A Decisive Battle

"A Diao, Thunder Spirit Transformation, Thunderstorm."

The sudden reversal caught Ning Yi somewhat off guard. Biting her rosy lips, she continued issuing commands, attempting one final gamble.

"Finish it with Cold Breath."

Watching the Lightning Marten accelerate as it fell from the air, Chen Wei gave the order.

Color Spirit immediately drew in a breath to gather strength, the blue-white orb brewing in its mouth transforming into an energy beam of bone-piercing cold that surged toward the Lightning Marten.

At the same time, as if sensing its Beast Master's will, the Lightning Marten suddenly erupted, directly unleashing Thunder Spirit Transformation.

The Thunder Spirit Transformation skill could maximize the power of its electricity while significantly reducing the charge-up time needed for its other electric-type skills.

It seemed to be too late. With only a few seconds left before it hit the ground, the Lightning Marten's eyes dimmed slightly.

Yet it still refused to give up, exhausting every ounce of its strength as it tried to unleash one final Thunderstorm.

At this moment, though the Lightning Marten's body was tiny, the Thunderstorm gathering within it made it seem exceptionally imposing. Its fur stood on end, strand after strand, amid the terrifying currents swirling around it.

As an enhanced version of Electric Current Strike, Thunderstorm was immensely powerful. Its only drawback was the long charge-up time required to use it, which resulted in a low hit rate.

Unfortunately, the cold blue current of bone-deep chill struck the Lightning Marten in the blink of an eye while it was still gathering electricity in midair.

Accompanied by several crisp cracking sounds.

A massive storm of ice shards instantly erupted across the battle platform.

Looking at the Lightning Marten collapsing dejectedly amid the white frost, Chen Wei revealed a confident smile before using the Appraisal skill.

[Pet Beast Name]: Lightning Marten

[Pet Beast Attribute]: Electric

[Race Rank]: Yellow-tier High Extraordinary

[Strength Level]: Level 10 Juvenile

[Race Skills]: Thunder Flash, Thunderstorm, Electric Current Strike, Electric Current Manipulation, Raging Thunder Roar, Thunder Spirit Transformation

[Description]: Weak electric currents occasionally run through a Lightning Marten's fur. Lightning Martens living in the wild are mostly solitary, small in size, and incredibly fast. This exotic beast has a peculiar habit: it especially enjoys using Electric Current Strike to catch fish in rivers and lakes, and thus often comes under attack from aquatic exotic beasts.

The Lightning Marten had been so fast once the battle began that only now could Chen Wei carefully examine the detailed information of the pet beast before him.

"So many electric-type skills!" Chen Wei marveled inwardly.

He vaguely remembered that there seemed to be a girl in Beast Master Class 2 who also owned a Lightning Marten.

However, her pet beast was only Level 6 Juvenile and could only use the two race skills Thunder Flash and Electric Current Strike.

"The victor has been decided!"

The referee shook his head and spoke, though his expression remained somewhat dazed. His heart was filled with shock at this moment.

"Yiya!" []~(￣▽￣)~*(I almost lost!)

Looking at the utterly exhausted Lightning Marten, Color Spirit let out a clear, triumphant cry. Then it turned to Chen Wei and blinked its bright, watery eyes, seemingly showing off its achievement.

"What an exhilarating battle."

As though recalling the fight, Ning Yi licked her rosy lips and murmured in a slightly hoarse voice.

Then she jogged forward, picked up the Lightning Marten, whose fur was covered in frost, and carried it to the medical room near the battle platform for treatment.

"Hello, let me introduce myself again. My name is Ning Yi, and I'm a graduate of Water Mountain First High School's Class of '16 Beast Master program."

Outside the medical room, Chen Wei felt somewhat at a loss as he looked at the enthusiastic Ning Yi before him.

"Hello, Senior. I'm Chen Wei, an applicant for the Beast Master class at Water Mountain Second High School."

"You're really strong. Especially your Cold Jade Snake—it's been raised to an almost absurd degree. I never thought there would come a day when I'd lose to a junior!"

