12: How did this candidate manage to do that?

"Hello, I choose this tree demon. Also, please help me prepare 5 Devil Vines and 3 Bait Grasses..."

Xie Ning spent a total of 127 evolution value points to unlock a Yao Beast that could perfectly counter the Iron-Eating Ants. He unceremoniously listed the Materials needed for the evolution and handed them to the staff to prepare.

During this waiting process, Xie Ning continued to watch the others' evolutions.

Although he could evolve Yao Beasts, he ultimately relied on the System, unlike others who had solid experience. Therefore, observing at this time was very beneficial for Xie Ning.

The time to complete an evolution varied; generally, evolving to the Excellent Rank took no more than 2 hours at most, while the fastest could be completed in just a few breaths.

Xie Ning watched several more people evolve their Yao Beasts. With the experience of those before them, these people's evolved Yao Beasts were relatively effective against the Iron-Eating Ants.

At this time, Mo Yu's evolution was also complete. What she evolved was an Excellent Low Grade Projectile Fire Crow.

[Yao Beast Name] Projectile Fire Crow

[Yao Beast Grade] Excellent Low Grade

[Yao Beast Rank] Black Iron Rank 8

[Yao Beast Attribute] Fire

[Yao Beast Weakness] Water

[Yao Beast Status] Excited

[Yao Beast Description] A type of giant crow with a fire net on its tail. It can condense flames and launch them, making it a surprise force on the battlefield.

[Evolution Paths] 5

This was a giant fire crow two meters long with a wingspan of three meters. Its tail was different from other birds, being a net bag. Fire elements on its body slowly gathered toward the net bag, eventually forming a large ball of fire that could be launched into the distance, causing fire damage.

Seeing this, a hint of surprise flashed in Xie Ning's eyes.

If he didn't count the Yao Beast he chose himself, the Projectile Fire Crow Mo Yu evolved was undoubtedly the Yao Beast closest to the Chairman's goal.

The evolution cost for this type of Yao Beast was extremely low, and they could cooperate in battle. When attacking individually, it fired fireballs, launching up to ten fireballs at once when fully charged. Cooperative attacks could reduce fire consumption, burning rocks before launching them. At the same time, the strong tail could serve a transport role, carrying Yao Beasts or people for aerial combat.

Just as Xie Ning said, after the Chairman saw Mo Yu's Yao Beast, he was also overjoyed. He personally met with Mo Yu and gave her a few words of encouragement, making her so happy she couldn't stop smiling.

Subsequently, the Projectile Fire Crow battled three Iron-Eating Ants. The Projectile Fire Crow condensed flames and scattered them before the Iron-Eating Ants could get close. The sky-filling firelight reflected on people's faces. When everyone looked at the ground again, those three Iron-Eating Ants had already fallen and were twitching, having lost their ability to move.

A young examinee murmured to himself, "This girl is so amazing..."

"The waves of the Yangtze River behind push the waves ahead; new people in the world overtake the old. Comparing it like this, I feel like I've grown old," a Middle-aged Man said with deep emotion.

"It looks like the top spot this time will be taken by this young girl."

"It's possible!"

Amid the discussions, Mo Yu finished her test and sat aside to wait. However, at this time, her attention was focused more on Xie Ning. She still remembered Xie Ning's incredibly cool Demon Tamers Beast.

At this time, the staff also brought back the Materials Xie Ning needed. Xie Ning began to prepare for the evolution.

Coincidentally, Xie Ning's evolution chamber was right next to Li Yongfu's.

Seeing Xie Ning arrive, Li Yongfu smiled contemptuously. "Kid, starting the evolution so late? Did you just wake up?"

If he had been worried before, fearing that Xie Ning was pretend to be a pig to eat the tiger, he was now completely relaxed. He was certain he would win.

"What's the rush? This is a competition of evolution results, not evolution duration."

After Xie Ning finished speaking, he ignored Li Yongfu and began to prepare his Yao Beast's evolution.

Li Yongfu said a few more things, but seeing no response from Xie Ning, he felt bored and stopped talking.

Time passed minute by minute.

More and more people completed their evolutions and tests, returning to their seats.

Even Li Yongfu, by evolving a Lightning Python, achieved a fairly good result. Because of this, he looked at Xie Ning's evolution chamber with uncontrollable pride in his eyes, as if seeing that Silver Rank demon core beckoning to him.

As the lights in the evolution chambers went out one by one, with ten minutes left before the assessment ended, only Xie Ning's evolution chamber remained lit.

If it weren't for the regulations, the Chairman would have wanted to declare the competition over. He had no high hopes at all for this examinee who slept during the written test and was lax during the practical.

Li Yongfu became increasingly proud, saying directly to the surrounding examinees, "Students nowadays are truly getting more and more impetuous. They want to be Breeders before they've even finished reading their textbooks. He actually thinks being a Breeder is easy; how ignorant..."

A Middle-aged Man nodded vigorously in agreement. "Isn't that right? Back in our day, at 18, we were still staying up late for exams. How would we dare to take the Breeder certification exam?"

"Reality will teach this kid a lesson. It's just hard on us, having to waste time here with him," someone sighed, feigning depth.

Seeing Xie Ning being targeted like this, Mo Yu was also displeased.

After all, he was her savior!

