The Sun Wheel Bird took off by force, spinning through the air in an attempt to shake Nuobai off.
The cat and bird fought from the sky to the ground, and then from the ground back to the sky.
Nuobai finally caught an opening and flipped onto its back.
Her claws dug deep into its feathers. Wracked with pain, the Sun Wheel Bird accelerated, circling the arena again and again.
As time passed, the snow on the ground melted. Nuobai’s body went limp, and her claws slipped.
Meanwhile, the Sun Wheel Bird continued to gather power in its [Sunwheel] state.
“Now, [Eclipse Strike]!”
Wei Wanqing seized the opportunity to give the command. She had heard of Nuobai’s sharp claws, but she hadn’t expected them to be this formidable.
To think the Sun Wheel Bird’s defense could be pierced by mere claws.
The rumors were true.
The Sun Wheel Bird spread its wings in mid-air, shimmering under the sunlight.
The sun and the bird overlapped, and a blinding, scorching pillar of light descended. The very center of the pillar was so bright it almost looked black.
“Nuobai!”
Bai Luxin burst into tears as she saw her get hit, stumbling toward the stage.
She wanted to end this match.
As the towering pillar of light gradually vanished, the audience could finally open their eyes.
Wisps of smoke rose from the scorched earth, and the air was thick with the smell of burning. A blackened object lay in the center, its shape no longer recognizable.
‘The [Contract Protection] didn’t trigger?’
Wei Wanqing felt a hint of doubt and gestured for the Sun Wheel Bird to deliver the final blow.
“Nuobai, you’re so beautiful. Wouldn’t it be better to just act spoiled in your Master’s arms?”
“Why bother getting involved in this mess?”
Wei Zhaowu’s words of regret triggered a memory deep within Nuobai.
Someone had said those words to her many, many times.
Very, very many times.
“Nuobai, be good. Don’t be so stubborn.”
“Ornamental Species aren’t suited for competition. Even if I support you, it’s useless; you can’t even meet the entry requirements.”
“Look at your companions. They all know how to act cute and please people.”
“Why aren’t you willing to stay in my arms and enjoy a happy life!”
Long Qianwu appeared before her, looking as though she only wanted what was best for her.
Nuobai struggled to stand. Her golden eye had been blinded by the burns, leaving only her rebellious and unyielding red eye.
‘Because she doesn’t want to be a pet!’
[Constant Temperature Physique] had reduced the burning damage at the most critical moment, preventing the [Contract Protection] from triggering.
However, Nuobai was now at the end of her rope.
“We forfeit!”
Grief and worry transmitted through the contract link. Bai Luxin shouted from the sidelines with tears in her eyes.
The referee was in a difficult position. Logically, a Master’s surrender meant the match was over.
But in the arena, Nuobai’s fighting spirit was still burning. Ending the match abruptly felt inappropriate.
Across the arena, Nuobai refused the call to return to the [Beast Taming Space].
Wei Zhaowu didn’t hold back either. The Sun Wheel Bird used [Raid Dive], aiming straight for Nuobai.
At the commentator’s booth, Lily was silent. Nuobai remained stubbornly unyielding while Bai Luxin was heartbroken for her beloved pet.
Everyone felt a lump in their throats.
‘How nice… Back then, Long Qianwu never let me surrender. She just watched me struggle for fifty days.’
‘She would rather I died in the arena than accept defeat.’
Nuobai’s red eye softened slightly before turning resolute again.
She wouldn’t surrender, nor would she yield. She was just a stubborn creature, and she would never change.
A sonic boom echoed as the Sun Wheel Bird struck Nuobai.
The crimson eye lit up. The power of rebellion combined with stored energy to form a skill.
[Fight to the Death]!
Hope was severed, and the path ahead was dark. Even if her body died and her soul perished, she would never yield!
The damage taken would be delayed by one second. During this time, all stats would increase tenfold.
After the skill ends, the user will be weakened for three days, drop by one minor realm, and the skill will have a cooldown of ten days.
Nuobai erupted with an intense aura, grabbed the high-speed Sun Wheel Bird, and pinned it to the ground with one paw.
Her claws plunged directly into its neck, and a blue light instantly flared.
Immediately after, a mist of blood exploded from her own body. A blue light also flared around her as she fell unconscious.
A mutual defeat?
No, the Sun Wheel Bird was eliminated first.
Nuobai won!
The Miracle Cat had created a miracle once again!
As the match ended, Bai Luxin immediately summoned Nuobai back into her [Beast Taming Space].
She ignored the congratulations from those around her. Champion? She had never cared about that.
