The first trial had finally come to a close. Out of the initial 1,200 children, only 200 had succeeded in passing the Bond Gate Trial, their names forever etched in the academy's first major record of the year.
Tai Zhi stepped forward, his deep, commanding voice echoing across the training grounds. "Candidates, prepare yourselves. The second trial is about to begin. This trial will test not only your strength but your ability to cooperate and adapt in real-world field conditions.
It is called the Mixed Group Trial: Beast Orb Hunt."
A wave of murmurs and whispers spread like wildfire through the courtyard. Some children exchanged nervous glances. Others stood still, fists clenched in determination.
"You will be placed into randomized teams of five. With 200 participants remaining, that makes 40 teams in total," Tai Zhi continued. "Each team will be teleported into a separate region of the academy's Beast Forest—the lowest tier, but still dangerous. There, each group must find and retrieve a magical treasure orb hidden within their zone. These orbs are guarded by powerful, real magical beasts. The trial has a time limit, and failure to return within it will result in disqualification."
A sharp gesture from Tai Zhi brought forth a giant glowing screen of shimmering light. Names began to flicker across it. "Teamwork is critical," he added. "Victory will not come from strength alone. You must trust each other."
Cheers and excitement followed as the team rosters appeared. Some children clapped when they saw their names aligned with close friends. Others were more cautious, trying to gauge the talents of their new teammates.
Zhao Xiong's grin stretched from ear to ear. "Perfect! My team is exactly what I wanted—my three flame lion brothers, and that girl with the thunder Phoenix bond. We're going to dominate this trial."
His three followers whooped in approval, fire auras flaring around them, as if they were already in battle.
Meanwhile, Zhen stared anxiously at the glowing roster. His eyes darted across the names until the very last team appeared: Lan Zhen, Gu Na'er, Shi Feng, Lei Wei, and Bing Queer.
A collective gasp spread through the courtyard.
Zhao Xiong let out a loud, mocking laugh. "What is that mess of a team? A noble girl with no friends, two bear bonders, and those two mysterious dragon weirdos? That's a joke."
Zhen's eyes remained calm. He glanced at the names, then smiled faintly as Shi Feng ran up, nearly bouncing with excitement. "Zhen! We're in the same team! This is gonna be great!"
Na'er ran straight to Zhen and hugged him, eyes bright. "I'm so happy we're together! This is the best."
Lei Wei joined them with a relaxed nod. "Unexpected. But somehow, it makes sense."
Last to arrive was Bing Queer. She approached hesitantly, unsure if she'd be welcomed. She gave a soft nod, her expression serious but uncertain.
Up above, Tai Zhi rubbed his chin thoughtfully as he studied the newly formed teams. He turned to the ever-silent Long Yi. "Fate really is strange. Two dragon bond masters, a phoenix, and two bear bonds... all in the same team. Is this coincidence?"
Long Yi's gaze didn't shift from the magical screen. Her red eyes glowed faintly. "Call it fate... or something deeper."
Tai Zhi raised a brow. "And what exactly do you sense?"
A small, unreadable smile touched Long Yi's lips. "If I told you, it wouldn't be any fun, would it?"
With that, she stepped back as Tai Zhi raised his hand high. Energy gathered in the air, and a massive bond circle formed beneath the feet of all the children. Light flared as a magical surge burst outward.
In a flash, all forty teams vanished—transported to the heart of the Beast Forest, where their true trial awaited.
Zhen's team appeared in a dense forest clearing. Trees towered overhead, and beast cries echoed through the misty undergrowth.
The five stood silently, unsure how to begin.
Shi Feng scratched his blond hair. "Uh... so what now?"
Na'er looked at Zhen, and Lei Wei kept scanning the forest.
Finally, Zhen stepped up. "Before we do anything, we should understand our strengths. We don't know what beasts we'll face."
Bing Queer hesitated, then clenched her fists. "Let's introduce our bond beasts first. That way, we can make better decisions."
Zhen nodded. "Good idea."
Lei Wei started. "I am from the Lei Clan. My bond is Thunder Dragon. Rank 10."
Bing Queer followed. "I'm from the Bing Clan. My bond is Ice Bear. Also Rank 10."
Shi Feng grinned. "Mine's Terror Bear. Rank 7, but I can hold my own."
Na'er stepped up. "I have a Phoenix bond. Rank 10."
Queer blinked. "Just Phoenix? Didn't the bond master say what kind?"
Na'er shook her head. "No."
Lei Wei added, "Same with Zhen. He told me his bond is Dragon, but no known attribute."
Queer frowned. "That's unusual. Lei and I have attribute-based dragon and bear."
Zhen said calmly, "Whatever our bond types, we make a strong team. Four of us are Rank 10, and one is Rank 7."
The group nodded and began moving through the forest, each step echoing slightly on the mossy ground beneath them. The dense foliage around them rustled with the occasional movement of hidden beasts, and faint cries echoed from far-off places. A thick mist hung low across the path, making visibility more difficult as they advanced.
Zhen took the lead, occasionally glancing at the map that had appeared briefly in his mind after teleportation. "We need to go north from here. I think the orb's aura is faintly pulsing in that direction," he said, voice steady.
Na'er walked closely beside him, her eyes constantly scanning the trees above. "Do you think we'll face flying beasts?"
"Probably," Lei Wei said, walking behind them with his arms folded. "The academy wouldn't make this too easy."
Shi Feng swung his arms and muttered, "Well, as long as it's not some crazy poisonous monster or something..."
Bing Queer was at the rear, her eyes carefully watching the trail and noting the small magical residue marks left by forest creatures. "We're being watched," she said softly.
Everyone stopped.
Zhen turned around. "By what?"
"I'm not sure," she whispered, "but I can feel eyes on us."
They stood in tense silence, then slowly resumed walking. The air grew heavier the deeper they moved in. Even the sounds of birds and rustling animals began to die out, replaced by a low hum in the atmosphere.
"Let's stay together and not wander too far from each other," Zhen said. "Our first goal is survival. Then we find that orb."
The others agreed.
In the viewing hall, Tai Zhi observed the magical screens. Each team's progress was being monitored.
"Zhao Xiong's team is fast," he noted. "All Rank 10s. They already found a beast's trail."
Long Yi watched silently. Her gaze never left Lan Zhen's team.
Tai Zhi chuckled. "You're watching them, aren't you? Two dragon bonds in one group."
She replied softly, "I'm curious what kind of path they will walk in the future."
The hunt had begun.
And deep within the forest, the beasts were waiting.