Ten thousand meters in the sky, aboard the Floating Leviathan.

  On the deck etched with permanent levitation arrays, three Official Wizards clad in Star-Robes looked down upon the trial grounds below. A massive holographic mirror composed of water elements floated before them, broadcasting the brutal beast tide on the island in real-time.

  "I did not expect this little guy named Pierce to hide so deeply."

  Guthrie toyed with the obsidian scepter in his hand, looking with amusement at another mirror showing the black-robed youth traversing the dense forest. "Judging by his spiritual wavelength, he is likely only one step away from that critical threshold."

  Eusace sneered, his tone dripping with unconcealed mockery. "Those old stubborn fools from the Bloodline Families are truly blind. To marginalize and even expel a seed of such aptitude just because he is a 'Bloodless' is sheer stupidity."

  Guthrie shook his head with a chuckle. "After all, for them, a Wizard who cannot awaken the 'Will of the Ancestors' is ultimately just a soulless casting machine. Their core meditation techniques, secret spells, and all top-tier resources are prepared for those natural-born nobles. Bloodless initiates lack support and progress slowly, so naturally, they are not valued."

  These words seemed to excuse the Bloodline Families, but between the lines, there was a palpable sarcasm toward the old order.

  Aylmer, standing at the very front, turned a deaf ear to their conversation. His eyes, which seemed to contain a starry sky, were fixed on another set of images in the void—Gwendolyn, Ingram, and Silas were converging on the core zone with astonishing speed.

  "According to the current trajectory projection, these three forces will collide with Pierce within 48 hours at the latest."

  "This year's trial is much livelier than in the past," Aylmer’s voice was deep and profound.

  Guthrie laughed. "Isn't this exactly what we want to see? Only initiates who survive this meat grinder are worthy of The Spire's focused cultivation."

  Eusace narrowed his eyes, a bloodthirsty red light flashing in his pupils. He enjoyed watching such dramas filled with betrayal, calculation, and desperate counter-kills. "It's a pity. If the rules allowed for unrestricted deathmatches between initiates, this bloody play would be even more spectacular. True powerhouses can only bloom when watered by death."

  As the three fell silent, only the whistling of the high-altitude wind remained on the deck. From start to finish, none of the Wizards mentioned the deaths of Kymon and his two companions, as if those three vibrant lives were merely insignificant chips in this grand gamble.

  On the island, a storm was brewing.

  Almost the instant Pierce reached the top, all initiates monitoring their crystal bracelets fell into a state of massive shock. When they saw Pierce's glittering name topping the list, especially with that staggering score of over 6000 points following it, everyone was astounded.

  "Pierce... what on earth did he do? How could his points skyrocket so much in an instant?"

  In a hidden cave, Galina stared at the leaderboard wide-eyed, in disbelief.

  Beside her, Xavier and the others looked at each other in dismay, filled with shock. On the second day of entering the island, Xavier and Galina had luckily met and teamed up. Over the past few days, while gaining points, they had also been watching the movements of other Astral Spirit Society members.

  Especially Pierce. These days, Pierce had been hovering around the 20th place. This ranking was decent relative to his strength. But after just a short while of not looking, his rank and points had fluctuated so violently, which was truly shocking.

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  "What exactly happened?"

  After thinking for a few seconds, Xavier hesitated and said, "Such a large change in points, Pierce must have taken points from others."

  Galina clicked her tongue. "Pierce had over 2000 points before, and now it's increased to over 6000. Does that mean he took over 4000 points from others?"

  Only Rank 2 Apprentices had that many points.

  The two immediately searched the list, and before long, they indeed found three Rank 2 Apprentices with zero points at the bottom of the list. Among them was Kymon.

  Xavier and Galina looked at each other and instantly understood.

  If nothing unexpected happened, Pierce's sudden surge in points likely came from Kymon and his two companions. Most likely, Kymon's trio found Pierce and wanted to snatch the Myriad Flower Fey, but were defeated by Pierce instead, who took all their points!

