Chapter 20

Our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/PazjBDkTmW

Chapter 20: The First Trial

Mu Xiaofeng was troubled for days after what Yun Jie had said. He stayed in his room, afraid that if he went out, he might run into Yun Jie or Qiao Zi. Zhang Wenyu noticed his unusual behavior and asked, “Mu Xiaofeng, why have you been cooped up in your room? Today’s the day the dean called us to gather at the sports field for the graduation exam!”

Mu Xiaofeng suddenly remembered that the days since returning from the Weapon Forest were supposed to be for preparing for the final exam, but he had done nothing to prepare. With no time to lose, he quickly put on his armor, grabbed his heavy sword, and headed to the sports field with Zhang Wenyu.

When they arrived at the stadium, Mu Xiaofeng inadvertently spotted Yun Jie. Their eyes met briefly, and feeling awkward, Mu Xiaofeng quickly looked away, while Yun Jie lowered her head as well.

Lost in thought, Mu Xiaofeng was startled when Qin Bao Yi approached him, slightly out of breath. “Mu Xiaofeng, why are you so late today? But at least you made it in time,” she said, chiding him lightly. Mu Xiaofeng could only give a sheepish smile in response.

“Attention everyone!” Dean Kaga’s booming voice echoed across the stadium as he stood in the center, commanding the students’ attention. “Today is the start of your graduation exams. It doesn’t matter how well you’ve done before or how skilled you think you are. This is your one chance to prove yourself, so make the most of it. Since some students repeat the exam every year, this time you’ll form your own teams of five. The team must be balanced, or it won’t pass. Those who have formed a team, come forward to register and collect your first exam assignment.”

Mu Xiaofeng and his friends exchanged uneasy glances. A team of five meant their trio might have to split up. Just as they were feeling uncertain, Ximo and Qiao Zi approached them.

“Hey there!” Ximo greeted them warmly. “Don’t worry, Qiao Zi and I will join your team. With the five of us together, we’ll ace this exam.”

Qiao Zi, already beside Mu Xiaofeng, grabbed his hand and playfully urged, “Mu Xiaofeng, say yes! This way, I can see you every day.”

Caught off guard by Qiao Zi’s affectionate plea, Mu Xiaofeng smiled faintly at her, then turned to Zhang Wenyu and Qin Bao Yi for their opinions. Zhang Wenyu nodded, and Qin Bao Yi smiled, pulling Qiao Zi into a hug. “With Qiao Zi on our team, we’ve got this! Plus, I’m sure someone here is secretly thrilled about it.” She teased, casting a glance at Mu Xiaofeng. Both he and Qiao Zi blushed and quickly looked down.

And so, Mu Xiaofeng, Zhang Wenyu, Qin Bao Yi, Qiao Zi, and Ximo formed a team of five. Laughing and chatting, they made their way to Dean Kaga at the center of the stadium.

Dean Kaga looked over the group before handing them each a number and saying, “Your team is approved. Now, here’s your first exam assignment.” He then produced five large bottles filled with water.

“These bottles must be delivered to a small wooden hut fifty miles south of Tiger Pass City before nightfall,” Dean Kaga explained. “You’re not allowed to bring anything except your weapons, equipment, and this water.”

With their assignment in hand, the group set off towards the cabin. After a long walk, they began to feel tired and thirsty. Ximo grumbled, “What’s Dean Kaga’s deal? Making us carry all this water such a long way without letting us bring food or our own water. We’ve been walking forever, and I’m starving and parched.”

Mu Xiaofeng, deep in thought, suddenly realized, “I get it now. This is a test. Dean Kaga wants to see if we can deliver the water intact. No matter how thirsty or hungry we get, we can’t drink it.” His insight made the others nod in agreement.

Just then, a rough voice rang out nearby, “Haha, looks like this kid figured out part of the exam, but you’re only half right.”

Five other students appeared, each also carrying a bottle of water. One of the girls, holding a book in one hand and a staff in the other, pointed at Mu Xiaofeng and said, “We got our assignment a bit earlier than you. The other part of this exam is to steal other teams’ water to quench our thirst.” As she spoke, her Yuan Qi gathered, distorting the air around her.

Mu Xiaofeng shouted for everyone to be careful just as three sturdy boys charged towards them.

Ximo quickly grabbed his double shields to block one of the attackers, while Mu Xiaofeng readied his heavy sword to face another boy wielding dual short swords, a skill set similar to Zhang Wenyu’s. The third attacker, another heavy sword wielder, made a move towards Qiao Zi, but Zhang Wenyu stepped in to protect her.

Seeing Zhang Wenyu’s precarious position, Mu Xiaofeng worried that he might not be able to hold off the heavy sword warrior. The girl from the opposing team cast a green light on the warrior, boosting his speed and power, making him even more formidable.

Qin Bao Yi recognized the spell and warned Zhang Wenyu, “She’s a Wind Elemental erudite! That spell she used, Swiftness Like Wind, has made him much faster and stronger. Be careful!”

Zhang Wenyu, fully aware of the danger, concentrated his Yuan Qi to shield his body and blocked the warrior’s heavy sword with his short sword. The impact sent both fighters flying back, but while the heavy sword warrior landed firmly on his feet, Zhang Wenyu was left gasping and half-kneeling, slightly injured but still standing thanks to his Yuan Qi shield.

Qiao Zi calmly took out an herb and applied it to Zhang Wenyu’s back while her staff glowed with healing light. Zhang Wenyu felt a warm current ease his pain and restore his energy. Meanwhile, a thin, frail-looking boy from the opposing team, likely their Sacrificial Wine Priest, commented with a smile, “It seems they have a Pill King Sacrificial Brewmaster on their side. We’ll need to finish this quickly.”

The Wind Elemental erudite nodded confidently, a smirk playing on her lips.

Knowing Zhang Wenyu couldn’t hold out much longer, Mu Xiaofeng called out to Qin Bao Yi, “Qin Bao Yi, attack the guy in front of me!”

Qin Bao Yi, who had been holding back her energy, unleashed a barrage of flame bombs at the Dual Blade Shadower. He dodged them skillfully, but this distraction allowed Mu Xiaofeng to switch places with Zhang Wenyu, taking on the heavy sword warrior himself.

Meanwhile, Ximo and the Sword and Shield Warrior were locked in a stalemate, unable to gain an advantage over one another. Mu Xiaofeng, now facing the heavy sword warrior, taunted him, “You’re tough, but I’ll take you down in one blow. Qin Bao Yi, slow him down with your spells.”

Qin Bao Yi’s staff glowed red as she summoned three fiery dragon pillars, sending them hurtling towards the heavy sword warrior. Mu Xiaofeng seized the opportunity and charged at the warrior, a confident smile on his face. “Let’s see you escape this time,” he thought.