Inside the City Lord's Mansion, the air seemed to freeze for a moment.
You have to realize, in the entire Southern War Zone, the number of geniuses who can be rated as S-Class potential is no more than a few dozen.
And in a remote city like Lin Yuan City, it's been years since a genius with such potential appeared.
"Commander Wei, how about we go and take a look?"
Seeing Wei Yuan's obvious interest, Xia Xiu tentatively suggested.
A flash of brilliance appeared in the depths of Wei Yuan's eyes. Straightening the collar of his Zhongshan suit, he spoke in a deep voice:
"Let's go!"
The City Lord's assistant didn't dare slack off, immediately bowing and leading the way ahead.
But what they didn't know was that, at this moment in the monitoring room, things had already exploded into chaos.
"No way! This score... is he cheating?!"
"Why did the score spike so much in an instant? Did he just wipe out a den of Magic Beasts?"
"Is this point total... really achievable by a rookie Beast Master? Could the equipment be faulty?"
Xu Feng stared dead at the monitoring screen, his coffee cup tilted, brown liquid dripping onto his shiny leather shoes—unnoticed.
The glaring number on the screen was like a hammer pounding at his heart:
[First place: Gu Xing 25,000 points]
Second place, Chen Ziming, was stuck with a pitiful 3,000 points.
Even more suffocating, Gu Xing's score was still skyrocketing at a terrifying speed.
"The highest record in the last decade was only 3,500 points…"
Xu Feng muttered, his Adam's apple unconsciously shifting.
His gaze slowly moved to the Potential Rating column, pupils shrinking instantly—
[Potential Rating: SSS]
Those three blazing golden characters shone brilliantly on the screen, stabbing painfully at his eyes.
...
Inside the Trial Space.
Liu Li's snow-white wings were drenched in the blood of Magic Beasts, the pile of corpses at her feet forming a small mountain.
The suffocating stench of blood filled the air, sticky plasma pooling into tiny streams across the ground.
"Master, they're starting to wise up."
Liu Li stood sword in hand, guarding Gu Xing behind her.
Her breathing was a little rushed, but her grip on the sword was as steady as a rock.
Gu Xing narrowed his eyes and looked towards the valley entrance—
Dozens of different Magic Beasts, against all odds, had formed an alliance, baring their teeth and blocking every route of escape.
Most were only low tier Tier Two and Tier Three Magic Beasts, but clustered together, dozens still looked quite formidable.
"Looks like we've scared them pretty badly!"
For the last half hour, he'd gone on a wild slaughter spree with Liu Li.
In the end, the surviving Magic Beasts were forced to band together, luring them both into this valley.
Gu Xing raised his hand to check the timer.
[Time remaining: 03:00]
There were only three minutes left.
"Perfect, now we don't have to waste time searching—Liu Li!"
"Got it!"
Their teamwork had skyrocketed over this battle.
Now Liu Li could guess Gu Xing's intentions without a word from him.
"Blazing Angel Form, unleash!"
Gilded lines instantly snaked across Liu Li's body, four brilliant wings of light bursting forth.
"Judgment!"
Dazzling white light swept across the valley like a tide, leaving Magic Beasts howling wherever it touched.
When the final Tier Five demon wolf's head flew high, radiant golden light exploded around Liu Li.
Awakening Tier Five—achieved!
Gu Xing immediately checked all of Liu Li's Attributes.
[Divine Angel (Liu Li)]
[Talent: Legendary One Star]
[Level: Awakening Tier Five]
[Power: 148]
[Constitution: 150]
[Spirit: 142]
[Speed: 153]
[Skills: Judgment (bonus damage to Demon Race creatures), Divine Protection (immune to one lethal attack), Blazing Angel Form (All Attributes boost 200%), Song of the End (puts Angel into slumber after use)]
[Cultivation Advice: Use Light Crystal, Holy Spirit Marrow Liquid, Angel Sacred Blood to raise guardian beast Talent]
The terror of a little angel with Legendary Level Talent was finally starting to show itself.
Though just Awakening Tier Five, Liu Li's attribute values already crushed those of ordinary Awakening Tier Seven or Eight guardian beasts.
Gu Xing stared at the Cultivation Advice in the system interface.
He had a hunch that, once he found Light Crystal, Holy Spirit Marrow Liquid, and Angel Sacred Blood, Liu Li's Talent would make a dramatic leap forward.
Only...
"Even the biggest Beast Taming Shop in Lin Yuan City doesn't have any news of these three materials…"
Gu Xing shook his head with a wry smile.
He'd looked into it before.
At the top auction house in Longxia Country, even a damaged Light Crystal went for tens of millions.
But what Liu Li needed was a whole, intact Light Crystal!
As for Holy Spirit Marrow Liquid and Angel Sacred Blood, even the records of Longxia's Beast Taming Association only mention them vaguely.
"Cultivating Legendary Talent really is beyond reach for ordinary people..."
Gu Xing sighed softly.
Even with a golden finger and a clear path for Evolution, right now all he could do was stare in frustration.
But Gu Xing didn't dwell on it.
When the time comes, the bridge will straighten itself!
One day, he'd definitely collect all the materials and complete Liu Li's first Cultivation.
By now, the agitated Energy around Liu Li finally calmed down.
Instinctively, she wanted to go to Gu Xing's side, but froze a step in.
Her snow-white wings were streaked with dark red blood, her skirt still dripping thick fluid.
"Ugh..."
The little angel wrinkled her delicate nose, scrutinizing herself in distaste.
With a soft huff, crimson Holy Flame flickered from her fingertips, flowing over her body like water.
As soon as the filthy stains touched the flame, they vanished to blue smoke, leaving not a trace behind.
Once every feather was spotless again, Liu Li nodded in satisfaction, stepping lightly to Gu Xing's side.
"Master, should we leave now?"
Liu Li gently tugged Gu Xing's sleeve, her cute face frowning as she glanced around.
This blood-soaked valley really wasn't somewhere you wanted to linger.
Gu Xing glanced down at the timer, just as the numbers hit zero.
The next instant, a solemn mechanical voice echoed through the entire Trial Space:
[This Newbie Trial is officially over. All participants, prepare to leave!]
[In ten seconds, everyone in this space will be transported back to Lin Yuan City!]
[Countdown begins now]
"Hold on to me."
Gu Xing naturally took Liu Li's small hand.
[10]
[9]
....
[3]
[2]
[1]
Dazzling white light swallowed the world whole.
When Gu Xing opened his eyes, the familiar outline of Lin Yuan City's plaza was before him.
Before he could fully recover from the dizzying sensation of teleportation, he found himself surrounded by excited staff.
Xu Feng hurried forward; usually so stern and silent, the Trial supervisor now beamed with joy:
"Gu Xing, your performance in the Newbie Trial was absolutely astonishing. The City Lord himself has requested to see you in person."
Gu Xing paused, quickly realizing it was his performance in the Trial Space that had caught the City Lord's attention.
He'd expected this outcome, so he didn't refuse.
"Alright!"
...
...