Beast Taming: Bloodline Golden Hand

Lin Chen didn't stay at the scene for long. After leaving with Daoist Zhang, he quickly asked, "Where is Ning Tian?"

"Currently in the clinic."

Daoist Zhang took Lin Chen to the clinic, and finally learned from the doctor that for the future of the Ningtian Spirit Beast, Ning Tian could only withdraw from the competition early.

Lin Chen didn't console Ning Tian, because given Ning Tian's character, he didn't need such comfort.

On the way back to the courtyard, everyone's spirits were low.

With one fighter short, the next matches equate to them having only eight points, one less than other teams.

"Now we can only hope that in tomorrow's match, one of their teams will also have an injured member," Daoist Zhang sighed.

Lin Chen nodded as well.

With Ningtian's Spirit Beast unable to participate, the fact that Cangling Ancient Country is at a great disadvantage in numbers is now a foregone conclusion.

...

The next day, the second match began. Many spectators considered this match the most thrilling, even seeing it as the finals coming early.

The reason being that Beiming Country was regarded as the only nation capable of challenging the Youlan Empire.

This time, Beiming Country's performance matched that of the Youlan Empire, making many believe this was the most promising tournament yet.

"This year, Beiming Country is even stronger than last year. At this rate, the ancient nations are really going to decline."

"Indeed, East Sakura Country's strength isn't weak either this year."

Many people sighed with feeling.

On Blue Star, the three ancient countries and the three new nations have, in recent years, increasingly shown signs of weariness.

Around nine in the morning, the match officially began, and Lin Chen also went to watch it.

Although the Cangling Ancient Country now had one less member, it wasn't without opportunities.

There are precedents in history where teams have won despite being outnumbered.

The first to enter the arena were the third-year students, who fought the fiercest battles.

The Spirit Beasts of third-year students were at Level 43, possessing the sixth skill, making their matches more thrilling with greater possibilities for change.

Beiming Country fought tenaciously, but the Youlan Empire was truly powerful.

In the three rounds with the third-year students, Youlan Empire won every time.

Then came the three rounds with the second-year students, ending with one win, one loss, and one draw.

The most anticipated in the freshman bracket was the battle between Dick and Balke.

Balke's law-evolution Spirit Beast consistently enjoyed high popularity because it's incredibly rare to see a law-evolution Spirit Beast in everyday life.

As for Dick, he was hailed as the king of the freshmen.

In the last round, Lin Chen's performance was astonishing, but in the gambling and external ratings, he still ranked third.

The advantage in level was secondary, with only a Level 1 difference; the most important factor was Xiaobai's quality. Currently, Xiaobai was still an Advanced Spirit Transformation, and being ranked third already showed that both the casino and the spectators highly recognized it.

...

In the tavern, when Zhang Jin pushed open the door, he saw a pure white little dragon leaping in the air, astonishing him greatly.

At this moment, Zhong Nan's fingers were forming a strange seal, and one could see his entire body enveloped in white golden light.

"Teacher, you..."

Zhang Jin was so anxious that he was sweating.

Zhong Nan was performing the Qi Observation Skill.

This skill is a special divine art that only the Cangling Ancient Country could learn, and it needs to be used in conjunction with the Spirit Dragon.

The Qi Observation Skill greatly depletes one's lifespan, and although it doesn't claim to see the future, it can guide the National Preceptor in making decisions.

Zhang Jin had repeatedly warned before that Zhong Nan, being weak now, should definitely not use such divine arts.

Originally, taking the Life Returning Pill was already a huge depletion, and Zhang Jin was contemplating how to restore Zhong Nan's health once the effects of the Life Returning Pill ended.

Now that Zhong Nan activated the Qi Observation Skill, the consumption was even greater.

However, since it was already activated, it could not be stopped.

A few minutes later, Zhong Nan, who had been keeping his eyes closed, opened them, glanced back at Zhang Jin, and said, "The Life Returning Pill is indeed effective. I haven't used a Qi Observation Skill of this level in a long time."

"Teacher, what was significant enough for you to use the Qi Observation Skill again?" Zhang Jin naturally dared not blame Zhong Nan.

Since what was done was done, saying more was useless.

Zhong Nan exhaled before retracting the Spirit Dragon back into the Beast Taming Space, then said, "Lin Chen."

"Lin Chen?"

Zhang Jin was puzzled; he thought Zhong Nan used it for Bai Ling.

Upon recollection, after Zhong Nan came back from watching Lin Chen yesterday, he had been mulling over something by the window.

Could Zhong Nan have discovered something about Lin Chen?

"Jin'Er," Zhong Nan's voice interrupted his thoughts, saying, "I want to meet Lin Chen, but no one else must know about this."

"I'll arrange it right away." Zhang Jin bowed, leaving with a face full of wondering.

He had also checked out Lin Chen; his temperament was entirely different from Bai Ling's, more suitable for the position of National Preceptor.

But Lin Chen clearly wasn't someone blessed with fortune, so he couldn't possibly occupy that position.

Nonetheless, given Zhong Nan's instructions, he had no choice but to comply.

....

The freshman bracket match wasn't as intense as imagined. After the disastrous defeats of the higher two levels, Beiming Country seemed inclined to adopt a conservative strategy in combat.

The first battle was the epic clash between Balke and Dick, yet it was a shame both restrained themselves. Ultimately, Balke conceded, concluding the match.

Observers clearly understood that Beiming Country's team believed even if Balke fought with all his strength, victory against Dick was not assured, hence opting for this cautious strategy.

This approach was understandable.

The records of the previous two levels were already poor; unless there was confidence that the freshmen could sweep all three rounds, fighting would be pointless otherwise.