The serpent possessed that horrible capacity to absorb energy from defeated beasts, and Taro appearing at the beginning created a stamina problem for Ren specifically against this team composition.

It was a threat that converted each of Ren's decisions into calculations not just of risk but of energy efficiency. He didn't just have to worry about winning all the individual battles using his beasts in the correct order, but about ensuring each battle was clean and efficient.

Ren was virtually alone in this battle. His team knew it… he could see understanding in their faces when they gathered briefly before the matchup began. They couldn't do anything except trust in him, hoping that his capabilities would be sufficient to overcome odds that didn't particularly favor them.

Ron approached first, his expression serious but determined. "Just tell me what you need me to do."

Ren looked at his teammate... Ron had won matches, had shown real improvement from the training methods Ren had shared.

But against Taro's golden beetle?

There was no realistic chance.

Still, Ren considered Ron's question for a moment, evaluating options rapidly in his mind.

Things could proceed relatively normally and predictably if he simply accepted the reality of the situation as it stood. Taro would enter first as he always did, establishing his position as the immovable wall. Ren could send his team to wear down Taro even minimally before entering himself.

But if Liora entered first with the Bashe...

The more he thought about that scenario, the less he liked the idea. His teammates would be sacrificed without accomplishing anything significant beyond feeding the serpent's growth.

Except being lucky so Taro goes first might at least force the Terror or the beetle to spend some energy.

But too risky…

"Come here, gather closer..." Ren said to his team.

♢♢♢♢

When Master Zhao announced the beginning and requested that the first combatant from each side step forward,

Taro emerged with the confidence of someone who'd done this dozens of times without losing a single match.

From the other side, Ron walked onto the field with an expression showing quiet resolve.

Taro sighed softly when he saw that Ron was first instead of Ren. He'd hoped to surprise Ren in a specific way he'd planned carefully.

Throughout the entire exam, Taro had been using the Deep Terror as his first-entry beast, establishing a pattern that anyone observing would eventually notice. The idea was that Ren would choose his beast considering the Terror as the most probable opponent, optimizing his selection to deal with the multiple articulated legs and unsettling versatility of that creature… perhaps sending the mantis or wolverine first.

And then Taro would have deployed the Golden Beetle instead, completely surprising Ren and forcing him to adjust his strategy in the middle of battle when he'd already committed to a beast choice.

It was a simple tactic but potentially very effective against an opponent who depended so much on careful preparation to conserve energy through the ten consecutive battles awaiting him.

But now with Ron entering first, the surprise would no longer be surprising for Ren. Taro would have to reveal the beetle now or maintain the Terror pattern and lose the opportunity to use that tactic completely.

Ren had taken precautions...

[EARLIER - TEAM DISCUSSION]

"Enter first before me," Ren decided finally after his team had gathered.

Ron blinked, clearly not expecting that instruction. "Me? I thought you wouldn't want..."

"I know," Ren interrupted with a tone that left no space for debate. "But if Liora enters, she'll only absorb your fire beast's mana. And if Taro enters, I need information about which beast he'll deploy first. And I need you to get that information for me."

Ron understood immediately what Ren was asking. It wasn't fighting to win… it was fighting to learn. To force Taro to reveal his first card before Ren had to commit to his own choice.

It was a calculated sacrifice that Ron accepted without further questioning.

The other team members listened in silence, understanding the logic even if it meant Ron would be a sacrificial piece.

"Make him work for it," Ren added. "Don't just roll over. But your primary objective is reconnaissance, not victory."

Ron nodded. "I understand."

The rest of the team exchanged glances, recognizing the cold efficiency of the strategy. This was what tactical thinking looked like… pieces sacrificed not out of cruelty but out of necessity for the larger victory.

[BACK TO PRESENT]

Taro decided there was no point saving the beetle longer if the surprise was already ruined.

The Golden Beetle materialized on the field with a presence that made the ground vibrate slightly under its massive weight. The creature was a living testament to what proper cultivation and adequate resources could achieve with a beast most had considered mediocre at best.

Now it was an absolute monster that had earned the nickname "The Immovable Mountain" with every demolishing battle it had fought.

Ron manifested his salamander with determination everyone recognized as admirable bravery in the face of impossible odds. The fire beast glowed with flames covering its body, ready to give everything it had even knowing it wouldn't be sufficient.

The battle lasted less than two minutes...

Ron attempted using speed and fire attacks to find an opening in the beetle's defenses, but each attempt was blocked by the sand and living minerals defense with ease bordering on insult.

The salamander's flames that luckily managed to pass the defense, just splashed against the golden carapace like water against stone, creating some momentary heat but no damage.

The beetle moved with speed a creature of its size shouldn't be able to manifest, closing distance when Ron tried maintaining it to press his nonexistent elemental advantage. Every time the salamander created space, the beetle crossed it in seconds.

Ron tried different angles of approach. Tried focusing fire on joints between armor plates. Tried overwhelming concentrated points with sustained flame.

Nothing worked.

The beetle's defense was simply too complete, too refined through years of cultivation under Ren's methods.

The end came when the beetle simply charged directly through the fire barrier the salamander had established as desperate defense on the last free edge of the field. The flames licked the golden carapace without causing visible damage, and then the beetle was upon the salamander, crushing it against the ground with a weight no Silver 2 beast could resist.

Ron withdrew his salamander before it could be dispersed entirely, accepting defeat with grace that earned respectful nods from spectators. He hadn't accomplished anything significant in terms of damaging the beetle or wearing it down noticeably.

But he had accomplished something valuable for his team. He'd confirmed exactly what Ren would face first. Had forced Taro to reveal his strongest hand from the beginning. Had contributed to the greater good by providing critical information Ren needed to make informed decisions.

It was a sacrifice that wouldn't appear in official battle records as a significant contribution, but those who understood real strategy would recognize it as valuable service to his team.

Ron walked off the field with head held high despite the swift defeat.

He'd done his job.

Now it was Ren's turn to do his.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.