284: Lineup confirmed

Gu Xiaoyue and the others looked in the direction of the sound, and saw two curvaceous blonde beauties.

Their clothes were printed with Faner Country's emblem, so they should also be contestants.

"Are they laughing at me?"

Duan Yao glanced at them, then pointed at herself with her index finger, asking in confusion.

Chu Li and Shui Lingyu exchanged glances, smiling in silent agreement.

"Tch!"

Duan Yao shrugged indifferently and turned to continue getting food.

She had only eaten a little more, and there was nothing to be embarrassed about.

When she returned, the two Faner Country beauties were even more outspoken.

"Does Dragon Country not feed its contestants enough?"

"She looks like she hasn't had a proper meal in a long time, how pitiful!"

They had their own translation brain, which could instantly translate Gu Xiaoyue and the others' Dragon Country language, but seeing that no one on Gu Xiaoyue's side had one, they thought no one understood their Faner Country language.

"It seems it's not very ladylike to discuss others while they are enjoying their food, is it?"

Chu Li faced the two Faner Country beauties and spoke to them in fluent Faner Country language.

"Oh, you--"

"Did you think we wouldn't understand, so you released your malice without restraint?

That's certainly not ladylike behavior, ladies."

Shui Lingyu also faced them, making the two blush with shame.

Although Gu Xiaoyue didn't understand their words, judging by the expressions of the two Faner Country beauties, it must have made them quite embarrassed.

However, this embarrassment only lasted a few seconds before it was broken.

One of the blonde beauties' eyes glazed over for two seconds, then she excitedly shook the other beauty's arm, giving her a wink.

Gu Xiaoyue also followed her gaze; it was Noah Jones, the Lijian Country Prime Minister's youngest son.

He was also just twenty-two years old, nearly two meters tall, with blonde hair and blue eyes, handsome features, and an outstanding demeanor.

Because he was a key training target for Lijian Country, Dragon Country had also specifically taken him as a research subject, which was why Gu Xiaoyue recognized him.

But not every contestant was taken for research, such as the two Faner Country beauties who were currently infatuated with Noah.

Seemingly sensing the blonde beauty's adoring gaze, Noah's eyes fell upon them.

Chu Li and Shui Lingyu also stopped teasing the Faner Country beauties and sat properly, waiting for Duan Yao to finish eating.

None of them had expected Noah to walk over with his tray, first smiling and nodding at the Faner Country beauties, then naturally coming to Gu Xiaoyue's side.

"Excuse me, is anyone sitting here?"

Noah's voice was clean and gentle, his demeanor warm and humble.

Gu Xiaoyue knew a little basic Lijian language, and after she answered no, Noah smiled at her and sat down.

The two Faner Country blonde beauties had just been excited because Noah had greeted them.

Now, their expressions turned a little ugly because he sat next to Gu Xiaoyue.

But they couldn't lose composure in front of their idol, so they could only leave awkwardly and feeling wronged.

Duan Yao rolled her eyes at them and continued to eat her meal.

Gu Xiaoyue had people on her left and right diligently eating, while she sat in the middle, staring wide-eyed at Chu Li and Shui Lingyu opposite her.

Until Noah finished eating, Duan Yao had already gone to get food again and returned.

"Duan has a really good appetite!"

Noah said in Dragon Country language, lowering his head and chuckling softly.

His words made both Gu Xiaoyue and Duan Yao turn their attention to him.

"Noah Jones, it's a pleasure to meet you all!"

He extended his hand, wanting to shake hands with Gu Xiaoyue and Duan Yao.

Gu Xiaoyue lightly touched his hand, "Gu Xiaoyue, likewise!"

Duan Yao vigorously wiped her hands with a tissue, swallowed the food in her mouth, and then lightly shook Noah's hand.

"Duan Yao, uh—you should know us!"

Gu Xiaoyue's mouth twitched; Duan Yao had stolen the spotlight in the National Competition over the past two years, so it was normal for Lijian Country to research her skill attributes.

Noah smiled and nodded, and considering they didn't have translation brains, he simply exchanged a few words and then left.

Gu Xiaoyue watched Noah's retreating back, sighing that the more distinguished the family, the more humble and polite the children they raised.

She then looked down at her brain and couldn't help but remind Duan Yao.

"I say, Miss Duan, you've been eating for almost an hour; if you don't train for three hours later, will you be able to digest it all?"

"Ah, have I been eating for that long? But we have a meeting soon!"

