The entrance of the dungeon was packed with spectators, adventurers, and students, all abuzz with the news of the calamity-level dungeon completion. When Hǎiyáng and his team emerged, the roar of the crowd was deafening.
"They did it!" someone shouted.
"The calamity dungeon… completed by high school students?" another voice echoed, disbelief heavy in their tone.
Hǎiyáng glanced around, a mix of exhaustion and relief on his face. Xuě Fú Fèn was grinning ear to ear, while Lu Rè Jīng held his back with a grimace but couldn't hide his pride. Xuě Kǒngquè, though composed, carried an air of smug satisfaction.
As the team moved forward, they were immediately surrounded by exam officials and spectators. Among them stood Liu Shénlóng, the headmaster of Blue River Beast Fighting School. His normally composed demeanor was cracking, disbelief evident in his wide eyes.
"This is… impossible," Liu muttered under his breath.
"Director Lee," he said, turning sharply to the City Exam Director, Lee Qínshēng. "I demand that the entire examination be reviewed! There's no way those students completed a calamity-level dungeon without irregularities!"
Lee Qínshēng sighed, clearly displeased with Liu's outburst but unwilling to refuse the request in front of the crowd. "Very well," he said, motioning for the recording crystals to be played.
The screens lit up, projecting the events inside the dungeon for everyone to see. The crowd watched in stunned silence as the team's battle against the dungeon's challenges unfolded.
They gasped as they saw the relentless assault of the jumping fish beasts, the cunning tactics employed by the team, and the sudden betrayal of Dú Hǎi Mán and his Poison Water Lizard. But it was the appearance of the dungeon boss, the giant mermaid, that truly left them speechless.
When Xiǎolóng transformed into his majestic dragon form and shattered the mermaid's tornado with a water cannon, the crowd erupted into cheers and murmurs of disbelief.
"An XF tamer?" someone whispered. "How is this possible?"
"Those two little beasts," another said, pointing to Mǔmǔ and Xiǎolóng on the screen. "They're monsters in their own right!"
By the time the recording ended, the crowd was in an uproar. Liu Shénlóng stood frozen, his face pale. Lee Qín shēng turned to him with a raised eyebrow. "Do you still wish to file a complaint, Headmaster Liu?"
Liu Shénlóng's mouth opened and closed like a fish gasping for air. Finally, he shook his head, muttering, "No… no further complaints."
As the tension eased, a new commotion arose—several principals from the top beast fighting schools in the Water Zone stepped forward, each vying for Hǎiyáng and his teammates.
"Xuě Kǒngquè, your Snow Peacock is extraordinary! Join the Western Beast Fighting School, and we'll offer you a full scholarship and access to our exclusive training grounds!"
"Xuě Kǒngquè, your Snow Peacock is extraordinary! Join the Western Beast Fighting School, and we'll offer you a full scholarship and access to our exclusive training grounds!"
"Lu Rè Jīng, our Northern Beast Fighting School will provide resources to train your Hot Whale to its peak potential!"
The offers came fast and furious, with each school presenting better incentives than the last. The principals even began arguing among themselves, each determined to secure the most talented students.
Amid the chaos, one school stood apart—the Eastern Beast Fighting School, the only government-run institution in the zone. Its headmaster, Zhào Jiàn,
watched silently from the edge of the crowd, his arms crossed.
Hǎiyáng stepped forward, cutting through the commotion. The crowd fell silent as he approached Zhào Jiàn, his gaze steady.
"Headmaster Zhào," Hǎiyáng said, his voice carrying across the gathering. "Your school is near the Sunken Reefs, isn't it?"
Zhào Jiàn raised an eyebrow. "That's correct."
"And as a government school, you allow students the freedom to explore dungeons and undertake missions, right?"
Zhào Jiàn nodded. "We prioritize practical experience, though we lack the resources to provide scholarships or luxury facilities."
Hǎiyáng smiled, a glint of determination in his eyes. "That's fine by me. I'm not looking for luxuries. I want the freedom to grow stronger and explore the world at my own pace."
The crowd erupted into murmurs, shocked by his decision.
"Are you serious?" Xuě Fú Fèn hissed, pulling him aside. "The Eastern School doesn't have half the resources of the others!"
Hǎiyáng shrugged. "I don't need resources. I need freedom. And besides…" He glanced at Zhào Jiàn, his smile widening. "The Sunken Reefs sound interesting.
The chaos at the exam site was far from over. The principals of the top beast fighting schools in the Water Zone crowded around Hǎiyáng and his teammates. Each principal tried to outdo the others, making increasingly
grandiose offers to secure the talents of the young prodigies.
"The Northern Apex Beast Fighting School is the only logical choice for you, Hǎiyáng," proclaimed its principal, a tall, imposing man with a silver beard. "We'll waive all tuition, provide you with a personal dormitory, and assign two elite trainers to develop your beasts further."
"Bah! That's nothing," countered the principal of the Southern Blue Tide Academy. "We'll offer you a lifetime scholarship, the best beast evolution facilities, and access to our exclusive dungeon expeditions. Not to mention, our academy has produced more high-ranking beast tamers than any other in the zone."
