The next day, a girl with a killer's gaze and a cold, mocking smile approached Huo Feng. Her steps were deliberate, almost predatory, and the aura around her seemed to slice through the warm morning light. When she spoke, her greeting came out awkward, as if politeness itself had become a foreign language she had no desire to learn. Then, in a sharp, commanding tone, she said:
"I want you to be my friend. Any objections?"
Huo Feng's eyes lit up with delight, a sudden warmth spreading through her chest. The arrogant girl's request pleased her more than she had expected. A smile tugged at her lips, and without a moment's hesitation, she nodded. She cast a proud glance toward Suo—as if to show off her growing circle of friends and perhaps, in her innocent heart, make him just a little bit jealous.
Little did she know, it was Suo himself who had nudged Yue toward her. In his quiet way, he had hoped the two lonely hearts would find comfort in each other, even if neither realized it yet.
Yue sat beside Huo Feng, the tension in her shoulders easing slightly. Her icy exterior melted in the presence of this new companion. Relief softened her sharp gaze, and a flicker of genuine happiness crossed her features, almost imperceptible, but enough for Huo Feng to notice.
Moments later, Assistant Teacher Li entered the room. His presence carried calm authority, yet beneath it, a pulse of excitement lingered in the air, like the faint electricity before a storm.
"Attention, everyone," he said, his voice echoing through the high-ceilinged chamber. "You will all proceed to the kingdom's main battle arena."
Excited murmurs broke out instantly. Some students cheered, thrilled at the news—the thought of testing their strength and skill in the grand arena ignited their spirits. Others whispered in confusion, uncertain why such a place had been chosen for a test.
Then Mei Ling spoke up, her voice dripping with sugary mockery, like a cat choking on a hairball:
"Will Master Wu Xin be joining us?"
Suo immediately mimicked her voice in an exaggerated, almost ridiculous way, bowing and fluttering his hands like a comic performer. The class erupted into laughter, a wave of amusement rolling over the room. Everyone laughed—except Huo Feng, who watched him with wide, incredulous eyes, her mouth slightly agape in confusion.
"What are you doing? Why is everyone laughing at you?" she asked innocently, her voice filled with genuine bewilderment.
Unable to contain herself, Yue replied between giggles, her own laugh breaking through the tension that had clung to her like morning mist:
"He's imitating Mei Ling! Don't you get it?"
Huo Feng blinked, her brows knitting in thought.
"But… what she said wasn't that funny."
Suo groaned, dragging his hand over his face dramatically.
"Of course it is, you idiot!" he exclaimed, the mock frustration only making the students laugh harder.
Then, without warning, Huo Feng herself burst into laughter. It started as a soft giggle but soon grew into a full, joyous sound that rang like bells through the room. Everyone froze for a moment, their faces frozen in surprise, before the students quickly exited, seeking to escape the awkward, laughter-filled atmosphere.
For the first time since the start of the year, Huo Feng walked beside another girl as a friend. Her steps were light, almost dancing, as she followed Yue. Each movement felt like a small triumph—a quiet rebellion against the loneliness that had shadowed her days.
When they arrived at the arena, Teacher Li was already waiting, standing beneath the towering arches of the massive structure. Sunlight streamed in from above, catching the dust in sparkling motes that floated like tiny stars.
"Sit down," he ordered, his voice cutting through the murmurs. "The test will begin shortly."
The guards rolled out cages, each containing beasts the likes of which Huo Feng had never seen before. Her heart leapt with naive excitement. Every scale, claw, and snout seemed to pulse with life, and her eyes sparkled at the thought of what was to come. She could hardly wait.
Teacher Li's voice echoed through the arena, steady and commanding:
"Today's trial is the Legendary Beast Taming Test. Whether you choose the beast or it chooses you—that does not matter. What matters is that you subdue it… without harming it."
Huo Feng frowned, confusion knitting her brows. She leaned toward Yue and whispered, her voice barely audible over the hum of anticipation:
"What does he mean?"
Yue's expression softened, worry flickering in her eyes. She sighed, her voice low, almost a murmur of caution:
"Just pick the smallest one. It'll be easier to tame."
Without hesitation, Huo Feng shot forward, her feet barely touching the stone floor, and approached a cage made of mulberry wood. Inside coiled a small red snake. Its scales glimmered faintly, like embers smoldering in the dark.
