The bright morning sun illuminated the Snow Water Fighting School's courtyard, where rows of students gathered, their chatter a cacophony of curiosity and excitement. The announcement of a re-test had sent ripples through the school.
"Have you heard?" a boy whispered, his voice dripping with mockery. "That trash, Xiǎo Hǎiyáng, broke the pillar. Of course, it couldn't handle his *'amazing'* XF strength."
"He's just lucky the pillar was faulty," another chimed in, snickering. "This time, they'll see his true worth—absolute zero!"
Hǎiyáng stood at the edge of the crowd, his face calm but his fists clenched at his sides. Beside him, Lu Rè Jīng scowled, his round face flushed with anger.
"Don't listen to them, Yáng Yáng," Rè Jīng muttered, his voice low but fierce. "They're just jealous because they don't have your guts or talent."
"Talent?" a sneering voice interrupted. Dú lóngxiā stepped forward, his expression smug. "You mean the talent to humiliate himself? I'll enjoy watching your so-called beast fail again."
Hǎiyáng didn't respond, but his jaw tightened. His silence only fueled the laughter around him.
The crowd's attention shifted as the headmaster, Xuě Jīn Mán, stepped onto the stage. Behind him stood the new scoring pillar—a towering artifact of black stone etched with golden runes.
"This," Xuě Jīn Mán began, his voice steady and authoritative, "is the Azure Dragon Pillar, gifted by the provincial government. It will accurately measure the combined strength of a tamer and their beast."
The pillar radiated an aura of power, and the golden runes shimmered faintly in the sunlight. It was far more imposing than its predecessor.
"The process remains the same," Xuě Jīn Mán continued. "Summon your beast, channel your strength, and strike the pillar. Your score will appear above the runes."
A murmur ran through the crowd as the details sank in.
"This pillar won't malfunction," sneered Dú Fēngyǔ, one of the examiners. His gaze lingered on Hǎiyáng, a smirk curling his lips.
Beside him, Hóngshí Zhū chuckled. "Let's see if our *'legendary XF tamer'* can even dent it."
Among the audience were several unexpected figures, their presence adding weight to the event.
Qiàn Lì, the elegant branch manager of Bái Yuán Shēng Hù Zhě Shāngdiàn, sat with her arms crossed, her sharp eyes scanning the students. Beside her was Elder Wēn Shì, his expression unreadable.
"Why are we here?" Qiàn Lì whispered, her voice tinged with irritation. "This is a student event, hardly worth our time."
Wēn Shì stroked his beard thoughtfully. "Perhaps not. But sometimes, small ripples can reveal deep currents."
At the back of the crowd stood Chief Huáng Láng, his piercing gaze fixed on Hǎiyáng.
"Let's see what secrets you're hiding," he murmured to himself.
And then there was Xuě Shā, the marquis of the city. Despite his busy schedule, he stood tall and imposing, his arms crossed as he watched his daughter, Xuě Fú Fèn.
"She better not embarrass me," he muttered, though his eyes softened when they rested on her.
The crowd buzzed with anticipation as the headmaster began calling names.
"Xiǎo Hǎiyáng, step forward."
The air seemed to grow heavier as all eyes turned to him. Whispers and mocking laughter rippled through the students.
"Look, it's the legendary XF tamer!"
"Will his 'beast' even show up this time?"
Hǎiyáng's shoulders were stiff as he walked toward the stage, his expression neutral, though his clenched fists betrayed his tension.
"Move faster, XF boy," Dú Fēngyǔ called out with a sneer. "We don't have all day for your failure."
"Let's get this over with," added Hóngshí Zhū, barely suppressing his smirk.
Lu Rè Jīng muttered angrily, "Why don't they pick on someone their own size? Yáng Yáng, smash that pillar."
Xuě Fú Fèn crossed her arms, her gaze unreadable, though a flicker of concern passed through her eyes.
Hǎiyáng took his position before the pillar. He closed his eyes and extended his hand, summoning his beast.
The first change was subtle—a faint sound of rushing water. Then the stage began to glisten as water poured from nowhere, drenching the platform. Gasps erupted from the crowd.
"Is this... his beast?" someone whispered.
The water evaporated as the stage grew unbearably hot. Lava bubbled at the edges, steaming and hissing. The ground beneath Hǎiyáng's feet cracked, only to be covered by swirling sand that danced wildly in the air.
Thunder rumbled overhead, and the wind howled as if summoned by an unseen force. Lightning crackled, leaving scorch marks on the stage. The students screamed and stepped back in fear.
Finally, the chaos subsided. The air became cool and fragrant, carrying the scent of fresh grass. A tiny, glowing figure appeared, shimmering like a pearl—Xiǎo Shuǐmǔ, or Mǔmǔ.
The little jellyfish floated gently toward Hǎiyáng, rubbing her soft body against his arm affectionately.
"That's it?" Dú Fēngyǔ burst out, his laughter loud and grating. "A glorified jellyfish? This is what caused all that noise?"
Hóngshí Zhū doubled over with laughter. "I almost feel bad for the pillar. What's this 'beast' supposed to do? Clean the stage?
The students joined in, their jeers echoing through the courtyard.
Hǎiyáng's face remained calm, but his clenched jaw and trembling fists betrayed his feelings. Beside him, Mǔmǔ quivered slightly, sensing his emotions.
Lu Rè Jīng, watching from the sidelines, was livid. "How dare they mock her! Mǔmǔ's worth more than all their beasts combined!"
