The third trial had ended. Among the original 125 candidates, only 70 names shone brightly on the magical bond screen suspended high above the training grounds. The glow from the floating list could be seen clearly by everyone—including the parents and guardians watching anxiously from the spectator side.
Lan Hua and his wife, Lan Xin, were holding their breath. The moment they spotted their precious son Lan Zhen's name, right next to Gu Na'er's, tears welled in their eyes.
"Our Zhen… he did it!" Lan Xin whispered, gripping her husband's arm tightly. Lan Hua smiled, his face glowing with pride. "And Na'er too. They both made it."
As the barrier shielding the battle arenas dissolved, the participants began emerging.
Shi Feng and Bing Queer were among the first to step out. The dust and fatigue of battle still clung to them, but their eyes were sharp, scanning for familiar faces. Soon, they spotted Gu Na'er walking out from Arena 2—accompanied by a quiet, unfamiliar girl.
"Naer!" Bing Queer cried, sprinting forward and throwing her arms around her friend. "I was so worried! You were all alone in Arena 2… I'm really glad you passed."
Na'er hugged her back, smiling. "I wasn't alone. She helped me a lot."
"She…?" Bing Queer turned and noticed the shy girl beside Na'er.
Na'er quickly introduced her. "This is Yu Xiatao. Her bond is the Thunder Phoenix."
Yu Xiatao looked nervous and confused. "Na'er… who are they?"
"Oh! I didn't introduce them, right?" Na'er said with a laugh. "They're my friends. That's Shi Feng—his bond is the Terror Bear. And she's Bing Queer, bonded with the Ice Bear. She's from the Bing Clan. Both are Spirit-Forged Bond Masters."
Shi Feng nodded politely. "Nice to meet you, Yu Xiatao."
Bing Queer beamed and took Xiatao's hand. "If you're Na'er's friend, then you're my friend too. Hehehe."
Yu Xiatao's eyes widened, her heart fluttering. She had come from a poor family and had lived most of her life in solitude. After awakening her Thunder Phoenix bond, she had been filled with hope—but ended up used and discarded by Zhao Xiong's group. Now, to be accepted so warmly—it was everything she had never had.
"Thank you," she said softly, "for having me… for becoming my friends."
Shi Feng glanced toward the fourth arena. "Lei Wei and Zhen passed, but they haven't come out yet. I heard some candidates say Arena 4 was the hardest. I hope they're okay."
At the mention of Lan Zhen's name, Xiatao looked at Na'er. Na'er's smile faded, worry creeping onto her face. "Zhen… please be okay."
Just then, the crowd stirred. Lei Wei and Lan Zhen stepped out together, covered in dust and scratches, but alive and standing tall.
Shi Feng pointed. "Look, they're out!"
Bing Queer's eyes lit up. "They're okay!"
Yu Xiatao immediately rushed forward, mistakenly grabbing Lei Wei's hand. "You're Lan Zhen with the dragon bond, right? Na'er was so worried about you. You should go meet her now!"
Lei Wei blinked, caught off guard, a light blush coloring his cheeks. "Ah… I think you're mistaken. I'm Lei Wei, bonded with the Thunder Dragon. The one beside me is Lan Zhen."
Xiatao blinked, stunned. "Thunder Dragon… thunder…" she muttered under her breath.
Just then, Na'er and the others arrived. Without hesitation, Na'er ran forward and hugged Zhen tightly, tears brimming in her eyes. "I was so worried, Zhen… I'm so glad you're okay."
Zhen hugged her back, smiling gently. "Don't worry, Na'er. I'm fine. See? I'm in one piece."
Shi Feng stepped up. "I heard Arena 4 was brutal. I'm glad you two made it."
Both Zhen and Lei Wei nodded. Lei Wei suddenly looked down—Xiatao was still holding his hand.
"Um… excuse me," he said awkwardly. "Could you let go of my hand now?"
Xiatao's face turned red as she quickly released him. "I'm so sorry for the misunderstanding."
Na'er smiled kindly. "It's okay. Don't worry."
Zhen tilted his head. "Who is she?"
Na'er and Bing Queer each placed a hand on Xiatao's shoulders. "This is Yu Xiatao, bonded with a Thunder Phoenix. And from now on, she's our friend too."
Xiatao gave a small bow. "Hello."
Lei Wei murmured under his breath. "Thunder… again?"
Zhen and Wei nodded and gave their greetings. Their group was growing.
Moments later, all 70 candidates stood gathered together. The others—those who had failed—were escorted back, disappointed and defeated.
In the distance, Zhao Xiong's jaw tightened. Not only had one of his trusted followers, Zhao Li, failed, but both Lan Zhen and Gu Na'er had passed unscathed. Yan Wu stood silently behind him, watching Zhen with unreadable eyes.
Suddenly, space shimmered above the grounds. With a ripple of energy, Tai Zhi and Long Yi appeared through a tear in the air. Murmurs of shock swept the crowd.
Tai Zhi's voice echoed. "Out of over 1200 candidates, only 70 of you have passed all three trials. From this moment forward, I officially announce you as the first-year students of the Holy Beast Bond Master Academy!"
Cheers and cries of joy erupted. Some laughed, others wept. The dream had come true.
"You have two hours to meet your families," Tai Zhi added. "After that, your assigned classes will be revealed."
The students dispersed joyfully.
On the parents' side, Lan Hua pointed excitedly. "Look, Xin! Our son is coming!"
Lan Xin looked up and saw Zhen running toward them. "Mommm!" he cried out.
Lan Xin knelt slightly and opened her arms. Zhen embraced her tightly.
"My Zhen, my Zhen… You're okay, right?" she whispered, tears of joy flowing freely. "You're my whole world…"
Lan Hua chuckled. "I'm glad you're okay, son. Xin, let me hug him too!"
Lan Xin clung tightly. "No. I want to hold him a little longer."
Na'er walked over and bowed. "Uncle Hua, Zhen and I both passed. We got accepted."
Lan Hua smiled warmly. "Yes, I saw your names. I'm proud of both of you. I'll write to your parents, Na'er, so they won't worry."
Na'er beamed with gratitude.
Just then, Shi Feng, Bing Queer, Lei Wei, and Yu Xiatao approached.
They all froze for a moment, struck by how elegant and youthful Zhen's parents looked.
Zhen turned and gestured. "Mom, Dad, these are our friends. We became close during the trials."
The three bowed. "Hello, Mr. Lan, Mrs. Lan."
Lan Xin smiled. "No need to be so formal. Just call us Aunt and Uncle. Please look after Zhen at school."
Shi Feng and Lei Wei placed their hands on Zhen's shoulders. "Don't worry, Aunty. We'll take care of our little Zhen."
Zhen turned, eyes narrowed. "What did you just call me?"
The boys grinned. "Nothing~."
Laughter followed.
Moments later, darkness rippled in the air again. A figure stepped out—Long Yi.
Gasps echoed. "A Holy Lord?!" someone whispered.
Long Yi approached. "Are you Lan Zhen's parents?"
Lan Xin and Lan Hua both nodded.
Long Yi's tone was calm, but serious. "May I have a word with you… in private?"