Chapter 54: Talent Unleashed, An Impossible Battle!
Chapter 54: Talent Unleashed, An Impossible Battle!
A landslide erupted from the canyon's rock wall, not the sound of torrential rain. Just seconds ago, the Cave Demon-Eyed Spider sprayed venom. The Hell Nether Wolf barely dodged, relying on its agile movements. The venom hit the rock wall behind, causing thick smoke to rise instantly.
The toxicity of the Cave Demon-Eyed Spider is three times that of the Blood Demon Spider. Even the solid rock and soil cannot withstand the venom's corrosion, eroding visibly and triggering a landslide. Stones fell, and mud accumulated, leaving Xiao Xingyu appearing somewhat disheveled amidst the chaos, relying on the Holy Light Shield provided by the Holy Light Angel Beast to preserve his life.
All of this was filmed by a drone and transmitted to the projection screen in Qinglong Academy's meeting room. The school leaders' faces changed dramatically; if a two-star beastmaster assessment could lead to casualties, they would all be held accountable.
From the Bluetooth headset, Chen Qinian's voice came again. "Xiao Xingyu, quickly fire the signal flare and stop the assessment!"
Firing the signal flare meant giving up this assessment. Although Xiao Xingyu was not responsible for the accident, and Qinglong Academy would reschedule a retest for him, at this moment, the magical beasts ignited a deep-seated desire to win within him.
The Cave Demon-Eyed Spider, a complete-tier magical beast, regarded Xiao Xingyu as nothing more than an ant. Its gaze was filled with contempt and disdain.
"Director Chen, I don't want to retest later; I must pass the two-star assessment today."
"You rascal..."
"Black Wind, attack!"
Howling, the Hell Nether Wolf transformed into a shadow, diving into the ground, sliding rapidly along the surface. Bang! The wolf shadow emerged behind the Cave Demon-Eyed Spider, launching a surprise attack. Dark attribute beasts excel in surprise attacks during battles. The Hell Nether Wolf had four attributes, one being darkness.
With a swish, the wolf's claw, engulfed in hellfire, slashed through the air, tearing into the Cave Demon-Eyed Spider's back shell. Though pained, the Spider was largely unaffected, the wound healing quickly.
This demonstrated the level difference. The Hell Nether Wolf's effort barely harmed the Cave Demon-Eyed Spider. Xiao Xingyu, activating the Demon Eye, could see the health bar above the Spider's head. It was almost full, barely scratched.
Seeing the human showing no fear and even daring to resist, the Cave Demon-Eyed Spider was infuriated, instantly releasing a dense web. The Hell Nether Wolf's limbs were entangled, sharp threads cutting into its flesh, injecting venom deep into the wounds. The wolf howled in pain.
Xiao Xingyu shouted in time, "Shadow Escape!" A battle skill for escaping enemy control, the Hell Nether Wolf's massive body transformed into black mist, seeping into the ground, becoming a shadow. The shadow moved away from the Cave Demon-Eyed Spider's attack range, reemerging and returning to its form.
"Freya!" The Holy Light Angel Beast understood, casting a Holy Light over the Hell Nether Wolf. [Holy Light Shield], a talent of the Holy Light Angel Beast, clears negative states from allies. The wolf's wounds healed, and negative states like poisoning, slowing, and confusion were cleared.
In just one round, the Cave Demon-Eyed Spider was merely testing the waters, and Xiao Xingyu was already struggling. The level gap was glaringly obvious. In his mind, the voice of the Nine-Tailed Fox, Dailu, echoed. "This Cave Demon-Eyed Spider is a complete-tier (first stage) beast. With your current strength, it's impossible to kill it."
"My suggestion is to fire the signal flare, abandon this assessment, and retest later." Dailu's advice was for Xiao Xingyu's safety; forfeiting was the safest choice to avoid risking his life.
"I won't abandon this assessment." Xiao Xingyu's determination puzzled Dailu. "Why are you so stubborn? Aren't you afraid..."
"Lulu, I want to test my limits." Dailu fell silent, Xiao Xingyu's murderous intent chilling her.
"Black Wind, unleash the Silent Claw!"
"Freya, provide Black Wind with the Holy Light Shield!"
"Dodge left, avoid the web entanglement!"
"Don't attack head-on, maneuver around, target the Cave Demon-Eyed Spider's rear abdomen!"
When facing a level gap, the beastmaster's control is vital. With the Demon Eye active, Xiao Xingyu anticipated the Spider's every move, making preemptive judgments.
The Hell Nether Wolf and Holy Light Angel Beast, under Xiao Xingyu's command, coordinated seamlessly, executing perfect joint attacks. Yet, these feeble attacks were like a drop in the ocean against the Cave Demon-Eyed Spider.
The battle lasted less than fifteen minutes. The Hell Nether Wolf's breathing became labored, and the Holy Light Angel Beast's sword wielding slowed. Xiao Xingyu, affected by the battle's aftermath, was injured—bleeding from his left shoulder, his forehead swollen, and his ankle sprained.
At Qinglong Academy, in the meeting room, the leaders were anxious. "This kid is as stubborn as a mule, refusing to fire the signal flare!"
"Isn't a retest better? Why put himself through this?"
"Dean, what do you think?"
Su Ruyan, watching the screen, had deep, bright eyes. "Given the current situation, Xiao Xingyu is at an absolute disadvantage. As a beastmaster, his control, awareness, and courage surpass peers, but it's not enough to bridge the level gap."
Chen Qinian nodded in agreement. "I share the Dean's view. At this rate, Xiao Xingyu's life is at risk."
Anyone could see that without a miracle, Xiao Xingyu would undoubtedly lose, possibly losing his life. Chen Qinian suggested, "Dean, we can't let him act foolishly. I propose we initiate the rescue protocol, terminating the assessment!"
This was undoubtedly the best decision. Su Ruyan hesitated. "Xiao Xingyu, is this your limit?"
"Enough, we can't let you risk your life for a test..."
Su Ruyan, after hesitating, decided, "Issue the order, initiate the rescue..."
Suddenly, she silenced, staring at the screen. "Is this the bloodsucking effect of the Demon Power?"
Deep in the canyon, the Hell Nether Wolf was enveloped in a red and black mist—the manifestation of Demon Power. Its unique feature was the bloodsucking effect. In battle, half of the damage dealt by the Hell Nether Wolf converted into its own health.
Xiao Xingyu smirked mischievously. "Stupid spider, I've found a way to deal with you!"