Chapter 26 – Boss First Kill, Turn the Tide

Silence!

An unbroken stillness enveloped the entire hollow cliff face.

Everyone was caught in an inexpressible shock.

No one had expected Lin Ze to truly follow through on his words and successfully take down that Deathknell Striker.

The scene before them had dealt a tremendous blow to their senses.

It was a long while before the crowd gradually came back to their senses, their gazes toward Lin Ze now tinged with undisguised awe.

“Incredible!”

“He actually killed a Tier 4 Ferocious Beast!”

“His strength is in no way inferior to a Bronze Beast Tamer!”

“Compared to the Deathknell Striker, I feel like Lin Ze is more of a monster.”

That last remark drew nods of agreement from many.

Who could argue otherwise?

At eighteen years old, not only did he possess a Tier 3 Pet Beast, he was also proficient in Soul Arts and boasted an astonishing amount of Soul Power.

Any one of these traits alone would be enough to earn an Apprentice Beast Tamer the title of genius.

Let alone possessing all three at once.

Calling him a monster was hardly an exaggeration!

Loda shot Lin Ze a complicated look, his heart filled with both dejection and admiration.

A genius like Lin Ze, as long as he didn’t meet an untimely end, was bound to become a legendary powerhouse whose name would resound throughout the Federation in the future!

Compared to him, all these years of his own cultivation might as well have gone to the dogs.

Comparing yourself to others really can drive you mad!

After the swarm scattered, the Ice Crystal Soul returned to Lin Ze’s side.

After the fierce battle, though it had successfully slain its opponent, the Ice Crystal Soul had also expended a great deal, its delicate face etched with undisguised exhaustion.

“Well done!”

Lin Ze smiled and patted his Pet Beast on the head.

The Ice Crystal Soul let out a soft chirp and nuzzled happily against his palm.

After praising his Pet Beast for a few moments, Lin Ze turned his attention back to his achievements.

The instant the Deathknell Striker died, the familiar notification had sounded in his mind.

[Achievement Unlocked!]

[Boss First Kill]: Slay a Ferocious Beast King, with the requirement that its level must be Tier 3 or above. Completing this achievement grants 300 Achievement Points and Soul Replenishing Potion X1 (Completed, reward pending claim).

[Achievement Unlocked!]

[Turn the Tide]: Successfully reverse a dire situation, with the requirement of rescuing a number of people reaching double digits. Completing this achievement grants 500 Achievement Points and Revival Potion X1 (Completed, reward pending claim).

“Just as I thought.”

Lin Ze felt a surge of delight.

As he had guessed, slaying the Deathknell Striker had indeed activated new achievements.

With two achievements completed in a row, the Achievement Points he had spent earlier were all replenished at once, with some to spare.

This transaction had been an excellent deal!

Lin Ze immediately claimed the rewards and took a look at the description of the Revival Potion.

[Revival Potion: A miraculous potion imbued with vast life force. Upon consumption, it instantly restores all injuries, and works on both Beast Tamers and Pet Beasts.]

“A very practical effect!”

Lin Ze stored the potion away with satisfaction.

Suddenly.

A stir rippled through the crowd.

Lin Ze looked up and saw a dark silhouette flying toward them at tremendous speed from the distance.

As it drew closer, he could make out that it was a massive eagle, its body entirely pitch-black, but its head pure white.

A White-headed Giant Eagle, a Tier 6 Pet Beast of the Wind Attribute.

The eagle flew with incredible speed, reaching the group in no time, folding its wings as it landed on the open ground.

Immediately after, two figures jumped down from its back.

Lin Ze looked closely and recognized them.

They were none other than the two Examiners from the Apprentice Assessment, He Zhenwen and Lu Peixin.

“You two…”

He Zhenwen looked around in surprise, a hint of confusion on his face.

He and Lu Peixin had received word from the Association that an Insect Tide had erupted in Deathknell Canyon, trapping a large number of adventurers inside. That was why they had rushed over in such haste to provide aid.

