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Coach Shen approached, smoothing down the battle pet’s fur.
The Blackfoot Cat stared at everyone, never blinking, and maintained its fierce expression.
“The third match is divided into three parts: improving appetite, calming negative emotions, and helping it sleep. We will assess the winner based on both parties’ performance,” Coach Shen explained.
Responsible for judgment were still Mr. Cao, Coach Shen, and Manager Meng, the three NPCs.
After explaining the rules, Coach Shen gestured for both sides to get started. Within an hour, they were to use the available kitchen ingredients to prepare a meal that would satisfy the Blackfoot Cat.
Leqing showed a confident smile and walked into the kitchen with long strides.
Yun Shan extended her index finger, scratching the chin of the Blackfoot Cat while checking its physical condition. After playing with it for a while, she got up and headed into the kitchen.
As she left, the Blackfoot Cat was reluctant to see her go, stretching its neck out and trying to persuade Yun Shan to continue scratching.
Unfortunately, the heartless bipedal creature touched the cat and then left without a second thought, especially callous and unfeeling!
The Blackfoot Cat watched Yun Shan’s departing figure with full of resentment.
Sensing the battle pet’s emotions, Coach Shen furrowed his brows, asking in a low voice, “What’s wrong?”
This child is usually not clingy and doesn’t allow random people to touch it. What has happened today? Could its condition be worsening?
The worried father, Coach Shen, was filled with concern.
The Blackfoot Cat replied listlessly, “Nothing.”
It was just about someone touching the cat without paying, freeloaders, and then running away. It’s a small matter, the cat can handle it, and the cat doesn’t care.
Hearing the battle pet say it was okay, Coach Shen felt relieved.
In the kitchen, Leqing prepared a cat meal using a whole piece of mutated eel meat, leaving no leftover ingredients for Yun Shan.
Seeing this scene, even Gao Ling, who was clueless about the matter, realized, “Is he planning to bully others by taking advantage of the good ingredients?”
It’s no wonder he rushed into the kitchen immediately, afraid of being preempted.
Yun Shan glanced at the eel meat, realizing that the piece was about the size of a palm and not enough to fill the Blackfoot Cat’s teeth.
“If feeding eel meat could cure a four-star battle pet’s loss of appetite, Coach Shen wouldn’t have to specially invite someone to come and treat it,” Doctor Xia calmly analyzed.
Leqing’s movements paused briefly, perhaps having heard Doctor Xia’s analysis. However, he quickly resumed, appearing unaffected.
On the side, Doctor Liang was also busy. It seemed they had planned and were working together.
At that moment, Gao Ling suddenly understood the opponent’s plan—whether they could effectively treat the four-star battle pet or not, as long as they outperformed them, they could win the match. The idea was simply blunt and straightforward.
“Leader, can you handle it? Will you be able to cope?” Gao Ling asked.
“If I couldn’t cope, how could I be called a leader?” Yun Shan chuckled lightly.
In an instant, Gao Ling felt reassured, standing firm and resolute.
Doctor Xia, on the other hand, actively inquired, “Is there anything I can help with?”
“Not necessary,” Yun Shan politely declined. “I must personally prepare the cat meal for it to be effective.”
So, Doctor Xia and Gao Ling stood shoulder to shoulder, resolutely determined.
In the eyes of their competitors, this was seen as—
“You know you can’t win, so you’re already planning to give up?” Leqing felt assured of his victory, his smile growing even brighter.
“Perhaps it’s because of concern that others’ clumsy actions might interfere, so they do everything themselves,” Doctor Liang objectively commented.
Leqing’s smile froze for a moment as he looked at Doctor Liang, wondering why this NPC seemed so oblivious.
Unexpectedly, He Rong also added, “The outcome is not yet decided. Stay focused and do your best, don’t be careless.”
Leqing feigned a serious and meticulous appearance, but inwardly, he was skeptical.
Even before the competition began, he had learned that Coach Shen’s Blackfoot Cat was extremely picky about food and only barely ate a few bites of mutated eel meat. It wouldn’t even look at anything else. So, the moment he obtained the ingredients, he was already assured of his victory. No matter how his competitors struggled, they wouldn’t be able to turn the tables.
If you don’t prepare in advance before a competition, who’s to blame if you lose?
Leqing felt extreme disdain, keeping a straight face and dutifully carrying out his tasks.
