Chapter 39: Xiao Xingyu’s Appearance, Display of Extreme Talent!
"Did I hear that right? Wang Yan VS Xiao Xingyu!"
"The matchup list is on the big screen, you heard right!"
"Oh my, what a small world for old rivals!"
The result of Wang Yan's draw was displayed on the electronic screen beside the arena.
The seventh match of the first round was between Wang Yan and Xiao Xingyu.
Wu Shengyou was astonished and then patted Xiao Xingyu's shoulder.
"Brother Yu, fate is really playing tricks on us. You're going to have a rematch with that scoundrel Wang Yan!"
Song Hu folded his arms and sneered, "Hah, so what if it's a rematch? Brother Yu can still crush him!"
The chatter on the spectator stands grew louder.
Everyone in the academy knew about the previous conflict between Xiao Xingyu and Wang Yan.
With their encounter in the first round of the freshman ranking competition, the topic was hot.
**Judges' Table.**
Wang Dongsheng adjusted his glasses and exchanged a look with Wang Yan in the crowd.
Wang Yan looked confident and silently vowed, "Dad, don't worry, I won't let you down!"
Then he glared at Xiao Xingyu, muttering, "Xiao Xingyu, on the arena today, I'll cripple your beast!"
A beast is the lifeblood of a Beast Master.
Especially for entry-level, low-star Beast Masters who have only contracted one beast so far.
Once a beast is crippled, they have to start from scratch.
Xiao Xingyu was highly valued because of the Hell Gale Wolf's extraordinary potential.
The referee announced loudly.
"The first round of drawing is over."
"First round, first match: Lin Qianhan VS Hao Jian!"
"Will both contestants please come to the stage!"
"The match... begins!"
With that, the first match of the first round commenced.
On the judges' panel, Su Ruyan smiled with satisfaction.
Wang Dongsheng flattered her from the side.
"Dean, Qinglong Academy is truly full of talent~"
"This batch of freshmen is impressive, with several having trained remarkable beasts."
"That's all thanks to your excellent leadership, Dean!"
Su Ruyan didn't even look at Wang Dongsheng but casually mentioned, "Vice Dean Wang, how's the investigation into Xiao Xingyu's cliff incident going?"
Wang Dongsheng stiffened, his facial muscles tense, his eyes unfocused.
"Cough, cough, Dean, still under investigation..."
Su Ruyan instructed, "This matter must be thoroughly investigated. Xiao Xingyu is one of our academy's most important talents."
"Find out who's behind it and give Xiao Xingyu an explanation."
Wang Dongsheng nodded and bowed.
"Yes~"
The exchange between the two deans ended abruptly as they continued to watch the match.
Su Ruyan casually glanced sideways and discerned clues from Wang Dongsheng's expression.
"This old fox dared to act against Xiao Xingyu. I'll find a way to deal with him..."
Su Ruyan highly valued Xiao Xingyu and could easily guess the underhanded tactics of the Wang family duo.
However, before Su Ruyan could take action, Xiao Xingyu had already developed a killing intent.
An hour later, the first six matches of the first round concluded.
Qinglong Academy doesn't harbor idlers; even the least talented freshmen have some skills.
Moreover, none of these freshmen were cowards; even if their opponent was stronger, they fought to the end.
Yang Xu, sitting at the commentary table, seemed less than enthusiastic, his voice lazy.
"Folks, the first six matches of the first round are over."
"The twelve contestants tried hard, but the matches weren't exciting enough; I almost fell asleep."
Yang Xu suddenly changed his tone, as if invigorated.
"But!"
"The upcoming seventh match will push the atmosphere of this year's freshman ranking competition to its peak!"
The referee shouted, "Will both contestants please come to the stage!"
Amidst the crowd's attention, Xiao Xingyu stepped onto the arena.
"Xiao Xingyu, I love you!"
"First there were saints, then the heavens, Brother Yu surpasses the living gods!"
"Xingyu, Xingyu, dominate the universe!"
...
The spectator stands were filled with girls cheering their hearts out for Xiao Xingyu.
Xiao Xingyu remained indifferent, showing no emotional response.
In his mind, Daeluo's voice echoed.
"Who would've thought, you're so popular with the girls at Qinglong Academy~"
"Lulu, I'm the heartthrob of Qinglong Academy. Be glad you became my beast."
Though Daeluo was hidden in the Beast Master emblem, Xiao Xingyu could imagine her playfully rolling her eyes.
On the other side of the arena.
Wang Yan appeared.
Xiao Xingyu's eyes flashed with a heavy killing intent!
Daeluo could sense her master's emotional shift.
"Is this the person who caused you to fall off the cliff?"
"Yes, and his father, the hypocrite with glasses on the judges' panel."
Daeluo could share Xiao Xingyu's vision, clearly seeing Wang Dongsheng on the judges' panel.
"This guy with glasses is a six-star Beast Master," Xiao Xingyu teased.
"Think you can't beat him?"
"Who do you think you're underestimating?" Daeluo retorted.
"As long as your spiritual power is just enough for me to unleash one combat skill, I can take him down in a single move!"
This was the confidence of a Beast Emperor form familiar—a seven-star level Beast Master or below was nothing to her.
Before the match commenced, it was time for the trash-talking phase.
Wang Yan smirked wickedly, "Xiao Xingyu, we're meeting on the arena again!"
"Wang Yan, haven't you learned enough from last time?" Xiao Xingyu's words pierced Wang Yan's fragile ego.
The spectators erupted in laughter.
"Xiao Xingyu, this time I will defeat you!" Wang Yan declared arrogantly. "And I'll make you leave the arena in tears!"
Wu Shengyou and Song Hu yelled from below the stage.
"Brother Yu, teach that brat another lesson!"
"That guy doesn't know his limits. Even if Brother Yu gives you three moves, you still won't win!"
Based on the last arena battle, nobody expected Wang Yan to win. After all, he was Xiao Xingyu's defeated opponent, and only about a week had passed since that match.
In just a week, no matter how much one trained, it was impossible to achieve a qualitative leap in strength.
Wang Yan secretly rejoiced.
"Hmph, this is exactly the effect I want—everyone underestimating me!"
"Once I defeat Xiao Xingyu, I'll amaze the entire crowd!"
But his ideal was far from reality.
Wang Yan was lost in his fantasy, unable to extricate himself.
In a corner of the audience, a white-haired beauty sat quietly, resting her chin on one hand, her clear and deep eyes fixed on Xiao Xingyu.
"Sis, why do you keep staring at Xiao Xingyu?" Next to Murong Xinxin sat her older brother, Murong Yangshuo.
"Brother, haven't you noticed?"
"Noticed what?" Murong Yangshuo asked, puzzled.
"Since Xiao Xingyu was rescued after falling off the cliff, his aura has grown much stronger..."
Murong Yangshuo hadn't noticed anything initially, but after his sister's words, he couldn't help but look at Xiao Xingyu a few more times.
"In just a few days, this kid's aura really has strengthened!"
"What did he experience the night he fell from the cliff?"
If the younger generation could notice, the older generation certainly could too.
Su Ruyan's gaze also focused on Xiao Xingyu.
"This little guy seems to be shrouded in a layer of mystery, making him even harder to read."
This was the change that came with contracting a Beast Emperor form familiar.
When someone possesses a powerful trump card, their aura strengthens, becoming inscrutable to others.
The referee shouted.
"First round, 7th match!"
"Wang Yan VS Xiao Xingyu"
"The match... begins!"