As the screens continued to show the scenes from the Whispering Woods, the crowd's excitement and curiosity grew.Oasis had become the center of attention, his power and potential sparking a mixture of admiration and apprehension among both the audience and the noble families.Back in the Whispering Woods, Oasis bent down to pick up the beast cores from the fallen goblins, their faint glow a testament to their magical energy."What is the Phoenix's Heart Cultivation?" he mused, examining the cores. "My power feels way stronger, but I need to maintain control. And it seems I can no longer use water magic." His mind buzzed with questions and possibilities.He stood up, the realization of his newfound strength both exciting and daunting. "It's time to get moving," he resolved, tucking the beast cores into his storage bracelet.With a deep breath, he began to dash through the forest, using his wind magic to move swiftly and silently.The dense foliage and towering trees blurred past him a

A few hours before...Zane and a few participants worked together to chase away a group of goblins, breathing heavily from the exertion. The forest was quiet except for their labored breaths and the occasional rustle of leaves."Ha ha ha, if it isn't the little pup of the Bluemoon family," a voice called out from the woods, dripping with mockery. The voice approached slowly, each step echoing with arrogance."You court death," Zane retorted, his eyes narrowing as he tried to pinpoint the source of the voice."Ha ha ha, I'm the mighty Agni, the genius of the Ignis family!" Agni Ignis appeared, his aura radiating confidence as he sauntered towards Zane and the group."You bunch are sweating just from chasing some goblins," Agni taunted, a prideful smirk plastered on his face.His expression was one of utter disdain, his eyes gleaming with self-assured superiority. "I, the mighty Agni, have managed to kill about five of these weaklings ever since this exam started. Ha ha ha!"Zane clenche

The crowd in the arena buzzed with excitement, their cheers echoing through the grand stands.Colorful banners waved, and the air was filled with the joyful chatter of spectators celebrating the conclusion of the Whispering Exams.Families and nobles alike were on their feet, applauding and exchanging enthusiastic congratulations.Suddenly, the array at the center of the arena began to glow, signaling the return of the participants from the mystical woods.One by one, the students appeared, their figures materializing in the light. Some stumbled out, exhausted and injured, while others held their heads high, their expressions a mixture of relief and pride."Help! Help! Oasis isn't waking up!" Mira's desperate scream cut through the noise.She cradled Oasis in her arms, his body limp and unresponsive. Her face was pale with fear, sweat dripping down her brow as she struggled to keep him upright.In a flash, before anyone could react, Conri Bluemoon, the leader of the Bluemoon family, v

Oasis sat on the bed, feeling the aftershocks of his newfound abilities."That is Zane's aura," he thought, sensing his friend's presence."Oh, he is at the Fourth Layer of the Foetal Stage. And most of the guards here are at the peak of the Tabula-Rasa Stage. And there are normal people... I think there are maids," Oasis continued in his thoughts.After a few minutes, the wooden sliding doors to his room opened, and Conri Bluemoon entered."So, you are awake," Conri said, his voice carrying a mixture of relief and curiosity.Oasis quickly stood up and bowed slightly. "Oh, greetings, Master Bluemoon," he said respectfully."My senses did not pick up his presence. It means he is stronger or he can hide his level," Oasis thought, feeling both awe and unease."This kid can use Divine Peak. It means he is already at the Newborn Stage. Amazing," Conri thought, impressed."You are at the Bluemoon manor in the inner city," Conri explained, recounting what had happened after the exams.Duncan

The leader, known as Barnabus the Slayer, looked up, his face partially illuminated by the dim light. He was a brutish man, with a face scarred from countless battles, and his eyes glinted with a savage hunger.He was sitting on the stomach of a massive, dead mystic beast, its blood pooling around him and staining the ground.In his hand, he held a large drumstick, torn from the beast's carcass, blood dripping from it as he took a ravenous bite.Barnabus tore into the meat with a feral intensity, his teeth sinking into the flesh as blood smeared across his mouth.He chewed slowly, savoring the taste, his eyes filled with a mix of satisfaction and malice.He exuded an aura of raw power and unrestrained brutality."Prepare," he growled, his voice deep and resonant, filled with a dark promise. "It's time to take revenge. I, Barnabus the Slayer, will show them all."His declaration was met with a chorus of dark murmurs and the sound of weapons being readied. His followers moved with pract