C35 The Zhou Family Was Truly Omniscient

Despite its limited intelligence, the Blazing Wind's combat prowess was formidable.

This Gator, ranked at the third tier, was on par with Goldie and Gator. In a one-on-one battle, it should be able to hold its ground for some time.

"Boss, I'll take this one. It's a good chance to get some practice in!"

Goldie flapped its wings with gusto, looking ready to dive into the fray with sleeves rolled up, eager for action.

The skill Golden Essence Sword Qi compensated for Goldie's smaller stature, enabling it to take on larger fiend beasts in combat.

Right now, it needed a fight to shake off the shadows left by the Sinister Six and to continue its ascent to the throne of the bird kingdom.

"Golden Essence Sword Qi!"

With an angry cry, Goldie unleashed a dazzling light that coalesced and struck the Gator squarely on the rear.

"Awoo!"

A piercing howl erupted as the Gator was jolted awake, its six blood-red eyes instantly zeroing in on its assailant.

The battle was on—a fierce clash between bird and beast.

Goldie's sword qi had missed its mark, but the impact was nonetheless impressive. The next time Gator was constipated, it would surely recall Goldie's "assistance."

After all, if one eye failed, there was always another in reserve!

"Damn, that's like a knife to the butt—quite the eye-opener. I better keep my distance from this birdbrain to avoid friendly fire."

Hai Ming's face was grave as he recalled his own painful and embarrassing experience at the hospital for hemorrhoids, empathizing with the pain inflicted.

As lords of their kind, Goldie and Blazing Wind were evenly matched, neither able to gain the upper hand for the moment.

Given Blazing Wind's low intelligence, one could easily set a trap to ensnare it.

But Goldie was eager to prove itself, and Zhou Mu didn't intervene.

Even if Goldie couldn't win, it wasn't the end of the world—Gator was still in the wings.

At equal rank, Gator feared no fiend beast.

Outside the Illusion Mirror, the teachers exchanged glances, bewildered.

"Has this kid always been this headstrong?"

"Blazing Wind may not be the brightest, but its combat strength is undeniable. Such cockiness, though, could lead to a harsh lesson."

A teacher clad in black huffed disdainfully, his gaze toward Zhou Mu laced with revulsion.

"Even if he loses, your student won't claim first place. No can do. Even if everyone ahead of him fails, he's not up to the mark."

Fong Ju, the head of admissions, scoffed, eyeing the man in black as if he were looking at an idiot.

"Fong Ju, seems like you're courting death."

The man in black shattered the armrest with a punch and rose swiftly to his feet, looking ready to strike at any moment.

Fong Ju might have been outmatched in strength, but he was far from cowardly.

"Go ahead, kill me if you dare, or else keep your mouth shut."

Fong Ju shot him a dismissive glance, unwilling to squander more time. "I'd suggest you play it straight. Zhou Hao doesn't mess around. If anything happens to Zhou Mu, he won't bother with an investigation; he'll just eliminate all suspects on the spot. And Zhou Chun, if you fancy spending the next few decades paying through the nose for your daily greens, or being hunted down, then by all means, take your chances."

"Damn it, does the Zhou family really rule unchallenged?"

The elder in black spat out the curse, his complexion turning a ghastly pale.

"In Ambergrasp Province, the Zhou family indeed rules supreme."

The principal's voice emerged from nearby, startling the man in black.

Her beautiful face was expressionless, surrounded by countless modes of Soul Magic that glimmered faintly.

Seemingly stirred by the principal's emotions, the modes quivered gently, enveloping the vicinity within a hundred meters.

"If you beat him fair and square, the Zhou family won't utter a word. Even if Zhou Mu ends up dead, someone will back you up. But if you stoop to underhanded, disgraceful tactics..."

The principal left her warning hanging, but the implication was clear.

The world is full of decent folks, but it's also rife with scoundrels.

Compete fairly, and he'll resort to dirty tricks.

Resort to dirty tricks, and he'll preach to you about honor among thieves.

How can one repay kindness with malice?

And how should kindness be repaid? With kindness, and malice with justice!

"Excellent! My disciple will surely defeat him honorably. I only hope that when the time comes, you elders won't lose your composure."

The man in black robes huffed coldly, tucking away his murderous aura deep within.

At Bayshore University, the premier institution in Ambergrasp, talent was as abundant as the clouds.

Besides the principal, there were two other level ten Animal Whisperers on staff.

This black-robed elder, Liu Shibin, was known for his cunning and vicious nature. Having lost the bid for the principal's position a decade ago, he harbored a grudge, opposing the principal at every turn.

When Zhou Mu saved hundreds of new students, the principal rewarded him with the slot meant for his own disciple. Liu Shibin, embittered by Zhou Mu's identity, was eager to eliminate him swiftly.

"Such pettiness and disgrace, utterly unworthy of any significant role."

The principal looked skyward, spotting a figure in black rapidly approaching, seemingly headed towards the Blazing Wind's location.

...

"Damn, that's awesome!"

Watching Hai Ming hold his own in a fierce battle with the hulking Blazing Wind, Jin Zi couldn't help but swear in amazement.

So powerful!

Incredibly powerful!

The Blazing White Golden Essence Sword Qi was exceedingly sharp, with attack angles that were particularly cunning.

Though Blazing Wind was formidable, he was steadily pushed back by Goldie's relentless onslaught, blood streaming from numerous wounds.

Both lords and both third rank, Blazing Wind and Goldie were evenly matched in combat strength.

But in terms of intellect, Blazing Wind was utterly outclassed by Goldie.

One was the lowest among fiend beasts, the other smarter than Hai Ming—how could they compare?

Sword Qi sliced through the air, tearing Blazing Wind's ears, while Goldie still had the energy to taunt.

"Brother Wei, mind your hygiene!"

Hai Ming: "???"

"God damn, Brother Wei!"

Zhou Mu couldn't help but burst into laughter, while Hai Ming stood there, bewildered.

The course of history had shifted, and this world never saw the emergence of that special medication developed for heart disease, which later became a global sensation due to its side effects.

Yet, Hai Ming understood the advice to 'mind your hygiene'.

Bang!

Goldie was struck by the fierce wind's tail, followed by a flurry of inexplicable maneuvers.

Despite its lack of intelligence, the fierce wind fiend beast's combat instincts were sharp. It whipped its head around, its three gaping maws opening simultaneously. Flames, wind blades, and venom were unleashed in rapid succession, followed by a swipe of its lethal claws. Any ordinary spirit animal would have been gravely injured, if not killed, by such an assault. But Gold was exceptionally tough and sustained only minor injuries.

"You're quite the brute, aren't you, silly dog?" Gold taunted, his body shooting away like a meteor to land fifty meters distant. His feathers were disheveled, his body coated in dust. The crest feather atop his head had been bitten off, leaving him looking somewhat bare.

"Hahaha! You've got a 'machine gun' hairdo now!" Hai Ming roared with laughter. Gold, on the other hand, was utterly baffled. "What's a 'machine gun' hairdo?" he asked.

"It's when you suddenly go bald in spots..."