Chapter 69: Transcendence Realm Level One Is Nothing Special [2-in-1]
“By the way, I see that most of those coming out have only one Pet Beast. Didn’t they say you can bring multiple Pet Beasts?”
Ge Bai casually asked Xiao La Jiao.
“The Preliminary Competition these two days generally features Mortal Spirit Realm and early Transcendence Realm contestants. At this stage, being able to cultivate one Pet Beast well is already pretty good.”
“If two Pet Beasts both reach Transcendence Realm, that would pretty much be the top few spots in the Preliminary Competition.”
Hearing Xiao La Jiao’s explanation, Ge Bai’s understanding of the City Level Arena Competition Preliminary became clearer.
A whistle sounded.
The match between Mystic Phoenix and Black Panther officially began.
Mystic Phoenix, with its air superiority, indeed had some advantage. Black Panther paced in circles on the ground, while Mystic Phoenix circled in mid-air.
Without keeping the audience waiting too long, after a slight adjustment, Mystic Phoenix dove straight toward Black Panther. Upon entering mid-to-close range, its wings on both sides spread wide, with a wingspan reaching about half a meter.
Feather Attack!
Five feather-shaped air blades shot out from each wingtip, fanning toward Black Panther.
Black Panther was no slouch in combat either. With a backward leap, it barely evaded the fan-shaped feather air blades.
At the same time, it quickly darted behind Mystic Phoenix. Mystic Phoenix, in the midst of using a skill, hovered in the air, its body slightly pausing, unable to react in time.
Black Panther leaped up, its front claws reaching upward with force, claw tips wrapped in Spiritual Power, gleaming silver with a metallic sheen.
At the last moment, Mystic Phoenix flapped its wings to gain height. It was just a hair’s breadth away—Black Panther had nearly reached Mystic Phoenix’s tail.
Failing to land the strike, Black Panther regretfully landed and had to seek another opportunity.
“Mystic Phoenix, watch your height.”
Beast Tamer Hao Hao reminded it in time.
Mystic Phoenix, now at a higher altitude, continued circling, and upon finding an opportunity, dove again.
This time, Mystic Phoenix still assumed the wing-spreading posture, as if preparing another round of Feather Attack.
Black Panther, closely watching Mystic Phoenix, noticed this. Feather Attack was, after all, a mid-to-close range attack. To make it effective, it had to enter low altitude, which was already within Black Panther’s attack range.
Black Panther crouched low, preparing to meet the Feather Attack and seize the opportunity.
Just as it circulated Spiritual Power to its limbs, with the jumping motion ready and poised to leap again, a change occurred.
Mystic Phoenix, with wings spread, did not launch Feather Attack. Instead, a sharp, piercing bird cry emanated from its beak.
“Black Panther, careful.”
Black Panther’s Beast Tamer urgently issued the command, but it was already too late.
He hadn’t expected Mystic Phoenix to feint like this when it could have safely launched a Sonic Wave attack from a distance.
If Black Panther had time to circulate Spiritual Power to its ears, it might have resisted, but now, suddenly hit by the Sonic Wave attack, Black Panther clearly felt dizzy and couldn’t even stand steady.
In that instant, Mystic Phoenix dove from high altitude, seizing the chance to charge straight at Black Panther’s front.
Its hard Bird Beak gathered Spiritual Power fluctuations and fiercely pecked toward Black Panther’s eyes.
Black Panther could barely move, instinctively raising a claw to swipe and lowering its head to dodge.
How could such a counterattack hurt Mystic Phoenix?
By the time Mystic Phoenix landed the strike and flew up again, Black Panther on the ground was already covered in blood on its face.
But Mystic Phoenix clearly had no intention of stopping there. It quickly hovered in the air, spread its wings, and launched another round of Feather Attack at close range.
This round of fan-shaped feather air blades all smashed onto Black Panther.
Black Panther grunted and heavily fell to the ground.
“We concede!”
