16: Climbing to the top in the morning light

As the morning sun rose, darkness hinted at the coming dawn.

Xiao Xuan, carrying his massive ruler, flickered back and forth across the mountainside. He had already found the territories of eleven Elementary Vicious Beasts overnight, but without exception, the Vicious Beasts had all been slain!

He hadn't done anything all night except run around with his ruler, and the more he ran, the angrier he got.

“Damn it! What the hell, Ye Liuyun, you bastard! Are you going to let anyone else take the exam?!”

Xiao Xuan cursed loudly. The numbers on his wristband were updated in real-time, and Ye Liuyun's count of Elementary Vicious Beasts had been steadily rising all night, already reaching double digits—over twenty!

According to internal information from his father, the entire Tianning Mountain only had a little over sixty Elementary Vicious Beasts and twenty Intermediate Vicious Beasts.

This guy had taken care of nearly a third of them himself!

He no longer aimed to surpass Ye Liuyun; he just wanted to secure second place and achieve a good score to get into university. But it was already six o'clock!

He hadn't successfully hunted a single Elementary Vicious Beast, and it was all because of that freak, Ye Liuyun!

Just as he finished speaking, the head of an Iron-Armored Bear flew from a distance and landed at his feet.

Looking at the huge head genuinely startled Xiao Xuan!

He quickly raised his massive ruler in front of him, his face solemn as he looked into the distance.

Soon, a person emerged from the woods. The moment the figure appeared, Xiao Xuan broke out in a cold sweat; the Aura emanating from the other person was like that of a raging Vicious Beast!

It was as if he was about to launch an attack at any moment.

And the person who came out from there was none other than Ye Liuyun.

“Are you still tough? Weren't you very tough just now?”

Ye Liuyun walked over and kicked the Iron-Armored Bear's head away.

This action made Xiao Xuan, who was nearby, jump in fright.

“You're Xiao Xuan? Was that you calling me just now?” Ye Liuyun kicked the Iron-Armored Bear's head away, shook the blood from his hand, and looked up at the young man in front of him.

Nie Xiaoyu had pointed him out on the way, so he naturally recognized him.

“No, no, no, it wasn't me, I didn't say anything.” Xiao Xuan quickly shook his head in denial.

The moment their eyes met, Xiao Xuan's heart palpitated. What exactly was this guy's Beast-type ability?

He had also seen the Golden Dragon's ability, but the power and the Killing Intent of the two were completely incomparable.

Is he really A-grade?

It was a good thing his voice was low; if the other person had heard him clearly, he would surely have been thrown off the mountain.

“Oh? So I was hallucinating?”

Ye Liuyun scratched his head. He had clearly heard someone calling him just now, and cursing him too!

Never mind, he probably misheard.

Ye Liuyun checked the time on his wristband. Only three hours remained until the college entrance examination ended. It seemed it was time for him to head to the mountaintop to confront that Vicious Beast!

While hunting other Vicious Beasts, he had already sensed the restless Aura of the fellow up there!

Looking at the direction Ye Liuyun was heading, Xiao Xuan was stunned for a moment, then quickly spoke, “Are you going to the mountaintop?”

“What do you mean? Are you going too?”

Ye Liuyun's gaze suddenly changed, and a wild Killing Intent leaped from his eyes.

That Vicious Beast had already been deemed his prize. Not only that, but killing that Vicious Beast would elevate his reputation, thereby creating better resources for himself.

Therefore, it was already earmarked by him!

Xiao Xuan couldn't help but retreat two steps, guarding himself with his massive ruler, before explaining, “No, I mean, why don't you wait? Although your strength is formidable, a Second-tier Vicious Beast is not what you imagine.

There's a world of difference between First-tier and Second-tier. You can wait for me to contact Lin Yun and the Golden Dragon; the four of us can go together. It'll be much safer, and you can choose first then!”

Before coming, Xiao Xuan had already agreed with Lin Yun and the Golden Dragon that they would head to the mountaintop after hunting five First-tier Vicious Beasts each.

Team combat.

