The crimson Holy Flame suddenly erupted, evaporating the gray mist within a hundred meters, even scorching the air until it twisted and deformed.
In Gu Xing’s shocked gaze, an exquisite figure slowly rose from the flames.
Four wings burning with the Holy Flame fully spread, each feather flowing with brilliant golden Divine Patterns.
Liu Li’s originally clear eyes had now transformed into burning golden vertical pupils, resembling the Flame Empress from a myth.
Under this divine pressure, the air in the entire valley seemed to solidify.
"Ooo—"
Three Awakening Tier Four Magic Beasts let out miserable whimpers, fearfully burying their heads deep into the earth.
And although the Bloodthirsty Tiger was an Awakening Tier Five, facing Liu Li’s pressure directly, its status wasn’t much better.
Its pouncing motion came to an abrupt halt, and its massive body eerily hovered in mid-air.
Those scarlet beast eyes contracted violently, reflecting a figure that made its soul tremble.
"Squad... Captain, is this a Guardian Beast?"
The youngest member of the team stammered, voice trembling.
Shen Ruoxue’s hands subconsciously clenched tight, her knuckles turning white from the pressure.
She opened her mouth, her throat dry to the point of pain:
"It... it should be, I guess...."
Although even she couldn’t accept this explanation herself.
But in the Newbie Trial Space, there were only the rookie Beast Masters and Magic Beasts like them.
That sacred figure was clearly not the latter...
Leaving only the utterly ridiculous possibility!
She is a Guardian Beast!
A Guardian Beast of a rookie Beast Master!
In the shocked gazes of everyone, Liu Li’s golden vertical pupils coldly swept over the prostrate Magic Beasts.
The Holy Sword in her hand swayed casually...
Three crimson sword lights sliced through the Void; the three Awakening Tier Four Magic Beasts didn’t even have time to wail before their massive bodies neatly split in two.
Holy flames ignited at the edges, instantly burning the remains to ashes.
"Roar—!"
The Bloodthirsty Tiger let out a roar of despair, its body exploding with a final burst of ferocity.
Liu Li merely raised her sword lightly.
"Whoosh!"
The trajectory of the Holy Sword left a scorching afterimage in the air.
In the face of the power of a Legendary Level Guardian Beast, the Bloodthirsty Tiger’s proud sturdy body was like thin paper.
Its pupils were frozen in terror, yet its body was already sliding along the smooth cut.
"Buzz—"
A basketball-sized blue orb rose from the remains of the Bloodthirsty Tiger, slowly merging into Liu Li’s brow.
When the final wisp of the Holy Flame dissipated into the air, the golden Divine Patterns around her faded like a tide, and the four burning wings transformed into specks of starlight and scattered.
The figure that had been suspended in mid-air gently landed, but her footsteps seemed obviously unsteady.
Although the "Blazing Angel Form" could significantly enhance her attributes, its consumption was equally terrifying.
At Liu Li’s Awakening Tier Four level, even exerting full effort could only last about 30 seconds.
After confirming there was no danger, Liu Li tilted her head slightly, her gaze directed towards the shadow not far away.
Shen Ruoxue and the others subconsciously held their breath, their gazes moving with Liu Li’s.
What kind of person would own such a powerful Guardian Beast?
However, when that familiar figure stepped out from the shadows, everyone froze.
"Gu Xing?!"
Shen Ruoxue’s pupils contracted suddenly, her voice unintentionally rising by eight octaves.
As the captain of Beast Master Class 3, she naturally recognized this usually low-key student.
Just recently, she heard that this student had his Guardian Beast taken away, and she was indignant at the time.
But now...
Shen Ruoxue’s gaze darted back and forth between Gu Xing and Liu Li, her mind nearly halting.
When Gu Xing approached, he realized Liu Li had saved several familiar faces.
"Oh, Captain, what a coincidence!"
"Coin... coincidence!"
Shen Ruoxue responded mechanically.
A student usually unremarkable in reputation now stands beside a Legendary Level Guardian Beast capable of instantly defeating Tier Five Magic Beasts.
The incongruity was so intense it made her temples throb.
Gu Xing nodded politely and indicated for Liu Li to leave.
There was less than half an hour left.
He must seize the remaining time to raise Liu Li’s level to Awakening Tier Five.
Liu Li obediently followed, not forgetting to slightly bow towards the group before leaving—
This action made the team members collectively gasp.
As soon as Gu Xing’s figure disappeared into the mist, the team members exploded.
"Damn! Captain, did you see that? When that Guardian Beast saluted, I almost kneeled!"
"Wasn’t Gu Xing robbed of his Guardian Beast? Why do I feel he’s even stronger now?"
"Honestly, I feel that the Epic-level Guardian Beast Chen Ziming stole cannot compare to this one at all."
"During the assessment in ten days, if we encounter Gu Xing..." a member spoke timidly.
"Immediately surrender!"
The five spoke in unison!
...
The City Lord’s Mansion.
Xia Xiu stood respectfully to the side, his eyes with a hint of unease.
In front of him, a middle-aged man dressed in a dark blue Zhongshan suit stood with his hands behind his back.
Although the man’s mouth wore a faint smile, it enveloped the entire hall in an invisible pressure.
He was the head of the Southern Military Region, the real authority, Wei Yuan!
"Wei... Wei Commander, why did you come personally?"
Wei Yuan turned around, his gaze lingered on Xia Xiu for a moment.
This former soldier who had struggled under his command was now the lord of an entire city.
"Just came from Lanyang City, they had an A-class potential candidate this year, which is not bad."
Though he said this, Xia Xiu keenly noticed the flash of disappointment in Wei Yuan’s eyes.
As the highest official of the Southern Military Region, Wei Yuan’s personal inspection clearly intended to find truly top-tier talent.
Obviously, he had found nothing so far.
"Commander Wei, the situation in Lin Yuan City this year might be similar to Lanyang City."
Before the trials began, he had people meticulously check all participating candidates’ information.
Aside from the Chen family’s wastrel contracting an Epic-level Enchanting Demon, the talents of others’ Guardian Beasts...
Leave much to be desired.
Wei Yuan sighed lightly, unable to conceal disappointment between his brows:
"Forget it, the summoning of Guardian Beasts ultimately depends on fate, and cannot be forced."
He straightened his collar, "I should go look in other cities."
"I’ll escort you..."
As Xia Xiu was about to do so, the City Lord’s assistant stumbled in.
"How improper!"
Xia Xiu’s expression darkened, feeling quite embarrassed in front of his former superior.
"How have you been taught? Be calm when faced with matters!"
The assistant realized the presence of the important figure in the hall, suddenly breaking into a cold sweat.
But he couldn’t care less, his voice shook with excitement:
"City Lord! In Lin Yuan City... an S-Class potential student has appeared!"
"What!"
Xia Xiu’s voice suddenly escalated, resonating in the quiet City Lord’s Mansion.
Even Wei Yuan, who had previously appeared indifferent, quickly turned around with a surprised look.
...
...