Beasts: Only I Can See the Hidden Evolution Path

The examination was about to begin, and everyone was quite nervous.

 

"May the spirit of my great-uncle bless me and help me gain admission to Lanjia Academy!"

 

"My beast should be fine, but my spiritual power is too low; I might not make it..."

 

Before the exam started, every candidate's face showed signs of anxiety and unease.

 

At precisely noon, the announcement echoed:

 

"The National Examination in Qingfeng City District is now starting!"

 

As the exam officially commenced, candidates entered the examination hall according to their numbers. Each proctor was from the respective beast-taming academy the candidates applied for. If you applied to Lanjia Academy, for example, a Lanjia Academy instructor would supervise your exam. Passing the exam would earn you an admission letter to Lanjia Academy and a one-star Beast Tamer badge.

 

In the plaza, an interesting phenomenon occurred. Lanjia Academy and Huoyu Academy, both considered lower-tier beast-taming academies, attracted the most applicants, resulting in large crowds. Higher-tier institutions like Bailing Academy had fewer applicants, scattered sparsely. As for Qinglong Academy, one of the four major academies, only one candidate from the entire Qingfeng City had applied.

 

At this moment, Xiaoxing Yu stood alone in front of the Qinglong Academy proctor, Chen Qinian. Chen Qinian seemed like a charming uncle, with a scruffy beard and a strong tobacco scent lingering around him. He was an exemplary instructor from Qinglong Academy, as indicated by the five-star badge on his chest, signifying his rank as a five-star Beast Tamer.

 

Facing each other, Xiaoxing Yu and Chen Qinian exchanged awkward glances.

 

"Xiaoxing Yu, right?"

 

"Hello, proctor~"

 

Chen Qinian shook his head with a smile.

 

"Young man, you are the only candidate among 3,000 in Qingfeng City to apply to Qinglong Academy."

 

"And you've chosen not to accept reassignment."

 

Xiaoxing Yu smiled and asked, "Is there anything wrong with that?"

 

"Of course not, but... let me share some data with you."

 

"In the past five years, only eight candidates from Qingfeng City have dared to apply to Qinglong Academy."

 

"And none were admitted."

 

"Moreover, those eight candidates opted for reassignment, so even if they failed Qinglong, they could still attend other academies."

 

Chen Qinian's intention was clear: he hoped to dissuade Xiaoxing Yu. 

 

"Proctor, I will be the first from Qingfeng City to be admitted to Qinglong Academy."

 

Chen Qinian sighed, "Alas, Qinglong Academy only cultivates the best of the best."

 

"How do you know I'm not one of them?"

 

Chen Qinian pursed his lips, suddenly finding this young man quite intriguing.

 

Meanwhile, other proctors began announcing the candidates' results.

 

"Wang Yanhong, Spiritual Power: 352, Contracted Beast: Ice Frog (Initial Level, Common Bloodline)."

 

"Passed the assessment, received admission to Bingyue Academy!"

 

"Liu Xiaobei, Spiritual Power: 250, Contracted Beast: Flamingo (Initial Level, Common Bloodline)."

 

"Spiritual Power below standard, did not pass the assessment."

 

"Ling Tianyou, Spiritual Power: 474, Contracted Beast: Poison Arrow Turtle (Initial Level, High Bloodline)."

 

"Passed the assessment, received admission to Bailing Academy!"

 

The assessment consisted of two parts: Spiritual Power testing and Beast Bloodline quality testing. A Spiritual Power of 300 was considered the passing line, as was a Common Bloodline beast. Failing to meet these standards meant no admission even to the country's lowest beast-taming academy.

 

As time passed, most candidates completed their exams. Those who finished, whether they passed or failed, stayed to watch Xiaoxing Yu.

 

Chen Qinian observed and asked with a smile, "Xiao, do you understand why they are watching you?"

 

"They want to see me fail."

 

Chen Qinian furrowed his brow, once again assessing the young man before him.

 

Despite the ridicule and jeers from the onlookers, Xiaoxing Yu remained calm.

 

"This boy is only 18, yet he's so mature and composed. Could he truly be a diamond in the rough?"

 

At that moment, the broadcast announced that Su Zhe and Jiang Lina had passed the assessment.

 

Su Zhe successfully gained admission to Bailing Academy, the top academy in Qingfeng City, while Jiang Lina, despite having lower talent, was accepted by Lanjia Academy. Su Zhe, Xiaoxing Yu's longtime rival, and Jiang Lina, his recent ex-girlfriend, also stood among the spectators, eager to see him humiliated.

 

Su Zhe waved his admission letter to Bailing Academy at Xiaoxing Yu, flaunting it.

 

"Xiaoxing Yu, I've been admitted to Bailing Academy. In the future, a lowly commoner like you should bow and salute me, understand?"

 

"Who's a commoner? If I pass the assessment, I'll become a Beast Tamer too."

 

Xiaoxing Yu's words were met with louder laughter.

