"These two fierce beasts both died by the hands of the same person."

"This means that before me, a disciple came through here in advance!"

"As long as I keep following the corpses of the fierce beasts, I can find the path that disciple took."

"By doing so, I can hug that guy’s thighs and reach the mountain peak entirely unimpeded!"

"If things go right... I might even manage to mix in a ranking or something."

"Exactly, what a brilliant scheme!"

"I am simply a fucking genius!"

While he was pondering, Pearl had already acted without any politeness.

With the momentum of a tiger sweeping away scattered clouds, it turned this fierce beast’s corpse into a blood meal as well, enjoying it completely clean.

Alex rubbed Pearl’s head and said excitedly. "Pearl, keep it up. Continue searching the vicinity for fierce beasts that died the same way."

"Meow?" Pearl tilted its head, casting an inquiring gaze.

Alex immediately understood and said boldly. "As long as you can keep finding them, the corpses of all the fierce beasts will be yours to enjoy!"

"Meow!" Pearl nodded excitedly, licking the fresh blood around its mouth with its little tongue. Without any hesitation, it continued to sprint toward the mountain path ahead.

Tempted by Alex’s promise of delicious food, Pearl practically transformed into a police dog. Beginning to search everywhere, following the corpses of the fierce beasts, they indeed found an unimpeded path up the mountain.

Alex strolled leisurely up the mountain. While rejoicing in his heart, he also couldn’t help but feel secretly astonished.

"This Phantom Heaven Nine-Lives Cat is clearly supposed to be a spirit beast with a relatively docile temperament."

"Why is mine so gluttonous and bloodthirsty, specifically loving to eat the corpses of fierce beasts, and possessing such a terrifying appetite?"

He pondered for a moment and finally came to a conclusion.

It was likely because, while Pearl was still a Spirit Beast Egg, he had let it absorb a massive amount of fresh blood essence and souls.

These essence blood and souls, while helping Pearl grow robustly, had also planted the seeds of bloodlust in its genetics.

This resulted in its method of absorbing nutrients being this wild and domineering even during infancy.

"Forget it, eating a bit more isn’t a bad thing." Alex stroked his chin and smiled.

"Pearl, eat more, grow up early, and get stronger early."

"Listen~ to Daddy’s words, don’t let me get hurt."

"You must~ grow up quickly, so you can protect me."

Alex was in an exceptionally good mood, even unable to help but hum a song.

When he had traversed more than half the mountain path, and Pearl had already devoured over thirty fierce beasts... he suddenly felt bursts of cold, fierce killing intent from ahead. A trace of solemnity revealed itself in his eyes.

"Brat, how long do you plan on hiding behind me?"

This was a voice transmitted using mental transmission from several miles ahead. Although the distance was vast, it reached his ears with absolute clarity.

The other party was a powerhouse at least at the Seventh Level of Body Tempering or higher.

Thick warning signals of danger instantly arose in Alex’s heart. Yet on the surface, he remained entirely calm.

"I am merely walking the path I believe to be the most correct."

"If you feel I am taking advantage of you, you can simply change paths yourself."

The man ahead froze slightly. A bit more anger and killing intent entering his voice.

"You, a mere First Level of Body Tempering, as cheap as an ant, want me to make way for you?"

"If you dare follow behind me again, do not blame me for going on a killing spree and annihilating you first!"

Alex did not respond further. But the unwavering steps beneath his feet proved he had absolutely no intention of backing down.

Although this mountain was complex and intricate, with nine twists and eighteen turns, one ultimately had to pass through one of over a hundred mountain paths to reach the summit.

He had already climbed halfway up. If he changed paths now, he would have to retreat all the way back to the foot of the mountain.

If he did that, even if he and Pearl could carve out a bloody path through the fierce-beast-infested forest... he definitely wouldn’t make the top fifty promotion quota.

"Meow meow?" Pearl on his shoulder was somewhat worried, letting out a probing cry. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

Alex grinned and comforted it. "Rest assured, Pearl, I know what he is doing."

He knew that although those inside couldn’t see the outside world... the major elders responsible for supervising the assessment, as well as Sect Master Magnus, were definitely watching from somewhere.

After all, those participating today were all prodigy talents of the Divine Blade Sect’s younger generation, the future backbone of the sect.

Even if they failed to pass the assessment, they were still important disciple resources.

If they intentionally slaughtered each other, causing a loss of talent, it would inevitably incur the massive wrath of the Sect Master and elders.

He knew this logic himself, and that unfamiliar powerhouse ahead definitely thought of it too.

In the outside world, a mere Seventh Level of Body Tempering wouldn’t even be worthy of Alex giving them a second glance. But within this Azure Dragon Valley, they could already be considered a powerhouse.

Alex believed that, for the sake of his own future prospects alone, the person wouldn’t dare rashly attack him...

"Hmm?" Suddenly, the foot Alex stepped forward with trod on empty air.

Unbeknownst to him, a deep pit had appeared on the mountain path. The pit covered with a layer of dead leaves. Forming a miniature trap.

"Fuck!"

"We have no past grievances and no recent enmity. Does he have to be so fucking bitter and hateful?!"

Alex stepped into empty air, his body plummeting into the pit. In a moment of desperation, he abruptly swung his hand, barely grabbing the edge of the pit to steady his body.

"Pearl, hold on tight. I will take you out..."

Alex tightly gritted his teeth, exerting strength in his arm. Just as he was about to leap out of the pit, his ankle was suddenly grabbed by an overbearing force.

"Heh, entered my trap and you still want to escape?"