153: Four Gods Pets

Upon hearing that Duan Yao might possess four God-Rank Pets, Charlie's confusion turned into dejection.

If that were truly the case, they would indeed be unable to win.

"Of course, this is just my speculation. What is certain is that Duan Yao has the Black Tortoise and the White Tiger, both of which are God-Rank Pets. In the upcoming preliminary rounds, she likely won't summon her other two pets. The remaining 22 teams don't really require it."

"Black Tortoise, White Tiger—interesting! Xiao Yue, tell us more. Why do you say Duan Yao might have four God-Rank Pets?"

Ye Wanrou blinked her large eyes, looking at Gu Xiaoyue with an intense gaze.

"Although I'm not certain, it should be something like this."

Gu Xiaoyue explained the situation regarding the Four Divine Beasts to everyone. The Azure Dragon, Vermilion Bird, White Tiger, and Black Tortoise guard the four cardinal directions. Since Duan Yao possesses the Black Tortoise and the White Tiger, combined with her evident determination to win, Gu Xiaoyue deduced that she must also have the Azure Dragon and the Vermilion Bird!

The attributes of the Black Tortoise and White Tiger are known, but the Azure Dragon is hard to say. The Vermilion Bird is highly likely to be fire-attributed.

"Then Xiao Yue, tell me, is Duan Yao's Vermilion Bird more powerful, or is Chu Li's Fire Phoenix?"

Ye Wanrou shot a sly glance at Chu Li; she seemed eager to see Chu Li get deflated.

"Ye Wanrou, do you have nothing better to say?" Chu Li threw a cushion from the sofa at her. She must be foolish; Xiao Yue already said the Vermilion Bird is God Rank, while his Fire Phoenix is only Immortal Tier. With such a difference in grade, was such a question even necessary?

Fang Xiaoyu covered his mouth to stifle a laugh. The oppressive atmosphere that had arisen from discussing Duan Yao's God-Rank Pets vanished instantly.

"Starting tomorrow, I will observe every one of Duan Yao's matches. I will also be present for our own battles. But if I don't summon my pets, you guys just need to beat the opponents into submission yourselves!"

Everyone nodded in agreement before dispersing. Gu Xiaoyue continued to practice her skills.

She had been coasting through the preliminaries of the National Competition, and her training schedule had been completely disrupted. Between two evils, one must choose the lesser.

She wanted to know if, after Xiao Mo's Yuan Absorption sharing, she could transfer the upgrade experience from ferocious beasts and pets to her other pets. If she could, wouldn't that save a lot of spiritual plants and fairy herbs!

But for now, the National Competition was more important. She had promised Charlie she would help him compete for his title; if they couldn't even make it to the finals, she feared Xiao Qi and the others would be so frustrated they'd cough up blood!

Gu Xiaoyue's caution had not been in vain; the remaining twenty-two duels were won very easily. Those who wanted to surrender did so, and those who didn't were defeated by Chu Li and the others. Even those who were vocal about Nanya were soundly thrashed by Chu Li and Fang Xiaoyu. In the end, Nanya entered the finals with a record of 23 wins and 1 loss.

Anhuai Academy entered the finals with a perfect record, and the hype surrounding them as championship favorites actually surpassed Nanya and Huaqing. Charlie's strength had remained hidden, so Vincent specifically came to mock him for being unable to step onto the main stage. As for Harry, his personality was lazy and free-spirited; he only appeared before Gu Xiaoyue once before hurrying away.

Once all the academies' points were released, Gu Xiaoyue was called to a meeting. The officials only announced the rewards right before the team finals.

The ten academies that made it to the finals included the top five, as well as An Huai, Yuanquan, Luoshui, Sheng Tao, and Yiheng. Chongbei, which had ranked tenth last year, was squeezed out.

Jiang Yi greeted Gu Xiaoyue with a slight blush, "Gu Xiaoyue, I haven't really seen you much during this year's competition!"

Gu Xiaoyue smiled awkwardly. Aside from participating in her own matches and watching Duan Yao's, she also had to practice her Yuan Absorption skill. She hadn't paid much attention to the matches of other academies.

