—

Next came the moment Hualing's students got an eye-opening.

Zhou Mu displayed every quality a Taotie should and shouldn't have, giving everyone a glimpse of the demeanor of an ancient, renowned Fierce Beast.

He bit Gui Youqi down to just two legs in one mouthful, then ignored Gui Youqi's wailing breakdown and charged straight at the other athletes on the field, happy as if he'd walked into a self-service supermarket.

You Qi was pressing down a Shangao when Zhou Mu crashed through and stole it, biting off its tail in one bite. The Shangao's nature was to love cursing, but under the dual intimidation of You Qi and Zhou Mu, how could it dare curse? It screamed: 'I surrender!! The flag is yours!!'

Zhou Mu gave You Qi a provocative glance, then turned and charged toward the next spot.

You Qi, standing in place, watched Zhou Mu. This was indeed vastly different from his impression, but it was still Zhou Mu. Not contradictory in the slightest—an unfamiliar side, yet every little movement of his still felt cute to You Qi.

Zhou Mu could clearly have continued hiding his identity, but he charged over and stole You Qi's 'prey.' That provocative glance looked fierce, yet he didn't actually touch You Qi. Even that familiar gaze, now tinged with danger, made You Qi's heartbeat quicken.

Could this be what Gongzi Cong meant?

But does Zhou Mu know...

...

Logically, one team only needed one flag, but Zhou Mu's ferocity flared up—he grabbed all three and didn't stop, charging at anyone who looked tasty to take a bite, then asking them: 'What School are you from? What's your name? Hand over your flag!'

...Where are the flags? Aren't they all in your hands!

Under these circumstances, this arena was still the quietest, because most athletes under Zhou Mu's aura didn't even have the courage to flee—they could only collapse on the ground.

The rules: the top three from each group advance to the next round.

But Zhou Mu had nearly eliminated all the other groups. He did know the principle of sustainable development—didn't eat them completely—but those few bites completely robbed them of their combat ability...

He was fast too. By the time Xie Rulin gathered the referee team for an emergency consultation and tried to stop Zhou Mu, he had already sampled most of the other contestants.

Xie Rulin jumped into the arena, letting out a belated roar: 'Stop!'

Zhou Mu obediently retracted his aura and transformed back into human form.

With the oppressive aura withdrawn, the tens of thousands of spectators finally slowly exhaled: Too terrifying!

Even though the Feral University Games fighting events had always been brutal, never had there been such a shocking scene. But you couldn't say anything against Zhou Mu. He hadn't broken the rules—it was his ability. And as a Taotie, being able to only eat a little of each one was the legendary self-control they were proud of!

The only thing to criticize might be why, as a top-tier Fierce Beast, Zhou Mu could attend Hualing without self-shackling.

On this point, Dean of Students Cui Jue was on-site. His expression showed only helplessness, no surprise—he likely already knew Zhou Mu's identity and could do nothing about him.

This uncontrolled Fierce Beast was too terrifying. Fortunately, head referee Xie Rulin was a descendant of Qilin, with the body of Xiezhi—a benevolent beast could still distinguish itself from a Fierce Beast.

Everyone watched hopefully as Xie Rulin walked up to Zhou Mu, counseling a fighter for the first time: 'Student Zhou Mu, a gentleman may be killed but not insulted. I hope you can have some regard for other athletes' dignity and carry forward the spirit of the new era Feral Race.'

Translated into plain language: eat less.

Zhou Mu neither agreed nor disagreed, taking a step toward Xie Rulin: 'Is the next round right after?' It sounded like asking when the next course would be served.

The moment Zhou Mu moved, Lord Xiezhi quickly raised his hand to shield his head, then realized Zhou Mu wasn't going to hit him, and slowly lowered it: '...Yes.'

The audience hoping for a final resolution: '???'

Everyone who had ever trash-talked on forums or even gotten close to Zhou Mu in class couldn't help touching their cold sweat. Should they run now? But they might not make it to safety. QAQ.

Many students belatedly realized—You Qi and Chun Shijiu?

How were these two lucky roommates? They were clearly the unlucky ones this Taotie had first targeted and seduced.

You Qi might be smarter than Chun Shijiu, letting Zhou Mu move in with Chun Shijiu. Now recalling what Chun Shijiu had said before, it seemed quite funny. Ah, Chun Shijiu, you should die first.

Chun Shijiu, sitting in the front row holding Zhou Mu's lunchbox watching the match, noticed countless gazes landing on him—sympathetic or mocking.

Chun Shijiu gave up caring, turning to say: 'What are you looking at, what are you looking at? Keep staring and I'll have my roommate use you as a side dish when he eats me.'

