Chapter 110

Mu Huiyue glanced at the Bagua Jade Spirit Frog, wrapped securely in its light barrier.

The C-grade Light-type defensive skill, Light Wall—Director Hai clearly understood the speed disadvantage of his pet beast. He had opted for a motionless, mountain-like defensive strategy, waiting for his opponent to attack and then countering one strike at a time.

However, the offensive capabilities of White Fang and Mu Huiyue were not so easily thwarted.

“White Fang, Howl!” Mu Huiyue commanded.

The Xiaoyun Can raised its head and let out a long howl. The Bagua Jade Spirit Frog’s movements instantly stalled, and its previously seamless light barrier began to falter, revealing uncovered gaps.

Empowered by the Howl, White Fang split into four, charging forward again using Shadow Step.

As it moved, the Beastmaster’s next command came simultaneously.

“Dark Strike!”

The four Xiaoyun Cans turned into dark streaks, momentarily splitting the Bagua Jade Spirit Frog’s focus. In that brief instant of distraction, White Fang’s true body landed a clean hit with Dark Strike on an unprotected part of the Frog’s body.

“Gwaaah…!” The jade-green frog staggered backward under the tremendous impact, its sturdy legs stretching out as it narrowly managed to steady itself before falling.

While the C-grade skill Dark Strike wasn’t enough to severely injure a mature pet beast, Mu Huiyue didn’t let this perfect opportunity slip away and launched a continuous assault.

“Use Moonburst!”

Dark energy surged and coalesced in the Xiaoyun Can’s mouth before being launched toward the Bagua Jade Spirit Frog, exploding with a thunderous blast just as it landed—

“Waterflow Punch!” Director Hai issued his command before the energy detonation could fully unfold.

The Bagua Jade Spirit Frog’s innate core skill, Waterflow Punch, a C-grade Water-type offensive skill, was now repurposed to achieve a defensive effect surpassing even the Light Wall.

The jade-green frog extended its arms in a stance mimicking the Bagua formation. Vapor swirled around its forelimbs, and the Waterflow Punch burst outward at incredible speed, scattering in all directions. The intense collision of energies significantly weakened the power of the Moonburst.

The adaptive use of an offensive skill for defensive purposes was a high-level battle technique rarely seen among Beastmasters of the same rank. Director Hai’s status as a master-level Beastmaster, qualified to act as an examiner, was well-deserved.

“Keep using Waterflow Punch!” Hai Lin commanded.

The strange water-infused projectiles, propelled by the punches, continued to bounce outward in all directions. After neutralizing the remnants of Moonburst, the water projectiles relentlessly scattered White Fang’s Moon Shadows one by one. Unable to evade in time, White Fang was struck by a water projectile on its back.

“Moonlight Recovery,” Mu Huiyue quickly ordered.

The Xiaoyun Can, using Shadow Step, dashed to a shaded area of the arena. Moonlight Recovery, a Dark-type healing skill, could only activate under the light of the night moon. Although the battle arena within the indoor complex lacked direct sunlight, the shadows in the dimly lit area provided just enough darkness to allow the skill to restore some of White Fang’s stamina—albeit not as effectively as during the night.

Stars of fragmented light began to shimmer across White Fang’s body, like moonlight spilling through the misty clouds. The damage from the Waterflow Punch gradually faded as White Fang’s strength restored.

Mu Huiyue observed the Bagua Jade Spirit Frog, still maintaining its stance in the Bagua formation.

The Bagua Jade Spirit Frog had hardly moved since the start of the battle. It had effectively utilized the Bagua characteristic to form a solid defensive structure around itself, making it a perfect counter to White Fang, a direct assault-type beast.

However, White Fang had been in similar predicaments many times before.

In fact, most of White Fang’s battle experience involved opponents like Elder Eren, who were difficult to hit and nearly impossible to break through their defenses.

No beast could achieve true, absolute defense on the battlefield.

If one round of attack wasn’t enough, then it was time to apply more pressure.

Dark energy swirled in Mu Huiyue’s eyes as she condensed Dark-type energy and transmitted it through the bond of their contract, sending it to White Fang on the battlefield.

