Before Qiao Sang’s eyes was a trendy pair of sunglasses, bright in color and exuding a sweet, charming vibe. It certainly looked like a pair that would catch people’s attention. However, it wouldn’t suit her Contract Beast, the Fire Fang Dog, at all. This was because the sunglasses were heart-shaped and pink.
Qiao Sang fell silent for a moment before politely refusing, “I think it’s better if we pass on that. You saw how the sunglasses got ruined after the last match. If something happens to your sunglasses in the finals, that wouldn’t be good.”
“Yar!” The Fire Fang Dog nodded repeatedly, raising its paw to show off the broken red sunglasses it had worn previously.
Song Yuan chuckled, “Our sunglasses are made from the nails of a resilient lizard. I can’t speak for other competitions, but for the Bai Xin Tournament, there will be no issues at all.”
“I know what you’re worried about, but you must trust a business person’s eye. Just like how a cute girl riding a motorcycle or a monk visiting a nightclub can create an appealing contrast; it’s these differences that are the most attractive.”
This did sound quite reasonable. Qiao Sang found herself nearly swayed by her words. However, seeing the Fire Fang Dog’s clear resistance, Qiao Sang felt it was important to respect her Contract Beast's opinion.
“This might be...”
“If the Fire Fang Dog can wear them during the finals, even if we can't reach an agreement, I will still pay you an extra fee, starting from five figures,” Song Yuan said, spreading her five fingers wide.
“That would be just perfect,” Qiao Sang continued.
“Yar?”
...
Inside the player’s lounge, Wei Wenya sat on the sofa, while a blue duck-shaped Contract Beast was doing one-handed push-ups on the ground.
“Dad, is everything you said true?”
“Of course, the prize was personally put out by your second uncle. Do you think I would lie to you?” replied the man beside her, his slicked-back hair and shiny black suit making him look like a business elite as he casually reclined on the sofa.
“But won’t your second aunt get caught for passing off the A-grade water-type evolution stone as a D-grade?” Wei Wenya worried.
“Your second aunt is an experienced appraiser. No one would doubt her. Besides, she’s the one overseeing the whole matter, and no one else is interfering,” the man replied calmly.
“Can we negotiate with the organizers to swap the prizes for first and second place? I don’t want to lose on purpose in front of so many people to a middle school graduate. It would be too embarrassing!” Wei Wenya pouted.
“You need to understand that what matters now isn’t your ranking or face, but the future growth of your Duckling. As long as you have that water-type evolution stone, I’ll find a way to get you a bottle of high-purity Bi Sheng Water.”
“Once that Duckling evolves into a high-level beast, you’ll have a chance to make it to Yonda’s team.”
“Besides, the kid you’re up against next is someone who has been beaten by Hou Xiangyu; even if you lose, it won’t be that embarrassing,” her father patiently explained.
“I understand,” Wei Wenya conceded.
Their conversation didn’t distract the Duckling, which continued doing one-handed push-ups without stopping.
...
“Ladies and gentlemen! We have finally arrived at the finals of the Bai Xin Tournament! Let us welcome our contestants, Wei Wenya and Qiao Sang, who have fought their way here after days of intense competition!” the announcer declared with excitement.
As the background music played, Qiao Sang stepped onto the arena with the Fire Fang Dog. The audience erupted with enthusiastic cheers.
“Qiao Sang! Qiao Sang!”
“Fire Fang Dog! Fire Fang Dog!”
“Qiao Sang! Qiao Sang!”
“Fire Fang Dog! Fire… huh?”
The cheering audience hesitated as they noticed the Fire Fang Dog’s sunglasses looked quite different from what it usually wore. On the big screen, the Fire Fang Dog had a serious face sporting a pair of pink heart-shaped sunglasses that seemed completely out of character.
Indeed, the visual impact was quite striking. This was certainly a unique look for a winning Contract Beast.
“Fire Fang Dog! Fire Fang Dog!”
In the arena, the Fire Fang Dog was trying to suppress its grin. Its Contract Beast Master had not lied. With these sunglasses on, it truly looked impressive. Humans wouldn’t call it this way under normal circumstances. It seemed human tastes differed from its own.
As the background music stopped, Wei Wenya performed a mudra with her hands, summoning her Electric Mischievous Cat to the arena.
Qiao Sang was taken aback. Wei Wenya was someone she had taken note of since the very first day of the tournament. She knew the girl also had a water-type beast, the Duckling. It surprised her that Wei Wenya hadn't sent out a beast that could counter her own.
Perhaps she felt it wasn’t necessary… After all, aside from its defense, the Electric Mischievous Cat excelled in every way compared to the Fire Fang Dog.
As the referee blew the whistle, the Electric Mischievous Cat opened its mouth, simultaneously curling and straightening its tail. A dazzling bolt of lightning suddenly shot down from the sky, targeting the location of the Fire Fang Dog.
In a flash, the Fire Fang Dog split into eight clones, each rushing in from different angles to attack the Electric Mischievous Cat. The two that charged straight forward disappeared instantly in the lightning's strike, leaving no trace behind.
The remaining six Fire Fang Dogs continued their assault. As they got closer to the Electric Mischievous Cat, they all ignited their fangs with flames, ready to pounce.
“Dodge quickly!” Wei Wenya commanded swiftly. If one of them got bitten, this round might be lost.
She agreed to lose, but she wanted to control how it would happen, not to actually be defeated outright.
The Electric Mischievous Cat's speed always played to its advantage. However, the Fire Fang Dog approached it in a surrounding formation. Hearing its master’s order, the Electric Mischievous Cat took a quick look around, unsure where to go, hesitant for a moment before deciding to jump upward, attempting to leap out of the encirclement.
With its strong jumping ability, the Electric Mischievous Cat almost made it out. Unfortunately, one quick-witted Fire Fang Dog leaped onto another’s back, bounding with force, and its flaming fangs caught the Electric Mischievous Cat’s tail, dragging it down.
The other Fire Fang Dogs instantly pounced, encircling and biting the Electric Mischievous Cat.
“Wan!!!” the Electric Mischievous Cat screamed in agony.
Once the Fire Fang Dogs released it, the Electric Mischievous Cat had already fainted, eyes closed.
The referee stood stunned for a moment, unable to believe that the finals had ended so quickly. Coming to his senses, he approached the Electric Mischievous Cat to check and confirmed that the match was indeed over.
“The winner is contestant Qiao Sang.”
A murmur swept through the audience.
“Is this the finals?”
“This was even less exciting than the semifinals.”
“Even the beast performances were more thrilling.”
“Why didn't the Electric Mischievous Cat dodge? It had stronger attack power than the Fire Fang Dog; why not just use lightning to break through?”
Qiao Sang shared this confusion too. Wei Wenya, who had won decisively like Hou Xiangyu, shouldn’t have underperformed like this.
When Wei Wenya had sent out her Electric Mischievous Cat, she had always taken down her opponents with a single lightning strike, with no follow-up needed. So, Qiao Sang couldn’t quite gauge her abilities.
After her match with Hou Xiangyu, Qiao Sang had placed Wei Wenya's strength on the same level as his.
But this... Did she hold back?
...
In the passage leading to the medical room after the beast battle, a man in a formal suit said sternly, “Daughter, while I asked you to lose on purpose, isn't this losing a bit too quickly?”
Wei Wenya responded with silence.
(End of Chapter)