She only wanted to find a medical [Beast Pet] to treat Nuobai’s injuries.
The people around her were sensible enough not to block her path.
Wei Zhaowu also summoned the Sun Wheel Bird back. Under [Contract Protection], the [Beast Pet] wouldn’t be in danger for the time being.
Its injuries would slowly recover once it was back in the [Beast Taming Space].
Bai Luxin was simply overwhelmed by worry.
“You lost too…”
“Yeah.”
In front of her sister, she readily admitted her defeat.
“Truly incredible.”
“Do you think she can help us break the [Curse]?”
“A miracle…”
Wei Wanqing murmured. She no longer blamed her younger sister. She had been unwilling to let the Moon Wheel Bird advance before because she saw no hope.
Now, a miracle had been shown to her.
……
[Three-Inch Spring Light]
In a comfortable and peaceful room, specks of spring light gathered and fell onto Nuobai.
The shocking injuries healed quickly, and her charred fur became snowy white again.
“She’s fine. She’ll wake up soon.”
“Thank you.”
The healing [Beast Pet], a Spring Willow Tree, finished its skill and swayed aside to make room for the patient. The rustling of its leaves gradually faded away.
Bai Luxin lay beside Nuobai, reaching out a hand to touch her, but her fingertips froze in the dusty light. She pulled her hand back, trembling.
‘It might hurt her…’
In her unconscious state, Nuobai felt a burst of vitality around her. She was surrounded by small, green, glowing specks.
As her strength gradually returned, her ears twitched, and she slowly opened her eyes.
Backlit by the light, Bai Luxin was curled up in the shadows, her head buried in her knees.
“Master.”
A clear voice rang out. Bai Luxin’s shoulders visibly trembled.
She rubbed her face against her arms several times before slowly lifting her head to look at her.
The corners of her eyes were red and slightly swollen, and her clear eyes were filled with shimmering dewdrops.
Recalling her performance in the arena, Nuobai’s little paws fidgeted nervously.
Her mind was filled with the memory of the girl’s heart-wrenching cries while she had ignored them.
‘Can I make it up to her if I act cute?’
Click.
The door opened softly, providing a temporary escape for Nuobai.
Seeing that Nuobai was awake, Qin Rui’s cautious movements immediately became boisterous.
“Oh, the Little Princess is awake.”
“Stupid roe deer.”
Hearing that long-lost nickname, Nuobai’s fur bristled, and she snapped back without hesitation.
“Well, you’re quite lively. Congratulations on becoming the Champion.”
Qin Rui said as he greeted Bai Luxin. “Hello, I’m Qin Rui.”
“Hello.”
Bai Luxin pulled Nuobai into her arms and nodded in response, her voice a bit raspy.
Seeing how familiar he seemed with Nuobai, she was a bit confused.
“Nuobai, he’s…”
“Aunt Qin’s brother, a stupid roe deer.”
Qin Rui’s eye twitched. This little brat Nuobai had grown bold enough to provoke him.
‘Well, she was never exactly timid, and my sister spoiled her rotten.’
“Yes, I’m little Nuobai’s Brother Rui. You can call me Brother Rui too.”
“This Little Princess was the group favorite back home. We all watched her grow up.”
“As for why I call her the Little Princess, it’s because she was the last one born.”
“Everyone loved her, but she was incredibly cold and wouldn’t let anyone touch her. She’d even dodge if her companions tried to groom her.”
“See? Isn’t she a cold Little Princess?”
Qin Rui prattled on, his eyes full of provocation.
‘Come and scratch me then. Don’t you love scratching my face?’
Nuobai understood his look and fumed with rage.
“Stupid roe deer…”
“Nuobai.”
Bai Luxin’s tone held a hint of reproach. It wasn’t polite to speak to an elder that way.
“Master, let me tell you, his [Beast Pet] is a dumb roe deer that drools even after being healed. It’s just like him.”
Nuobai exposed his weakness and spat another insult at him.
“Stupid roe deer.”
“That’s not a stupid roe deer! It’s a Lucky Alpaca!”
“A stupid roe deer is a stupid roe deer.”
“It’s not!”
“It is!”
The two bickered like children until Bai Luxin finally stopped Nuobai and pulled her into her protection.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Qin Rui. Nuobai was being rude.”
“I’ll make sure to discipline her better in the future.”
Hearing this, Qin Rui sat down opposite them with a smug, smiling face.
“It’s fine, it’s fine.”
“Actually, I came here today because I want Nuobai to help me with some research.”
Nuobai wrapped her tail around Bai Luxin’s wrist and lifted her chin high.
“You’re asking for a favor with that kind of attitude?”