After 40 minutes, both cat meals were almost completed simultaneously.
Due to Leqing and Doctor Liang’s joint efforts, they were slightly ahead in preparing the meals and brought them to the Blackfoot Cat first.
“Eel-covered rice, please enjoy,” Leqing said as he set down the food. He then gave a knowing smile, as if he had already foreseen his own victory.
The eel-covered rice had neatly arranged chunks of eel on the top layer, with rice, broccoli, carrots, and boiled eggs underneath. It looked enticing and was a feast for both the eyes and the palate.
The Blackfoot Cat glanced at the meal, walked over courteously, and then… proceeded to eat all the eel meat without touching anything else.
It was a failure. Doctor Liang let out an almost imperceptible sigh.
Apart from the eel meat, the Blackfoot Cat didn’t touch anything else, just as rumored.
Originally, they wanted to see if they could help the cat. Now, Doctor Liang was just relieved that Leqing had listened to him and used all the eel meat. No matter what, it could ensure a victory in the competition.
When it came to Yun Shan, she approached with a bowl, “Fish Bone Balls.”
The fish bones, meat, and skin were minced and seasoned to form small balls, then fried until golden, creating the Fish Bone Balls.
Yun Shan had used this snack to feed Dahei in the past, and they had successfully formed a deep bond. Now, she was enticing the Blackfoot Cat with the Fish Bone Balls, and the aroma filled the air in no time.
The Blackfoot Cat stretched its neck, wanting to see what was emitting such a pleasant fragrance.
When the golden balls were placed in front of it, the cat sniffed cautiously, then tasted one. The crispy, aromatic ball was beyond its expectations, and its face showed surprise.
After that, the Blackfoot Cat ate heartily, its cheeks bulging and eating quickly, as if it had been starving for three months.
Loss of appetite and pickiness? Nonexistent.
“You…” Leqing was incredulous, thinking that Yun Shan was cheating.
How could a cat that was known to be picky about food suddenly eat the food she provided and enjoy it? There must be something wrong!
Unfortunately, before he could say anything, Coach Shen stepped forward, overwhelmed with joy. “Eating is good, eating is good. Look at you, you’ve slimmed down lately.”
As he spoke, he lovingly stroked his beloved battle pet.
The Blackfoot Cat, which had previously had smooth and shiny fur, now had sparse and rough fur, looking emaciated and devoid of flesh.
It appeared quite pitiful.
Mr. Cao sighed, “Truly a divine doctor, so amazing!”
Manager Meng’s eyes sparkled with wonder, “Yun Shan, you’ve surprised me again.”
Doctor Xia smiled, “I knew that no matter what others could or couldn’t do, Doctor Yun Shan would definitely succeed.”
Their own Doctor Liang shook his head in resignation, “Facing Yun Shan, we can’t win.”
The NPCs all seemed to be brainwashed, looking at Yun Shan with utmost admiration. It was as if she could achieve what others couldn’t, a completely normal thing.
Although there were three team members on their side, four opponents, and three judges on the field, Leqing couldn’t shake off the inexplicable feeling of being surrounded by the enemy.
It was as if, apart from himself, there were no allies around.
Leqing felt a surge of panic and couldn’t help but look at He Rong, seeking reassurance.
To his surprise, He Rong was also looking at him. He moved his lips silently, asking, “Didn’t you say you had this in the bag?”
Leqing hadn’t actually said that, but his demeanor had certainly conveyed that sentiment.
He immediately blushed, feeling embarrassed, and stammered, “I don’t know why these people are acting so out of character. And the Blackfoot Cat is willing to entertain them…”
They had agreed that the cat wouldn’t eat anything except the eel meat, but in the next moment, it had a change of heart. The four-star battle pet was too fickle, and its temperament was too hard to fathom.
Useless!
He Rong restrained his urge to curse, pressed his temple, and began contemplating what to do next.
If they could win just one more match, the opponent would win the entire competition. As he thought about the potential consequences of defeat, everything seemed to go dark before him.
In this moment, he was filled with deep regret, wondering why he had impulsively chosen to challenge them. It felt like he had dug his own grave in a fit of jealousy.
…Wasn’t this a despicable act?
The more he thought about it, the darker his expression became.
The series of “godly” moves he had made after opening the shop had turned out to be a source of immense embarrassment, bringing him to a point of social humiliation. In comparison, any potential impact on the subsequent business of the newly opened pet hospital didn’t seem to matter.
