Rhode quickly realized that the second exam tested more than just search skills, as many of the wild creatures he dispatched were sent back to the canyon shortly after.
Three Shadow Wolves perished, the Beaked Birds were wiped out, three Ghosts were taken down, and even a Magic Swamp Frog was dealt with.
The disappeared creatures were in different locations. Companions usually just followed or shooed away wild creatures without being deadly; it must be something else.
Rhode connected to the River Crab's vision, and suddenly it went black as the River Crab also returned to the river waiting for a refresh.
Before it vanished, Rhode saw a gigantic mouth: "Is it a crocodile? But it feels much larger than one."
"What's wrong?" Wendy asked.
Rhode said, "Be careful, there are probably many dangerous beasts on this island, both flying in the sky and running on the ground."
To be honest, he thought his wild creatures were quite strong among beasts, yet they were swiftly wiped out.
The environment on Celestial Wolf Island was probably too dangerous for ordinary people.
"Got it," Wendy replied, then suddenly stopped, looked at the sky, and sniffed lightly.
Rhode asked, "Did you find anything?"
Wendy shook her head: "Just feeling the air changing, it might rain today."
Rhode looked at the sky and didn't notice anything different.
Maybe he needed to receive the Cloud Dragon Soul to have weather prediction abilities like Wendy?
While Rhode and Wendy began exploring Celestial Wolf Island, others also searched based on their instincts.
Their current state could be described as—chaotic and frantic.
The island had too many fierce beasts, like the two or three-story-high carnivorous Dongskadon, or the two to three-meter wingspan flocks of Kuliba, or the ambushing and River Crab-eating Goruma Jiro…
When Gray, Elfman, and others saw these dangerous guys, their first reaction was to flee.
Celestial Wolf Island had been uninhabited for a long time, and these guys, for some reason, relentlessly chased any human shadow they saw.
Jubia, who intended to follow Gray, was pulled by Lisana for a mad dash, finally finding a suitable hideout to temporarily escape.
"So scary, why are these big guys on the island?"
"Jubia's not afraid, because Jubia's body is made of water."
Lisana asked, "What if it gulps you down?"
"…" Jubia was stunned, "Seems like I'd be digested."
Unless she escaped before that.
Jubia and Lisana gradually realized that this exam also tested survival skills.
They had encountered more than one beast like Dongskadon along the way. Carelessness in such an island would lead to misfortune.
Gray and Loki were chased by a group of Kuliba for a while, finally shaking them off and hiding behind a tree to rest.
Gray said, "This won't work, being chased by animals hinders finding things peacefully."
Loki said, "But fighting them wouldn't be easy either; it might attract other aggressive beasts."
Just then, noises came from the nearby bushes, and the two, like startled birds, jumped up, preparing to defend.
Unexpectedly, three Shadow Wolves emerged.
They approached to sniff Gray and Loki without hesitation, then left.
One even allowed Gray to pat its head.
Watching the departing Shadow Wolves, Gray smiled and said, "I have an idea."
Loki adjusted his glasses and smiled as well, "I do too."
The two weren't good at finding things, but someone was!
There were two spots after all, if they followed Rhode...
"I remember he and Wendy went in that direction."
"Let's go, before they get too far!"
After a brief discussion, the two ran toward the direction Rhode and Wendy headed.
At this moment, Rhode...
"Are we going in circles? This direction seems to lead to the site of the first exam."
Rhode felt that Wendy had taken him in a loop through the forest, then circled back.
Wendy blushed and quietly said, "Sorry, Brother Rhode, I think I'm lost."
"…" Rhode didn't know what to say, "It's okay, just follow your instincts. We don't have a goal, so we can check out the area."
The main reason was that after reaching that place, they could take a 'detour' to the camp to have a look.
Mira and the others should be resting at the camp, and after being apart for two days, Rhode was quite eager to see her.
Seeing Wendy still seemed a bit guilty, Rhode said, "Help me look for any beautiful flowers? I'd like to pick some to make a wreath."
"Sure!" Wendy loved picking flowers; she also wished to make a wreath for herself and another to give Carla.
Moreover, Wendy had learned many complex weaving techniques, and a wreath was much easier than those.
Having something to do made the journey less monotonous.
Wendy, like a lively elf, flitted through the jungle, seeking various beautiful flowers to bring to Rhode for safekeeping.
However, this made things difficult for Gray and Loki.
They were already being cautious and didn't dare to follow too closely. Now Wendy was running all over, making their risk of exposure skyrocket.
Gray complained, "Are they taking an exam or on a picnic?"
Loki said, "Because Rhode has so many Summoned Beasts to help, of course, he can be more relaxed."
Gray had a sudden idea, "Can you summon some Star Spirits to help?"
"Of course not, not every Star Spirit is as free as I am," Loki said, "Besides, unless I use a Star Spirit Key to summon them, it should count as cheating."
Gray envied, "Summoning Magic is really convenient."
Gray suddenly remembered that Rhode once envied the convenience of Shaping Magic before; life truly was unpredictable.
Loki envied Rhode's luck, "Have they not encountered many beasts along their way?"
"Seems so... Look out!" Gray saw a beast resembling a pig and a bear, covered in spots, charging towards Wendy as she reached for a flower.
Gray immediately wanted to help.
But Rhode was quicker.
When the beast was over three meters away from Wendy, Rhode had already received the Cloud Dragon Soul and punched it on the head.
The giant beast's head seemed to deform, its eyes rolled back, and it toppled with a crash.
Rhode stomped twice on its head as if venting: "Finally, I've met you!"
This thing was called a Bear-Pig, scientifically known as Pudolagos, the very beast that had almost done him in the forest when he first crossed over.
This creature was quite common in the Fiore Kingdom, but Rhode hadn't encountered it much.
This was a rare opportunity, Rhode decided to take it back to the camp and have Mira fry, boil, braise, steam, roast, and stew it in all manners of cooking!