Chapter 50

On the third day of the wilderness survival competition, Mu Huiyue and Wen Li packed up their camp at dawn and continued heading towards the central area of the deserted island.

With the help of Ellen, who kept watch in the shadows, the two of them were able to get a rare full night’s sleep, and after the night, they were both fully rested and in peak condition.

Baiya and Ellen were able to recover so quickly thanks to the effects of the Rest Cabin, while Yanxi Miao relied purely on the Beastmaster’s natural talent.

Wen Li’s recovery was even more impressive. After a good meal and rest, she became full of energy, like a lively little furnace. Mu Huiyue could even feel the vigorous heat in her body emanating from Burning Blood.

The further they went into the center, the stronger the wild extraordinary creatures they encountered, and even the plants had grown much taller.

The excessively thick trees absorbed more of the land’s nutrients, leaving the ground beneath them more open, no longer covered in vines, shrubs, and other low-growing plants.

The tall tree canopies blocked out much of the sunlight, casting mottled shadows and creating an environment that was comfortable for dark-type beasts.

Low-level, group-dwelling extraordinary creatures like the Iron Beetles had disappeared, and along the way, they encountered several mid-tier battle species at their growth stage. These were all swiftly cleared out by Baiya and Yanxi Miao working together.

However, despite traveling for so long, the number of high-tier extraordinary creatures showed no signs of decreasing. In fact, it seemed to be increasing.

After repeatedly using Moon Blast several times, Baiya’s condition visibly worsened, but he still insisted on walking ahead of the Beastmaster, keeping an eye out for any wild extraordinary creatures that might appear at any moment.

Mu Huiyue furrowed her brows. After becoming an investigator, she had read a large number of secret realm investigation reports and had a certain understanding of secret realms at all levels.

For a secret realm like the deserted island, which was already stabilized in its fusion phase and had been artificially screened, it was unusual to encounter such a continuous and dense appearance of extraordinary creatures at the battle species’ growth stage.

High-tier extraordinary creatures require more energy to survive, occupy larger spaces, and have different biological habits. Unlike human Beastmaster spaces, which can accommodate multiple high-tier creatures, wild environments make it difficult for more than one or two high-tier creatures to coexist peacefully.

There must be a reason for the anomaly, just like the domain of the Guava Flower, which is influenced by external forces.

Mu Huiyue stopped in her tracks, and Wen Li, who hadn’t noticed anything, turned around and asked curiously, “What’s wrong, Huiyue?”

“The air is a bit too dry.”

Mu Huiyue looked ahead, hearing some faint crackling sounds, like static electricity when touching a sweater in winter.

A sudden chill ran through her, and Baiya’s reaction was faster than hers. Before Mu Huiyue could speak, Baiya jumped high.

“Baiya!”

“Wang woo!” (I’m fine!)

There was a dull thud, and the Little Cloud Dog landed lightly beside her. A scorch mark appeared where it had been standing, looking as if it had been struck by lightning.

“Heh, to be able to avoid that from here, you’ve got some skills, Mu Huiyue.”

A voice came from the tall trees. Mu Huiyue and Wen Li both looked up and saw a hedgehog-headed boy standing on a branch, wearing a field training uniform. The emblem of Shengshuitan High School was on his chest, and beside him was a powerful, towering lion.

The lion’s gaze was sharp, like thunder. Electric arcs of blue and purple constantly sprang between its tawny mane and tail, crackling with danger.

Currently ranked first in points, Fang Xuyang from Hongzhou Shengshuitan High School, accompanied by his partner, the Thunder Lion.

[Name]: Thunder Lion
[Attribute]: Lightning
[Race Level]: High-Level Battle General
[Growth Stage]: Phase Three of the Growth Period
[Talent Core]: Flash Thunder Charge (Lightning, C-grade)
[Normal Hidden Energy Value]: 21,542P

[Description]: An evolved form of the Electric Lion, it stores electrical energy in its mane, with an incredibly fast release speed. It can read distant information through electromagnetic waves.

