The Second Test

Inside the dimensional gate, an expansive landscape stretched endlessly before Gu Tian. The sky was dark and overcast, heavy with storm clouds that seemed ready to unleash lightning at any moment. The ground was covered in solid rock, scorched and marked with traces of past burns. This was the Speed Trial Arena.

As Group C began entering the second dimensional gate, the voice of the exam proctor echoed across the field.

"Due to an altercation between some examinees, the test may be slightly delayed."

Some students groaned in frustration, but Gu Tian paid it no mind. He simply pulled out a book from his spatial ring and leisurely flipped through its pages, all while casually chewing on a grilled chicken leg.

Just as he was about to take another bite, he suddenly let go only for a pair of jaws to snap up the chicken mid-air!

"So it's over? You really wasted my time for nothing. And just now, were you actually trying to bite my fingers?" Gu Tian sighed as he turned to glance at the culprit.

Wu Shuang, hanging off Gu Tian's back, chewed on the chicken with an easygoing expression.

"Nah, I just used up a lot of energy sweeping up some trash. Maybe I got a little lightheaded."

Gu Tian's gaze shifted toward the entrance of the dimensional gate, where Ye Feng was walking in. His head and body were wrapped in bandages, and he used a crutch to support himself. Behind him was Shen Ya, with her left hand also wrapped in bandages.

Gu Tian thought to himself, "I didn't expect Shen Ya to defeat Wu Shuang, but I also didn't think she'd lose this badly."

After a moment, he asked, "So, how was it fighting those two?"

Wu Shuang smirked slightly. "Disappointing. They weren't even enough to fill me up. Maybe you're the only one who can satisfy me, Gu Tian."

Gu Tian chuckled softly before replying in a cold tone. "Be careful not to choke while chewing, little Wu."

The two exchanged glances before bursting into laughter at the same time. Just then, the exam proctor's voice rang out, signaling the start of the next test.

"Now that all examinees have arrived, let's begin the Speed Test. The trial is simple—reach the finish line, which is 1,000 miles away. However, throughout the course, lightning will continuously strike down upon you. That's all. Sounds easy, right?"

The proctor then announced the scoring criteria:

F – More than 2 hours

E – 2 hours to 1 hour 30 minutes

D – 1 hour 30 minutes to 1 hour

C – 1 hour to 45 minutes

B – 45 minutes to 30 minutes

A – 30 minutes to 20 minutes

S – 20 minutes to 15 minutes

SS – 15 minutes to 10 minutes

SSS – 10 minutes to 5 minutes

SSS+ – Less than 5 minutes

"The total time limit is 2 hours. Anyone who fails to reach the finish line within that time will receive an F grade."

"The test will begin in 3 minutes. All examinees, prepare yourselves!"

3 Minutes Later…

The exam proctor's voice rang out once more.

"10 seconds until the start. Get ready!"

The field fell into silence. The only sound was the whistling wind as dark clouds above began to swirl, ready to unleash lightning at any moment.

Students assumed their stances, ready to launch forward. Powerful beast energy radiated from their summoned creatures, shaking the ground beneath them.

Gu Tian, still chewing on his snack, leisurely picked up another chicken leg and took a bite, showing no signs of urgency.

Wu Shuang, standing beside him, was munching on a hamburger, watching Gu Tian with amusement.

"I'm starting to think you might take first place in this year's exams."

Gu Tian bit into his chicken and replied in a languid tone. "You don't think anyone else is stronger than me?"

Wu Shuang let out a small laugh. "I do. Me."

10 Seconds Remaining…

The air grew heavy with immense pressure, filling the field with an overwhelming tension. The eyes of the examinees burned with determination.

The exam proctor's voice echoed across the field.

"3… 2… 1…"

"BEGIN!!!"

Boom!

A deafening explosion erupted in an instant as the ground shattered into pieces, sending dust and debris flying in all directions. The moment the signal was given, the examinees shot forward like streaks of lightning, each determined to reach the finish line.

Countless beasts activated their abilities, enhancing their masters' speed to the utmost limit.

Just as Gu Tian took the last bite of his chicken leg, he let out a soft sigh before casually tossing another piece to Xiao Bai. As the dragon caught it, its body gradually expanded, growing larger and more imposing.

Gu Tian spoke with a smirk.

"Alright, Xiao Bai... time for some exercise."

BOOM!

In an instant, Gu Tian and Xiao Bai vanished, leaving behind a massive tornado of wind in their wake.

Lightning rained down from the heavens like a torrential storm, targeting Xiao Bai, Gu Tian's White Dragon. Yet, rather than dodging, the dragon did something completely unexpected—it absorbed the lightning into its body. The surging energy merged with Xiao Bai's own power, amplifying its speed even further.

Xiao Bai soared forward at an insane velocity, its massive frame cutting through the air like a meteor. Meanwhile, Gu Tian, seated comfortably on its back, remained completely unaffected by the storm. Xiao Bai's power was his own, and as long as the dragon was untouched, so was he.

BOOM!

In a mere blink of an eye, Gu Tian took the lead, surging to first place. Following closely behind him was Wu Shuang, riding his Crimson Phoenix. No matter how much Wu Shuang pushed his speed, he still couldn't catch up to Gu Tian's White Dragon.

While flying through the turbulent skies, Wu Shuang clenched his teeth and grumbled internally.

"What the hell is with that White Dragon?! Why can it do everything?!"

Growing increasingly frustrated, he immediately called out to his system in his mind.

"System, I want to see the White Dragon's stats!"

However, the system responded in an eerily calm voice.

[Host, I don't mean to discourage you... but your current level is far too low.]

Wu Shuang frowned. "Then what level do I need to be to see its information?"

[At the very least... Emperor Level.]

Wu Shuang's eyes widened in shock before he shouted aloud.

"ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING ME?! EMPEROR LEVEL?!"

The system remained indifferent and replied in a deadpan tone.

[Ever since I bonded with you, I feel like I've been going insane every single day.]

Wu Shuang gritted his teeth. "Oh, so it's MY fault now?! You were always this annoying, you damn parasite!"

The system fell silent for a moment before responding with sarcastic amusement.

[Anyone with common sense would understand where the real problem lies... but if it makes you feel better, I'm willing to play the villain and take the blame. Are you satisfied now, Host?]

Wu Shuang suddenly fell into deep thought, his expression growing surprisingly serious.

The system, noticing the change, smirked to itself in triumph.

[Heh, so you finally realize your mistakes, huh, you troublesome host?]

But then, out of nowhere, Wu Shuang spoke with a tone full of genuine concern.

"System... do you need a bone to chew on? And what kind of leash do you prefer? Pink, perhaps?"

The system instantly went silent.

Then, in the depths of its mechanical mind, it screamed—

[YOU LITTLE BRAT!!! < (ꐦㅍ _ㅍ) >]