The next morning, a tense atmosphere settled over the training ground. A large supply of weapons and armor had been laid out in the open, and everyone was told to gather all the equipment they needed within fifteen minutes, then quickly form up and set out. The whole thing had the feel of an urgent preparation for a major battle.
The armored bus, packed with the young scions of the various families, rumbled along a bumpy, weed-choked abandoned highway. Its body was covered in mottled scratches and dents that looked suspiciously like claw marks.
Outside the windows lay a desolate wasteland. The skeletal frames of collapsed buildings resembled the bones of giant beasts, their twisted rebar stubbornly stabbing at the gloomy sky. Abandoned vehicles sat rusting, swallowed by creeping vines.
The atmosphere inside the bus was heavy. These young elites, usually pampered within the Base City, had never seen such an unvarnished, realistic vision of the post-apocalyptic wasteland.
Their little faces were taut with tension. They gripped the Alloy Battle Blades or spears in their hands, while their other hands kept stroking the equally anxious-looking battle pets beside them, as if they could draw courage from their furry—or scaly—little companions.
"See that?" growled a scar-faced, rugged-looking instructor from the front of the bus over the intercom. "This is the world beyond! No high walls, no Automatic Defense Turrets! Only the law of the jungle! The weapons in your hands and the battle pets at your sides are all you can rely on!"
"Remember! The greatest danger doesn't come only from monsters! You may also run into... other hunting parties in the wilderness! You never know what people are capable of!" The instructor's voice was chilling, making many of the boys and girls shiver again.
Wang Keke had her arms wrapped tightly around Lin Mo's neck—which was getting a little difficult now. His enormous tiger head rested beside the window, but his amber eyes darted about as he carefully examined the scenery outside.
Hmm, the ruins looked convincing, the weeds had grown wild, and the atmosphere was just right.
But...
He keenly noticed the faintest glint in the windows of some buildings that appeared to have collapsed—the telltale reflection of high-definition cameras.
In the shadows of certain vantage points, someone's presence was concealed almost perfectly. But that steady, rocklike aura, belonging to a War General Level martial artist, couldn't escape his senses, sharpened by the Devour Talent. Farther away, he could even sense the occasional cold glint of a sniper scope.
Now that's what I call professional! Lin Mo marveled inwardly. These security measures are tighter than those at the Wang Family Manor! And they're warning us about hunting parties in the wilderness? About how you can't trust people?
Who would be stupid enough to cause trouble in this "theme park," fortified by the five great families and the Military? They'd probably get blown away the next second by a sniper bullet from who-knows-where, or a War General Level expert jumping out at them!
He understood at once. This was yet another carefully planned "reality show." It let these rookies experience the tension of the wilderness while keeping them as safe as possible. They'd really gone to a lot of trouble!
"Damn, so this is a full-scale immersive role-playing event?" Lin Mo looked up at the sky—or rather, the roof of the bus—in resignation. "No wonder Wang Qingtian, that old fox, was willing to let his precious daughter come out here."
The bus finally stopped in front of a heavily guarded outpost. After one last identity check and equipment inspection, the boys and girls were told to form groups.
"No more than two people per group! Pick your own partners! Your task is to collect the left ears of ten Beast Soldier Rank monsters as proof! The deadline is sunset!" the scar-faced instructor barked. "Now, move out!"
The crowd immediately stirred as familiar faces quickly grouped together. Given Wang Keke's special status and her strength—though most of that came from her battle pet—a few people had considered asking to team up with her, but she politely turned them all down.
"Mimi and I are fine on our own." Wang Keke patted Lin Mo's solid shoulder. There was a hint of nervousness in her voice, but mostly trust. She wore a close-fitting light battle suit that outlined her developing figure. Two gleaming Flying Daggers, specially made for Spirit Readers, were crossed on her back.
Lin Mo gave a low growl of agreement. Teaming up? That would just mean sharing the experience—or rather, the monsters.
