Chapter 5

C5 – Challenge Difficulty

The next day, after breakfast, Xie Yang and Bai Tian set out for the Beastmaster Association, accompanied by two other classmates. They agreed to meet at the entrance of their neighborhood.

The day was sweltering, and within minutes of waiting, a thin sheen of sweat coated their foreheads. Glancing at a nearby supermarket, Xie Yang said to Bai Tian, “Hold on here for a sec. I’m going to grab some water.”

Bai Tian responded with a dutiful, “Okay.”

Shortly after Xie Yang departed, two radiant young women approached from a distance. “Shuqin, Xinrui, over here!” Bai Tian called out.

Moo Shuqin, breathless from the run, apologized, “Sorry, Tian. Did you wait long?”

“It’s Xinrui’s fault for oversleeping—that’s why we’re late!”

The other girl, her fair skin complemented by a pinkish-grey floral dress, cheeks flushed, offered her excuse, “I couldn’t fall asleep until 4 a.m. last night.”

Moo Shuqin shot her a look. “Are you really that anxious about the Apprentice Qualification Assessment?”

Zou Xinrui mumbled, “It’s different for me. You and Tian are so talented; you’re sure to pass, but I might not.”

When Moo Shuqin kept giving her the eye, Xinrui quickly added, “I’m sorry, okay? I’ll make it up to you with ice cream later.” That seemed to mollify Moo Shuqin.

“Tian, where’s your brother? Isn’t he coming with us to the Beastmaster Association?”

“He’s off buying water,” Bai Tian replied.

Moo Shuqin nodded, then, struck by a sudden thought, asked, “Tian, I heard Di Feng confessed his feelings for you yesterday. Is that the real deal?”

Zou Xinrui chimed in eagerly, “Really?”

With a hint of exasperation, Bai Tian confirmed, “Yes, it’s true, but I turned him down. He’s got a girlfriend from another high school. He thought he could keep it a secret and play both sides.”

“I never would’ve pegged Di Feng as that type of guy.”

“Total jerk!”

Both Moo Shuqin and Zou Xinrui were visibly upset by the revelation.

At that moment, Xie Yang had finished purchasing water and was walking back toward us. Bai Tian noticed and quickly introduced him, “This is my brother, Xie Yang.” She then gestured to the two girls and added, “And these are my good friends, Moo Shuqin and Zou Xinrui.”

“Nice to meet you, Xie Yang,” Moo Shuqin and Zou Xinrui said, offering friendly smiles.

“The assessment might take a while. Maybe you could find a café outside the Beastmaster Association to wait for us?”

Bai Tian was considerate, worried that Xie Yang might feel down about not having the Beastmaster aptitude if he lingered inside the association too long. Hence, she made her suggestion gently.

Xie Yang caught on to Bai Tian’s intention but brushed it off with a smile. “That won’t work. If I’m outside, how can I join in on the apprentice qualification assessment?”

Bai Tian was taken aback, her eyes widening in astonishment after a few seconds.

“Brother, you’re going to take part in the qualification assessment too?”

Moo Shuqin and Zou Xinrui were equally shocked by Xie Yang’s declaration.

Being Bai Tian’s close friends, they were well aware that Xie Yang’s pet was Little Snowball.

It was an ornamental ice-attribute pet with hardly any combat ability.

It couldn’t even best the weakest ferocious beast.

Taking such a pet to attempt the apprentice qualification assessment was a sure path to failure.

He wouldn’t stand a chance even at the most basic level.

It was a sheer waste of time and effort, something he could easily figure out with a bit of thought.

Moo Shuqin and Zou Xinrui were baffled as to why Xie Yang would even consider the apprentice qualification assessment.

Bai Tian was equally perplexed.

She was about to question Xie Yang when a shout from behind stopped her.

“Bai Tian, hold it right there!”

The abrupt call halted their discussion.

They turned in surprise to see a man and a woman approaching with hostile faces.

The man sported a black, form-fitting tank top, his muscular build accentuated by the tattoos that adorned his arms. He appeared to be in his twenties and had the air of a tough.

The woman, seemingly around Bai Tian’s age, had applied thick makeup and her hair was a vibrant shade of red.

She approached Xie Yang and his group with a confrontational stride. Pointing at Bai Tian, she turned to the inked young man by her side and accused,

“Cousin, she’s the one who seduced my boyfriend!”