White Tiger Trial

Chapter 27: White Tiger Trial

The news from Notting Academy, Meow Meow had temporarily buried in his heart.

Tang San had already obtained his first soul ring.

Yu Xiaogang had also begun applying his theories to his disciple.

This matter was not small.

But it was still far from Heavenly Dou.

At least for now, the trouble in Heavenly Dou City was closer.

The Black Eagle Family, the Black Water Marsh, the Star Luo White Tiger bloodline, and the little white tiger curled up inside the Calming Bell.

Meow Meow lay sprawled on the soft cushion in the Clear Radiance Pavilion, just about to catch up on sleep, when a small questioning voice came from the bell.

"When can I go out and help?"

Meow Meow opened one eye.

"If you go out now, would you be helping, or would I be busy saving you?"

Jianbing was silent for a moment.

"I can learn."

"Now that's a proper sentence."

Meow Meow rolled over and sat up.

He looked at the faint white figure within the Calming Bell.

Jianbing had stabilized somewhat compared to when he was first rescued.

The warmth of the Holy Fire Aura, combined with White Dew's calming presence, kept him from seeming like he might dissipate at any moment.

But that was all it was—"not dissipating."

When it came to actual combat, forget Soul Masters—even a century-old soul beast could give him trouble.

"You want to help, fine."

"But first, you have to take a test."

Jianbing immediately lifted his head.

"What test?"

"A test of whether you can stay clear-headed in danger."

After saying this, Meow Meow glanced at Qian Renxue beside him.

Qian Renxue was sitting at the table, organizing information on the Black Eagle Family.

Hearing this, she also looked up.

"You're going to give him a trial?"

"Mm."

Meow Meow nodded.

"He's a White Tiger Remnant Spirit, not an ordinary kitten."

"Relying only on the Holy Fire to sustain him will at most keep him from dispersing."

"If he truly wants to come back to life, he still needs to move on his own."

Qian Renxue thought it over and did not object.

White Dew also trotted over and sat quietly beside Meow Meow.

Meow Meow gently shook the Calming Bell.

Ding.

The bell's sound faded.

The small space inside the Calming Bell slowly lit up.

Originally just a place to store spiritual water, seeds, and Holy Fire Aura, Meow Meow now carved out an independent area within it.

That area was not large.

The ground was gray-black soil.

Low shrubs surrounded it.

In the distance, there was even a projection of a small patch of Black Water Marsh.

This was not the outside world.

It was merely a trial ground Meow Meow had hastily pieced together using the pollution aura he had collected last night, residual soul beast energy, and the Calming Bell's space.

Not real.

But enough to scare a little white tiger.

Jianbing stared at that place, his expression clearly tense.

"Is this the Black Water Marsh?"

"Fake."

Meow Meow said.

"But the aura inside is real."

"You need to go in and stay for a while."

Jianbing swallowed non-existent saliva.

"Can I not go?"

"You can."

Meow Meow was very calm.

"But then you'll stay obediently in the bell from now on—don't talk about helping, and don't think about going back to the Black Water Marsh to save other remnant spirits."

Jianbing fell silent.

After a few breaths, he lifted his head.

"I'll go."

Meow Meow nodded.

"Remember three things."

"First, if you can't win, run."

"Second, if you're hurt, don't tough it out."

"Third, don't let the tainted aura lead you around."

Jianbing nodded seriously.

Meow Meow added another sentence.

"Also, don't learn from Numb Tail."

Jianbing was stunned for a moment.

"Who's Numb Tail?"

"A dumb cat who stared at dried meat during a mission."

White Dew heard this and let out a soft call.

As if to say this rule was indeed very important.

Jianbing looked completely bewildered, but still nodded.

Meow Meow raised a paw and tapped lightly.

Little White Tiger's figure was sent into the trial ground.

The moment he entered, Jianbing's four paws sank into the soft, wet mud.

He was startled and instinctively tried to back up.

But behind him was already the pale gold boundary formed by the Calming Bell.

He couldn't get out.

Ahead, the black water rippled faintly.

A Mud Armor Beetle, only the size of a palm, crawled out from the water's edge.

This thing wasn't a real soul beast.

It was just a shadow Meow Meow had shaped using tainted aura and soul power.

But to Jianbing, it was real enough.

As soon as the Mud Armor Beetle appeared, it lunged at Jianbing.

Jianbing's eyes narrowed, and he quickly dodged to the side.

He was fast.

After all, the White Tiger bloodline wasn't fake.

Even if he was only a remnant spirit, his instincts remained.

The Mud Armor Beetle missed, rolled once on the ground, and charged again.

This time, Jianbing didn't dodge.

He raised a paw and struck.

When the claw came down, a faint white light flickered.

The Mud Armor Beetle was smashed apart.

Jianbing was stunned for a moment.

As if it hadn't expected to actually shatter it.

Meow Meow watched from outside and nodded.

"Not bad reflexes."

"Just a bit too timid."

