90 - I’m Surrounded by My Own Pets!

Among the ten distinguished leaders, seven had already appeared, with only the graduates of the Earth Hidden Academy, along with Sky Fountain from the Illusion Sea Academy and Silver Dragon of the Wind God Academy, yet to arrive. Though Silver Dragon held the third seat, her popularity surpassed even the second seat. The reason being... although she fell in the semifinals, her bout against the Illusion Sea Academy was significantly more impressive than Yao Xian from the Yin Pole Academy. In the previous finals, it was the Illusion Sea Academy versus the Yin Pole Academy. Ultimately, Yao Xian did not even get the chance to face Sky Fountain, having been defeated by the deputy leader of the Illusion Sea Academy, which left many feeling disappointed. "To be honest, the annual finals in White Moon State aren't all that thrilling. Since the Illusion Sea Academy wins the championship almost annually, losing only once or twice every decade, the outcome is mostly predictable, which is why the semifinals tend to be more exciting~~~" "Speaking of which, isn't Sky Fountain only 17 this year? It's just her third year; the next two years of the league are likely to be just as one-sided, right?" "Don't be so sure. Silver Dragon is only in her second year, and there's a fair possibility that she might snatch a victory from the Illusion Sea Academy in her final year before graduation when Sky Fountain is no longer there~~~" "..." "Did someone intentionally type that incorrectly?" "Well, if it's wrong, it's wrong!" "As far as I know, and according to insider info from the Wind God Academy, Captain Silver Dragon trains in some sort of artistic nudity... you get what I mean~~~" The chaos continued in Xiao Kui's live broadcast room. However, the moment the two airships simultaneously arrived, the barrage of comments suddenly quieted down. The airships of the Illusion Sea Academy and the Wind God Academy had both arrived on the scene... Under the attentive gaze of the crowd, the hatch of the Illusion Sea Academy's airship opened first. In an instant, as a stunning, immaculate girl with blue hair emerged, the entire world fell into silence. With playfully braided pigtails, blue hair and eyebrows, and eyes that resembled pure flowing water, she wore a pearl shell-like headpiece. But what was most astonishing was the large mermaid tail extending from her nape... As this girl exited the airship, the formerly colorless and scentless air began to visibly ripple, as if enveloped by the deep blue of the sea, with faint ripples and waves beginning to emerge. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that her strength and presence far surpassed what was typical for a student. Rumor had it she had already received invitations from an eighth-level territory. Just the sight of her made the disparity between beastmasters glaringly apparent. This was... Sky Fountain of the Illusion Sea Academy, leader of the ten giants, reigning champion of the league! In fact, it wasn't just Sky Fountain. Other contestants from the Illusion Sea Academy also exhibited mermaid features, albeit less prominently than Sky Fountain's lavishly majestic tail. At this moment, despite having ogled Sky Fountain countless times in recordings, most spectators were still in awe of her imposing presence on-site. Seriously, was there anyone in the entire White Moon State who could stand against her...? Meanwhile, just seconds after Sky Fountain departed the airship, the Wind God Academy's hatch slowly opened. Seeing the silver-haired girl emerge, Xiao Kui prepared to offer her usual biting commentary when a particular figure behind the Silver Dragon caught her off guard, rendering her speechless. Seeing the starry-eyed, golden-haired girl with buns followed by white thigh-highs, numerous spectators had question marks floating over their heads. What on earth? Isn't this the strongest Moonlight Rabbit, Lian Xing? What happened in just a few days to lead her into the clutches of the Wind God Academy...? Didn't she usually accompany the Orchid Academy's airship? Why was she on the Wind God Academy's instead? —— Facing the Wind God Academy, which had arrived simultaneously, Sky Fountain did not cast a single glance, arrogantly stepping forward without a hint of interest. It didn't matter what kind of opponent they were; as long as it was left to the deputy leader, any challenge would be resolved... Yet before she had gone a few steps, she suddenly turned her head in disbelief, staring directly at the golden-haired girl among the Wind God Academy, her cold gaze turning perplexed. "What did you just say!?" After examining for a few seconds, she muttered to herself incredulously. At that moment, the pearl shell perched atop Sky Fountain's head gently