Chapter 10: Actual Combat Assessment!

"Young people are impulsive, come with me."

The one who led Dustin Li to the assessment site was an elderly man in a white robe. As Dustin Li approached, he noticed two badges on the old man's chest—one was a hunter badge with crossed swords, and the other was engraved with a six-pointed star formation.

"The Array Master Badge!" Dustin Li thought, slightly surprised. It was clear that this old man held dual identities.

As they walked down the hallway, torches flickering on either side, they reached a stone door. Upon opening it, Dustin Li followed the white-robed man into a spacious room. The floor of the room was covered in strange lines, intersecting at random like some cryptic puzzle. In the center of the room stood a raised stone platform, about two feet high.

Before Dustin Li could ask any questions, the old man spoke, "This is where the assessment takes place. If you fail, be prepared to pay the cost of opening the formation."

"Fee?" Dustin Li was taken aback.

"Did you think the formation is activated for free? The first-level hunter assessment requires a vitality stone. If you pass, the Hunter's Guild covers the cost. If you fail, you'll pay for it," the old man explained.

Dustin Li had heard of vitality stones before. They were condensed ores imbued with the vitality of heaven and earth. Warriors could absorb the energy within them to enhance their cultivation, making them far more effective than the natural vitality in the air.

"How much is a vitality stone?" Dustin Li asked, regretting not having reviewed the contract more carefully.

"Five hundred taels of silver."

"Five hundred taels!? That's astronomical!" Dustin Li gasped. To him, this was an enormous amount of money.

The old man looked at Dustin Li with amusement, "If you're unsure, you can back out now."

The cost of the vitality stone gave Dustin Li pause. He hesitated but pressed on, asking, "What exactly does the assessment entail?"

"Come on, did you think you could show up without knowing the rules?" The old man scowled, his beard bristling, "For your youth, I'll let it slide. Go back and train harder."

Although the old man's words were harsh, Dustin Li didn't take offense. He had to admit he didn't know much about the hunter's assessment.

From what he had overheard in the hall earlier, he understood that the assessment involved a head-to-head battle with first-level monsters. But where were the monsters?

The old man noticed Dustin Li's confusion and said casually, "The monsters appear once the formation is activated. A first-level hunter's assessment requires you to defeat three first-level monsters alone."

Dustin Li frowned. "But where are the monsters?"

"They'll appear when the formation starts. These monsters aren't like normal beasts. Even the weakest first-level monster has strength comparable to that of humans. But in the end, their true power is revealed only in battle. Even fifth-level body refining disciples can easily fall short against them."

"Three first-level monsters? I should be able to handle that," Dustin Li said confidently.

The old man didn't reply, instead pointing to the stone platform in the middle of the room. "You just need to stand there."

Dustin Li nodded and walked over to stand on the platform.

"Once I activate the formation, you'll enter the environment it creates. Everything you encounter will feel as real as if it were happening outside. If you find yourself overwhelmed, you can exit the formation by thinking about it three times in a breath. Don't try to force it," the old man explained.

Three breaths might seem like a short time, but in a life-or-death situation, anything could happen in that span. The old man made it clear that many had been injured or killed because they didn't exit in time.

"Let's begin!" Dustin Li took a deep breath, adjusting his stance and preparing himself.

The old man pulled out a stone about the size of a palm, emitting a faint white light. He placed it into a hollowed-out section of the formation on the floor.

"Buzz!"

A soft hum filled the room as the formation's lines lit up, gathering all the energy toward Dustin Li's stone platform. As the energy swirled, Dustin Li felt the environment around him shift. Within moments, he found himself standing in a dark, cage-like room.

"Roar!"

A flash of white light appeared, and three monstrous creatures materialized about ten meters away. They had gray fur and glowing scarlet eyes, resembling giant wolves. Their claws were sharp as daggers, and their fangs gleamed menacingly.

"Iron Back Demon Wolves!" Dustin Li recognized them immediately, having read about them in books. These monsters were known for their iron-like spines, making them tough opponents.

