NOVEL NEXT Chapter 12: The Trial Begins!
The style of the military district leader was indeed swift and decisive.
Gu Xing hadn't even reacted before he felt a tightness around his waist...
Wei Yuan actually took him and Liu Li soaring into the sky!
"Whoosh——"
Amidst the sound of breaking air, a giant bird that blocked out the sun suddenly tore through the clouds.
The three of them landed steadily on its wide back, and Gu Xing instinctively probed for information about this Guardian Beast:
[Cloud-eating Sparrow]
[Talent: ???]
[Level: ???]
[Attributes: ???]
[Skills: ???]
The row of question marks sent a shock through Gu Xing's heart.
But what surprised him even more was that even though the Cloud-eating Sparrow's speed was fast enough to tear through the air, they couldn't feel any wind pressure.
This meant that the Guardian Beast beneath them was at least Commander Level, and it was highly likely to have reached Monarch Level.
Soon, a distorted blue light curtain spanned the horizon in their view.
"This is the space portal connecting the two worlds. Fly through here, and in a few hours, you'll reach the Land of Trial." Wei Yuan's voice was still clear amid the howling wind.
The Cloud-eating Sparrow let out a long cry and flapped its wings into the light curtain.
And below them—
Over twenty teams surrounded Chen Ziming and that Succubus like stars surrounding the moon.
The leading captain was flattering, "Rest assured, Young Master Chen. With our elite teams assisting, you'll definitely breakthrough Awakening Tier Seven!"
But Chen Ziming turned a deaf ear.
He stared at the space portal, his eyes swirling with a cold sinister light.
"Gu Xing..." His clenched fist bulged with veins, "Compete with the Chen Family for resources? I'll make you understand what despair truly means."
"With twenty teams helping me raise my level... what do you have to compete with me?!"
...
Three hours later, the Cloud-eating Sparrow landed at a military base surrounded by mountains.
When Gu Xing leapt off the giant bird's back, he immediately noticed that beyond the soldiers, there were two other young people on the camp square.
These two must be his companions for the trial!
"Ying Bing, Qin Tian, from Kyoto, SSS-Class potential."
"Gu Xing, Lin Yuan City, also SSS-Class potential."
"This trial will be tackled by the three of you together!"
Wei Yuan briefly introduced the information about the people.
Standing on the left, Ying Bing wore a white outfit, with a small bird like an ice crystal perched on her shoulder.
Upon hearing Wei Yuan's introduction, she gave Gu Xing a slight nod.
However, her gaze lingered on Liu Li for a few extra seconds, a hint of surprise flashing in her ice-blue eyes.
Gu Xing also politely greeted her, then checked the information of this woman'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, the Guardian Beast enters a weakened state)]
As for Qin Tian on the right, he crossed his arms, standing beside a three-meter-tall, bronze-colored tree man.
He glanced at Gu Xing 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?
Most likely relied on inflating their scores to get an SSS-Class rating!
However, because Wei Yuan was present, he didn't voice his thoughts, just stood there trying to appear aloof.
Gu Xing was unbothered by Qin Tian's attitude.
He hadn't come to this trial to make friends; his goal was that Light Crystal.
As for trial companions, it was ideal if they could get along.
If not, it wouldn't matter much, as they wouldn't meet again after this trial anyway.
That being said, he still checked the information of the other's Guardian Beast:
[War Tree Man]
[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 compared the data of the three Guardian Beasts carefully, slowly forming an assessment in his mind.
"Even with the same Legendary One Star talent, the difference is so distinct..."
Though Liu Li's attributes weren't top-notch, they were balanced, without any weaknesses.
More critically, she had four skills, one more slot than the other two Guardian Beasts.
Ying Bing's Frost Profound Ice Phoenix was clearly superior to Qin Tian's War Tree Man, especially the skill Frost Ring Imprisonment, which made Gu Xing pay particular attention...
Like Liu Li's Song of the End, it required a certain cost for use.
Gu Xing speculated that the higher the cost needed to activate it, the more terrifying the skill's power must be.
This seemed equivalent to the Guardian Beast's Finishing Technique!
[Song of the End (after use, the Guardian Beast falls asleep)]
Seeing Liu Li's skill, he decided resolutely not to use it unless it was a life-and-death situation.
Then, he turned his attention to Qin Tian's War Tree Man...
This Guardian Beast, besides its excellent power and constitution attribute....
Seemed to have no other outstanding aspects!
All three skills were quite ordinary and didn't even possess a "Finishing Technique!"
Gu Xing secretly calculated that this War Tree Man merely barely reached the threshold of Legendary Talent.
Having understood the strength of Ying Bing and Qin Tian's Guardian Beasts, Gu Xing's focus finally settled on Liu Li.
Overall, his little angel at home pleased him more.
"Master?" Liu Li tilted her head in confusion.
His long fingers unconsciously brushed through Liu Li's silver hair, the soft touch at his fingertips bringing warmth to his heart.
"Master?"
Liu Li looked up with her little face, her golden eyes filled with puzzlement.
She instinctively nuzzled Gu Xing's palm, this intimate gesture made Gu Xing's heart tremble.
What a sin... what a sin...
Fortunately, Wei Yuan spoke again, drawing Liu Li's attention elsewhere, so the little angel didn't notice the owner's oddness.
"Do you have anything else to prepare? If not, I'll take you to the Land of Trial." Wei Yuan's gaze swept between the three.
Gu Xing coughed lightly, discreetly withdrawing his hand, fingers still carrying the silky smooth touch of Liu Li's hair.
"We can set off anytime."
Beside him, Ying Bing and Qin Tian also indicated they were ready.
Soon, Wei Yuan led them to an ancient hall.
Though the hall was in ruins, some small details still hinted at its past grandeur.
"This was once the Elf Race's sanctuary, but for some reason, the entire Elf Race disappeared, leaving only this Land of Trial."
"Upon completing this trial, you should gain quite a reward."
"But if you encounter danger, you must choose to withdraw in time, for your safety is the most important."
"Rest assured, Chief Wei!" Qin Tian patted his chest with confidence, "With me here, this trial is a surefire success!"
Wei Yuan gave him a deep look, "I hope so!"
"Enough talk," Wei Yuan pointed to the stone platform in the center of the hall, "Place your hands on it to initiate the trial."
"Lastly," with his resonant voice, all the soldiers snapped to attention and saluted, "Wish you triumphant return!"
Under everyone's gaze, the three simultaneously placed their hands on the stone platform.
In an instant, a blinding white light shot into the sky, completely engulfing their figures.
...
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