"Now, let's welcome our contestants!"
The host said with a smile,
"One of them, you must have all heard of, is the renowned Chen Shu!"
"He comes from Huaxia University, the nation's number one. It's said that although he's young, he has already reached Silver rank, truly a prodigy of the new era!"
"Now, please welcome Chen Shu!"
Chen Shu smiled and left the waiting room, coming to the front of the competition stage.
Photography equipment was hung all around, broadcasting this grand event live across the entire network.
Although the live audience numbered only tens of thousands, the number of people following the national beast taming competition was at least over a billion. Even beast tamers from abroad would be watching.
"While our Chen Shu is exceptionally talented, there are no weaklings among Silver rankers! Our other contestant is also not to be underestimated!"
The host smiled and continued,
"He is a civilian beast tamer from the Wild Thunder Beast Taming Group, a graduate of Kyoto Element University, and also a strong prodigy!"
"Now, please welcome Yang Sheng!"
A plain-looking young man walked up. His expression was calm, but his eyes held confidence.
The host announced, "I believe everyone is eagerly awaiting. Today's first match officially begins!"
The two extended their right hands and shook them.
Yang Sheng smiled and said in a low voice,
"I didn't expect my first opponent to be a student. Is the organizing committee trying to make me famous?"
"Indeed!"
Chen Shu nodded, offering no rebuttal.
The two moved to their respective combat positions, surrounded by various cameras. Had their psychological fortitude been slightly weaker, they might have become extremely nervous.
At the same time, the matches in the Spirit Arena had officially begun broadcasting nationwide.
Of course, it wasn't just the preliminary selection in Kyoto; the preliminary selections in various cities had also commenced!
Based on different geographical locations, the nation was divided into twenty-five preliminary selection points, with multiple cities generally holding their selections together.
For instance, Cangnan Province only had one selection point in Cangnan City.
Kyoto was the sole exception because of its numerous universities and concentrated talent, ensuring a quality that was by no means inferior to other selection points.
At this moment, in Nanjiang City,
Countless people were excited, their eyes fixed on their computers or televisions.
They weren't following the preliminary selection in Cangnan City but were locked onto the Kyoto preliminary selection.
Nanjiang Second High School had no classes today. The entire school gathered in the auditorium, where the Kyoto preliminary selection was being broadcast live.
"It's Senior Chen Shu!"
"It seems the whole venue is chanting his name. Senior has such great fame in Kyoto!"
"I must catch up to Senior's footsteps!"
Innumerable middle school students watched Chen Shu's face with fervent excitement, their eyes filled with admiration.
This was a legend who had emerged from Nanjiang Second High School!
"This kid is already Silver rank..."
Shen Wushuang, at the very front, spoke with emotion, his eyes filled with relief. Having taught such a student, he had a lifelong claim to bragging rights.
When other teachers bragged, they might say, "Taught how many strong individuals" or "How many students got into prestigious universities."
He only needed to say, "Chen Shu is my student," and he could utterly overshadow them.
At this moment, the host on screen announced,
"Now, please have both sides summon their contracted spirits!"
Contestant Yang Sheng eagerly summoned his three contracted spirits:
An S+ ranked Fire Element Sprite, an A-ranked Frost Mink, and an A-ranked Shadow Fox.
Judging by the lineup alone, it was rather ordinary, not particularly strong.
The higher the beast tamer's rank, the higher the average potential rating of their contracted spirits. This was because every major breakthrough allowed the contracted spirits to evolve their bloodline once.
Just as Chen Shu was about to summon his contracted spirits, an option appeared before his eyes.
[Option 1: Pass the preliminary selection and secure a spot in the official competition! Completion reward: 'Heavenly Fire Meteorite' +1, 'Charge' +1, Space Rabbit's spatial attribute +3%]
[Option 2: Believe your strength is insufficient and voluntarily forfeit the match. Completion reward: Gain the title 'Master of Surrender,' wearing effect: Upon surrendering in any match, you will receive 100,000 Huaxia Coins as a consolation prize.]
[Option 3: Fail to pass the preliminary selection! Completion reward: All attributes of your three contracted spirits decreased by 3%.]
Chen Shu stroked his chin. As expected, an option had been triggered, and these were just rewards for the preliminary selection.
He smiled and summoned his three contracted spirits:
An A-ranked, a B-ranked, and a C-ranked contracted spirit appeared, instantly stunning the entire venue.
"Hmm?"
Yang Sheng was slightly taken aback, then utterly stunned.
It wasn't because Chen Shu was too strong, but because the ranks of his contracted spirits were too low.
If Yang Sheng's contracted spirits were considered ordinary, Chen Shu's potential rating was practically at the bottom.
However, in the next second, the entire venue erupted once more in fervent cheers.
"Poop Monster! Poop Monster!"
"Elemental Machine Gun! Elemental Machine Gun!"
As Xiao Huang and Er Ha appeared, they were immediately met with cheers from countless people, mostly their fervent fans from the previous year.
"What's the situation with this kid?"
In the VIP section at the front, the King-ranked beast tamer stroked his chin, his eyes showing a hint of curiosity.
He hailed from the headquarters of the Dragon Guard and was a powerful figure of authority. Naturally, he wouldn't pay attention to a Black Iron ranked student.
The man beside him respectfully replied, "Minister Zhang, he is a genius from Huaxia University. Last year, he won the annual championship of the Spirit Arena with Black Iron two-star strength."
"Last year? Black Iron rank two-star?!"
Zhang Wei frowned, latching onto the key point, and said sternly,
"In less than a year, he's leaped two entire realms?"
"Hmm?"
Upon hearing this, the people in the VIP section also reacted.
They seemed to have overlooked Chen Shu's cultivation speed!
Just then, the match was about to begin!
Chen Shu was fully focused, showing no complacency towards this battle.
Yang Sheng also remained vigilant. Having mingled in beast taming groups for two years, he naturally understood the principle of using full force even against a rabbit.
"Kid, take a good look. Silver rank has its own rules!"
The young man who had been discussing Chen Shu earlier spoke again, "Yang Sheng's combat strength is not weak!"
The fans didn't retort but focused intently on the match unfolding in the arena, not wanting to miss a single detail.
As the protective barrier between the two sides was lowered, the match officially commenced!
Boom!
The Fire Element Sprite on the field roared, and flames surged from its body in an instant.
"Let me show you what a true fire attribute skill is!"