Chapter 157: Shining Combat Skill: Waxing and Waning
Combat skill qualities, from lowest to highest, were: White, Blue, Purple, Deep Purple, Gold, Dark Gold, Red, Crimson, Green, Fluorescent, Black—and finally, Shining!!!
Compared to the vibrant, multicolored Fluorescent quality, Black and Shining seemed…ordinary…
But their rarity was unparalleled, each one unique, just like the 72 Legends. This meant that for any type of combat skill, only one Black Quality card could exist in the Pet Beast World. This was why most Emperors had to…settle…for Fluorescent combat skills.
And Shining combat skills were even more abstract and elusive…
First, their uniqueness.
According to records, a Shining combat skill’s uniqueness extended even beyond this Pet Beast World, to the new world beyond the Sanctuary Gate…
No matter where in the universe, the birth of a Shining combat skill meant that it was the only one of its kind.
Second, their growth potential.
A Shining combat skill’s initial power was comparable to a Black Quality combat skill, but if its upgrade conditions were met, it could far surpass even hundreds of Black Quality combat skills.
Third, they were bound to a pet beast’s will, not taking up a skill slot, and couldn’t be removed. When the pet beast died, the Shining combat skill would also disappear, then randomly reappear somewhere in the Pet Beast World at a later time.
Even among Sovereign-Tier Emperors, those who possessed Shining combat skills were incredibly rare. This was because their scarcity made trading them impossible…
Like the Azure Sky Emperor, a Viral Species, which had somehow obtained a throwing-type, Biological Species Shining combat skill. It had been useless to it, left to gather dust in its warehouse.
And finally, a Shining combat skill was the most difficult requirement for a Shining Species evolution path…
Unlike Ancient Species, which had hundreds of evolution requirements, most Shining Species only had a dozen or so, but each one was incredibly difficult, all interconnected, their combination a distant dream…
[For example, undefeated in reality.]
[Perfect evolution…]
[As the only main battle pet beast in the lineup, its tier cannot be lower than its companions.]
[Cannot already be Emperor-Tier, must have an available evolution path.]
[Equip a Shining Quality combat skill.]
These conditions, at first glance seemed reasonable…but…
If you weren’t an Emperor, how could you even compete for a Shining combat skill against other Emperor-Tier pet beasts!?
And the tier requirement meant you couldn’t pursue the Shining path for a support pet beast if you already had a stronger main pet beast. You couldn’t invest resources beyond its current tier, eliminating any shortcuts…
But at this moment, the Heaven-Gracing Curtain had actually obtained a Shining combat skill.
Luck…it was the most important factor in all three special evolution paths!!!
[Shining Combat Skill — Waxing and Waning]
[Cannot be activated in a Pet Beast World without a moon.]
[Cannot be activated during the day.]
[Cannot be activated during a full moon.]
[After each activation, the moon will temporarily disappear]
[Each activation permanently shortens the night in the Pet Beast World by one hour.]
[The closer to the 72 Legend, [First Quarter], the greater the power of Waxing and Waning, and the less restrictive its conditions.]
[The closer to the 72 Legend, [Frost Flower], the weaker the power of Waxing and Waning, and the more restrictive its conditions.]
If the Heaven-Gracing Curtain’s path to Shining had previously been a distant dream…
Then, at this moment, simply by obtaining this Shining combat skill, it had already half-crossed the finish line.
This small step had covered most of the journey.
After a brief moment of shock, Lian Xing immediately equipped it. After all, Shining combat skills were bound to a pet beast’s will, not taking up a skill slot.
[Commander-Tier — Biological Species — Heaven-Gracing Curtain LV421]
[Talent: Flexibility Enhancement, Heavenly Ruler]
[Awakening: Mastered]
[Arcane Art: Flurry, Combo, Power Throw, Moon’s Grace, Shining Ammo, Aurora Hammer]
[Combat Skill: Wrist Bone Duel (Green), Ten Intentions Annihilation (Crimson), Star Plucker (Crimson), Sand Toss (Crimson)]
[Bloodline Combat Skill: Six Ears, Eclipse]
[Shining Combat Skill: Waxing and Waning]
The Heaven-Gracing Curtain was now incredibly strong!!
As long as it didn’t encounter Returning Dust, it could even face Royal-Tier pet beasts like Rainwater and Black Sun Flame.
