Three seconds later, all dozen or so demonic beasts lay on the ground.
Not one was left alive.
Tang Zhou and the nine students were stunned.
"M-Miss Chen..."
"Enough." Chen Siyao handed her candied hawthorn skewer to Yang Wanqing, pulled a bottle of Energy Recovery Elixir from another Qiankun Bag, and tossed it to Tang Zhou. "Drink it."
Tang Zhou caught it instinctively.
"This is..."
"For restoring your energy," Chen Siyao said. "You've all nearly exhausted yours. If you don't replenish it, the next wave of demonic beasts will finish you off."
Tang Zhou opened his mouth to say something, then swallowed his words.
The six students exchanged glances as well.
They had heard Chen Siyao was strong, but they had never imagined she was this strong.
Over a dozen B-Rank demonic beasts, including several approaching A-Rank.
Three seconds.
All of them dealt with.
"Miss Chen," Tang Zhou managed to say, "thank you."
"No need," Chen Siyao said. "But there's something I need to tell you."
"Please go ahead."
"In a situation like that, you should have sent a signal."
Tang Zhou's face flushed crimson.
"I..."
"Failing the trial isn't shameful," Chen Siyao cut him off. "Dying is."
"If you died here, which do you think would matter more—failing the trial or losing your life?"
Tang Zhou fell silent.
"My brother once said something," Chen Siyao said. "Your life matters more than your pride."
"If you're willing to throw your life away, what did you even come to this secret realm for?"
Tang Zhou lowered his head.
"I... I understand."
"Good," Chen Siyao said. "Don't go any deeper. Your cultivation isn't high enough. Heading farther in will only get you killed."
"Just stay around the outskirts and kill some C-Rank and B-Rank demonic beasts. Do enough to meet the requirements."