In the studio, Selena watched the live broadcast of the match and once again fell silent.

She glanced at the subtitles again... That’s right, this was the first-year high school division.

This top talent from the Common Defense Alliance Headquarters was feeling a bit of Huai City shock.

’Even the first-years from a small city like this have reached this level?!’

In the live stream, Lu Dongjie commented:

"...We can see that 004 anticipated Yu Bao’s intentions and set a trap in advance, but Yu Bao also anticipated 004’s anticipation and didn’t take the bait at all. It looked like he was taking a huge risk for a huge reward, but in reality, he was as steady as a rock!"

[Golden Rare: LMAO, he sure knows how to play it safe.]

[Su Zhi’s Doggy: When it comes to being cautious, I’m really no match for Yu Bao.]

[Frost Shadow Qtm: Reminds me of something happy.jpg]

[Audience38128: Looking at it this way, it’s not like there’s no chance! God Su and that guy from Second High are trading blows evenly!]

[Day after Day: But the White Flame Battle Spirit hasn’t taken any real damage...]

[Jade Balance 001: I feel like it’s still going to be tough for Yu Bao. Both sides have excellent skills and tactics, but 004 has a chunk more energy.]

[A Scum White Hair: Not necessarily. I personally think Su Zhi has a better chance of winning.]

In the audience, Liu Yuhang saw the message Shao Ya had posted in the live stream and asked curiously, "Class President, do you think Brother Shu really has a shot?"

"Of course he does!"

Shao Ya nodded, put away her phone, and her azure eyes turned back to the figure on the stage.

"Yu Bao’s Energy Value is a fair bit lower than 004’s, and he can’t end this in one decisive, quick battle. From a direct standpoint, if this turns into a war of attrition, Yu Bao is indeed at a disadvantage.

"I’m guessing Su Zhi has realized this as well.

"Have you noticed? If you look at their moves as exchanges, Yu Bao has consistently been running a ’surplus’.

"Faced with Dark Flame Strangulation, which is extremely difficult to defend against but also has a high energy cost, Yu Bao chose to easily neutralize it with a low-cost Yellow Earth Wall.

"In that last situation, Yu Bao actually had two options. One was to leave the Sand Shadow Stand-In in place while the main body activated Desert Concealment to follow the Quicksand Shield, getting in close before using another attack skill.

"The other was what he did just now, using only the Quicksand Shield and Sand Shadow Stand-In combination. Yu Bao chose the lower-cost option.

"On the other hand, the White Flame Battle Spirit was baited into using both its Telekinesis Clone and Burning Ash Divine Concealment. Both of those Skills are powerful, but their costs aren’t low either.

"If Yu Bao keeps baiting it like this, the gap between them will actually shrink over time!"

"My friend Su Zhi... truly unfathomable," Cao Mingyu murmured, looking at that back.

The man in the spotlight had once again taught him an incredibly profound lesson...

On the stage, the offense and defense of sand and fire continued. Compared to the subtle undercurrents at the start, the current open clash had the audience roaring with excitement.

Fang Yuan’s expression grew a little solemn.

Compared to the Envoy’s Pet pair that he had so easily defeated during the exchange match, Su Zhi’s current Envoy’s Pet had truly made a qualitative leap.

At this moment, Fang Yuan suddenly recalled the words Su Zhi had said before the match: "I won’t let you win."

Across the stage, Su Zhi watched the two Pet Beasts’ struggle with intense focus.

He was also using some Pet Synchronization command techniques to get a more immersive feeling, allowing him to subconsciously employ the most cost-effective tactics.

Yes, this was precisely Su Zhi’s strategy—the "Consumption Surplus."

Yu Bao’s most prominent Attribute was Perception. While its other Attributes were all superior to its Race’s average, there was still a noticeable gap compared to 004.

Pet Beast Battles are a game of accumulating advantages. With every exchange, the side with the advantage gains a little more, and the side at a disadvantage falls a little further behind.

The gap that would ultimately decide victory or defeat would emerge from this accumulation of advantages and disadvantages...

Therefore, he and Yu Bao treated every single clash with 120% focus!

They knew, of course, that 004’s energy reserves were substantial, definitely no less than Yu Bao’s. It would be extremely difficult to maintain a stalemate through a war of attrition.

But even so, as long as there was a sliver of hope, they would not choose to give up!

In the live stream, Lu Dongjie’s eyes were shining. "We can see that Fang Yuan has not, as predicted, achieved a one-sided victory!"

"Yu Bao’s fighting style is very aggressive! 004 hasn’t been able to find any great openings to attack! Although nearly an hour has passed, the fight between them is still incredibly intense!"

[Frost Shadow Qtm: AHHHHHHH!]

[Annihilation: I can’t even type anymore... God Su is awesome!]

[Golden Rare: There’s a chance! Hang in there, God Su!]

In the studio, Selena, having figured out Su Zhi’s strategy, propped up her chin, her purple eyes flickering with shock.

As a veteran Alliance Member soon to be promoted to Vice Alliance Leader of the Flying Shadow Alliance, Selena had a unique understanding of Pet Beast Battles that made her stand out even among other Alliance Members.

Since becoming a squad leader, she had never once incorrectly predicted the outcome of a match.

’Could Su Zhi be the first exception?’

SWOOSH—

On the stage, after one exchange, 004, which should have seized the opportunity to press its advantage, suddenly retreated.

Yu Bao immediately formed a Quicksand Shield, wary of 004’s next move.

"No need to be afraid. I won’t use any cheap tricks."

Fang Yuan said calmly, his pupils suddenly turning golden-yellow.

"This is my Beast Taming Talent."

Beast Taming Talent: [Ring of Reversed Fate]

Effect: Randomly gathers a Life Ring for the Pet Beast, granting it a buff related to a specific state.

