If it were the top 8, or even top 4, and he truly couldn’t win, or he encountered a situation like the Milk Shield Poison System that he couldn’t break and didn’t want to fight, he could choose to surrender and forfeit the match.
But the finals.
So far, there has been no instance of surrender; neither the contestants nor the event organizers wanted to set this precedent.
Because this was no longer just a simple match between two rookie Beast Masters.
It also concerned the face of Qinghe City, and involved many aspects such as commercial advertising and city promotion.
Therefore, as things stood, it would be fine if Lin Chuan fell in the top 8 or top 4.
But once Lin Chuan fought his way out of the upper bracket, once Lin Chuan entered the finals, then, given that neither side could actively surrender or forfeit the match, there was a high probability of it becoming an ultra-long, drawn-out match, just as Lin Chuan had said to Li Zeyu from afar in his post-match interview after advancing to the top 8: asking Li Zeyu to prepare food and water in advance. In fact, it wasn't just Li Zeyu; if it truly developed into that situation, the commentators and even the live audience would need to prepare food and water.
That would be a guaranteed torturous match.
Whether for the contestants, the commentators, or the live audience.
As an audience member, especially one who bought tickets to watch the match live.
Everyone wants to see a thrilling match with intense action, back-and-forth exchanges, and constant peril.
However, under the Milk Shield Poison System, and under the rules of the rookie Beast Master competition, these things were destined not to happen.
There would only be chronic torture, four or five hours, or even a whole day of it. In such a situation, which audience member could possibly endure it?
...
So, on the evening the top 8 interview concluded.
Lin Chuan, having just returned to the small villa apartment he had re-rented for three more days in preparation for the matches, received an official call from the Xiao Qingkong Cup organizers, which was the Qinghe City Beastmaster Association. The specific reason wasn't mentioned over the phone, only that Lin Chuan should stay home and a special person would visit him shortly to discuss an important matter.
Special person? Visit? Important matter?
He had just hung up, and less than three minutes later, while Lin Chuan was still wondering, the doorbell rang.
Through the surveillance at the door, Lin Chuan saw a middle-aged man standing there, dressed in the professional Beast Master uniform of the Beastmaster Association, predominantly black with white accents, sleeves and collar embroidered with auspicious cloud patterns. He had a small mustache and wore black wooden square-framed glasses, giving him an elegant yet somewhat serious demeanor.
Lin Chuan was momentarily stunned, then recognized the person; this man was too famous.
This middle-aged man's portrait and basic information were displayed on the homepage of the Qinghe City Beastmaster Association's official website.
Liang Lu, 40 years old, Beast Master level 52, Vice President and Director of the Activities Department of the Qinghe City Beastmaster Association.
Undoubtedly, this was one of the most influential figures in Qinghe City.
In his previous life on Azure Star's Dragon Kingdom, he would be equivalent to a municipal party committee secretary.
This was the first time Lin Chuan had ever met such a prominent figure, both in his past life and this one!
Both curious and a little nervous, Lin Chuan quickly opened the door, invited this prominent figure in, and poured him a cup of hot water, showing proper etiquette without being overly humble.
Liang Lu secretly nodded at Lin Chuan's neither servile nor overbearing demeanor, thinking that it was rare for a young person to have such composure. Other rookie Beast Masters, upon seeing and recognizing him for the first time, would usually tremble with nervousness, or even be speechless.
Without much small talk, Liang Lu began:
"I believe student Lin Chuan knows my identity, so I won't introduce myself further."
"I want to say that I am the general person in charge of this Xiao Qingkong Cup and the subsequent Little Qinghe Cup events."
At this point, Liang Lu paused, his speech slowing, his attitude becoming more serious.
"There's something I'd like to discuss with you, student Lin Chuan."
"Don't worry, it's not some shady deal, nor am I asking student Lin Chuan to forfeit the match."
Hearing this, Lin Chuan's expression subtly shifted, feeling something, but he showed no reaction, simply remaining quiet and continuing to listen to Liang Lu.
"Student Lin Chuan, I believe you yourself know that your Milk Shield Poison System fighting style..."