opened, emitting an almost imperceptible sound. "I said..." "With your current abilities, it seems unlikely you could defeat her~~~~" The pearl shell uttered with a slightly astonished tone, while looking at the Moonlight Rabbit lazily napping on the golden-haired girl's head—right in between her double-bun hairstyle. Chapter 69: The Awakening of Stardust, Lian Xing's Challenge to the Illusion Sea Academy!! "With your current abilities, it seems unlikely you could defeat her..." The pearl shell remarked with noticeable surprise, its gaze fixed upon the dormant Moonlight Rabbit nestled between the golden-haired girl's buns. Upon hearing this, the girl with blue braids and a mermaid tail displayed an expression of disbelief. She stared intently at the girl in front of her, her gaze traveling unapologetically from the white-clad legs all the way to the golden buns at the top. How could it be... With just this challenger!? Would I truly struggle to defeat her...? "Xiao Quan, I know you recently defeated an extreme commander-level opponent and are feeling overconfident, thinking there’s no match beneath royal level— but that's not the case!" "Extreme commanders have their own variations in strength. The one you defeated barely met a few royal-level conditions." "So, whatever you do, avoid engaging her anytime soon. My cooldown hasn't finished, so I can't fight; understand?" "......" "......" "Mmm, understood, Master." After a long silence, Sky Fountain reluctantly averted her eyes. Though her master's judgment was never wrong, she refused to believe she'd lose!! After all, aura alone wasn’t the only standard to gauge strength. Through well-honed combat experience and strategic team formation, she was determined to bridge the gap between skill quality and evolution level!!! Elsewhere, utterly baffled at having been stared down by the renowned leader of the ten giants, Sky Fountain, Lian Xing blinked, puzzled. Clearly, her attire today exuded nothing but innocence and purity, and her white thigh-highs weren’t gaudy; surely she wasn’t stealing anyone’s spotlight, right? "Wait, do you know them?" Seeing this, a wary Silver Dragon turned to ask. Lian Xing lightly shook her head. "No idea, perhaps she took offense...?" "......" "......" Meanwhile, Xiao Kui's live stream camera was focused on Lian Xing. Without a doubt, Lian Xing’s actual appearance was even more breathtaking than online, utterly enticing from every angle, leaving viewers yearning. At this moment, upon seeing the strongest Moonlight Rabbit make her appearance, the chat barrage erupted in fervent urges. Xiao Kui had previously vowed to teach Lian Xing a lesson; after being eliminated by the second team of the White Maple Academy, she vowed she’d challenge Lian Xing non-stop if ever they met. But... With Lian Xing mingling in the ranks of the Wind God Academy, Xiao Kui’s resolve diminished instantly, timidly hanging back, even lacking the courage to make eye contact. The audience, recalling her online boldness, burst out laughing as her fear visibly swallowed her up in person. The hilarity ensued for everyone~~~~ At last, as the Wind God and Illusion Sea Academy teams departed, Xiao Kui exhaled a long-held breath and casually followed along, acting nonchalant. —— —— League Venue. In total, the members of 80 teams who excelled in the preliminaries gathered in the central hall of the preparation room. By tradition, competitions officially commenced the following day, with today being dedicated to the draw and challenge segments. Once these teams were reduced to 20, they could advance to compete with the ten giant academies. Last year’s top ten teams were exempt from the preliminaries. At this moment, facing a cascade of cameras and equipment, the contestants felt somewhat unnatural. Though the matches hadn't officially begun, the moment they entered the venue, their online followers began to surge... The widely watched White Moon State League, the ultimate stepping stone to instant fame!! The final earnings depended entirely on their looks, character, persona, as well as the strength and excitement they display. Even if failing to secure high rankings, as long as they left a memorable impression on the audience, sponsors and promotions would soon follow, ensuring financial security. However... With the league set to kick off, and their leader Lian Xing nowhere to be seen, members of Orchid Academy were on the brink of panic. Just as everything seemed perfectly timed, at the very moment the host stepped onto the stage, a golden-haired girl with her body hunched low clasped her double-bun hairstyle with both hands. She dashed from the VIP section of the Wind God Academy, weaving her way back to the Orchid Academy's team. "Lian Xing..." "You almost missed it!!" "No worries, no worries~~~~"