After stepping down from the stage,
the audience had already erupted into chaos.
Lin Xing’s silent and seamless control just now had left many people’s pupils trembling in shock.
“What was that just now? Spatial Attribute? He just broke through to Stage 1 and can already use it so proficiently?”
“Wu Yan lost too miserably—both the Beast and the Beast Tamer sides were completely overwhelmed! There was no way to win!”
The discussion in the mentors’ section was even more heated. The white-haired mentor stroked his beard with emotion.
“This Lin Xing isn’t just blessed by fortune. His understanding and use of Magical Attributes far surpass others of his level. He’s just made a contract last night, yet he’s already mastered the Spatial Attribute!”
The female mentor from the South City Branch Academy didn’t care at all about losing face anymore! This was absolutely the making of a future powerhouse!
“The key is he just broke through to Stage 1! Given time, this child’s achievements may be limitless.”
As for the main character being discussed by everyone, at this moment, he was surrounded by two little ones.
Little Cui was busy showing off her own strength, while Lumiya pouted and tried to cut her down to size.
Lin Xing looked helplessly at the two who were bickering, and just as he was about to step in and mediate, the arena broadcast sounded again, reminding the next group of Semifinals contestants to prepare to enter.
“The next Semifinal match: Little White versus Lu Guang! Will both contestants please enter the arena!”
As the broadcast ended, Little White took a deep breath and gripped Snowball’s paw tightly.
Yesterday’s Su Qing still left Little White somewhat puzzled, and Lin Xing’s performance in the evening had also shocked her.
She had wanted to go congratulate Lin Xing, but now she had to focus all her energy on her new opponent! Lin Xing had already reached Stage 1, and she didn’t want to fall too far behind!
On the other side of the arena, a young man dressed in a sleek black suit strode out slowly.
He stood tall, his eyes sharp as an eagle’s, and he exuded a cold aura that warned strangers to keep away.
At his feet walked a panther, jet-black all over and larger than a typical leopard.
Its fur gleamed like polished obsidian, its pupils were a bizarre shade of dark purple, and wisps of black smoke curled around its four paws.
Each step landed soundlessly, as if it had melted into the shadows.
“That’s Lu Guang from the West City Branch Academy! His Beast is the SSS-class Nether Rift Panther!”
Someone in the audience recognized the youth and cried out in alarm.
Lin Xing frowned slightly; he’d read about the Nether Rift Panther in the records.
This kind of Beast was famous for its speed and stealth. Its Dark Attribute attacks even carried a corrosive effect.
Little White’s usual tactic was to open with White Mist Domain, establishing an area of great advantage for herself.
In a direct confrontation, she’d have some edge.
But this Nether Rift Panther was clearly a master at striking from the shadows—a real disadvantage for her!
The referee saw both sides were ready and loudly declared,
“Begin!”
“Nether Rift!!”
As soon as Lu Guang spoke, the black smoke around the Nether Rift Panther surged violently.
Its body transformed into a streak of black lightning, pouncing silently at Snowball.
Its speed was pushed to the limit, leaving only an afterimage in the arena. Even the air itself seemed to split with a faint tear.
Little White didn’t need to give instructions.
Snowball raised his head and sprayed a massive cloud of icy-blue mist, which quickly spread out and shrouded everything within ten meters, instantly coating the ground in a thin layer of ice.
The Nether Rift Panther’s form vanished in the icy mist.
The next second, a black shadow shot out from the darkness behind Snowball, its sharp claws enveloped in black energy, slashing at Snowball’s back.
The moment the shadow appeared, Snowball spun around, instantly condensing an Ice Shield from the surrounding ice elements.
“Clang!”
Claws collided with the Ice Shield, sending out an ear-piercing screech.
Cracks spiderwebbed across the shield, and black energy seeped through the cracks, corroding it.
The Ice Shield visibly vanished at a speed that could be seen with the naked eye.
Snowball staggered back two steps from the impact, but still steadfastly protected Little White behind him.
Lu Guang’s lips curled into a cold smile.
“Not a bad reaction, but that kind of defense isn’t nearly enough!”
Though he was an assassin-type contestant, in the end, this was still just a competition.
Thinking that Little White wasn’t his match at all, he didn’t mind showing off a bit with some extra words.
The Nether Rift Panther let out a low, rumbling growl.
Dark energy around it congealed into countless Black Vines, which snaked toward Snowball from all directions.
Those vines radiated a strong corrosive aura, scorching black marks into the ground wherever they touched.
“Snowball! Extreme Cold Ice Blade!”
Cold light flashed from Little White’s fingertips, resonating with Snowball’s ice elements.
Countless blades of ice shot out from the mist, precisely striking the Black Vines.
