Chapter 15: Tier-2 Peak — Bloodthirsty Frenzy Bear

Core Ruins Zone — Corrosion Wasteland

Lin Ye strode through boiling bubbles of the toxic swamp, his tactical visor filtering out the pale green miasma. The Nine Heavens Thunder Prison hummed within his meridians, warning of dangers lurking in this desolate land. Three charred corpses of Ironhide Rhinos lay ahead, their armor plates etched with corrosive marks—a grim testament to the perils hidden here.

"BOOM!"

The ground suddenly bulged as six Burrower Sandworms erupted from the soil. These Tier-2 vicious beasts had annular mouths capable of spewing corrosive mucus, their carapace seams glowing with indigo venom. The moment they surfaced, they scattered to encircle Lin Ye, their multiple compound eyes fixed on him as if studying their prey.

Lin Ye leaped up with a cold laugh, violet lightning morphing into a crackling net midair.

"ZZZZT—"

The sandworm swarm convulsed under the thunderous radiance, smoke rising from their carapace gaps. Unable to endure the lightning's assault, they burrowed frantically back underground.

Lin Ye expanded his psychic senses, pinpointing the sandworms' hiding positions. He condensed thunderous energy into his palm and blasted it toward their subterranean locations—yet the lightning failed to penetrate the earth.

"Seems I need to lure them out." The lightning aura around him dissipated as he landed, resolved to use himself as bait. Yet minutes passed with no movement. "Not as dumb as they look."

His gaze swept the surroundings until he noticed bite marks and corrosion on the Ironhide Rhino carcasses. A plan crystallized. In a flash, his figure vanished without a trace.

Over ten minutes later, the sandworms resurfaced. They did not act immediately, instead cautiously scanning their surroundings. Only after confirming no threats did they inch toward the rhino corpses to feed.

The instant they neared the carcasses—an abrupt mutation transpired. A cataclysmic bolt of violet lightning plummeted from the sky, expanding into a colossal sphere upon impact. It spanned nearly half a football field, engulfing everything in its path.

 After the blinding radiance faded, the sandworms had vanished, leaving only a massive circular crater.

6 Tier-2 Burrower Sandworms slain. Points +3,300. Special Ability Points (SAP) +1,980.

"This move works like a charm, especially against hordes." Lin Ye smirked, his figure flickering away. "Since I created this AoE skill myself, I'll name it Thunderflare Orb."

Core Ruins Zone — Shadowgloom Forest

Lin Ye was locked in close combat with two Steelclaw Silver Lions. These beasts were covered in silver fur, their movements eerily agile. Half-meter-long steel claws extended from their paws—reminiscent of the Wolverine from the X-Men movies Lin Ye had obsessed over in his past life.

"CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!"

Sparks flew as claws collided with Lin Ye's reinforced fists. Despite his enhanced physique, he couldn't breach the lions' defenses.

"No more dragging this out." Purple light ignited in Lin Ye's eyes—the Nine Heavens Thunder Prison surging through his veins. His speed and strength skyrocketed, overwhelming the lions. Fists pummeled their bodies; though non-lethal, each blow sapped their stamina, slowing their movements.

"THUD!"

A vicious uppercut sent one lion crashing meters away. Lin Ye lunged after it, fists raining down in a relentless barrage. "CRACK! CRACK! CRACK!" The beast's skull caved, lifeless before it hit the ground.

The second lion charged too late. Already weakened, it fell swiftly to Lin Ye's thunder-inflicted strikes.

2 Tier-2 Steelclaw Silver Lions slain. Points +1,300. Special Ability Points (SAP) +780.

Lin Ye pulled up the holographic leaderboard:

Rank 1: Lin Ye (Third High) — 10,945 Points

Rank 2: Lu Tianyu (First High) — 5,680 Points

"There's only one hour left until the exam ends. Lu Tianyu can't catch up to me now. But my current points might not be enough to compete for the Provincial Top Scholar. If I keep slowly hunting Tier-2 beasts, it'll take too long. Maybe it's time to take a risk..." Lin Ye finished his last energy bar, gaze fixed on the heart of the Core Ruins Zone.

At the deepest part of the Core Zone lay the exam's ultimate vicious beast—the Bloodthirsty Frenzy Bear, a creature at the Tier-2 Peak. Ordinary examinees knew better than to provoke it.

Resolved, Lin Ye allocated all remaining Special Ability Points (SAP) into Physique and Energy.

Physique: 416 Qi Blood

Energy: 382 He

It was clear that upgrading even a single point of Qi Blood now required far more SAP. After regrouping, Lin Ye marched decisively toward the abyssal depths.

Ruins Observation Zone

Principal Zhang Tianming frowned. "Where is Lin Ye heading?"

"No! That brat's going to the Core Zone's innermost region!" Xu Haiping shouted, voice trembling.

"Since Qingyang City began administering the Martial Arts College Entrance Exam, no examinee has ever defeated the Core Zone's apex beast. Recall Lin Ye immediately!" Director Liu Fang ordered his subordinate Xu Feifei. "He's already first place. No need to gamble further."

"Understood, Director." Xu Feifei rose, only for Liu Fang to yank her back down.

"Wait. Let him proceed. I want to see how many more surprises he can deliver."

"But Director, given Lin Ye's current strength—"

"Notify Instructor Wang Chong to shadow him. Maintain distance. Intervene only if absolutely critical. If his life is at risk, extract him immediately."

Core Ruins Zone — Innermost Depths

Lin Ye stared at the beast before him, sensing the violent power surging within its frame. The Bloodthirsty Frenzy Bear stood nearly 6 meters tall and 3 meters wide, resembling an upright heavy tank—its oppressive aura crushing the air.

The setting sun cast the bear's elongated shadow across the ground. Backlit, Lin Ye couldn't see its face clearly, but its blood-crimson eyes locked onto him, radiating overwhelming pressure.

Lin Ye's gaze sharpened, fear replaced by blazing resolve. The Nine Heavens Thunder Prison, previously crackling across his skin, suddenly plunged deep into his meridians under his command!

HMMM—

His body shuddered as if injected with hypercharged stimulants!

His once-clear eyes flooded with violet lightning. A titanic force erupted from every fiber of his being!

"HAHAHAHA!" Lin Ye roared with laughter, wild and unbridled.