Even Xuě Fú Fèn's brows furrowed, though her expression remained distant.
"Enough!" Xuě Jīn Mán's voice cut through the noise. "Xiǎo Hǎiyáng, proceed."
Hǎiyáng took a deep breath, placing a reassuring hand on Mǔmǔ. Her soft glow brightened as she pulsed with energy.
"Let's show them, Mǔmǔ," he said softly.
Mǔmǔ floated to his side, her tentacles coiling gently around his arm. Together, they focused their strength. Hǎiyáng's fist glowed faintly, and Mǔmǔ's body shimmered with a faint blue aura.
He struck the pillar with all his might. The impact resounded like thunder, the golden runes on the pillar flaring to life.
Seconds passed, and the crowd held its breath. The runes flashed brighter and brighter, their golden light blinding. Then, the score appeared above the pillar: SSS
The courtyard erupted into chaos. Gasps, murmurs, and exclamations filled the air.
"Impossible!" Dú Fēngyǔ shouted, his face pale.
Hóngshí Zhū shook his head, muttering, "There must be a mistake. That can't be right."
The students, previously mocking, now stared in stunned silence.
Lu Rè Jīng let out a whoop of joy, punching the air. "That's my brother! The strongest tamer in the city!"
Xuě Fú Fèn's lips parted slightly, her expression a mix of confusion and reluctant admiration.
Hǎiyáng turned to face the crowd, his eyes steady. For the first time, he allowed himself a small, triumphant smile.
As the commotion continued, Xuě Jīn Mán raised a hand, silencing the crowd. His voice rang with authority, "Enough! This result must be verified."
Dú Fēngyǔ seized the opportunity, his expression sour. "Exactly! This pillar could be faulty, just like the last one. We can't trust it!"
Xuě Shā, who had been standing silently on the sidelines, now stepped forward. His commanding presence made the students shrink back. "Are you questioning the integrity of this institution, Dú Fēngyǔ?" he growled, his sharp gaze cutting through the examiner.
Dú Fēngyǔ faltered, but quickly regained his composure. "N-no, Marquis Xuě. I merely mean that an anomaly like this should be double-checked. For the sake of fairness, of course."
Xuě Jīn Mán nodded, turning to the distinguished guests. "Chief Huáng Láng and Elder Wēn Shì, as impartial authorities, I request your assistance in verifying this score."
The two nodded solemnly. Chief Huáng Láng stepped forward, his crimson robes flowing behind him. He pulled out a small, intricately carved orb that shimmered faintly. "This is a Truth Seer Sphere. It records and measures the true power of any strike."
Elder Wēn Shì also stepped forward, holding a flat, metallic plate etched with runes. "And this is a Harmony Scale. It measures the combined strength of a tamer and their beast."
Hǎiyáng and Mǔmǔ prepared once more, stepping up to the new devices. The crowd watched in tense silence as Chief Huáng Láng placed the sphere on a pedestal, and Elder Wēn Shì set the Harmony Scale in front of the scoring pillar.
"Proceed," Elder Wēn Shì instructed, his voice calm but firm.
Hǎiyáng nodded, glancing at Mǔmǔ. She pulsed with energy, her tentacles wrapping around his arm once more. Together, they focused their strength, their aura growing brighter and more intense.
This time, as Hǎiyáng struck, the impact sent a ripple through the air. The Truth Seer Sphere glowed brilliantly, and the Harmony Scale emitted a deep, resonant hum.
Numbers began to appear on both devices:
Truth Seer Sphere: SSS
Harmony Scale: SSS
The crowd erupted again, louder than before. Even the doubters were silenced.
Dú Fēngyǔ and Hóngshí Zhū exchanged frantic glances. Their carefully laid plan to sabotage Hǎiyáng had backfired spectacularly.
"This… this can't be," Hóngshí Zhū stammered, his face pale.
Xuě Shā's sharp laugh broke through the noise. "Oh, it can, and it is. Care to challenge the judgment of these esteemed elders?"
Neither dared to reply, their silence condemning them.
Lu Rè Jīng couldn't resist a jab. "Looks like the 'mighty examiners' are out of tricks. What's the matter? Lost your voices?"
Xuě Fú Fèn smirked, though she remained quiet, her eyes fixed on Hǎiyáng.
Since that day, Xiǎo Hǎiyáng carried a peculiar new label—a so-called XF Tamer with an SSS-Level Beast. The contradiction amused some, confused others, and fueled disdain in many of his rivals. It was clear his enemies were determined to diminish his rightful glory, to tether his rising star before it could soar too high.
But Hǎiyáng didn't care for their petty schemes or bitter whispers. His sights were set far beyond the confines of Snow Water Beast Fighting School. There was a fire in his heart, a steadfast determination to carve his path to greatness. His first target was to secure the Rank No. 1 Best Student in the city's exam—a steppingstone to the provincial competition. From there, he aimed to surpass every challenger, to emerge as the No. 1 Best Student in the province, and ultimately, to claim the throne as the Top Student in the entire Water Zone Kingdom.
For Xiǎo Hǎiyáng, this was no mere ambition—it was a promise. A promise to himself, to his late parents, and to the future he intended to seize. Let them mock him. Let them doubt him. Every step forward would be a testament to his resilience, his strength, and his destiny as the supreme beast tamer of his generation.
The journey was just beginning.
-------------------------------------End of Chapter 9-------------------------------