The more the Pet Beast’s situation matches the Life Ring, the stronger the buff, and its color will change accordingly. From weakest to strongest, the colors are: white, green, blue, purple, gold, red.

Light-gold markings immediately appeared on 004’s body, intertwining with its original pale-pink markings.

At the same time, a faint white ring appeared behind 004, flowing with elegant runes shaped like fierce flames.

—Life Ring: Invading Fire.

The Life Ring, fitting the current situation, was highly compatible with the Pet Beast and instantly turned purple, further amplifying its effect!

Empowered by the buff, 004 whipped up a gale and charged at Yu Bao again.

Even from his command position, Su Zhi could feel the sudden increase in pressure. 004’s attacks had clearly become much fiercer, and Yu Bao was struggling, even failing to parry several times.

Su Zhi made a swift decision. "Don’t get drawn into a brawl! Use Desert Concealment to create distance!"

"Woof!"

Yu Bao decisively executed its Beast Tamer’s command, turning into a cloud of sand and retreating into the distance.

At the same time, it activated a combination of Tier Two Yellow Earth Wall and Tier Two Sandstorm.

Layers of heavy rock walls erupted from the ground to block the White Flame Battle Spirit’s advance, while a ferocious Sandstorm surged forward in a powerful counterattack.

However, with the buff from the Invading Fire Destiny, 004 smashed through everything like a hot knife through butter, never slowing down!

"After getting that light-purple halo, 004’s offensive tempo instantly quickened!"

Lu Dongjie’s expression became unprecedentedly solemn.

"Both sides have been clashing for nearly an hour. Faced with 004’s sudden, intense assault, Yu Bao is clearly struggling to cope."

"Yu Bao’s been hit! A predictive punch from 004 connected with Yu Bao!"

CRACK—

On the stage, 004 caught one of Yu Bao’s habitual dodges, moving in advance to wait at its landing spot.

In the instant Yu Bao reappeared, with no time to defend, 004 threw a lightning-fast punch, slamming it viciously into Yu Bao’s abdomen.

Yu Bao let out a muffled grunt and was sent flying like a kite with its string cut.

The moment it landed, a violent explosion erupted. The Dark Flame Strangulation that 004 had secretly set up earlier had now been triggered!

Billowing black smoke engulfed Yu Bao’s figure...

floated quietly nearby, its pale-pink eyes calmly staring at the smokescreen before it.

Dark Flame’s killing power wasn’t actually that high.

But as a Skill with the Telekinesis Attribute, it also unleashed Telekinesis Waves as it burned, which could interfere with an opponent’s balance and drain their stamina.

After an hour of intense battle, both sides’ stamina had reached a low point.

Compared to the damage from the burns, the drain on stamina was what Fang Yuan had hoped for—the last straw that would break the camel’s back.

There was no movement from within the smoke. The head referee looked at the Bright-eyed Eagle, his eyes asking whether to start the countdown.

In the audience, Liu Yuhang’s face was grim; Cao Mingyu was lost in thought; Shao Ya stared intently at the stage, her gaze unwavering.

All the spectators following Su Zhi fell silent.

The vast battle arena suddenly grew much quieter, with only the crackling sound of burning flames.

It seemed victory had been decided.

However, the Bright-eyed Eagle shook its head.

WHOOSH!

The next second, a Furious Sand Blade tore through the smokescreen, shooting straight toward 004 like a thunderbolt!

After a long silence, the entire audience erupted once more.

The billowing, burning smoke gradually dissipated, and Yu Bao emerged from it, standing before its opponent on the other side of the stage!

"Yu Bao is still fighting!"

In the live stream, Lu Dongjie’s voice was choked with excitement.

That’s right. Despite being covered in wounds, despite looking battered and beaten, despite his movements being full of openings.

But the little dog that no one had believed in was still fighting!

Never anxious, never wavering, never giving up, never retreating.

As long as he stood on the stage for even a moment longer, he would face his opponent in his strongest state!

Su Zhi took a deep breath and closed the Attribute Panel—

[Pet Beast: Yu Bao (Yu Dian Dog)

Power: 1.22

Agility: 1.74

Intelligence: 1.78

Constitution: 1.24

Perception: 1.73]

[Real-time Energy Value: 1170]

In the nick of time, he had assigned points to Yu Bao on the fly, giving 0.03 to Constitution and 0.02 each to Power and Agility.

The scales of victory, which had already tilted to one side, now seemed to have returned to a precarious balance!

The two Pet Beasts stared at each other.

clutched her left flank, the spot where the Furious Sand Blade had just struck. Although it hadn’t damaged any internal organs, it had torn open a part of her body.

Yu Bao was also heavily injured, with multiple burns still covering his body. However, for some unknown reason, his spirit and stamina seemed to have recovered in an instant!

’This is getting risky.’

glanced at Fang Yuan in his command position from the corner of her eye and closed her eyes.

’If I lose, he’ll terminate our contract when we get back, won’t he?’

When she opened her eyes again to look at Yu Bao, her pale-pink irises were filled with grim resolve.

’This match... I have to win!’

"Yu Bao, be careful! Stay on guard!"

Seeing the Energy Core emerge from 004’s chest, Su Zhi instinctively wanted to have Yu Bao dodge, but he immediately realized something was wrong.

He thought 004 was about to unleash a Ghost Explosion Shockwave, but that was the Core Skill of a Nether Flame Spirit.

Although the two Pet Beast species came from the same origin, their Core Skills were different.

’Wait, a White Flame Battle Spirit’s Core Skill?’

As he pondered, a white halo lit up at the edge of the stage, encircling both 004 and Yu Bao within it.

The white light flared, making it impossible to keep one’s eyes open.

"Yu Bao?"

"Yu Bao!"

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