Chapter 14: In-School Free Challenge Tournament

"Latest news: yesterday, in the old city district of our city, a natural gas leak caused a violent explosion. The explosion resulted in one death, and the city leaders have ordered the relevant departments to thoroughly review and reflect. Now, let's look at the detailed report..."

In the rented room, Shao Zifeng splashed cold water onto his face, then stared at his own reflection in the mirror.

Since he saw Luo Feng yesterday, he had a sense of urgency. He tossed and turned all night and barely slept.

Perhaps, because there wasn't much chance of becoming a Combat Training Master, the original owner's memories only contained knowledge related to cultivation and some basic common sense.

"It seems I still have to rely on myself."

Shao Zifeng decided to find a way to understand this profession in the near future. Sure, he could directly call Luo Feng and tell him he was willing to join their organization. Maybe he could get Luo Feng's help or even support. But ultimately, in his heart, he couldn't trust anyone.

Having made up his mind, Shao Zifeng went to take a look at the fish tank. The little guy was still asleep, and a gentle expression appeared on Shao Zifeng's face. Then he left the rented room and headed for the school.

...

Today, Su City University was quite lively. It was said that all the teachers of the Combat Training Department were recruited by the officials to assist the Abnormal Administration Bureau in a citywide search for suspects. Therefore, students with pet beasts were everywhere on the playground, either training or playing with their pets.

Su City University's Combat Training Department was established a few years ago. With the relaxation of national policies and the influence of film, television, and celebrity Combat Training Masters, more and more young people chose to become Combat Training Masters. Under these circumstances, many non-combat universities added a Combat Training Department to cultivate more talents for the country.

Students who graduated from the Combat Training Master profession mainly joined the military. The most outstanding ones were recruited by the military and special departments, while the remaining students chose to participate in various leagues and become Combat Training Master celebrities.

"I heard someone applied for a battle today. Let's go and check it out."

At this time, the words of the two students next to Shao Zifeng caught his attention. Shao Zifeng looked toward the battle scene and indeed saw a group of people gathered there.

"Have you heard? That junior Wang Hao is being super arrogant, saying he wants to fight everyone in the school."

"Wang Hao? I remember his pet beast is a mutt, right?"

"Who knows? Maybe Wang Hao had some good luck, and the mutt returned to its ancestral form. Hahaha."

Hearing his classmates' conversation, Shao Zifeng roughly understood the situation. It seemed that Wang Hao successfully contracted the round spot viper he bought from him. So, taking advantage of the absence of the Combat Training Department's instructors today, he flaunted his new pet beast.

In a short while, the battle arena, the size of a basketball court, was crowded with onlookers, pointing and chatting about Wang Hao and the student opposite him.

Wang Hao stood with his arms crossed on one side of the battle arena. His pockmarked face bore a smug smile, while his opponent, a thin, small male with black-framed glasses, seemed uneasy and not accustomed to such occasions, looking quite nervous.

In addition to Wang Hao and the thin guy, there was also a coach and three medical staff in the arena. Because pet beast battles are high-risk activities, schools usually deploy a professional referee and several medical personnel when battles are requested to prevent casualties.

Once both sides were ready, the referee held up an application form stamped with the school seal and displayed it to the students, announcing, "The 'Internal Free Challenge Competition' requested by Wang Hao has been approved by the school."

After the presentation, the referee put away the application form and continued, "This competition is a unilateral application by Wang Hao. During this period, any Combat Training Department student can challenge Wang Hao, and Wang Hao cannot refuse until there are no more challengers or Wang Hao admits defeat."

"Boom!"

Instantly, the surrounding students erupted into cheers and whistles.

Facing the energetic onlookers, Wang Hao's face glowed with excitement. He kept waving to the crowd, while the thin guy opposite him became even more nervous.

"Now I announce, the 'Internal Free Challenge Competition' officially starts. Both sides, please do your best to avoid maliciously injuring each other's pet beasts, or the department will file a lawsuit against the offending party."

"Please, both parties, introduce yourselves and summon your pet beasts."

The crowd gradually quieted down, watching the two in the arena with anticipation. In most universities, especially in traditional institutions like Su City University, pet beast battles were rare, as they emphasized theory over practical combat.

Due to this educational approach, the military had repeatedly proposed educational reforms. Therefore, the school's sudden approval of the students' battle applications was an unexpected event for many. Shao Zifeng could vaguely guess the reason, perhaps the school would gradually loosen the requirements for battle applications in the future.

Hearing the referee's words, Wang Hao hastily pressed his palms together and widened his eyes. As he spread his palms apart, a semi-transparent rift slowly appeared. "Come out, my War Sky Divine Dog!!!" Then, a lean mutt sprang from the rift and joyfully ran laps around Wang Hao.

"Third-year Combat Training Department student, Wang Hao. Pleased to make your acquaintance."

The crowd burst into laughter.

Shao Zifeng face-palmed, thinking, "Such an adult, but still so childish."

"Second-year Combat Training Department student, Li Yiming. Please take care of me, senior." Li Yiming looked as if he was about to cry. He initially didn't want to come but was forced by several seniors to challenge Wang Hao. Reluctantly, he drew a space rift, and a majestic rooster flew out.

Shao Zifeng focused his attention, and the information of the two pet beasts appeared before him.

[Name]: Mutt

[Growth]: Growth Stage

[State]: Healthy, Joyful

[Strength]: Second Tier

[Phylum]: Chordata

[Class]: Mammalia

[Order]: Carnivora

[Family]: Canidae

[Attribute]: None

[Potential]: ★

[Gift]: None

[Skills]: Bite, Tackle

[Description]: An impurebred mutt, full of energy, and the most loyal companion of humans. Unfortunately, apart from loyalty, it has no outstanding qualities.

...

[Name]: Rooster

[Growth]: Growth Stage

[State]: Healthy, Disdainful

[Strength]: Second Tier

[Phylum]: Chordata

[Class]: Aves

[Order]: Galliformes

[Family]: Phasianidae

[Attribute]: None

[Potential]: ★☆

[Gift]: Arrogant: Naturally arrogant, it can only perform at its best under the command of someone it recognizes.

[Skills]: Eagle Strike, Chain Pecking, Charge

[Description]: Its gaze is always fixed on the clouds above. However, it can barely fly any distance now.

When Wang Hao's mutt saw the rooster appear, it crouched down, ears pressed back, staring intently at it, growling menacingly.

"War Sky Divine Dog, together with your master, let's defeat that chicken... Ah! No, I mean chicken... Ah!"

A male voice outside the arena jeered, whistling provocatively, while even some girls joined in the teasing.

The mutt wagged its tail happily, barking in response to Wang Hao, not understanding what was going on.

"Rooster, I need your help again this time," Li Yiming nervously said.

The rooster glanced at him scornfully, turned its head away in disdain.

Seeing the rooster's expression, Li Yiming lowered his head, clenched his fists, and trembled uncontrollably.

"I declare the match begins!" As the whistle blew, the mutt bolted towards the rooster like an unleashed wild horse.

The battle was about to commence!