The top-level junior sister also wants to act weak today

Soon, the time came for the third competition - the hunting test.

The hunting ground is the Qiankun Valley behind the Xianyun Sect.

Qiankun Valley, a forbidden area guarded by the Xianyun Sect for many years, boasts an extremely steep terrain. Surrounded by mountains, the valley is shrouded in mist, creating a mysterious fairyland-like atmosphere.

Towering cliffs jutted from the sky, crisscrossing the winding, rugged mountain path. Vines entwined the cliffs like giant snakes, entwining the rocks. Deep in the valley, the cliffs seemed bottomless, and the occasional shrill roar of a beast sent chills down one's spine. The weather in the valley was unpredictable: clear skies one moment, thunder and lightning the next, and the mountain wind howled like a ghost.

At this time, the sky was just beginning to brighten. The examiner led the candidates to the entrance of the valley and stood before them with a solemn expression. "This is Qiankun Valley, and it is also the venue for your third competition. The rules of the exam are simple. You will hunt before sunset, and the score will be based on the grade and quantity of the prey."

Next, I want to remind you once again that the valley is full of dangers and ferocious beasts are lurking everywhere. Any carelessness may result in your death on the spot."

He glanced around at the examinees, his eyes stern and without a trace of pity. "If any of you are afraid, you may withdraw now. Although each of you is wearing a tracking spirit bead provided by the Xianyun Sect, which can be activated to send out a distress signal in times of crisis, I must remind you—there are so many examinees, and we cannot guarantee that we can arrive in time to rescue you. In other words, once you step into the valley, you will be responsible for your own lives, regardless of life or death. This is your last chance, and there is still time to withdraw."

His tone, though steady and unhurried, pierced the examinees' bones like a chilling wind. As his words fell, an invisible pressure enveloped everyone's heart.

Upon hearing this, the candidates began to feel apprehensive. Especially those ranked lower, who, upon hearing that their lives were in danger, began to hesitate and exchange glances.

Finally, several candidates couldn't help but take a step back. They gritted their teeth and silently walked out of the queue, deciding to give up.

"I...I'm quitting," someone whispered, their voice trembling. They no longer cared about their dignity and simply stepped aside.

Following the first person's withdrawal, more followed. Seeing this, those candidates who had been hesitant at first seemed to find courage and gave up the idea of ​​continuing to participate in the hunting test.

In an instant, fewer than a hundred of the more than three hundred candidates remained. The crowd thinned considerably, and the air was filled with a tense and solemn atmosphere.

The examiner stood in front of the team, his eyes sharp, scanning each person like a hawk, confirming their determination: "Are you sure you want to go in?" He spoke again, with a final hint of warning in his tone.

Everyone responded in unison, their voices as firm as a rock: "Yes!"

The examiner nodded and looked at the remaining candidates with satisfaction. However, his gaze suddenly stopped on a delicate figure in the group.

He narrowed his eyes and spoke with a hint of doubt: "Hey, that girl—Jiang Yingxue, right? Haven't you been specially admitted as an inner disciple? Why are you still risking your life going in?"

Jiang Yingxue raised her head, her eyes as clear as water showing some sincerity.

She took a small step forward, her tone calm but filled with a firm determination: "I heard that there are many rare and precious herbs in Qiankun Valley that are very helpful for alchemy. I want to pick some and bring them back to honor Master. Don't worry, Senior Brother, I won't run around, and I won't put myself in danger."

Although her voice was low, every word she spoke was sincere and earnest. Her picturesque features and gentle temperament only added a touch of persuasiveness to her words.

The examiner's brow was furrowed, but after hearing her words, his expression softened a bit. Coupled with her naturally delicate appearance, it seemed impossible to doubt her intentions.

The examiner was silent for a moment, but he finally breathed a sigh of relief and nodded slightly. "Yes, it seems you are a caring person. But remember, if you encounter danger, immediately activate the tracking spirit pearl and send out a distress signal. Life is important, don't lose it for collecting herbs."

Jiang Yingxue bowed politely, her tone still respectful: "Thank you for your advice, Senior Brother."

The examiner cleared his throat and turned to the other candidates, his expression returning to its stern and serious tone. "I declare that the third hunting test begins now!"

As soon as the words fell, the candidates rushed out like sharp arrows and quickly disappeared into the dark depths of the valley.

Chu Ying stood there in a daze, looking a little confused: "Yingxue, the valley is so big, where do you think we should go?" She looked around, her eyes full of unknown and surprise.

Jiang Yingxue pondered for a moment. In the original novel, He Qingfeng only scored a perfect fifty points in the third round of the exam by taming a seventh-tier earth-vein lava beast. So Chu Ying would have to tame at least a seventh-tier divine beast.

"Your current total score is only two points higher than He Qingfeng's, so to be on the safe side, you need to get a full score in the third round."

Upon hearing this, Chu Ying's face immediately turned pale, and she gasped in horror: "That's impossible. No one has ever gotten a perfect score in the third round of competition in such a long time. Not even He Qingfeng can do that."

"It might not be possible for others..." Jiang Yingxue patted Chu Ying's shoulder heavily. "But if it's He Qingfeng, it's definitely possible. That guy was even able to force a breakthrough during a competition without going into a state of infatuation. How many people do you think can do that?"

Chu Ying curled her lips. "True, but how many monsters do we have to hunt to get full marks? The examiner said the exam will end before the sun sets."

"So we can't rely on quantity to win, we can just go and hunt the divine beasts."

"Divine beast!? I have just established my foundation, how can I possibly tame a divine beast!" Chu Ying was very surprised.

"Then you have to think carefully about whether to subdue the divine beast or kneel down and bark like a dog before He Qingfeng."

"Subdue the divine beast!" Thinking of He Qingfeng, Chu Ying chose the former without hesitation: "But how could a divine beast be so easy to encounter?"

Jiang Yingxue smiled and said, "I know a place where there are mythical beasts. Do you want to go?"

"where?"

Jiang Yingxue suddenly pointed to the east and said, "Here, the Poison Mist Forest."

Chu Ying looked in the direction Jiang Yingxue pointed, only to see layers of trees looming in the hazy mist. A purplish, poisonous mist swirled between the treetops, enveloping them like a veil... Even from a distance, the scene was eerie and unsettling.

Chu Ying couldn't help but swallow: "It feels a bit far from us. It will be almost noon by the time we get there, right?"

"Chu Ying, you have already established your foundation." Jiang Yingxue drew the sword from her waist and said, "Come, fly over with your sword."