Observation Hall.
Staring at the intense battle on the massive screen, the teachers from various schools went from surprise to shock, then to utter disbelief—their facial expressions shifting multiple times within just a minute or two. Finally, they couldn't help but stand up.
"How did it just end?!"
They were watching at the most thrilling part—how could it cut off like that?! In the end, did Su Hao fall to the ambush team, or did he turn the tables and defeat the powerful elite-level Pokémon...? Every teacher felt an itch in their hearts, like a cat scratching at them.
This was way too frustrating!
You can't just cut it off like this!
The big shot from the exam committee was equally helpless. "Do you think I don't want to watch? I do too! But I can't see the ending either!"
...
Command Center.
When the staff dispatched another drone to the fire scene, all they could see were a few Water-type Pokémon continuously spraying water, and the Tyrant Bear and Quake Wolf lying motionless on the ground.
"Looks like he won," Yan Tianwang said with a smile.
There were actually three drones filming. To capture clear footage, they shot from different angles and kept lowering their altitude. Though they went down one after another, it was worth it—they got the most detailed and comprehensive view of the battle. Of course, what the teachers in the Observation Hall saw was just a condensed version. What was "broadcast" on TV was an even more watered-down, edited cut.
The missing final part wasn't a problem for the big shots, though. One phone call, and they learned everything from the ambush team's Old Wang and Xiao Deng.
"A special state... and several combined ultimate moves."
When they first saw it, the big shots were all astonished. If it had been some heir from a certain spirit family or a master of a particular school, they wouldn't have been this surprised. But Su Hao... his background was too simple—just an ordinary family.
"He completely relied on his own talent and hard work to create the deadliest moves for his Pokémon. He's incredibly gifted in both training and combat!"
Xia Tianwang slapped his thigh. "I think he's fated to be my disciple—perfect for me!"
"Get out of here!" Wu Tianwang cut in. "I think he's better suited as my disciple!"
"Su Hao clearly focuses on Fire-type. The special stance of his Blaze Crow and the combined killing move in the sea of fire show his combat style—simple and brutal! And I specialize in Fire-type, so I'm the best fit to teach him," Xia Tianwang argued.
Wu Tianwang sneered. "Bullshit! The Dream Moth is Su Hao's ace. The final illusion was the decisive move that sealed the victory. Illusions show little outward sign, but from the start of the battle, Su Hao was setting up. His command style isn't simple and brutal at all—it's meticulous, using every environment to create an advantage! I want this student! Only I can teach him illusions!"
"I'm the best fit!"
"No, me!"
"Not you, me!"
The two highly esteemed Tianwang-level figures argued without any dignity, nearly rolling up their sleeves for an on-the-spot fight to decide who would be Su Hao's teacher.
Just then, a weak voice came from a nearby exam committee member. "Xia Tianwang, Wu Tianwang... Su Hao just graduated high school. He still needs to go to college."
Xia Tianwang: "..."
Wu Tianwang: "..."
Both were Tianwangs of Tiannan Province. Xia Tianwang was even the honorary president of Tiannan University. But with Su Hao being so outstanding and at the crucial juncture of choosing a university, taking him as a disciple now wouldn't be appropriate. They couldn't just send him to Tiannan University.
"In college, top students are personally mentored by professors. With Su Hao's performance, even at prestigious schools, he'd be a hotly contested student. Only those Tianwangs who teach at universities have the time to guide the younger generation." Xia Yanghua knew his own situation well. On the surface, he was the honorary president, but he only showed up at Tiannan University a handful of times a year. He had taken a few students but didn't teach them much—not because he didn't want to, but because he was too busy.
Wu Tianwang was slightly better off, but he was still swamped with work. Handing Su Hao over to a Tianwang skilled in teaching would be the best choice.
"Sigh, it's rare to see such a good seedling..." Xia Tianwang felt like he was missing out. "But we should ask which university he wants to choose, so we can give him some guidance based on his thoughts."
...
High-level Exam Zone, dozens of kilometers away from the island in the sky.
