Reborn With the God-Tier Spirit Beast System

Chapter 8: The Impossible Examination

The forest welcomed them with silence. It wasn't the peaceful silence of nature or the comforting hush beneath ancient trees. It was the kind that pressed against the skin, warning every living creature that something unseen was watching. The moment the first group of students crossed the stone gate leading into the Spirit Forest, the academy's protective barrier disappeared behind them with a low hum.

There would be no rescue unless the instructors deemed it necessary. Every student understood the unspoken rule. Survive on your own. Principal Gu's voice echoed one last time from beyond the barrier."The Spirit Forest Examination will last until sunset. Collect Spirit Cores, identify rare herbs, or discover hidden relics. Your performance will determine your academy ranking."

A ripple of excitement spread through the students. For Zhao Ming, however, excitement had long since become caution. His gaze swept across the towering trees."This place..."In his previous life, he had crossed this forest countless times after becoming one of humanity's greatest Beast Masters. Every hill.Every river.Every hidden cave. He remembered them all. Or at least...He thought he did.

A translucent golden screen suddenly appeared before him. God-Tier  Spirit Beast System Scanning Surroundings...Golden threads spread through the forest like invisible roots, weaving between trees before returning to Zhao Ming's vision. Moments later, several glowing markers appeared. Low-Grade  Spirit Herb — 73 meters east.Hidden Spirit Crystal Vein — 214 meters northeast.Ancient Beast Skeleton — 510 meters north. Zhao Ming's eyes narrowed.

The system wasn't merely analysing Spirit Beasts. It was mapping opportunities. It could perceive treasures hidden beneath layers of earth that no ordinary Beast Master could detect. His heartbeat quickened."This ability alone could change everything."Behind him, Lilith quietly followed, her tiny wings folded close against her back. Unlike the other Spirit Beasts proudly walking beside their masters, she avoided attracting attention.

She still believed she didn't deserve to stand beside Zhao Ming. That belief hurt him more than the insults of the entire academy. Ahead, laughter drifted through the trees.Han Tianyu's group.The arrogant young master walked confidently with nearly twenty students surrounding him. Seraphina floated elegantly at his side, radiating brilliant holy light that illuminated the forest.

The weaker Spirit Beasts instinctively retreated from her overwhelming aura. Han Tianyu smiled proudly."Did you see their faces?"One of his followers laughed."They're all jealous."They should be."Another student pointed toward Zhao Ming."Especially him.""He traded heaven for garbage."More laughter followed. Han Tianyu glanced over his shoulder."So... "Still pretending your F-Class Succubus was worth it?"Zhao Ming didn't answer.

There was nothing to gain from arguing with someone walking toward a future he couldn't yet see. The timeline had already changed. That made Han Tianyu more dangerous than before. Or perhaps...More vulnerable. Seraphina briefly looked toward Zhao Ming. Their eyes met for only a second. Once again, she expected regret. Instead, she found calm certainty. The expression unsettled her.

"Why does he still look so confident?"For reasons she couldn't explain, the memory of him saying, "I sold yours," refused to leave her mind. She turned away. Yet an uneasy feeling lingered. An hour passed. Most students split into smaller teams to search different regions of the forest. Zhao Ming deliberately chose the narrowest path, one almost completely overgrown by thorn-covered vines. Lilith hurried after him.

"M-Master..."She hesitated."Everyone else went that way."She pointed toward the wider trail."Are we... lost?"No."Zhao Ming smiled faintly."They're following the obvious path."The obvious path is usually the most dangerous."

Lilith nodded even though she didn't fully understand. She trusted him. Without question. Another notification appeared. Bond  Resonance Increased. Trust Level: 22%.The number wasn't large. Yet Zhao Ming noticed something remarkable. Lilith's spiritual energy had become slightly more stable than before. The system wasn't exaggerating. Trust itself truly strengthened Spirit Beasts. They continued deeper into the forest. Suddenly, the surrounding air changed.

The birds stopped singing. Even the insects fell silent. Lilith froze. Her crimson eyes widened. She instinctively grabbed Zhao Ming's sleeve."Master..."Her voice trembled."Something terrible is coming."Zhao Ming immediately stopped walking. His previous memories screamed in warning. This area should have been completely safe. Nothing dangerous appeared here until much later.

The future...Had changed."I know."His gaze slowly swept across the forest."Stay behind me."Lilith obeyed without hesitation. The system activated again. Its golden scan raced across the surrounding terrain. Then several sections of the forest turned crimson.Warning.Hidden Spiritual Formation Detected.Probability of Survival: 3%.Zhao Ming's pupils contracted."A trap."He crouched, brushing aside fallen leaves.

Beneath them lay dozens of nearly invisible silver threads stretching between the roots. Soul-Snaring Silk.An ancient killing formation. One careless step would have triggered thousands of poisoned spikes hidden beneath the earth.No wonder this path had remained untouched. Lilith stared in disbelief."I... I couldn't even see them."You weren't supposed to."Carefully guiding her around the formation, Zhao Ming avoided every hidden thread. Several minutes later, another warning appeared.

A poisonous mist rolled silently across the ground. The system highlighted the only safe route through it. Farther ahead, concealed sinkholes waited beneath patches of moss. Then a colony of sleeping Shadow Ants, creatures capable of stripping flesh from bone in seconds. Each danger appeared moments before they reached it. Again and again, the God-Tier Spirit Beast System revealed what ordinary Beast Masters could never perceive.

Each successful escape deepened Lilith's trust. Each moment strengthened the invisible bond connecting their souls. Elsewhere in the forest...Han Tianyu laughed confidently."This examination is easier than I expected."Seraphina frowned. Something felt wrong. The direction they had chosen...Didn't match the faint spiritual currents flowing through the forest. She sensed an unfamiliar disturbance ahead."We should change routes," she said quietly. Han Tianyu waved dismissively."My scouts already checked."

"There are no powerful beasts nearby."Seraphina hesitated. For the first time since forming their contract, she felt uncertain. Yet she remained silent. They continued forward. Unaware that the ground beneath them had begun to tremble. Several kilometres away, Zhao Ming suddenly stopped. The earth shook beneath his feet. Not violently.Rhythmically.As though something unimaginably massive had taken a single breath beneath the forest floor.

The system erupted with crimson warnings. Emergency  Alert.Unknown Lifeform Detected.Threat Assessment...The screen froze. Then new words slowly appeared. Classification  Updated. Beast King. The entire forest fell silent. Somewhere in the darkness beyond the trees...A pair of enormous golden eyes opened.