Chapter 31: Reality Is More Cruel Than Imagination

The students began to form teams spontaneously, most of them grouping in small clusters. Lin Xiao did not join in the commotion; he felt that he and Zhou Zhi were enough. Unexpectedly, at this moment, someone approached him whom he could never have anticipated.

Who else could it be but Ji Boxiao?

Ji Boxiao smiled at Lin Xiao. “We’re all from First High. Why don’t you join us?”

Lin Xiao curled his lip; Ji Boxiao’s invitation was clearly not out of goodwill.

“Not interested. Stay away from me!”

Ji Boxiao’s eye twitched violently twice. He hadn’t truly wanted to team up with them. His intention was to keep them close so he could deal with them as he pleased. He hadn’t expected Lin Xiao to refuse so sharply.

At this moment, Liu Ruyan appeared again.

“Lin Xiao, don’t be ungrateful. We all know your strength. You’re just a burden. Boxiao is only inviting you because we’re all from the same school.”

Lin Xiao felt helpless. He really didn’t want to get involved with these two right now.

“You already said I’m a burden. So I won’t drag you down. Please disappear from my sight quickly!”

“How ungrateful!”

...

After the teams had formed, some began to set out one by one. Ji Boxiao did not continue to pester Lin Xiao and led his group away.

They were now at the entrance to the secret realm, where there weren’t many spirit beasts, making it a good place for teams to practice. No one had truly fought spirit beasts before, so adaptation was key. If they delayed, the nearby spirit beasts might all be taken.

More and more teams chose to depart. Zhou Zhi glanced at Lin Xiao, who showed no intention of leaving, and couldn’t help but speak.

“Xiao, shouldn’t we head out too? Otherwise, all the spirit beasts will be gone. And, are we really okay with just the two of us?”

“Leaving first isn’t necessarily a good thing. The assessment has only just started; what’s the rush? And what’s wrong with just us two? Didn’t you say you’d protect me?”

Zhou Zhi wanted to say something more, but ultimately held back. So be it; at worst, they’d be eliminated. He was here mostly to gain some experience.

There were a few other teams who shared Lin Xiao’s mindset and didn’t rush to start. After waiting a while, Lin Xiao estimated that those who had left before were far enough away, and only then did he and Zhou Zhi decide to set out.

...

The first team to depart was a group of five—three men and two women. All five were Grade A awakened abilities users. Though none were above Grade S, their strength was formidable compared to the other teams.

Their pace was swift, quickly distancing themselves from the others. They were also the first to encounter a spirit beast.

It was a solitary rabbit, seemingly harmless, grazing peacefully on the grass. At first, the five tensed at the sound, but relaxed upon seeing it was only a rabbit.

The rabbit noticed them, bounded a short distance away, but seeing they didn’t pursue, resumed eating leisurely.

The leading man conjured a fireball, ready to finish off the lone rabbit, but was stopped by one of the women.

“Xue Yu, the rabbit is so cute. Can’t you spare it?”

Xue Yu thought for a moment and extinguished the fireball in his hand. Although he felt it safer to eliminate the rabbit, it seemed to pose no threat as long as it didn’t attack.

More importantly, the girl who spoke was the object of his secret affection. He had to give her this consideration; he wouldn’t want to leave a bad impression.

“All right! We’ll listen to Xuanxuan.”

The others had no objections—a rabbit was hardly a concern.

They pressed forward, with the rabbit blocking their path, drawing closer as a result. Sensing they had no intention to attack, the rabbit didn’t flee, continuing to graze untroubled.

The girl called Xuanxuan gazed at the little rabbit, her eyes shining with affection. If possible, she wished to keep it as a pet.

Xue Yu was still a bit uneasy, but seeing the rabbit remain docile, he thought perhaps he was overthinking. Among first-level spirit beasts, many were mild-tempered; this rabbit seemed to be one that wouldn’t attack unless provoked.

With these thoughts, the group unconsciously lowered their guard.

Just then, the rabbit suddenly raised its head and sprang toward Xuanxuan. Its form began to change, morphing from a normal rabbit into a muscular beast, its body bulging with sinewy muscle.

The abrupt transformation left the five stunned, unable to react in time. None expected the rabbit to move so swiftly. As it transformed, Xue Yu and the others realized what spirit beast they’d encountered.

The Violent Rabbit—a cunning species, expert at disguise, with extraordinary strength.

At that moment, Xue Yu was filled with regret. He’d studied spirit beast lore; why hadn’t he recognized it sooner?

He wanted to save Xuanxuan—this was a rare opportunity to play the hero. Yet he hadn’t counted on the Violent Rabbit’s speed; it was impossible for him to reach her in time.

The other three were also too far to help.

Xuanxuan was frozen in fear, forgetting even that she was an awakened abilities user, making no move, just standing there in shock.

In the rabbit’s eyes flashed a savage gleam; its muscular paw sprouted long, sharp claws, which it slashed toward her throat.

If the blow landed, Xuanxuan would surely meet a tragic end.

In that perilous instant, a water sphere enveloped the Violent Rabbit, and a man in a black robe appeared before the five.

He cast them a cold glance.

“You’re eliminated. Didn’t anyone tell you not to be deceived by a spirit beast’s appearance? How childish! If you keep this mindset, you won’t last an hour. If I hadn’t happened to be here, you’d already be dead!”

The black-robed man’s words were harsh, but none of the five dared protest.

Xuanxuan’s eyes reddened, on the verge of tears.

Unmoved, the man pointed at her. “You’ve only just set out—you should know where the exit is. Leave on your own.”

Xuanxuan knew the result could not be changed, and left dejectedly.

With a wave of his hand, the black-robed man released the Violent Rabbit. Startled, it reverted to its normal form and bolted away.

“The contest continues. Take care next time—luck may not be on your side. If you die here, you only have yourself to blame.”

With those words, the man departed, leaving the four remaining members shaken.

They truly had been too naïve.

Reality was harsher than they’d imagined.

Scenes like this were playing out in other teams as well. Many encountered spirit beasts and, lacking experience, were eliminated before they could even demonstrate their abilities.

Fortunately, as the assessment had only just begun, the guardians were vigilant, and no casualties had occurred—at least for now.