Chapter 42: Rainy Night Slaughter, Summoning the Nine-Tailed Fox!
After the comedic incident, the competition continued.
From day to dusk, the 600 participating freshmen fought fiercely in the arena, leading to the determination of the top eight.
The electronic screen displayed the top eight list:
1. Murong Xinxin
2. Xiao Xingyu
3. Murong Yangshuo
4. Zhao Tianming
5. Fan Rui
6. Zhou Siyu
7. Sun Wanpeng
8. Lin Enzuo
The top eight names were listed without any particular ranking.
These eight freshmen would participate in the arena challenge tomorrow to determine their rankings.
The ranks of the remaining freshmen were also published. For instance, Xiao Xingyu's roommates performed decently, not scoring too low.
- Wu Shengyou, ranked 79
- Song Hu, ranked 85
- Chen Yifu, ranked 99
These three had considerable talent, making it into the top 100 among the 600 freshmen.
Notably, the only freshman whose results were canceled and was expelled from the academy was Wang Yan.
Searching for Wang Yan's name on Qinglong Academy's official website now displayed "No such person found."
As the sun set, Yang Xu remained energetic at the commentary table.
"Everyone, today's events have come to a close."
"Tomorrow is the top eight championship match. Let’s see who will take home the championship title!"
After school, Xiao Xingyu became the focal point of the entire academy.
Anyone passing by couldn't help but glance at him a few extra times.
"Xiao Xingyu is the biggest dark horse among this year's freshmen!"
"Indeed! This guy has no power, no background, and yet he made it to the top eight!"
"Let's call it a direct pass to the top eight!"
"True, Xiao Xingyu only fought one match, and that was against Wang Yan."
After witnessing the power of the Hellfire Lotus, no one dared to challenge Xiao Xingyu in the subsequent rounds. Anyone who drew him in the lottery chose to forfeit, lacking even the courage to step onto the arena.
Thus, Xiao Xingyu easily secured his spot in the top eight by only playing one match.
He glanced at the list of the top eight, noting that they were all exceptionally talented individuals.
Besides Xiao Xingyu, who came from humble beginnings, the others either hailed from the four major Beast Master families or the top-ranked Beast Master guilds in the nation.
"If I want to win the championship, I'll definitely face that quirky white-haired girl, Murong Xinxin, tomorrow."
Because of her odd personality, Xiao Xingyu had dubbed her the "quirky white-haired girl."
On the way home from school, the white-haired siblings walked side by side.
Murong Yangshuo was chewing on a blade of grass.
"Sis, Xiao Xingyu made it to the top eight too."
"That guy stole over twenty heads from you during the Yin Nan Mountain trial."
"Don't worry, if I encounter Xiao Xingyu tomorrow, I'll get revenge for you!"
Murong Yangshuo swung his fist, harboring no hatred toward Xiao Xingyu but simply wanting to help his sister.
Murong Xinxin, usually quiet, became more talkative when Xiao Xingyu was mentioned.
"Brother, I actually hope I can face Xiao Xingyu in the arena tomorrow."
"I want to defeat him with my own hands."
Murong Xinxin clenched her small fists.
This seemingly naive yet cool white-haired girl held a grudge and could remember Xiao Xingyu for a lifetime.
"Brother Yu, you were so cool on the arena today!"
"That Hellfire Lotus move left Dean Su Ruyan speechless!"
"To celebrate your advancement to the top eight, I'm treating everyone! Let's go eat barbecue on the back street!"
Xiao Xingyu was dragged off by his three roommates, determined to celebrate the night away.
At the back gate of Qinglong Academy, there was a night market.
After dark, the night market lit up brightly, and the aroma of grilled meat whetted everyone's appetites.
"Brother Yu, I toast to you!"
"Old Wu, stop acting like a coward. We’re all drinking white liquor; why are you having beer?"
"Hua Zi, stop fishing around and grab a bigger cup!"
"Enough chatter, brothers, let’s drink!"
Xiao Xingyu and his roommates enjoyed barbecue and drank heavily, the air filled with the scents of alcohol and laughter.
In a dark corner, a disheveled Wang Yan ground his teeth in frustration.
"Xiao Xingyu, just you wait..."
Wang Yan returned home and knocked on the study door.
Wang Dongsheng, with a grim expression, looked at his son with disappointment.
"You useless piece of trash, how dare you come home?"
Thud—
Wang Yan dropped to his knees, bursting into tears.
"Dad, please save me!"
"That Xiao Xingyu has taken everything from me!"
