Returning to the inn, Lin Chen released the Little Fox, and all three beasts, along with him, enjoyed a fine meal before preparing for sleep. The Big White Bear wasn’t participating in the fight, so it remained calm. Lin Chen and Xiaobai were composed, but the Little Fox was a bit excited, tossing and turning at night. The Little Fox, noticing it had woken Lin Chen, hung its head low. Lin Chen knew that the Little Fox had never appeared on such a stage, fearing it might not perform well. So Lin Chen reassured, "I’ve been watching your efforts during this time. With your strength, just perform normally." "Plus, I’ll be right by your side, so there’s nothing to fear." The first statement offered the Little Fox moderate comfort, but the latter one was obviously much more effective. The Little Fox nodded, lying in Lin Chen’s embrace, falling into a deep sleep. The next day, Lin Chen woke up and headed straight to the arena, pondering a question along the way. It could now be confirmed that some countries had somehow obtained intelligence about them. However, how much did that intelligence specify about Xiaobai and Xiao Hong’s strength? Lin Chen’s competition was scheduled last today, with students two years senior going first. When Lin Chen arrived, he was able to wait for the results of their matches. After yesterday’s matches, the main competitor for the Cangling Ancient Country was the Ancient Kingdom of Xijun, with both countries tied in score. Check latest chapters at 𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭⚑𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮⚑𝕟𝕖𝕥 The competition lasted nearly two and a half hours before Lin Chen finally heard the results. Cangling Ancient Country performed quite well today again, with the second-year students securing a draw and the third-year students a victory. The Ancient Kingdom of Xijun achieved one victory and one defeat. But their final match was against the weakest, Nanfen Ancient Country. So it was highly probable the Ancient Kingdom of Xijun would secure a victory in this match. Lin Chen also had to win to enter the top three. "Can Lin Chen do it?" "He probably can, I heard Lin Chen is the captain of the freshmen team." "I’m still a bit worried." "I don’t want them to fall into the losers’ group." Before the match started, the audience was already buzzing with discussions. Lin Chen’s match was already quite notable since his opponent was from East Sakura Country. Given this match decided entry into the knockout rounds, even more people were paying attention, especially from countries other than Cangling Ancient Country, particularly the Ancient Kingdom of Xijun. These people naturally hoped for Cangling Ancient Country to lose and enter the losers’ group. At this moment, Lin Chen’s opponent, Gao Ben, was holding a dossier detailing the levels and skills of Xiaobai and Xiao Hong. In it, all four of Xiaobai’s skills were thoroughly documented, with only three of the Little Fox’s skills noted, missing Heart-Burning Fire Control. "Teacher, why aren’t their skill levels documented?" Gao Ben looked at Teacher Sazuki, the team leader. As soon as he finished speaking, a nearby student laughed and said, "Gao Ben, are you really afraid of a Plowhorn Beast?" "Of course not, I’m just curious..." Gao Ben quickly explained, though admittedly, he felt a bit uneasy. Because information from the Empire contained detailed data on everyone else’s spirit beasts, except for Lin Chen’s. Teacher Sazuki sternly instructed, "In this match, give it your all, even if you have to drag him down..." "I understand, Teacher." Gao Ben nodded earnestly, feeling a surge of anticipation. In East Sakura Country, winning against someone from Cangling Ancient Country in a public setting would bring immense honor. His parents were already seated in the audience, ready and hopeful for this victory. Below the stage, Daoist Zhang arrived before the match began, approaching Lin Chen with something to say. "If the leak came from Celestial Capital, then your information would likely be incomplete," Daoist Zhang said. "No one, except Liu Gu and me, and not even the dean, knows about your spirit beasts." Lin Chen glanced at Fang You and Bai Ling, thinking, aren’t they people? Daoist Zhang rolled his eyes and said, "I’m being serious with you." "I understand, I’ll do my best," Lin Chen nodded vigorously. "Do your best my foot," Daoist Zhang grumbled, "I may not know others’ skill levels, but yours I do. If Gao Ben beats you, I’ll write my name backwards; just watch..." Lin Chen was speechless. For other students, Daoist Zhang offered encouragement; why did it change when it came to him? At this moment, the referee asked, "Are both sides ready?" Lin Chen nodded, having absolute confidence in Xiaobai and the Little Fox, without needing Daoist Zhang to say much. On the other side, Gao Ben also nodded, summoning his first spirit beast. Gao Ben’s First Spirit Beast was the Black Moon Beast, a Sacred Beast. The Black Moon Beast was a unique spirit beast, embodying the prowess of a tiger and the agility of a wolfhound, resembling a tiger but not one, with a distinctive black crescent on its forehead. It was large, exceeding 3 meters in length, covered in sleek black fur, with muscles coiled especially around the chest and abdomen, interwoven among its eight block-like muscles. When the Black Moon Beast appeared, many people began murmuring. The Black Moon Beast was unique to East Sakura Country, possessing a dark attribute and belonging to the burst system category of spirit beasts. With the referee’s signal, the two spirit beasts ascended the stage, and compared to its opponent, Xiaobai’s presence seemed less intimidating. "This is bad, I don’t feel optimistic." "Don’t worry, we’ve performed well these past two days. Lin Chen’s spirit beast has good skills." "Skills are useless if the spirit beast’s innate strength isn’t solid." The chatter grew louder as people watched the impending match. Lin Chen wasn’t perturbed. He already knew that Xiaobai, as a low-level mortal beast, would inevitably face skepticism. But that didn’t matter; only those familiar with Xiaobai knew its true terror. Even Xiao Hong, after learning Heart-Burning Fire Control, couldn’t claim a sure win against Xiaobai of the same grade. Xiaobai’s skill arsenal was just two things.... provided you could withstand them. Xiaobai confidently ascended the stage, even a little excited. Since the Cow King Competition, it hadn’t been in the spotlight for quite some time... It didn’t enjoy the atmosphere but the honor it brought to Lin Chen. This made Xiaobai feel its efforts weren’t in vain, nor Lin Chen’s. In contemplation, Xiaobai roared, transforming into the Kui Spirit Beast. "Now that’s more like it." Many below felt satisfied upon seeing the Kui Spirit Beast’s form. Unexpectedly, the Black Moon Beast also roared, entering its evolved form. In its evolved mode, the Black Moon Beast became fiercer, with an even more overwhelming presence, making even the Kui Spirit Beast’s aura seem slightly lesser. "Black Moon Beast, attack!" At Gao Ben’s command, the Black Moon Beast leapt forward, activating the crescent on its forehead. It seemed to blend into the shadows for short-range teleportation, leaving deceptive afterimages in its wake. This was its second skill, Moon Shadow Escape. Like a specter, it closed in on Xiaobai. Upon nearing, the black crescent on its forehead shifted to red, its pupils revealing a blood-red lunar circle. "This is the Black Moon Beast’s innate skill: Gaze of Calamity." Numerous spectators gasped in surprise below. Gaze of Calamity was a spiritual power skill, using pupil power to impose mental shock on those it gazed at, causing stiffness for several seconds at best, or loss of will to fight at worst.