You're So Cute, Can I Ride You?

"Don't panic, students. Next, you will enter another world.

What you need to do is survive in that world.

Once you die inside, your comprehensive assessment will be over."

The teacher in charge paused here before announcing:

"The comprehensive examination begins!"

"Buzz..."

Accompanied by that hum, Nan Xuanyu felt his body lighten as his feet touched solid ground.

When he opened his eyes, he had already appeared in an unfamiliar environment.

Before him was a small river, its water babbling past.

Dense forests lined both sides of the river, bringing with them a burst of fresh air.

Even breathing felt much smoother.

"Is this a simulated world? How can it feel so real?"

Technology truly was amazing.

He crouched down and washed his hands in the river.

Now that he had two soul rings, his first soul ring had granted him Water Element Control, Ancestral Dragon Body, and Ancestral Dragon Claw.

They were elemental- and strength-type soul skills.

The soul skill granted by his second soul ring was the same kind.

They were Fire Element Control and Ancestral Dragon Hegemony Body.

It seemed that all his future soul skills would also be combinations of elements and strength.

At the moment, he was beside the river, where the Water Element was particularly dense. This was greatly advantageous to Nan Xuanyu.

Here, his overall strength would be greater.

However, water sources in a forest were also the places most likely to encounter Soul Beasts.

After washing his hands and playing with the water for a while, he stood up and cautiously surveyed his surroundings.

"Huff, huff..."

A sound from nearby caught Nan Xuanyu's attention.

He quickly ran behind a large rock beside him and peeked out.

Not far away, a massive Swallowing Horse had appeared.

It was swaying its head as it slowly walked toward the river, clearly intending to drink.

It was over five meters long and around one point eight meters tall.

Its entire body was plump, with an enormous head but a very thin tail.

Its pair of eyes grew on either side of its head.

This was a strength-type Soul Beast.

But it was also a Soul Beast with an especially gentle temperament.

"With such a large body, its cultivation should be close to a thousand years!"

Nan Xuanyu made his judgment.

He had never seen a Soul Beast before, so he watched it curiously.

Splash!

After taking a few drinks, the Swallowing Horse jumped into the river, completely submerging its huge body.

It continued making "huff, huff" sounds from its mouth.

It looked as though it was thoroughly enjoying itself.

Suddenly, at that moment, he felt a gust of foul wind attack from behind.

The teachers watching the students' performances could not help frowning.

This kid was probably about to be eliminated.

But at that moment, Nan Xuanyu had already reacted in time.

His body lunged forward. His right hand slapped the ground, the toes of his right foot tapped against it, and his entire body shot sideways.

The black shadow pounced onto the spot where he had been standing the next instant.

It left a deep gouge in the ground.

Nan Xuanyu performed a forward roll and sprang to his feet, turning back in alarm.

This was the footwork Teacher Nana had taught him.

Only then did he see clearly that the one who had attacked him was a Nether Wolf.

Its entire body was a faint ink-green.

Distorted light flickered around its body.

It was around two meters long and rather lean, while its pair of dark green eyes looked especially frightening.

After recognizing the Nether Wolf, Nan Xuanyu's expression turned grim.

This was a pack animal.

He quickly turned to look behind him.

Sure enough, two more Nether Wolves emerged from the edge of the forest and approached.

From the Netherworld light on their bodies, the three Nether Wolves could all be judged to be at the hundred-year level.

Only Soul Masters above Rank 30 could probably deal with them calmly.

What should he do?

That was the first thought to emerge in Nan Xuanyu's mind.

Running was not an option. He could not outrun Nether Wolves at all.

Nan Xuanyu's mind began racing.

"I've got it!"

Very quickly, he came up with a solution, and a ball of flame appeared in his hand.

This was the Fire Element Control granted by his second soul ring.

The flame crackled in his palm, then rapidly expanded into a huge fireball.

Soul Beasts were naturally afraid of fire.

The Nether Wolves immediately slowed down further and watched him warily.

The fireball instantly split into three and was flung at the three Nether Wolves.

At the same time, he formed another small flame and tossed it at the Swallowing Horse.

He wanted to lure the Swallowing Horse into helping him block the three Nether Wolves.

The Swallowing Horse had its eyes closed as it enjoyed its bath.

When the flame landed on its back, Nan Xuanyu had already leaped over it.

With its size and defense, it had barely felt anything at first.

But when the flame fell on its back, it immediately felt pain.

"Roar..."

The Swallowing Horse roared furiously and abruptly plunged its body into the river, extinguishing the flame.

Then its huge body rose from the river.

With its bloody maw wide open, it charged straight at the three Nether Wolves.

"Awooo!"

The three Nether Wolves were startled. With terrified cries, they tucked their tails and turned to flee.

This was a thousand-year Soul Beast. The three of them, mere hundred-year Soul Beasts, could not afford to provoke it.

Though the Swallowing Horse was a herbivore, when enraged, it could still eat meat.

Its innate skill, Devouring, possessed a terrifying suction force.

After frightening off the three Nether Wolves, the Swallowing Horse returned to the river.

Nan Xuanyu landed on the other side of the river, his breathing somewhat hurried.

That was close, far too close!

The academy teachers looked at one another, and even Mu Chongtian was deeply shocked.

Using the horse to drive off the wolves, diverting trouble elsewhere?

This kid was pretty clever.

Besides being clever, his control over the elements and his ability to adapt on the spot were both exceptionally strong.

Mu Chongtian slapped his thigh. "We're taking this child."

What they wanted were geniuses.

Nan Xuanyu was already a genius, and his performance just now had been outstanding.

"Should we pull him out now?"

A teacher seated in front of the screen asked.

They also thought highly of Nan Xuanyu.

"Let him continue and see what else he can do. This can count as training for him too.

It's also extremely valuable for him!"

Mu Chongtian waved his hand and continued watching.

After the Swallowing Horse returned to lie in the river, it did not even glance at Nan Xuanyu.

Nan Xuanyu's heart stirred. He suddenly felt that this Swallowing Horse seemed rather cute as well.

He had not expected it to refrain from attacking him.

His eyes darted around. Under the astonished gazes of the teachers, he waved his hand, and the river water seemed to come alive, drawn around his body.

It formed a water dragon around him.

Then he guided it again, sending it toward the Swallowing Horse.

"This kid is courting death!"

Mu Chongtian's eyes widened. He could not understand what Nan Xuanyu was doing.

The other teachers also broke out in a cold sweat for him.

They had not expected him to take the initiative to provoke the Swallowing Horse.

He was probably about to be eliminated.

Splash!

The river water drawn by Nan Xuanyu gently cascaded over the Swallowing Horse.

"Roar..."

The Swallowing Horse opened its eyes, rose to its feet, and prepared to charge at him.

But at that moment, its entire body was being gently rinsed by the flowing water.

It stopped, and an expression of enjoyment actually appeared in its eyes.

Huff, huff...

Then the Swallowing Horse actually closed its eyes and remained motionless, allowing Nan Xuanyu to guide the water and rinse its body.

"You're so cute. Can I ride you?"

Seeing that the Swallowing Horse was not angry, Nan Xuanyu continued controlling the river water to rinse it.

At the same time, he moved closer to the Swallowing Horse.

Every teacher's heart leaped into their throat!

This kid was practically asking to die. He actually wanted to ride the Swallowing Horse.