Qian Renxue looked at the scene within the bell and said, "It's been through torment. Being timid is normal."

"That's exactly why it needs training."

Meow Meow replied.

"If it ever runs into someone from the Black Eagle Family, no one's going to go easy on it just because it's scared."

Qian Renxue didn't argue.

Inside the training ground, a second Mud Armor Beetle crawled out.

Then a third, then a fourth.

Jianbing was a little flustered at first.

But after shattering two or three, its movements gradually steadied.

It started learning to dodge first.

Then strike.

Not letting itself get surrounded.

And not running wild in the mud.

Meow Meow's mood improved a bit.

"Not bad."

"Its head's still working."

If Jianbing had heard that, it probably would've been furious.

But it had no time for that now.

A wisp of black qi suddenly rose from a puddle.

This time, it wasn't a Mud Armor Beetle.

It was a small Swamp Wolf Shadow.

Its aura was much stronger than the beetle shadows before.

Jianbing immediately backed off.

The Swamp Wolf Shadow let out a low growl and charged straight at it.

Much faster than the beetle shadows.

Jianbing dodged, but not completely.

The wolf's claw grazed its shoulder.

Even though it was just a training shadow, the pain was real.

Jianbing grunted, and its form flickered, growing a little dimmer.

White Dew stood up nervously outside.

But Meow Meow didn't move.

"Let it handle itself."

Qian Renxue was also watching the Little White Tiger.

The Swamp Wolf Shadow lunged again.

This time, Jianbing didn't turn and run. Instead, it lowered its body and darted sharply to the side.

The wolf shadow missed.

Jianbing seized the opportunity and struck a claw at the back of its neck.

White light exploded.

Half of the wolf shadow dissipated.

But it didn't vanish completely.

It twisted around and bit at Jianbing again.

Finally, a glint of ferocity appeared in Jianbing's eyes.

Not the red glow of corruption.

But the innate savagery of a White Tiger.

It opened its mouth and let out a very soft roar.

"Ao!"

The sound was soft.

Almost a little babyish.

But in that instant, the Swamp Wolf Shadow's movement paused.

Taking advantage of that pause, Jianbing lunged forward and bit its neck.

White light seeped out from between his teeth.

The Swamp Wolf Shadow finally dispersed completely.

Meow Meow's eyes lit up.

"White Tiger Roar?"

"Not a spirit skill."

"More like instinct."

Qian Renxue said.

"The White Tiger Martial Soul has a similar intimidation effect, but his is purer."

Meow Meow nodded.

This was a good sign.

Jianbing stood panting on the muddy ground.

His figure was a little unsteady, but his eyes were much brighter than when he first entered.

"I won."

He said quietly.

Meow Meow sent him a telepathic message.

"Don't celebrate too early."

"There's more ahead."

Jianbing: "..."

The next moment, several more auras appeared in the trial ground.

Two Mud Armor Beetles.

One Swamp Wolf.

And a translucent Black Snake.

When Jianbing saw the Black Snake, he visibly trembled.

The smell of that thing was very similar to the Black Liquid in the bottle.

He wanted to retreat.

But halfway through backing away, he stopped.

Meow Meow watched him.

He didn't urge him.

Qian Renxue didn't speak either.

Jianbing lowered his head, as if wrestling with something inside himself.

Finally, he lifted his head.

"I'm not going back in the bottle."

With that, he charged forward on his own.

This time, it went much smoother than before.

He first dodged the Black Snake, crushed one Mud Armor Beetle.

Then circled around to the Swamp Wolf's flank, using White Tiger Roar to lock down its movements.

The Black Snake took the chance to bite.

Jianbing didn't fully dodge; it bit his hind leg.

A trace of corruption seeped into the wound.

His eyes turned slightly red.

Meow Meow narrowed his eyes immediately.

This was the most dangerous part of the trial.

Not the injury.

It was the corruption.

If Jianbing couldn't suppress this aura, it would be very troublesome if he ever truly encountered the things in the Black Water Marsh.

Jianbing was clearly in pain.

The white light on its body flickered, brightening and dimming by turns.

The Black Snake coiled around it again.

Jianbing began to struggle.

But the more it struggled, the easier it was for the tainted aura to burrow inside.

Meow Meow raised a paw, ready to end the trial at any moment.

Just then, Jianbing suddenly closed its eyes.

The White Tiger's roar no longer projected outward.

Instead, it turned inward.

A low tiger's growl rumbled from within its remnant spirit.

White light pressed downward along the wound on its hind leg.

That wisp of black energy was forced out bit by bit.

Slowly, yes.

But it was indeed being expelled.

Meow Meow's expression shifted.

"It can purify itself?"

Qian Renxue was also somewhat surprised.

"The White Tiger has always carried the meaning of suppressing evil."

"Perhaps its bloodline still retains that instinct."

Once the black energy was forced out, Jianbing's eyes snapped open.

It no longer dodged the Black Snake.

Instead, it pinned the snake's head with one claw.

White light fell, and the Black Snake was crushed directly.

