Even though his next opponent was also a powerful Beastmaster with an SSS Potential beast, Lin Xing didn’t feel the slightest bit nervous.
The image of Lumiya smashing the giant crab’s shell with a single punch was still vivid before his eyes, and even he hadn’t expected such strength.
He did hint to Lumiya during the match to use a little more force,
But this “a little more”? Wasn’t that way beyond expectations?
He looked at Lumiya, not far away, holding candied hawthorns in her left hand and cotton candy in her right, cheeks puffed out as she ate, yet still staring fixedly at the ice cream in Little White’s hand.
Should he break through to Level 1 already?
Why did he always feel Lumiya’s strength was already at the limit of what he could handle?
There was a connection between a beast and its Beastmaster’s levels, but it wasn’t as strictly limited as in online games—
“Your beast’s level cannot surpass the Beastmaster’s.”
Here, the beast’s level could indeed surpass the Beastmaster’s, but there was an upper limit to that gap,
Just like filling a balloon with water—a balloon could hold far more water than its own volume, but once it passed its material’s tolerance threshold, it would just
“Pop!”
explode into pieces.
Lin Xing believed Lumiya wouldn’t watch him “pop” and blow apart right before her eyes,
But for his own safety, he decided to break through right after tomorrow’s match!
Little White looked at Lin Xing’s suddenly serious profile, tilting her head in confusion, just about to ask,
When, from the corner of her eye, she caught sight of a golden-haired little girl quietly sneaking over.
Lumiya still had half a piece of cotton candy in her mouth, her round eyes locked onto the ice cream in Little White’s hand, her Dragon Tail gently swaying behind her.
Little White instantly forgot her previous doubts and hurriedly raised the ice cream above her head.
“!? Lumiya! You can’t eat any more! You’ll get fat!”
The candied hawthorns in Lumiya’s hand were bought by her! The cotton candy was also bought by her! She even sneaked Lumiya extra snacks behind Lin Xing’s back!
Only this ice cream was off-limits! Lin Xing bought this just for her! This alone wasn’t for Lumiya!
Afraid Lumiya would snatch it away, Little White hurriedly stuffed the rest of the ice cream into her mouth in one go, making her small mouth bulge as if she’d shoved a light bulb inside.
Ice cream cream slid down the corner of her lips, leaving a smear of milky white on her chin.
Despite her sorry state, Little White gave Lumiya a triumphant glance.
Lumiya stared blankly for a moment at the sight.
Was it really worth it, just for an ice cream?
Watching this unfold, Lin Xing noticed Lumiya staring straight at him, her gaze as if she were looking at a cheating scoundrel, her lips suddenly drooping.
“Lin Xing~ I want ice cream!”
Watching Lin Xing scamper off to buy her ice cream, Lumiya turned to look at Little White with an innocent, harmless expression.
Even her voice became syrupy sweet:
“Big sister, do you like eating these? When Lin Xing comes back, I’ll have him buy you another one~”
Lin Xing, returning with the ice cream, had just gotten close when he saw Little White collapsed on the ground, muttering things like “lost” and “can’t win,” which made him puzzled.
“Little White, didn’t you and Snowball win every match today? Why do you look so dejected?”
Hearing Lin Xing’s voice, Little White immediately stood up, her cheeks slightly flushed as she mumbled,
“It’s nothing, I was talking about my opponent.”
Lin Xing understood.
Indeed, Little White’s opponent tomorrow was no less than his—perhaps even stronger: an SSS Potential plant-type beast—the Life Tree Sapling.
This kind of beast was appearing in human history for the first time, and many people even suspected something about its Beastmaster’s bloodline.
Some speculated that perhaps a powerful ancestor and their Spirit beast had somehow broken through reproductive barriers~
“After all, it’s the Life Tree Sapling! Just the name sounds so strong! I feel like there’s no way I can win tomorrow~”
Recalling her opponent in the quarterfinals, Little White let out a sigh, completely forgetting the earlier scuffle with Lumiya.
Lumiya, seeing Little White a bit dispirited, tiptoed to pat her gently, signaling her to crouch down a little.
Though confused, Little White crouched down. Lumiya, like some mysterious little fairy of luck, reached out to pat her on the head.
“Don’t worry, you’ll definitely win tomorrow.”
Little White felt much better as she saw Lumiya’s adorable little hand comfort her,
Completely unaware that Lumiya’s hand was secretly glowing with golden light.
As night deepened, most of the crowds in the street dispersed.
Lin Xing helped Lumiya wipe the barbecue grease off her lips, glanced at the pile of snacks in both hands that he simply couldn’t carry, and stuffed them all into the Tamer’s Space.
Lumiya yawned, hugging Lin Xing’s arm and swaying it.
“Lin Xing, I’m sleepy. I want to sleep in the Tamer’s Space.”
She was about to slip inside when Lin Xing grabbed her.
Don’t even think about it. Everyone knew you couldn’t put the wolf and the sheep together.
“If you’re tired, I’ll carry you back!”
Lumiya nodded sleepily, as if she really was tired. But as soon as she was on Lin Xing’s back, a sly gleam flashed in her eyes—she’d won.
If Lin Xing let her in, she could eat to her heart’s content! That would be a big win.
If he didn’t, seeing she was tired, he’d still carry her back—she wouldn’t have to walk herself! That was a small win.
No matter what, she won!
Little White also brought Snowball back to the dormitory.
She placed the Ice Attribute Energy Crystal Core she’d prepared for Snowball next to her pillow, then cheered herself on in the mirror.
“Little White, you can do it! You can definitely beat Lin… the opponent tomorrow!”
Snowball seemed to sense her determination, though something about it felt a little off, but still nuzzled her palm and let out a crisp Dragon Roar in support.
The night passed uneventfully.
At dawn the next day, the sun had just painted the horizon red, but the area around the arena was already bustling.
When Lin Xing arrived at the arena, carrying the still-dozing Lumiya on his back, there was already a long queue at the entrance.
The Audience seats were completely filled.
Some people held up their Terminals to adjust the livestream angle, and there were even people holding up cheering signs with the contestants’ names?!
Lin Xing looked at one of the cheering signs and hesitated, wondering if he’d come to the wrong venue.
For a group of Student matches, having an Audience and a livestream was already something, considering this was a pretty famous Academy Tournament.
But why would there be cheering squads?! Lin Xing admitted he felt a bit jealous.
On the podium, several Instructors had arrived early.
The bearded Instructor was flipping through the Finalists’ files, his gaze lingering repeatedly over several SSS names.
The female Instructor from the East City Branch Academy had long since lost the embarrassment of yesterday’s defeat, focusing intently on her notepad.
But her eyes kept drifting over to Lin Xing and Lumiya.
“Lin Xing! Over here!”
Little White’s voice rang out from the front of the line.
She wore a pale blue battle suit and hugged a lively Snowball, the Ice horn on Snowball’s head shimmering with a pearly luster in the morning light.
Lin Xing quickened his steps, put Lumiya down from his back,
Lumiya rubbed her eyes, showing not the slightest hint of enthusiasm for the match, and spoke entirely out of instinct,
“Lin Xing, where’s my breakfast?”