The military district chief's style was just as swift and resolute as rumored.
Gu Xing hadn't even reacted before he felt a sudden tightening around his waist...
Wei Yuan suddenly soared into the sky, taking him and Liu Li along!
"Whoosh—"
With a sound splitting the air, a massive bird tore through the clouds, blotting out the sun.
The three landed steadily on its broad back, and Gu Xing instinctively checked the Guardian Beast's information:
[Cloud-eating Sparrow]
[Talent: ???]
[Level: ???]
[Attributes: ???]
[Skills: ???]
The string of question marks sent a jolt through Gu Xing's heart.
But what shocked him more was that, even with the Cloud-eating Sparrow's blistering speed, tearing through the air, they felt no wind pressure at all.
This meant that the Guardian Beast beneath them was at least Commander Level, and likely Monarch Level.
Not long after, their view was blocked by a twisting blue curtain of light stretching across the sky.
"That's the spatial passage connecting the two worlds. Fly through there, and after a few more hours, we'll reach the Land of Trial." Wei Yuan's voice cut clearly through the roaring wind.
The Cloud-eating Sparrow screeched, then spread its wings and dove into the curtain of light.
Meanwhile, below them——
More than twenty teams clustered around Chen Ziming and the Succubus like stars surrounding the moon.
The lead captain flattered, "Young Master Chen, rest assured—with our elite squads assisting, you'll surely break through to Awakening Tier Seven!"
But Chen Ziming didn't even hear him.
His gaze fixed on the spatial passage, cold, sinister light churning in his eyes.
"Gu Xing..." His fist clenched, veins bulging, "You want to compete with the Chen Family for resources? I'll show you what true despair means."
"With twenty teams helping me level up... What do you even have to compete with me?!"
...
Three hours later, the Cloud-eating Sparrow landed at a military base surrounded by mountains.
As Gu Xing jumped down from the giant bird's back, he immediately noticed two young people standing on the camp plaza alongside the soldiers.
These two must be the companions joining him in the trial!
"Ying Bing, Qin Tian, from Kyoto—SSS-Class potential."
"Gu Xing, Lin Yuan City—also SSS-Class potential."
"The three of you will attempt this trial together!"
Wei Yuan gave a brief introduction to each of them.
Standing to the left, Ying Bing wore white, and on her shoulder perched a small bird as pure and crystalline as ice.
Upon Wei Yuan's introduction, she nodded gracefully at Gu Xing.
But her gaze lingered a few extra seconds on Liu Li, a hint of surprise flashing in her icy blue eyes.
Gu Xing returned the greeting politely, then inspected the Guardian Beast info of this young woman.
[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 (Guardian Beast enters weakened state after use)]
On the right, Qin Tian stood with his arms crossed, beside him a three-meter tall, bronze-skinned treant.
He shot Gu Xing a sidelong glance, full of contempt.
Lin Yuan City?
Never heard of it!
Could there really be geniuses from some small city?
He's probably just boosted his score, that's how he got an SSS-Class rating!
But with Wei Yuan present, he held his tongue, putting on an aloof front.
Gu Xing didn't care about Qin Tian's attitude.
He hadn't come here for friends—his goal was that Light Crystal.
As for his trial companions, getting along would be nice,
But if not, it didn't matter—one trial, then their paths would split for good.
Still, he checked the other's Guardian Beast info anyway:
[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 three Guardian Beasts' stats, quickly forming a judgement.
"All are Legendary One Star talent, but the differences are shocking..."
Liu Li's attributes weren't top-notch, but she was perfectly balanced, with no real weaknesses.
Crucially, she had four skills — one more than any of the other Guardian Beasts.
Ying Bing's Frost Profound Ice Phoenix was clearly stronger than Qin Tian's War Treant, especially that [Frost Ring Imprisonment] skill—which really caught Gu Xing's attention...
It was like Liu Li's [Song of the End]: using it came at a cost.
Gu Xing guessed the steeper the cost, the more terrifying the skill must be.
It was like a Finishing Technique for Guardian Beasts!
[Song of the End (Guardian Beast enters sleep after use)]
Seeing this skill on Liu Li, he vowed never to use it unless he had no other choice.
Then he turned his gaze to Qin Tian's War Treant...
This Guardian Beast, aside from Power and Constitution,
...really didn't stand out otherwise!
All three skills were pretty mediocre, and there was no Finishing Technique!
Gu Xing secretly calculated: this War Treant barely scraped the threshold for Legendary Talent.
Now that he'd grasped Ying Bing and Qin Tian's Guardian Beasts' strengths, Gu Xing finally looked to Liu Li.
All in all, his little Angel left him most satisfied.
"Master?" Liu Li tilted her head, puzzled.
Gu Xing's slender fingers unconsciously stroked Liu Li's silvery hair, and the soft touch made his heart feel warm.
"Master?"
Liu Li raised her tiny face in confusion, golden eyes filled with puzzlement.
She instinctively nuzzled Gu Xing's palm, and that affectionate gesture made his heart tremble.
Sinful... sinful...
Luckily, Wei Yuan spoke up again, drawing Liu Li's attention and saving Gu Xing from being discovered by his little Angel.
"Do you need any further preparations? If not, I'll take you to the Land of Trial." Wei Yuan swept his gaze over the three.
Gu Xing coughed lightly, discreetly pulling his hand back, his fingers still lingering with Liu Li's silken hair.
"Ready to set off anytime."
Ying Bing and Qin Tian also confirmed they were ready.
Wei Yuan soon led them to a grand, ancient hall.
Though the hall was dilapidated, subtle details still showed traces of its former glory.
"This was once the Elf Race's sacred ground, but for reasons unknown, the whole Elf Race disappeared, leaving only this Land of Trial."
"If you clear the trial, you should get a decent reward."
"But if you encounter danger, withdraw at once. Your safety is most important."
"Don't worry, Commander Wei!" Qin Tian thumped his chest. "With me here, this trial's in the bag!"
Wei Yuan gave him a long look. "I hope so!"
"Enough talk," Wei Yuan pointed to the stone platform in the hall's center, "Place your hands on it to begin the trial."
"Finally," he said, his voice booming as every soldier snapped to attention and saluted, "May you return victorious!"
With everyone's eyes on them, the three placed their hands on the stone platform at the same time.
In an instant, blinding white light shot skyward, swallowing their figures whole.
...
...