"My beast is dead, and I got expelled from Qinglong Academy due to the scandal with the banned drug..."
"I'm now a total loser; I can't swallow this anger!"
Despite Wang Dongsheng's frustration, there was also a hint of concern for his son.
"I expelled you myself; do you blame me?"
"Dad, you're the vice dean of Qinglong Academy so “Dad, I don’t blame you for this,” Wang Yan said, looking down.
Wang Dongsheng nodded with a long sigh.
"Alas, Xiao Xingyu is gaining momentum, and the dean holds him in high regard."
"With Xiao Xingyu's talent, he will definitely secure a top-three finish in tomorrow's top eight championship match."
"By then, the dean will pay even more attention to him..."
Wang Yan's head hung low, his nails digging into his palm, blood oozing out.
"I know I can't compare to that kid's talent."
After a moment of silence, Wang Dongsheng made a decision.
"Son, I will avenge you."
"Really?" Wang Yan's eyes brightened, hope rekindled.
"That kid took everything from you, bringing you to this state."
"As your father, I must help you reclaim it!"
Wang Dongsheng's only thought now was to kill Xiao Xingyu and vent his anger.
"Dad, what do you plan to do?"
"Last time, he escaped after falling off a cliff. This time, I won't let him be so lucky..."
At midnight, Xiao Xingyu and his friends returned to the dormitory.
The three roommates were intoxicated, collapsing into sleep immediately.
Xiao Xingyu turned around and couldn’t help but smile wryly.
"Being young is great, just falling asleep like that!"
As light rain began to fall outside, the night grew silent. With the influence of alcohol, a wave of drowsiness hit him.
Just as he lay down, his phone rang.
"Hello, Mengmeng, what's wrong?"
"Brother, it's bad! Sister Ruoxue has been kidnapped!"
Xiao Xingyu shot up from his bed, all traces of sleep vanished, the alcohol completely forgotten.
One minute later, he was riding the Hell Gale Wolf back to the family apartment.
The windows were shattered, and the interior was in disarray. Only Ye Shimo was curled up under the desk, trembling.
"Mengmeng, are you okay?"
"Brother, I'm fine, but Sister Ruoxue was taken away! The masked man left a letter!"
Xiao Xingyu opened the envelope, which contained only one line:
**"Come to Yin Nan Mountain."**
Even with such a simple message, Xiao Xingyu had already deduced the identity of the mastermind.
Xiao Xingyu comforted her, "Don't be afraid, Mengmeng. I'll leave Black Blade here to keep you company."
"Black Blade, you stay."
Awooo~
Xiao Xingyu left the Hell Gale Wolf behind and ran toward Yin Nan Mountain alone.
At the top of Yin Nan Mountain, the path was muddier from the rain.
When he reached the summit, he saw a woman lying half-conscious under a tree.
"Sister!"
At this moment, Xiao Ruoxue was unconscious but not in any life-threatening danger.
From behind the large tree stepped a mysterious man dressed in a black coat and hood.
"Stop shouting; your sister isn't dead yet."
The mysterious man's voice was hoarse, and each word sounded as grating as nails on a chalkboard.
The rain poured harder, and the wind howled, dark clouds gathering as bolts of lightning illuminated Xiao Xingyu's cold face.
The mysterious man spoke again, "Aren't you curious about my identity?"
Xiao Xingyu remained eerily calm, his voice as flat as water.
"In my life, there aren't many people who hold grudges against me."
"Recently, there has only been one, and that is Wang Yan."
"Historically, parents have always sought revenge for their children."
"You summoned me here to Yin Nan Mountain in the dead of night, and you’re specifically masked..."
"So you must be Vice Dean Wang."
As soon as Xiao Xingyu finished speaking, the mysterious man shuddered, a flicker of surprise in his eyes.
"Hahaha~"
The mysterious man let out a sly laugh, pulling off his mask to reveal a face that was the epitome of a cunning scholar.
"Xiao Xingyu, it seems you not only have exceptional talent but also a mature mind beyond your years."
"If you were my son, I could definitely train you to become the strongest young Beast Master in the entire Dragon Kingdom!"
Wang Dongsheng looked at Xiao Xingyu with newfound appreciation.
"Look at you, then think about my useless son... sigh..."
Xiao Xingyu coldly replied, "First, let my sister go."
"Don't worry; your sister is just an ordinary person and isn’t worthy of dying at my hands."
"But you, Xiao Xingyu, will not see the sun tomorrow."
Wang Dongsheng's eyes brimmed with killing intent.