A patch of mist drifted. Hidden within the white fog were two large Pokémon. One looked like a tiger with wings covered in fiery red patterns—Blaze Qiongqi! The other had a fierce appearance, a gray, stone-like body, wings with protruding spikes, and red light gleaming from its eyes—Stone Gargoyle Dragon!
Both Pokémon exuded immense power, their wings fluttering slightly as they hovered in the air. On each stood a human figure, gazing into the distance.
"Sta, aren't you trying to become a Grand Bishop? Look, if you can wipe out this batch of talent from Tiannan Province and give the Dragon Kingdom a hard slap, your chances of becoming Grand Bishop will be pretty much locked in, hehehehe..." The figure on the Stone Gargoyle Dragon's back spoke. She was completely shrouded in a cloak, only vaguely revealing a female form. Her voice was erratic, as if coming from all directions.
The one codenamed Sta was a burly man with a mask on his face. He snorted coldly. "Do you think I'm stupid, Witch?!"
"These are all merits, hehehehe..."
"Three Tianwang-levels are stationed here!" He shot a glance at Witch. "You think you can handle it? Go ahead."
Sta had come here to look for an opportunity. If he could eliminate the Dragon Kingdom's talent and sow panic, it would be a huge merit within the Wane Sect... enough to help him ascend to the Grand Bishop position. But Sta wasn't some brainwashed low-level follower. He joined the Wane Sect for resources and power. But his life mattered more. If there was a chance, he wouldn't hesitate. Without one, he wouldn't throw himself away.
He had also visited several other high-level exam zones in the Dragon Kingdom that were easier to target. He found no opportunities there either. This was his last stop.
The two in the white mist fell silent.
Suddenly, the Blaze Qiongqi let out a low growl.
"Someone's probing? Perfect, let me see the Dragon Kingdom's setup." Sta pressed two fingers together, instantly casting "Spirit Link: Visual Sharing." Using the Blaze Qiongqi's eyesight, he spotted the subtle anomalies beneath the calm sea surface near the island.
"Here it comes!"
Beneath the sea, a Six-Eyed Flying Fish shot toward the island at incredible speed, reaching its vicinity in an instant. Whoosh! It burst out from underwater, like an arrow aimed straight at the island.
Then— Splash! The surrounding seawater surged, a curtain of water rising like a giant sea beast opening its mouth. Gulp~ It swallowed the Six-Eyed Flying Fish whole, and the sea surface quickly returned to calm.
"Heh..." Sta turned and left without another glance.
...
Command Center, a room.
Only Xia Tianwang and Wu Tianwang were present. The atmosphere was slightly tense.
"A small fry." Wu Tianwang grunted in dissatisfaction. "If you ask me, we should loosen the defenses a bit to lure in the big fish!"
Xia Tianwang shook his head. "That's too risky. If even one Transcendent-level Pokémon sets foot on the island, it could lead to casualties."
"You can't catch big fish without some risk. Just protect the most promising examinees..."
"Don't say that anymore!"
"Fine, you're the boss!"
He sulked. Wasn't it worth taking a small risk to catch the high-end战力 of a terrorist organization?! Of course, he knew Old Xia had his own considerations—like the external impact, or...
...
Command Center, third floor.
An office.
Knock, knock, knock— The door was rapped.
Before anyone inside could respond, the door swung open. Two people walked in—both members of the inspection team, Master-level Spirit Users.
Seeing the visitors, the big shot in the office's expression shifted slightly before quickly returning to normal. He asked with a smile, "What brings you here..."
The two inspection team Spirit Users wore cold faces. "You are suspected of leaking classified information. We are arresting you in the name of the Spirit User Guild... Move!"
Behind them, Pokémon lunged forward. The big shot in the office chair could no longer sit still. His companion, an Elephant General, blocked the inspection team's Pokémon. He himself leaped up, smashed through the window, and jumped down.
But as he jumped out the window, he didn't hit the ground. Instead, he found himself in a dark, endless corridor. A ghostly figure emerged from behind him.
The next moment, he lost consciousness.
In a room just a few dozen meters from the office, Xia Tianwang shook his head in disappointment. "Here, there aren't three Tianwang-levels."