Returning Dust’s Purity talent was too effective against ranged attacks.
Both the Heaven-Gracing Curtain and the Sun Harp would be crippled…
Even if she threw Calamity Sun at it, the moment it touched that white barrier, the Heaven-Gracing Curtain’s throwing enhancements would be negated, leaving only Calamity Sun’s basic newborn level power.
At this moment, after equipping the Moonlight Rabbit with the Shining combat skill, Lian Xing looked at the Mist Colt.
“Mist Colt, you’ve been a great help. Is there anything you want? Anything Mommy can do, I’ll do it for you!!”
“…”
“…”
“I want to go back into that Emperor’s cauldron again~~”
“I saw something before, but it was too far away. I didn’t have time to get it. I need about five minutes!!” the Mist Colt replied after a moment of hesitation.
It hadn’t just seen it, it knew its exact location. But it had only been able to stay inside the cauldron for less than two minutes each time.
And now, with the Dominating Cauldron Palace on high alert, letting the Mist Colt enter again would be impossible…
“Five minutes…?”
“Although there are no specific rules about the rewards, the champion has a lot of privileges. Perhaps you can request to enter…”
“No matter what, Mommy will try her best to fulfill your wish. If all else fails, we’ll just take it…~~~” Lian Xing said, nuzzling the Mist Colt, then turned her attention to the two Black Quality Emperor-Tier crystals.
However, before she could examine them, a knock echoed. Lian Xing gestured, and the Moonlight Rabbit hopped over to the door and opened it.
A purple-haired woman in a translucent silk nightgown entered.
The Second Princess of Youyou Leize…
Her long, purple hair was styled in a ponytail, her face slightly flushed, as she nervously approached the golden-haired girl, who was sitting on the bed with her legs crossed.
“Lian Xing, can you remove the seal on Returning Dust? No matter the cost, no matter your request, I’ll agree to it!!”
“…”
“…”
Hearing this, Lian Xing glanced at the Mist Colt, which nodded silently.
Returning Dust had helped her obtain two Biological Species Emperor-Tier crystals. As promised, she would give one to it and have Star Sand remove the Starless Shackles.
Only Beast Tamers would lie. Pet beasts rarely did.
At this moment, in this ambiguous atmosphere, Lian Xing’s gaze lingered on the purple-haired woman’s attractive figure.
She would fulfill her pet beast’s promise, of course, but that was between Returning Dust and the Mist Colt. Just letting the Second Princess benefit without any compensation…it seemed a bit wasteful…
“Take off your nightgown!!” Lian Xing said, her arms crossed, her expression serious, her tone commanding.
She had expected the Second Princess, with her demure appearance, to refuse, or at least show some shame or resistance…
However, to her surprise, the Second Princess seemed prepared…
She closed her eyes and lowered her head slightly, and her translucent nightgown slipped to the floor.
How experienced… Lian Xing swallowed hard, then took out her phone and started recording.
“Don’t worry, I won’t share this. It’s just for my personal enjoyment… After all, you’re Thunder Fly’s sister~~~~~” Lian Xing said meaningfully.
This was a clear threat…
The implication was that if the Second Princess ever disobeyed her, she would immediately send these recordings to Thunder Fly.
Hearing this, the purple-haired woman’s body trembled, her face burning red.
However, for some reason, Lian Xing felt that this woman was actually enjoying this humiliation…
Five minutes later, the Second Princess, with a Monarch-Tier life crystal that had once belonged to a speed-focused pet beast, left the room.
Shortly after her departure, a purple figure, hidden in the shadows of the hallway, peeked out, its lightning-filled eyes slightly unfocused.
Thunder Fly had come here tonight, wanting to ask about Jade Lady and Tears Maiden.
But she had witnessed something even more shocking…
Her sister…doing that in Little Star’s room!!!
Meanwhile, Lian Xing, having detected Thunder Fly’s presence with the Azure Mechanical Heart’s radar, didn’t really care. After all, she and Thunder Fly were just friends, not lovers…
And just being near Thunder Fly would make her body go weak from the electrical field. Being lovers would be difficult…
Thinking of this, Lian Xing checked her phone, looking at the three pinned messages.
[Silver Dragon: Did you kiss yet?]
