164: Chapter 164 Mossy Rock Turtle: Do Less Things You're Ashamed Of
The inspections at Tianluo Town were stricter than those at Cangyuan Town.
Not only did the items being carried need to be inspected, but even the teachers from various schools were not allowed to enter Tianluo Town; all students had to participate in the practical subjects of the college entrance exam under the guidance of the Administration Bureau.
Tianluo Town was still developing, so there weren't many guesthouses or restaurants, and there were only a handful of shops.
Compared to the tourist-attraction-like Cangyuan Town, Tianluo Town, which still had remnants of campsites, felt more like an outpost for the Secret Realm.
The Beast Tamer Service Center was still grand and majestic.
All students arriving in Tianluo Town for the Beast Taming College Entrance Examination gathered in front of the Beast Tamer Service Center, entering the Secret Realm in orderly batches based on their arrival sequence.
The Three Heavenly Kings walked into the Beast Tamer Service Center, passing through various teams to find the Safety Officer leading them.
The Safety Officer wore a military uniform; his weathered face didn't reveal his actual age, but his eyes exuded a military sternness.
"Students, I am your Safety Officer.
According to the standard requirements of the Beast Taming College Entrance Examination, you can collect three machetes, six portions of healing potions and spirit-filling potions, as well as food and drinking water for the next two days."
The Safety Officer was responsible for their safety in the Secret Realm and also tasked with recording their actions throughout.
The Three Heavenly Kings shouldered their packs and, guided by the Safety Officer, stepped into the portal, sucked into the Secret Realm by a sudden, immense force.
An ethereal vastness flashed by.
When everyone opened their eyes again, they saw thousands of peaks from another dimension standing tall, range upon range stretching beyond the horizon, like a silent ocean of mountains spreading out.
"Is this the Tianluo Secret Realm?"
The Three Heavenly Kings were shocked by the sight before them.
The countless peaks were either verdant like ink wash or topped with frost and snow; mist surged deep in the canyons, and the faint cries of beasts could be heard.
Higher up, smoke rose from volcanic craters, staining the clouds dark red from a hundred miles away, as if dragons were soaring.
In this primitive world, only the heavily fortified Military Fortress beneath their feet was a safe haven for humans; everywhere else was fraught with danger, where a single misstep could cost one's life.
Candidates entering the Secret Realm left the fortress one after another, exploring forward cautiously; no one dared to act rashly in this primitive world.
The Safety Officer only protected candidates from life-threatening danger; injuries were inevitable, and once the Safety Officer intervened, the practical score would drop significantly, making top universities essentially out of reach.
"Hi, we meet again!"
A slightly familiar female voice suddenly rang out.
The Three Heavenly Kings turned their heads in unison to see Xiao Yingyue, whom they had previously fought, standing not far away, smiling and waving at them.
The Lin siblings beside her were her teammates.
"What a coincidence!"
Xu Qingfang couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.
Baichuan City wasn't close to the Tianluo Secret Realm; he hadn't expected Xiao Yingyue's team to arrive faster than the Three Heavenly Kings.
"Aren't you setting off yet?"
"We're waiting for Shen Xing's team."
Xiao Yingyue didn't hide anything.
Although the practical exam was in groups of three, it didn't prevent communication between candidates, so teams often banded together to cover each other's weaknesses before cautiously exploring the Secret Realm.
The Morphing Python, shrunk in size and coiled on Xiao Yingyue's shoulder, noticed Yue Yun and raised its one-eyed head in a threatening gesture.
Lin Hanchuan's Azure Moon Wolf did the same, lowering its body into an attacking stance and snarling at Yue Yun.
Yue Yun gave an embarrassed smile at the sight.
Lin Hanchuan's Azure Moon Wolf went without saying; Yue Yun had kicked its 'little wolf' during the Campus Championship, so naturally, it wouldn't give him a friendly look.
Xiao Yingyue's Morphing Python was female.
It was a great beauty among the Morphing Python species; Yue Yun's 'Brother Snake' comment was practically an insult, causing it much resentment.
Everyone started chatting, and before long, the topic shifted from their past six months of study to Yue Yun.