The Xiaoyun Can felt a sudden rush of lightness, as though every pore in its body had opened and become clear.

It became far more sensitive to the flow of hidden energy, and the path for releasing its skills grew even more refined.

This wasn’t the usual Battle Resonance commonly used by Beastmasters during combat; it was Energy Condensation!

“Woof!” It growled softly, scratching the ground with its claws, ready to pounce.

“Attack, White Fang!” Mu Huiyue gestured with a wave of her hand.

Xiaoyun Can’s figure almost instantly disappeared from its original spot, several shadowy streaks flashing in the air. When it reappeared, it was already in front of the Bagua Jade Spirit Frog.

“Waterflow Punch,” Hai Lin said with a slight frown, issuing a defensive command.

Mu Huiyue’s Beastmaster talent was Dark-type enhancement. Hai Lin had seen her boost the power of her skills during combat, allowing the fang soldier to deliver a heavy blow to Fei’er’s Sun Blaze Pegasus with a final strike. But the talent she used then was clearly different from what she was using now.

Xiaoyun Can’s skill hadn’t received a noticeable enhancement, but instead underwent some indescribable changes—it seemed to have become… smoother?

With Shadow Step, White Fang’s speed was much faster than before. Before the Bagua Jade Spirit Frog could throw another Waterflow Punch, White Fang had already gained the perfect offensive position.

“Ice Fang!” Mu Huiyue’s command arrived precisely.

White Fang transformed into a shadowy streak on the spot, charging fearlessly toward the Bagua Jade Spirit Frog’s water-encased fist.

With its frosty fangs bared, it swiftly clamped down on one of the frog’s claws.

“Goo-wa!” The Bagua Jade Spirit Frog reacted quickly, spinning around and unleashing another Waterflow Punch. However, Xiaoyun Can dissipated into black mist after being hit.

At the last moment, White Fang swapped places with Moonshadow, successfully evading the frog’s counterattack.

Ice Fang froze the Bagua Jade Spirit Frog’s fist, transforming the Taiji Bagua formation into a half-ice lump and half-uneven water ripples. The massive jade frog shook its hand uncomfortably, and its tightly defensive stance became slack.

Mu Huiyue would never miss any opportunity for an attack on the battlefield.

“Another howl!”

“Light Wall!”

The commands from both Beastmasters rang out simultaneously, but before Hai Lin could finish speaking, he froze in place.

It wasn’t Moonburst?

The distant wolf howl echoed across the battlefield. The Bagua Jade Spirit Frog’s fist had already been half-frozen, and now it was interrupted by the howl. The flowing light curtain seemed to be jammed, unable to condense any further.

“Now, Moonburst!” Mu Huiyue smiled lightly.

The dark energy sphere struck the unguarded abdomen of the Bagua Jade Spirit Frog, and then exploded with a loud bang.

“Goo-wa…” The giant frog could no longer hold itself up, toppling backward and causing the ground to tremble.

With the successful strike, Xiaoyun Can landed back on the ground, its fur shimmering with moonlight like radiant starlight.

Xie Qingwei, who was responsible for recording the data outside the arena, witnessed this round of the battle and couldn’t help but silently exclaim in admiration.

What does it mean to be an excellent student in the battle system? This is what an excellent student in the battle system looks like!

It’s not just about relying on a contract with rare, powerful beasts or differences in Beastmaster talents, but about the brilliant tactics that come from careful thought and observation!

In the earlier rounds, Mu Huiyue not only figured out the Bagua Jade Spirit Frog’s moves but also gave Director Hai Lin a brief illusion, creating the appearance that Xiaoyun Can was eager to rush into battle.

Perhaps it wasn’t just an illusion; Xiaoyun Can truly had that kind of personality. However, Mu Huiyue anticipated Director Hai’s command from this and, before the perfect moment for attack, gave the order to use Howl, breaking the opponent’s defense and allowing the full power of Moonburst to hit.

The Bagua Jade Spirit Frog’s characteristic is Taiji Bagua, which allows it to perceive the waterway of the Kan trigram, making water-type skills work in unexpected ways and with immense power.

