On the other side, Su Wenxi quietly watched the Moonlight Marten's treatment chamber.
“You're very strong,” she suddenly said. “Stronger than I expected.”
Liu Yi turned to look at her. “You and Moonlight Marten are too.”
“Not on the same level as Cui Xiangming,” Liu Yi added, slowly turning her head back.
Su Wenxi paused, then chuckled. “A loss is a loss.” She paused again. “But losing to you, I'm truly convinced.”
Liu Yi smiled back.
...
Half an hour later, music filled the venue, and the awards podium slowly rose from the center of the field.
Ziyue and the Moonlight Marten had mostly recovered; though still a bit weak, they could move normally.
Ning Qiu’s voice once again echoed through the venue: “Ladies and gentlemen! Welcome back to the 77th Longwu High School Entrance Tournament Awards Ceremony!”
Tang Ningzhi stood beside the awards podium, where three exquisite trophies were displayed.
“First, let's welcome our third-place winners—Contestant Huo Nanyun and her Candle Spirit Child—to the stage to receive their award!”
Huo Nanyun walked onto the stage with her Candle Spirit Child and accepted the bronze trophy from Tang Ningzhi.
Ning Qiu: “Contestant Huo Nanyun, with her Ghost-type pet’s unpredictable tactics, fought her way through the competition, ultimately securing third place in this Longwu High School Entrance Tournament! Congratulations!”
In the spectator stands, Qi Zimeng excitedly took photos. “Nanyun! Look here!”
“Next, please welcome our runner-up—Contestant Su Wenxi and her Moonlight Marten—to the stage to receive their award!”
Su Wenxi slowly walked onto the stage, holding her Moonlight Marten. The silver trophy shimmered under the lights.
Ning Qiu: “Contestant Su Wenxi and her Moonlight Marten advanced to the Finals with overwhelming strength. Although they unfortunately lost, their performance was equally spectacular!”
Finally.
“Now, let us welcome with the warmest applause, the Grand Champion of the 77th Longwu High School Entrance Tournament—”
“Contestant Liu Yi and her Ice Fox!”
The entire venue rose to its feet, erupting in thunderous applause.
Liu Yi walked onto the highest podium, holding Ziyue, and the golden championship trophy was handed to her.
Ziyue held the trophy with her front paws, watching the ribbons fluttering down onto it.
Tang Ningzhi personally placed the championship medals around their necks, softly saying, “Congratulations.”
After Tang Ningzhi had presented the medals to all three contestants, Ning Qiu’s voice suddenly became solemn.
“Next, please welcome the President of the Longwu Beast Tamer Association—Ms. Shen Zhumei—to present the awards to our champion, runner-up, and third-place winners!”
The spectator stands immediately erupted in an uproar.
“The President of the Beast Tamer Association is presenting the awards personally?”
“Didn't special guests usually present them in previous years? The standards are so high this year?”
“It seems the rewards aren't ordinary...”
A woman dressed in a dark blue qipao walked onto the awards podium.
Her silver-white hair was neatly coiled at the back of her head. Her features bore a seven-tenths resemblance to Principal Shen Zhuwen of Tianqi, but with an added sharpness and authority.
After Shen Zhumei took her place, her gaze swept over the three contestants, finally resting on Liu Yi.
“The rewards for this Longwu High School Entrance Tournament have been adjusted,” she said. Her voice wasn't loud, yet it clearly reached every corner of the venue. “The champion will receive an additional reward—”
With a flick of her wrist, a black-gold card appeared between her fingers.
“One entry qualification to the Myriad Realm Secret Realm.”
The entire venue fell silent.
Liu Yi’s breath hitched, and Ziyue, nestled in her arms, paused her pawing at the ribbons on the trophy.
Shen Zhumei continued, “In addition, the third-place winner will receive one B-rank resource of their choice from the Longwu Beast Tamer Association's breeding resource library; the runner-up will receive one A-rank resource; and the champion will receive one S-rank resource.”
The spectator stands exploded in commotion.
“The Myriad Realm Secret Realm?! The official Secret Realm that houses countless pets with high racial potential?”
