Sakura's evolution was complete, and she returned to her Flower Spirit form.
She didn't celebrate, nor did she cheer.
Silently, Sakura's pink eyes looked towards Guo Guo.
At this moment.
Guo Guo's expression was equally solemn, as if facing a formidable enemy; her emerald green eyes met Sakura's without flinching.
Two Spirit Beasts, three-tenths human-like, resembling little human girls, stood in confrontation.
A soaring fighting spirit permeated between the two Spirit Beasts.
Are they having a conflict?
Or are they planning to settle all the new and old grudges of these past few days?
Neither. Sakura and Guo Guo's grudge period never exceeded two days.
If she lost a sparring match today, she would obediently play second fiddle, at most holding a grudge until the next sparring match tomorrow.
If she lost again, she would turn the page and start a new grudge.
The current situation was an agreement Guo Guo and Sakura had made when Lin Chuan wasn't aware.
The moment Sakura re-evolved into a Flower Spirit, it would be the moment for the two of them to use their true strength, fight with all their might, and engage in an ultimate battle.
This wasn't a casual sparring match where they just pushed each other down and suppressed them.
Instead, it was a battle to the limit, ending only when one side completely fell and lost the ability to fight.
Level? Bloodline Rank?
If victory and defeat were decided solely by level and bloodline rank.
Then what would be the point of competitions, what would be the point of battles?
Would opponents automatically surrender if high-level, high-rank bloodline Spirit Beasts were simply brought out to show themselves?
If that were the case, the Human Beast Taming Civilization would not have reached its current state.
Because no matter how humans cultivated Spirit Beasts, they could never catch up to those Mythic Rank demonic creatures favored by heaven and earth.
Tactics, Combination Skills, Secret Skills, Beast Taming Talents, team cooperation—these various extensions of the Human Beast Taming Civilization were the key to humanity's ultimate ability to defeat the strong with the weak, occupying a quarter of the Azure Star's habitable land.
Therefore, nothing is impossible.
Victory and defeat, strength and weakness.
It's not determined by level, nor by bloodline.
Only by truly fighting a battle can one know.
Guo Guo stated that only if Sakura could completely and utterly defeat her would she feel at ease entrusting the task of guarding her master to Sakura, and only then could she peacefully reincarnate.
At this moment, Lin Chuan also recovered from the dizzying sensation caused by the sudden reception of a massive amount of Illusion Attribute energy feedback and the leapfrog improvement of his Beast Master level.
Through the contract, Lin Chuan simultaneously received the thoughts from both Guo Guo and Sakura.
Only at this moment.
Did Lin Chuan realize that Guo Guo and Sakura had such a private agreement.
Subconsciously rubbing his nose, Lin Chuan felt a little awkward and touched deep down.
This agreement, this full-power battle agreement.
Its root was the safety of him, their Beast Master master.
Both Guo Guo and Sakura placed his safety as their Beast Master in the highest priority, valuing it more than anything; only the strong were qualified to be his personal guard—this was their shared thought.
Lin Chuan had no reason to stop this battle.
“Although, I will not stop this battle of yours.”
“But shouldn't you both adjust your status first? After all, you just finished meditating, and your mental energy has been consumed quite a bit. Sakura has also just completed her evolution, and her status hasn't been fully adjusted, right?”
“Fighting in this status, even if you defeat the opponent, it wouldn't count as a complete and utter defeat, would it?”
Lin Chuan said.
Guo Guo and Sakura stopped their confrontation, and after thinking, both nodded slightly.
Indeed, if they were to fight, they would need to raise their status to perfection.
“Let's make it 8 AM tomorrow.”
“For this battle, I, your Beast Master, will serve as the referee. I won't help anyone, nor will I provide any support to you.”
“As for the rules.”
Lin Chuan pondered. He wanted to suggest using the 1v1 restricted match rules like those in the Baby Cup, as that would be very safe.
However, after thinking about it, it was basically impossible for him to encounter such rules in future competitions, unless he participated in some commercial exhibition matches.
Moreover, compared to direct combat power.
Sometimes, tactics and wisdom would be even more important.
Guo Guo and Sakura's wisdom had gradually increased with the improvement of their levels, their evolution, and the transformation of their bloodline ranks.
Therefore, it was also time to cultivate their independent combat abilities; they couldn't always rely entirely on him to direct battles.
“We'll use wild combat rules.”
“That is to say, you can use any means to fight!”
Lin Chuan said.
Pale pink, emerald green, two pairs of big, beautiful eyes flickered with a subtle gleam.
Deep in thought, Sakura nodded first, and Guo Guo immediately expressed her agreement.
It seemed the wild combat rules made them even more eager and excited; both looked ready to roll up their sleeves and have a big fight.
“Alright then, everyone dismissed. Go back and prepare well.”
Lin Chuan clapped his hands and said.
“Wan Wan too, please take tomorrow off from your library job. Make a detailed data record of this battle; perhaps this will be the ultimate internal team battle for a long time to come.”
Wan Wan nodded, her expression serious and solemn.
Her gaze towards Guo Guo and Sakura held a hint of envy.
She wondered when she would be qualified to participate in a battle to contend for the right to be her master's personal guard.
...
The rules of wild combat meant using every possible means.
Although the official start time was set for 8 AM tomorrow.
In reality, the battle had already begun.
Dinner time.
Manor garden.