"I choose this one, Teacher!" she declared, her voice full of pride and certainty.
Teacher Li's expression froze, subtle fear flashing in his sea-like eyes. Meanwhile, Mei Ling's lips curved into a smug, malicious smile, the kind that twisted delight with envy.
Suo and Yue shouted simultaneously, voices rising above the clamor of students:
"Don't do it, you fool!"
Mei Ling crossed her arms, her sneer sharp and cutting.
"She made her choice. Let her deal with it."
Huo Feng blinked, her head tilting slightly. She had no idea what all the fuss was about. She would soon find out.
Each student selected a beast carefully, their movements precise, honed from years of training. The air was thick with tension, the mingling scents of sweat, magic, and anticipation almost tangible. Meanwhile, Huo Feng waited for her turn—the very last one. Her pulse throbbed in rhythm with the crowd's murmurs, anticipation and excitement battling with the whisper of fear.
When the guard opened the cage, the red snake did not move. It lay there lazily, as if aware that none of the chaos around it could affect its serene patience.
Huo Feng crouched, whispering to it in a strange, melodic tongue that no one else understood. Her words were a soft song, flowing like water over stone, each syllable carrying warmth and reassurance.
The snake stirred. Slowly, it slithered toward her, coiling around her legs affectionately, before returning to its cage with the trust she had earned.
Gasps echoed across the arena. Even Mei Ling, for once, was left speechless. Envy twisted her delicate features into rage, her hands clenching at her sides as she watched.
Hidden from sight, she flicked a tiny ember of spiritual flame toward the snake's cage. In an instant, the gentle red serpent erupted into a towering, flame-wreathed dragon. Its roar thundered across the arena like a storm unchained, and the air vibrated with heat and fear.
"Hide, idiot! Wait till it calms down!" Suo shouted, panic lacing his tone.
But Huo Feng didn't move. Her sharp eyes locked onto the dragon's burning gaze, unflinching. Everyone assumed she had frozen in fear, but inside, her mind raced—calculating, connecting, commanding.
The dragon halted before her, looming with jaws agape, smoke curling from its nostrils. Yue screamed, dashing forward, raising a glowing spirit shield to protect her friend.
Teacher Li shot up in alarm, his sharp voice slicing through the chaos: interference was forbidden. Even a well-intentioned act could disqualify a student.
The dragon, enraged by Yue's intrusion, lashed its tail brutally, striking her to the ground, then lifted its claws high to finish her.
Huo Feng's expression shifted. The warmth in her face vanished. Her eyes widened, cold and lifeless, a chilling smile spreading across her lips. She moved like lightning, ramming her shoulder into the dragon's chest. The beast crashed into the stone wall with a thunderous crack, shattering part of it. Dust and debris filled the air.
They glared at each other, two forces of nature poised to end one another. Death or death. No retreat.
The dragon lifted its head, jaws wide, ready to devour her. Huo Feng was no prey. She tore off her right glove—revealing a hand of molten steel, gleaming like living fire. With that hand, she seized the dragon's neck as if it were a mere branch. A loud crack echoed as its scales split beneath her grip.
The dragon howled, a sound of agony and despair. A single tear—shining and crystalline—fell from its eye. Huo Feng did not flinch. Fury burned brighter than ever.
"No forgiveness," she whispered coldly. "You hurt her… now pay the price."
The dragon, crushed and broken, finally closed its eyes in surrender.
Just then, her name boomed across the arena, shouted in a furious, familiar voice. She ignored it, defiant as ever.
A whip cracked through the air—Crack! Teacher Wu Xin's lash struck her shoulder, ending the test by force, sparing the dragon's dignity. Pain seared through her flesh, but she did not cry. She knew this would not be the last strike, and she had learned long ago to endure.
The dragon dissolved into a swirl of light, swallowed by its own diamond tear—a sign of submission. It had chosen her as its master.
Huo Feng picked up the gem, smirking.
"I'll wear you as an earring, beast. From today on, you obey me."
She hurried to Yue, helping her to her feet, before turning toward Teacher Li and asking boldly:
"So, Teacher… did I pass the test this time? Or should I do it again?"
Teacher Li nodded silently. The trial was over. He allowed her to tend to her wounded friend, while the rest of the students whispered in awe at the girl who had just bent a dragon to her will, her presence commanding fear and respect in equal measure.