Director Hai had been intentionally cultivating this trait since the tadpole stage of the Jade Spirit Frog. It was often seen that in the mornings, he would practice Taiji with the Bagua Jade Spirit Frog on the school’s playground.

However, during the Bagua Jade Spirit Frog stage, Taiji Bagua cannot change the central position, which, while creating a powerful defense, also restricts its offensive patterns.

Mu Huiyue saw this and chose to have Xiaoyun Can break through head-on with the aid of the Beastmaster’s talent.

When Xiaoyun Can used Ice Fang, it simultaneously used Shadow Strike, so quickly that the Bagua Jade Spirit Frog couldn’t react in time. This created all the subsequent opportunities for attack.

Under normal circumstances, it is impossible for extraordinary creatures to use two attack skills at the same time.

Achieving an effect similar to a “combo move” by coordinating different skills is already a rare tactic.

It was the effect of “Energy Condensation” that refined the skill release path, allowing the beast to condense the skill effects during the enhancement time, creating a brand-new skill combination.

Such an interesting Beastmaster talent…

Xie Qingwei’s gaze returned to the battlefield as Xiaoyun Can launched another attack.

At the moment one side finds a breakthrough, the balance of victory begins to tilt.

Director Hai, on the battlefield, felt a long-lost sense of pressure—not from the grown Xiaoyun Can, but from Mu Huiyue, the Beastmaster.

After landing a successful hit, she didn’t let it affect the rhythm of the battle at all. She steadily and methodically wore down the Bagua Jade Spirit Frog’s stamina.

After all, the difference in growth stages and the normal hidden energy values was evident. Xiaoyun Can needed several attacks to defeat the Bagua Jade Spirit Frog, whereas two or more successful hits with Water Flow Fist would be enough to render it incapable of fighting.

Hai Lin, who was also a Beastmaster focused on defense, felt as though Mu Huiyue was the one resembling an impenetrable golden bell, completely without a flaw.

There was no opening to exploit on Xiaoyun Can, but the moment the Bagua Jade Spirit Frog showed even the slightest vulnerability, the opponent would certainly seize the chance to strike hard and weaken it.

Her grasp of battle opportunities was almost as if she were in sync with Xiaoyun Can on the battlefield.

What was even more terrifying was that she was just a freshman who had been in school for less than half a year.

After a few more rounds of confrontation, the Bagua Jade Spirit Frog was again hit by the Moon Explosion and crashed to the ground.

Director Hai lost the battle, yet his expression was filled with satisfaction, his gaze toward Mu Huiyue full of gentle anticipation.

A freshman who had reached level 5 and even passed the advanced Beastmaster examination—such a rising star was in their Jingzhou University’s Battle Department.

This year’s national competition, Jing University would surely redeem itself and show Hong University what they were truly capable of!

The judging terminal floated over. After checking the status of the Bagua Jade Spirit Frog, it flashed with red and green lights.

“The Bagua Jade Spirit Frog has lost its combat ability, Xiaoyun Can wins!”

“Certified Beastmaster: Mu Huiyue, passed the advanced Beastmaster examination.”

“Wang wu—!” Xiaoyun Can, battered from the battle, turned its head and looked at its Beastmaster with eyes full of brilliance.

It had won the battle, overcoming a mature-stage opponent— it had done it!

The effort to learn “Moonlight” had truly been worth it. Without this recovery skill, Xiaoyun Can might not have been able to hold on until the Bagua Jade Spirit Frog’s stamina was completely exhausted.

Mu Huiyue smiled and opened her arms to it. The resonance crystals she wore on her wrist and the one around Xiaoyun Can’s neck both glowed with dark light at the same time.

The light on the crystals interacted and flowed, much like the intense emotions resonating within the contract link at that moment.

Xiaoyun Can leaped into the arms of its beloved Beastmaster, and Mu Huiyue reached out to catch it, rubbing the soft, smooth fur on its neck.

“Great job, you’re truly my Xiaoyun Can!”

“Wang wu!” Xiaoyun Can affectionately nuzzled its Beastmaster’s hand, its face showing pure happiness.

Its cloud-like tail spread behind it, resembling the moonlight pouring down from the night sky.

The light of evolution blossomed in that moment.