“Is the official association crazy? A Trainee Beast Tamer tournament champion gets this reward?”
“Oh my goodness, that person on the forum really hit the nail on the head with their wild guess.”
“I think it's well-deserved! Liu Yi had 14% at her initial awakening, and now she's raised a Junior pet that defeated an Intermediate pet. Not only that, her Junior pet even knows an A-rank skill! If I had just one of those three things, my family would probably worship me!”
Shen Zhumei ignored the commotion below the stage and addressed the three of them. “There's no time limit for the resource rewards. Just register and collect them at the Beast Tamer Association whenever you need them.”
Then she handed the card to Liu Yi. “It's the same for the Secret Realm. You can go when your Beast Taming Space development progress reaches 20%, or you can save it for 30% or 40% later. It's your personal choice.”
“However, some people might never break past 30% Beast Taming Space development progress in their entire lives. Of course, I believe that won't apply to you.”
Liu Yi took the card, examining its black-gold pattern.
She hadn't expected her casual question on the forum to actually come true.
Shen Zhumei turned to the camera. “This Longwu High School Entrance Tournament has concluded successfully. Thank you all for your attention and support.”
As the closing music began, the large screen started playing highlights from the tournament.
However, most people's attention was still fixated on the shocking news.
After the closing ceremony, reporters swarmed forward.
“Contestant Liu Yi! You've received entry qualification to the Myriad Realm Secret Realm. What kind of pet do you plan to contract next?”
“How did the Ice Fox learn Extreme Cold Storm?”
“What are your expectations for your upcoming high school life?”
Liu Yi stood amidst the circle of reporters, holding Ziyue, as camera flashes continuously went off.
Liu Yi: “You'll know once I contract one.”
Liu Yi: “Ziyue learned it herself.”
Liu Yi: “I'm very much looking forward to it.”
Hearing Liu Yi's replies, the reporters' questions surged like a tide, though her answers felt a bit like 'read and replied haphazardly'.
“What are your plans for the National High School League?”
“Is the Ice Fox about to evolve?”
Liu Yi subtly stepped back as a warm hand rested on her shoulder.
Shen Zhumei had appeared behind her at some point. “Everyone, please give our champion some time to rest.”
The reporters wisely made way.
Liu Yi nodded in acknowledgment to Shen Zhumei and quickly left, holding Ziyue.
As she exited the venue, Baili Jinxuan was the first to rush over and hug her tightly. “That was amazing! An A-rank skill! That was an A-rank skill!”
“Bingbing, Bingbing!”
Ziyue let out two squeaks from being squeezed. Baili Jinxuan finally released her, then awkwardly rubbed Ziyue’s head. “Good job, Baby Ziyue!”
Yu Qianfan stood by, saying, “Congratulations.”
Huo Nanyun and Qi Zimeng also walked over from behind.
Qi Zimeng’s eyes were still red, and her voice was tearful. “Your last move was so cool! It made me cry!”
Huo Nanyun handed her a tissue. “Don't mind her, she's been crying ever since Ziyue unleashed Extreme Cold Storm.”
Liu Yi looked at her friends, a slight smile touching her lips. “Thank you.”
Yu Qianfan checked the time. “How about we go celebrate? I know a good restaurant nearby.”
“Yes, yes! I'm treating!” Baili Jinxuan raised both hands in agreement. “I'm going to order Ziyue the best Ice-type desserts!”
Qi Zimeng wiped away her tears, then suddenly remembered something. “Wait, what about Su Wenxi? Should we invite her too?”
They all looked back towards the venue exit and saw Su Wenxi emerging.
Baili Jinxuan hesitated, then whispered, “Should we invite her? She seems so aloof?”
Liu Yi thought for a moment, then walked towards Su Wenxi, holding Ziyue.
Su Wenxi saw her and stopped. “Congratulations.”
“Thank you.” Liu Yi paused. “We're going out for a meal. Would you like to join us?”
Su Wenxi was visibly surprised, and the Moonlight Marten looked up at her.
Just as the atmosphere grew a little awkward, Su Wenxi softly said, “Okay.”
...
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