The Gale Eagle was a speed-specialized avian pet beast and one of the top candidates for Chen Yue's next contract.
With his promotion to Silver rank approaching, it was time to seriously consider his second beast.
Chen Yue's logic was simple: contract a beast based on what the team currently lacked.
In the world of beast taming, most Tamers chose beasts aligned with their natural talents. For example, a Fire-enhancing Tamer would likely build an all-Fire team. But Chen Yue's nurturing-based talent offered him broader options.
As long as it filled the needed role, Chen Yue didn't mind its type. Complementarity was a bonus, not a must.
Mentally noting the Gale Eagle's info, he turned his focus back to the arena.
The matches that followed were between fairly equal opponents and lacked highlights.
Because they were mostly lower level battles, each match was resolved quickly—usually decided by which side's beast first exposed a flaw that the opponent capitalized on.
After the second round ended, Chen Yue's turn finally arrived.
"Next match: Chen Yue versus Zhang Wen!"
With the audience's attention focused on him, Chen Yue calmly stepped onto the stage and nodded at his opponent after making eye contact.
Zhang Wen also didn't waste words—he gave a small nod and began preparing to summon his beast.
"Three… two… one… begin!"
With the referee's command, both of their Contract Books appeared before them. A flash of white light, and their beasts were summoned.
In front of Chen Yue stood his partner, Bastet.
Across from him was a small Flame Pup.
"Huh? What kind of beast is that? I've never seen it before."
Yun Xiaohai was ready to begin his commentary but was stunned—he couldn't recognize Chen Yue's beast. And considering his level, there were few juvenile-phase beasts he didn't know.
If he hadn't seen it, that meant this beast was no ordinary creature. "I miscalculated… but no rush—let's observe its combat capability first," Yun Xiaohai thought, choosing to stay silent and watch.
"Charge forward, use Flash, then Light Claw!"
Chen Yue transmitted the command telepathically, and Bastet obeyed without hesitation.
It sprinted forward swiftly and, just before the Flame Pup's fireball could connect, used Flash to sidestep the attack and slip behind it—then landed a clean strike with Light Claw on its back.
The sequence was fluid and precise. The Flame Pup, unable to react in time, was sent flying off the stage.
Thankfully, Bastet had held back its power, avoiding any serious injury to its opponent.
Yun Xiaohai blinked in surprise. "Huh? A variable… That white cat has at least adolescent-level power."
His surprise wasn't unjustified. That arrogant youth—Chen Yue's opponent—had been one of his planted contestants, his own nephew.
He had thought this match was guaranteed, but Chen Yue's performance shattered that assumption.
Though the stakes weren't huge by his standards, losing 500,000 Daxia coins still stung.
Despite his swirling thoughts, he maintained the composure of a senior professional. "Chen Yue, victory!"
Bastet leapt back into Chen Yue's arms, and Chen Yue gave a polite bow of gratitude to Zhang Wen.
After stepping off the stage, Chen Yue noticed that the previously arrogant youth now had his gaze fixed on him.
Curious, Chen Yue looked back—only to be met with a sneer, as if the youth already saw him as a defeated enemy.
Chen Yue rolled his eyes and muttered in his head, "Idiot," then returned his focus to observing the ongoing matches.
Time passed amid intense battles.
Finally, the final three were decided: Chen Yue, Zhao Tieshan, and Yun Xianhe.
Zhao Tieshan had made it through narrowly thanks to his natural talent. But in Chen Yue's eyes, Zhao had no real shot at winning.
Even without considering himself, Chen Yue knew Yun Xianhe alone was beyond Zhao's reach.
In Chen Yue's mind, the real showdown for the 500,000 prize would be between him and Yun Xianhe.
Considering Yun Xianhe's exceptional strength and his surname "Yun," Chen Yue was certain this guy was a plant, arranged by Yun Xiaohai.
And after observing Yun Xianhe's battles, he had to admit—the guy had exceptional combat talent.
Whether his gift was nurturing-related or battle-focused, it hadn't been fully revealed yet. But it was clear he had top-tier aptitude.
And his Torrent Frog was an adolescent-stage beast, able to crush all juvenile beasts at this stage of competition.
Though Chen Yue had full confidence in Bastet, he still maintained a cautious mindset.
After all, he had no strong background to fall back on. His only support was himself, and only through caution could he ensure steady progress.
As the two contestants stepped onto the stage, their beasts—Bastet and Torrent Frog—were already summoned and facing off, eyes full of fighting spirit.
Chen Yue remained silent.
Yun Xianhe, in contrast, exuded confidence.
"Hmph! My uncle told me to be careful around this guy, but seriously—what's there to fear? He's clearly a broke nobody. Probably just got lucky and had his beast evolve to the adolescent stage. There's no way I'll lose!"
The moment Yun Xiaohai announced the start of the match, both beasts launched forward.
Bastet attempted the same combo as before, but was immediately disrupted by a Water Jet from Torrent Frog.
Thankfully, Bastet's agility allowed it to dodge easily.
Chen Yue wasn't surprised Bastet couldn't land a hit—after all, Light Claw was a close-range move.
With a thought, he issued a new command. "Use Flash to confuse it and get in close!"
Bastet quickly followed the plan, using Flash to blink around and search for a gap—but Torrent Frog wasn't easily fooled.
"Spray Water Jet in all directions to block the white cat's movements!"
Following the command, Torrent Frog unleashed water blasts in multiple directions, effectively sealing Bastet's movement options.
It even used bounce skills to leap out of range when Bastet got close, frustrating the white feline.
"This Yun Xianhe is annoying—but I have to admit, his tactical thinking is sharp."
Those seemingly random water blasts were all directed by Yun Xianhe.
"But he definitely doesn't know… I have one more trick up my sleeve."
Bastet's glowing eyes sharpened. It used Flash again—but this time, it appeared directly in front of Torrent Frog!
Torrent Frog instinctively tried to jump back, but its order had been to attack.
Yun Xianhe grinned. "Panicked, huh? Heh, perfect time to wreck that cat! Hopefully it screws up his whole high school exam path!"
Just as he began to fantasize, Bastet didn't take damage as expected.
A translucent light barrier formed in front of it, absorbing the Water Jet!
Without hesitation, Bastet followed up with a clean Light Claw that sent Torrent Frog flying out of the arena.
The audience fell silent.
Even Yun Xiaohai stood dumbfounded.
But the silence didn't last long—thunderous applause and cheers erupted soon after.
It was hands-down the most thrilling match of the day.
Though he didn't want to admit it, Yun Xiaohai had no choice.
"Chen Yue, victory!"
Chen Yue scooped up Bastet, the corners of his lips lifting in a slight smirk.
"Five hundred thousand… secured."