The blond boy blushed crimson, but lacked the courage to retort, merely lowering his head to avoid the hostile gazes from those around him.


    Shaking her head slightly in disappointment, Xia Wanlong still honored her promise and provided an answer:"Mystic Energy is an extremely important cultivation resource at Shanhai Academy. With it, you can exchange for training time in the ''Mount Zhong Shen'' Mystic Realm, significantly boosting the strength progression for both Pet Beasts and Beastmasters.""You just need to remember one thing: every student in the academy, including the Ten Prodigies like myself, values Mystic Energy immensely. So, if you get a chance to acquire Mystic Energy, fight for it with everything you''ve got!"


    "Second question. The boy over there wearing the pink miniskirt, with the full beard and pigtails... hmm, you even wear lipstick? Quite the unique taste. Go ahead, what''s your question?" Xia Wanlong pointed to another person.


    Being too far away, Bai Wushang couldn''t see the boy, but a corresponding mental image still formed in his mind."''Shanhai Academy, full of hidden talents, truly has all sorts of people... even classmates that are such an eyesore...'' Bai Wushang could only lament inwardly."


    "Senior Sister, do you have any crucial advice regarding this freshman trial?"The cross-dresser''s voice rang out, but it was a strong, deep, masculine tone, creating a striking dissonance.However, the question he posed was quite incisive; perhaps they could glean some extra information from Xia Wanlong.


    "Hmm, this question is rather interesting!"Xia Wanlong pondered for a moment before speaking slowly:"My advice is to remind everyone to make full use of the first five days. During this safest period, explore the layout of the trial grounds as much as possible.""Additionally, students of average strength should consider teaming up early. Small groups of two or three are ideal, as this is conducive to achieving greater gains.""One last thing I''ll reveal: the trial grounds don''t just contain juvenile Transcendent Creatures; there are also a very small number of mature ones. Therefore, you must remain vigilant at all times. Treat this trial ground as if it were the true wilderness, and learn how to survive in an environment fraught with peril.""Oh, and by the way, if you don''t even manage to crush your distress talisman in time... you really can die~~~"


    Xia Wanlong''s words plunged many new students into brief, deep thought. She didn''t interrupt, giving them a few minutes to process.


    "Alright, last question."Xia Wanlong clapped her hands, signaling for everyone to refocus."The bald young man right at the back. You."


    The person Xia Wanlong indicated wasn''t too far from Bai Wushang and his group, so everyone could see him."Huh? Isn''t that the guy whose hair was burned off by the Little Flame Sparrow yesterday?" Ouyang Yuan muttered.


    "Senior Sister Xia, I want to ask how this trial handles the Independently Awakened Ones?"The bald young man''s voice seemed tinged with resentment:"I heard there are three Independently Awakened Ones in our year. If no restrictions are placed on them, wouldn''t anyone who runs into them during the trial be powerless to fight back? After all, their initial Soul Power is higher, their physical constitution is stronger, and they have an extra Bonded Beast compared to us. How can we possibly compete? We''re at a complete disadvantage!"


    Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    "Yeah, that''s unfair!" other students immediately clamored in agreement, and quite a few joined in.


    Bai Wushang raised an eyebrow, not expecting the focus of the discussion to suddenly shift to him.


    "Regarding this, the Academy has already made arrangements."Xia Wanlong paused, her red lips suddenly curving into a brilliant smile, her intentions unclear:"Would the three junior students who already possess Bonded Beasts please come gather over here~"


    Mu Xiaoxiao nudged Bai Wushang with her elbow, her almond eyes blinking rapidly, urging him to hurry up."Brother Bai, time for your stage performance!" Ouyang Yuan snickered beside him, wearing a sly grin.


    "Sigh..."Bai Wushang sighed softly. He really disliked being the center of attention. Wasn''t it better to develop his strength quietly in the background?Especially since he still had many secrets he hadn''t fully uncovered. Rashly stepping into the spotlight... if he became a target for everyone, it would be incredibly troublesome.''This Senior Sister Xia seems like she''s up to no good...'' Bai Wushang had a vague feeling about her.


    In the dozen or so seconds he hesitated, two figures had already woven through the crowd towards the central stone pillar.Having no choice, Bai Wushang took a deep breath and began pushing his way forward through the crowd."Excuse me, thank you. Pardon me, thanks..."


    The dense crowd parted to let Bai Wushang through, while pairs of sharp eyes locked firmly onto his figure.Soon, Bai Wushang reached the base of the central stone pillar and saw the other two Independently Awakened Ones.One was the red-haired woman Ouyang Yuan had described: tall and slender, with translucent skin and a stunning beauty that rivaled Jiang Lingyue''s. Her large, fiery red waves of hair were dazzling, making her resemble a blooming fire lotus – gorgeous yet pure, seemingly delicate but possessing an inner fortitude.The other was a boy, thin and lean, with ordinary features and unremarkable clothes. His only distinguishing feature was his long hair coiled up with a hairpin. His expression was calm and composed, giving him the air of a well-read, perhaps somewhat frail, scholar.


    "The three of you, don''t channel your Soul Power. I''ll bring you up."Xia Wanlong flicked her fingers rapidly, seemingly performing some arcane art. Bai Wushang immediately felt an ethereal light envelop the three of them, lifting them upwards.They had just landed atop the stone pillar, before anyone could speak, when Xia Wanlong produced an azure orb with a flip of her hand. She sent three beams of azure light from it, striking each of them and entering their bodies.


    Instantly, Bai Wushang''s expression darkened, confused:"Senior Sister Xia, what is the meaning of this?"As the azure light entered him, Bai Wushang immediately sensed the Galaxy on his chest vanish, forcibly recalled into his Book of Oaths, unable to be summoned again.The other two also showed slight changes in expression, their gazes fixed intently on Xia Wanlong, awaiting her explanation.


    "Don''t be alarmed."Xia Wanlong offered a slight smile but didn''t answer them directly. Instead, she turned to face the sea of people below and announced loudly:"Have you all seen clearly? These are this year''s three Independently Awakened Ones! From left to right, they are Bai Wushang, Luo Youyuan, and Zhu Qin! I hope you all remember their names, and remember their faces!""Just moments ago, as per procedure, I personally sealed the Bonded Beasts of these three. This means that during this trial, these three Independently Awakened Ones will enter the Mystic Realm empty-handed, just like the rest of you, unable to rely on the power of their Bonded Beasts!"


    A commotion rippled through the sea of people below, murmurs erupting.Xia Wanlong scanned the crowd with a beaming smile and continued, "Of course, even without their beasts, their inherent advantages are still significant. That is due to their own talent and abilities, and the Academy will not interfere further."


    With that said, Xia Wanlong lifted the hem of her golden skirt with one hand, placed the other over her chest, and performed an elegant curtsey to the crowd."That concludes the Academy''s general arrangements for this freshman trial, all of which I have now explained."


    Bai Wushang was standing very close to her and clearly saw a flicker of mocking amusement bloom on her lips as she lowered her head.