A faint blush colored Ning Yi's cheeks as her sparkling eyes stared unblinkingly at Chen Wei, her tone brimming with admiration.

"Thank you." Chen Wei could only reply politely.

"There's still plenty of time. Once my A Diao has recovered, we can have another battle."

After glancing down at the time displayed on her watch, Ning Yi, who was sitting beside Chen Wei, smiled at him excitedly.

Her eyes curved like crescent moons, and her long lashes trembled slightly over them. Anyone who saw her could not help but feel a touch of tenderness.

"Sure. My Cold Jade Snake happens to need some rest too." Chen Wei agreed, stroking the weary Color Spirit in his arms.

"Junior, even though we barely know each other, I still want to remind you of something."

Ning Yi gazed at Color Spirit in Chen Wei's hands, affection shining in her eyes, though there was some hesitation in her words.

"A pet beast's juvenile stage is the process of gradually mastering its own awakened abilities. During this process, it's best not to use pills that increase strength—especially when the pet beast reaches Level 10 Juvenile!"

One who cannot plan for eternity cannot plan for a single moment.

After the Lightning Marten advanced to Level 10 Juvenile, she had spent a full half year tempering A Diao's foundation, all for the sake of accumulating strength for a later burst.

"I know that. Other than providing its daily cultivation resources, I've basically never used any medicine to increase its strength."

Chen Wei was momentarily stunned by her words, his heart slightly stirred. Still, he could feel the sincerity of her intentions.

"Is that so? Truly incredible. It seems your Cold Jade Snake is exceptionally gifted." Ning Yi was half-convinced and half-doubtful, yet she spoke with heartfelt amazement.

Chen Wei simply nodded to show he understood and said nothing more. He knew that no amount of words could compare to concrete action.

As for whether others believed him, that was never within Chen Wei's consideration.

The juvenile stage was an especially crucial period for a pet beast to build its foundations. Generally, the higher a pet beast's racial rank, the longer its juvenile stage lasted.

For example, powerful exotic beasts such as phoenixes, dragons, nine-tailed foxes, golden-winged great pengs, and taotie—some legendary pet beasts whose racial ranks reached Legendary Emperor were said to have juvenile stages even longer than an ordinary person's entire life.

Conversely, the lower a pet beast's racial rank, the shorter its juvenile stage and the lower the level at which it awakened.

Take the lowly, ordinary Scarlet Parrot, Green Nan Black Turtle, and Tiger-Striped Poison Bee. Of them, the Tiger-Striped Poison Bee had the shortest lifespan, with an average strength of only Juvenile Level Five.

The overwhelming majority of Tiger-Striped Poison Bees could not break through to the First Order even after exhausting their entire lives!

Ordinary Scarlet Parrots, however, could break through from the juvenile stage to the First Order within three months, though they would also become the weakest of First Order pet beasts.

A pet beast's juvenile stage was also the best time to learn skills and broaden its range of attacks. During this period, it could even learn some skills completely unrelated to its own attributes.

Moreover, upon reaching Juvenile Level Ten, a pet beast could more easily comprehend and master changes in its own attributes, which would greatly benefit its future evolution.

It was precisely because Chen Wei understood the importance of the pet beast's juvenile stage that he had yet to use the Dragon Crystal he had prepared long ago on Color Spirit.

After all, Color Spirit's rate of advancement was already so fast that it made Chen Wei uneasy.

If she broke through to the First Order ahead of time because of the Dragon Crystal, Chen Wei reckoned he would be heartbroken to death.

"Senior, why are you working here as a sparring partner?" Chen Wei changed the subject and asked curiously.

"Of course, because I'm interested in it. I really like pet beast battles." Ning Yi's candid voice rang beside Chen Wei's ear.

"Besides, I don't have much time left as a sparring partner here. Next month, I'll be reporting to Thunderclap Academy!"

"Thunderclap Academy?!"

Chen Wei looked at Ning Yi in astonishment.