 

Su Zhe laughed until his stomach hurt.

 

"You really won't cry until you see the coffin, will you?"

 

"With just your Gale Dog, you think you can pass Qinglong Academy--" 

 

"Really wishful thinking!"

 

Xiaoxing Yu raised an eyebrow with a smile, "Su Zhe, dare to make a bet? If I get into Qinglong Academy, you kneel and call me dad."

 

Su Zhe retorted harshly, "Fine, let's bet. If you don't get into Qinglong Academy, you kneel and polish my shoes!"

 

Under everyone's gaze, the bet was established, and neither could back out.

 

Xiaoxing Yu turned back to Chen Qinian.

 

"Proctor, I'm ready."

 

Chen Qinian reminded, "Xiao, let me clarify."

 

"Our Qinglong Academy has strict admission requirements."

 

"Spiritual power must reach 800."

 

"The quality of the beast's bloodline must not be lower than elite."

 

Typically, candidates with average aptitude have spiritual power ranging from 300 to 500. Anything above 500 is considered talented. Qinglong Academy sets the bar at 800, a level never achieved in Qingfeng City’s history.

 

The nine tiers of beast bloodline quality are: Inferior - Common - High - Elite - Epic - Legendary - Mythical - Phantom God - Genesis.

 

Qinglong Academy demands a minimum of elite quality in beast bloodlines. These stringent requirements exclude 99% of candidates nationwide.

 

"Proctor, even knowing this, I won't back down. Let's start."

 

Chen Qinian nodded.

 

"Alright, the assessment begins!"

 

"Candidate, Xiaoxing Yu from Xiangnan High School."

 

"First test, Spiritual Power Test!"

 

Xiaoxing Yu approached the spiritual power tester.

 

"Xiao, place your right hand on the sensing area and channel your inner spiritual power."

 

Xiaoxing Yu complied.

 

The onlookers remained dismissive, their mocking never ceasing.

 

Xiaoxing Yu took a deep breath and activated all his spiritual power.

 

The display began to tick.

 

"He's surpassed 300."

 

"Surprisingly, this kid's spiritual power has reached the passing mark."

 

"Relax, he won't break 400."

 

"What the heck, how did it jump to 500?"

 

"Haha, if it breaks 600, I'll eat something nasty live."

 

"Damn, 600!"

 

"Oh my, the spiritual power is still climbing!"

 

Under everyone's watchful eyes, the numbers on the spiritual power tester soared.

 

In just ten seconds, Xiaoxing Yu's spiritual power surpassed 700!

 

A spiritual power of 700 is the standard for top-tier beast-taming academies nationwide.

 

"800!"

 

"He really broke 800, this kid is defying the odds!"

 

"The terrifying thing is, the spiritual power is still rising!"

 

"Unbelievable, is the tester broken?"

 

Chen Qinian kept his eyes on the display, his expression subtly shifting.

 

"Heavens, it broke 900!"

 

"1000!"

 

"1100!"

 

"1200!"

 

Finally, Xiaoxing Yu's spiritual power settled at 1208.

 

"Candidate Xiaoxing Yu, Spiritual Power: 1208."

 

Chen Qinian's eyes flickered as he announced, "First test passed!"

 

It was a terrifying number, silencing the crowd.

 

Those who had mocked Xiaoxing Yu were left speechless, especially Su Zhe, whose jaw dropped as if he could swallow a light bulb.

 

After a moment of dead silence, the crowd erupted.

 

"A spiritual power over a thousand?"

 

"This guy's a monster!"

 

"I remember when Ye Shuangning took the national exam; her spiritual power was 1210."

 

"Xiaoxing Yu's is just 2 points lower than Ye Shuangning!"

 

As discussions buzzed around him, Xiaoxing Yu remained calm, as if everything was within his expectations.

 

Xiaoxing Yu's eyes, the Eyes of the Demon God, inherently enhanced his spiritual power, and could absorb negative emotions to boost it further.

 

A staff member approached Chen Qinian.

 

"Mr. Chen, there's something to report."

 

"There was a slight issue with the machine during Xiaoxing Yu's test, so..."

 

Chen Qinian narrowed his eyes, "So what?"

 

"The actual spiritual power of Xiaoxing Yu is 1212."

 

Chen Qinian's pupils constricted as he looked again at Xiaoxing Yu.

 

"1212?"

 

"This kid's spiritual power is 2 points higher than that genius from the Ye family!"

 

After recovering from the shock, Chen Qinian instructed, "Don't disclose the machine issue."

 

"Mr. Chen, isn't that improper..."

 

"Does our Qinglong Academy's word not carry weight?"

 

The staff member, merely an employee, dared not offend Qinglong Academy and quietly agreed.

 

Chen Qinian composed himself and announced, "Second test, Beast Bloodline Quality Test!"

 

All eyes once again focused on Xiaoxing Yu.

 

"Candidate Xiaoxing Yu, please summon your beast."