CHAPTER 38: CHAPTER 38: CORRECTION! GU XING IS FIRST!

As Gu Qianqian approached, Liu Li gracefully bowed.

In front of her master’s sister, her previous fierce demeanor had vanished without a trace, as meek as a well-behaved child.

Seeing Gu Qianqian’s displeased expression, Gu Xing immediately explained the secret realm to her.

"What? The entrance to the secret realm is outside the defense line?"

Gu Qianqian exclaimed in surprise.

It’s known that Longxia Country has only built a defense line around the entrance to the Alternate Space.

The area covered is just a tiny part of this space.

And beyond Longxia Defense Line...

Incredibly dangerous!

"Absolutely not!"

Gu Qianqian firmly refused.

With the two of them having only Awakening Stage strength, going to such places is tantamount to courting death.

However...

Just as Gu Qianqian was about to list the pros and cons to dissuade them.

"Don’t worry, their safety is my responsibility!"

A powerful voice suddenly sounded.

Ying Xinghe stood with hands behind his back, having silently joined the group.

"Teacher Ying!"

Gu Qianqian’s pupils shrank in surprise, hurriedly showing respectful courtesy.

——Ying Xinghe!

A senior mentor at the National Academy, a commander of high-tier Guardian Beast warriors!

With his personal assurance, Gu Qianqian naturally had no reason to object further.

Seeing Gu Qianqian’s acquiescence, Ying Xinghe took out a vial of radiant blue potion from his sleeve, handing it to Ying Bing:

"Nourishing God Potion, it can accelerate recovery."

The potion went down her throat, and Ying Bing’s previously pale face quickly regained its color, her damaged spiritual power swiftly restored.

She exhaled lightly, suppressing the strange feeling within her heart, nodding towards Gu Qianqian:

"Senior Gu!"

Gu Qianqian’s gaze shifted between Ying Bing and Gu Xing, a knowing look flickering in her eyes.

This Ying family girl had an unusual look towards her brother!

However...

"Ying family’s darling..."

She sighed inwardly, "Such a noble identity, my foolish boy probably wouldn’t match up!"

"It’s getting late!"

Ying Xinghe’s wide sleeve fluttered without wind, a giant eagle with azure feathers appeared out of thin air.

With its wingspan over ten meters, it stirred a gale.

"The journey is long, I’ll take them ahead!"

Watching them leap onto the eagle’s back, Gu Qianqian hesitated.

Finally, she solemnly gave a salute:

"Thank you, Teacher Ying!"

"Scree——"

With a clear cry from the eagle, it soared high, becoming a black dot on the horizon in a blink.

...

Time flies, and the one-month assessment period is almost up.

In this trial, the most surprising was Shen Ruoxue’s unexpected rise.

She exploited the Enchanting Demon’s ability to the fullest, leading her team to triumph in the assessment area.

"Did you notice? The captain’s status seems off this month..."

"Could it be she confessed to God Gu and was rejected?"

"Shh! But... with her desperate style, it’s likely!"

Shen Ruoxue’s icy gaze swept over the whispering teammates:

"Chatting during the final sprint phase? Not interested in leveling up?"

Throughout the month, she dedicated nearly all her time to hunting the Demon Race.

Even her team members complained of exhaustion.

Yet this also successfully restored the Enchanting Demon’s level to Awakening Tier Eight!

Finally, before the trial ended, Shen Ruoxue broke through to Awakened Tier Nine!

When teams returned to the assembly point, the entrance was already bustling.

"This time, it’ll surely be our Black Stone City’s Young Master Ye who’s first, right?"

"Indeed, within this month, Young Master Ye’s level reached Awakened Tier Nine."

"With such strength, who among the young generation can compare?"

Shen Ruoxue led her team into the assembly area, seeing the crowd swarm around a well-dressed young man like stars encircling the moon.

Nearby Lin Yuan City students quietly explained:

"That’s Ye Tao from Black Stone City, currently with the highest level among returning participants."

"But if Lin Yuan City’s God Gu had participated... he definitely wouldn’t have been first!"

Though the student spoke softly, it was still heard clearly by those from Black Stone City.

The news soon reached Ye Tao.

His lips curled slightly, the Mystic Snake around his neck flicking its scarlet tongue leisurely as he walked towards Shen Ruoxue’s group.

As the focus of the assembly area, Ye Tao soon drew everyone’s gaze towards him.

"Oh?" Ye Tao halted before Shen Ruoxue, the black snake on his neck continuously flicking its tongue.

"The one you’re talking about... God Gu?"

His tone carried a hint of mockery, "Really strong?"

The boy who spoke earlier lowered his head immediately, not daring to speak.

But Shen Ruoxue’s team couldn’t care less.

To them, Gu Xing was the strongest.

A boy blurted out:

"Of course God Gu is strong! At least stronger than you!"

Ye Tao’s smile instantly turned cold.

——Hiss!

The snake around his neck shot forward like lightning, aiming its poisonous fangs at the boy.

"Enchanting Eyes!"

Seeing things go awry, Shen Ruoxue commanded the Enchanting Demon to act.

A precise spiritual shock hit the Mystic Snake.

The ferocious snake head froze mid-air, its crimson tongue hanging limp.

Taking advantage, Shen Ruoxue shielded the speaking team member behind her.

"Enough!"

Ye Tao gently stroked the still dazed Mystic Snake, a hint of surprise flickering in his eyes.

His gaze focused on the woman standing in front of him...

This woman... not simple!

With more people gathering around, he snorted coldly, his sleeve brushing as he turned away.

First place is surely his!

No other possibility!

Soon, an examiner in military attire strode onto the podium:

"Now, let’s have the National Academy’s proctor give the final assessment!"

The crowd erupted instantly.

"What? This year they changed the rules?"

"Isn’t it ranked automatically according to level?"

"There’s a proctor? I didn’t notice at all!"

Shen Ruoxue remained composed, having already detected the hidden proctors with the Enchanting Demon’s strong spiritual perception during the assessment.

Thus, she already anticipated the rule change for this trial.

At this moment, Gu Qianqian, in white clothes, calmly ascended the podium.

Her gaze swept the audience, and then her cool voice slowly sounded:

"Rank 150..."

"Rank 149..."

...

As the rankings neared the top ten, the atmosphere grew tense.

"Rank 9..."

"Rank 8..."

...

"Rank 2, Ye Tao!"

Ye Tao’s pupils contracted, his knuckles turning white.

How is this possible?!

His Awakened Tier Nine was only second?!

Then who is first?

Wait!

He suddenly thought of someone.

Could it be that woman?!

Ye Tao’s face turned exceptionally grim.

"Rank 1, Shen Ruoxue!"

Boom——

The crowd exploded instantly.

"Young Master Ye is not first?"

"I thought he was so great? Turns out he’s just second."

Ye Tao’s forehead veins bulged, yet he suppressed his anger.

Losing to a woman?

Utter humiliation!

Upon hearing this outcome, Shen Ruoxue froze.

Her gaze lingered on the Enchanting Demon...

If Gu Xing hadn’t given her this Enchanting Demon, she certainly couldn’t have achieved such a result!

However.

After Gu Qianqian announced all the rankings, a military officer slowly stepped forward.

"Correction, all ranks shift up one position!"

"First place—Gu Xing!"

Bang!

The scene erupted in chaos.

"Who is Gu Xing? He’s not even here!"

"Isn’t God Gu absent from this trial? How is he still first?"

...

...