White Snow held a super-large, giant hamburger with a diameter of three meters in her two dragon claws, with a large bathtub full of Dragon Cub Nutrient Milk beside her.
Chew, chew, chew, chew, chew.
Gulp, gulp, gulp.
Two Gardener Chickens held soft brushes and climbed onto White Snow's back, brushing her fur.
Eating, drinking, and enjoying the Gardener Chickens' brushing service all at once.
White Snow watched the situation in front of her with her pure, flawless, adorable big eyes, full of curiosity.
She saw Sakura walk towards Guo Guo.
Ying ying ying~
(Sister Guo, Sister Guo, your favorite food is here~)
(Before the official battle tomorrow, let's get along well.)
Saying this, Sakura handed Guo Guo a plate of food that looked a little strange?
It was a plate of garlic lobster, the food with Guo Guo's original fruit flavor.
However, why was the color of this garlic lobster a bit strange?
Why was it purple!?
And it was emitting black smoke!!
Guo Guo: ...
Her emerald green, beautiful eyes were filled with utter bewilderment and disbelief.
Staring at Sakura, Guo Guo's eyes conveyed this look.
I, Guo Di, just disdain to use my brain too much.
But you can't really treat me as stupid, treat me as a simpleton! I'm not that White Snow!
Little green tea, if you secretly poisoned me, that would be one thing.
But to poison me openly and still dare to serve it!?
Guo Guo was furious and turned to leave.
Sakura narrowed her eyes slightly, revealing a sweet, yet manipulative smile.
Her goal had been achieved.
Poisoning was just a superficial act.
The real goal was to mess with Guo Guo's mentality.
To make Guo Guo unable to sleep soundly tonight, drawing circles in her blanket to curse her.
Lin Chuan watched this scene unfold from the side.
For some reason, Lin Chuan always felt it was very familiar. Had he seen this tactic somewhere before?
Forget it, no matter who it was, that little rascal really deserved to die.
They actually corrupted his Miss Sakura, turning her into a little tea princess, even using such disgusting mind-game tactics.
On Guo Guo's side.
Although not as 'despicable' as Sakura, she wasn't stupid, nor was she a simpleton.
Wild combat rules, using every possible means.
If my bloodline rank isn't as good as yours, then can't I find outside help?!
That night, at midnight.
Guo Guo, carrying a large bundle of red envelopes, quietly arrived at Wan Wan's residence, the manor study.
Guo Guo: Yi ya ya~!
(Teacher Wan Wan, give me a lucky buff, and give Sakura an unlucky buff! These red envelopes are all for you!)
Teacher Wan Wan.
This was Guo Guo's respectful address for Wan Wan.
Because Wan Wan had told her many, many righteous web novel stories, taught her many great principles of fruit life, and showed her the future of the Emperor's Path.
Wan Wan: ...
Lin Chuan is absolutely neutral, so she's targeting me?
I have to admit.
Guo Guo is also growing, she's even learned to find outside help.
“I can help you.”
“However, my abilities have very little effect on both you and Sakura.”
“Moreover, with my current level and the energy I possess, without assistance from Master, I can only cast two Immortal Spells per day. And to ensure my status tomorrow allows me to better record your battle with Sakura, I can only cast one skill at most, either to give you luck or to bring Sakura misfortune.”
Guo Guo thought carefully.
Ultimately, she chose to give herself luck.
Wan Wan nodded slightly, indicating that she would buff Guo Guo one hour before the battle started tomorrow.
If she buffed her now, the effect would likely be gone by the time the battle began.
Subsequently, Wan Wan accepted one red envelope from Guo Guo, taking no more.
After all, they were teammates, she couldn't earn ill-gotten gains.
After bribing Wan Wan, Guo Guo returned happily.
Then, the further she walked, the more Guo Guo felt something was off.
The path back shouldn't be that long, right?
This corridor, she had clearly just passed it!
Also, why was the painting on the wall in Sakura's likeness!!
Darn it, she was under an illusion!
When did this happen?
How did she not notice at all!!
Little Tea Princess Sakura, she ambushed her again!!
Just as Guo Guo realized the situation, Sakura, hidden in the dark, actively 'withdrew' the illusion.
The surrounding scene slowly transformed into the training room in the manor's basement.
However, the training room was not in a Wood Attribute environment now, but had been adjusted by Sakura into a pure metal arena. There was no soil or water on the ground, and in the center of the training room was a metal rockery, covered with various sharp blades, spears, swords, and halberds, emanating a fierce, sharp aura.
This was a Metal Attribute training room!!
Outside the training room.
Sakura clicked, locking the training room door and hanging a large, heavy, and sturdy lock on it.
Sister Guo, you are still too naive to play mind games with your Sister Sakura.
Tonight, you'll be in the Metal Attribute training room.
Have a good~
Rest~~
Time passed quietly.
The night was uneventful.
When the time came to 8 AM the next morning.
The lowest level of the manor's underground area, the battle facility.
This was a huge space, approximately 1000 meters long, 600 meters wide, and 100 meters high.
White Snow hovered in mid-air, her pure, flawless, adorable big eyes quietly observing.
Lin Chuan rode on White Snow's back, holding a white flag with the character 'Guo' in his left hand and a pink flag with the character 'Sakura' in his right, while observing the situation below.
Guo Guo had dark circles under her emerald eyes, looking like she hadn't rested well.
Clearly, in the hidden pre-match skirmish.
Guo Guo had lost.