Wang Li stated his terms clearly, "If I win, call me big brother, bow your head whenever you see me, and give me your younger brother, Zhang Huai."
He had two main goals. First, to assert his dominance and crush Li Qingzhou's arrogance, thus freeing himself from years of pent-up frustration. Second, to rescue Zhang Huai from the grind of endless studying. Wang Li couldn't stand to see his former younger brother drowning in books every day.
"Fine, I accept your challenge," Li Qingzhou responded calmly.
For him, the stakes were high. His pet, the Red Fox, needed evolution materials to transform into a two-tailed demon fox. One hundred thousand yuan could buy the essential material, the Smoldering Pearl, alleviating much of his financial burden. With a victory, his pet's evolution could finally move forward.
"You've accepted?" Wang Li's eyes gleamed with excitement. His long-awaited chance for revenge had arrived.
They proceeded to the Pet Training Hall, where a special battle room was available. According to school rules, students needed to pay a fee of 100 yuan per hour to use the room. Wang Li handed over the money and they were directed to Pet Beast Battle Room No. 1. A teacher would act as the referee, ensuring the fight didn't get out of control.
"Are you ready?" the young referee asked from his post.
"I'm ready," Wang Li said eagerly.
"Ready," Li Qingzhou nodded.
The whistle blew, and both summoned their pet beasts in a flash of cyan light. Wang Li's Flame Wolf emerged from the summoning array, its body cloaked in fire, eyes gleaming with ferocity. Li Qingzhou's Red Fox, however, appeared calm and dignified, its posture straight, eyes unflinching.
Students crowded at the door and windows to watch. Both Wang Li and Li Qingzhou were well-known at school—one for his rebellious nature, the other for his academic excellence. The showdown between a top student and a bad student generated a lot of excitement.
"Flame Wolf, use Fire Blast!" Wang Li commanded.
The Flame Wolf launched a ball of fire toward the Red Fox, causing the room's temperature to soar.
"Use Sand Escape to form a shield," Li Qingzhou countered.
A shield of sand rose in front of the Red Fox, blocking the fireball with a loud *boom*. Smoke and dust filled the room, obscuring the battlefield.
"Who won?" voices buzzed from the onlookers.
"It has to be the Flame Wolf," many speculated, knowing it had reached Level 9 in the Black Iron rank. "There's no way the Red Fox could hold up."
As the dust settled, both beasts were still standing. The sand shield had successfully protected the Red Fox.
"Fire Wolf, use Fire Claw!" Wang Li barked out.
The Flame Wolf charged again, its claws igniting with flames, leaving scorched marks in its wake. It leapt into the air, aiming a powerful slash at the Red Fox.
"Dodge and use Fake Sleep!" Li Qingzhou called out.
The Red Fox swiftly evaded the attack, then locked eyes with the Flame Wolf, casting its skill. A faint light flickered in the Red Fox's eyes, and the Flame Wolf staggered, overcome with sudden drowsiness.
The teacher watching from the sidelines raised an eyebrow, impressed. "A spiritual skill? That Red Fox is more than it seems."
Wang Li, confused, yelled, "Flame Wolf, what are you doing?"
"Spear of Red Sand," Li Qingzhou ordered calmly.
A spear formed from sand shot toward the drowsy Flame Wolf. Just in time, the Flame Wolf snapped out of its stupor and enveloped itself in flames to block the attack. The spear shattered into dust, but the impact knocked the Flame Wolf off its feet, sending it crashing to the ground.