Everyone: '...'

Such self-destructive words—no one could respond.

...

The first and second rounds of the Selection Contest were seamless. The barriers between the five groups' top three—fifteen teams total—were lifted, forming one large arena, officially announcing the start of the second round.

Among these fifteen teams, the top three would be decided, and in the following days the Champion, Second Place, and Third Place would be determined. So this match was already very important—it decided whether there would be a medal.

Cang Bi from Yunzhong Academy, named Cai Bisheng, led his team through cheating, trickery, ambushes, and assassinations in the first round, using every trick, only then securing one flag symbolizing advancement.

During the first round, everyone felt a top-tier Fierce Beast's terrifying aura, but being on the field, they couldn't see who it was like the audience could.

Given this was You Qi's first competition, most athletes thought: Was that You Qi's aura?

Before the match, You Qi was the most studied target. Now Cang Bi felt his preparation might be far from enough. He had once tricked Shu Lin, who had Qilin Bloodline, out of the Eight-Thousand-Li preliminaries, and had thought he could place this time too—maybe even secure Second Place and fight for First.

But the flash of You Qi's aura gave Cang Bi an urge to give up.

Cang Bi's face was dark as he led four teammates in covert movement through the arena, observing other teams.

One could see everyone had some injuries, but the worst were the other two teams in You Qi's group—literally missing limbs. And teams other than You Qi's, like in the last round, gradually gathered together, forming a natural alliance against You Qi.

Most of You Qi's team was intact, except that Ghosthead Fish who was seriously injured, currently being held and quietly comforted by Zhou Mu.

The aerial drone lowered its altitude, filming Cang Bi and his teammates' discussion and broadcasting it to the big screen on-site.

Cang Bi surveyed the situation calmly: 'We execute Plan B—walk out with hands raised to seek cooperation with You Qi's team. From Zhou Mu's physical condition, he's still an important team member. The rumored fight didn't happen; he accepted You Qi's protection. As long as we survive, we've won half. At the right moment, I'll ambush, using Zhou Mu as leverage. Then we might have a shot at the Champion.'

The teammates were thrilled—playing mind games with Fierce Beast You Qi in the Fighting Tournament, how exciting.

Many variables, but they all trusted Cang Bi's judgment. Cang Bi had analyzed before the match that You Qi was likely competing because of Zhou Mu, so with such a huge gap in strength, ambushing Zhou Mu might really work!

'Alright, go!' Cang Bi waved, and they moved toward Zhou Mu's direction, removing all hostile intent, hands raised high: 'Student You Qi, we have no intention of contending for Champion, but other teams have all united against you. I aim for Second Place, so I'm showing goodwill, hoping you'll give us a chance to serve, willing to clear obstacles for you.'

Cang Bi stepped out of cover, seeing You Qi didn't mean to stop them, the other four just watching with complicated expressions.

Cang Bi knew why they looked at him that way.

Presumably he'd already made his name in the track events, so they probably had some wariness toward him.

But Cang Bi prided himself on his silver tongue, smiling: 'I only want Second Place. I already have a Champion medal, so Second Place is pure profit. If our two teams unite, we can definitely end the match early.'

For some reason, You Qi still didn't speak.

Not speaking, not opposing—what did it mean?

Cang Bi was still thinking when he saw Zhou Mu sniffle and say: 'Student Cang Bi, come over quickly. Have those people all united? So scary! You don't know, they hurt Gui Gui terribly last round.'

He said this while rubbing Gui Youqi's head beside him.

Gui Youqi: '...'

The audience who witnessed everything on the big screen: '...'

Nothing to say, completely nothing to say...

When Cang Bi smirked and laid out his plan, the audience's mouths were already twitching. Seeing Zhou Mu cry, everyone's expression completely cracked.

All athletes should know the live situation was broadcast in real-time, but Zhou Mu threw himself into the act in front of tens of thousands of viewers without hesitation.

This is a top hunter? What nerve!

Cang Bi sat beside Zhou Mu and even healed Gui Youqi's wounds. He found Zhou Mu was indeed as naive and sweet as rumored. Seeing him heal Gui Youqi, he was deeply moved: 'I thank you on Gui Gui's behalf.'

'You're welcome, I really envy your team camaraderie.' Cang Bi laughed heartily.

Gui Youqi, now only fifty jin, said woodenly: 'Welcome, welcome.'

Xu Tianyi and Yan Xingke were silent for a moment, then laughed dryly: 'Uh hehehehehe yeah yeah.'

Zhou Mu smiled shyly: 'You guys look pretty good too... ah.'

