C12 'i Love You so Much. Why Would You Beat Me?'

The annual assessment was a major event at the Hunting School, with countless students giving their all to excel and seize the chance to advance to a higher grade and class. Naturally, some exceptionally gifted individuals caught the eye of certain mentors and were taken on as disciples.

Becoming a mentor's disciple was far more advantageous than being a regular student. While mentors' resources couldn't rival those of the entire school, they were dedicated solely to their disciples, making the experience significantly more rewarding.

The martial arts field was teeming with spectators, as today's arenas had been cleared and each assigned a mentor to serve as judge. This was, after all, a school assessment, not a free-for-all duel, and excessively brutal displays were prohibited.

At the forefront of the field stood a raised platform adorned with numerous seats reserved for the A-grade mentors. These mentors were the highest-ranking among their peers, and their presence today was mainly to oversee the proceedings. Since the assessment targeted students below A-grade, few participants were likely to impress them.

As the resonant bell tolled once more, a mentor stepped up to organize the assessment in a structured manner, starting with group division and lot drawing. Grouping was based on level, as cross-level challenges were rare and left for last. Initially, students would compete within their own level for easier ranking and class placement.

The Hunting School's outer campus was divided into four grades—A, B, C, and D—each with five classes labeled A through E, and each class housing roughly five hundred students. Han Feng, whose talent had been modest, had just managed to join class E of grade D. Under the rules of level-based combat, he was restricted to competing against his grade peers.

Students in grade D were limited in talent and strength, the strongest barely reaching level 20, with their spiritual pets generally of ordinary quality. Yao Jie, however, had made it to grade C because his level 20 Flash Wolf was of superior quality.

With the assessment drawing a crowd of over ten thousand, the process of drawing lots was streamlined by having mentors of the same level direct students to their respective arenas.

Han Feng ambled into the martial arts field on his grass mud horse, clutching his chinchilla since he lacked a spiritual pet. Interestingly, the tiny creature earned him the attention of many pretty girls, though their gazes were fixed on the chinchilla, not on Han Feng himself.

"Grass mud horse, see that? We've caught the eye of some lovely ladies. Let's show some spirit! We've got to put on a convincing show today!" Han Feng reveled in the attention from the girls, unabashedly using it to spur on his grass mud horse.

Before they even reached their designated area, Han Feng's name was called out.

"Arena 51, Han Feng versus Lin Xiaoxiao."

"Hey, it's a girl. I'm curious if she's attractive. If so, take it easy, will you? We must maintain our gentlemanly conduct," Han Feng said, steering his grass mud horse toward Arena 51.

When Han Feng climbed into the ring, he found a delicate young girl already standing there.

She was petite, with skin as soft as a peach and a youthful air that gave Han Feng an urge to dash over and pinch her cheeks.

"Why are you so slow? You're wasting my time!"

Lin Xiaoxiao glared at Han Feng, who was leisurely riding his grass mud horse, and her irritation flared.

"Eh, what's the rush?"

Han Feng was momentarily at a loss for words.

"Hmph, you think you and that smelly alpaca can defeat me? Make it quick; you're delaying my advancement to the next level!"

Han Feng had a notorious reputation in the outer campus, not for his prowess but for being a good-for-nothing. His distinctive spiritual pet, the grass mud horse, made him all the more recognizable. Lin Xiaoxiao clearly had no intention of wasting her time on such a well-known "loser."

"Damn, such a sharp tongue on someone so young. What's with the alpaca insults? Looks like I need to put you in your place!"

"Pal, this little miss thinks you're ugly. Show her what you've got with those hooves of yours!"

The one thing the grass mud horse couldn't tolerate was being called ugly. In its eyes, if it wasn't a beautiful alpaca, all other females were insignificant. So, it charged at Lin Xiaoxiao without any need for chivalry.

"Tsk, a puny alpaca trying to play the fierce beast? I'll give you a dose of reality today! Come forth, Berserk Giant Ape!"

Lin Xiaoxiao summoned her spiritual pet, a towering ape, into the fray.

Demonic Beast Name: Berserk Giant Ape

Quality: Superior

Level: 15

Status: Normal

Skills: 1. Berserk, 2. Sudden Impact

As soon as the Berserk Giant Ape materialized, the Demonic Pet System relayed its stats to Han Feng.

"A mere level 15 Superior grade? How audacious! Watch as I teach you a lesson!"

Even before evolving, the grass mud horse could take down a Mutated Human-face Lizard. Now, with a higher level and an extra skill, toppling the Berserk Giant Ape would be a breeze!

Lin Xiaoxiao wasted no time, commanding her Berserk Giant Ape to unleash its Berserk skill. Bolstered by a 10% increase in strength and its massive frame, the ape truly became a formidable adversary.

But the grass mud horse, undeterred by their size difference and fueled by rage, charged headfirst like a battering ram.

The Berserk Giant Ape, surprised by the audacity of its tiny opponent, roared and swung its fists down like twin sledgehammers.

Yet, its fists never landed; the grass mud horse had already sent it soaring with a powerful headbutt!

Thanks to the Ironbone Grass enhancement, the grass mud horse's strength was formidable. The explosive force flung the unsuspecting Berserk Giant Ape through the air. And that wasn't all; seizing the moment, the grass mud horse executed the "Water Overwhelming the Seven Armies" technique.

The one-two punch left the Berserk Giant Ape dazed, particularly baffled by the grass mud horse's astonishing power.

Lin Xiaoxiao was just as perplexed.

With her high-quality spiritual pet, Lin Xiaoxiao was well-positioned to score highly in the assessment and secure a spot in Class C. Her youth was a distinct advantage that many of her peers lacked.

Having triumphed over the Violent Giant Ape, the grass mud horse fixed Lin Xiaoxiao with a spiteful glare and advanced towards her.

"Am I not adorable? Could you really bring yourself to strike me?"

Once she faced the harsh truth, Lin Xiaoxiao adopted a woefully pitiful demeanor.