104: First game

The competition proceeded according to the order of the groups, which meant that Group One would have one match first, then it would be Group Two's turn, and after all five groups had played one match, it would start again from Group One.

This gave the contestants in each group the most sufficient rest time.

As the opening match, the very first game featured the number two seed from White Tiger University against the number two seed from Vermilion Bird University, both of whom were in Group One.

It could be described as a battle between evenly matched opponents, and it stirred up the atmosphere right from the start.

The crowd shouted loudly, cheering for the individuals or schools they supported.

Those who could afford tickets to watch the matches here were basically Beast Tamers who had graduated from a Beast Taming University.

Furthermore, although they lived in the Imperial Capital, they came from all over the country.

So, naturally, they would cheer for their alma maters.

The final result of this match ended with the number two seed from Vermilion Bird Beast Taming University winning by a narrow margin.

However, both of them had consumed a massive amount of energy, and it was unlikely they would recover in a short time; their subsequent matches would most likely be affected.

In the second match that followed, someone from Azure Dragon Beast Taming University took the stage—it was none other than the number one seed, Kuang Yi, facing off against the number three seed from Black Tortoise University.

It was originally expected to be a landslide victory, but this number three seed had clearly hidden his strength before, erupting with astonishing combat power.

Unfortunately, in the end, Kuang Yi still took the win with calm composure.

Because he had exposed his trump cards and strength too early, he was already being targeted by others.

The third match still featured Li Heng from Azure Dragon Beast Taming University, who was up against the number three seed from Vermilion Bird.

The two looked at each other on the arena stage and both broke into bitter smiles.

Because they both knew that they most likely had no chance.

The number one seeds from White Tiger and Black Tortoise were both in Group Three, along with the number six seed from Imperial Capital Beast Taming University who was comparable to a number one seed.

With them present, the remaining two were destined to only be able to fight for fourth and fifth place.

"Friend from Vermilion Bird, there's no need for us to fight to the death with all our might. Let's just go through the motions. The most important thing is to make it look good and leave a good impression so we can make a name for ourselves. What do you think?" Li Heng said, waving his hand toward the other side of the stage.

The number three seed from Vermilion Bird was stunned for a moment, then nodded.

Subsequently, the two engaged in a flashy exhibition match. Their moves didn't aim for great power, but they definitely had to look impressive, with lighting effects maxed out to look intimidating.

After more than half an hour of this back-and-forth, the audience went from initial excitement to faces full of confusion.

"These two look like they're fighting really hard, and every move looks earth-shattering, but up until now, let alone seeing blood, even their clothes aren't dirty?"

Even though they were far away and couldn't hear what the two had discussed when they stepped onto the stage, they could see that something was wrong.

Meanwhile, a voice rang out simultaneously in the ears of the two on the stage: "Alright, that's enough from you two!"

"Everyone has already remembered you. Know when to stop, and don't affect the subsequent matches!"

Li Heng knew that those old headmasters could no longer bear it.

So, as they brushed past each other again, he consulted with his opponent once more.

Finally, after the two pulled away from each other, they both spat out a mouthful of blood that looked like a large amount but was actually inconsequential.

"Truly impressive! After fighting for so long, we've both suffered severe internal injuries. Why don't we call this match a draw? What do you think?" Li Heng said.

The opponent also nodded cooperatively: "No problem."

If anything, a draw was simply too good for him!

He was only a number three seed. Although the exchange with Li Heng just now was just for show, he could still feel that Li Heng was stronger than him.

If it continued, the final result would only be him not winning a single match, while Li Heng would only be able to win this one match against him.

Now, counting it as a draw was better than losing everything.

Furthermore, Li Heng's words just now had provided a way out for both of them, letting everyone know they had suffered severe 'internal injuries' in this first match. This way, they would have an excuse no matter how badly they lost the next few matches!

After Li Heng's match ended, there wasn't much to see in the subsequent fourth and fifth groups.

After all, their overall strength lagged behind the first three groups.

Then, the second round began.

In the first match of the second round, Liu Yiyi from Azure Dragon Beast Taming University faced off against the number eight seed from Imperial Capital Beast Taming University.

Based on the rankings, the two were direct counterparts.

Liu Yiyi was the number three seed, which happened to match up against Imperial Capital's number eight.

Therefore, this battle was also exceptionally fierce, lasting for a full hour.

Liu Yiyi constantly maneuvered around the field, relying on various water-type abilities to block, slow down, and attack her opponent.

However, the attack power of the water element was not strong to begin with, and her opponent just happened to have a defense-attribute monster.

But because his speed wasn't fast enough and he was frequently slowed down, he struggled to approach Liu Yiyi.

If this were on a normal battlefield, Liu Yiyi's win rate would be higher because she could constantly maintain her distance.

Even if her attacks were like scratching an itch, she could slowly wear the enemy to death.

But now, on the arena stage, the space available for her to maneuver was limited.

Just as Liu Yiyi was step-by-step approaching the edge of the stage, her opponent suddenly dropped his defense.

Shedding the heavy beast taming armor from his body, his speed suddenly increased, and he arrived at Liu Yiyi's side.

"I win!"

Just as most people thought, being closed in on meant Liu Yiyi's defeat.

However, Liu Yiyi let out a sigh and took out a Water Blade.

The Water Blade danced in her hands, and the opponent, who had discarded his beast taming armor to get close, was defeated without any surprise.

But Liu Yiyi, whose tactic had worked once again, was not happy, because it was too early.

Her trump card had been exposed too early!

A trump card she originally thought she could hide until the knockout rounds had been forced out in the first match of the group stage.

And her group still had the number two seeds from White Tiger and Vermilion Bird Universities.

Now they would all start taking Liu Yiyi seriously; it was clearly impossible for them to fall for it again.

Next, there wasn't much to see in the second group, but the third group had another major battle.

Luo Xingyu, the number one seed from White Tiger Beast Taming University, faced the number one seed from Black Tortoise Beast Taming University in another extremely brilliant battle.

However, both of them held back and did not fight to the bitter end.

Because their group also had the number six seed from Imperial Capital Beast Taming University.

Ultimately, the match ended with Luo Xingyu winning by a narrow margin.

Jiang Jianbin from the fourth group also took the stage and secured a victory in a close-quarters melee battle where every punch hit home.

It was exciting but not flashy.

Finally, it was Su Ze's turn to take the stage.

His opponent was also an acquaintance—Shen Kui, the older brother of the Shen Family Brothers from White Tiger Beast Taming University.

As soon as he stepped onto the stage, Shen Kui imitated Li Heng and said, "Brother Su Ze, I know I'm not your match, but you don't want to waste too much energy on me either, right? Why don't the two of us cooperate and put on a brilliant show? I'll surrender after fighting for half an hour, how about it?"

Su Ze decisively shook his head; teaching Shen Kui a lesson wouldn't cost him much effort.

But just as he was about to make a move, the opponent actually raised both hands high and shouted, "I surrender! I surrender this match!"

It must be said that surrendering before the fight even started left a deep impression on everyone.

Su Ze's first round match thus ended in such a perfunctory manner.