'Don't mention it, they've suffered because of me. Last round, our group was in the same situation you are now—targeted by other teams because they didn't like what I did in the track events.' Cang Bi said half-truthfully. Actually, people not liking him was true; being surrounded wasn't quite—he just said it to fool Zhou Mu.

Zhou Mu looked at him with sympathy as expected, 'Are you being isolated?'

Cang Bi's theatrical streak flared up, and wanting to also win You Qi's sympathy, said: 'Yes, they all hate me, fear me, no one has ever eaten with me...'

'Eating is so important, how can you not eat?' Zhou Mu said with concern.

The conversation sounded to You Qi like it overlapped with his past conversations with Zhou Mu. The Runic Script on the Mouth Cage flickered, You Qi's emotions stirred: Did Zhou Mu see this shameless Cang Bi the way he once saw me?!

He'd been emotionally up and down these past days, lacking confidence. You Qi stared at Zhou Mu for a few seconds, his chest heaving violently, finally unable to hold back—he sprang up and slammed Cang Bi to the ground, punching him!

'Pfft!!' Cang Bi spat blood, with a tooth mixed in.

He looked at You Qi in disbelief—is this guy crazy?!

Cang Bi never expected the calm and composed You Qi from every report to suddenly strike, sounding the horn for the second round Fighting Tournament battle.

What Cang Bi didn't expect even more was Zhou Mu's face also changing, standing up: 'How dare you take my person!'

His slender, beautiful—far from strong-looking—frame erupted with astonishing power. With just one hand he easily lifted Cang Bi up, his aura instantly spreading, glaring fiercely at You Qi.

In the last round Zhou Mu had also stolen You Qi's opponents, but that didn't stop him from being very dissatisfied with You Qi touching his targeted prey.

Even though Zhou Mu was targeting You Qi, his familiar terrifying aura still scared the nearby Cang Bi half to death.

Cang Bi's four teammates had no courage to rescue him. He himself was wide-eyed, panting, desperately rolling his eyes trying to see Zhou Mu behind him.

Him? Was it him?!

Zhou Mu was unharmed not because You Qi was protecting him, but because the one who had been wreaking havoc was Zhou Mu all along! What alliance against You Qi—that was an alliance trying to survive under Zhou Mu's jaws.

If Cang Bi hadn't been clever for his own good, coming to Zhou Mu alone, they could have learned the truth from Zhou Mu's group teammates. Too late for regrets now.

You Qi's face darkened, Wind Blade condensing in his hand, about to pierce Cang Bi's chest.

Zhou Mu was incredibly fast—before You Qi could strike, he took a bite and swallowed half of Cang Bi's body!

I still had so many plans. Did they know? Or rather, did they even care...

Regret became Cang Bi's last thought.

Zhou Mu looked at You Qi smugly, 'Hmph.'

You Qi said nothing, lunging forward and pressing down on Zhou Mu.

The two rolled on the ground, tumbling down the nearby steep slope, falling straight into the thick bushes below.

They're fighting!

Yan Xingke and others above just peeked and didn't dare approach the Fierce Beasts' fight. Since before the match, the tension between these two had been growing. This move wasn't too surprising—it actually relieved them. Finally fighting.

Even Zhou Mu's first thought was that You Qi was attacking him—You Qi was moving intensely toward his head and neck.

Combat instinct made Zhou Mu adjust his body the moment he was tackled. During the tumble he and You Qi exchanged several moves at high speed, grass flying. When the rolling stopped, Zhou Mu's hand was firmly at You Qi's neck, and he slowly sat up straddling You Qi's waist.

His eyes shifted toward amber again, his slender pale hand moving upward along with his appraising gaze—dangerous and captivating.

You Qi watched Zhou Mu's hand finally land on his face, gripping the Mouth Cage and staring straight at him, taunting: 'Want to bite me? Come on!'

He suddenly tore loose the strap binding You Qi's Mouth Cage!

The vermillion Runic Script full of natural power showed no resistance against such force, thrown into the grass and gradually dimming. In contrast, the atmosphere rose higher and tighter, crackling with sparks...

You Qi's entire face was revealed for the first time. At the corner of his lips was a fresh small cut from the Mouth Cage's edge flying off. He saw Zhou Mu, whose eyes burned bright like flames, and wind as unsteady as his aura wrapped around Zhou Mu and pulled him down.

Zhou Mu was suddenly sent into You Qi's arms by the wind. His eyes had just darkened when You Qi, completely heedless of his own artery exposed before Zhou Mu's eyes, gripped his chin and kissed him fiercely, with the taste of blood!