[Little Tears: The competition is getting more intense. I suggest you…refrain from excessive indulgence. Of course, this is just a suggestion. I’m not trying to interfere with your personal life, I don’t have the right, just a friendly reminder.]
[Swine: Good night, Lian Xing baby.]
After pondering for a moment, she replied to each of them:
[No.]
[Okay.]
[Oh.]
Then, turning off her phone, she began examining the remaining Emperor-Tier crystal. This dark, prism-shaped life crystal had once belonged to the Wuwei Whitebrow, a Biological Species defeated by the Azure Sky Emperor. Honestly, the Wuwei Whitebrow’s resistance to the Heaven-Gracing Curtain made Lian Xing frown.
Although their abilities weren’t compatible, it was still a Biological Species Emperor. It must be much stronger than the Nether Crystal Hand’s Heavenly Ruler talent. So, Lian Xing, ignoring the incompatibility, gave it to the Moonlight Rabbit.
After all, unlike the Fluorescent combat skill, North Wind, which wasn’t unique, and could be denied, the Wuwei Whitebrow had been publicly defeated by the Azure Sky Emperor. The information was readily available online. So, she couldn’t possibly have traded for it. This was like dancing naked on the Dominating Cauldron Palace’s head. It was a bit too much…
[Absorbed the residual Pet Essence from the Emperor-Tier crystal. Heaven-Gracing Curtain’s level increased to 487.]
[Nether Crystal Hand’s life crystal replaced by Wuwei Whitebrow.]
[Heavenly Ruler’s enhancement effect overwritten.]
[Inherited Talent: White Whiskers — Increases defense based on fur thickness. Due to incompatibility, only 30% effective.]
[Inherited Talent: Lowered Brow — Periodically releases a shockwave of solidified Pet Essence, interrupting enemy channeling or spellcasting. Due to incompatibility, cannot interrupt any attacks.]
Seeing the inherited talents, Lian Xing frowned even deeper.
No wonder the Wuwei Whitebrow had been so resistant to the Heaven-Gracing Curtain. These talents were completely useless…
But it was better than nothing. She could use them as temporary enhancements. Perhaps after Awakening…
The next day, All-Pet Beast Tournament, resurrection match.
Without any suspense, the Second Princess won. After all, her Returning Dust hadn’t been defeated in the previous match and had fully recovered after a night’s rest. Both Dead Ash and Jade Lady had forfeited. Dead Ash’s Ancient Juvenile Species, Extinction, had been defeated, and she had no chance of winning. And Jade Lady, after begging the other consorts, had only received insults and mockery.
After monopolizing Lian Xing’s affection, none of the consorts were willing to share their pet beasts with her anymore, not even if she begged…
And that Monarch-Tier master had forfeited not because of Lian Xing, but because she didn’t want to give free experience to Returning Dust. Her pet beast was also a ranged attacker.
And seeing the Second Princess return, the other T0 contenders’ expressions turned grim. Especially Tears Maiden and Snow Sun. Their Rainwater and Black Sun Flame were completely countered by Returning Dust’s talent, even with the tier difference, they might not be able to win.
But thankfully, in the following top 26 to top 13 matches, none of the top contenders faced each other.
Lian Xing’s opponent in this round was a mature woman from Worry-Free Pond, who forfeited the moment she saw the match pairings.
Lian Xing’s current strength and popularity were even higher than the Second Princess and Snow Sun. Besides Tears Maiden, there was no one who could challenge her.
On the fourth day, the participant who emerged from the second resurrection match was from Youyou Leize.
And then, on the fifth day, the top 14 to top 7 matches…
The moment the pairings were revealed, almost all the viewers were stunned.
First match, the Second Princess’s opponent forfeited.
Second match, Little Flower Goddess’s opponent forfeited.
Third match, Lian Xing VS Thunder Fly.
Seventh match, Tears Maiden VS Snow Sun.
Although the battle between Lian Xing and Thunder Fly was interesting, there wasn’t much suspense. Thunder Fly’s chances of winning were practically zero…
But the two Royal-Tier Legend Beast Tamers, Tears Maiden and Snow Sun…they were facing each other!!!
This match would be as epic as the battle between the Second Princess and Lian Xing!!!
And this was also Tears Maiden’s first battle in the All-Pet Beast Tournament!!
