The military district leader's style is indeed swift and decisive.
Before Gu Xing could react, he felt a tightness around his waist...
Wei Yuan unexpectedly took him and Liu Li soaring into the sky!
"Whoosh——"
Amidst the sound of breaking wind, a giant bird that blotted out the sky suddenly tore through the clouds.
The three landed steadily on its broad back. Gu Xing instinctively probed for information on this Guardian Beast:
[Cloud-eating Sparrow]
[Talent: ???]
[Level: ???]
[Attributes: ???]
[Skills: ???]
The uniform question marks sent a shock through Gu Xing's heart.
But what surprised him even more was that, despite the Cloud-eating Sparrow's speed fast enough to tear through the air, they could not feel any wind pressure.
This meant that the Guardian Beast beneath them was at least of Commander Level, and it was very likely to have reached Monarch Level.
Soon, a distorted blue curtain of light appeared on the horizon.
"This is the space portal connecting the two realms. Passing through here and flying for a few more hours will lead to the Land of Trial." Wei Yuan's voice was still clear amidst the howling wind.
The Cloud-eating Sparrow let out a long cry and swooped into the light curtain.
And beneath them——
More than twenty elite teams clustered around Chen Ziming and that Enchanting Demon like stars surrounding the moon.
The leading captain said ingratiatingly, "Young Master Chen, don't worry. With our elite teams assisting, you will surely break through to Awakening Tier Seven!"
But Chen Ziming turned a deaf ear.
He stared intently at the space portal, his eyes filled with a gloomy cold light.
"Gu Xing..." His clenched fists snaked with blue veins, "Comparing resources with the Chen Family? I will show you what despair means."
"With twenty teams helping me to level up... what do you have to compete with me?!"
...
Three hours later, the Cloud-eating Sparrow landed at a military base surrounded by mountains.
As Gu Xing leapt off the giant bird's back, he immediately noticed that there were two young people on the campsite plaza, aside from soldiers.
These two must be the companions he would trial with!
"Ying Bing, Qin Tian, both from Kyoto, SSS-Class potential."
"Gu Xing, from Lin Yuan City, also SSS-Class potential."
"This trial will be tackled by the three of you together!"
Wei Yuan briefly introduced their information.
Standing on the left, Ying Bing wore a white dress, with an ice crystal-like delicate bird perched on her shoulder.
Upon hearing Wei Yuan's introduction, she nodded slightly at Gu Xing.
Yet her gaze lingered a few more seconds on Liu Li, with a hint of surprise flashing in her ice-blue pupils.
Gu Xing also courteously greeted, before checking the information on this lady's Guardian Beast.
[Frost Profound Ice Phoenix]
[Talent: Legendary One Star]
[Level: Awakening Tier Five]
[Power: 120]
[Constitution: 130]
[Spirit: 178]
[Speed: 150]
[Skills: Cold Cone Piercing, Frost Storm, Frost Ring Imprisonment (after use, Guardian Beast enters a weakened state)]
As for Qin Tian on the right, his arms were crossed, and beside him stood a three-meter-tall bronze treant.
He gave Gu Xing a sidelong glance, with a hint of disdain in his eyes.
Lin Yuan City?
Never heard of it!
Could there be a genius in such a small city?
It's likely that he achieved an SSS-Class rating by grinding points!
However, considering Wei Yuan's presence, he didn't voice his thoughts, merely standing aloof nearby.
Gu Xing didn't mind Qin Tian's attitude.
He wasn't there to make friends; his goal was that Light Crystal.
If the companions suited him, that would be great.
If not, it didn't matter, because they would likely not see each other again after this trial.
Nevertheless, he still checked the information on Qin Tian's Guardian Beast:
[War Treant]
[Talent: Legendary One Star]
[Level: Awakening Tier Five]
[Power: 160]
[Constitution: 165]
[Spirit: 112]
[Speed: 105]
[Skills: Root Strangulation, Giant Wood Bombardment, Ironwood Barrier]
Gu Xing carefully compared the data of the three Guardian Beasts and gradually formed a judgment in his heart.
"Even with the same Legendary One Star talent, the difference is this pronounced..."
Liu Li's various attributes weren't top-notch but were balanced, with no obvious weaknesses.
More critical was that she had four skills, one more than the other two Guardian Beasts.
Ying Bing's Frost Profound Ice Phoenix was clearly superior to Qin Tian's War Treant, especially the skill [Frost Ring Imprisonment], which Gu Xing paid special attention to...
Like Liu Li's [Song of the End], it required a certain sacrifice to unleash.
He suspected that the higher the cost of using a skill, the more terrifying its power.
This was akin to a Guardian Beast's finishing technique!
[Song of the End (after use, Guardian Beast falls asleep)]
Seeing Liu Li's skill, he decided that he would never unleash it unless it was a matter of life and death.
Then, he turned his gaze to Qin Tian's War Treant...
Aside from its excellent power and constitution attributes....
It seemed to lack other standout features!
Its three skills were quite unremarkable, and it didn't possess a "finishing technique"!
Gu Xing mentally calculated that this War Treant barely touched the threshold of Legendary Talent.
Having understood the strength of Ying Bing and Qin Tian's Guardian Beasts, Gu Xing's gaze finally settled on Liu Li.
Overall, his own little angel still satisfied him the most.
"Master?" Liu Li tilted her head in confusion.
His slender fingers unconsciously stroked Liu Li's silver hair, and the soft touch warmed his heart.
"Master?"
Liu Li tilted her face up in confusion, her golden eyes full of incomprehension.
She instinctively nuzzled Gu Xing's palm, and this affectionate gesture made his heart tremble.
A sin... a sin...
Thankfully, Wei Yuan spoke again, capturing Liu Li's attention, which kept the little angel from noticing her master's strange behavior.
"Do any of you need to prepare anything else? If not, I'll take you to the Land of Trial." Wei Yuan's gaze swept between the three of them.
Gu Xing lightly cleared his throat, discreetly retracting his hand, the smooth touch of Liu Li's hair still lingering on his fingertips.
"Ready to depart at any time."
The nearby Ying Bing and Qin Tian also indicated they were ready.
Soon, Wei Yuan led them to an ancient hall.
Although the hall was in ruins, remnants still hinted at its past grandeur.
"This was once the holy land of the Elf Race, but for some reason, the entire Elf Race disappeared, leaving only this trial ground."
"By passing this trial, you should receive some decent rewards."
"But if you encounter danger, choose to withdraw in time, as your safety is most important."
"Rest assured, Chief Wei!" Qin Tian patted his chest in assurance: "With me, this trial is in the bag!"
Wei Yuan gave him a deep look: "I hope so!"
"No more words," Wei Yuan pointed to the stone platform at the center of the hall, "place your hands on it, and the trial will begin."
"Finally," with his booming voice, all soldiers stood at attention and saluted, "wish you all triumphant return!"
Under everyone's gaze, the three simultaneously placed their hands on the stone platform.
In an instant, a blinding white light shot up to the sky, completely engulfing their figures.
...
...