Astral Pet Store (WN)
chapter-320

Chapter 320 Group Match

Qin Shaotian was the one always acting low key. There was another formidable opponent.

Liu Jianxin.

He had been rated third in the online competition where people voted for promising champions!

Liu Jianxin, a genius from the Liu family’s direct line.

Liu Jianxin had participated in the previous Elite League. With his stunning performance, he had managed to win a spot among the Top 10. This year was his last chance to take part in the Elite League. Afterward, his age would exceed the upper limit and he would no longer be eligible.

He was determined to win this time. Before the Elite League even began, he had attracted much attention.

Besides, Primo, which was well-known in the base city, had publicly stated that they guaranteed Liu Jianxin would be a Top 5 winner this time!

This publicity had built up his fame even more. Since he started at the branch venue, he had stayed at the center of attention and many believed that he was very likely to win the championship!

Indeed, Liu Jianxin had not let people down thus far. Every time, he would defeat his opponent and end the fight almost instantly. It would be either by killing his opponent immediately or his opponent directly admitting defeat.

During the hunting match at the trials, two other participants were ferocious enough to finish off half of the participants in their groups. Otherwise, people would think Liu Jianxin was the most likely champion.

When the audience saw that Liu Jianxin and Qin Shaotian were in the same group, their chanting was loud enough to wake the dead. Everyone was looking forward to the group match which would certainly be more intense than ever!

With those two popular opponents in the group, fewer people paid attention to Su Lingyue. Even so, she wasn’t invisible. Those that did notice her knew that she was the girl that an emerging pet store claimed was going to be the ultimate winner!

That store had said big words. Whether they could make it happen, well, the next match was going to be important.

If the girl couldn’t even make it to the Top 10, then that store’s claim would become a joke.

In the staging area.

The Liu family.

Sitting in the middle was not Liu Jianxin, but Liu Qingfeng, the current future family head of the Liu family.

He was wearing a cyan robe which gave him an elegant look. He was not as popular as Liu Jianxin but he didn’t seem to care at all.

Those of the Liu family who sat around him obviously regarded him as the most important. Not even Liu Jianxin took the voting online seriously.

That voting activity was open to everyone. As far as they were concerned, the public was always blind and ignorant. The public could only see what ringleaders wanted them to see. Without standing at the peak, one could never truly see the outline of the world and the minute details.

“Jianxin, that Qin Shaotian has been hiding his abilities well. Not even I am confident to win against him. When it comes to the worst situation, you can admit defeat,” Liu Jianfeng said. His voice was gentle and composed.

Hearing the words, Liu Jianxin wore a different look.

He knew that Qin Shaotian was a rare talent in the Qin family, even having claimed his father’s place as the future family head. Liu Jianxin had once seen the videos of Qin Shaotian’s battles at the branch venue and the trial but he had failed to see Qin Shaotian through.

“Sir, do you want me to try and find out what trump cards he’s hiding? At the very least, we have to know what his major pet is,” Liu Jianxin replied after some thought.

Liu Qinfeng darted him a glance. “We of the Liu family cannot be stepping stones of another. We can let others deal with this tough issue.

“Do not forget that you must make it to the Top 5. I know that it should be Liu Yuan’s problem but you said yes and the competition between the Liu family and that store is known by all. If you lose, Liu Yuan won’t be the only one embarrassed, but the entire Liu family!”

“Right.” Another young man of the Liu family nodded, worried.

Liu Jianxin took a deep breath. “I understand.”

“Save your strength if necessary. Make sure that you can get to the Top 10 first.” Liu Qingfeng’s calmness never changed.

Liu Jianxin nodded.

At the same time.

At the place where the Qin family was gathered.

Only four from the Qin family were among the last one hundred participants.

Including Qin Shaotian.

“That Liu Jianxin is going to be a problem. He participated in the previous Elite League and is aiming for the Top 5 places. You must be careful!” a young man whispered.

Another man was also visibly concerned. Of course, he was not worried about Qin Shaotian losing against Liu Jianxin. However, he was afraid that Qin Shaotian might be worn out at this group match. He would have to face tougher characters later on. Indeed, it wasn’t Qin Shaotian’s luckiest day, for him to be in the same group match as Liu Jianxin. Qin Shaotian seemed to be about 23 years old. The childishness had just vanished from his face; he had a handsome look. However, since he was serious in speech and manners, he appeared to be aloof and proud.

He sat up straight. “I heard that this man also uses swords. Interesting.”

The other young men who had tried to warn him produced bitter smiles. This Qin Shaotian was not only a formidable battle pet warrior but also a sword maniac.

“I’ll have to fight them…”

Su Lingyue sat on a chair alone. She turned a bit pale when she saw the group she was in on the screen.

She remembered Qin Shaotian well. When she took the test to select the Top 1000 participants, she heard that loud noise which was still fresh on her mind.

Apart from Qin Shaotian, Liu Jianxin was another one whom she had been watching closely. He, too, was a powerful opponent. She didn’t expect that she would meet the two so early at the group match.

“I can do it. I can do it…” “Nope, Frosty can do it. Frosty can do it…” “I cannot drag her down. I must stay calm. Calm down..”

Su Lingyue rumbled on and on in a low voice to free herself from the pressure and to keep her mind sane.

She had seen the true strength of the Moonfrost Dragon. Otherwise, she would have been reduced to tears.

As of that moment, although nervous, she could still find some confidence in her.

Right. I should be fine as long as I don’t slow my pet down.

“Hi,” someone said to her all of a sudden.

Startled, Su Lingyue turned around. It was the guy who had claimed to be Su Ping’s student.

“Aunt.” Xu Kuang grinned shamelessly. Su Lingyue was confused. “Aunt?”

“Right, you’re my teacher’s younger sister so I should call you aunt.” Ku Xuang sounded quite serious.

Su Lingyue finally understood what he meant. She rolled her eyes at him. “Don’t call me that; I asked him. You’re not his student… Half a student at best.”

Of course, she was happy to find someone who would talk to her with such respect. Yet, she knew that things had changed. She would rather not take such trivial advantages. On the off chance that this guy had some malicious intent, and she admitted that Su Ping was his teacher, this guy could take the chance to strut about using Su Ping’s name. That would tarnish Su Ping’s reputation.

“Well, half a student is still a student,” Xu Kuang answered but soon gave up on the topic. He lowered his voice and continued, “Anyways, your group is tough with those two. Has my teacher given you any secret weapons?”

Su Lingyue put her guard up at once. “Why?”

Seeing her reaction, Xu Kuang realized that he had pried into her secret. “Nothing. Don’t misunderstand me. I was just asking,” Xu Kuang explained in a hurry. “Hmm.” Su Lingyue pulled a long face. “None. I am relying on myself.”

“Er…”

Xu Kuang couldn’t find any words to reply.

“Go back and get ready. Be careful.” Su Lingyue threw him a glance. His question was offensive but she could tell that he didn’t do that on purpose.

Xu Kuang was relieved to see that Su Lingyue was less angry. He nodded with a smile. “Don’t worry. I won’t let you down!”

After Xu Kuang left, Su Lingyue saw someone else walking towards her.

It was Ye Hao, Su Yanying, and two other people: Luo Fengtian and Yu Weihan from the Berserking Blade Academy she had met once.

The four didn’t know that they would look for Su Lingyue at the same time. The surprise encounter made them stop for a second. Since they were already there, to turn around and leave would be more embarrassing. Ye Hao took a look at Luo Fengtian. The latter had once pinned him on the ground and shamed him at the academy. They met yet again. Enemies sure walked a narrow path.