C22 You must Get a Flower Petal

At Starfall Academy, the teleportation formation slowly powered down. Having transported so many people at once, it needed time to recharge before it could be used again.

"This formation is incredibly convenient," Chang Qing Song mused, hands clasped behind his back. "Back in our day, we had to make our own way to the training grounds. Yet, as convenient as it is, it does take away some of the adventure."

While he spoke, a figure approached from a distance, laden with bags and bundles. He scanned the area around the teaching building before heading their way. Chang Qing Song was taken aback at the sight.

"Senior Chess Saint, what's the matter? Has someone upset you? Are you thinking of leaving home?"

The Chess Saint seldom ventured far from Stargazer's Tower, and when he did, it was usually for a brief stroll and casual conversation before returning to his chess studies. But now, here he was at the gates of Starfall Academy, carrying an assortment of bags. What could this mean? The idea of the Chess Saint running away was alarming; as merely the head of instruction, Chang Qing Song felt ill-equipped to handle such a situation.

"Run away from home? Where are the students who were set to go on their training expedition?" Wang Yun inquired, looking around.

Realizing the misunderstanding, Chang Qing Song breathed a sigh of relief. "They've already departed. Brother, your teleportation formation worked like a charm—so quick! Rest assured, I even promoted it for you. They all know you were the one who set it up!"

Wang Yun could only respond with a silent, "..."

Had his own teleportation formation outsmarted him again? He had just selected the perfect gift, hoping to curry favor with Master Chen during the training period. The frustration was palpable.

...

By noon, everyone in the Amethyst Range was enjoying their final meal before venturing into the wilderness.

Once they entered the Amethyst Woods, they would be on their own.

"Time's up! Please proceed to the teleportation platform in your designated groups," the instructors commanded. A sense of urgency filled the students as they rose to their feet, ready for what lay ahead.

"Starting now, the clock is set for twenty-five days! The bell tolls will mark the time!"

As the bell tolled, the students on the platform transformed into beams of light, dispersing throughout the Amethyst Range.

"Let's get moving."

The instructors exchanged glances, nodded in agreement, and made their way into the Amethyst Woods.

Tasked with safeguarding the students, they couldn't simply wait for an alarm. Venturing into the forest allowed them to better monitor the exam conditions.

......

In a burst of white light, Chen Xing, Luo Shuining, and Xiao Juncai found themselves in a clearing.

Chen Xing surveyed the area, then crouched to feel the sandy soil.

"I see, the coordinates were predetermined. Starfall Academy wouldn't actually leave it to chance."

A truly random placement could mean an unlucky encounter with a spirit animal right off the bat, which would be a dead end—albeit a realistic one.

"It's two o'clock in the morning, the most perilous time in the forest. I propose we find a safe spot to rest for the night, somewhere we can easily retreat to the main camp if needed," Luo Shuining offered.

Her role as class monitor was reflected in her careful and thoughtful approach.

Xiao Juncai gave a serene smile, exuding an otherworldly charm.

"No worries, just follow my lead."

He lifted his hand, revealing a radar with hundreds of tiny dots.

"Fortune favors the bold. Let's seize these opportunities first."

He gestured to Chen Xing. "You lead the way."

The gesture was effortless, as if it was the natural order of things.

Luo Shuining hesitated.

"But... Chen Xing's fundamentals aren't solid yet. He's only reached the sixth level of Body Tempering. It would be safer if I went with him."

"No," Xiao Juncai countered, his smile unwavering. "You can keep me company. He'll manage the scouting on his own."

His tone remained light, his words carrying an air of finality.

Chen Xing narrowed his eyes, then broke into a grin. "Alright, I'll take point. With Senior Brother Xiao here, there's nothing to fear."

With that, he strode ahead, hands clasped behind him.

Luo Shuining experienced an inexplicable emotion upon witnessing the scene before her. She breathed a sigh of relief, yet a tinge of disappointment washed over her. It seemed that even Chen Xing could be intimidated by an overwhelmingly powerful adversary.

Beyond the clearing, they were surrounded by an overgrowth of weeds, with no discernible path to follow. Their only guide was the distance between them and the Starfall Signet as indicated on the radar. With each step, they faced the silent scrutiny of venomous insects, necessitating constant vigilance. The pressure was most intense for those leading the way.

Chen Xing, however, seemed at ease as he forged ahead. The forest, with its fresh air and rich spiritual energy, invigorated him, reminiscent of the ancient times when the Nagas first cultivated these lands to build their empire.

The insects, despite their low intelligence, possessed survival instincts sharp enough to sense the potent aura emanating from Chen Xing. They remained alert but dared not attack.

Suddenly, Chen Xing's foot gave way, and he found himself sinking into the ground!

"Quicksand!" he exclaimed, clenching his teeth as he fought to stabilize himself against the powerful suction of the swamp.

"Chen Xing!" Luo Shuining shouted, ready to rush to his aid.