Duan Yao was already immersed in a sea of delicious food; she completely lost track of time.

They still had a meeting to finalize the group stage lineup later, so where would she find time to train!

She stuffed the last bit of food into her mouth and then pulled Gu Xiaoyue, rushing towards Coach Huo's dormitory.

Next to Coach Huo's dormitory was the Dragon Country 18-25 age group meeting room. He had already drafted the group stage lineup and only needed a final discussion; if there were no objections, it could be finalized.

The World Championships involved 119 countries competing. To ensure fairness and to prevent some contestants from making too many mistakes in matches, in addition to arena battles, there was also a Yu Beast rating as part of the competition results.

The officials had relevant instruments to assess Yu Beast ratings, which they claimed were absolutely fair and just.

In fact, this approach made it easier to widen the skill gap among Beastmasters.

For children from prominent families like Chu Li and Shui Lingyu, any single Yu Beast was enough to instantly defeat a class of ordinary Beastmasters.

Each participating Beastmaster summoned three Yu Beasts, and the average value was taken for the rating.

And the Yu Beast rating even accounted for 30% of the overall competition score.

This meant that even if the advantage in an arena battle wasn't particularly obvious, the final result could still be a loss.

Rating Yu Beasts was clearly prepared for the children of their prominent families!

"For the two-person group stage, Gu Xiaoyue and Duan Yao are one group, Lv Hao and Su Anxi are one group, Chu Li and Shui Lingyu are one group. Any objections?"

Coach Huo scanned the room. No one objected, so he continued to ask.

"For the three-person group competition, Gu Xiaoyue, Lv Hao, Su Anxi. Any objections?"

"For the four-person group, Gu Xiaoyue, Duan Yao, Chu Li, Shui Lingyu—"

Lv Hao and Su Anxi's strength was neither superior nor inferior to Chu Li and Shui Lingyu, but Chu Li had a mature eighth-stage late-phase Fire Phoenix, and Shui Lingyu's Mental Power was also stronger.

"The five-person team lineup—Duan Yao, Chu Li, Shui Lingyu, Lv Hao, and Su Anxi!

All six of you will be on the team, He Zhichen and Wei Liuyu are substitutes. Any objections?"

Each contestant could participate in a maximum of five competitions. Besides the group stage, there were also individual competitions. Coach Huo's design also had to ensure it didn't occupy their individual competition slots.

Everyone had no objections, so Coach Huo officially submitted their registration forms to the officials. Once all countries uploaded their lists, the schedule would be generated within two days.

"Alright, the remaining time is for training. For single-attribute competition registration, just report to me once you've decided!"

Coach Huo felt a little annoyed thinking about this newly added single-attribute competition this year.

The officials had indeed discussed it for several years and only finalized it this year.

But with only half a year's notice, it was difficult for him to find suitable candidates.

He could only select a few from the talent database, plus those who performed exceptionally well in the National Competition, and then these few outstanding ones in front of him.

He looked at the few people who were deep in thought as if admiring works of art.

As long as they could secure at least third place and strive for second in the team competition, that would be enough. As for the single-attribute category, he would leave it to fate!

Gu Xiaoyue also thought for a long time. Her Thunder Attribute would definitely secure a ranking, other attributes were similar, and then there was her Mental Power—

Moving the ancient ruins into her Yu Beast Space had the side effect of absorbing her Mental Power, but it also significantly boosted her Mental Power.

"If there are any other attributes short on people, just let me know."

She looked at Coach Huo's furrowed brows and instinctively wanted to help him share his worries.

"Then only the Space Attribute is left, this one—"

Gu Xiaoyue understood Coach Huo's meaning. Many Space Attribute skills were for self-preservation, and even World Championships contestants didn't want to expose them.

"It's fine, register it! My Space skill isn't for dueling; it's only for scoring.

If I'm fortunate enough to win a medal, it's good for you, for me, and for Dragon Country!"

Upon hearing her words, Coach Huo poked Gu Xiaoyue's shoulder with his finger.

"I knew you were the most thoughtful!"

Two days later, the schedule was released. Because there were too many countries, all preliminary rounds were elimination matches.

On the first day of the World Championships, it was decided that Gu Xiaoyue and Duan Yao would have their first doubles match, competing against two male contestants from Diya Country.

Diya Country was globally known for its male chauvinism, where women had no status whatsoever.

As soon as Gu Xiaoyue and Duan Yao entered the arena, they were stared at by the two Diya Country men with disdainful and lewd gazes.