her eyes blinking, and then rubbed her head against Liu Yi’s palm.
...
In the evening, the setting sun dyed the sky a shade of orange-red.
Liu Yi and Ziyue rested by the fountain in the center of the plaza.
Ziyue was still cradling the gift box containing her ice sculpture, occasionally looking down to make sure it was intact.
Liu Yi asked softly, “Did you have fun?”
“Bing bing!”
Ziyue rubbed against her arm and gave a cry, indicating she was very happy!
Liu Yi smiled and looked up at the neon lights gradually lighting up in the distance.
Tomorrow was the Longwu High School Entrance Tournament. She didn't feel any nervousness, only a sense of calm anticipation.
Everything that needed to be reviewed from their past battles had been reviewed, and all the match recordings that needed to be studied had been watched.
Now, it all came down to her and Ziyue’s strength.
“Let’s go home.” Liu Yi stood up and took the gift box from Ziyue’s arms. “The tournament is tomorrow.”
Ziyue leaped lightly onto her shoulder.
The night breeze was gentle as the first stars appeared.
Their figures gradually blended into the city lights.
...
August 10th, the Longwu High School Entrance Tournament begins.
At seven in the morning, the area outside the Longwu Central Arena was already bustling with people.
The massive circular stadium was draped in a golden glow under the morning sun. A holographic projection of the tournament logo floated at the entrance—
A silhouette of a coiling dragon, with the words “77th Longwu High School Entrance Tournament” flashing below it.
“Good morning, everyone! This is a live broadcast from Longwu Region’s Beast Tamer TV!” A crisp voice suddenly rang out amidst the crowd.
A reporter with a high ponytail held a microphone, standing outside the arena with a face full of smiles.
Beside her followed a burly Giant Guard carrying a camera, aiming the lens at the surrounding crowd.
Rate on N.U.