  But if that were true, how strong must Pierce be?

  Those were three fully armed Rank 2 Apprentices! Counting the entire first year, perhaps only Gwendolyn, Silas, and Ingram could achieve defeating three Rank 2 Apprentices.

  Does that mean Pierce's true strength has long reached the same level as Gwendolyn and the other two?

  Thinking of this, Xavier couldn't help but feel a bit dazed. He thought he had overestimated Pierce as much as possible, but he still underestimated him.

  "6000 plus points!"

  On the other side, in Silas's team, Waylon took a light breath, looking shocked.

  Clement also couldn't hide his shock, staring blankly at the leaderboard. Over 6000 points completely led the pack at this moment, leaving everyone else far behind.

  "How did Pierce do it?"

  "It was Kymon and his group," Owen said in a deep voice. "I checked the list; the points of Kymon, Li Heng, and Lauren have all turned to zero."

  Clement and Waylon were stunned. While realizing the truth, a monstrous wave rose in their hearts, their shock increasing instead of decreasing.

  The implication was self-evident! Pierce actually defeated the combined forces of Kymon's trio? Was he really that formidable?

  Silas paused in his steps, his gaze flickering.

  "...He has some skill; I underestimated him."

  Silas narrowed his eyes but didn't pay too much attention. If it were him, he could also easily defeat Kymon's trio. Pierce's performance was surprising, but not enough to merit his serious regard.

  His goal from beginning to end was only Gwendolyn. The others, even Ingram, were not in his eyes. Let alone Pierce.

  "This is good too. When I find Pierce, I can not only get the Myriad Flower Fey but also get an extra 6000 plus points."

  "In this way, the first place in the trial will definitely be mine!"

  The corners of Silas's mouth curled up slightly.

  The others also reacted, showing joy one after another. If Silas ate the meat, they could drink some soup, and maybe even enter the top fifty.

  Clement felt slightly reassured. Pierce was indeed surprisingly strong, but in any case, he couldn't be Silas's opponent. The result wouldn't change.

  After leaving the camp.

  Pierce headed straight for the mountainous area in the center of the island. The terrain in the mountains was complex and more conducive to hiding. He planned to find a place to stay and advance to a Rank 3 Apprentice as soon as possible within the next two days.

  Caw!

  Not far away, a shrill cry came from behind. A Mist-Crow flew in quickly, crashing into Mistfeather and dissipating into a wisp of dark mist among its feathers.

  Mistfeather chirped softly, conveying a thought.

  "Is it resolved? The effect of the Frenzy-Lure Blossom sap is indeed significant."

  Pierce smiled faintly, then put the matter behind him and continued on his way.

  He dealt with a few waves of barbarians on the way, and by evening, he found a hidden cave on a mountain. Manipulating energy particles to clean the cave, Pierce simply ate some dry rations and fed the Myriad Flower Fey and Mistfeather.

  After resting for half an hour, he had the Myriad Flower Fey start making Myriad-Bloom Nectar. The little guy had gotten used to it, or rather accepted her fate; this time she just muttered a few words and obediently did as told.

  The actions of Kymon's trio served as a reminder to Pierce.

  Wizard Apprentices had numerous ways to find people. Even if he hid in the mountains, he would definitely be found by others before long. He wasn't worried about three or four apprentices, but if ten or twenty Rank 2 Apprentices joined hands, even he would feel a headache.

  Especially Gwendolyn, Silas, and Ingram.

  Pierce never felt that having the Eye of Omniscience made him number one in the world. The world of Wizards was mysterious and treacherous, with plenty of means to improve one's aptitude and strength. Pierce certainly had the cheat of the Eye of Omniscience, but didn't Gwendolyn and Silas effectively have the cheat of their noble birth?

  These descendants of long-established Wizard families definitely had many trump cards. If he underestimated them, he might suffer a big loss at any time.

  So he must improve his strength as soon as possible.

  As long as he successfully advanced to a Rank 3 Apprentice, even if Gwendolyn and the other two gathered together, he would have no fear.