The Crane and the Clam: A Fisherman's Gain!

His movement technique was fluid, his blade fierce.

Lin Mu's long knife kept falling on the Red-striped Python.

It was much the same as before—he was practically suppressing the python in battle.

In less than ten minutes, the Red-striped Python let out a mournful cry and collapsed to the ground.

Lin Mu let out a light breath.

Bai Mo stepped forward and handed him a C-grade Supply.

After drinking it, Lin Mu's condition recovered once more, and he headed toward the next Fierce Beast.

But not long after they left, several figures arrived at the spot.

The leading man looked at the corpse of the Red-striped Python before him, and his expression shifted noticeably.

This was a Red-striped Python!

Its Blood Qi Value was above 3.0—even a martial artist with a Blood Qi Value of 3.2 would struggle to handle it.

How long had the Monthly Examination been going on, and someone had already killed it?

"Who's this impressive?" the leading man said coldly.

"Not sure. As far as I know, the top few in the Top Class are all in seclusion, and the Ministry of Education excused them from the Monthly Examination. As for the others, they'd need help to take down a Fierce Beast like this," someone beside him said.

"Could it be Liu Feng?" another asked.

"Impossible! Liu Feng uses a long staff, but the Red-striped Python is covered in knife wounds—this has to be someone highly skilled with a blade!"

"Then could it be Hong Yue? I've heard his blade technique is formidable!"

"But his Blood Qi Value is only 2.9. Even if he killed the Red-striped Python, he'd have paid a heavy price!"

"..."

The group discussed among themselves.

The leading man's expression was sour.

A terrifying thought surfaced in his mind.

The Red-striped Python before him might have been killed by a single person.

Because no second type of wound was found on its body.

But thinking that, he shook his head repeatedly.

It shouldn't be possible.

The very best were all in seclusion.

He knew the skill level of the others well enough—the only one who could solo a Red-striped Python should be Li Feng.

But Li Feng practiced staff techniques.

"Could there be a hidden expert in the school?" the leading man wondered silently.

And if Bai Mo were here, she would definitely recognize him.

He was a member of the Top Class, named Zhao Hai.

One of her many suitors.

Zhao Hai's Blood Qi Value was 3.2, and he inherited his family's sword technique—an extremely formidable martial artist.

With several top students in seclusion, his strength ranked in the top ten of the Top Class.

Moreover, he was good at forming cliques, and many followed him.

In this jungle, few could contend with him.

"Find the next Fierce Beast," Zhao Hai said.

But by the time they set out, Lin Mu and Bai Mo had already located that beast.

In less than ten minutes, the beast was slain once more.

When Zhao Hai and his group arrived, their expressions were grim.

Because the wounds on this beast matched those on the Red-striped Python exactly.

A shadow of gloom settled in his eyes.

He was determined to take first place in this Monthly Examination.

Yet whoever this was kept beating them to the punch every time.

That meant this person also had a jungle map and was no weakling in cultivation.

If this continued, he would never get first place.

His gaze shifted to the man beside him.

"This person is highly skilled and very familiar with the jungle. If this keeps up, it's bad for us."

"Han Lin, you're the fastest. Take a few people and intercept him," Zhao Hai said.

The man called Han Lin nodded. With a wave of his hand, several figures followed him as they vanished into the jungle.

Zhao Hai's eyes held a shadowy gloom.

No matter who this person was, the top spot in this Monthly Examination would be his.

Lin Mu and Bai Mo were completely unaware, still searching for Fierce Beasts without pause.

About half an hour later, they found another Fierce Beast.

It was a massive Giant Bear, its fur a dark brown, its gaze fierce, and several scars marked its body—clearly a creature that thrived on conflict.

"Violent Bear, born savage. Once it locks onto prey, it never stops until one of them dies," Bai Mo explained.

"Not too tough," Lin Mu said.

He gripped his long blade and walked toward the Giant Bear.

But just as he was about to strike, a cry rang out from not far away.

In midair, a massive Golden Eagle circled.

When it spotted the Violent Bear, its eyes gleamed with ferocity.

Noticing this, Lin Mu halted, a faint smile curling at his lips.

He knew that in the jungle, the strong preyed on the weak.

The Violent Bear and the Golden Eagle were clearly mortal enemies.

He had only come here to earn a ranking.

So he was more than happy to sit back and reap the rewards.

"Let's watch a good show," Lin Mu said with a grin.

Bai Mo nodded slightly.

Under their gaze, the Golden Eagle shot toward the Violent Bear like a great arrow.

Its speed was astonishing.

The Violent Bear let out a roar, slamming its paws into the ground.

Shhhh!

Cone-shaped stone spikes shot up.

They struck the Golden Eagle, sparking with flashes of light.

The Golden Eagle spat out wind arrows from its beak.

A fierce barrage of attacks erupted.

The Violent Bear and the Golden Eagle tore into each other, their savage onslaught sweeping the surroundings.

Lin Mu and Bai Mo watched in silence.

About twenty minutes later.

The Golden Eagle was caught by the Violent Bear, its head slammed viciously into the ground.

The Golden Eagle let out a pained cry.

The Violent Bear's eyes were filled with brutality as its massive paws pounded relentlessly.

Blood gushed, and the Golden Eagle's life force gradually faded.

Clearly, the Violent Bear had won this fight.

Seeing this, Lin Mu moved, darting forward.

He needed Points, so he had to kill the Golden Eagle himself.

His long blade swept through the air, and the Violent Bear's expression shifted sharply as it retreated.

The Golden Eagle tried to take flight, but Lin Mu's blade severed its head in one stroke.

The Violent Bear's eyes locked onto Lin Mu, burning with hostility.

Lin Mu smiled faintly. "The fisherman profits from the clam and the snipe. Blame your bad luck."

The Violent Bear couldn't understand human speech. It let out a roar and charged at Lin Mu.

Just as Lin Mu raised his blade to fight the Violent Bear—

Whoosh! Whoosh!

The sound of arrows cutting through the air rang out.

In the distance, cold arrows flew toward him.

Lin Mu's expression shifted slightly, but his combat experience was razor-sharp. The moment the arrows came, he reacted.

His long blade spun, deflecting two arrows, but a third streaked toward his chest, nearly striking him.

Lin Mu's gaze snapped toward the jungle not far away.

Only a few figures stood on the branches, their eyes coldly fixed on him.

Bai Mo's expression shifted slightly as well. She looked at the group and couldn't help but snap, "What do you think you're doing?"

"The fisherman reaps the spoils when the snipe and clam fight! Who said he has to be the one to profit?" Han Lin said coldly.

"Despicable!" Bai Mo shot back.

Han Lin's eyes locked onto Lin Mu, his tone icy as he said, "If you know what's good for you, get lost. Otherwise, don't blame us for being rude!"

A hint of a smile tugged at the corner of Lin Mu's mouth. He pushed off the ground with both legs and, in an instant, charged straight at the group.

Violent Bear had originally intended to attack Lin Mu, but already wounded, a glint of cunning flashed in its eyes at the sight of this scene. It slipped back into its own cave, playing the part of a bystander!!