He had thoroughly researched Second-tier Vicious Beasts before the college entrance exam, and they were definitely not something Martial Artists at their stage could handle alone.

Hearing Xiao Xuan's words, Ye Liuyun waved his hand, “I don't like teaming up; I prefer to fight alone. If you want to hunt First-tier Vicious Beasts, go west; there should be plenty there. Most of the ones here have been scared away by me!”

Xiao Xuan had suggested the cooperation out of concern for safety, so Ye Liuyun naturally responded more gently.

It wouldn't do to scare the kid.

With that, Ye Liuyun walked off on his own towards the path up the mountain.

A look of indecision appeared on Xiao Xuan's face. He really wanted to go up the mountain and see that Second-tier Vicious Beast. Such combat experience was very valuable, and if Ye Liuyun were to struggle, he could step in. At that point, he could either save him or share the spoils.

After a few minutes of consideration, he quietly followed Ye Liuyun, carrying his massive ruler.

It was 6:10 AM, and the college entrance exam ended at 9:30 AM.

One hour. Regardless of whether Ye Liuyun could manage, the battle would have to end, and he would then reserve two hours to hunt First-tier Vicious Beasts.

Although this choice carried risks, he was more eager to see a Second-tier Vicious Beast.

If Ye Liuyun's strength proved insufficient, and he followed up, he might even be able to split the spoils with him.

As for the number of Vicious Beasts killed, that was less important by comparison.

His father was a high-ranking official in Quancheng, and internal information indicated that all six examination sites had Second-tier Vicious Beasts this time.

Although the Chief Examiner said this wasn't tied to the college entrance exam, it would be laughable if one believed that.

If he could get involved, then a slight difference in numbers wouldn't matter.

Of course, the prerequisite was not letting Ye Liuyun know he was following; that guy's Aura was too terrifying just now.

Xiao Xuan planned to first observe the battle, and if he couldn't hold on, he would appear!

Immediately, he used his wristband to activate the privilege of accessing the mountaintop.

Five minutes later.

A mechanical voice echoed throughout Tianning Mountain.

“Ye Liuyun from Class 1, Grade 3 of Quancheng First High School has ascended to challenge the Second-tier Elementary Vicious Beast, the Frost White Ape.”

At this time, almost all students were in full sprint, and many who had started alone had found classmates to team up with.

Those who could last until this point were all elites.

But upon hearing this voice, everyone's gaze simultaneously turned towards the mountaintop.

He actually went!

Inside the safe zone.

Nie Xiaoyu squatted on the ground, spitting out the mineral water she had just drunk.

The boy in front of her turned around, his face full of resentment.

It was already cold early in the morning, and this girl was chilling him even more!

She and her teammates had unfortunately encountered a pack of wild beasts at 3 AM, and after fighting to the end, they reluctantly requested rescue.

However, in terms of numbers, it was enough to get into university!

But compared to Ye Liuyun, it was a world of difference!

“Ye Liuyun? The number one Ye Liuyun? He really went by himself!”

“My goodness, look at the wristband! 38 Elementary Vicious Beasts, 160 miscellaneous Vicious Beasts! This is a new record!”

Many sleeping students in the safe zone were awakened by this shout.

When they learned that Ye Liuyun had gone up the mountain alone, cheers and screams erupted throughout the safe zone. Although their own exams had concluded, it didn't prevent them from witnessing Ye Liuyun's glory.

On the mountainside, Zhao Yue, who had just dealt with an Elementary Vicious Beast, collapsed onto the ground.

She was too tired; her physical and mental endurance had reached their limits!

The other members of her team were also in a similar state. Hunting this last one was their absolute limit.

Time was also running out, so they had to call for help!

Zhao Yue, lying on the ground, heard the announcement and struggled to get up, looking towards the mountaintop.

Her father had really bet on the right person this time!

Ye Liuyun, this dark horse, had run all the way to the end.

The gazes of the Golden Dragon and Lin Yun were no different; they were both fixed on the direction of the mountaintop.

Whatever thoughts these people held in their hearts at this moment, they all looked up.

At the break of dawn, a figure ascended the peak.

It was as if he had pierced through the night, bringing forth light!