At this moment, inside the Magical Beast Duel Arena.
Excited shouts, frenzied cheers, nervous gasps, disappointed curses…
Countless voices merged into a mighty wave of sound, echoing again and again beneath the vast dome, battering at eardrums and igniting the air, making everyone present feel their blood boil.
In the center of the arena, a massive lionāso huge it nearly filled half the sandpitāwas roaring.
Its mane was no ordinary gold, but blazing fire, a sheet of crimson, each strand standing on end.
Terrifying heat waves rolled from its body, distorting the air around it into shimmering mirages, blurring vision.
It panted heavily, each hot breath scorching black marks onto the sand beneath its feet.
Facing off with this giant on the ground was a hawk with wings so broad they seemed to block out the sky.
Covered in steel-blue feathers, gleaming with a cold metallic sheen along the edges, it looked savage and fierce.
With a signal from the referee, the strange bird perched on its handler’s shoulder let out a piercing screech.
The battle had begun.
First to move was the blue-black battle hawk.
With a flap of its wings, a gale swept up yellow sand into a miniature tornado, howling as it rushed toward the lion.
Impressive, not bad at all.
The blue-black battle hawk, relying on its speed and ability to hover, darted circles around the seemingly clumsy Fiery-maned Flame Lion, harassing it relentlessly.
Moving as fast as lightning, its shadow danced all over the skyāno one could tell which was real.
Again and again it dove, talons flashing like blades, each time raking deep gouges in the fire lion’s thick hideāso deep you could see the bone!
Sparks and blood splattered everywhere.
The air was thick with the choking stench of scorched flesh and blood.
The Fiery-maned Flame Lion was truly enraged, its roars making the ears buzz.
That massive body spun in circles, desperate to catch the slippery pest above.
Opening its jaws wide, it hurled fireballs one after another into the sky like shooting stars.
Then came several thick pillars of flame sweeping across, trying to burn the bothersome “flying insect” to ash.
But the hawk was as slippery as an eel, and with its wind element manipulation, it dodged every time.
Riding the wind, it always twisted away just at the last second, narrowly avoiding lethal fire.
Its movementsāelusive and unpredictable.
Flames and gales collided on the battlefield with thunderous crashes.
Hawk talons raked lion hide; its sharp beak struck at the lion’s head, the clashing like blacksmith’s hammers.
Dazzling magic light, combined with raw savage strength, whirled together on the sand, erupting!
Dust rolled, sparks flew.
The whole arena was filled with a savage energy that made everyone’s heart race.
Su Nian stood on the balcony, her hand clutching the chilly railing.
Her stunning eyes never blinked as they watched the chaos below, sky-blue pupils reflecting firelight and shadows of the wind.
But she wasn’t just there for the spectacle.
Her attention focused more on the two figures at the edge of the arenaāeach the Beast Tamer of their own magical beast.
One wore fitted brown leather armor, his face taut and stern.
Both hands flashed in a blur, forming complex gestures, his lips moving silentlyāclearly using his spiritual power to command the Fiery-maned Flame Lion, telling it how to fight.
Su Nian narrowed her eyes and thought, ‘So this is a Beast Tamer’s command style? Do magical beasts really need a Beast Tamer’s direction?’
The other wore a blue robe embroidered with intricate wind-element runes, his demeanor much calmer.
He stood with arms folded, eyes sharply locked on the circling hawk, lips also moving slightly as he chanted some ancient incantation in a low voice.
Pale blue light flickered now and then from his body, merging with the windāobviously granting buffs to his magical beast or executing subtle battlefield micro-manipulations.
Between Beast Tamer and magical beast, there existed an invisible, tight bond.
Every attack in perfect sync, every perfectly timed dodge, every counterstrike seized at the critical moment.
All revealed a profound tacit understanding and coordination between the two.
Such synergy was not achieved in a day.
Behind it lay years, even more than a decade, of grueling training, countless actual battles, and the forging of deep bonds and absolute trust between Beast Tamer and beast.
They relied on the magical beast’s own power, but even more on the Beast Tamer’s wisdom and commandāand above all, their unbreakable coordination.
Su Nian pondered in silence.
And what about her Contract Beast?
‘Hmmā¦’
A Contract Beast was, after all, an ability derived from her SSS skillāsurely it would be on a whole other level.
It shouldn’t need her command; it would possess independent intelligence and fighting instincts!
‘That’s right!’
Chu Tian had somehow appeared beside her.
He casually rested an arm on the metal railing of the balcony, posture relaxed as if in his own backyard.
His voice was low, carrying a lazy tone, as he effortlessly began introducing the magical beasts in the arena.
“That’s a Fiery-maned Flame Lion a pure fire-type magical beast with immense strength and vitality, with flame breath as its signature move.”
Though his tone was casual, there was a calm confidence, as if he saw through everything.
“Opposite is a wind-type Gale Hunting Hawkāfast flight, skilled at aerial ambushes its wind blades are no joke either.”
He continued, his voice magnetic.
He clearly knew these magical beasts inside out.