"It's very powerful, almost unsolvable for rookie Beast Masters, but! The quality of the match it brings, and the audience's viewing experience, are very poor!"
Liang Lu took a sip of water, looking at Lin Chuan with a half-smile. Lin Chuan remained silent.
Then, Liang Lu even opened his work phone and showed Lin Chuan some backend data.
"This is regarding the live viewing tickets for this Xiao Qingkong Cup finals. Originally, these tickets were already sold out long before the Xiao Qingkong Cup began."
"However, to date, 30% of the audience has chosen to refund their tickets."
"And, the number of refunds is still continuously increasing."
"At this rate, by the day of the finals, at least half of the audience seats will likely be empty."
"If nothing unexpected happens, this Xiao Qingkong Cup finals will be the ugliest Xiao Qingkong Cup finals in Qinghe City's nearly hundred-year history of hosting the event."
Liang Lu's voice was indifferent, but the content of his words made one uncomfortable.
Lin Chuan was silent. He really wanted to defend himself, but there was truly no way to. He had to take the blame for this.
The Milk Shield Poison System had appeared before, but no one had ever been able to cheat like him, raising all the Milk Shield Poison skills to at least Proficient, and most even to Master or Expert Grade.
At the rookie stage, this was almost unsolvable.
However, the quality of the matches it produced was truly hard to describe.
Lin Chuan admitted that even he himself would not want to watch such a match.
Watching it on TV or a live stream was one thing, but buying a ticket to watch it live? No thanks.
"Then, Director Liang, what do you mean?"
A bad premonition in his heart, Lin Chuan asked in a deep voice.
Seeing the change in Lin Chuan's expression, his face seemingly turning a bit dark, Liang Lu chuckled. Indeed, even if a young man tried to act mature, his mentality was still not calm and composed enough; showing emotions on his face was not a good habit for a Beast Master.
"Student Lin Chuan, please rest assured!"
"Didn't I just say, there won't be any shady dealings."
"The Xiao Qingkong Cup, the Little Qinghe Cup, they are important, concerning the face of Qinghe City, but ultimately, they are just two rookie Beast Master competitions. Our Qinghe City Beastmaster Association doesn't need to resort to any underhanded tactics in such a small competition, causing dissatisfaction in a Beast Master who will at least be a Professional Beastmaster in the future."
Liang Lu reassured him with genuine explanation.
Upon hearing this, Lin Chuan immediately breathed a sigh of relief. At the same time, he immediately reflected on his own lack of composure just now, having actually shown dissatisfaction towards a prominent figure directly on his face. It would be troublesome if he left a bad impression on this prominent figure.
Lin Chuan secretly observed Liang Lu, and seeing that Liang Lu showed no sign of anger, even having an expression like he was watching a child's joke, he finally relaxed.
"Our organizers studied the situation overnight and have brought a suggestion for you, student Lin Chuan."
"Let me state beforehand, student Lin Chuan can refuse to accept this suggestion, and it will not have any subsequent impact on you."
"However, if student Lin Chuan accepts, I will personally give you a certain financial compensation."
Liang Lu took another sip of water.
Lin Chuan neither nodded nor shook his head. By now, he was completely calm. He remained silent, waiting for Liang Lu's next words:
Seeing Lin Chuan, as if seeing his past self, Liang Lu chuckled and continued:
"Based on our analysis of the event situation and each contestant, student Lin Chuan, the probability of you and student Li Zeyu reaching the finals is over 90%."
"However, if the match proceeds according to the rules of the rookie Beast Master competition, it will inevitably become a torturous match of extremely long duration, and the viewing quality will be very poor."
"Therefore, after internal discussions among our event organizers, we have decided to propose a suggestion, or rather, a proposal, to you, student Lin Chuan, and student Li Zeyu."
"The premise of this proposal is that student Lin Chuan enters the finals. If you fall early in the top 8 or top 4, then this proposal will be directly invalid."
"But if student Lin Chuan successfully enters the finals, the proposal will take effect."
