Chapter 13 – True Genius

A profound silence enveloped the entire room.

A full ten seconds passed before someone finally murmured under their breath.

“Th-That was incredible!”

That single sentence shattered the silence, and the crowd erupted into a cacophony of exclamations.

“So powerful!”

“He actually succeeded!”

“Damn, what was that last skill? The power was insane!”

“Ultra Difficulty! I never thought I’d live to see someone actually clear it!”

Praise and astonishment rippled through the crowd one after another.

Everyone was utterly shaken and stunned.

Before today, they would never have imagined that anyone could pass an assessment of Ultra Difficulty.

Let alone that the one who succeeded would be a mere eighteen-year-old high school student.

It was simply unbelievable!

He Zhenwen stared blankly at Lin Ze on the screen, and only after a long moment did he let out a deep breath.

“Never would have thought it.”

Beside him, Lu Peixin was equally dazed, his eyes unable to hide his shock.

Both were Silver Beast Tamers, holding lofty positions and possessing vast experience.

They had seen countless young Beast Tamers with outstanding talent.

Ordinary prodigies no longer caught their attention.

But a heaven-blessed genius like Lin Ze—this was their first time encountering one.

At just eighteen years old, he had passed the Apprentice Assessment at Ultra Difficulty. His strength and talent were absolutely unprecedented in their experience.

“A true genius!”

He Zhenwen’s voice was filled with deep emotion.

“What a pity he’s still a student. Otherwise, I would definitely recruit him into the Association’s Branch. A seedling of genius like this—once missed, we may never see the likes of him again.”

Lu Peixin nodded in full agreement.

After witnessing Lin Ze’s strength firsthand, all his earlier doubts about Lin Ze had vanished completely.

Replaced by nothing but wholehearted admiration.

For a moment, a desire to nurture such talent stirred within him as well.

Unfortunately, the young man was planning to enroll in the Beast-Taming Academy, so joining the Beast Tamer Association was out of the question.

On the other side.

After snapping out of their shock, Guan Ning and her two friends immediately plunged into intense excitement and elation.

The three girls huddled together, hopping and jumping, venting their excitement.

“That was amazing! Brother Lin is incredible—and that was Ultra Difficulty!”

“I’ve decided—Brother Lin is my idol from now on!”

Guan Ning beamed as she watched her two friends shout with joy, her own heart brimming with happiness.

Until this morning, she had believed Lin Ze was simply accompanying her to the Beast Tamer Association.

She had never imagined he would participate in the Apprentice Assessment.

Let alone pass an assessment at Ultra Difficulty.

The scene before her felt so surreal it was like being in a dream.

The girl looked up at Lin Ze on the light screen, her eyes sparkling with radiant brilliance.

Lin Ze had no idea what was happening outside.

His entire focus was on the system panel before him.

After successfully clearing the challenge, the Baptism reward arrived as promised.

An invisible yet distinct wave instantly enveloped his entire body.

Lin Ze felt his spirit surge, his whole being suddenly refreshed and invigorated—exactly like the sensation when fusing with a Soul Crystal.

Checking the system panel, his Soul Attribute had indeed increased by a full 5 points.

But that was only the beginning.

The next instant, a warm current erupted in his abdomen, transforming into surging vitality that flooded every limb and bone.

His body was tempered and strengthened hundreds upon hundreds of times in an instant.

By the time the warmth dissipated, Lin Ze’s Constitution Attribute had increased by 3 points.

[Lin Ze]

[Constitution 5.0 / Soul 7.8]

[Level: Apprentice]

[Soul Power: 780/780]

[Soul Art: None]

[Pet Beast: Ice Crystal Soul]

[Achievement Points: 3]

Gazing at the data on his personal panel, a smile involuntarily flashed across Lin Ze’s face.

Under normal circumstances, improving one’s Soul Strength was extremely difficult.

Aside from consuming Heavenly Treasures and undergoing Baptism enhancements, the only other way was through gradual cultivation over time.

According to official data released by the Beast Tamer Association, the Soul Strength of Apprentice Beast Tamers generally ranged between 2 and 5.

A very small number of Apprentice Beast Tamers who passed assessments at Advanced Difficulty, after consuming large quantities of Heavenly Treasures that enhanced Soul Strength, could reach a level around 6.

Yet Lin Ze’s Soul Strength was a full 7.8, far surpassing that level.

Leaving those of the same rank far behind in the dust.

It was even comparable to some Bronze Beast Tamers with lower Soul Strength.

As for Constitution, there was no need to even mention it—even Bronze Beast Tamers were only fit to carry his shoes.

[Please select a Pet Beast to increase Growth Rate!]

The sudden mechanical voice jolted Lin Ze back to his senses.

Only then did he remember that the Baptism also included the reward of ‘Designated Pet Beast Growth Rate +30%.’

Without a moment’s hesitation, Lin Ze directly designated the Ice Crystal Soul.

It was currently his only Pet Beast.

Soon, a dazzling light flashed across the surface of the Ice Crystal Soul.

[Name]: Ice Crystal Soul

[Level]: Tier 3, Stage 1

[Skills]: Ice Spike, Frost Breath, Extreme Ice Chain

[Empress Path, next Evolution Form [Snow Maiden], requirements: Growth Rate 100%, Intermediate Ice Element Essence X20, Ice Snow Heart X1]

“It actually broke through to Tier 3!”

Lin Ze was instantly overjoyed.

The strength of a Tier 2 Pet Beast and a Tier 3 Pet Beast were simply not on the same level.

A Tier 3, Stage 1 Pet Beast was more than enough to easily handle four or five Tier 2, Stage 9 Pet Beasts.

The gap in strength between the two was enormous.

Regardless, after this enhancement, his strength had undoubtedly undergone a tremendous leap forward.

“As expected of an Ultra Difficulty-level Baptism—the improvement to one’s strength is truly astonishing!”

“Not to mention it also unlocked the second Pet Beast slot!”

The only way for a Beast Tamer to increase the number of Pet Beasts they could contract was to pass the Beast Tamer qualification assessment and receive the Baptism of the Origin Stele.

There was no other method.

Moreover, it had to be at least an Advanced Difficulty-level Baptism.

Many Beast Tamers would go so far as to postpone their qualification assessments, only challenging the Advanced Difficulty after they felt their strength was sufficient.

It was worth mentioning that.

The Pet Beasts that could be contracted in the second Pet Beast slot had a level cap.

The maximum level could not exceed Tier 3.

“I’ll need to find time to visit the Pet Beast Shop and see if there are any suitable Pet Beasts to contract.”

Lin Ze mused inwardly.

As the Baptism came to an end, the Achievement Unlocked notification popped up right after.

[Apprentice Beast Tamer]: Passed the Apprentice Beast Tamer qualification assessment, completed the first Baptism. Achievement unlocked grants 200 Achievement Points, Soul Crystal X1 (Completed, reward pending claim).

Lin Ze immediately claimed the reward.

No sooner had he finished doing all this than his vision suddenly blurred.

By the time he came to his senses, he opened his eyes and found himself back in reality.

“Big brother!”

Just as he stood up, Guan Ning came flying over with a face full of joy, grabbing hold of his arm.

Zhang Xiaoyun and Liu Siyan also walked over, gazing at him with admiration in their eyes.

In an instant.

The gazes of everyone around turned toward him all at once.

Shock, envy, jealousy, awe… and more, each varying in kind.

At that moment, Lin Ze was the very center of everyone’s attention.