Chapter 124: Give Your Opponent Some Respect!
Chapter 124: Give Your Opponent Some Respect!
The Martial Soul and Soul Power Level did not matter much.
What was important was the information about the Soul Pet.
“Green Caterpillar… Huh? Its Soul Power Cultivation is so high! Six hundred and thirty years! Wow, it seems my first opponent isn’t entirely simple.”
As a top student, Zhou Yan noticed the oddity at a glance.
The Green Caterpillar’s Soul Power Cultivation was unusually high, yet it had not evolved.
Raising a Green Caterpillar to such a high Soul Power Cultivation definitely meant the owner was trying to play weak to catch the strong off guard.
Otherwise, who in their right mind would train one that high?
Did they have money to burn?
Either that, or it had undergone a mutation.
“What a pity, this is the Qihang Cup. I’ll check if this Green Caterpillar has mutated once I’m on stage.”
Zhou Yan snorted a few times. “Trying to play weak here is a mistake. Looks like I’ll have to crush a student’s dream in the very first match.”
“I’m just too cruel.”
Soon, he arrived at War Zone 23.
“Both contestants, please come to the stage and prepare! For the first match of the Qihang Cup, we hope you’ll put on an exciting duel for the audience at War Zone 23!”
On the edges of the combat platform, there were raised platforms on both sides.
On the left was the referee, and on the right was a beautiful female commentator.
At the moment, the young lady was holding a colorful microphone and speaking.
Her voice was loud.
But there wasn’t the slightest bit of noise; it was even melodious, like pleasant music.
Clearly, this wasn’t something an ordinary microphone or broadcasting device could achieve, especially since there were no speakers around.
Yet her voice carried throughout the entire combat zone.
That was her Martial Soul.
Her Martial Soul was the Color-Sound Microphone, and behind her were Soul Wings—the wings of a lark.
The lark was a Sky Element Soul Pet with a very beautiful and melodious voice. Although its combat power was low, its voice possessed strong power. It could inspire life and bring healing to the heart.
Combined with her Martial Soul, her voice was enhanced even more perfectly.
“Professional.”
Wang Che, who had stepped onto the stage, nodded. Compared to the Dawn Cup, this was indeed much more professional.
There was even a commentator, and they were all amateur Soul Pact Masters with Martial Souls.
Amateur Soul Pact Masters typically worked in various professions.
As the contestants stepped onto the stage, Wang Che looked at his opponent, and various pieces of information surfaced in his mind.
Zhou Yan, Martial Soul: Lighter, Soul Power Level: 2.
Soul Pet: a Flame Spined Mouse at 350 years, second-stage evolution, a Rare Soul Pet.
The information was quite interesting.
It was important to know that the opponents assigned randomly by the network system were matched based on both sides’ basic information.
In short, the system considered that a Green Caterpillar with 630 years of Soul Power Cultivation and no evolution was roughly equivalent to a second-stage evolved Flame Spined Mouse with 350 years of Soul Power Cultivation.
Because of the difference in Racial Potential, one year of Soul Power Cultivation growth for a Flame Spined Mouse was roughly equivalent to two years of Soul Power Cultivation growth for a Green Caterpillar.
Factoring in attribute advantages and later training estimates, the 630-year Green Caterpillar was evenly matched with the Flame Spined Mouse.
Well, that was how the system calculated and analyzed it.
The assignments basically followed this principle.
In fact, this was the intuitive feeling for most people.
Theoretically, the first assigned opponent was usually evenly matched.
Of course, there were also cases with one strong and one weak contestant—for example, if someone’s Soul Pet had extremely high Soul Power Cultivation and grade.
If the system deemed them too strong and couldn’t find an equally matched opponent, then it would resort to completely random assignment.
If you met such an opponent, you could only blame your bad luck.
Of course, that was the theory behind assignments. In reality, well…
“Great! Both contestants are full of spirit! For the first match, give it your all!”
The female commentator, who had probably already received the match information, immediately began her commentary:
“On the left, we have a Flame Spined Mouse—a powerful Soul Pet with very high body temperature. Don’t be fooled by its Soul Power Cultivation not being too high; its actual combat strength is nothing to scoff at!”