“If we can’t win, a draw is acceptable,” He Rong’s expression was grim. “Absolutely, we must not lose!”
“I think Yun Shan cheated,” Leqing pondered and became increasingly convinced that his suspicions were valid. “She must have used some means that we don’t know about to secure the victory.”
“What means? How did she do it?” He Rong asked.
Leqing couldn’t provide a clear answer.
“What evidence do you have? Any proof?” He Rong inquired again.
Leqing couldn’t produce any.
He Rong remained expressionless, “Next time you try to back out, make sure you come up with a more plausible excuse.”
Leqing fell silent.
He wanted to argue that his suspicions were valid. Why should Yun Shan be able to succeed when others couldn’t? How could a one or two-star player break the rules and achieve what others couldn’t? It was obviously problematic!
But when it came down to it, I couldn’t say anything. Because without evidence, everything was just speculation.
Leqing swore that he would keep a close eye on Yun Shan and not let her succeed again!
In the midst of the conversation, the Blackfoot Cat devoured the Fish Bone Balls and licked the plate clean. After that, it circled around Yun Shan, attempting to find something else delicious to eat, even at the expense of its dignity!
It lay flat, hoping Yun Shan would make another meal for it.
However, Yun Shan looked towards the judges, waiting for them to announce the results.
“In the first round, Yun Shan wins,” Coach Shen declared.
Mr. Cao and Manager Meng nodded in agreement, expressing their approval.
“In the second round, to calm the Blackfoot Cat’s negative emotions,” Coach Shen stated.
He Rong looked at the “little tail” Blackfoot Cat, which followed Yun Shan everywhere and couldn’t be shaken off, his gaze deep. “This competition doesn’t seem quite fair.”
“We gained the trust of the Blackfoot Cat by our own abilities. Where’s the unfairness in that?” Gao Ling countered. “If you’re able, you can also build a good relationship with it and soothe it properly.”
“To comprehensively assess the capabilities of both sides, we decided to divide the competition into three rounds,” Coach Shen said solemnly. “If you can’t cure its picky eating, and can’t calm the battle pet’s irritability, I believe the outcome is already clear, and there’s no need to continue.”
He Rong remained silent.
According to the NPCs, it was either to continue the competition as it was or to declare Yun Shan the winner directly, with no other possibility.
What else could he say?
He could only signal to Doctor Liang and Leqing, urging them to do something quickly.
Doctor Liang tried to approach, but the Blackfoot Cat ran off ahead of him.
Leqing tried to intercept the battle pet, only to be slapped on the hand. In resignation, he had to ask Coach Shen for help, “Could you please hold it?”
Coach Shen: “…”
If even approaching it was impossible, what was the point of speaking about soothing it?
“Please figure it out for yourselves,” Coach Shen stood still, indifferent.
Gao Ling really adored NPCs! They were so fair, adorable, and amusing.
“Yes, since this is a competition, we should indeed figure it out ourselves,” she earnestly agreed.
If they lost this round, there would be no third round.
Thinking this, Leqing resorted to a killer move.
He pulled out a sachet, opened it, aimed it at the Blackfoot Cat, and then, in an enticing tone, murmured, “Come here.”
The Blackfoot Cat’s nose twitched as it caught the scent, seemingly bewitched, and proceeded step by step towards Leqing.
Yun Shan also caught a whiff of the medicinal fragrance in the air. She sniffed and felt a strange familiarity.
The next moment, she remembered where she had smelled it before, and her expression changed immediately. “It contains mutated catnip! Seal it and throw it away!”
Leqing sneered.
Catnip has a fatal allure for cats. This was a critical item he had managed to acquire, and it was the key to winning the competition. How could he just throw it away?
He felt that Yun Shan was jealous, envious of his comeback and about to take the upper hand. Therefore, not only did Leqing not seal the sachet, but he deliberately opened it wider, allowing the Blackfoot Cat to have a good sniff.
“Mutated catnip can drive cat-like creatures into a frenzy, making them lose control! Throw it away!!” Yun Shan emphasized, her tone growing more forceful.
Leqing: ???
Upon hearing this, he was completely stunned. Although he didn’t know whether it was true or not, he decided to put the sachet away just in case.
However, it was already too late to retract his hand.
The Blackfoot Cat’s eyes were filled with bloodthirsty fervor, fixed on Leqing, like a hunter locking onto its prey.
