Soul Land:The Dragon King's God of Nature

"Teacher Shen?" Xu Xiaoyan's voice was weak but tinged with surprise. "Weren't you going to pick up Tang Wulin and Xie Xie? How are you here?"

"I got a message from my senior brother. He told me to prioritize getting you three through the exam and not worry about him or the other two. So, here I am," Shen Yi replied with a helpless shrug.

"Oh, I see," Xu Xiaoyan murmured.

Meanwhile, the elderly man who had arrived with Shen Yi was scrutinizing the three candidates. Clad in a dark green robe, his aged face bore an expression of surprise and approval.

"Not bad, not bad at all!" he said, his voice tinged with satisfaction. "You kids truly have the potential to be little monsters! In all my years, this is the first time I've seen candidates remain so calm under the pressure of the Golden-Eyed Black Dragon King's aura. Tell me, young man, what's your name?"

The question was directed at Jing Shaoyu.

Before he could answer, Shen Yi interjected proudly, "Elder Li, this is Jing Shaoyu, the most outstanding student trained by my senior brother."

"Oh, so he's one of Wu Zhangkong's students, is he?" Elder Li chuckled lightly, his expression softening. "That explains it."

Shen Yi, clearly pleased, addressed Jing Shaoyu and his group. "The mural you saw earlier was painted by a Titled Douluo renowned for their artistic skills. The immense pressure you felt wasn't just due to their technique and cultivation—it's because the ink used to paint the mural contained a drop of the Golden-Eyed Black Dragon King's blood essence!

"This essence was collected during a battle between the Beast God Di Tian and one of Shrek Academy's most powerful figures. That battle injured Di Tian, and a drop of his blood fell to the ground, where it was later gathered and preserved. Combined with the artist's skill, it created the awe-inspiring effects of the mural.

"This test measures candidates' mental fortitude. The longer you endure, the higher your score."

The trio's reactions varied. Jing Shaoyu smiled faintly, his expression laced with amusement. Gu Yue remained indifferent but exuded a subtle chill, while Xu Xiaoyan, ever the innocent bystander, was simply astonished.

"Impressive, isn't it?" Elder Li stroked his beard proudly.

"Elder Li, how would you score them?" Shen Yi asked, her tone filled with anticipation.

Jing Shaoyu and the others looked at the elderly proctor, their expressions betraying a mix of hope and nervousness—especially Xu Xiaoyan.

Elder Li let out a hearty laugh before announcing, "This young man and this young lady both earn full marks. As for the little one, well, luck is also a kind of strength. Let's give her eight points!"

"Thank you, Elder Li!" Shen Yi's eyes sparkled with joy, though she wasn't overly surprised. The scores were exactly as she had predicted.

The trio was equally delighted. Earning such high marks on the first test was an auspicious start. They respectfully bowed to Elder Li in gratitude.

"Off you go now," Elder Li said with a wave of his hand. "There are plenty more candidates waiting for their turn."

Shen Yi nodded and beckoned the trio to follow her.

After ensuring their scores were recorded at the exit, Shen Yi led them through a corridor into another large hall.

This hall was less crowded than the first, with most candidates lingering along the edges. Only four stood in the center, motionless.

Shen Yi brought Jing Shaoyu, Gu Yue, and Xu Xiaoyan to the proctor stationed at the hall's edge. "Take a moment to rest," she instructed. "The second test might involve combat, so make sure you're in peak condition."

The trio obeyed, with Xu Xiaoyan immediately sitting down to meditate. The earlier pressure test had taken a toll on her, and she needed to recover. Jing Shaoyu and Gu Yue remained standing, silently guarding her.

Meanwhile, Shen Yi conversed quietly with the proctor. Jing Shaoyu, on the other hand, lowered his gaze, pondering the nature of the second test. He wracked his brain but could recall nothing definitive—the details were too blurry in his memory.

