Rumble!
Within a valley, flames shot into the sky, countless martial skill effects danced in every direction, and thunderous booms rang out from time to time. Yet two mournful beast roars added a measure of solemnity to the valley.
A group of students clad in Silver Radiance Academy uniforms sat sprawled together. Looking at the late Fifth Order Fierce Beast, the Stoneback Ape, lying motionless on the ground, they revealed relieved smiles.
"Phew, we finally killed this beast."
"Yeah. If we hadn't coordinated so well, we might not have been able to kill it."
"It's said that Essence of Heaven and Earth has a chance of growing on a Stoneback Ape's back. I wonder whether this one has any."
After catching their breath from the fierce battle, they stood one after another, intending to cut open the Stoneback Ape's back and confirm whether Essence of Heaven and Earth had grown there.
One person wielded a blade, carefully drawing its tip across the Stoneback Ape's back. Specks of green light mixed with gushing blood seeped out.
Everyone's faces lit up.
"There is!"
"Wow, we're so lucky! We got Essence of Heaven and Earth from the very first Stoneback Ape!"
Just as they shared their joy, unsteady footsteps approached from outside the valley, without any rhythm at all.
Like a ghost strolling through the night, a skinny man slowly walked over the reddish-brown grass. His body was so light, as though all that remained was a dried-up shell.
"Wait, someone's coming."
They stopped cutting into the Fierce Beast's back and turned to look warily at the newcomer.
Seeing that he wore a Silver Radiance Academy uniform like theirs, they all relaxed.
"So he's one of us. I thought he was from that bunch at Golden Radiance Academy."
"Don't lower your guard. The