CHAPTER 971 THE FIRST MATCH

"Woods, this is our first match. Don't let me down!" Geoffrey exclaimed arrogantly. He seemed

determined to win this beast duel. Of course, he wouldn't have challenged Woods if he wasn't sure.

"Brother, please. I'm asking for your mercy," Woods pleaded with a nod and a gentle smile. However,

by no means was his power inferior to that of Geoffrey's.

While he delivered his speech, Geoffrey also took a glance at Rocky who was beside Woods. Once he

noticed Geoffrey stared at him, Rocky gazed back with eyes that were calm yet sharp as blades. This

display of disrespect, domination, and fearlessness (as if Rocky himself was a prince) slightly angered

Geoffrey.

But what angered the prince more was that Rocky not only messed up his previous plan but

embarrassed him in front of that many people as well. Although he never found it to be such a big deal,

it never meant that he didn't care. On the contrary, he cared very much. Prince Geoffrey simply didn't

want to make a fuss out of it for the time being. But after his incident with Woods, his second encounter

with Rocky would surely teach him a lesson.

Behind Geoffrey stood Alexander and Tate. They too gazed at Rocky with serious looks that suggested

they were eager to get rid of him as soon as possible.

After a short meeting, the two groups returned to their respective areas to prepare for the upcoming

beast competition.

This fight between the princes wouldn't be an ordinary one. The stakes were high and a lot would be on

the line for both of them. Naturally, some rules needed to be set.

The competition would be divided into three rounds. Each round would limit both the star levels and the

grades of the spirit-manipulated beasts to prevent any inequality between the competitors. The first

round would be between the beasts of the third grade with three-star and four-star rankings. The

following round would be between the beasts of the fourth grade with four-star and five-star rankings.

Last, but certainly not the least, the third and final round would be between the beasts of the fifth grade

above the five-star ranking.

If any of the competitors won two out of the three rounds, then that competitor would be deemed the

winner. Each round would allow the competitors to send out five spirit-manipulated beasts to battle. The

competitor who first lost all his five beasts was the loser.

Once the rules of the competition were made clear to both sides, the first round soon began.

Although the first round was limited to three-star and four-star beasts of the third-grade, it was normal

for the latter beasts to be sent first over the former. This was because the stronger beasts would have a

higher chance of winning. So, naturally, these beasts that were closer to a four-star level were chosen.

A four-star, third-grade beast was as powerful as a spirit manipulator of the Heavenly Stage. This

particular spirit-manipulated beast was exceptional in that it possessed extraordinary talent. The first

round would certainly be a spectacle to behold.

"As discussed earlier, the higher the level of the beasts, the more difficult it will be for us. So we need to

try and win this competition within the first two rounds. If we stick until the final round, we'll be at a great

disadvantage," Woods, who sat next to Rocky, turned towards him and said.

"Prince Geoffrey must have thought of this too. He won't make the first two rounds easy for us," Rocky

reminded the prince.

"So, I'm going to need your help when necessary," Woods replied in a grave tone.

"Do you want to…" Without another word, Rocky immediately understood what the prince meant.

"Prince Geoffrey knows my spirit manipulators and their spirit-manipulated beasts well like the back of

his hand. But if there's one beast he does not know of, it's yours," Woods pointed out shrewdly, almost

as if he had planned it.

"I failed at keeping a low-profile last time. If I do that again, it'll cause even greater trouble. Are you sure

you want me to fight?" If Woods insisted, Rocky wouldn't refuse. However, he was now at greater risk

of exposing his identity.

"If everything goes well, then I might not need your help. But I've got a feeling that the road will be

anything but smooth." Prince Woods was undoubtedly well-prepared. However, he knew that the time

would come when he'd need Rocky's assistance.

Rocky nodded without saying anything.

At this time, the initial match of the first round had begun. The two beasts on stage gazed at each other

eagerly before they began to fight.

Prince Geoffrey's group summoned a four-star, third-grade spirit-manipulated beast called the Sky-

barking Hound. It looked like a wolf with red hair and a lean, sturdy body. It stood on six legs and had

two heads that bared its teeth viciously as it brandished its sharp claws. It was a ferocious beast that

was gifted with strength and speed.

Meanwhile, Woods' side summoned a Nebula Python which was also a four-star, third-grade beast. It

had smooth skin that appeared to have been covered in cloud-like patterns and shone as though it had

been smeared with oil. It had three snake-like heads that twisted and tangled around each other while

constantly hissing.

Both of these beasts were not only of the same level but of nearly the same strength as well. During

this match, the spirit manipulators weren't allowed to command their respective beasts. The outcome of

the match would depend entirely on the spirit-manipulated beast's ability. However, most of the spirit-

manipulated beasts had an attribute that could restrain others. In the case of being faced with a beast

of the same level, this attribute was very important. This content belongs to Nô/velDra/ma.Org .

Rocky, who was good at this point, almost predicted the result of the first match when the two beasts

came on stage.

"Your Royal Highness, it seems that we need to prepare the second spirit-manipulated beast," Rocky

informed Woods after much thinking.

"What?" The prince was stunned. The competition had barely begun, but Rocky was already telling him

this. An ordinary person would think that he was deliberately causing Woods' downfall. Fortunately, he

knew Rocky well and that he had the right to suggest such a thing.

Except for the two sisters of the Cao Clan and Lucas, the others present couldn't help but question

Rocky's words. They began to whisper among themselves, signifying that they weren't exactly onboard

with his decision. Despite him being a superior beast master, it wasn't enough to convince the people

that Rocky could predict the outcome of the match at a glance.

"Mr. Rookie, are you saying that the spirit-manipulated beast we summoned is no match for theirs?

How did you know that? I think sending out the Nebula Python will play to our advantage," a surprised

Lucas, who sat on the other side, questioned. He didn't understand the logic behind Rocky's quick

judgment.

Everyone turned towards Rocky and waited for his reply.