He frowned, noticing there were no visible lifelines. The wolves were constructed entirely from vitality due to the formation's limitations.

"Can't use lifeline damage..." Dustin Li muttered to himself. This would be a challenge, but it also gave him the perfect opportunity to show his true strength.

"Come at me!" Dustin Li's lips curled into a grin.

The three Iron Back Demon Wolves charged at him with terrifying speed, their momentum almost overwhelming. But Dustin Li was prepared. He moved just in time, using his High-Level Mastery of the Inch-Step technique to dodge the first two wolves effortlessly.

"Dragon-Tiger Fist, Tiger Stance!" Without hesitation, he struck the third wolf with a powerful punch, channeling his inner energy into his fists.

The wolf attempted to defend by crouching low, but Dustin Li's punch broke through its defenses and sent it flying. The creature exploded into white light as it was destroyed.

Though victorious, Dustin Li winced in pain. The impact from the wolf's tough back had nearly broken his fist.

The remaining two wolves were undeterred. They charged again, relentless.

"Angry!" Dustin Li used his inner energy to heal his injuries as he prepared for their next attacks. His movement was swift, and he evaded both wolves with ease, positioning himself to strike again.

"Soaring Dragon Style!" The energy from within him surged as he performed a precise strike, using both life and death energy. With a single blow, one of the wolves was destroyed.

"First-level monsters? Not so tough," Dustin Li thought, eyeing the last wolf with a smirk. "Time to sharpen my Inch-Step technique."

For the next half-hour, Dustin Li danced around the Iron Back Demon Wolf, dodging its every move with near-perfect grace. The wolf couldn't even land a hit on him.

"Getting a bit boring," Dustin Li thought after some time. "I need more of a challenge." With that, he unleashed a final devastating punch, crushing the wolf's skull.

"Exit!" With a thought, the formation's environment began to dissolve, and Dustin Li stood once more on the stone platform, just as if nothing had happened.

The white-robed old man, who had been watching from the sidelines, smiled approvingly. "Impressive, young man. Your strength is on par with a seventh-level body refining martial artist."

Dustin Li scratched his head, a little embarrassed, unsure of how to respond.

"Don't get cocky, though. In Novaridge City, even fifth-level body refining martial artists are still nothing special. You've got a long way to go," the old man warned, his tone light but serious.

Dustin Li nodded. "I'll remember your words."

The old man signed the assessment form and handed it to Dustin Li. "Go to the lobby and collect your Hunter's Badge."

Dustin Li glanced at the signature on the form—Jeremy. It must have been the old man's name.

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Meanwhile, in the hall, members from both sides were waiting anxiously.

"Half an hour has passed. He must've failed the assessment!"

"Maybe he's already dead inside."

"Even if he didn't die, injuries like broken limbs are common in the assessment."

As Kaira's group confidently awaited the outcome, Tatum's side was tense, especially considering their bet of 1,000 taels on Dustin Li's success or failure. For a martial artist in the Energy Gathering Realm, this was no small amount.

Tatum was also concerned about his reputation. Among the hunters in Novaridge City, he was well known.

"If the boy passes, I'll make sure you never show your face again, Kaira!" Tatum sneered.

Kaira retorted, "I'll turn his head around and kick him if he passes!"

Just then, someone pointed down the hall, and everyone turned their attention to Dustin Li walking toward the counter with his assessment form in hand.

With a loud slap, Dustin Li placed the form on the counter and looked up at Shannon with a confident smile.

"Did you fail? Or did you back out?" Shannon asked, raising an eyebrow.

Dustin Li chuckled, "What if I passed?"

Everyone's eyes were glued to the form as Dustin Li pulled it away from his palm. The word "PASS" boldly marked across the top made the entire hall fall into a stunned silence.

"Did he really pass?" murmured one of the onlookers.

Shannon rolled her eyes but smiled. "Looks like I owe you a favor, little brother."

Tatum, Kaira, and the others stared in disbelief as the buzz around the hall grew. The atmosphere was charged with excitement, and Dustin Li was now the center of attention.