Xiao Juncai, however, extended his hand, and a shimmering light enveloped her, halting her advance.

"There's no need to worry," he said calmly, standing by without moving an inch.

"But, but him!" Luo Shuining was frantic, wanting to charge forward, but the radiant barrier left her powerless.

This was the stark disparity between those who have mastered the Guide Spirit and those adept in Body Tempering.

Chen Xing's legs continued to sink, from his knees down to his thighs, and slowly up towards his hips.

"Curse it! Ah!" With a surge of effort, Chen Xing activated all his strength, and a pale blue glow emerged from within him. Harnessing the power of his martial skills, he finally began to turn the tide in this grueling battle, gradually extricating his legs from the mire.

"Huff, huff!"

The moment he pulled free, he stumbled backward several steps and collapsed onto the grass, gasping for air, his forehead slick with sweat.

"I told you, it's fine. This is a test for him," Xiao Juncai said, withdrawing the radiant light with a nonchalant air.

Luo Shuining cast a glance at him before hurrying to Chen Xing's side.

"Chen Xing, Chen Xing, are you okay?"

Chen Xing offered a weak smile, his face pale. "I'm fine."

"However, you must be cautious around this swamp. The suction is incredibly strong. Luckily, I acted quickly. If it had been you, with your slightly lower score, I fear you might not have made it."

He extended his hand, gently brushing a lock of hair from Luo Shuining's forehead.

"Jerk! Is now really the time to talk about scores?"

Luo Shuining bit her lip in frustration, disregarding the hand Chen Xing had placed on her head.

"Alright, let's keep moving," Xiao Juncai interjected.

"How can we keep moving? Chen Xing is already so weak," Luo Shuining protested, her eyes flashing with anger.

"Hmm?" Xiao Juncai gave her a detached glance.

"He's not injured, is he? We can't afford to fall behind others. We need to seize the opportunity first."

"But, but..."

"Don't worry, class monitor, I'm fine," Chen Xing reassured her, taking Luo Shuining's hand in his.

"With me here, Juncai is right. Night is approaching. We need to secure some advantage and find a place to rest. Time is of the essence. With me leading the way, you have nothing to fear."

Luo Shuining was taken aback.

This guy, what was he trying to prove at a time like this? He didn't seem like himself at all!

She couldn't fathom why the usually brash and unruly Chen Xing would suddenly behave this way!

She turned abruptly to look at Xiao Juncai.

Could it be that... he was trying to curry favor with this talented classmate?

Lost in thought, she didn't notice Chen Xing had already risen to his feet.

"Let's go."

Chen Xing resumed his role as the leader, forging ahead through the Amethyst Woods. The path was treacherous, fraught with peril. He suffered cuts from the underbrush, and his blood drew the attention of venomous insects. Although these creatures seemed hesitant and sluggish for some reason, they were still deadly. Had Chen Xing not been on high alert after the swamp ordeal, he might have succumbed to their poison.

Shortly thereafter, a small flower burst into bloom ahead of them, its enchanting fragrance wafting through the air.

"White Dew Flower!"

All three of them brightened at the sight.

The White Dew Flower was an exceptionally rare spiritual flower, rich in spiritual energy and a key ingredient for numerous types of pills. It was also beneficial for one's cultivation when used directly, and unlike pills, it had no side effects. Utilizing it during a breakthrough could provide a surge of energy and significantly improve the chances of success.

A single White Dew Flower could fetch a price equivalent to a third-grade pill!

"Starfall Academy really spares no expense." Chen Xing stepped forward and picked the delicate white bloom. In the roots, he indeed found the Starfall Signet left by the academy. As soon as he claimed the signet, the corresponding symbol vanished from the radar.

"It appears the radar only marks the initial location of the Starfall Signet. Once removed, it ceases to track it. That explains the twenty-five-day requirement; it's quite challenging to provoke a second confrontation in such a short time."

Moreover, this suggested that a student's ability to remain undetected was recognized and valued.

If one failed to act first and still hoped to collect more signets, they would need to exert greater effort and take on more risk!

"Excellent," Xiao Juncai nodded. "Hand it over."

Luo Shuining blinked in surprise, her brow creasing slightly. Though the flower was a collective find, it seemed reasonable for the strongest among them to divide the spoils.

Yet, throughout their journey, Chen Xing had been the one exerting the most effort. He had narrowly escaped the swamp, suffered cuts from brambles, and nearly fell victim to venomous insects, while they had scarcely lifted a finger. Now, Xiao Juncai's casual demand rankled her.

Chen Xing hesitated briefly before passing the White Dew Flower to him.

"Excellent. This White Dew Flower has twelve petals. This signet, along with six of those petals, are mine." He plucked six petals from the flower.

"These five petals are for you, Shuining," he said, offering the delicate petals to Luo Shuining.

"And this one is yours," he continued, presenting the final petal to Chen Xing.