C8 A Dazzling Newcomer

"Who do you think you are?"

Jiao Yuanju couldn't help but chuckle.

The crowd went dead silent, staring at Jiao Yuanju in disbelief. Was he really talking to Jing Dehai that way? Didn't he realize that Jing Dehai was already highly regarded by Krukshire's military?

Only the chubby guy was yelling with excitement, "That's my boss for you! I've been itching to see someone take him down. Go on, beat him!"

The crowd couldn't help but mock the fatty for his foolishness.

Jing Dehai's smile turned icy as he warned, "No one who speaks to me like that ever ends well."

Impatiently, Jiao Yuanju urged, "Get on with it!"

Jing Dehai remained silent. He tapped the peculiar pouch at his waist, and a one-meter-tall black tiger leaped out. Its black and white fur, paired with eerie light red eyes, looked otherworldly, especially with the faint flames flickering over its body.

"It's Jing Dehai's flame tiger!"

Excited screams erupted from the audience. The flame tiger, a Mutant Beast born from a mutated tiger, was a sight to behold. The black flame tiger was especially rare and powerful. Jing Dehai had already proven his strength by defeating the top students from classes four, six, and eight, as well as the formidable Lei Sheng from class nine. He was, without a doubt, the top contender at Azure Academy.

Jiao Yuanju probably hadn't anticipated that his first challenge would be against Azure Academy's strongest, Jing Dehai.

But Jiao Yuanju wasn't intimidated. His bond with Eoldrai gave him confidence in his combat abilities.

Eoldrai entered the ring, locking eyes with the flame tiger in a standoff.

"You go first," Jing Dehai said to Jiao Yuanju, smiling genuinely yet with an undertone of pride.

Jiao Yuanju returned the smile. Jing Dehai was in for a surprise.

"Eoldrai, Fog of Darkness!"

The green snake exhaled a thick black mist, quickly enveloping the entire arena within seconds.

Blinded, Jing Dehai could see nothing, and the flame tiger roared in frustration. Surprised, he asked, "What kind of ability is this?"

He was no stranger to elemental-type pets with special abilities beyond mere strength and speed. But this black fog was bizarrely peculiar.

"Still, it's the perfect cover for me!"

With a sly grin, Jing Dehai vacated his spot...

In the fog, Eoldrai darted about like a swift fish, and Jiao Yuanju immediately noticed Jing Dehai's actions.

"Poison Teeth!" commanded Jiao Yuanju.

Eoldrai lunged for a bite, but Jing Dehai was too quick. The flame tiger at his back burst into a blaze, batting Eoldrai away.

A sense of imminent danger washed over Jiao Yuanju, an instinctual response from his enhanced physique. He instinctively punched to the left, clashing with Jing Dehai's palm. Both men staggered back. Jing Dehai, shrouded in the eerie fog, couldn't see Jiao Yuanju clearly, yet his assault was thwarted.

"Do you possess an elite physique as well?"

It was common knowledge that the mightier the pet, the more powerful the boost to its owner. Jing Dehai was evidently a formidable force in his own right. It was no surprise he wasn't intimidated by Jiao Yuanju. But Jiao Yuanju's senses had evolved significantly.

His arm tingling, Jiao Yuanju was astounded by the sheer force. How could Jing Dehai be so strong?

He was unaware that Jing Dehai had been honing his martial arts skills from a young age. Though Jiao Yuanju's senses were heightened, his strength remained unchanged.

"You're bound to lose," Jing Dehai taunted with a cold laugh.

The black tiger bypassed Eoldrai and unleashed a jet of fire toward Jiao Yuanju. Oddly, the flames snuffed out as soon as they appeared.

Jiao Yuanju couldn't help but smile this time. His ace in the hole wasn't just Eoldrai's venom; it was his unique dark ability. The fog of darkness could neutralize any elemental attack. And it had another clever trick up its sleeve...

The green snake materialized behind the flame tiger, delivering a vicious bite. The tiger was instantly engulfed in fire.

Meanwhile, Jiao Yuanju vanished into the black fog with a smirk, sending Jing Dehai into a frenzy.

Silently, the green snake reappeared on Jing Dehai's arm. By the time he perceived the threat, it was too late. The snake struck with a bite and then vanished as if it had become one with the fog.

The flame tiger collapsed, devoid of strength.

Jing Dehai was hit by a wave of dizziness and panic. He had been defeated!

He was reluctant to accept it, but deep down, he knew victory was out of reach. The moment Jiao Yuanju's fog of darkness materialized, Jing Dehai's fate was sealed.

His concession echoed throughout the venue, heard by all.

As if on cue, the black fog vanished into thin air at Jiao Yuanju's mere thought. He remained still, seemingly untouched by the battle. In contrast, the flame tiger and Jing Dehai lay in disarray nearby.

Lei Sheng and the others watched in stunned silence, their eyes wide with disbelief as they took in the sight of a defeated Jing Dehai and the composed Jiao Yuanju. It seemed impossible!

With a nonchalant air, Jiao Yuanju hoisted Eoldrai onto his shoulder and stepped off the stage, his demeanor betraying no hint of the significant victory he had just claimed over Azure Academy's top freshman. The mystery of what transpired within the fog of darkness only added to the aura of awe that now enveloped him.

"Our leader is invincible!" Fatty bellowed, his face beet-red with excitement. He had never imagined Jiao Yuanju would triumph!

The crowd erupted into a frenzy of cheers and applause.