But now that they were here, there were plenty of insect corpses, yet barely any living Deathknell Beetles remained.

There was hardly any sign of an Insect Tide at all.

“Could the Insect Tide have been repelled?”

He Zhenwen glanced at the adventurers, inwardly astonished.

The adventurers present numbered barely over a hundred at most, and the vast majority of them were Apprentice Beast Tamers.

With strength like that, it would already be impressive if they could hold their ground against the Insect Tide.

Repelling it would have been completely impossible.

Otherwise, they wouldn’t have needed to send a distress call to the Association.

For a moment, He Zhenwen was utterly baffled.

“Lord He, Lord Lu.”

Loda approached and greeted the two with a respectful demeanor.

“I remember your name is Loda. What’s the current situation?”

He Zhenwen asked in a firm tone.

Loda quickly recounted the entire sequence of events in detail.

After listening, He Zhenwen and Lu Peixin were both stunned. Their gazes involuntarily fell upon Lin Ze among the crowd, their faces filled with disbelief.

A Tier 3 Pet Beast!

A Level 5 Soul Arrow!

A Wonder Item capable of enhancing a Pet Beast’s combat power!

Single-handedly taking down the Tier 4 Ferocious Beast King, the Deathknell Striker!

Both men felt their minds reel, struck by a surreal sensation as if they were dreaming.

Just yesterday, during the Apprentice Assessment, Lin Ze’s Pet Beast had only been at Tier 2.

How could it suddenly become a Tier 3 Pet Beast after just one day?

Given that its appearance hadn’t changed at all, it couldn’t be an evolution. So how on earth had he managed it?

More importantly, Lin Ze had also mastered three Soul Arts, and among them, he had cultivated Soul Arrow all the way to Level 5?

Good heavens, he was only eighteen years old!

Even if he had begun cultivating Soul Arts from the very moment he contracted his Pet Beast, that would still be less than a year of time.

To achieve such mastery in such a short period—his talent in Soul Arts was simply astounding!

He Zhenwen and Lu Peixin exchanged glances, their eyes filled with intense shock.

Although they had long known that Lin Ze possessed exceptional talent, they now realized they had still underestimated him.

Even those scions of Beast Tamer families with deep foundations, raised from childhood with meticulous nurturing, were far from Lin Ze’s equal.

This young man was absolutely the most extraordinary genius they had ever encountered in their lives!

It took a long while.

Only then did the two manage to digest the shock brought by this news.

He Zhenwen let out a long breath and said, “The two of us came ahead. The main reinforcement force sent by the Association is still on the way. Later, you’ll need to inform them of the full details of what happened.”

“Yes, Lord.”

Loda acknowledged respectfully.

He Zhenwen nodded and walked toward Lin Ze, a warm smile already spreading across his face.

“Young friend Lin, we meet again. This time, you’ve rendered a great service and saved many lives. On behalf of the Association, I’d like to express our gratitude to you.”

Lin Ze replied calmly, “You flatter me, sir. I was simply protecting myself.”

This composed demeanor, unmoved by praise or criticism, once again drew silent admiration from He Zhenwen, who grew even more appreciative of Lin Ze.

“In any case, the credit for repelling this Insect Tide rests largely with you.”

“Moreover, you killed the Deathknell Striker and successfully resolved the source of the insect swarm’s uprising in Deathknell Canyon. For that alone, the Association owes you its thanks.”

Lin Ze wasn’t interested in the so-called gratitude. He smiled and said, “No need for thanks. I’m just here to carry out the mission.”

He Zhenwen understood immediately and chimed in with a smile, “Right, you could say this mission was a complete success. Once this matter is settled, the Association will surely pay you a satisfactory reward.”

Lin Ze gave a light chuckle and nodded.

Just then, Lu Peixin, who had been standing nearby, suddenly spoke up.

“Young friend Lin, would you be willing to sell me the corpse of that Deathknell Striker?”