"Student Lin Chuan, and student Li Zeyu, if both of you agree, the finals will change from the rookie Beast Master 1v1 restricted match rules to the 2+1 mode of a formal Beast Master competition."
"In this way, even with your Milk Shield Poison System, even if it still results in an ultra-long match duration, there can still be a very exciting combat process, leading to a high-quality match."
"According to our analysis, the 2+1 mode, compared to the rules of the rookie Beast Master competition, will be more disadvantageous for you, student Lin Chuan, and advantageous for student Li Zeyu."
"Therefore, as long as student Lin Chuan reaches the finals and agrees to the proposal for the finals to proceed in 2+1 mode, I will personally provide you with 3 million star rock coin and 300 Beastmaster Association points as compensation."
"Of course, student Lin Chuan, you can also choose to refuse."
"As long as either you or student Li Zeyu refuses, the finals will proceed according to the original rookie Beast Master competition rules."
At this point, Liang Lu finished speaking.
Without rushing, Liang Lu leisurely drank water, occasionally secretly munching on the oranges and biscuits on the table. He quietly waited for Lin Chuan's answer.
Lin Chuan remained silent, his eyes flickering as he carefully considered in his mind.
To be honest, Lin Chuan's initial goal was just the top 4; the prize money from the top 4 would be enough for all his subsequent expenses.
As for after the top 4, he was completely indifferent; he would just go as far as he could.
And now, Liang Lu's proposed suggestion.
The finals, 2+1 mode.
The 2+1 mode is the most common rule in formal Beast Master competitions.
The so-called 2+1 means a competition mode with 2 spirit beasts plus the Beast Master himself.
Yes, the Beast Master will personally participate in the battle.
Instead of just verbally commanding from the command zone outside the arena, as in the rookie Beast Master 1v1 restricted match.
Under this rule.
Aside from items, which will have different usage quantity restrictions depending on the event, other restrictions are mostly lifted.
For example, the number of times a Beast Master can use their Beast Master talent will not be restricted.
Another example is the way to win the match.
In addition to defeating all of the opponent's spirit beasts, one can also directly knock down the opponent's Beast Master.
That's right, spirit beasts are allowed to attack the opponent's Beast Master!
This was also the point in Liang Lu's words that was disadvantageous to Lin Chuan: it was highly likely that at the very beginning of the match, before he even had a chance to have Guoguo and Sakura shield him, he would be instantly beheaded and defeated by Li Zeyu's Mutated Blue Feather Eagle's extreme speed charge.
Such a match was also destined to be extremely dangerous.
But at the same time, such a match was also destined to be highly entertaining; even the Milk Shield Poison System could produce a very exciting match under these rules.
Of course, the match would have special protective measures and even invite Professional Beast Masters to act as emergency referees, sufficient to ensure the life safety of the participating Beast Masters. However, this was limited to life safety only; accidents often occurred in such matches, minor injuries could be ignored, and even situations like fractures were very common.
Lin Chuan thought seriously for 10 minutes, and finally, he nodded and agreed.
The 2+1 mode would undoubtedly be dangerous. If he ended up with a fracture, it would definitely affect the secret realm trial for the promotion assessment a month later.
However, there were disadvantages, but also advantages!
The disadvantage was the potential impact on the subsequent secret realm trial, but similarly, the advantage was also in the secret realm trial!
The secret realm trial is a wilderness exploration and survival type of trial, and undoubtedly, the Beast Master will participate in it.
And he, Lin Chuan, had never truly participated in a wild battle. What he needed most now was wild battle experience!
And the suggestion proposed by Liang Lu, the Xiao Qingkong Cup finals in 2+1 mode.
It was clearly an excellent opportunity for practical wild combat! Other places wouldn't have a group of Professional Beast Masters standing by to protect and intervene.
Of course!
There was another reason!
As the final straw that tipped the scales of benefit versus harm in Lin Chuan's heart.
Well, it was the compensation Liang Lu mentioned.
3 million star rock coin, 300 Beastmaster Association points.
It's not that I'm not persistent, but what he gave was simply too much!