Mu Huiyue glanced at the catalog on her wristband. A high-level Battle General race, Phase Three of the Growth Period, with a normal hidden energy value exceeding 20,000… The Thunder Lion must also possess advanced B-grade non-core skills, or other ways to amplify its energy.

This was Fang Xuyang’s trump card battle pet. Unlike the Bala Flower, which gained an advantage from its traits and the environment, the Thunder Lion was a true combat expert. Even before the ranking assessment competition, this combination was already well-known in the high school league.

Fang Xuyang jumped down from the branch, and the Thunder Lion followed closely behind him. The electric arcs seemed to transfer onto the Beastmaster, causing his hedgehog-like hairstyle to stand on end, looking especially wild.

Wen Li and Yanxi Miao both bristled. Fang Xuyang waved his hand, and more people wearing the Shengshuitan High School emblem appeared on the branches, jumping down to surround Wen Li.

“The person I’m looking for isn’t you, but there are others who want to find you. Go ahead and fight.”

Fang Xuyang casually adjusted his hairstyle and said to Wen Li without much concern.

“You…!” Wen Li’s voice was quickly drowned out as she entered the forcibly triggered 1v1 match.

Fang Xuyang turned his head and looked at Mu Huiyue.

There was a strong emotion and a sense of vengeful pleasure in his eyes, as though he wanted to crush Mu Huiyue directly.

“The moment I saw your name in the ranked match, I decided,” Fang Xuyang said, each word slow and deliberate, ready to enjoy his enemy’s fear. “I’m going to personally eliminate you, make you experience the despair of helplessness, Mu Huiyue.”

However, the young girl in front of him did not display the terror or fear he had expected.

Mu Huiyue’s face was filled with confusion. She looked at Fang Xuyang, who seemed very agitated, and carefully chose her words: “…I don’t think I know you, Fang Xuyang, right?”

She only knew his name because of Kuma Xi’s pre-match analysis video.

Upon hearing this, Fang Xuyang’s pupils instantly contracted. He retorted, “You actually don’t remember me?”

It was as though he had heard something unbelievable. He repeated, “You actually dare not to remember me?!”

Mu Huiyue remained silent. In fact, the night Ellen sent the message, she had carefully thought it over and really didn’t recall anything. Who knew where she had crossed paths with this neurotic guy with the spiky hair?

“…The National Junior Beastmaster Knowledge Competition three years ago. Every year before that, every single year!” Fang Xuyang shouted angrily. He gritted his teeth and controlled his volume, “You took my first place every year!”

Oh…

Hearing him mention the name of the competition, Mu Huiyue finally remembered.

She had participated in various Beastmaster competitions since she was young, and most of the time, she had taken first place. Fang Xuyang might have competed in the same events.

However, Mu Huiyue didn’t remember the people who ranked behind her. To her, Fang Xuyang was just one of many participants, leaving no impression in her memory.

“You can only act tough now,” the boy with the spiky hair snapped his fingers, his eyes filled with intense fighting spirit. “I told you, I’m going to personally eliminate you.”

“Wang woo!” Sensing the dangerous emotions from the opponent, the white dog protector positioned itself in front of the Beastmaster, baring its teeth and letting out a threatening growl.

Seeing this, Fang Xuyang snorted. He wasn’t the type to rush in blindly.

This plan to corner Mu Huiyue was one he had to succeed in. To make sure of it, he had specially sent the Thunder Lion to drive away the high-level combatants around the area, exhausting the stamina of the Little Cloud Dog.

Mu Huiyue had only awakened a few months ago, but the Little Cloud Dog had already entered its growth stage so quickly, undoubtedly thanks to the legendary breeding methods of Mu Tong. This pet beast was undoubtedly her absolute main force.

Even with a one-in-a-thousand chance that she inherited Mu Tong’s legendary talent of [Beastmaster Space Enhancement] and contracted a second pet beast, it would still be impossible to cultivate it to a level that could match the Little Cloud Dog in such a short time.

Fang Xuyang lowered his gaze, looking at the white-furred puppy that was growling at him.

It had used the B-class dark skill, Moon Blast, several times in its previous battle with wild extraordinary creatures, and its combat awareness was also excellent.