Could Black Sun Flame, which believed in incinerating everything, challenge the unstoppable Tears Maiden and Rainwater?
Everyone’s curiosity was piqued, eagerly awaiting the final battle of the day.
And since the first two matches were forfeits, under everyone’s gaze, the first to battle were Lian Xing and Thunder Fly. Under the Second Princess’s worried gaze, the two girls walked onto the cloud-covered peak.
At this moment, standing opposite the distracted purple lightning elemental girl, Lian Xing frowned slightly.
Thunder Fly should know that she wasn’t a match for her.
Even if she stood still and let Thunder Fly attack for an entire day, it couldn’t break through Dreamflow Sunset Glow’s shield.
But with Thunder Fly’s personality, she wouldn’t give up easily.
And she couldn’t go all out against her. This was troublesome…
Just as Lian Xing was feeling helpless, the lightning elemental girl looked up, her eyes teary.
“Little Star, are you going to…hit…me?”
“Uh…” Although Lian Xing wanted to say, “Little sister, I’m not falling for that”, she couldn’t bring herself to do it, shaking her head.
Even though she didn’t have any romantic feelings for Thunder Fly, they had still spent six months together, training and growing stronger. It wasn’t easy to fight against a friend…
And Lian Xing wouldn’t intentionally lose, then fight her way back from the resurrection match.
She wouldn’t lose, no matter the opponent.
No one, nothing, could stand in the way of her evolution.
“…”
“…”
“Please don’t waste time standing around. It’s been a minute!!” the commentator’s warning voice echoed.
A minute into the battle, and they were just standing there…
This was the All-Pet Beast Tournament, watched by the entire world! The only way to determine the winner was through pet beast battles, not rock-paper-scissors…
“Shut up!” However, in the next second, the golden-haired girl turned and glared at the Dominating Cauldron Palace Monarch on the commentary desk.
The Monarch-Tier pet beast immediately fell silent, its face flushed, tears welling up in its eyes.
Meanwhile, ignoring the commentator’s interruption, Lian Xing continued to look at Thunder Fly.
After another half a minute, Thunder Fly finally spoke again.
“Little Star, I’ll forfeit. But before that, I want to know…what kind of type do you like?”
“Do you like mature and seductive beauties…like my sister? Or…slippery tentacles…like Tears Maiden? Or…someone…lewd and skilled…like Jade Lady?”
“…”
“…”
At this moment, as Thunder Fly’s soul-searching question echoed, the livestream chat erupted.
So this battle is a…domestic dispute…!!
They loved watching domestic disputes!!!
Only Lian Xing was mortified, standing there awkwardly, scratching her face, looking away.
“I’ll tell you when we get home, okay!?”
“No! You have to tell me now! Every time I hint at it, you just play dumb…!!!” Hearing Thunder Fly’s resentful voice, most viewers were amused, but a few felt a pang of familiarity…
Especially when they remembered those sleepless nights caused by those three simple replies: [No], [Okay], [Oh]…
Lian Xing…
She was a woman of sin…
She was only interested in those she hadn’t conquered yet, teasing and tempting them until they were obsessed, then losing interest completely.
It was the same with the Second Princess, who had been waiting anxiously every day, thinking that Lian Xing would use those compromising photos to blackmail her, but then nothing. It was as if Lian Xing had completely forgotten about her.
Under everyone’s gaze, they all waited for Lian Xing’s answer, eager to learn more about her preferences…
“…”
“…”
“Fine, I’ll tell you, but you can’t tell anyone!!” So, Lian Xing beckoned Thunder Fly closer.
As Thunder Fly floated over, tilting its ear expectantly…
Lian Xing whispered something, and not only Thunder Fly’s expression changed drastically, but almost all the T0 contenders also looked at the slightly blushing, golden-haired girl with shock and disbelief…
Tears Maiden, Snow Sun, the Second Princess, Little Flower Goddess…their values and understanding of ethics were shattered…
Of course, only Beast Tamers of their level could hear such a soft whisper. The other participants and the livestream viewers couldn’t hear it.
“Actually, I like being dominated by someone I’m not close to, or even an enemy. It’s not as exciting with someone I know~~~”
Lian Xing’s exact words.
Personal preference, nothing to do with pet beasts.
Any similarities are purely coincidental.
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