Amidst the shouting, the principal of the Western Verdant Grove School stepped forward, her voice calm but firm. "Enough with your boasting. Hǎiyáng, at Verdant Grove, we value potential and
character. Join us, and you'll receive not only the best training but also access to research opportunities and support for your unique abilities."
The crowd's attention shifted to the Eastern Beast Fighting School's principal, who stood silently at the edge of the chaos. His reserved demeanor contrasted sharply with the others' fervor. When the offers reached a fever pitch, he finally spoke.
"We offer no scholarships," he said simply, his voice steady and composed. "As a government institution, we rely on merit and discipline. However, if you value true challenges and wish to train near the Sunken Reefs—one of the most dangerous yet rewarding dungeon zones—you will find no better place than the Eastern Beast Fighting School."
The crowd hushed as everyone turned to Hǎiyáng, expecting him to dismiss the stark offer. Instead, his eyes lit up with interest.
"Near the Sunken Reefs?" Hǎiyáng asked, stepping closer to the Eastern principal. "And will I have time to explore dungeons and gain practical experience?"
The principal nodded. "Within reason, yes. But know this: we do not offer luxury or shortcuts. What you earn, you will fight for."
A wide grin spread across Hǎiyáng's face. "That sounds perfect!"
Gasps rippled through the crowd. How could he choose such a stark, uncompromising school over the lavish offers from the others?
"Are you certain, Hǎiyáng?" Xuě Fú Fèn asked softly, a hint of concern in her voice.
He nodded firmly. "I'm not looking for handouts or comfort. I want real experience, real challenges.
And the Sunken Reefs sound like the perfect place to grow stronger."
Meanwhile, Liu Shénlóng, standing on the sidelines, observed the commotion with a mixture of disbelief and reluctant acceptance. The moment Hǎiyáng made his choice, the expressions of the other principals told him everything he needed to know. There was no winning against this boy.
Sighing heavily, Liu Shénlóng adjusted his robes and approached Xuě Jīn Mán. His expression was a mask of reluctant defeat, but his voice carried a grudging respect.
"You win this time, Xuě Jīn Mán," he admitted, bowing slightly. "Your student has eclipsed every expectation. I will uphold our bet and report to Snow Water Beast Fighting School… as your humble subordinate."
Xuě Jīn Mán's face softened, though a glimmer of triumph danced in his eyes. "I look forward to working with you, Liu Shénlóng. Perhaps now we can put our past rivalries behind us."
Liu Shénlóng straightened, his face betraying a flicker of emotion before he turned and walked away, leaving behind the noisy crowd and his own wounded pride.
As the crowd slowly dispersed, the echoes of the extraordinary events at the City Exam lingered in the air. Hǎiyáng, standing amidst the remnants of shattered scoring tools and broken expectations, had rewritten what it meant to be an XF Tamer. His newfound fame painted him as both an enigma and a beacon of potential. Yet, even as his peers marveled at his achievements, Hǎiyáng's gaze was already fixed on the horizon.
The day ended with mixed feelings. The triumph of his group overshadowed the challenges they had faced, but Hǎiyáng knew better than to bask in fleeting glory. Deep within, he harbored a quiet resolve—a determination not just to prove his worth but to uncover the mysteries that surrounded him.
The whispers about his extraordinary beasts—Mǔmǔ and Xiǎolóng—would spread far and wide, earning both awe and animosity. Dú Hǎi Mán's public humiliation and Liu Shénlóng's reluctant submission only fanned the flames of intrigue. For now, however, Hǎiyáng focused on the path ahead, one that led to the Eastern Beast Fighting School near the perilous Sunken Reefs.
As the moon rose high over Snow Water City, Hǎiyáng returned to his dormitory. BǎoBǎo sat near the door, his usual stoic demeanor softening slightly as Xiǎolóng darted around the room, chasing shadows.
Hǎiyáng gazed out the window, the distant stars reflecting in his eyes. He knew his journey was only beginning. The Eastern Beast Fighting School would be an entirely different world—one without the familiar comforts of Snow Water City, where the challenges would be harsher and the stakes even higher.
His thoughts drifted to the Sunken Reefs, a treacherous zone rumored to house untold dangers and incredible rewards. Yet, Hǎiyáng felt an unexplainable pull toward it.
If the Water Protector was truly out there, he had to find it.
"This isn't about proving myself anymore," he murmured, almost to himself. "It's about something bigger… something I was meant to do."
BǎoBǎo tilted his head, his sharp gaze meeting Hǎiyáng's. "You'll need to be prepared, Master. The path ahead won't just test your strength—it will test your soul."
Hǎiyáng smiled faintly, his youthful determination shining through. "Then it's a good thing I'm not doing it alone."
With that, he packed his belongings, ready to leave for the Eastern Beast Fighting School the next morning. As the first rays of dawn broke over the city, he stepped out into the unknown, leaving behind the echoes of applause and whispers of doubt.
Unbeknownst to him, his journey at the Eastern Beast Fighting School would be far more than just an education. It would be a crucible—a forge for greatness, where he would confront ancient legacies, forge unbreakable bonds, and battle both enemies and the shadows of his own destiny.
The story of Hǎiyáng, the unlikely XF Tamer, was only just beginning.
---------------------------------End of Chapter 13----------------------------------