The next day, at the south gate of the school.
A group of about thirty to forty new students was gathering.
"Uncle, why won't you let us out?"
"It's not like we haven't been into the southern forest before."
"Exactly, I even killed several magical beasts there the other day."
"We promise we won't wander off. Please let us out!"
After the course selection contest, the professional platform battle was looming.
Many new students were eager to leave the school and gain some experience.
Due to the low strength of the magical beasts and some exploration experience, the southern forest became their first and only choice.
However, since early this morning, not a single batch of students trying to leave through the south gate had been allowed to pass by the gatekeeper uncle.
"Freshmen in their first semester don't have the freedom to leave the campus."
At this time, the gatekeeper uncle, with arms crossed, displayed an uncompromising stance.
Such situations happened every year, and he was long accustomed to it.
No matter how these students argued or pleaded, he wouldn't let them through.
Unless accompanied by senior students or with a teacher's permission, no freshman was allowed to leave the school.
Faced with this situation, some new students started to whisper among themselves.
"Forget it, stop begging this stubborn old uncle."
"Yeah, it feels like he won't let us pass."
"If I'd known, I would have just climbed over the wall."
"My roommate went to climb over the wall just now, maybe he's already outside."
This suggestion to climb the wall undoubtedly brightened everyone's eyes.
[Woof Woof!]
However, just when many were eager to try, they suddenly heard the barking of a dog from behind.
Everyone turned around in surprise.
They saw an old dog with long ears dragging on the ground slowly walking towards them.
Trailing behind the old dog was a line of seven or eight students.
They hung their heads in embarrassment because each of their clothes was torn and ragged, with obvious bite marks.
"Dare to climb such a high wall, aren't you afraid of falling to death?"
Seeing this group, the gatekeeper uncle was not amused.
The school's outer wall served a certain purpose in keeping out magical beasts, so it wasn't easy to climb over.
Especially for new summoners whose physical fitness might not be stronger than ordinary people.
These little guys, laboring to climb the wall, could easily be caught by even a not-so-good-at-fighting dog listening beast.
[Woof Woof]
Students caught were undoubtedly going to face a penalty, while the beast greeted the gatekeeper uncle and then dug out a sharp unknown tail bone from the dirt under the wall, chewing on it.
The sudden scene dashed the mischievous thoughts that had just emerged among the new students.
This big dog seemed quite formidable, it looked like the route of climbing the wall was blocked as well.
"Good morning, Uncle."
[Grass!]
Just then, a limping figure with a straw man passed through the crowd.
It was Li Pu, who had just woken up and was preparing to set off again.
Yesterday's trading post experience had reignited his fighting spirit, and his current goal was very clear.
To make money.
500,000 Crystal Coins seemed like an astronomical number.
But if you don't make an effort, it will remain out of reach permanently.
The sooner you act, the sooner you might gather enough money.
His greatest fear now was someone else buying that item before he had enough money.
"Good morning, heading out again today?"
"Heh, you're really diligent."
Unlike how he was with other new students, the gatekeeper uncle was quite amiable towards Li Pu.
"Yeah, do I still need to make a call?"
Li Pu nodded.
"No need, off you go."
The gatekeeper uncle waved his hand, letting him pass.
"Thanks."
Li Pu was, of course, happy to skip a step.
[Woof Woof!]
Seeing Li Pu approaching, the beast quickly stood up and wagged its tail.
"Let's go, old dog, let's see if I can bring you some goods again today."
He casually petted the dog's head.
This scene shocked the students who were standing in punishment.
He was too bold, wasn't he? Could you just casually pet the head of this fierce beast's dog?
Furthermore, calling it an old dog seemed too offensive, wait no, too offensive to the dog, right!
[Woof Woof!]
Unexpectedly, the beast seemed to enjoy Li Pu's touch, its eyes squinting with pleasure.
"..."
The gatekeeper uncle could only be speechless at his summoned beast's behavior.
But who could blame him? Last night, Li Pu had offered it its favorite lizard tail.
And it was even a D-level lizard tail, which was highly nourishing for the beast.
The principle of loyalty for food was vividly demonstrated on this dog.
"Hey, uncle!"
Just then, a student among those being penalized suddenly reacted.
"He's also a freshman, why is he allowed to leave?"
This boy certainly recognized Li Pu.
As the top of this year's new students in various aspects, it was impossible not to know him.
But even if you're the top, you shouldn't have special privileges without reason!
"Him?"
Watching Li Pu's distant figure, the gatekeeper uncle sneered at this comment.
"If you can go alone to the southern forest and bring back an LV4 D-level magical beast carcass, I'll allow you to go in and out as you please, too."
The crowd was shocked at these words.
What the heck?!
An LV4 D-level magical beast??
Does that mean Li Pu did it?
That's too outrageous, right?
...
"What's going on here..."
In the depths of the southern forest, the principal's assistant Zhu Li stood in front of a massive rock, full of doubt.
Don't be fooled by the rock's unremarkable appearance, it was actually an intelligent feeding machine.
While the young King Zen Tree needed to be raised in the wild during its juvenile stage, its growth nutrition had to be kept up for it to grow strong.
Thus, this feeding machine was placed by the principal specifically for it.
At a glance, it looked like an ordinary rock.
But once it recognized the King Zen Tree approaching, it would automatically open to provide it with rich food materials.
Initially, they had put some thought into secretly guiding the young King Zen Tree to learn this feeding mode.
After that, whenever it felt hungry, it would run over to feed itself with nutrients.
The feeding machine was quite functional; it would send a replenishment reminder to remote terminals when the internal stock fell below a certain level.
And the task of refilling the food was Zhu Li's responsibility.
"I clearly refilled it once yesterday morning, so why is it empty again?"
Zhu Li was puzzled.
"So much food, can a little tree person digest it all so quickly?"
"Given the normal appetite of the King Zen Tree, this shouldn't be."
"Could it be that some magical beast is sneaking in to steal food?"
Suspicion arose in her heart, prompting her to decide to stay and observe.
...
...