Chapter 12

The earth-elemental energy around the baby dragon, long poised to strike, was instantly ignited. Countless gusts of sand swirled, forming a massive vortex out of thin air. While shielding those behind it, the fully formed sandstorm swept relentlessly toward the Hundred-Flower Bee Maiden.

With a deafening roar, not only the bee maiden before them but also several trembling green orbs nearby were caught up in the sandstorm. The immense force hurled them high into the air before mercilessly crushing them.

Moments later, fragments of shattered honeycombs fell to the ground. Two or three bee maidens, previously trapped inside the hive and not yet having emerged, along with the one that had broken through the vines, all lost their ability to fight. They lay motionless on the ground, resembling lifeless bodies.

Bai Jiajing, Nan Liujing, Xiao Zhun, and Zhu Feng were speechless.

Zhou Wanli spoke hesitantly, “Little Bao, you can rest your claws for now. Focus on restoring your energy.”

She hadn’t expected that by using the sand-raising skill, the sandstorm could be amplified to such a terrifying extent.

In truth, Zhou Wanli had underestimated the baby dragon, mainly because she knew so little about this species. Much of the internal information about beast tamers was inaccessible to an ordinary student like her. The extraordinary creatures with dragon bloodline were revered by all beast tamers for good reason.

The dragon bloodline bestowed more than mere potential; it greatly enhanced the pet’s perception, absorption, and utilization of energy.

The reason baby dragons lived only in deserts and wastelands was that only in such environments could they thrive and even unleash two hundred percent of their combat strength.

This explained why every beast tamer must fully understand their pet. Sometimes, even a slight difference could lead to vastly different outcomes when skills were unleashed.

These insights would come to Zhou Wanli only later, step by step.

For now, she could only suppress her doubts and refocus on the chaotic battlefield ahead.

Zhou Wanli hesitated and asked, “With such a commotion, the exam materials shouldn’t be damaged, right?”

Still caught up in the baby dragon’s spectacular skill, the others immediately snapped back to reality. It was a legitimate concern—who could say if someone in the federation government had cut corners? If the materials were ruined after all that effort, they would surely regret it bitterly.

Everyone hurried forward to check.

“Found it! Found it! Everyone, is this it?” Bai Jiajing’s sharp eyes quickly spotted a square, white electronic tablet resembling a flat screen.

“Really? The exam paper is an electronic display?!” Xiao Zhun was surprised, then hurriedly said, “Turn it on quickly! Is it damaged? Can it still be used?”

“No damage! It works!” Bai Jiajing shouted excitedly shortly after.

“Really? Let me see! Let me see!” The others crowded around eagerly, wanting to see what kind of extra question the federation had given them.

Zhou Wanli also moved closer to take a look.

Suddenly, her hand touched something cold. Looking down, she saw the baby dragon’s tail gently wrapped around a familiar white screen, quietly passing it to her.

“Little Bao!” Zhou Wanli’s joy was unmistakable. “You’re really amazing!”

The baby dragon lifted its eyelids lazily, as if this was no big deal, though the slight wag of its tail betrayed its good mood.

The moment Zhou Wanli took the white screen in her hand, the watch on her left wrist beeped, and the screen lit up, displaying a few lines of small text:

[Identity verified: Candidate Zhou Wanli]

[Verification passed, additional question randomly assigned—]

[Assignment complete—Question as follows: List the types of extraordinary creatures in the Tonghai Secret Realm that feed on Radiant Spirits. Please enumerate and explain, and collect parts from at least ten different such creatures.]

A question mark filled Zhou Wanli’s mind. At first glance, she didn’t understand. Reading it again, she remained silent, still not quite grasping it.

She touched her chin and glanced at Bai Jiajing and the others ahead, curious about their reactions to the additional question.

Yet, they were equally silent.

The five exchanged puzzled looks, unsure what to say.

Zhu Feng was the first to break the silence, shaking his head as if overwhelmed; his large frame suddenly seemed small and pitiful.

“I’m a combat-type beast tamer. Isn’t this question a bit too much for me?”

Xiao Zhun looked skeptical: “If I’d known there’d be reading comprehension on the beast tamer exam, I’d have studied Chinese harder. No way I’d score 59 again.”

Zhou Wanli approached, curious: “When you four verified your identities, did you get the same question?”

She passed her screen around and peeked at their exam questions.

“No,” Bai Jiajing shook her head, still troubled by her own question.

Nan Liujing, who had been silent until now, finally spoke after seeing Zhou Wanli’s question.

Tilting his head in puzzlement, he said, “You guys really don’t understand the question? I thought you were joking.”

Zhou Wanli, Bai Jiajing, Zhu Feng, and Xiao Zhun stared, utterly confused.

“Wait... You mean you know exactly which extraordinary creatures the exam is referring to?” Xiao Zhun suddenly realized and exclaimed excitedly.

In an instant, the others turned to look at Nan Liujing, their eyes shining as if they saw a savior.

Nan Liujing hesitated but nodded, “...I think so?”

