62: 30 to 15

It was the morning of the second day.

Today was also the day of the Chu Niao Cup's 30-to-15 elimination matches.

The White Cloud Arena was bustling with excitement, even more so than the previous round.

Looking from afar, the White Cloud Arena was teeming with vehicles and people, a constant stream of activity.

People came from all directions, eager to enter the venue early.

Because this week was when the champion of the Chu Niao Cup would be decided.

Many students from Canglan No. 2 High School came to the White Cloud Arena to watch the matches, especially those from Grade One, Class 5.

After all, Lin Shu from their class was currently a strong contender for the championship.

The homeroom teacher, Zhao Sheng, brought Huang Yian, Zhang Qi, Liu Dong, and other classmates here, planning to cheer Lin Shu on.

They also looked forward to Lin Shu winning this championship honor.

These things had been discussed in the class group, and Lin Shu was naturally aware of them.

Lin Shu, of course, would not let everyone down; this championship was a must-win for him.

At exactly 10:30 AM, the matches were about to begin.

Since it was already the 30-to-15 elimination round, there would no longer be multi-screen broadcasts, but rather live, one-on-one duel displays.

The 30 contestants each received a number, and the 15 battles were determined by drawing lots.

Lin Shu and Bai Sheng were currently sitting in the spectator stands next to the combat stage, which was closest to the arena and where the other contestants waited.

Lin Shu had a tag on his upper garment showing number 11, while Bai Sheng was number 28.

The contestants sitting elsewhere cast their gazes towards Lin Shu; evidently, the matter of Lin Shu's Beastmaster level had spread.

After all, it was city news, easily seen by people in one area.

Their eyes were filled with apprehension; none of them wanted to encounter this powerhouse.

“Welcome back to the Fengdu Hatchling Cup!”

“We are now at the 30-to-15 elimination matches.”

“The competition has entered a heated stage, and this weekend we will crown the ultimate champion!”

Hearing the host's passionate voice, there were continuous exclamations from the audience, and waves of cheers swept through the entire arena.

The students from Grade One, Class 5 held up a banner, cheering and encouraging Lin Shu.

Many people in the venue also spontaneously picked up small flags and shouted Lin Shu's name, most of them female students.

They were attracted by Lin Shu's formidable strength and outstanding appearance.

“I feel everyone's enthusiasm!”

“The staff are now drawing numbers; let's welcome the first battle!”

“Alright, the numbers are out: contestant number 5, Chen Kou, against contestant number 12, Zhang Li.”

Seeing this, the two contestants quickly got up and walked onto the combat stage from the side.

Lin Shu and Bai Sheng watched this scene with great interest, their inner passion and fervor seemingly about to be ignited.

“As long as I don't run into you, I have a chance to win against anyone else.”

Bai Sheng's tone was quite relaxed; he had clearly seen such scenes many times before.

“Don't worry, that chance isn't high.”

“Even if we do meet, it would be during the championship and runner-up contention.”

Lin Shu looked at all the other contestants around him.

“Haha, that's true.”

“There's no reason I wouldn't make it to the top four.”

Bai Sheng smiled; Lin Shu's thoughts aligned perfectly with his own.

The two then quietly watched the match.

After reaching the top 30, everyone's strength was very high, with an average level of 15.

If one didn't have a perfectly mastered beginner skill, they would be dragging down the average.

Water and fire clashing, dazzling and brilliant skill combinations, left both contestants and audience members overwhelmed.

The level of entertainment had greatly increased compared to before.

The matches progressed quickly, and Lin Shu's name also appeared from the host's mouth.

“Next up are contestant number 11, Lin Shu, and contestant number 29, Qin Yuan.”

As Lin Shu's name was called out, a loud cheer erupted inside the arena.

“Lin Shu! Lin Shu!”

“You are the champion! You are the champion!”

This showed that Lin Shu already had a small reputation within Fengdu City.

Bai Sheng looked at Qin Yuan, then at Lin Shu, thinking, “Why is it someone from our Central No. 1 High School again?”

It seemed he was about to lose to Lin Shu again, so he patted Lin Shu's back.

He walked steadily onto the combat stage.

Qin Yuan, seeing that his opponent was Lin Shu, felt his vision go dark; he was finished.

The person he least wanted to meet, he had encountered.

He forced a smile and waved to the other side, and Lin Shu returned a warm, spring-like smile.

However, this expression made Qin Yuan even more uncomfortable; there had been discussions online.

It was found that the brighter Lin Shu smiled, the more ruthless his attack would be, without exception.

So, facing such a situation, one had to be careful.

On the broadcast stage, the host was introducing the two contestants, currently introducing Lin Shu.

“Regarding contestant Lin Shu, I believe everyone present is familiar with him.”

“He is the genius Beastmaster who appeared in the Fengdu City newspaper a few days ago!”

“In just two months, he raised his Beastmaster to level 21; such speed is simply beyond common sense.”

“And his Beast, Shadow Mantis, has been called the 'Reaper' Mantis by many contestants; no opponent has been able to last more than a minute against him.”

“I wonder if contestant Qin Yuan can break this precedent; let's wait and see!”

Hearing the host's words, Qin Yuan's heart already felt numb; he thought, “Whoever wants to do this, let them do it.”

Although he knew his chances of winning were slim, Qin Yuan did not give up, as that would be too embarrassing.

A brilliant white light flashed, and his Beast, Wind Speed Warhorse, was summoned.

Lin Shu glanced at it, finding its strength to be quite good.

[Name]: Wind Speed Warhorse

[Level]: LV15 (102/150)

[Level Cap]: LV46

[Status]: Frightened

[Quality]: Elite

[Attribute]: Wind

[Talent]: None

[Skills]: Beginner — Wind Blade - Perfect (22/50), Horn Bash - Great Accomplishment (11/40), Majestic Wing Sweep - Great Accomplishment (15/40)

Intermediate — Force of Wind - Minor Accomplishment (11/60), Wind's Protection - Minor Accomplishment (12/60)

An elegant white pony appeared, with two palm-sized wings on each side of its body.

It looked somewhat similar to a Pegasus.

Hei Ye stood beside Lin Shu, casually observing the Wind Speed Warhorse.

The Wind Speed Warhorse, seeing Hei Ye, indeed retreated several steps, and for some reason, even its hooves began to tremble.

Qin Yuan, seeing this scene, was helpless; if it was like this before even fighting, then winning was even more out of reach.

The referee then came to the center of the two and explained some precautions, the most important of which was that no Beast deaths should occur.

Everything was ready.

“Three, two, one!”

“Match start!”

The referee waved his hand and blew the whistle, and the match officially began.

Lin Shu still allowed Hei Ye to act on its own, as Hei Ye's combat instincts were definitely higher than Lin Shu's.

Hei Ye did not launch a frontal assault like in previous matches.

Instead, it crossed its arms and instantly unleashed three sharp slashes...