Black Panther’s Beast Tamer immediately signaled to the Referee without hesitation, and the Referee acknowledged it.
“Mystic Phoenix fought very smoothly this match.”
As soon as the match ended, Ge Bai couldn’t help but exclaim.
“That Black Panther was actually quite unlucky. Besides its claws, it didn’t get to use skills like Lightning Ball—lack of Battle experience.”
Xiao La Jiao also gave her timely commentary.
The victorious Mystic Phoenix easily flew back to its Beast Tamer’s side. Hao Hao raised one arm steadily to catch it, and the human and Pet Beast left the stage.
“Mr. Hao Hao, hello. This is the schedule arranged for you by the competition today. The next few matches are all Challenge Higher Level matches.”
As soon as Hao Hao returned to the Waiting Area, a Staff Member handed him the schedule. He quickly scanned it—three contestants total: two Mortal Spirit Realm Level 7 Beast Tamers, and the third was what?
He frowned and looked closely: Mortal Spirit Realm Level 5 Spirit Planter?
Clicking on Ge Bai’s detailed information, Hao Hao was somewhat speechless. This really was the Preliminary Competition—what kind of contestants dared to show up.
If not for the competition rules not allowing the challenged party to refuse Challenge Higher Level matches, he wouldn’t even feel right going on stage.
“Alright, please arrange the Battles as soon as possible. Best to do these few in a row. After finishing, I’ll apply to challenge a Transcendence Realm Level 2 contestant.”
Hao Hao handed the schedule back to the Staff Member. Even winning these wouldn’t boost his ranking much—he wanted to advance a couple more spots.
Jinggang Spirit Plant Research Institute.
Lu Nan was carefully tending to the Weeping Ancient Willow Saplings in the nursery room.
“Record air quality, humidity, and Spirit Plant growth data every half hour.”
“Add some Nutrient Solution—Wind Element one, not too concentrated, or it’ll affect growth. Call that Wind Dodobird over too, have it use Wind Whisperer skill, try to boost the Wind Attribute Spiritual Power in the entire nursery room.”
Lu Nan at work was quite reliable, meticulously instructing the room full of Researchers.
Cultivating these few Weeping Ancient Willow plants was the most important matter at Jinggang Spirit Plant Research Institute recently.
Oh, no—actually, the few Spirit Plants concerning Ge Bai were equally important.
Thinking of this, Lu Nan felt a bit sour. Why did he suddenly feel like he’d fallen out of favor? Just as he was getting all sentimental, his Mobile Terminal dinged. He immediately set down his work and picked it up.
This was a special function he’d set up: AI-screened valuable new messages about Ge Bai from across the web, pushed to him promptly with a reminder.
This ding was his special alert tone. Heaven and earth as witness—before, only Professor Luo Wan had a special reminder set for him.
When he opened the Mobile Terminal, he found it was a video from the Spirit Planter forum.
Weeping Ancient Willow easily defeats Mortal Spirit Realm Level 4 Flash Fire Rabbit?
Lu Nan frowned. What was Ge Bai doing!
He knew Big Willow’s data better than anyone—beating a same-level Flash Fire Rabbit was like playing, what was the point.
So embarrassing!
Besides, had she gone to Plum Garden for the Trial? Running off to the Arena Competition instead—completely neglecting proper duties.
Lu Nan shook his head tsk-tsking. Sure enough, among the Spirit Planters favored by Professor Luo Wan, only he was the most reliable.
Senior Sister wasn’t, Ge Bai wasn’t—only him!
With that thought, Lu Nan sent Ge Bai a message, unleashing full mockery mode.
[Gone to the Arena Competition to bully kids? Look at you! At least do a Challenge Higher Level!]
Ge Bai had just received the Waiting Area reminder and also saw Lu Nan’s message.
He replied directly: [Next match is against Transcendence Realm Level 1.]
Lu Nan hadn’t expected Ge Bai to reply instantly. Seeing the message, he froze on the spot.
