Chapter 38: Chapter 38: Raging Sand vs. Phantom Shadow

Ghost Claw is a High Level Extraordinary Skill of the Ghost Element. It allows a part of the body to undergo Ghostification during an attack, only to rematerialize at the moment it strikes the opponent.

The Ghost Element is renowned for being difficult to detect. When the attacking limb undergoes Ghostification, it becomes even harder for an opponent to defend effectively in time.

Yan Shouzheng calmly watched the exchange.

His Tier Six Beast Taming Space granted him a powerful enhancement, allowing his vision and reflexes to keep pace with the rapidly shifting tempo of the spar.

Theoretically, the Little Yu Dian Dog stood no chance.

Detecting a surprise attack from Ghost Claw requires high Perception, and a Yu Dian Dog’s Perception is not particularly remarkable.

Even if it got lucky and did perceive the attack, a Yu Dian Dog lacks the reaction speed and evasive maneuvers to do anything about it.

After all, the Valley Tiger Hunter could even take down a passing Cyan Feathered Falcon with this very move.

Of course, when fighting a youngster, Yan Shouzheng knew to hold back.

He would have Yinzangsi hold back some of its Power, to avoid causing any substantial—

When he saw Yu Bao’s body dissolve into sand and wind beneath the claws, Yan Shouzheng was left dumbfounded.

As a widely experienced Master Level Beast Tamer, he instantly recognized the Skill.

And it was precisely that recognition that left him so utterly astonished.

Desert Concealment.

’But that’s a Skill belonging to the Desert White Fox... why has a Yu Dian Dog mastered it?’

’No! It can’t be that simple!’

Seeing the sand and wind reverse course and leap through the air, Yan Shouzheng’s eyes went wide.

’To be able to change direction while in sand form...’

’This is Tier Two Desert Concealment!’

’When most Pet Beasts haven’t even mastered their own species’ Skills to Tier Two, this Yu Dian Dog has trained an external Skill to Tier Two!’

’But that doesn’t add up, either. Even with Desert Concealment, how did Yu Bao detect Yinzangsi’s attack ahead of time?’

It was then that Yan Shouzheng finally noticed the unnaturally suspended particles of earth in the air.

When Yinzangsi’s spectral claws swept past the particles of earth, the particles vibrated faintly, like bells on a string—

’The Entry-level Skill of a Stone Armor Rhinoceros... Earth Force Field!’

However, a Stone Armor Rhinoceros learns this Skill primarily to alter the terrain and enhance the killing power of its other Earth Element Skills.

Using the Earth Force Field for reconnaissance was theoretically possible, but almost no Pet Beast had ever used it that way. Larger Pet Beasts were often too clumsy; even if they could detect an attack in advance, they usually couldn’t dodge it.

’This little Yu Dian Dog has mastered two external Skills, and both are surprisingly well-executed!’

On the other side, Su Zhi broke out in a cold sweat himself.

His Beast Taming Space was only Tier One, providing a relatively limited enhancement to his own body.

As a result, he hadn’t noticed the Valley Tiger Hunter’s surprise attack right away.

If Yu Bao hadn’t dodged instinctively, they would have already lost by the time he managed to give a command.

’This old gardener... he’s ridiculously strong!’

In a flash, Yan Shouzheng quelled his shock and raised his mental focus by several degrees.

"Yinzangsi, focus your Spirit! Keep up the pressure with continuous attacks! Watch out for any other hidden tricks!"

Meanwhile, Su Zhi issued his own follow-up commands to Yu Bao in response to the changing situation: 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

"Yu Bao! He’s a Master Level Beast Tamer! If one attack misses, he’ll quickly organize a follow-up assault! Adapt to his rhythm first, then create some distance!"

"Awooo!" (Got some moves! I’ll take you on!)

"Grrr-woof!" (Who does this big kitty think he is!)

The Valley Tiger Hunter launched a relentless barrage of attacks. Not to be outdone, Yu Bao continuously used Desert Concealment to evade.