“Brother! From now on, I won’t allow anyone to defy you! You are my god!!!” Xiao Zhun almost knelt before Nan Liujing.

Nan Liujing awkwardly wiped sweat from his brow, overwhelmed by their shining eyes, and quickly changed the subject.

He told the girl holding the baby dragon, “Actually, your question is the easiest to understand.”

“Huh?” Zhou Wanli was surprised and didn’t see why it was easier, but since someone was willing to help her think, she welcomed it.

Nan Liujing said, “Have you ever read a poem?”

“Poetry? Quite a bit,” Zhou Wanli nodded naturally. “You mean one from the nine-year compulsory education curriculum?”

“Uh...” Nan Liujing was unsure how to answer, then hesitated, “That’s more like extracurricular knowledge, I guess?”

Zhou Wanli sincerely said, “Then I don’t know it.”

Nan Liujing scratched his face. “Alright, I’ll just explain directly.”

“Your exam question is: What types of extraordinary creatures in the Tonghai Secret Realm feed on Radiant Spirits?”

“The Yang Valley releases Radiant Spirits; the Fusang Forest grows a thousand zhang tall. Here, Radiant Spirits mean sunlight. Feeding on Radiant Spirits means creatures that absorb sunlight and perform photosynthesis—so these would be grass-type extraordinary creatures.”

“In ancient times, the sun had many poetic names. My name—Nan Liujing—is one of them.”

—

Huo Ming recorded every candidate’s performance. Upon hearing this, he raised an eyebrow in surprise. “Nan Liujing? Could he be related to Minister Nan Liu? How did someone from that family come all the way to Tonghai Province for the exam?”

After pondering, he shook his head. Even if there was a connection, it wasn’t his business. As a mere major, it was better not to meddle in the affairs of powerful families.

“But this Zhou Wanli… she’s quite interesting. She has good ideas and command skills, and good luck too. Even if she can’t understand the question, she has the help of a noble child. She’s talented.”

While speaking, Huo Ming made a mental note to plan recruitment carefully after the exam. After all, he couldn’t forget his other identity.

Once everyone found their white screens, they quickly left to find a safe place to rest.

—

Nan Liujing translated everyone’s exam questions one by one.

The four were deeply grateful.

But time left for the exam was short, and everyone needed to hurry to find a series of extraordinary creatures mentioned in their questions.

Zhou Wanli’s question was relatively easier, though it took time. After all, vines, fallen flowers, and seeds counted as parts of grass-type creatures.

A few simple battles would easily collect these, and as many as desired. The only caveat was to find parts from at least ten different targets.

With eleven hours left in the exam and night already fallen, it was no longer suitable to continue.

So, the five made a simple camp to rest, planning to set out early the next morning to explore other forest areas and complete the extra questions.

—

At dawn, before the sky had brightened, Zhou Wanli rose to find a pile of fruits rolling at her side.

“?” She looked around and whispered, “Is that you, Taunting Monkey?”

“Chitter-chatter,” the Taunting Monkey jumped down from a tree, hands on hips, responding.

“Why didn’t you come back yesterday? I thought you might have been chased and injured by the Hundred-Flower Bee Maidens.” Zhou Wanli smiled with relief at the monkey’s usual arrogant demeanor.

“Chitter-chatter! How could I get hurt!” The monkey sneered but didn’t explain where it had been.

Zhou Wanli didn’t mind; as long as the monkey was lively, that was enough. After all, it was her who had lured the bee maidens—if it had been hurt, she would feel guilty.

The others finished packing nearby.

Zhu Feng, towering over 1.8 meters, rode on a similarly large Steel Rat without looking out of place.

He waved and said, “Thanks to you all, I got the bonus question. Now I’m off to collect feathers from flying-type creatures. Time’s tight, so I’m leaving first.”

“By the way, I live in Nanyan City, Tonghai Province. After the exam, if you have time, come visit me!”

His voice trailed off as he left, growing more distant.

Bai Jiajing and Xiao Zhun also bid farewell and departed.

Nan Liujing looked at Zhou Wanli and suddenly asked, “After the exam, which school do you want to apply to?”

Zhou Wanli frowned, thinking for a moment, then hesitated, “I don’t even know if I have a choice.”

“What do you mean?” Nan Liujing was surprised. “You’ve already contracted with the baby dragon, haven’t you?”

“And after performing so well in the secret realm exam, all of us found the bonus questions only thanks to you. Why do you lack confidence?”

Zhou Wanli was at a loss for words. “It’s not lack of confidence in the beast tamer exam.”

“Cultural subjects?” Nan Liujing guessed.

Seeing her troubled expression, the youth understood and comforted her, “It’s okay. If your beast tamer exam scores are high, many universities will lower the cultural subject requirements.”

“I’m not saying this for any other reason.”

Nan Liujing paused, as if choosing his words carefully, then said, “With your strength, you could apply to several top beast tamer universities on Blue Star. I only want to advise you, as a friend, to avoid applying to the Divine Dragon Hidden University in the Imperial Capital.”

“That’s just my friendly suggestion.”