Just as Chen Shu was 'frantically' trying to resuscitate Tang Lie, the battle on stage had reached its conclusion. Though both were A-rank Fire-attribute contracted spirits, Wang Qinghan had lost by a narrow margin. This was the gap between pay-to-win players and free-to-play players!
To nurture his sister, Wang Qinghan had poured out most of his resources—he'd even taken out high-interest loans. Life had been rough. His Fire Elemental Spirit hadn't even been fully fed flame potions, so naturally it couldn't match up to the Fire Bird.
With the exciting match over, everyone finally turned their attention back. There lay Tang Lie, covered in white bandages, motionless, looking utterly peaceful.
"What's going on? Why's he already got the white cloth over him?"
"Quick question—can we eat now?"
"I call the kids' table!"
Quite a few people gathered to look. When they spotted the blackened state of Tang Lie's crotch, a collective chill ran through their hearts.
Chen Shu shook his head, as if mourning the loss of his dear friend, putting on a solemn expression. He lowered his head and murmured, "Young Master Tang, if you're willing to pay me one yuan, I'll show up at your funeral dressed all in black with black sunglasses, holding a microphone, and passionately sing for you... 'Today is a Good Day.'"[1]
Upon hearing this, Tang Lie's body lurched violently—like a zombie rising from the dead.
"I'll fucking... kill you!"
"If your body's not up for it, don't push yourself. Just rest and recover!"
Chen Shu grabbed the remaining bandages and wrapped Tang Lie's head up tight, making him look like a giant rice dumpling.
"Where's the patient?"
Just then, two school doctors in white coats walked in, carrying small medical kits. Shen Wushuang had called the infirmary the moment things went south. If she'd really let Chen Shu keep going, Tang Lie might've ended up with permanent damage—though mentally, the trauma had already set in...
"We need to get him to the infirmary for treatment!"
Both school doctors' mouths twitched. Just looking at these injuries made their balls ache in sympathy.
Chen Shu spoke up, "Young Master Tang should go get treated first. With injuries like these, you probably can't compete anymore anyway!"
"Wait!"
Tang Lie lurched back to life yet again, his voice weak but straining to project his masculine dignity.
"Let me keep competing!"
He pointed at an empty corner and declared, "Chen Shu, you're finished! You're absolutely finished!"
Seeing this, everyone's mouths twitched as they struggled not to burst out laughing—the bandages were blocking his vision, so Tang Lie had no idea where Chen Shu actually was.
"Young Master Tang, you're pointing the wrong way."
Wang Yun stood beside him looking embarrassed, gently redirecting his hand.
"Since that's the case, let the match continue!"
Shen Wushuang gave Tang Lie a once-over. He looked pretty pitiful, but with current medical technology, he'd recover easily enough.
"Next match! Tang Lie versus Xu Xingxing!"
Tang Lie unwrapped the bandages from his head, his gaze locked dead onto Xu Xingxing. All three of Chen Shu's group had gotten their stomps in. That sensation was something he never wanted to experience again for the rest of his life.
"A kick-to-the-groin grudge cannot share the same sky! I'll deal with you first."[2]
Tang Lie was helped into a wheelchair. Right now, he felt like he could do this again.
"Hssss!"
Just as his emotions peaked, he accidentally tugged at his crotch area, and his expression instantly twisted in pain. His classmates couldn't help but laugh. The former top student had been reduced to this sorry state by Chen Shu.
Xu Xingxing summoned her contracted spirit. The Mutant Thunderbird appeared, looking magnificent and elegant as it preened its feathers. The Wind Runner Beast materialized as well. Sensing its master's rage, it too became fierce and aggressive.
SCREECH!
The Wind Runner Beast shrieked continuously, taunting the Mutant Thunderbird.
Ptoo!
The Mutant Thunderbird spat out a glob of saliva with a bratty expression. The Wind Runner Beast barely dodged in time—it hadn't expected this bird to be so shameless. The Thunderbird then started shaking its butt, as if to say: THIS is how you taunt someone!
One look at this display and the Wind Runner Beast flew into a rage. Azure light shimmered across its wings as its speed spiked dramatically. It tore toward the Mutant Thunderbird.
"You think you can outspeed my bird?"
Xu Xingxing smirked. The Mutant Thunderbird flapped its wings once and instantly pulled away. Though both were A-rank flying-type contracted spirits, the gap in speed still existed.
"You think you can stall forever?"
Tang Lie sneered. His Wind Runner Beast didn't rush to give chase. Instead, it let out a clear cry. An azure light flashed like teleportation, sinking into the Thunderbird's body. This was its innate skill, 'Wind Binding'—especially effective against fast contracted spirits. The Mutant Thunderbird, previously swift as lightning, suddenly slowed down considerably—now slower than the Wind Runner Beast.
"Even if I lose, I'm gonna humiliate you first!"
Xu Xingxing's expression remained calm. She'd never planned on winning the championship anyway. Lightning gleamed in the Thunderbird's eyes as its speed suddenly surged, seemingly canceling out Wind Binding's effect. But only temporarily. Once the skill duration ended, it would slow down again.
The Thunderbird's sharp gaze locked onto a certain spot on the Wind Runner Beast. With a powerful flap of its wings, it launched an attack.
"You're asking for death!"
The Wind Runner Beast extended its talons, wind-attribute energy coating them—clearly another combat skill. Three skills total. Worthy of an A-rank contracted spirit.
If those talons connected, the target's defense would be shredded instantly. But the Mutant Thunderbird's speed reached its absolute peak as it circled the Wind Runner Beast, its eyes gleaming with malicious intent.
"Little thing's pretty good at hiding, huh? Finally found it!"
In that instant, a sinister blue glow flashed in the Mutant Thunderbird's eyes. Its talons shot out, kicking viciously toward the Wind Runner Beast's... indescribable region.
As everyone knows, this weakness isn't exclusive to humans. Though the Mutant Thunderbird's attack power wasn't great, the Wind Runner Beast's defense was equally lacking. It wouldn't cause serious injury, but agonizing pain was inevitable!
"AAAAHHHH!!!"
The Wind Runner Beast's eyes bulged from their sockets as searing pain shot through it. Its body shook violently, nearly plummeting to the ground. Everyone below shuddered. This Thunderbird was shameless beyond all limits.
But if anyone could truly empathize, it was Tang Lie down below. His face cycled between green and white, clearly reliving his recent tragic experience.
Everyone else gazed at Tang Lie with pity and sympathy. He'd just experienced this agony himself, and now his contracted spirit hadn't escaped the same fate. Going up against Chen Shu's trio? Just accept your fate early...
"Yeah! Teach that white-furred beast a lesson for being so cocky!"
Xu Xingxing clenched her fists below, cheering her Mutant Thunderbird on.
"From now on, memorize what my Thunderbird looks like. When you see me coming, get out of the way. Got it?"
"Little thing's pretty good at hiding!"
The Mutant Thunderbird exploited its temporary burst of speed, repeatedly trampling the Wind Runner Beast's weak point—and its soul along with it. Anguished screams echoed through the Beast Taming Arena.
The two school doctors' mouths twitched. Was this really a Beast Tamer competition?
"Alright! I'll let you off for now!"
Seeing the skill's duration about to end, Xu Xingxing dropped one last taunt and recalled her contracted spirit. Tang Lie felt a surge of stifled blood in his chest, suffocating him. His body began convulsing like he was having a seizure.
If there was one thing to take away from the Special Training Class's first competition, it was this: the light had left Tang Lie's eyes... and his Wind Runner Beast's too.