All My Beasts are Legendary Chapter 3: Time’s Up

"I never imagined that individuals like us, who are merely Top-level Warrior Apprentices, would actually get an early recruitment chance from Wanshan University."

"This is pure luck, no doubt. I heard Wanshan University is expanding its student body and is planning to establish a new branch campus. That's precisely why we've been presented with this opportunity."

"Indeed. Why else would Wanshan University be interested in recruiting Warrior Apprentices? Still, with our current standing, being accepted into Wanshan University's branch campus wouldn't be the worst outcome."

In the bustling square of Yunhai No.3 Senior High School, a group of 32 students stood in a precise formation.

These 32 individuals represented the entirety of Yunhai No.3 Senior High School's current Top-level Warrior Apprentices.

As for the students on the Warrior Path who had already achieved the Dark Iron Rank, the majority had already secured their places at Wanshan University some time ago.

Conversely, students who had not yet reached the Top-level Warrior Apprentice level were not deemed eligible to stand in this area.

"Has anyone heard about Yang Yiming, the eternally number one student in our school's special class? He's not joining Wanshan University right now; instead, he intends to take the college entrance examination this year and aims for Zhongzhou University."

"Zhongzhou University?" some students reacted with surprise.

The nation of Xia was divided into nine prefectures, and Zhongzhou Prefecture was home to the nation's capital. Concurrently, Zhongzhou University stood as the premier academic institution throughout the entire nation of Xia.

It had been decades since any student from Yunhai City had managed to gain admission to Zhongzhou University.

Regarding Jiangzhou University, located in Jiangzhou Prefecture, it once ranked among the top ten universities more than ten years prior.

However, with the passage of time, Jiangzhou University had seen a decline, and its ranking had now slipped below the twentieth position.

Nevertheless, Yang Yiming was undoubtedly the most exceptional student Yunhai City had produced in the last decade.

He had awakened his beast taming talents two years ago.

In a mere two years, he ascended to the Bronze-Ranked Beast Tamer level and acquired two formidable beasts.

One was a Bronze-Ranked Winged Tiger, and the other was a Lightning Swift.

His potential for admission to Zhongzhou University was, in truth, quite plausible.

"Beast Tamer, huh." Ye Xuan couldn't help but feel a pang of envy upon hearing Yang Yiming's name mentioned.

This era belonged to the Beast Tamers.

People resorted to becoming Warriors only when other avenues were exhausted.

"That guy actually became a Top-level Warrior Apprentice?"

Within the square, several students had gathered merely to observe. An Zhenghao was among them. As he noticed Ye Xuan standing in the formation, a flicker of surprise crossed his face.

Yet, it didn't hold his deep concern.

Ye Xuan had only recently attained the Top-level Warrior Apprentice status, making the likelihood of Wanshan University selecting him quite slim.

As for himself, he had already reached the Dark Iron Warrior rank two months prior.

This time, he had even turned down Wanshan University's offer, preparing instead to pass the upcoming examination in two months and enroll in Wanshan University's main campus, not the newly established branch.

"Whoosh!"

At that precise moment, a powerful gust of wind abruptly swept across the square.

Subsequently, a colossal shadow descended, obscuring the sky and casting a pall over the sun.

In an instant, it came to rest before the assembled students.

"This creature..."

Ye Xuan's eyes widened in sheer astonishment.

Before him stood an immense golden lion, its towering frame exceeding ten meters in height.

"This is a royal Golden Lion. Legend has it that the weakest among them are Gold-Rank beasts!"

Chai Chang, standing beside Ye Xuan, gazed at the enormous lion's sky-blue eyes, his own pupils gleaming with excitement. He was utterly thrilled.

At this juncture, concurrent with the Golden Lion's arrival, an elegant figure gracefully descended from the beast's head.

Alongside this figure, another individual, considerably advanced in age, alighted from the sky.

This individual was none other than the principal of Yunhai City No.3 Senior High School.

"Greetings, esteemed students. I am Li Wenjie, an instructor from Wanshan University."

After the newcomers touched down, they exchanged a few hushed words. The person who had descended from the colossal Golden Lion spoke in a measured tone,

"I presume you are all aware of the reason for my presence here today. Without further delay, I shall soon permit my Golden Lion King to unleash its awe-inspiring aura. Whoever can withstand its terrifying pressure for the longest duration will be granted an early recruitment into Wanshan University's branch campus."

Could it truly be starting so soon?

The students gathered in the square exchanged startled glances before swiftly preparing themselves.

"I hope nothing untoward occurs." At this moment, despite Ye Xuan's awe at the appearance of this tutor named Lu Wenjie, his gaze soon shifted to the countdown timer visible in his field of vision.

With mere seconds remaining on the countdown, Ye Xuan's thoughts raced. Suddenly, the Golden Lion before him stirred, raising its head and stepping forward. A wave of terrifying pressure emanated from its body, crashing over the students, including Ye Xuan, like a tempestuous ocean swell, threatening to capsize them. A deafening roar echoed, and as the Golden Lion's might bore down, Ye Xuan felt his head explode, thunder in his ears. The world spun, and he collapsed headfirst onto the ground.

The Golden Lion, its intimidating aura receding, let out a low, rumbling growl that filled the square. A flicker of perturbation crossed its mind. "What just happened?" it mused. "Did I unleash too much power? I only meant to startle them, not break them so quickly." It retracted its head.

Beside the beast, Li Wenjie frowned, channeling his Mind Energy towards Ye Xuan. His brow lifted. "He's fine," he reported to the principal of No.3 Senior High School. "This student's blood is mixed with medicinal essence; it appears he recently took a pill for a breakthrough. While his blood and Qi have reached the level of a Top-level Warrior Apprentice, his mental strength is lacking. Have someone escort him away." The principal, Wen Huaqing, with a sour expression, waved his hand, summoning two instructors to remove Ye Xuan from the square.

In the distance, An Zhenghao erupted in laughter. He’d been surprised Ye Xuan had reached the Top-level Warrior Apprentice ranks, but dismayed to see him falter so soon. "A waste remains a waste! Did he truly believe he could change his destiny? Hah!" Shaking his head, he turned to leave. The spectacle was no longer entertaining. As a Dark Iron Warrior, his admission to Wanshan University's main campus was assured. He wouldn't have wasted time on Ye Xuan if not for the repeated rejections when he'd only wanted the elf as a pet.

"Ye Xuan... Ye Xuan? Are you alright?" Chai Chang rushed to the unconscious Ye Xuan's side in the square. Accompanied by two teachers, he helped escort Ye Xuan away, recognizing he was unfit for the assessment.

"Boo-hoo X﹏X, Ye Xuan..." Lil Wan stumbled out of Ye Xuan's sleeves, also disoriented by the lion's power, a consequence of the school not revealing the assessment's full details. The beast's force had affected her, leaving her dizzy.

After a short while, Ye Xuan stirred from his daze. "Lil Wan, Chai Chang, I'm fine." He managed a weak smile at their worried faces. But as he spoke, a mysterious panel materialized out of nowhere within his mind.