“On the right, well, we have a cute Green Caterpillar. Its Soul Power Cultivation is quite high, so it must not be simple either! Hmm! It’s very spirited; right now, it’s scratching its head with its tail!”
“The match is about to begin! Please give them a round of applause!”
Clap clap clap clap~
The audience on-site started clapping enthusiastically.
Most of the audience were students from various grades, along with office workers who took time off to pursue their dreams, and teachers from different schools… The chatter was lively, but their eyes were shining with anticipation!
There were many people.
The first match was always highly anticipated.
Even if it wasn’t exciting, everyone wanted to see something new.
“Green Caterpillar, perk up!”
Wang Che said. “Don’t act so carefree—give your opponent some respect!”
Only then did the Green Caterpillar reluctantly stand properly.
For the first match, based on the opponent’s information,
Wang Che decided not to use Telepathy to fight. He temporarily cut off the Telepathy connection with the Green Caterpillar using his Divine Sense.
He would rely on verbal commands for the battle.
Telepathy was a very important trump card.
It had to be saved.
No need to use a sledgehammer to crack a nut.
Wang Che had experienced many competitions in his life.
In his previous life, there were all sorts of sect tournaments, regional life-and-death battles, and so on.
To win a championship in a competition, the most important thing was to conserve strength. The more trump cards you had, the more stable you were, and the further you could go.
Everyone understood the principle—it just came down to who managed each match better.
Of course, a little bit of luck was also needed.
Otherwise, if you ran into a too-strong opponent, you’d have to reveal a trump card early.
There was another situation: if you were strong enough to feel you could overpower all your opponents, that was different.
At this moment, you could hold nothing back.
After all, nobody had beaten you in the matches anyway.
Wang Che rarely encountered such situations.
There should still be many geniuses in the Xiyue Continent, so he couldn’t be underestimated.
Zhou Yan, on the opposite side, was carefully observing the Green Caterpillar.
At that time, the Green Caterpillar still hadn’t changed much. The Mecha Fall Armor recorded the Soul Pet’s body shape when worn for the first time, ensuring that the Soul Pet’s body wouldn’t grow as its Soul Power Cultivation increased.
Once taken off, it would return to its original size.
When worn again, it would revert to the size recorded during the first wear.
“It hasn’t mutated, and the body shape is off. It must have put on a Soul Guiding Device to alter its form or learned some kind of Soul Guiding Art that changes shape. Hmm… Nothing particularly special. Since it’s not a mutation, it’s just a normal Green Caterpillar.”
“They really must have a gold mine at home, going to such lengths to nurture a Green Caterpillar to this level of Soul Power Cultivation.”
After a brief analysis, Zhou Yan felt confident.
It would be simple, just a single Soul Skill to take it down.
“The match begins!”
The referee gave the order!
“Fire Needles!”
Zhou Yan said calmly, “Finish it off!”
As everyone knew, fire countered insects.
Fire Needles was a Hundred-Year Soul Skill for Fire-Type Soul Pets.
It wasn’t exactly a core skill, just a common Soul Skill, but not every Fire-Type Soul Pet could learn it.
The Flame Spined Mouse, standing a full 1.2 meters tall, didn’t hesitate upon hearing the command.
Its body shook violently, and countless flames spread from its back before spiraling around!
Swish, swish, swish!
Countless sharp needles wreathed in flames shot out from its back!
Like a rain of bullets, they descended upon the distant Green Caterpillar!
It looked cool and powerful!
The Soul Skill Sequence of a Soul Pet was closely related to its physical form and other aspects.
For example, this Fire Needles skill, though merely a common Soul Skill, wasn’t included in the Soul Skill Sequence of many Fire-Type Soul Pets.
“Great! What a move, Fire Needles! The scorching Fire Needles are not only incredibly sharp and hot but also cover a wide area! I believe they could even pierce through steel plates! The little caterpillar is in danger! If this move lands, things could get tough!”
The commentator reacted very quickly.
From the moment it was executed, she seemed to have anticipated it.
Gasps and cheers erupted from the audience.
Soul Skills of Soul Pets were just so dazzling!
This was especially true for Hundred-Year Soul Pets.
The Flame Spined Mouse’s Soul Power Cultivation was certainly not high.
Even in Wang Che’s class, there were about a dozen students with similar levels.
In Rong City, it was probably considered quite average.