Xiao Yingyue asked curiously, "Not being allowed to bring weapons into the Secret Realm must have quite an impact on your strength, right?"
"Actually, it's alright."
Yue Yun took Miao Sang off his head: "Miao Sang has reached perfect cultivation, and the Rock Spears created by the Rock Spike skill are enough to use.
If I really need a weapon, I can make one myself; anyway, the rules don't forbid making weapons."
Saying this, Yue Yun gave a confident smile.
Xiao Yingyue and the Lin siblings looked stunned, all wondering if they had misheard rather than Yue Yun misspoke.
Ever since Yue Yun was able to defeat a crowd of prodigies with his mutated [Blood-Qi Sharing] and an E-rank potential Earth Spirit Cat, nothing strange happening to him was surprising anymore.
Lin Xuejian couldn't help but marvel, "Awesome!"
The Three Heavenly Kings parted ways with Xiao Yingyue's team and excitedly left the fortress, plunging into the primitive world of the Tianluo Secret Realm.
Because they lacked flying Pet Beasts, they could only proceed on foot, which led them to notice many unique sights.
Dense granite peak forests pierced the sky like swords, with peaks connected by natural stone bridges or vine walkways, and numerous natural cave Systems within the mountains.
Greatwing Vultures circled in the sky, Peak-Crying Sparrows nested in groups on the summits, Vine Apes swung through the peak forests, and Glimmering Mushroom Spirits and Mossy Rock Turtles moved slowly on the ground.
The Thunderwing Griffin seemed very interested in the Mossy Rock Turtle.
It chirped and circled around the big fellow whose shell was covered in thick moss, its sharp claws and beak pecking at the big fellow's exposed body, much to the latter's annoyance.
This Mossy Rock Turtle was as huge as a square dining table but only had two-star strength, making it no match for the Thunderwing Griffin.
It moved so slowly it couldn't even flee, only able to retract into its shell and rely on its high defense to withstand the Thunderwing Griffin.
"Stop harassing it!" Xu Qingfang smiled helplessly and gently pulled the Thunderwing Griffin's tail.
The Thunderwing Griffin glanced at Xu Qingfang, dissatisfiedly patted the Mossy Rock Turtle's shell with its claw, and retreated to his side.
Mo Yu carefully scanned the surroundings to ensure no Pet Beast Materials were missed, then shook his head with some regret: "Let's go!"
Valuable items in the outer areas near the fortress had long been scavenged clean, and the active Pet Beasts weren't that dangerous.
Whether it was searching for valuable Materials or defeating powerful Pet Beasts, the outer area clearly wouldn't suffice; they had to go deeper into the Secret Realm.
Xu Qingfang and Yue Yun had no objections.
The three strode through the granite peak forest.
The Glimmering Mushroom Spirits and Mossy Rock Turtles moved aside, while the Vine Apes and Peak-Crying Sparrows watched them curiously from above as they suddenly entered their habitat.
Some Pet Beasts grew bold and approached, only to be bypassed or gently shooed away by the Three Heavenly Kings; once they confirmed there was no danger, they relaxed completely.
Most Pet Beasts have their own way of life and don't intentionally reject humans, so Beast Tamers try not to harm these little creatures unless necessary.
Crunch, crunch!
The sound of Miao Sang gnawing on something hard caught their attention.
Mo Yu looked at the Rock Crystal in Yue Yun's hand, surprised yet finding it somewhat familiar: "Where did this come from?"
"I saw Miao Sang looking hungry, so I just peeled a piece off the Mossy Rock Turtle's shell to feed it," Yue Yun explained.
Mo Yu was suddenly between laughter and tears: "This is a Rock Crystal formed by the Mossy Rock Turtle absorbing rock elements. It contains rich rock element energy and can aid in cultivation; rock-type Pet Beasts love it.
Even though this crystal isn't big, it takes the Mossy Rock Turtle at least a month to form one this size!"
Yue Yun smiled sheepishly.
Sensing that the griffin had left, the Mossy Rock Turtle retracted in its shell breathed a sigh of relief and slowly poked its head out to look around.
When it noticed a missing corner of its shell, it couldn't help but want to cry but had no tears.
Mossy Rock Turtle: You should have a conscience!