The girl and the tiger were the first to step into the trial grounds, known as Pei Town, under the sympathetic or amused gazes of the other groups.
As soon as they entered the town, the desolation became more pronounced. Dust and mold hung in the air, along with the faintest trace of blood. Collapsed walls and shattered glass littered the area. The abandoned shops were pitch-black inside, as if monsters might burst out at any moment.
Wang Keke was clearly getting nervous. Her mind was sharply focused, and two Flying Daggers floated silently beside her like alert vipers. She stayed close to Lin Mo and whispered, "Mimi, be careful..."
Lin Mo, however, had completely relaxed. After confirming that this was a "safe zone," he let some of the instincts he'd suppressed for so long run free. He was no longer a pampered pet who had to carefully play the part of a "clever cub." He was gradually rediscovering the feeling of being king of the jungle.
His nostrils flared as he picked up the lingering scents of monsters in the air. His ears swiveled, filtering through the wind and distant sounds. His steps were light and steady, his paw pads silent against the ground. He moved like a seasoned hunter.
They hadn't gone far when Lin Mo stopped in front of the ruins of a supermarket at a battered crossroads. A low, warning rumble sounded in his throat.
Wang Keke immediately tensed and clenched her fists. The hovering Flying Daggers pointed toward the supermarket's dark entrance.
"Snort—snort—"
Heavy panting and the sound of hooves scraping at the ground came from inside. Then three massive, thick-skinned monsters with curved fangs jutting from their mouths charged out, their eyes bloodshot. They were Tusked Wild Boars, apparently enraged by the "intruders" in their territory. Their Beast Soldier Rank auras were completely undisguised.
In the past, Wang Keke might have panicked. But after so much intensive practice with Lin Mo, her reflexes were excellent!
"Go!"
At a thought, the two Flying Daggers shot out like silver lightning, whistling faintly as they flew straight for the eyes of the two boars in front. It was a tactic Lin Mo had drilled with her countless times: attack the vulnerable spots first!
"Yow! Yow!"
Two piercing squeals rang out. The boars were instantly blinded, reeling in pain and crashing around wildly.
And almost the moment the daggers flew, Lin Mo sprang into action!
Power Burst!
The muscles in his thick hind legs contracted in an instant, then released like a spring compressed to its limit!
Whoosh!
His already swift figure moved so fast that he seemed to leave a white afterimage behind! He even overtook Wang Keke's Flying Daggers, which had launched just before him, and charged straight at the third boar—the largest of them all!
The boar saw a flash of white. Before it could react, a tremendous force slammed into its ribs!
Thud!
Crack!
The clear sound of breaking bones rang out! Lin Mo's vicious charge sent the boar, which weighed nearly a thousand pounds, flying straight into a broken wall. It hit hard and didn't make a sound. It was plainly dead.
The other two boars were still reeling from the pain of being blinded when Lin Mo had already wheeled around like a ghost. His claws flashed coldly. With the unwavering confidence bestowed by Tough Skin, he charged straight into their hard skulls!
Splurt! Splurt!
Like a hot knife through butter, his claws easily pierced their skulls and ended their suffering.
The battle was over in less than ten seconds.
All three Beast Soldier Rank Tusked Wild Boars had been wiped out.
Wang Keke stood with her mouth hanging open, watching Lin Mo calmly finish the fight and then leisurely paw at the boar carcasses, apparently choosing where to take his first bite. Her earlier nervousness vanished, replaced by excitement and adoration.
"Mimi! You were so cool!"
Lin Mo raised his head and shook his paw, though there wasn't a trace of blood on it. Through their mental link, he sent her a smug thought that roughly meant: Just the basics. Nothing to get excited about. Hurry up and cut off their ears. Let's find somewhere to roast some pork!
He remembered the Bestiary saying that Tusked Wild Boar tenderloin tasted pretty good...
This trial seemed a lot more interesting than he'd expected.
Before you continue