However, Soul Power Cultivation couldn’t fully represent a Soul Pet’s overall strength.
But the execution of Soul Skills could.
The moment this Fire Needles was unleashed, its Proficiency Level was clearly very high!
“Not bad.”
Wang Che nodded. Proficiency Level in Soul Skills required long-term practice; otherwise, even with high Soul Power Cultivation, if the Proficiency Level didn’t improve, the power would increase very slowly.
Students in Rong City emphasized practical combat ability.
Previously, He Zhenfeng’s Howling Sky Tiger didn’t have particularly high cultivation—just over four hundred years—but even without relying on its Martial Soul, it could definitely defeat many Soul Pets of similar cultivation.
At that moment, the Green Caterpillar wanted to dodge.
“Don’t dodge. Why are you afraid of a few Fire Needles?”
Wang Che commanded, “Your skin is thick and tough. Don’t always think about avoiding. Taking some hits appropriately can improve your resistance and your skin’s fire resistance.”
Green Caterpillar: “ヽ(ー_ー)ノ”
Under the command of its unscrupulous Soul Pact Master, the Green Caterpillar had no choice but to stand still.
“The little caterpillar isn’t choosing to dodge! Has it given up? Hang in there, little caterpillar!”
The female commentator was taken aback. As a Soul Pact Master, she probably heard the command but couldn’t say it outright.
“Hmph!”
Zhou Yan chuckled, thinking his opponent relied too much on the Green Caterpillar’s cultivation.
For a Soul Pet like the Green Caterpillar, even with six hundred years of cultivation and rigorous training, its physical strength would only be so-so.
Taking one hit from Fire Needles might not knock it out immediately,
but there was the attribute disadvantage!
After that, it would basically be a helpless little worm!
“Charge forward and use Fire Fist!”
Zhou Yan said calmly, “If it’s still standing, finish it off!”
Upon hearing this, the Flame Spined Mouse immediately rushed over. Its running limbs were ablaze with flames, as if gathering power for a strong Soul Skill…
However, right at that moment!
Ting, ting, ting!
Countless burning Fire Needles pattered down on the Green Caterpillar’s body.
They made faint sounds as if hitting steel plates.
Then, they all fell around the Green Caterpillar.
The audience watched in astonishment.
Was this Green Caterpillar made of steel?
“This, this, this…”
The female commentator was also momentarily at a loss for words.
“Sii suu sii suu!”
The Green Caterpillar let out a series of cries.
It seemed to be in pain…
“The Green Caterpillar is crying out in pain. It seems this move has caused it some harm…”
The commentator quickly added, “But its defense is incredibly strong! It must have undergone special training! Other students raising Green Caterpillars, please don’t try to copy this!”
Zhou Yan, on the opposite side, was also stunned.
Was the Green Caterpillar’s skin really that thick?
Fire Needles that were so fast and so hot couldn’t even break through the Green Caterpillar’s defense?
In fact, ever since Wang Che applied the Marrow Cleansing Ointment to the Green Caterpillar in the Floating Forest,
coupled with rigorous and steady training these past days and its strong Soul Power Cultivation,
Wang Che had also used the Gold-Devouring Art to help the Green Caterpillar devour and cultivate with the flame-infused stone brought from the Floating Forest.
Its current defense and fire resistance were exceptionally high.
Even the side effects that should have come with Blazing Charge were completely ineffective on the Green Caterpillar.
The disadvantage fire had against the Green Caterpillar was now very small.
Of course, this single Fire Needles move wasn’t enough to fully demonstrate that.
Even if it were a core Fire-Type Soul Skill of the same cultivation level, it couldn’t take down the Green Caterpillar in one hit.
“Enough, stop crying!”
Wang Che commanded again, “Now, use the needles on the ground and apply your Silk Spitting technique. Do you know what to do?”
The Green Caterpillar looked at the charging Flame Spined Mouse, its little brain quickly working it out.
It understood!
“The little caterpillar is about to counterattack! Let’s see what Soul Skill the Green Caterpillar will use to fight back? Great, it’s now using its mouth to suck up the Fire Needles from the ground! Huh? What is it trying to do?”
“Oh, oh, oh!”
The next moment, the female commentator couldn’t help but exclaim in surprise!