** After the catastrophic changes, both animals and plants underwent varying degrees of mutation.
In the past, earthworms were a nutritious part of a duck’s diet.
Now, white ducks suffer from stomach aches after consuming mutated earthworms.
In the past, eel meat was a suitable food for cats.
Now, even after mutation, it remains suitable for feline consumption without adverse effects.
In the past, inhaling catnip would just excite cats, without causing substantial harm.
Now, when exposed to the scent of mutated catnip, battle pets among feline creatures lose their sanity.
Leqing misjudged the situation and landed himself in a big mess.
The Blackfoot Cat took aim at its prey’s neck and delivered a vicious scratch.
Leqing’s eyes widened, but before he could say anything, he dissolved into a flash of light.
He Rong thought that losing the competition was bad enough, only to find the situation taking a turn for the worse—after a series of “godly” maneuvers, he was on the brink of losing his game qualification!
He was too preoccupied, swiftly retreating, and intent on getting away from the frenzied Blackfoot Cat.
In fact, while Yun Shan issued a warning, Lu Liu stepped forward, attempting to subdue the frenzied battle pet. However, Leqing’s actions led the Blackfoot Cat to not be saved.
By the time Leqing (the in-game character) died, Lu Liu had managed to restrain the Blackfoot Cat, determined not to let it harm anyone else.
Gao Ling glanced at He Rong. “Are you the only one running away? Have you no sense of decency?”
As she spoke, she stepped forward and pulled Doctor Liang away.
Doctor Liang, still shock, looked at Gao Ling with a hint of gratitude and emotion.
With the abrupt turn of events, Coach Shen was momentarily caught off guard. Upon regaining his composure, he joined the battle, hoping to subdue the battle pet as quickly as possible to prevent further harm.
“Doctor Yun Shan, can’t you think of something?” Doctor Xia was extremely anxious. “That person recklessly used medication, and the cat is innocent. But if it goes berserk in the camp, it will face severe penalties.”
“I understand,” Yun Shan took out a medicine packet and tossed it to Lu Liu. “Let the cat smell this, the scent will help it calm down.”
Lu Liu bound the Blackfoot Cat with vines and then approached with the medicine packet.
As soon as it was opened, the Blackfoot Cat sniffed it, and its lost composure began to return. At the very least, it seemed to realize it had done something wrong and no longer struggled or resisted as fiercely as before.
“After forming a bond, battle pets generally become more docile,” Yun Shan looked at Coach Shen, her gaze carrying a hint of inquiry. “But there are always exceptions. Is the Blackfoot Cat falling ill due to congenital deficiencies? Was it involved in an accident? Or is it… because of you, as its owner, having mental health issues, which have affected its bond with you?”
Coach Shen’s facial expression underwent a subtle change, seeming to be touched at the core yet also struggling to contain himself.
Yun Shan earnestly suggested, “Before treating the battle pet, would you consider seeking treatment for yourself?”
A four-star battle pet losing control was one thing, but a four-star expert potentially losing control?
Lu Liu frowned inwardly and, facing Coach Shen, adopted a defensive posture.
Just as she was being cautious, Coach Shen’s eyes turned bloodshot, as if he was about to have an attack.
Yun Shan, “…”
Revealing his condition seemed to incite madness—was he so averse to seeking medical help?
“Quick, step back,” Gao Ling held Doctor Xia with her left hand and Yun Shan with her right, swiftly leading them away.
Dahei stuck close to Yun Shan, not leaving her side.
The others followed suit, moving away.
Mr. Cao was sweating profusely, never expecting this competition to be so intense.
Manager Meng had long operated her black wristwatch. Now, she calmly stopped and quietly awaited reinforcements.
The owner falling ill, the Blackfoot Cat seemed to be on the verge of another frenzy.
Lu Liu had the vines bind the Blackfoot Cat, and she confronted Coach Shen.
After a few rounds, the sudden appearance of the four-star Golden Feathered Eagle brought a halt. With a single slap, it restrained the Blackfoot Cat, preventing it from moving recklessly.
Zhu Hong took advantage and, with a silver needle, pierced a pressure point, immobilizing Coach Shen.
“Why are you here?” Lu Liu inquired.
“This is the coach’s dormitory at the training ground, and I live next door,” Zhu Hong explained. “I received a notification from Manager Meng and rushed over immediately.”
No wonder he arrived just in time.