What? What did Ge Bai mean?
It really wasn’t him egging Ge Bai on to fight a Transcendence Realm Level 1! What to do!
If Ge Bai got utterly crushed, and then Professor Luo Wan found out he’d instigated it, he’d be stuck working overtime for a year…
[Don’t be impulsive!]
[I didn’t tell you to fight Transcendence Realm Level 1!]
The panicked Lu Nan sent more messages to Ge Bai, but they sank like stones into the sea. He anxiously paced back and forth in the Office.
No good, it was too late to rush to the scene now.
Lu Nan’s brain finally started turning.
After thinking, he opened his computer and pulled up the Preliminary Competition live stream window. Still not reassured, he had to watch closely.
——
City Level Arena Competition Preliminary Waiting Area.
When Ge Bai arrived with Big Willow and Qian Dai, Hao Hao had just gone on stage.
The Staff Member who had just registered Ge Bai came forward.
“Please wait a moment. If there are no surprises, the match after next will be yours against contestant Hao Hao.”
No surprises meaning Hao Hao smoothly handles the two Challenge Higher Level contestants ahead of Ge Bai.
Ge Bai neither confirmed nor denied, found a spot with a good view that wasn’t in the way, and stood there continuing to watch the match.
The match progressed very quickly. Both consecutive opponents barely troubled Yellow-collared Golden King Xuanfeng.
Watching the second contestant get knocked down by a round of Feather Attack, Ge Bai, who had been leaning against the wall, straightened up and brushed the dust off from the wall.
“Big Willow, Qian Dai, ready? Time to go on stage.”
“Liu Gu!”
“La!”
Bringing Big Willow and Qian Dai onto the Arena, Big Willow directly shifted to normal size, while Qian Dai obediently stayed curled in Ge Bai’s arms.
Ge Bai raised his hand to signal the Referee that they were ready.
Hao Hao over there glanced indifferently at Ge Bai and her group, having already signaled readiness when they took the stage.
The Referee didn’t delay and directly blew the whistle for the match to start.
Yellow-collared Golden King Xuanfeng circled above Hao Hao’s head. Hearing the whistle, it dove straight toward Big Willow.
“Wind Blade, full power.”
Unlike the previous match, Ge Bai took command from the start.
Big Willow infused Spiritual Power into Willow Threads at various angles. Nine Willow Threads lit up simultaneously, the flung Wind Blades nearly sealing off all paths forward for Xuanfeng.
Probably Hao Hao being overconfident, he hadn’t briefed Xuanfeng at all about Big Willow.
Faced with the barrage of Wind Blades, Xuanfeng clearly had no mental preparation. Its body paused, sidestepping to dodge and hastily pulling up.
Not just Xuanfeng—Beast Tamer Hao Hao, seeing Big Willow’s round of Wind Blades, also frowned.
Hao Hao said in a deep voice to Xuanfeng, “Xuanfeng, don’t panic. The opponent’s level is much lower than yours.”
Hearing Hao Hao say that, Ge Bai couldn’t help but snort coldly.
True, the level difference was 5 levels, but if he dared underestimate Big Willow’s Wind Blade based on Spiritual Power Level alone, let’s see how he handles taking a couple hits.
Just now backstage, Ge Bai had already Communicated with the System to view Xuanfeng’s detailed information.
Spiritual Power Value: Transcendence Realm Level 1 79.43/1000
Skills: Sonic Wave-Beginner; Feather Attack-Proficient; Vajra Beak-Proficient.
This Spiritual Power Value and Skill Mastery were bottom-tier even among early Transcendence Realm. In terms of overall strength, this Yellow-collared Golden King Xuanfeng might not be as tricky as Qian Dai with its Space Skill.
Big Willow’s Wind Blade mastery was nearly maxed out at Proficient—it’d break into Profound Meaning stage in just a couple days.
Barely dodging the first round of Wind Blades, Xuanfeng readjusted its form and dove again.
