Beasts: Only I Can See the Hidden Evolution Path

"Only five minutes left until the class bell rings. Aren't you afraid of being late?"

"Old fox, don't change the subject. Be honest, why are you wanted by the Empress of the Dragon Empire?"

Daeluo initially intended to evade the question but saw the unwavering determination in Xiao Xingyu's eyes.

"Don't lie. Tell the truth."

Xiao Xingyu's tone carried a chilling edge.

Daeluo thought for a moment and shrugged.

"Alright then, since you're my master, keeping secrets from you doesn't benefit me."

"That woman Shangguan Lan put a heavy bounty on my head because of this item I possess."

Daeluo raised her right hand, revealing a crystal-like orb in her palm.

Xiao Xingyu focused on it, and his Demon God's Eye activated automatically.

"This... this is..."

"The Tear of the Dragon?"

Xiao Xingyu accurately called out the name of the treasure, leaving Daeluo astonished.

"How does a one-star Beast Master like you know so much? Even recognizing the Tear of the Dragon!"

Xiao Xingyu couldn't resist touching the Tear of the Dragon, feeling the surging power within the orb.

"Legend has it that there are three great treasures of the pure-blooded Dragon Clan."

"The Reverse Scale Sword, Dragon King's Beard, and Tear of the Dragon."

"The Reverse Scale Sword and Dragon King's Beard are offensive divine artifacts that can unleash earth-shattering power in battle."

Xiao Xingyu paused, taking the Tear of the Dragon from Daeluo.

"But the Tear of the Dragon is different from the other two treasures; it has no offensive capabilities."

"However, it is formed from the tears of ten thousand pure-blooded dragons, and if all its power is harnessed, it can reverse time and return to the past."

After Xiao Xingyu spoke, Daeluo's jaw nearly dropped.

"How do you know so much about the secrets of the pure-blooded Dragon Clan at such a young age?"

"Because I have a cheat."

"What?"

"Even if I told you, you wouldn't understand. Stop prying into my affairs."

"Heh, who cares about your affairs!"

Daeluo pouted and rolled her eyes at Xiao Xingyu, looking somewhat adorable.

Xiao Xingyu held the Tear of the Dragon in his hands, feeling a strange familiarity.

"How odd, this is my first time touching the Tear of the Dragon, so why does it feel familiar?"

Unbeknownst to Xiao Xingyu, a birthmark on his body began to glow, resonating with the Tear of the Dragon.

"Lulu, where did you get this treasure? As far as I know, the Tear of the Dragon disappeared after the Dragon Slaying War a hundred years ago."

Daeluo explained truthfully, "I have a sister, and she has half-dragon genes."

"Half-fox, half-dragon? So, a Nine-Tailed Dragon Fox?"

Daeluo nodded, continuing, "During the Dragon Slaying War, the Dragon Clan was annihilated. My sister was entrusted by the Dragon King to guard the Tear of the Dragon."

"I see~"

"Recently, Shangguan Lan somehow discovered that our Nine-Tailed Fox Clan was guarding the Tear of the Dragon, and that's why I'm wanted."

After pondering, Xiao Xingyu asked one last question.

"How much do you know about the Dragon Slaying War from a hundred years ago?"

Daeluo shook her head.

Xiao Xingyu's Demon God's Eye could see through any lies, and Daeluo's shake was not a refusal but a genuine lack of knowledge about the specifics of the Dragon Slaying War.

"Xiao Xingyu, what are you doing!"

"Calling me by my full name? Old fox, you're getting bold!"

"Master, give back the Tear of the Dragon!"

Xiao Xingyu, who loved wealth as much as life itself, claimed the Tear of the Dragon for himself, placing it into his space ring.

Daeluo looked at him with a face full of grievance.

"Lulu, we've signed a blood contract. We're on the same side."

"Whether the treasure is with me or you makes no difference."

"Besides, the blood contract is like a marriage certificate. Since we have it, the Tear of the Dragon is our marital property, right?"

Daeluo huffed, "Who's married to you? If it weren't for the blood contract, I'd strangle you, you rogue!"

The more Xiao Xingyu and Daeluo bickered, the stronger their bond grew.

"Lulu, come to the bowl!"

Xiao Xingyu opened the Beast Master emblem and stored Daeluo within.

"Your Qinglong Academy looks quite grand~"

"Of course it does. The funds for renovating Qinglong Academy came straight from the Empress of the Dragon Empire, Shangguan Lan. She isn't short on money~"

"That woman, Shangguan Lan... heh~"

"Don't worry. As long as you're hidden in my Beast Master emblem, no one will discover you."

From Daeluo's perspective, she could communicate soul-to-soul with Xiao Xingyu and share his vision without being detected.

Daeluo had to admit that being by Xiao Xingyu's side was the safest choice for now.

Xiao Xingyu entered Qinglong Academy, resuming his normal campus life.

Time flew by, and soon it was the weekend.

For Qinglong Academy, this day was significant.

The annual freshman ranking competition commenced at 10 a.m.

Qinglong Academy, Central Plaza.

The crowd was immense, tightly surrounding the large arena.

**Judges' Table.**

Dean Su Ruyan, Vice Dean Wang Dongsheng, and Director of Education Lin Cang were the three leaders of Qinglong Academy serving as judges for the competition.

On the commentary stage was the familiar face of the professional host and commentator, Yang Xu.

"Good morning, students and staff of the academy~"

"The annual freshman ranking competition is about to begin!"

"600 freshmen will determine their battle order by drawing lots."

"Please participate in the drawing ceremony in an orderly manner."

Even for drawing lots, there was a line. Xiao Xingyu stood with his classmates from Class Three, chatting while waiting.

Wu Shengyou sported two dark circles under his eyes, resembling a panda.

Song Hu teased, "Old Wu, what's with the dark circles? Did you secretly do something indescribable under the covers last night?"

"Nonsense, I don't have that kind of traditional craftsman habit. I was just too nervous and couldn't sleep all night!"

Wu Shengyou's state mirrored that of most freshmen.

The freshman ranking competition is the most crucial event for new students.

The ranking directly dictates the quality of campus life for the next three years.

Those ranked at the bottom won't receive attention from Qinglong Academy, and even after graduation, they will lack resources and connections.

Top-ranking students, however, will receive focused cultivation from Qinglong Academy.

These talents will enjoy the best resources during their three years at the academy.

Even after graduation, Qinglong Academy will arrange placements, with Dean Su Ruyan personally writing recommendation letters to the best Beast Master guilds nationwide.

Wu Shengyou clutched his pounding chest, sighing, "This freshman ranking competition is like a battle of life and death! Everyone will give their all in the arena to achieve a good ranking~"

"Next student, please draw a lot!"

The referee called out.

An arrogant young man stepped onto the drawing stage.

This was an old acquaintance of Xiao Xingyu, none other than Vice Dean Wang Dongsheng's son, Wang Yan.

Wang Yan's appearance caused a stir among the audience, mixed with ridicule and sarcasm.

"Isn't that Vice Dean Wang's son?"

"Yes, the one who got humiliated by Xiao Xingyu in the arena match!"

"In our Qinglong Academy, this guy must be the biggest joke..."

Wang Yan could hear the discussions and was seething with rage.

"Xiao Xingyu, the humiliation you caused me, I will repay in full today!"

Gritting his teeth, Wang Yan drew a slip from the lot container.

As he opened it, three words were boldly written:

Xiao Xingyu

The referee announced, "First round, 7th match, Wang Yan VS Xiao Xingyu!"