Lu Liu turned to Coach Shen, her expression turning cold. “You concealed a serious illness, clearly intending to endanger the camp’s safety. Knowing the consequences, you are guilty of a more serious offense.”
Once one person and one cat were subdued, the others dared to approach.
Gao Ling intentionally asked, “Trying to pacify the beast resulted in it going berserk. The outcome should be quite clear, shouldn’t it?”
Manager Meng nodded. “Yun Shan wins.”
Mr. Cao agreed, “I agree.”
The two judges made their judgment, and the outcome was decided.
He Rong, who should’ve been feeling a headache, realized that… it wasn’t so bad? At least he was still alive, still in the game, and could think of a different approach in the future.
Leqing, who had thought he was fully prepared and absolutely capable of winning by trickery, had completely miscalculated and lost his game qualification.
Just as He Rong was thinking this, Doctor Liang bowed to him and said, “I have limited abilities and don’t deserve significant recognition. Therefore, I take my leave.”
He Rong: ???
How could he lose the competition and then have over a dozen NPC talents he had painstakingly hired leave?
“Doctor Liang, your medical skills are superb. There’s no need for false modesty,” He Rong glanced at Yun Shan, paused slightly, unwilling to admit defeat. “Losing was an accident due to encountering a strong adversary.”
“The act of challenging others in their territory wasn’t right to begin with… and then losing…” Doctor Liang shook his head, sighed, and continued, “You’d better seek other options.”
As he spoke, disregarding He Rong’s attempts to detain him, he left quickly.
As he passed in front of Gao Ling, he stopped and muttered softly, “Thank you for helping me just now. If it’s not too much trouble, let’s exchange contact information. Just let me know if you need anything in the future.”
Gao Ling, a bit dazed, exchanged contact information with the NPC. As the others walked away, she still hadn’t quite understood what had happened.
Yun Shan sighed, “Simple-minded people have their blessings.”
During the recent turmoil with the Blackfoot Cat, while He Rong was focused on saving himself, Gao Ling had specifically helped Doctor Liang, deeply moving him. As a result, Doctor Liang voluntarily resigned and wanted to befriend her.
If she sent a few gifts in the future and timely made a request for recruitment, Doctor Liang would probably agree. Despite his lack of defense against Yun Shan, the fact that He Rong valued him would indicate his competence.
With the first round victory and the ability to control the situation, Yun Shan approached to check on the Blackfoot Cat’s condition.
First bound by vines, then pinned down by the Golden Feathered Eagle, the Blackfoot Cat was covered in dust and appeared quite pitiful. At this moment, it buried its cat face into the medicine packet Yun Shan had given, taking a few breaths.
Perhaps due to the medicinal effects, the Blackfoot Cat’s eyes gradually cleared, and its frenzied emotions greatly subsided.
“You’ve had quite a rough time,” Yun Shan said while lifting the Blackfoot Cat and soothing its back.
The Blackfoot Cat, comfortable, narrowed its eyes, showing a rare moment of docility.
Just then, as if affected by something, Coach Shen’s body suddenly ejected the silver needle. Subsequently, he let out a roar and charged straight at Yun Shan.
While Lu Liu was discussing with Zhu Hong about the next steps, Coach Shen suddenly broke free and intended to attack Yun Shan!
Lu Liu, with a stern face, commanded the vines to attack, but she was a step too late.
At this critical moment, Dahei valiantly protected its master, biting Coach Shen’s calf and preventing him from getting closer.
Yun Shan, seeing Coach Shen pouncing over, understood what was happening. It wasn’t an ambush, but rather a lack of clear consciousness, a subconscious desire to seek comfort from her.
However, she was a professional doctor!
A grown man, casually rushing at her like that!
Without hesitation, Yun Shan used the cat as a projectile and tossed it.
“Meow?” The Blackfoot Cat looked bewildered as it hit its owner’s nose.
Due to their bond, Coach Shen wouldn’t go so far as to harm his battle pet out of madness. He was momentarily stunned and then subdued by Lu Liu and Zhu Hong.
“When seeking treatment, one should have the right attitude. I absolutely won’t treat someone like you who leaps at me out of nowhere!” Yun Shan reprimanded sternly. Just the thought of almost being embraced by Coach Shen made her feel resistant.
Lu Liu, “…”
Zhu Hong, “…”
The two looked at each other in silence, deeply concerned.