C5 Challenge Difficulty

The next day, after breakfast, Xie Yang and Bai Tian set out for the Beastmaster Association, accompanied by two other classmates. They agreed to meet at the entrance of their neighborhood.

The day was sweltering, and within minutes of waiting, a thin sheen of sweat coated their foreheads. Glancing at a nearby supermarket, Xie Yang said to Bai Tian, "Hold on here for a sec. I'm going to grab some water."

Bai Tian responded with a dutiful, "Okay."

Shortly after Xie Yang departed, two radiant young women approached from a distance. "Shuqin, Xinrui, over here!" Bai Tian called out.

Moo Shuqin, breathless from the run, apologized, "Sorry, Tian. Did you wait long?"

"It's Xinrui's fault for oversleeping—that's why we're late!"

The other girl, her fair skin complemented by a pinkish-grey floral dress, cheeks flushed, offered her excuse, "I couldn't fall asleep until 4 a.m. last night."

Moo Shuqin shot her a look. "Are you really that anxious about the Apprentice Qualification Assessment?"

Zou Xinrui mumbled, "It's different for me. You and Tian are so talented; you're sure to pass, but I might not."

When Moo Shuqin kept giving her the eye, Xinrui quickly added, "I'm sorry, okay? I'll make it up to you with ice cream later." That seemed to mollify Moo Shuqin.

"Tian, where's your brother? Isn't he coming with us to the Beastmaster Association?"

"He's off buying water," Bai Tian replied.

Moo Shuqin nodded, then, struck by a sudden thought, asked, "Tian, I heard Di Feng confessed his feelings for you yesterday. Is that the real deal?"

Zou Xinrui chimed in eagerly, "Really?"

With a hint of exasperation, Bai Tian confirmed, "Yes, it's true, but I turned him down. He's got a girlfriend from another high school. He thought he could keep it a secret and play both sides."

"I never would've pegged Di Feng as that type of guy."

"Total jerk!"

Both Moo Shuqin and Zou Xinrui were visibly upset by the revelation.

At that moment, Xie Yang had finished purchasing water and was walking back toward us. Bai Tian noticed and quickly introduced him, "This is my brother, Xie Yang." She then gestured to the two girls and added, "And these are my good friends, Moo Shuqin and Zou Xinrui."

"Nice to meet you, Xie Yang," Moo Shuqin and Zou Xinrui said, offering friendly smiles.

Xie Yang passed the water bottles to the three girls. With a warm smile, he said, "We're all about the same age. Feel free to just call me by my first name."

The girls nodded in agreement, still smiling.

"We should head out," Bai Tian suggested. "The Beastmaster Association is close by; we can easily walk there."

Her suggestion was met with unanimous approval, and the group set off toward the Beastmaster Association.

Along the way, the three girls quietly discussed the upcoming Apprentice Qualification Assessment.

"Tian, have you decided which level of difficulty you're going to attempt?" one of them asked.

"I'm aiming for the higher level," Tian replied confidently.

"That's impressive. I'm not that brave, so I'm going for the lower level," admitted another.

"I'm with you on the lower level. I'm not setting my sights too high; passing is good enough for me," the third girl chimed in.

The Beastmaster assessment's difficulty ranged from low, middle, higher, to super high. The rewards for passing increased significantly with each higher level, but so did the risks. With each step up, the challenge's difficulty multiplied exponentially. Most Beastmasters could only handle the lower level assessments, and very few managed to pass the middle level. Those who conquered the higher level were considered true geniuses. In Lakeshell City, only a handful of individuals achieved this each year, and they were all regarded as prodigies.

For many years, no one in Lakeshell City had passed the super high difficulty assessment. And this was just for the apprentice stage. At the more advanced levels of Beastmaster qualifications, it was rare for anyone in the entire commonwealth to succeed at the higher level, let alone the super high level.

The Beastmaster Association held numerous qualification assessments throughout the year. Each Beastmaster had only one chance annually to take on the challenge, which made them exceedingly careful when selecting the level to attempt. The fear of failure and wasting an entire year weighed heavily on their decisions.

Moo Shuqin and Zou Xinrui were no match for Bai Tian's abilities.

At Lakeshell High, they were merely average.

Naturally, they didn't dare to overestimate their skills and take on challenges beyond their level.

They'd be thrilled just to pass the lower-level assessments.

Xie Yang wasn't surprised by Bai Tian's decision.

Given her capabilities, her chances of succeeding at the higher level were quite good.

"What's involved in the Super Difficult Apprentice Qualification Assessment?"

Xie Yang pondered quietly.

"Brother."

Bai Tian moved closer, speaking in a hushed tone.

"The assessment might take a while. Maybe you could find a café outside the Beastmaster Association to wait for us?"

Bai Tian was considerate, worried that Xie Yang might feel down about not having the Beastmaster aptitude if he lingered inside the association too long. Hence, she made her suggestion gently.

Xie Yang caught on to Bai Tian's intention but brushed it off with a smile. "That won't work. If I'm outside, how can I join in on the apprentice qualification assessment?"

Bai Tian was taken aback, her eyes widening in astonishment after a few seconds.

"Brother, you're going to take part in the qualification assessment too?"

Moo Shuqin and Zou Xinrui were equally shocked by Xie Yang's declaration.

Being Bai Tian's close friends, they were well aware that Xie Yang's pet was Little Snowball.

It was an ornamental ice-attribute pet with hardly any combat ability.

It couldn't even best the weakest ferocious beast.

Taking such a pet to attempt the apprentice qualification assessment was a sure path to failure.

He wouldn't stand a chance even at the most basic level.

It was a sheer waste of time and effort, something he could easily figure out with a bit of thought.

Moo Shuqin and Zou Xinrui were baffled as to why Xie Yang would even consider the apprentice qualification assessment.

Bai Tian was equally perplexed.

She was about to question Xie Yang when a shout from behind stopped her.

"Bai Tian, hold it right there!"

The abrupt call halted their discussion.

They turned in surprise to see a man and a woman approaching with hostile faces.

The man sported a black, form-fitting tank top, his muscular build accentuated by the tattoos that adorned his arms. He appeared to be in his twenties and had the air of a tough.

The woman, seemingly around Bai Tian's age, had applied thick makeup and her hair was a vibrant shade of red.

She approached Xie Yang and his group with a confrontational stride. Pointing at Bai Tian, she turned to the inked young man by her side and accused,

"Cousin, she's the one who seduced my boyfriend!"