37: Final begins

Under the continuous explosions, the Magma Giant Crab let out a pained roar.

It did have fire resistance, yes, but the explosions not only generated an instant, unbearable high temperature, but also possessed powerful impact force.

Even with its highly defensive volcanic rock shell, it was shattered into pieces and charred black by the chain of explosions.

"What kind of Move is this?"

Zhou Yan was stunned; he had never heard of the Ghost Orchid having an explosive Move.

All of his attention had been focused on guarding against the "Night Demon Strike."

He never expected that the Ghost Orchid would have such a terrifying area-of-effect explosion Move.

He had lost, and he had lost completely.

Liu Yue, at the commentary desk, stood up excitedly, her voice cracking slightly.

"My heavens! The Magma Giant Crab has been blown over! Contestant Bai Ye's Ghost Orchid actually had a terrifying trump card hidden away. Is it an Intermediate or Advanced Move?"

"Professor Hua, could you explain this?"

The pen in Professor Hua's hand fell to the floor with a "clatter."

He stared blankly at the sea of explosive flames on the arena floor.

"This should be a Dust Explosion triggered by using a large amount of pollen. However, generally speaking, a Dust Explosion shouldn't be this large in a relatively open area, so it must indeed be a Move."

"The power of the Move combined with the magma of the Magma Giant Crab created such immense destructive force."

"But, how did it manage to spread the pollen across the entire arena without being detected? And to be able to autonomously control the detonation in a high-temperature environment?"

The old professor felt like his brain couldn't keep up.

This Ghost Orchid was like a black hole; you never knew what inconceivable thing it would pull out next.

His heart was itching; he wanted nothing more than to kidnap Bai Ye and make him his student.

Just by writing a thesis on the Ghost Orchid, Bai Ye could stay with him all the way to his doctorate.

"Contestant number 777, Bai Ye, is the winner."

The referee's voice pulled the still-stunned Zhou Yan back to reality.

He stared blankly across the arena; even at this moment, he still hadn't figured out how he had lost.

Just half a minute ago, the advantage had clearly been his.

"I lost."

Zhou Yan dejectedly recalled his severely injured Magma Giant Crab and walked off the arena floor under the complex gazes of the entire audience.

Bai Ye's second victory ignited the entire arena once again.

If some people had thought his previous victory was only won because he relied on a special Move to ambush his opponent, then this afternoon, facing an opponent with an attribute advantage and greater strength, Bai Ye proved himself with undeniable capability.

"Grass-type plus explosions—what kind of god-tier combination is this? I'd believe it if you told me the Ghost Orchid had learned the Advanced Move Solar Beam."

"A dark horse? I think he has the potential to win the championship."

"You're joking. The gap between Transcendence High-rank and Transcendent Limit is not small at all. Don't overhype Bai Ye; just look at Long Ao over there."

In the stands, discussions rose and fell.

In the following matches, Bai Ye remained dominant.

Round of 16.

Bai Ye's opponent was a young girl from Wind City, whose beast pet was a Intermediate Extraordinary Level Storm Griffin with extreme speed.

As soon as the match started, the girl tried to use her speed advantage to keep her distance from Bai Ye, employing a kiting strategy.

Bai Ye didn't give her a chance at all.

Night Demon Strike appeared again, but the emerald green bats did not attack directly.

They circled in the air, forming a huge net that blocked all of the Storm Griffin's escape routes.

Immediately after, a sky full of "Dust Explosion" followed.

With nowhere to hide, the Storm Griffin was blasted with feathers flying everywhere, losing its ability to fight on the spot.

Quarterfinals.

His opponent was a young man controlling a Transcendence High-rank Shadow Wolf.

The Shadow Wolf could merge into shadows, launching eerie surprise attacks that were impossible to guard against.

Bai Ye simply had Xiao Lan release a circle of "Fragrant Pollen" around himself.

For beast pets like the Shadow Wolf with exceptionally developed senses of smell, Aromatic Pollen was enough to eliminate most of its hostility.

It turned the Shadow Wolf into a docile puppy, lying on the ground and squirming continuously.

The young man shouted "Stand up!" but it was useless, so he had no choice but to concede.

Semifinals.

Bai Ye's opponent was a Transcendence High-rank Mountain Imp with astonishing defensive power and surprisingly great strength.

Everyone thought this would be a grueling battle.

The result of the match, however, once again shocked everyone.

Bai Ye didn't go head-to-head with Xiao Lan at all.

He actually led Xiao Lan in circles around the arena, using "Night Demon Strike" to constantly harass it and drain the Mountain Imp's energy.

At the same time, he used "Dust Explosion" to create explosions under the Mountain Imp's feet, restricting its movements.

The Mountain Imp had brute strength, but it couldn't even touch the edge of Bai Ye's side, and it was kited to death.

Bai Ye successfully fought his way into the finals.

His opponent in the finals was none other than the biggest favorite to win the tournament.

The Genius from Steel Dragon High School, Long Ao.

Once the news of the finals broke, the entire Huanglong City was in an uproar.

The strongest dark horse versus the strongest Genius!

The Intermediate Extraordinary Level Ghost Orchid versus the invincible Ironclad Steel Dragon, which possessed an integrated offense and defense at the Transcendent Limit.

This showdown was full of hype.

The tickets for the match were sold out within a short hour and were even scalped to astronomical prices.

...

The night before the finals.

In the top-tier suite of the Sacred Dragon Hotel.

"You actually made it to the finals! It's a pity there's no betting pool for this tournament, or I would definitely take all my pocket money and bet on you to win."

Lin Anan jumped up and down on the sofa excitedly, even more thrilled than Bai Ye himself.

"Calm down, calm down."

Bai Ye was giving Xiao Lan its final pre-match maintenance.

He wouldn't let Xiao Lan fight today; he wanted it to have a good rest.

"You don't have to push yourself too hard tomorrow; if it doesn't work out, just leave it to me."

Bai Ye said, stroking Xiao Lan's crystal-like petals.

The next day, the day of the finals finally arrived.

The entire Sacred Dragon Arena was packed to capacity.

The cheers of 100,000 people were like a mountain-toppling, sea-draining roar that almost blew the roof off the entire arena.

Countless spotlights focused on the center of the arena.

Today, a new champion would be born here!

Liu Yue and Professor Hua were already in position at the commentary desk.

"Dear audience, welcome to the scene of the Sacred Dragon Cup finals!"

Liu Yue's voice rang through the entire arena via the broadcast.

"After layers of selection, the two strongest contestants have finally stepped onto this final stage! Who among them will ascend to the championship and lift the Sacred Dragon Cup? Let us wait and see."

"Professor Hua, the finals are about to begin. Which contestant are you more optimistic about?"

Professor Hua adjusted his glasses, his expression unprecedentedly grave.

"Looking at the strength on paper, there is no doubt that contestant Long Ao and his Ironclad Steel Dragon have the advantage."

"Rare Aptitude, Transcendent Limit Rank, and the dual Dragon and Steel attributes with integrated offense and defense—there are almost no weaknesses."

"It is a nearly invincible existence within the Extraordinary Level."

He changed his tone.

"But contestant Bai Ye and his Ghost Orchid have created too many miracles along the way."

"Those endless, bizarre Moves and tactics have been an eye-opener even for an old man like me."

Liu Yue nodded:

"That's right—the Miracle Boy versus the Undefeated King! Is this really a battle between two apprentice Beast Tamers?"

"First, it is the Undefeated King from Steel Dragon High School, Long Ao, and his partner, the Ironclad Steel Dragon!"