Fang Xuyang estimated that the Little Cloud Dog had also reached its growth stage, with its regular hidden energy value at least over ten thousand. To cultivate such a pet beast in such a short time, Mu Huiyue was indeed a tough opponent.

However, before arriving here, the Little Cloud Dog had already gone through multiple battles with creatures of the warrior-class and growth stage of the same rank.

With only this over-exhausted Little Cloud Dog, even if Mu Huiyue were to suddenly advance to become a legendary Beastmaster, she would still be unable to defeat his Thunder Lion.

Mu Huiyue crouched down, picked up the unsteady Little Tooth, and gently patted its fluffy head.

“You’ve done really well, Little Tooth. Go rest in the Beastmaster Space for now.”

“Wang woo…” The little dog licked the palm of the Beastmaster’s hand before disappearing into the summoning array surrounded by triple dark Beast Patterns.

Seeing this, Fang Xuyang couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow. What, was Mu Huiyue really planning to use another pet beast for the battle?

Mu Huiyue stood up, her jet-black eyes looking over, her gaze as dark as shadows.

From the very first night she logged into the deserted island, when Ellen brought back information about Fang Xuyang, although she didn’t understand why he was so intent on finding her, Mu Huiyue had seriously thought about a countermeasure.

In the end, she realized she didn’t need any countermeasure at all.

This was the preliminary round of the ranked assessment held in a secret realm, not an actual wild secret realm. It wouldn’t be like the Haunted Castle, where deadly dangers lurked everywhere.

Since the competitors could only engage in official 1v1 battles, it didn’t matter who showed up—just go ahead and fight.

Even if it turned into a war of attrition, with Mu Huiyue’s current strength and the logistical support of the [Rest Hut], she wasn’t afraid of any challenge.

“Let’s begin, the battle you wanted.”

As Mu Huiyue’s words fell, the battle was officially initiated.

A small-winged recording terminal flew between the two, popping up a translucent projection frame representing both sides of the battle.

Under Fang Xuyang’s avatar was the Thunder Lion, and under Mu Huiyue’s avatar was a pale skull.

The upcoming battle was simultaneously broadcast to the live stream, where the barrage was filled with eagerly waiting viewers, and more and more people were being drawn in.

“It’s starting, it’s starting, it’s starting!”

“Mu Legend’s daughter is going to take down one top-ranked player a day!”

“Wait, you’re saying it wrong. The Thunder Lion can’t just be defeated with some flashy skills.”

“I’m still rooting for the Thunder Lion.”

“Using wild monsters to wear down the opponent before the battle, what a dirty move, not a fair victory.”

“Didn’t break any rules, though. Isn’t that a tactic?”

“Still, Fang Xuyang is stronger. He’s the kind of player with some brains.”

“Some brains, but not much, right?”

“What’s that avatar for Mu’s side…”

“Where’s the Little Cloud Dog? What pet beast is she going to use for the battle?”

“……”

The barrage in the live stream was scrolling rapidly. Upon learning that Mu Huiyue, who had won two matches yesterday, was once again facing the top-ranked player, the number of viewers quickly increased.

In addition to the crowd watching for the spectacle, some viewers who knew a bit about the players tried to analyze the situation.

“Could it be that she’s using the original target for the reversed space from yesterday…”

“Lin Lin did say that the Little Cloud Dog isn’t her main force.”

“I guess it’s the little skull…”

“? Little skull?”

“? What’s that?”

“What is the little skull?”

“Alumni from Changning No. 1 High School, I also guess it’s the little skull…”

“The expressions of the first few are about to look like mine from before, hahahaha!”

“……”

“……”

The excitement in the live stream didn’t affect the two in the battle. The Thunder Lion strode forward majestically, its gaze sharp, as if it contained endless flashes of lightning.

“Ellen, it’s up to you,” Mu Huiyue whispered.

The shadow beneath her feet suddenly expanded several times, and waves of darkness surged and rolled, forming a figure of human height ahead.

Amidst the swirling black mist, the entire battle space seemed to chill slightly. A pale white skull emerged from the mist, with ghostly blue flames igniting in its hollow eye sockets.