Zhou Shengfa was so dumbfounded by the sight that he didn’t even notice his toupee had fallen off.

’He knew Su Zhi had a few tricks up his sleeve, but he never expected him to be *this* good.’

’A total rookie who just formed a contract with his Pet Beast four weeks ago was actually going toe-to-toe with the Vice Principal’s third pet?’

’And when did Yu Bao get Desert Concealment to Tier Two? Didn’t Piao say he’d only just learned it on Saturday?’

’If you’re this damn good, why are you even in school?!’

But after his initial shock, Zhou Shengfa quickly assessed the spar.

Yinzangsi was sticking to him like glue. Yu Bao’s Desert Concealment could evade a single attack, but it couldn’t shake off the entire assault.

If things continued like this, Yu Bao would still lose once its Energy was depleted and he could no longer use Desert Concealment.

Theoretically, anyway.

Zhou Shengfa knew Su Zhi’s personality all too well. ’There was no telling what kind of stunt he might pull...’

"Yu Bao! Now!"

Su Zhi made a split-second decision. He allocated the 0.07 points he had saved since the weekend, adding 0.03 to Yu Bao’s Perception and 0.04 to its agility.

An approximately 3% boost in agility wasn’t enough to substantially impact the overall battle.

But it *was* enough to throw the Valley Tiger Hunter off for a moment!

Yan Shouzheng quickly perceived the subtle change on the battlefield.

Yu Bao’s evasions seemed a little crisper, a little smoother. Its predictions were a few hundredths of a millisecond faster.

’Could it be some kind of buffing Skill?’

However, Yan Shouzheng couldn’t recall ever seeing a Skill like that.

Such a faint boost was almost negligible in the grand scheme of the battle. However, in a clash where moments mattered, it definitely had an impact.

Yinzangsi was momentarily taken aback, falling out of sync with Yu Bao’s evasive rhythm. This allowed Yu Bao to use Desert Concealment to create some distance.

At that exact moment, Yu Bao opened its mouth. A storm of grit and dust swirled and gathered around it, forming a giant hand that seemed to rise from the earth itself as it swept overwhelmingly toward Yinzangsi.

BOOM!

The Sandstorm erupted, and Yinzangsi’s figure was instantly swallowed by the swirling sands!

"AWOOO!" (Dammit! I got a mouthful of sand!)

The little tiger’s grumbling roars could be heard from within the raging sandstorm.

Yan Shouzheng wasn’t surprised that Yu Bao could use this Skill. Since his opponent had already pulled out two strange Skills, pulling out a third was hardly out of the question.

What surprised him was the tamer-pet duo’s ability to seize the fleeting opportunity and swiftly organize a counterattack. Their ability to read the flow of battle was exceptional.

"Yu Bao! Use it again!"

"Woof!" (You got it!)

Su Zhi’s expression didn’t relax in the slightest; if anything, he looked even more tense than before.

The mid-battle stat boost was meant to shake off the Valley Tiger Hunter and steer the fight toward wide, sweeping movements that favored Yu Bao.

If the Valley Tiger Hunter got in close again, they would be back at a stalemate.

Yu Bao, having already understood Su Zhi’s intent, executed the tactic without a moment’s hesitation.

Wave after wave of Sandstorms swept forward, blanketing a quarter of the training field in swirling sand.

While maintaining the offensive, Yu Bao also succeeded in filling the air with particles of earth, ensuring the Valley Tiger Hunter remained within its range of Perception.

If the Valley Tiger Hunter pounced forward, it would run head-on into Yu Bao’s Sandstorm.

And even if it moved laterally, Yu Bao could quickly lock onto its position and launch a targeted strike.

The battle seemed to be in Yu Bao’s control, yet Su Zhi didn’t relax at all. Instead, he had Yu Bao heighten its vigilance.

He had no reason for it, just a gut feeling that this was what they "should" do next...

And just as he suspected, at a certain moment, Yu Bao discovered that it had suddenly lost its Perception of the Valley Tiger Hunter within the sand-shrouded area!

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