“Wind Blade, blockade, two rounds.”
“Liu Gu”
Though Ge Bai’s command was brief, Big Willow understood perfectly.
“Second round Wind Blades shift position, prepare to relocate Big Willow.”
After confirming Big Willow got the instruction, Ge Bai assigned Qian Dai’s task.
This time she was more detailed, and Qian Dai listened attentively.
“No problem, got it.”
Qian Dai responded crisply.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, whoosh
Big Willow’s first round of Wind Blades more precisely calculated Xuanfeng’s dive path, firing four staggered shots.
Seeing Big Willow’s this round of Wind Blades, Hao Hao’s originally clenched right fist relaxed a bit—he thought Big Willow was running out of steam.
Actually, neither Big Willow nor Ge Bai expected this round to damage Xuanfeng; they just wanted it to disrupt its dive.
After one round, Big Willow fired 6 more Wind Blades toward Xuanfeng.
By now, Xuanfeng had entered Feather Attack range. It dodged flexibly, and after evading this round, without hesitation spread its wings, firing 5 feather air blades from each wingtip.
It’s steady!
Seeing the fan-shaped Feather Attack heading for Big Willow, Hao Hao felt assured.
Spirit Plants have poor Movement Ability and generally can only stand still to output—that was common knowledge. He didn’t believe a Mortal Spirit Realm Level 4 Weeping Ancient Willow could dodge his Xuanfeng’s Feather Attack, let alone tank a round and still stand.
“Ou!”
Before the Feather Attack reached Big Willow, something changed on Xuanfeng’s side first.
The 6 Wind Blades that Xuanfeng had already dodged suddenly turned angles, reappearing from behind, above, and other visual blind spots, attacking it again.
Xuanfeng had no anticipation at all. Plus, having just used Feather Attack required hovering, so its reaction was already slow. By the time it sensed the Wind Blades’ Spiritual Power Fluctuations and fierce wind, it was too late.
All 6 Wind Blades smashed into Xuanfeng. It cried out in pain as the Wind Blades severed several feathers, leaving clear blood marks.
Injured.
“Xuanfeng!”
Hao Hao hadn’t expected Big Willow’s Wind Blade Attack Power to be this strong—even stronger than Xuanfeng’s Feather Attack.
Xuanfeng could hardly control its body in the air, desperately flapping its wings through the pain during the fall.
Seeing Xuanfeng still holding on, Hao Hao didn’t signal the Referee anything but stared fixedly at Big Willow.
From Hao Hao’s view, they hadn’t dodged this round of attacks, but it wasn’t over—their Feather Attack still needed a response.
It happened in a flash—while Hao Hao was thinking, the front of the fan-shaped Feather Attack was nearly touching Big Willow’s Willow Threads.
Instantly, a ripple of Space Distortion appeared behind Big Willow, and its form vanished.
The fan-shaped Feather Attack passed over where Big Willow had stood, all landing on the Arena.
“Impossible!”
Hao Hao’s eyes widened in disbelief as he shouted.
Heh.
Ge Bai snorted coldly.
The impossible wasn’t over yet.
“Big Willow, Storm Willow Blade Hammer. Qian Dai, get the emergence point right.”
“Got it!”
Big Willow and Qian Dai responded together.
Xuanfeng was stunned seeing Big Willow disappear, looking around left and right.
Suddenly, it sensed Spiritual Power Fluctuation behind it, whipped around, and saw Big Willow appear, steadily positioned in mid-air.
Hao Hao saw this too. No matter how shocked he was, he didn’t forget to remind: “Xuanfeng, get away!”
Too late.
The moment Big Willow appeared, Storm Willow Blade Hammer swept toward Xuanfeng with storm force.
At such close range, Xuanfeng had nowhere to evade.
Hit by Storm Willow Blade Hammer, Xuanfeng spat blood, fainted outright, and plummeted from the sky like a ragged cloth.