After all, all the monsters of the Monster Forest in a sense were his “prey” or “resources.”
Such knowledge.
Naturally surpassed that of ordinary adventurers.
Su Nian did her best to maintain a look of earnest attention.
Yet her eyes remained locked on the fierce battle raging on the sand below.
In her mind, she weighed the strengths and weaknesses of the magical beasts.
To her, the victor of this fight was not what mattered.
What mattered was: which kind of Contract Beast suited her?
What kind of void Contract Beast could best synergize with her already well-honed magic systems?
She had now mastered the powers of fire, water, and light elements.
If she followed the logic of elemental cooperation and mutual enhancementā
If she contracted a powerful wind-type magical beast then she could combine it with her own fire attacks.
No doubt, this would amplify the destructive range of her flames to the limit; wind feeds fire, forming widespread devastation.
Able to swiftly clear away hordes on the battlefield.
Going a step furtherā
If she could also contract a lightning-type magical beast, combining lightning with her water magic then the conductivity of water would be greatly enhanced.
Whether used for pinpoint paralysis to instantly cripple a formidable enemy or for other purposes, the potential outcomes were beyond imagination.
Besides thatā
Su Nian’s gaze was unconsciously drawn to the imposing Fiery-maned Flame Lion below.
Its mane blazing like fire.
She thought of another important function.
Some massive, powerful magical beasts could also serve as mounts.
She now possessed the [Holy Knight Physique].
Her body’s strength far exceeded ordinary limits.
In truly high-stakes battles, if she still rode a common warhorse, it wouldn’t survive even one exchange with her foesāthe beast would be shredded instantly by the raw force.
Therefore, her future Contract Beast should ideally be able to serve as her battle mount as well.
Becoming her most reliable, most indestructible companion as she charged into the fray.
Flight was also something she urgently needed.
Su Nian looked up, watching the Gale Hunting Hawk nimbly circle in the sky, constantly dodging the lion’s fire attacks.
A flying magical beast.
Whether for scouting, expanding her field of view, or launching surprise aerial assaults, or providing powerful air support, they all had overwhelming advantages ground-bound beasts couldn’t match.
If she could contract a magical beast that not only flew on its own, but could also carry her into the skies to fight then that would be her dream battle form.
Utterly perfect.
Just as Su Nian was absorbed in planning and envisioning her future companion, Chu Tian spoke.
“Looks like the fire lion’s going to win.”
As soon as Chu Tian’s words fell, the Fiery-maned Flame Lion, which had been on the defensive and enduring the Gale Hunting Hawk’s harassment, finally lost its patience.
It caught a tiny flaw as the hawk swooped to attack once more.
Suddenly, it reared up!
That massive frame exploded with astonishing power, moving with a swiftness unlike anything before.
A fire breathāhotter and more focused than any previous attackāerupted from its maw like a furious dragon, ripping through the air as it blasted toward the hawk!
The Gale Hunting Hawk had no time to dodge.
It managed only a shrill, desperate cry before the torrent of devastating fire washed over its wings!
The scorched smell spread in an instant.
The hawk tumbled from the sky, crashing hard into the sand below and kicking up a cloud of dust.
Clearly, he had predicted the winner with perfect accuracyāunfazed by the result.
On the sand, the fire lion raised its head in triumph, letting out a thunderous roar of victory, its golden-red mane blazing like a crown in the sun, declaring the end of this fierce contest.
The stands erupted into a tsunami of cheers.
Those who bet on the lion waved their arms in excitement, celebrating their win.
Of course, there were also sighs of regret and muttered curses from those who bet wrong.
“So, what do you think? Do any of them catch your eye?”
There was a hint of subtle persuasion in his tone.
“There’s a Magical Pet Shop right beside the arena. Not that there are any really powerful battle pets thereāmost are tamed show pets, or at best useful for guarding the house.”
He suggested offhandedly, as if it was just a casual remark.
“If you like, you could buy one to keep for fun.”
‘Buy one for fun?’ Su Nian snorted inwardly.
How could these ordinary magical beastsāreliant on Beast Tamer’s command and performing in a fixed arenaācompare to the Sacred Contract Beast she would soon possess, one from the mysterious void, with limitless potential?
A blush bloomed on her cheeks at the right moment; her voice softened, tinged with a maiden’s shyness.
“No need… I’ve already spent a lot of Master’s money.”
After watching a few more magical beast duels, the carriage slowly made its way toward Shadowmoon Manor.
***
That night, darkness as thick as ink enveloped Shadowmoon Manor.
In the master bedroom Su Nian’s face flushed crimson; just thinking of what she would face tonight filled her with unbearable shame.
The memory of last night surged up like a nightmare…
Her body, completely possessed and conquered, that memory branded into her very soul.
She had lost her most precious thing.
And tonight…
In a way, it was a “voluntary” offering.
If she hadn’t been forced into a corner, how could she have made such a choice?
It was all for ultimate victory.
She’d risk it all!
Two days, 1.5 million humiliation pointsāshe could do it…