"Woof." Yu Bao struck a ’ready for a lesson’ pose with his paw toward the Black Fighting Emperor.

’My dear brother, long time no see. I’ve missed you so much. Hurry and come witness my signature Yu Bao skill path!’

"Grrr!" The Little Black Fighting Emperor nodded, his eyes burning with intensity as his six feet scraped against the ground.

’My dear brother, you’re about to see the fruits of my training, too! As soon as I form a contract with Su Zhi, I’m seizing power and becoming the alpha!’

Xiaoyue watched in silence.

’No big deal. In the end, he’s the one true alpha.’

Yu Bao and the Black Fighting Emperor looked to Su Zhi in unison, seeking his approval.

"Just don’t bring the cave down on us," Su Zhi said, giving them an okay sign.

Perfect. He also wanted to see how much the Little Black Fighting Emperor had improved after all this time.

Yu Bao’s Energy Value was a little higher, but the rainy weather was a disadvantage for an Earth Element Pet Beast. All things considered, the fight was more or less fair.

Having received their answer, both Pet Beasts nodded, then turned to face each other.

A battle between beasts needs no ring and no referee. The fight begins the instant their eyes meet!

"GRRR!"

The Little Black Fighting Emperor took the initiative, launching a Lance Thrust.

Although it had been a long time since he’d seen Yu Bao, he’d gotten a rough measure of his abilities from their previous battle fighting side-by-side against the Leo Group.

Yu Bao’s abilities were formidable, especially his wide array of ranged attacks. If he allowed Yu Bao to create distance, he would definitely be at a disadvantage.

That’s why he had to strike first!

Yu Bao stood his ground, simply watching as the Little Black Fighting Emperor’s attack closed in.

The instant his opponent’s horns should have struck, Yu Bao dissolved into a swirl of sand and reappeared behind the Little Black Fighting Emperor.

Yu Bao smirked.

Su Zhi watched with his hands tucked in his pockets. ’Ever since Yu Bao got that Intelligence boost, he’s become more and more fond of using information asymmetry for a good old-fashioned show-off and smackdown...’

However, the Little Black Fighting Emperor, who had just been charging forward, whipped around in an instant. His horns carved a gleaming arc through the air as he brought them down hard on Yu Bao.

’Holy crap! How did he have no recovery lag?’

Yu Bao jumped in fright, hastily activating Desert Concealment to dodge backward.

At the same time, his heart was bleeding.

’I had to use Desert Concealment! That’s one less ace in the hole for a showy smackdown!’

Su Zhi: "..."

’Seriously, what goes on in that head of Yu Bao’s all day...’

As his gaze fell on the Little Black Fighting Emperor turning smugly, a hint of admiration appeared in Su Zhi’s eyes.

To prepare for the municipal tournament, Su Zhi had studied countless classic matches. He recognized the Little Black Fighting Emperor’s tactic in an instant.

Just like when they first met, the Little Black Fighting Emperor had opened with Lance Thrust. This time, however, he had executed it at half-power.

—"Half-power" was a common tactic in the professional circuit.

When opponents were evenly matched, it was nearly impossible for a Pet Beast to score a one-hit KO. A rash, full-power attack could easily be blocked and countered, putting the attacker on the defensive.

Using Skills at less than full power made it easier to maintain offensive momentum, paving the way for a truly fatal blow.

At the same time, it allowed for quicker repositioning to guard against the opponent’s counterattacks.

The first person Su Zhi had seen use this tactic was Cao Mingyu. During their arbitration match, Cotton had forgone the more powerful High-pressure Water Gun in favor of the weaker but faster Water Bomb, successfully managing to partially suppress Yu Bao.

Although Old Cao’s personality was rather eccentric, his tactical choices were actually quite sound.

And now, the Little Black Fighting Emperor, a wild Exotic Beast, had reached the same level of strategic thinking!

"Grrr! Grrr!" The Little Black Fighting Emperor brandished his horns, charging toward Yu Bao with a THUMP-THUMP-THUMP of his feet.

’That’s right, this is the Sword Dao my mother taught me.’

’The half-power technique is actually very demanding. You have to hold back, yet still make your opponent feel threatened.’

’But after all this time training in the wild, I’ve finally started to master its practical application!’

"HYA!" "HYA!"

The Little Black Fighting Emperor jabbed rapidly at Yu Bao. Each thrust left just enough room for Yu Bao to dodge, but the follow-up strike was always faster.

’Take this! And this! And this!’

"SON OF A BARK!"

Yu Bao ducked his head one moment, raised his rear the next, and then struck an indescribable pose, retreating again and again.

Furious Sand Blades and Quicksand Shields slammed into the Little Black Fighting Emperor one after another, a few even empowered by Thick Earth Blessing.

If it were any other Pet Beast, they would have been knocked out and carried off by now.

But this bastard just had to have a Skill called Perfect Block...

Yu Bao was cursing a blue streak internally. He was suddenly overcome by the same sense of helplessness he’d felt when facing that stubborn Wanzi.

’If you can’t hurt him, you can’t hurt him. What’s the solution to that?!’

Besides, after a month apart, the Little Black Fighting Emperor had gotten a lot more cunning. His moves were extremely cautious, and he’d lost that "pure, innocent stupidity" he used to have.

’Tsk, tsk. If that’s how it’s going to be...’

A gleam of a Wise One’s light flashed in Yu Bao’s eyes as he launched a Sandstorm at the Little Black Fighting Emperor.

For a Black Fighting Emperor, a species known for its Extreme Attack and Defense, a move like this was hardly a threat.

However, when the sand settled, the Little Black Fighting Emperor discovered that three Yu Baos had appeared before him.

"Hrm?"

The Little Black Fighting Emperor raised a middle leg, looking at the three equally dopey-looking puppies before him, and scratched his rear in confusion.

’Which one is the real one?’

Just then, the Yu Bao in the middle pounced, getting right in his face and unleashing a Sandstorm.

Startled by this blatant lack of Martial Virtue, the Little Black Fighting Emperor dodged hastily. Fortunately, he wasn’t hit.

Amid his surprise, he narrowed his eyes, locking onto the Yu Bao that had attacked and then bolted.

’That one can use Skills! And it’s so obnoxious! It must be the real one!’

"GRRR!" With a roar, the Little Black Fighting Emperor pounced.

Yu Bao had already reached the mouth of the cave. The Little Black Fighting Emperor no longer held back, unleashing a full-power Lance Thrust and bringing it down with vicious force.