45: Tower of Trials

The three of them sat on the ground, completely disregarding their image, and rested for a while before feeling much better.

"Look at you guys, really."

"They've caught up."

Gu Zhenbang shook his head and walked forward.

The three lowered their heads, not daring to say much, and followed him.

It seemed they also felt their previous performance was a bit embarrassing.

This small interlude quickly passed.

Everyone stepped onto the muddy dirt road, walking through streets lined with wooden buildings.

Lin Shu looked around, seeing rolling mountains, a landscape full of autumn colors, looking desolate and withered.

The distant mountains had many trees, but unfortunately, they were all withered, with only a few leaves left on each branch.

Even the leaves were entirely yellow, as if they could fall at any moment.

This scene was filled with the marks of time and decay; the name Deadwood Forest was indeed fitting.

The road was also covered with many fallen leaves, making a crisp "crunch, crunch" sound when stepped on.

"The space in here isn't big, but it's not small either."

"It's roughly half the size of Shinan District."

Gu Zhenbang pondered for a moment when discussing this.

Along the way, there were scattered soldiers patrolling the forest.

Such Otherworlds would undergo a round of clearing to eliminate overly dangerous Beasts.

And after years of survival, new dangerous existences would continue to emerge, which was also the mission of these soldiers.

"Then, if it's so far, how do we get there? Do we just walk?"

Min Hu remembered the location of the Trial Tower on the map, which led to his question.

Before the two teachers could answer, Chen Yujia quickly replied.

"Don't worry, I thought the same thing the first time."

"There's a transfer point ahead."

"You can take a vehicle."

"So that's how it is."

Min Hu breathed a sigh of relief, and the main group continued along the dirt road.

Soon, everyone arrived at the transfer point and boarded a small bus.

It drove onto a winding, rugged mountain road, heading towards the center of the Deadwood Forest.

Lin Shu looked out the window and noticed that the scenery along the way was almost identical to the entrance, only with more wild Beasts moving among the trees.

A faint spire gradually appeared in his vision, indicating that the Trial Tower was near.

The small bus stopped at a transfer point a few meters from the tower, where many eager young people were already waiting.

Lin Shu looked up at the Trial Tower.

The tower body was built of ancient bricks and stones, with mottled bluestone revealing the marks of time.

The tower was not too tall, only a dozen or so stories.

After observing it closely for a moment, he found it was no different from an ordinary tower.

To the left was a wooden house built from deadwood, with two staff members inside.

Their job was to operate the opening and closing of the Trial Tower.

"The Trial Tower can accommodate fifty people at a time, including four age groups together."

Gu Zhenbang said.

That meant 200 people could enter at once, Lin Shu thought.

Fortunately, there weren't many people now, otherwise, they would have to queue.

"It will be a while before it opens."

"How have your secret techniques been coming along?"

"I'm telling you, the Beasts inside this Trial Tower aren't fools; their first target will be the Beastmaster."

Gu Zhenbang said slowly, mainly addressing the four reservists, revealing the dangers within.

Lin Shu understood; Otherworlders prioritize actual combat, so this outcome was not surprising.

Without the enhancement of secret techniques, a Beastmaster would be shattered with a single blow.

"We've mastered them!"

The four spoke in unison; the Damage Transfer secret technique was not difficult and relatively easy to learn.

"Not bad."

Gu Zhenbang nodded in satisfaction, praising their diligence.

Then he spoke to Lin Shu.

"You can bring both of your Beasts in; there's no problem, the tower won't reject them."

"After all, being able to contract two Beasts at your age is a testament to your ability."

Lin Shu was somewhat surprised to hear this; he had just been thinking of imprinting the Damage Transfer rune on Hei Ye.

He hadn't expected such a good thing; this Otherworld selection truly prioritized Talent.

Just as well, Tu Yao could serve as his shield.

These words sparked envy among the others, including some of the older students.

They had only contracted one Beast, and there was no sign of a second one yet, mainly because they couldn't afford to raise another.

Unlike Lin Shu, even if he neglected Tu Yao, his strength could still slowly improve.

"You guys, don't think about clearing too many floors right now; this time, we primarily brought your seniors."

"We're also bringing the two of you along to give it a try and familiarize yourselves with the environment here."

"After all, you two have only contracted Beasts for less than two months."

Xu Lihuang poured cold water on Lin Shu and Min Hu, though it was primarily directed at Min Hu.

He had higher expectations for Lin Shu, estimating that he should be able to clear the third floor.

As for Min Hu, he had a certain chance of reaching the second floor.

Just then, the ancient tower body emitted specks of light, spreading outwards in circles.

The twelve-story tower instantly brightened, radiating light.

Seeing this, Gu Zhenbang quickly said,

"It's already open, all of you go in."

Upon hearing this, Lin Shu stepped through the great door of the Trial Tower.

After entering, Lin Shu felt the world go dark, unable to see anything clearly.

Suddenly, specks of light appeared, followed by other colors, like a painting.

Dots fell, filling Lin Shu's entire vision.

In a daze, the scene before him shattered like breaking glass, making Lin Shu struggle to open his eyes.

The next moment, the scene immediately changed. Lin Shu opened his eyes and surveyed everything before him.

The space here was vast, several meters high, with a flowing black dome overhead.

He stood on hard, brown flagstones, surrounded by what felt like a large plaza.

In the center of the plaza was a conspicuous circular halo, with a swirling gray mist inside.

It seemed something was being nurtured within.

Seeing a strange place, Hei Ye quickly ran to Lin Shu's front, her eyes scanning around, taking a battle stance.

Although Tu Yao was usually silly, he now came to Lin Shu's side, making protective movements.

He used his body, which was only as tall as Lin Shu's shoulder, to block in front.

This scene made Lin Shu's mouth curl slightly.

At this moment, the gray mist stopped twisting, and a phantom shadow gradually solidified.

Lin Shu focused his gaze and found it was an adult Mountain Forest Wolf.

It had a slender build, about three meters long, and a pair of pale yellow eyes filled with bloodthirsty urges.

Its mouth revealed sharp fangs, and its gaze was fierce, as if it wanted to devour Lin Shu alive.

Indeed, just as Gu Zhenbang had said, the Mountain Forest Wolf did not pay attention to Hei Ye in front.

Instead, it moved with agile steps and attacked swiftly.

Lin Shu showed no panic at the sight.

After all, with Hei Ye and Tu Yao as double insurance, this Mountain Forest Wolf was ultimately destined to be a one-way trip...

"Okay, let's go."