91 - I’m Surrounded by My Own Pets!

Facing Tao Juan's exasperated questioning, Lian Xing sat down nonchalantly, discreetly wiping the cold sweat from his forehead. In a few moments, the team captains would have to draw lots on stage. If the camera panned over to the Youlan Academy section and found the captain absent, it would be utterly embarrassing. "Wow!!!!" "??????" Suddenly, a series of gasps swept across the venue. The official livestream was instantly flooded with question marks from viewers' comments. When the blue-haired woman emerged from backstage, nearly all the contestants were stunned. Even the typically aloof Yu Bo from Youlan Academy gazed at her with admiration. Appearing before everyone was an incredibly beautiful mixed-race woman, with crystalline fish fins growing from her body, her slender, snow-white legs so exquisite they seemed almost too delicate. Unlike the plump fishtail of Tianquan, her two fish tails cascaded from her ears like parted bangs, glistening with droplets of crystal-clear, dreamlike water. "Welcome, contestants, to the headquarters of the Beast Tamer Association for this year's league." "I am the host for this league, Shui Tianliang~~~" "..." "..." "Idol, idol, look at me! I grew up watching your matches!!!!" "Stormy Shui Tianliang, from the Illusion Sea Institute, five-time league champion, considered the strongest beast tamer in Baizhou in a century. She was promoted to Royal Beast Tamer in the second year after her graduation and now serves as Guardian in a neighboring Level 8 province!!" "Heavens, how did a beast tamer of this caliber come to Baizhou to host this league!?" With the appearance of this legendary figure from a decade ago, not only did the livestream burst into a frenzy, but many contestants on-site also lost their composure, crying out to catch her attention. It's no exaggeration to say that Shui Tianliang is the number one battle force in Baizhou, yet she is not even 25 years old. The members of the Illusion Sea Institute also seemed somewhat emotionally overwhelmed, but under Tianquan's severe glare, none dared to act out on stage and make a spectacle of themselves. After allowing the chaos to simmer down, Shui Tianliang composedly resumed her explanation. "Next, if any team wishes to challenge the top ten academies, please step forward and make your intent known." "If the challenger wins, their team skips the preliminary round, and the defeated top ten academy must participate in it." "However, if the challenger loses, they are instantly disqualified with no chance for a revival round, so think carefully before deciding~~~" "As a side note, the top three ranked academies have the right to refuse a challenge." "..." "..." At Shui Tianliang's calm explanation, the venue fell into silence and stillness. In truth, everyone was already aware of this rule. In previous years, almost no one had the courage to challenge the top ten academies at this stage. After all, no one wanted to risk losing a spot in the top 30 just for some spotlight. Most team captains wouldn't dare bear the responsibility for their academy's disgrace and elimination if they lost. Some teams with no hope of advancing might occasionally choose to make a splash, seeking attention with their boldness, only to become a laughing stock among billions of viewers. Generally, participants with a rational mindset predominated. There shouldn't be anyone foolish enough to step forward and court disaster, right? Most contestants and spectators were confident in this presumption. But for some unknown reason... In the sections where the top ten academies were seated, an inexplicable heaviness pervaded. White Maple Academy and Iron Rest Academy particularly kept glancing towards Youlan Academy. The grudge between White Maple Academy and Youlan Academy aside, the members of Iron Rest Academy certainly weren't fools. After witnessing the strongest Moonlight Rabbit defeat Cangying Academy, one could see the similarities with the Super Golden Wheel. Thus, if Lian Xing wanted to seize a position among the top ten, the safest approach was to defeat Iron Rest Academy's Heavenly Tomb once again... Under the vigilant eyes of spectators, the golden-haired girl with buns clasped her arms across her chest, her starry gaze scanning the top ten academies, contemplating her choice of opponent. The preliminary process is cumbersome, but through such a method, she could secure a spot in the top 30 with just one match~~~ "Last ten-second countdown, does anyone want to challenge the top ten?" "..." "..." "Last five seconds!!" "Last second!!!" As Shui Tianliang's words concluded, just as everyone from White Maple Academy and Iron Rest Academy breathed a sigh of relief, a mesmerizing scene unraveled. In the section of Youlan Academy, the golden-haired girl with starry eyes slowly rose. At that moment, time seemed to freeze. All cameras and equipment focused on this girl. The strongest Moonlight Rabbit, Lian Xing!!! Her bun hairstyle, starry eyes, perfect figure, slender legs, and sheer white stockings with the right amount of allure immediately captivated countless viewers. Previously, it was mentioned that in this world of beast tamers, peerless beauties were common, super beauties even more so. Only two types of beauties really made people take notice: One, beast tamers with uniquely striking features. Two, those who could capture universal admiration for their extraordinary allure. Lian Xing belongs to the latter. One can't help but wonder, when she's powerfully dominated and humiliated, will those lascivious, starry eyes of hers still maintain such a demeanor of delight and disdain? Looking at the composed blonde girl, Shui Tianliang spoke again to confirm. "Captain of Youlan Academy, are you certain you want to challenge a top ten academy?" "..." "..." "Yes, I want to challenge, Bai—" Under the anxious gaze of White Maple Academy members and Xiao Kui, the strongest Moonlight Rabbit's starry eyes seemed to fix in their direction. This was disastrous... At this moment, aside from Captain Jiguang, everyone else harbored pessimistic views. Simultaneously, watching from the livestream, Youlan Academy's headmistress, Chi Yan's mother, flushed with excitement. In her view, Lian Xing's true strength was absolutely not inferior to the top ten's Jiguang!!! As long as they defeated a top ten academy in this stage, they could attract the awe and anticipation of all viewers; Youlan Academy making a name might not be just a dream!! Her expectations weren't high; if Youlan Academy could barely enter the top ten, she'd consider that a remarkable blessing~~~ However... Just when Lian Xing was about to name White Maple Academy, a lazy voice echoed inside her mind. Star Sand awoke at this moment!! Truth be told, since contracting Star Sand, she had never let it battle. Who knew if Star Sand could awaken and participate on time in the upcoming stages... But now that it had awoken, why not let it gain some rare experience? Lian Xing changed her mind temporarily. "Captain of Youlan Academy, which academy do you intend to challenge?" Seeing Lian Xing stall just as she was about to challenge White Maple Academy, Shui Tianliang curiously tilted her head, feeling compelled to ask again. Under the eyes of all, the starry-eyed blonde's gaze suddenly shifted past the despondent White Maple Academy members to another direction. Simultaneously, as if sensing something, Tianquan sitting before the Illusion Sea Institute's section turned pale with anger. "I want to challenge—" "Illusion Sea Institute~~~~" "..." "......." "????" "????????" As Lian Xing's casual words fell, there was an eerie silence for several seconds, before the venue exploded into chaos. Heh, what could be said about Youlan Academy’s composition? It’s blatantly obvious they want to cause a scene like clowns desperate for attention!!! At this moment, Lian Xing's intentions were obvious. She joined the league to draw customers to herself!!! Yet... Isn't this also a strategy of sorts? Many newfound fans eagerly awaited the moment when Youlan Academy would face defeat, hoping Captain Lian Xing would reveal her contact details afterward. However... Amid this bizarre atmosphere, under the incredulous gaze of Shui Tianliang and the other contestants, top ten's master Tianquan's expression contorted visibly. "Hold it in, Xiaoquan!!!"