Chapter 12

Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations

In the crystal ball, Examiner Xu watched Cao Yan slow down after stepping into the eco-garden.

He would pause for a while before animals and then move on to his next target as he continued observing.

“It’s impossible for him to find the demon beast like this. The animals in the garden are trained to not be afraid of strangers. Besides, the target demon beast’s skills have also been concealed, looking no different from the other animals. This is the hardest part of this test. It’s a waste of time to determine the demon beast through observation alone. I’ve tried similar methods before.”

Examiner Xu was focused on the crystal ball. She did not stop the other candidate waiting for his test from watching and even commenting on Cao Yan.

There was no problem in letting others know about the test procedure because even if they knew the process, with the invigilator following around, the candidate could only use his skills to pass the test. It was impossible to cheat.

Examiner Xu was focused on the image in the crystal ball. She asked the candidate beside her, “You’re very familiar with the way the test works. Have you taken the test before?”

The candidate nodded. “Yes. I went back to analyze the reason for the failure, so this time, I am very confident in my chances.”

“You should return. You won’t be able to pass this time either.”

Examiner Xu was straightforward with her words, without a care for the other party’s feelings.

The candidate was taken aback and asked anxiously, “Why?”

Examiner Xu pointed at the crystal ball and said, “Because you are not observant enough, and you cannot make the right judgment. You even made the wrong judgment on something so simple. The candidate in exam hall five is getting close to every animal, not to observe them from up close to determine the demon beast.”

She continued, “He is using his spiritual power to observe their hidden strength by getting close to the animals. Look, once he reaches a certain proximity to the animals, he will ascertain that the animal in front of him is not the target. He is very confident and doesn’t even turn back.”

Examiner Xu rarely made a wrong call. Previously, she just thought that Cao Yan, a self-learner, would not be able to pass, as that was the case most of the time.

She had a different view now, though.

“Sensing with spiritual power? That would expend a lot of energy… He will be unable to make it through all the animals, right? If he doesn’t find the target demon beast in time, his spiritual energy would be expended. The test will end before the time’s up,” said the candidate hesitantly. He was embarrassed after Examiner Xu pointed out his mistake, yet he did not dare to oppose her views.

However, what he said did make sense.

The image in the crystal ball showed Cao Yan inspecting each animal one by one at a steady pace. Once he confirmed that an animal was not the target, he would not give it a second glance.

Time ticked past and Cao Yan continued on with his method. He finally came to the side of the little lake in the eco-garden.

He stood still by the lake for a good five to six minutes before he suddenly moved. He put his finger to his glabella, based on the skill he had learned, and gently pulled his finger out, which was guided by his willpower. A strand of light appeared at his fingertip and started to glow even brighter. It was as if he had extracted a spiritual flame from between his brows.

“A skill unique to trainers—the spiritual bridge. That’s good timing,” Examiner Xu commented objectively.

The candidate beside her froze. He was wrong again.

The spiritual bridge was a skill used to build a spiritual connection with the beast. It was rather taxing on one’s spiritual and mental capacity, and it was not possible for a typical elementary candidate to use this skill.

Therefore, if Cao Yan could pull off this skill, it would mean that his spiritual and mental capacity was way beyond his estimation. In turn, it signified his incorrect judgment.

Cao Yan grabbed the opportunity and pointed with his finger. The light broke off and shrank into a small dot of light, accurately landing in between a large fish’s eyes.

After a while, Cao Yan bent down and scooped towards the water surface. At that moment, the huge fish leaped out of the water and Cao Yan caught it in his hand. From a bystander’s point of view, it was as though the huge fish was cooperating with him in an act. It did not even struggle in his hand.

Cao Yan spread out his other hand and opened the demon ball. The huge fish moved its tail and swam into its new home.

The spiritual bridge could force a spiritual connection between the trainer and a demon beast with lower spiritual powers.

The fish had already established a spiritual connection with Cao Yan, who was like its leader. Therefore, Cao Yan could command it mentally.

Of course, such a forced spiritual connection would be incomparable to Cao Yan and Eggy’s everlasting connection. Once the trainer spent too much mental and spiritual power, the temporary link would lose its effect, and the demon pet would regain its freedom.

Luckily, Cao Yan’s spiritual capability was far higher than stage one demon pets, so he could get away with it rather easily.

The huge fish entering the demon ball was the target demon.

Cao Yan walked out of the eco-garden with the demon ball in his hand.

The test had ended.

By the time Cao Yan walked out of exam hall five, the middle-aged invigilator was already out and was reporting the process of the test to Examiner Xu. “He took a total of 31 minutes, just a little over half of the stipulated time for the test. That’s really fast. He should be in the top 20 among the elementary trainer applicants, or even a little further up front.”

Examiner Xu shook her head inconspicuously, as if she disagreed with him. However, she did not say anything.

Cao Yan had no idea about the level of the skills from the skill book. When he heard the middle-aged invigilator’s comments, he had a rough idea of his standing.

He actually did not give it his all in the test since he had decided not to stand out too much. He only “coincidentally” found the target demon beast and ended the test after half the stipulated time had passed.

Cao Yan had passed his test smoothly, but the fellow waiting next in line was suffering.

Just now, he commented because he wanted to strike a conversation with Examiner Xu and leave a good impression. However, he did not expect whatever he said to be wrong. Instead of leaving a good impression, it had the opposite effect. Most importantly, Examiner Xu’s not-very-polite truth dealt him a huge blow. He had already started to question his life choices and whether he was wrong in choosing the path to be a demon pet trainer.

“Erm… I’ve decided not to take the test today. Where do I go to get my refund?” the candidate asked meekly.

He felt that his mood had too many fluctuations and he should not continue with the test. He had decided to take a step back.

“Go to the concierge to get your test fee back.” Examiner Xu was rather impressed, as this person was not hopeless yet. He still knew when he should retreat.

The candidate looked at Cao Yan with jealousy before he left. He had failed the test several times, so someone like Cao Yan, who passed on his first try and with exceptional results, was like his arch-enemy.

“Since you’ve passed the test, you should go and collect your elementary trainer certificate. Follow me,” Examiner Xu said while glancing at Cao Yan before walking off.

“Examiner Xu, you’re going to bring him over personally?” The middle-aged invigilator was shocked.

“Mm,” Examiner Xu replied softly. She then brought Cao Yan out of the examination room.