As the two contestants from the loser's group retreated, Gu Ling from the winner's group slowly rose from her seat, turning to Xu Ran on one side.

"Boss Xu, it's our turn now."

Confronting Gu Ling's suddenly ignited battle lust, Xu Ran rose with a smile, "Alright."

Though he was not sure why her fighting spirit suddenly soared, he was in no position to complain. His will to fight was just as raging.

The two walked side-by-side into the arena, greeted instantly by deafening applause and cheers that echoed like thunder.

The final duel for the championship was always the highlight of the contest.

The two contestants, unknown to everyone before the start of the contest, have now turned into dark horses that everyone had their eyes on, all thanks to their extraordinary performances in one match after another.

Contestant Xu Ran, the owner of a pet beast foster shop, is notorious for advertising his shop in every match—a fact that has earned him considerable attention. Nevertheless, the power of his pet beast, an enigma as it is, is undeniable even to the naked eye.

Because of the high fees of his fosterage, he is nicknamed the "Ad Merchant". However, as more Beast Masters have recently tried his service, many have come to realise the uniqueness it offers.

Contestant Gu Ling, a mysterious transfer student in the freshman year of Beast Master Secondary School, owns a pet beast unlike any local species of Qingzhou City. It allegedly originates from a metropolis of the Second Level Town rank, and each of its appearances so far has ended in absolute domineering victories.

Always carrying a serene smile, Gu Ling has been named the "Black Dragon Princess" by many. Her succession of powerful advancements in the competition also earned her a considerable number of fans.

The battle between these two contestants was a spectacle not to be missed.

"Both contestants and their pet beasts shall stand in the designated area and prepare for the match," the referee looked at both contestants and uttered in a deep voice.

After they had taken their positions, he slowly raised the whistle hanging on his chest.

"Three counts then the game starts."

"Three...two...one..."

Ziyun and Dark Scale Dragon lifted their heads simultaneously and gazed at each other from a distance.

At this moment, the memory of Dark Scale Dragon's provocation and contempt emerged in Ziyun's mind, along with a fervent yearning for the skill points it would soon acquire.

This match, it had to win!

At this moment, inside the mind of Dark Scale Dragon, it recalled a pair of rigorous, yet mildly caring crimson eyes. Its raging intent to battle had its eyes gradually redded until they matched the pair in memory.

This match, it had to win!

A spark seemed to flash across the emptiness where their gazes crossed, coupled with the referee's shrill whistle sound. Immediately, both poised pet beasts took action.

"Ziss..."

Ziyun's four claws converted into energy at once. As its body rapidly blinked forward, it bolted straight for Dark Scale Dragon.

On the other side, rotating energy spheres emerged in Dark Scale Dragon's claws, blocking the moving trajectory of Ziyun one after another.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

Piercing through the sky, the exploding electric arcs shattered the energy spheres. The resultant energy spread up to the sky, completely veiling the area in smoke and dust where they were trading blows.

"Eh?"

On the spectator stands, Gu Wu, who was watching the fight unfold in the arena, raised his eyebrows. His attention shifted from Dark Scale Dragon to Ziyun which was conveniently dodging attacks and counterattacking. There was a trace of curiosity in his eyes.

This didn't seem like the power of a normal two-star skill. It was more like something between two-star and three-star skills.

A special ethnic talent? He realised he had not seen such a species before.

"That little cat is quite strong, its thunder-slinging is about one percent as potent as mine." An arrogant thought surfaced in Gu Wu's mind.

"Heh, Old Thunder Dragon, don't kid yourself. Before you evolved, back when you were in the Transcendent Stage, you would be beaten up by it."

"Really? So Thunder Elder was that weak before?"

"Don't listen to his bullshit, it's slander!"

Three different thoughts started bickering in Gu Wu's mind, forcing him to rub his temples.

Fourth stage of contract power: Field of View Sharing.

A higher level of the fundamental one-star power, Contractual Sensing, allowing the Beast Master and pet beast to share their field of view. This sharing was mutual, and the beast master could also let different contract pet beasts share their views too.

Though he was the only one sitting in the viewer's stand and watched the contest, there were, in fact, more than just him.

At this moment, a fourth thought spoke up, "I have seen that Beast Master and his pet beast before when they returned to Qingzhou City after repelling the Beast Tide."

"Oh?" Gu Wu's eyes brightened. With the hint from the thought, he quickly remembered something, "Now that you've mentioned it, it does feel familiar."

"Old Black Dragon, Dark Scale Dragon is your child. Do you think it can win?" Another thought asked.

The thought referred to as "Old Black Dragon" paused then responded, "The opponent is not weak. I have no idea."

-----------------

"Meow..."

Ziyun, whose body was enveloped in electric arcs, narrowed its heterochromatic eyes to thin slits, like a reflection of the abyss looking at the Dark Scale Dragon, each scale of which was filled with dreadful black power. And then, without hesitation, it unleashed its most powerful attack.

Electric Chasing Cat Two-Star Skill, Starlight Level: Thunder Roar!

As the tangible sonic waves rapidly approached, a sense of caution flickered in the eyes of the Dark Scale Dragon.

Its pupils turned fully red in an instant, and a fierce roar, carrying dominance, burst from its mouth.

"Roar—"