The remaining Swamp Wolves quickly dissipated as well.

The trial ground fell silent.

Jianbing stood in the muddy earth, its four paws trembling.

Its form had also grown noticeably fainter.

But it did not fall.

Meow Meow finally raised a paw and waved.

The trial ended.

Jianbing was recalled to the side of the Calming Bell's warm glow.

The moment it returned, it collapsed.

"So tired."

Meow Meow looked at it.

"Not bad."

Jianbing lifted its head.

"Really?"

"Really."

Meow Meow nodded.

"At least now, when you encounter low-grade tainted aura, you won't be scared stiff immediately."

Jianbing: "..."

It had been quite happy.

But after hearing the second half, it felt a bit wronged.

White Dew walked over and gently nuzzled the Calming Bell.

Jianbing quieted down some.

At that moment, the system prompt sounded.

[Ding. Jianbing has completed its first trial.]

[Jianbing's stability has increased.]

[White Tiger instinct awakened: Evil-Suppressing Roar.]

[Note: Jianbing is still in a remnant spirit state and cannot leave the Calming Bell for extended periods.]

Meow Meow finished reading and had a clear picture now.

Evil-Suppressing Roar.

The name was simple, but practical.

Dealing with the tainted aura of Black Water Marsh was just right.

But for now, it was only instinct, not a complete skill.

He'd have to practice slowly.

Qian Renxue looked at Meow Meow and said:

"So it can be involved in the Black Eagle Family line?"

"It can provide sensing."

Meow Meow said.

"But it can't go out and fight."

"At most, it can help me identify White Tiger Blood and Nether aura by my side."

Jianbing immediately nodded.

"I can smell it."

"Mm."

Meow Meow said.

"But tell me before you sniff."

"Don't charge off on your own."

Jianbing murmured his agreement.

Qian Renxue looked at the documents on the table.

"Over at the Black Eagle Family, there's no big move today."

"The Western Suburb Hunting Ground has quieted down a lot too."

"Probably scared by you yesterday."

Meow Meow shook his head.

"Not necessarily."

"If they really want to do something big, they won't stop just because they lost one crate."

"The quiet now might mean they're waiting for someone."

"Waiting for who?"

"Someone from Star Luo."

Meow Meow said.

"White Tiger and Nether materials can't keep appearing out of thin air from Heavenly Dou's side."

Qian Renxue nodded in agreement.

"I'll keep an eye on the merchant caravans entering the city."

"Ning Fengzhi might be able to find out more."

Meow Meow was about to respond when he suddenly heard a soft sound from the window.

Gray Ear jumped in.

A small corner of paper was clamped in his mouth.

Meow Meow took it and looked.

Only half a seal was on the paper corner.

But he could make out a bit of the pattern.

It looked like a small White Tiger paw print.

The scent Gray Ear carried had traces of carriage, medicinal herbs, and the smell of that White Tiger cub from last night.

Meow Meow's gaze sharpened.

"They've moved."

Qian Renxue asked:

"Where did they go?"

Gray Ear let out a low bark.

Meow Meow closed his eyes to sense.

Soon, he opened them.

"Not to Black Water Marsh."

"It's heading toward Heaven Dou Royal Academy."

Qian Renxue froze.

"The Royal Academy?"

Meow Meow's tail stopped moving.

Heaven Dou Royal Academy was no ordinary place.

It was where the Heaven Dou Empire trained Soul Masters, housed noble children, and had no shortage of powerful figures stationed there.

The Black Eagle Family was sending something carrying the White Tiger Sample's aura in that direction.

Something was wrong.

Very wrong.

Qian Renxue's expression turned cold as well.

"Someone inside the Royal Academy is receiving it."

Meow Meow nodded.

"And their status is probably not low."

He looked at Jianbing.

"Can you still hold up?"

Jianbing had just finished his trial, his form still faint.

But upon hearing that the White Tiger aura was heading to the Royal Academy, he lifted his head.

"I can."

Meow Meow didn't immediately take him along.

Instead, he shook his head first.

"You rest."

"I'll go check it out first this time."

"If I really need you to identify it, I'll call for you."

Jianbing opened his mouth, but ultimately nodded.

He had just learned a lesson.

Helping wasn't about forcing yourself.

White Dew walked over to Meow Meow, as if wanting to follow.

Meow Meow glanced at her.

"You stay too."

"Qinghe can't be without a cat by his side."

White Dew looked reluctant, but still sat back down.

Qian Renxue turned to Meow Meow.

"Heaven Dou Royal Academy isn't like the Western Suburb Hunting Ground."

"That place has plenty of Soul Masters."

"Be careful."

"Don't worry."

Meow Meow leaped onto the windowsill.

"I'm just going to take a look."

"If it really comes to a fight, I'll wait until I see who's behind it all."

With that, he slipped away through the window with Gray Ear.

Night had just fallen.

Beyond Heaven Dou City, toward the mountain ridge where Heaven Dou Royal Academy sat, faint lights flickered in the distance.