C5 Challenge Difficulty

The next day, after breakfast, Lin Ze and Kuan Ning set out for the Beastmaster Association, accompanied by two other classmates. They agreed to meet at the entrance of their neighborhood.

The heat was already oppressive, and within minutes, both Lin Ze and Kuan Ning had beads of sweat forming on their foreheads. Glancing at a nearby supermarket, Lin Ze suggested, "Stay here a sec, I'll grab us some water."

"Okay," Kuan Ning responded with a nod.

Shortly after Lin Ze departed, two vibrant young women approached them from a distance. "Xiaoyun, Siyan, over here!" Kuan Ning called out.

Breathless from the run, Zhang Xiaoyun apologized, "Sorry, Ning. Did we keep you waiting long?"

"It's Siyan's fault for oversleeping, that's why we're late," she added with a playful tone.

The other girl, her fair skin complementing her pinkish-grey floral dress, blushed as she explained, "I couldn't fall asleep until four in the morning."

Zhang Xiaoyun playfully scolded her, "You're getting too worked up over the Apprentice Qualification Assessment."

Liu Siyan, a bit defensive, said, "It's easy for you and Ning, you're both so talented. Passing the assessment is a sure thing for you, but not for me."

Sensing Zhang Xiaoyun's gaze still on her, Liu Siyan quickly offered, "I'm sorry, okay? I'll make it up to you with ice cream later."

That seemed to do the trick, and Zhang Xiaoyun's mood lightened. "Ning, where's your brother? Isn't he coming to the Beastmaster Association with us?"

"He's just getting water," Kuan Ning replied.

Zhang Xiaoyun nodded, then her curiosity piqued, she asked, "Ning, is it true that Zhou Hong confessed his feelings for you yesterday?"

Liu Siyan chimed in eagerly, "Really?"

With a sigh, Kuan Ning confirmed, "Yes, but I turned him down. He's already got a girlfriend at another school. He thought he could keep it a secret and play both sides."

"I can't believe Zhou Hong would do that," Zhang Xiaoyun said, disgusted.

"Total jerk!" Liu Siyan exclaimed, sharing in the outrage.

Just then, Lin Ze returned with the water. Kuan Ning introduced him, "This is my brother, Lin Ze," and then gestured to her friends, "And these are Zhang Xiaoyun and Liu Siyan, my good friends."

"Nice to meet you, Mr. Lin," the girls greeted him warmly.

Lin Ze passed out the water bottles, smiling. "We're all the same age, just call me Lin Ze."

The girls agreed with a laugh, and the group set off toward the Beastmaster Association, chatting as they went.

"Ning, which difficulty level are you going for in the assessment?" one of the girls asked.

"I'm aiming for the Upper Grade," Kuan Ning declared confidently.

"That's so brave of you. I'm sticking with the Lower Grade," another confessed.

"I'm also going for the Lower Grade. I'm not setting my sights too high; just passing is good enough for me," the third added.

The Beastmaster qualification assessment ranged from low to super high difficulty. The rewards for passing were more substantial at higher levels, but so were the risks. Each step up in difficulty meant an exponential increase in challenge.

Most Beastmasters are only capable of handling low-level assessments.

A select few manage to pass the medium-level challenges.

Those who conquer the high-level assessments are truly considered geniuses.

In Pinghai City, merely a handful achieve this feat each year.

They are the geniuses among us.

For many years, no one in Pinghai has been able to surpass the super high-level assessments.

And this is just for the apprentice qualification.

At the higher echelons of Beastmaster qualification assessments, it's rare for anyone in the entire Federation to succeed at the high level, much less the super high level.

The Beastmaster Association holds numerous qualification assessments annually.

Each Beastmaster gets only one shot per year at these assessments.

Hence, every Beastmaster approaches the challenge with extreme caution, fearing a failed attempt could mean a wasted year.

Zhang Xiaoyun and Liu Siyan are nowhere near Kuan Ning's level of ability.

They're considered average at Pinghai High School.

They wouldn't dream of overreaching by attempting the medium or higher levels.

Passing the lower-level qualification assessment would be cause enough for celebration.

Lin Ze wasn't surprised by Kuan Ning's decision.

Given her abilities, her chances of passing the high-level assessment were fairly good.

"The difficulty of the challenge? What exactly does the super difficult apprentice qualification assessment entail?"

Lin Ze pondered quietly.

"Brother," Kuan Ning leaned in, speaking softly, "the qualification assessment might take a while. Maybe you could find a café outside the Association to wait for us?"

Kuan Ning was being considerate. She worried Lin Ze might feel disheartened waiting inside without Beastmaster credentials, hence her subtle suggestion.

Lin Ze saw through Kuan Ning's intentions but wasn't bothered. He replied with a smile, "That won't do. If I'm outside, how can I take part in the apprentice qualification assessment?"

Kuan Ning was taken aback, her realization dawning after a few seconds as her eyes widened in astonishment.

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

Zhang Xiaoyun and Liu Siyan were equally shocked by Lin Ze's declaration.

Being close friends with Kuan Ning, they were well aware that Lin Ze's pet was Little Snowball.

It was a decorative ice-attribute pet with little combat ability.

It couldn't even best the weakest ferocious beast.

Taking such a pet into the apprentice qualification assessment, he was bound to fail.

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

It was a clear waste of time and effort, something he should have easily grasped.

Zhang Xiaoyun and Liu Siyan were baffled as to why Lin Ze would even consider the Apprentice Qualification Assessment.

Kuan Ning was equally dumbfounded.

She was about to question Lin Ze when a loud voice interrupted from behind.

"Kuan Ning, hold it right there!"

The abrupt call halted their conversation.

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

The man, clad in a black tank top, was muscular with tattoos on his arms, exuding a thuggish aura in his twenties.

The woman, roughly Kuan Ning's age, sported heavy makeup and fiery red hair.

She marched up to them, pointed at Kuan Ning, and said to the tattooed man beside her, "Cousin, she's the one who seduced my boyfriend!"

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