When the ice blades clashed with the vines, they sizzled as two powers canceled each other out, holding each other in a deadlock.
Just then, the Nether Rift Panther’s figure disappeared into the shadows again.
Little White tensed. She knew the Nether Rift Panther was using its speed and Dark Attribute energy to vanish, looking for a chance to strike from hiding.
“Snowball, expand the mist—Ice Spike!”
Snowball understood immediately.
The icy mist spread out to fill the entire arena, and countless Ice Spikes sprouted from the ground, spreading outward from Little White and Snowball as the center.
No matter which way the Nether Rift Panther tried to attack, it would have to touch an Ice Spike and reveal its position!
Yet the Nether Rift Panther seemed to merge completely with the darkness.
The Ice Spikes looked more like decorations on the field—there wasn’t a trace of movement.
Neither of the Beast Tamers dared to move rashly. Little White worried that if she moved, the Nether Rift Panther could strike from anywhere and take her down, while Lu Guang knew that stepping directly into Little White’s White Mist Domain would be a huge hassle.
The match seemed to fall into a stalemate.
At that moment, a shadow swooped down from the very top of the arena—it was the Nether Rift Panther!
Dark energy around it condensed into a massive Black Claw, which came crashing down on Snowball with world-shattering force.
Sensing the threat above, Little White and Snowball moved at the same instant!
This attack was clearly charged and well-prepared. Dodging recklessly might only make things worse.
Little White decisively poured almost all her internal ice element magic into Snowball’s body.
Snowball lifted his head and let out a clear Dragon Roar.
Icy blue light flared around him, and a massive Ice Wall rose from the ground, blocking above both of them.
“Boom!”
The Black Claw crashed hard onto the Ice Wall. The wall shattered instantly, with chunks of ice flying everywhere.
Snowball was blasted backwards by the shockwave and hit the ground, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.
The Nether Rift Panther, too, was briefly stunned by smashing into the Ice Wall.
But it ignored its bleeding paw, shook its head, and quickly stood up again.
It then let out a mighty roar.
The dark energy around it gathered into a Dark Shockwave, spreading toward Little White and Snowball.
Little White knew she was out of strength. She hugged Snowball tightly and closed her eyes.
Just then, Snowball suddenly leapt in front of her, the ice elements around him forming a giant ice sphere, shielding them both inside.
The Dark Shockwave struck the ice sphere.
Cracks rapidly spread across the surface, and the sphere eventually shattered, sending Snowball flying once more. This time, he lost consciousness.
“Snowball!”
Little White cried out, rushing over to hug the fainted Snowball. Tears finally spilled from her eyes.
The referee hurried over to check, and announced Lu Guang’s victory!
Lin Xing and Lumiya rushed up onto the field.
Lin Xing checked Little White’s injuries, then took Little White and Snowball to the Medical Ward for treatment.
Little White nodded, hugging Snowball tightly, filled with guilt.
“It’s all my fault for being too weak. If only I were a bit stronger, Snowball wouldn’t have been hurt.”
Lumiya patted her on the shoulder and, for once, spoke seriously.
“You already did great. That Black Cat really isn’t easy to handle. In the next match, I’ll help you give him a beating!”
Lin Xing agreed.
“That’s right. This time was just a narrow loss. We’ll work hard and get stronger together. Someday, we’ll win it back.”
Seeing the sincerity in their eyes, Little White wiped her tears and nodded.
“Mm! I’ll do my best!”
The arena broadcast sounded once more, announcing that the Semifinals had ended and the Finals would be between Lin Xing and Lu Guang.
Lin Xing looked over at Lu Guang, who looked back at him. Their gazes met in midair, and each saw the fighting spirit in the other’s eyes.
“See you in the Finals,” Lin Xing said, his tone calm but his eyes tinged with a hint of compassion.
This kid… hope Lumiya doesn’t traumatize him too badly.
“See you in the Finals!” Lu Guang replied, clenching his fist. He knew that Lin Xing would be the strongest opponent he’d faced so far. Lin Xing had made it look effortless against both Zhao Lei and Wu Yan—he didn’t even need to bring out both his Beasts!
But Lu Guang was different! He had confidence in himself!
Little White hugged the revived Snowball and walked to the edge of the arena to cheer for Lin Xing.
“Lin Xing, you have to win!”
Snowball raised his head and let out a Dragon Roar as well, telling Lumiya her little brother had been bullied.
Lin Xing smiled back at them, then turned and walked toward the center of the arena.
Lumiya shed her usual laziness and landed, transforming into her human form.
Her golden vertical pupils sparkled with excitement.
“Dare to bully Little White and Snowball! You black-spotted Hakimi, how dare you act so cocky!”