"Vice Dean Wang, you want to kill me?"
Xiao Xingyu couldn't help but laugh at what he considered the biggest joke in the world.
"My son was expelled from Qinglong Academy because of you, and his beast died on the arena, becoming the laughingstock of the whole city."
"And because of this blemish, no Beast Master guild will ever accept him."
"As a father, I must avenge my son!"
Xiao Xingyu lowered his head, rainwater dripping from his bangs.
The crimson corners of his lips slowly curled up.
"How can you be sure you can kill me?"
Wang Dongsheng cracked his neck, activating his Beast Master emblem.
"I am a six-star Beast Master; killing you is like squashing an ant. Do I really need to question it?"
As the magic array activated, a beast descended.
A massive black bear appeared beside Wang Dongsheng, standing upright. Its skin looked like polished obsidian, glistening in the rain.
The atmosphere was charged with anticipation as the **Rock Demon Bear King** loomed over the battlefield, its massive frame imposing and formidable. It wielded a hefty iron hammer, approximately five meters long, and emitted a terrifying roar that reverberated through the air. Surrounding it were arcs of red lightning and swirling energy, symbols of its **Overbearing Aura**, a hallmark of a Beast King Body beast.
This Overbearing Aura allowed the Rock Demon Bear King to enhance its attack power and instill fear in lower-level magical beasts. Furthermore, it remained in a state of dominance, enabling it to unleash skills without interruption and dispel any enemy control effects.
“Xiao Xingyu, your life ends here…” Wang Dongsheng declared, his gaze fixated on Xiao Xingyu with the same indifference one would offer to a lifeless body.
For a six-star Beast Master like Wang Dongsheng, defeating a one-star Beast Master was akin to crushing a defenseless chick.
“Vice Dean Wang, I’m afraid you’ll be disappointed,” Xiao Xingyu replied confidently, activating his Beast Master emblem. A wicked grin spread across his face.
Wang Dongsheng sneered. “Are you planning to summon your Hell Gale Wolf as a snack for my Rock Demon Bear King?”
“Who said I only have one beast?” Xiao Xingyu shot back, his confidence unwavering.
“Lulu, it’s your turn to shine.”
With that command, the air shimmered, and a **Nine-Tailed Fox** materialized beside him, exuding an aura of grace and power. The fox was known for its agility and mystical abilities, perfectly complementing the raw strength of the Rock Demon Bear King.
Wang Dongsheng's expression shifted to one of surprise. “You have a Nine-Tailed Fox?!”
“Yes, and it’s not just for show,” Xiao Xingyu replied, his determination palpable. “Let’s see how your bear handles a bit of trickery.”
As the two beasts squared off, the battlefield transformed into a stage for their confrontation. The Rock Demon Bear King raised its massive hammer, ready to strike, while the Nine-Tailed Fox danced with swift elegance, its tails swirling like a tempest.
“Prepare yourself!” Xiao Xingyu commanded, and the Nine-Tailed Fox leapt into action, conjuring illusions and flickering in and out of visibility, disorienting the massive bear.
“Don’t underestimate my bear!” Wang Dongsheng shouted, trying to regain control.
With a mighty roar, the Rock Demon Bear King charged, its hammer swinging down with monumental force. But the Nine-Tailed Fox was quick, dodging the attack and creating afterimages that confused the bear.
Xiao Xingyu seized the moment. “Lulu! Foxfire Illusion!”
The Nine-Tailed Fox unleashed a burst of mystical flames, engulfing the Rock Demon Bear King in a fiery spectacle. The bear roared in pain, thrashing against the flames, but the illusions continued to distract and confuse it.
“Is this all you’ve got?” Wang Dongsheng shouted, frustration creeping into his voice as he attempted to regain control over his beast.
Xiao Xingyu pressed forward, his strategy unfolding with precision. “Let’s see if your bear can withstand this!”
With the Nine-Tailed Fox flitting around the battlefield, the momentum shifted in Xiao Xingyu’s favor. The Rock Demon Bear King struggled to counter the relentless barrage of attacks from both the fox and the clever tactics of its master.
Wang Dongsheng’s confidence began to waver. He had underestimated Xiao Xingyu, who was proving to be a formidable opponent.
“Wang Dongsheng, your arrogance will be your downfall,” Xiao Xingyu declared, his eyes blazing with determination.
The battle raged on, the clash of beasts and masters echoing through the night as the outcome hung in the balance. Xiao Xingyu was ready to demonstrate that he was not merely a dark horse but a true contender, prepared to fight for his place in this deadly game.