"The time isn't up yet! How do you know he failed? Just because you couldn't do it at 18 doesn't mean others can't."

Mo Yu's words left those middle-aged men extremely embarrassed, but they didn't want to offend her. After all, this group had just seen the Chairman smiling and talking to Mo Yu.

"Student Mo Yu, you should say less too. Indeed, looking at his performance, Student Xie Ning has been wasting time just now, and now he's rushing his work. No matter how you look at it, it doesn't look promising," the Chairman said, adding in his heart, "I don't have high hopes either."

Seeing the Chairman say this, the faces of those who had just looked down on Xie Ning showed satisfied smiles, leaving only Mo Yu stomping her feet in frustration.

"Great God Xie, oh Great God Xie, you have to do your best! Help me vent this frustration!" Mo Yu prayed silently in her heart.

Just then, the light in Xie Ning's evolution chamber went out, the glass door slowly opened, and Xie Ning walked out.

"Hey! Kid, you finally came out. I thought you couldn't afford to lose and were hiding!" Li Yongfu chuckled, not hiding his pride at all.

"Making us wait so long, what kind of person is he?"

"Finally over, I'm waiting to see the results!"

Amid everyone's chatter, Xie Ning brought his evolved Yao Beast before the Chairman.

This was a tree as tall as a person, but it had no branches. Instead, it was covered in vines. The tips of the vines were blooming with flowers, emitting a strange scent.

Inside the beast enclosure at the center, some Iron-Eating Ants smelled this scent and became restless, banging their heads against the wall.

The Chairman originally didn't want to give this kid a good look, but after seeing the reaction of the Iron-Eating Ants, he became very curious and decided to take a look first.

[Yao Beast Name] Trapping Vine Tree

[Yao Beast Grade] Elite High Grade

[Yao Beast Rank] Black Iron Rank 10

[Yao Beast Attribute] Poison

[Yao Beast Weakness] Fire

[Yao Beast Status] Joyful

[Yao Beast Description] A plant-type Yao Beast evolved through mutation, possessing trapping, disrupting, and poisoning abilities.

[Evolution Paths]... After registering the basic data, they came to the combat field. A staff member operated a huge mechanical arm to grab the Iron-Eating Ants.

Just then, Xie Ning said to the staff member, "Bring ten of them. One or two won't show any effect."

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone was silent for 2 seconds, then burst into even louder laughter. Even the Chairman shook his head again, pinning the 'impetuous' label even more firmly on Xie Ning.

The staff member hesitated for a moment and confirmed again, "Examinee, are you sure you want to release 10 Iron-Eating Ants?"

"Yes, I'm sure," Xie Ning nodded.

"Alright then, be careful."

Xie Ning and the Trapping Vine Tree came to the center. Ten Iron-Eating Ants were released immediately after. A protective shield rose from the open space to prevent the Iron-Eating Ants from running into the crowd.

A crowd of examinees and staff gathered around, wanting to see how this Yao Beast would deal with 10 Iron-Eating Ants.

Li Yongfu stood outside the shield and shouted at Xie Ning, "Hey! Kid! If you're scared, just admit defeat. It's just a Silver Rank demon core, don't lose your life over it!"

Others thought he was concerned about Xie Ning, but Mo Yu knew he was definitely gloating again and couldn't help but glare back at him.

However, Li Yongfu, who was currently excited and elated, didn't notice Mo Yu's gaze at all and continued to smile smugly.

Hearing this, Xie Ning also smiled, patted the trunk of the Trapping Vine Tree, and retreated five meters.

The Trapping Vine Tree now retracted all its vines, surprisingly pulling them all into its body, leaving only one long vine outside. The flower at the tip of the vine swayed in the wind, its fragrance becoming even more intense.

The Iron-Eating Ants twenty meters away caught the scent and began to grow restless, scrambling toward the vine.

Watching this, Li Yongfu said to the people around him, "Do you believe it? This Yao Beast will be torn to pieces by the Iron-Eating Ants in a matter of minutes."

"I believe it. I'll add to that; I bet it won't last ten seconds before being torn apart," another examinee chimed in.

"Then I'll add more; I bet that kid will piss his pants in fear."

"Haha~ You guys are too mean, but I like it."

Watching this, Mo Yu's cheeks puffed out in anger. She glared at them and scolded, "What kind of people are you! Can't you stand to see others do well? Did he do something to you?"

Among these people, some were dissatisfied and wanted to retort, but seeing the battle inside the protective shield, the words that slipped out became two:

"Holy crap!"

Everyone followed his gaze and let out a collective "Holy crap."

Mo Yu turned back and also saw a scene that surprised her.

They saw ten Iron-Eating Ants rush in front of the Trapping Vine Tree, but the tearing apart everyone expected didn't happen. These Iron-Eating Ants were like they were possessed, fighting each other for the flower.

Under everyone's shocked gazes, four Iron-Eating Ants were quickly torn apart, and the other six were still fighting, but their movements gradually slowed. Slowly, one by one, they staggered as if drunk.

A few more minutes passed, and all six fell to the ground, breathless.

"This... what's going on?"

"Does anyone know what that tree just did?"

Everyone shifted their gaze from the Trapping Vine Tree and turned collectively toward Xie Ning.

It seemed only this person knew what was happening!

What was his name again?