33 Galactic University Exams pt 2

The transporter landed near a small camp. After the students jumped to the ground a staff member followed. He clapped to get their attention then shouted:

- The exam has started. This is a safe base. If you need a safe place to rest or want to give up you can come here and tell us. Now, off you go, stop wasting time.

The students took off in different directions. Long Yin led her group using her enhanced senses to check for enemies. They spent next few days hunting early Nascent Soul beasts that didn't pose any trouble to defeat. Long sibling gave up on most of the meat, allowing Fatty Hao and Rou You to quickly reach Nascent Soul too. On the fourth day Fastty Hao and Rou You held them back before they started hunting.

- Yin, Tian, we discussed and decided to stay back. Now that we broke through we can safely hunt all monsters near the camp, you two should go and hunt something near your levels, so that we don't drag you down.

The Long siblings looked each other in the eyes, then nodded. Long Tian replied:

- Alright, we'll go. Take care.

They split up, going deeper into the forest. After they found beasts near Long Tian's combat level Yin helped him kill a few to let him get the feel of fighting the beasts. Thanks to the meat from their prey both siblings quickly broke through, Long Tian reaching Third Stage of Nascent Soul, and Yin reaching Tenth. Yin then left him in a zone filled with Stage Five beasts and proceeded to run towards Soul Transformation zone. On the way she hunted many beasts, slowly progressing her cultivation.

Two weeks quickly passed and Long Yin finally reached the border between zones. She was currently sitting near a campfire, roasting meat of Stage Nine Nascent Soul beast. After finishing her cooking, she ate the meat and started meditating, digesting the power within her stomach. Suddenly a loud *pop* sounded from her body, signalizing she reached Peak of Tenth Stage and was ready for advancement. As she cleared all nearby beasts before setting up the camp, she decided to break through on the spot. The sky immediately clouded over, as a Nine by Nine Lightning Tribulation gathered above Long Yin's head.

In her dantian an almost material infant with head surrounded by a halo made out of ten stars floated. It was her Nascent Soul.

After rumbling for five minutes the Tribulation started. Long Yin let out a moan of pleasure, as first lightning bolt hit her, spreading a pleasant sensation all over her body. Her Nascent Soul started turning material, even the halo materializing. Finally with the third strike the Nascent Soul shined a bright light, transfroming from infant into a material three year old copy of Long Yin, signalizing a successful breakthrough to Soul Transformation Realm.

The thunders continued striking Long Yin, slowly refining her body, her strength climbing at astonishing speed. All impurities were annihilated by thunder, a much thicker Astral Qi permanating her whole body.

As the clouds dispersed Long Yin let out a prolonged breath. Her Nascent Soul now looked like a four year old, signalizing a successful breakthrough to Soul Transformation Second Stage. Her bodily strength soared, reaching 910 kg of brute force. She stood up and dashed into Soul Transformation zone, making her way towards the safe zone.

Three weeks later, after advancing another Stage Long Yin finally arrived barely 60 kilometres away from the safe zone. However it seemed her luck ran out, as she ran into a Soul Transformation Stage Six wolflike beast. She dodged another lunge, as the beast once again attempted to tear out her throat and made another shallow wound with her scythe.

'Thankfully they didn't have a matching sword. I don't know if I'd be able to beat this wolf without scythe's range advantage.'

She dodged another bite and made another cut. This time luck was on her side, as it seemed she accidentally cut an artery. The wolf howled in pain, a fountain of blood raining from the wound. Long Yin didn't let the opportunity pass and used the moment of immobility of the wolf to send a blade through its eye, right into its brain. Using her full strength to immobilize the wolf she waited for it to bleed out. After a quick break for rest, she harvested all meat and continued towards the safe zone. One day later she arrived in the safe zone, suprising the awaiting staff member.

- Oh, it seems we have a first student to advance! Go, take a shower, you look like a Transcendent beast stepped on you. You should've taken the transporter.

Long Yin resisted the urge to facepalm, finally remembering that there were transports between zones every month. She dashed towards shower, eager to wash off the layer of mud on her face.

After finishing showering Long Yin prepared to set off once again. There were still almost five months left before the exam finished. She was determined to try reaching Transcendent zone within next two months.

At the same time within a transporter from Nascent Soul zone a surprise appeared. After a month Long Tian reached Stage Eight Peak, while Rou You and Fatty Hao were Early Stage Eight. As they could fight across Stages they decided to try their luck in Soul Transformation zone, as the better quality meat would speed up their cultivation. They also wanted to meet Long Yin and assure her they were okay.

Inside the starship the Captain sighed while looking at the results so far.

- Ten Million dead. Over half of the "geniuses" from different planets couldn't even become cannon fodder. And that beast stampede the storm caused certainly didn't help reduce casualities.

Suddenly her attention was attracted by a new raport.

- Oh? Long Yin, Soul Transformation Third Stage, travelled between zones on foot? Lucky, but at the same time certainly doesn't lack talent to advance so quickly. There's also ten cross-stage fighting geniuses coming with next transport. Looks like there are some good seedlings after all. I hope they all realize Starchild Realm isn't the end of the exam and there are opportunities even for that realm on this planet.

She then sank into thought again.

In the Soul Transformation safe zone the transporter landed. Long Tian and his friends dashed out eager to meet Long Yin. As they couldn't find her they asked the staff member guiding the site. After learning she just set off they decided to hunt nearby beasts and wait for her return.