After the official announced the prize details, the drawing of lots began. The captains of the five academies with the highest points went to draw the opponents for the first round of the finals. The rest of the schedule would be arranged by the officials.

An Huai's captain, Zeng Yuyang, held his head high like a fighting cock. When he went to draw lots, he deliberately bumped into Lv Hao. Lv Hao glanced at him sideways but didn't say a word.

Seeing that Lv Hao ignored him, Zeng Yuyang seemed offended instead and spoke in a sarcastic, snide tone, "What a pity. Since we're drawing lots with Huaqing, we definitely won't be able to face Huaqing in the first round!"

West River's captain, Min Rui, was a high school classmate of Lv Hao and Su Anxi and had a good relationship with Su Anxi. She couldn't stand Zeng Yuyang's smug, petty attitude and retorted, "Then you can pray to draw Nanya in the first round! Nanya's captain just didn't compete in the preliminaries, and you're acting so smug just because you got lucky? I've truly seen everything!"

Zeng Yuyang's expression became awkward, "Luck is also a part of strength!"

Min Rui sneered, "Right, right, right. Your luck is just that Duan Yao is the Vice Principal's junior master! I've finally witnessed what it means for one person to attain the Dao and their chickens and dogs to ascend to heaven!"

Zeng Yuyang's expression darkened further. He didn't continue arguing with Min Rui, quickly drawing a lot. Upon opening it, he saw they were matched against Yuanquan Academy. He silently let out a sigh of relief.

Duan Yao's strength was formidable, but since he hadn't truly faced Gu Xiaoyue, he was still somewhat worried and fearful of her in his heart.

After the other captains finished drawing, the schedule was released shortly after. Huaqing vs. Luoshui. West River vs. Sheng Tao. Xiangzhong vs. Nanya. Chongbei vs. Yiheng.

"Come back at the same time tomorrow to get the rest of the schedule. Everyone can go back and rest now." After the official finished speaking, everyone dispersed.

Jiang Yi and He Zhichen crowded around Gu Xiaoyue. "Gu Xiaoyue, will you come watch my match against An Huai tomorrow?"

Gu Xiaoyue nodded; since Duan Yao was competing, she naturally had to go. He Zhichen also wanted her to watch, but there was no suspense in the match between Chongbei and Yiheng. He might as well go watch the match between Yuanquan and An Huai as well.

Returning to the dormitory, Gu Xiaoyue sent everyone the information about tomorrow's matches. They already knew the prize details, so there was no need to hold another meeting to explain them.

Because the match between An Huai and Yuanquan was the first one, Gu Xiaoyue sat in the spectator stands early the next morning. She was very curious about how many pets Duan Yao would summon now that they were in the finals.

He Zhichen sat beside Gu Xiaoyue, "Xiao Yue, do you think Yuanquan has a chance of winning?" Gu Xiaoyue shook her head; not at all.

Based on her current observations, Duan Yao wouldn't necessarily lose even if she faced Lv Hao, let alone Jiang Yi.

"Then what about me and Duan Yao?" Knowing that Jiang Yi was bound to lose, He Zhichen couldn't help but ask how his own strength was evaluated in Gu Xiaoyue's mind.

Gu Xiaoyue turned her gaze to his face, pursed her lips, and said nothing. In her heart, He Zhichen was stronger than Jiang Yi. But facing Duan Yao, he still had absolutely no chance of winning.

He Zhichen seemed to understand her expression and gave a bitter smile. "No need to say anything, I understand."

The preparations for both sides were complete, and the referee blew the whistle for the match to begin. Jiang Yi summoned a Mature Tier 3 Mid-Stage Three-Headed Snow Wolf and a Mature Tier 2 Early-Stage Snow Ape.

The team members of Yuanquan and An Huai also summoned their pets, most of which were Mature Tier 2 and Mature Tier 1 Late-Stage.

"Since it's Ice attribute, I'll use my Ice attribute pet to fight as well!" Duan Yao crossed her arms over her chest, displaying an attitude of certain victory.