After about fifteen minutes, the four candidates in the center finished their test. Shen Yi returned to Jing Shaoyu's group, prompting Xu Xiaoyan to rise. Standing behind Jing Shaoyu, she joined Gu Yue in awaiting instructions.

"All right, your turn," Shen Yi said.

The trio moved to the center of the hall without hesitation. While their entry technically counted as cutting in line, none of the other candidates objected. If anything, they were grateful for the additional time to prepare, knowing the second test involved combat.

As Jing Shaoyu, Gu Yue, and Xu Xiaoyan reached the center, the atmosphere of the hall changed abruptly. It felt as though night had fallen, despite it being far from dusk.

"Stay alert," Jing Shaoyu cautioned. Gu Yue and Xu Xiaoyan immediately readied themselves.

Strange silver lines began glowing on the floor, forming intricate patterns that shimmered faintly. At the same time, the mural of the night sky on the ceiling seemed to come alive, expanding into a boundless, starry expanse.

The silver patterns vanished, leaving behind an oppressive darkness. The trio stood back-to-back, feeling as though they were suspended in an infinite void—beneath them, an endless abyss; above them, an eternal night sky.

Without hesitation, all three summoned their martial souls and soul rings. In a combat exam, staying ready for anything was the wisest course of action.

Reality and illusion began to blur as the space around them twisted. Silver lines reappeared, growing brighter and more numerous until the darkness receded. When the light stabilized, the trio found themselves standing in a massive circular arena.

The setting resembled a gladiatorial coliseum. Distant cheers and jeers echoed from unseen spectators, adding an eerie vitality to the space.

In the distance, a large, imposing figure emerged from the mist, steadily approaching them.

"Here it comes—the test begins now," Jing Shaoyu said grimly. He planted his Star Staff into the ground, releasing a soothing green aura that calmed Gu Yue and Xu Xiaoyan.

As the figure came into focus, its appearance was revealed: a soul beast.

It was a massive, peculiar-looking creature, over ten meters long and five meters tall. Its enormous head bore two sharp horns of differing lengths. Its bulky body was covered in thick, armor-like keratin. Its blood-red eyes radiated malice, an aura of intimidation rolling off it in waves.

"A Ground Demon Rhinoceros, five thousand years of cultivation," Gu Yue identified calmly. "A super soul beast of the great plains, known for its immense defense and aggression. In battle, it becomes berserk and fights recklessly, often trading injury for injury."

"What's the plan, Brother Shaoyu?" Xu Xiaoyan asked, her voice tinged with nervousness.

Jing Shaoyu's lips curled into a confident smile. Though the beast's cultivation was formidable, it was hardly a match for him. Still, this was a group exam, and his teammates needed opportunities to shine for their scores.

"Xiaoyan, focus on control. Gu Yue, unleash your attacks. I'll handle distraction and containment," he instructed.

"Understood!" the two girls responded in unison.

Without further ado, Jing Shaoyu summoned his martial soul, the Green Moon Willow. Its vibrant green tendrils wrapped around Gu Yue and Xu Xiaoyan, lifting them to a secure position on its sturdy trunk. With a beat of his Origin Wings, he ascended into the air, positioning himself in front of the Ground Demon Rhinoceros.

"Roar!" The beast let out a guttural bellow, its blood-red eyes locked onto Jing Shaoyu. Steam erupted from its nostrils as it pawed the ground, preparing to charge.

Jing Shaoyu smirked, raising his Star Staff. With a casual wave, he summoned a rocky outcrop in the beast's path. A yellow energy wave rippled outward, shaking the ground violently.

Earthquake Technique.

The sudden tremor caused the charging beast to stumble, its massive forelimbs losing traction. Its enormous body toppled forward, crashing to the ground with a thunderous impact

. Dust and debris filled the air as the Ground Demon Rhinoceros struggled to regain its footing.

-Support me in Patreon for more chapters 35+ chapters in there 

patreon.com/QueenTL

Thanks!