"Not bad, your face is indeed very white!" Zhang Che nodded. He stepped forward and patted Zheng Hongru's shoulder. It seemed like this kid was born with a royal European's attribute; he actually obtained a beast card from that!

However, they still had to experiment a few more times before it could be proven whether he was lucky.

"Tsk, tsk. So exotic beasts are fond of little white faces now," Li Da said, caressing his faint beard. He lamented, "Luckily the ladies aren't into that. They still prefer manly men like me."

{TLN: Little white face can also mean gigolo in Chinese, although the topic right now was about their luck.}

Zhang Che said quietly, "Then, the ladies you meet must really have unique tastes!"

Xiao Yi shook his head, "Brother Che, it's fine that you saw through it; you didn't have to say it aloud!"

Zheng Hongru and Sun Zhi burst out into laughter at the same time. Only Li Da opened his eyes wide, sweeping his gaze across the others and said grievously, "Ai, you bunch of steamed chickens don't understand. You'll come to know about it naturally in the future."

After messing around for a little, everyone was in high spirits.

The compet.i.tion had just begun, and they already obtained a silver-quality beast card. During the next five days, were there any worries that they wouldn't be able to obtain enough high quality beast cards?

Of course, considering the four greenhorns were only Tier Two beastmasters, they could only truly increase the team's strength if they obtained more high quality two-star cards. What use would it be even if they got their hands on some three-star dark gold-quality beast cards?

"Brother Che, are we continuing?" Xiao Yi asked Zhang Che, pointing further into the valley.

This valley was obviously a little unusual. The heavens knew if there were even stronger exotic beasts hiding further inside. It wouldn't matter if there were only land-type beasts. However, if the exotic beasts were like the group of bees from earlier, all flying-types, it would truly be quite troublesome.

Zhang Che thought for a moment and nodded, "We're continuing on! You can only get the cub by going into the tiger's lair! However, to ensure your safety, I'll walk ahead by myself. You guys follow behind; I'll have my Gale Wolf King to protect you."

The others nodded in unison. It was the only solution.

After that, Zhang Che activated the helmet of the Swamp Crocodile King armor again. Wielding the Mutated Puffersword in hand, with the Dark-Scaled Lizard Commander at his side, he continued further into the valley, walking ahead of the rest of the team.

Zheng Hongru and the others were following a few dozen meters behind Zhang Che, with the Gale Wolf King sticking close to them. The moment any danger arose, it would react immediately, ensuring that the four of them wouldn't be sneak attacked, giving them some time to react.

------

After crossing an area filled with wild gra.s.s and another filled with shrubbery, the group gradually ventured deeper into the valley.

The vegetation ahead grew increasingly spa.r.s.e. Many craggy rocks were dispersed around the valley, covered by all kinds and colors of algae-like plants, giving it a grotesque look.

It was unlikely for any large exotic beasts to appear in a place like this.

Even so, Zhang Che was as wary as ever. Although there might not be any large exotic beasts, there would definitely still be poisonous insect-type exotic beasts, especially since algaes were abundant here. The environment was slightly damp, suitable for those creatures to live in.

Zhang Che turned his head around and reminded Zheng Hongru and the others seriously, "Everyone, keep up your spirits. You have to take caution to hide behind my subdued beast the moment you sense anything amiss!

"Also, you'd better summon a subdued beast each. Although their combat strengths are a little low, they can be used as s.h.i.+elds at the crucial moments."

-Brother Che, you putting it that way p.r.i.c.ks our hearts…-

Zheng Hongru and the others nodded in unison, silently summoning a subdued beast.

At this moment, a black silhouette suddenly flashed before their eyes and scuttled into the cracks between a rock.

Looking at that exotic beast's figure, it was probably a half-meter-long lizard. It didn't charge ahead and launch an attack at Zhang Che and the others. With the Dark-Scaled Lizard Commander here, of course those inferior ones wouldn't dare to casually cause any trouble.

They continued forward. The valley's elevation was getting lower and lower. Zhang Che and the others could sense that the illumination was getting a little darker. It was like dark clouds had suddenly gathered on a sunny day, giving off a sense of suppression.

-Why don't we back out and find another direction to explore deeper into the hunting zone?- Just as this thought manifested in Zhang Che's mind, he heard Zheng Hongru and the others' cry out in surprise. Zhang Che was shocked and hurriedly turn behind to look. He saw his Gale Wolf King roaring in a low voice, guarding by his teammates' side. Its greenish-brown back had a wound about two feet long.

Luckily, the wound wasn't a serious one. Only the surface was cut, a tiny trace of blood slowly seeping out. It couldn't even be considered a light wound.

Even so, exactly what exotic beast was actually able to escape from the Gale Wolf King after injuring it?

"Did you guys see what was it?" Zhang Che asked anxiously, walking over with long strides.

If they didn't have a clear idea of what kind of exotic beast it was, their journey might have to be cancelled. Otherwise, G.o.ds knew what danger would strike them next?

The few of them shook their heads gravely. Only Sun Zhi spoke up with uncertainty, "I think I saw a black shadow suddenly pouncing at Xiao Yi, but Brother Che, your wolf king's reaction was very quick and immediately rushed up and blocked that black shadow. However, that thing was too fast; I didn't get a clear look at what it was."

Zhang Che nodded gravely. Its speed was so fast that human eyes weren't able to make out its appearance. It seemed like this exotic beast was worthy of his attention. Going forward, it's likely that they couldn't continue heading deeper into the valley. It would be fine if there was only one of that exotic beast, but what if it was the kind that gathered in packs? Just thinking about it made his scalp go numb!

Although Zhang Che wasn't afraid of those exotic beasts whose offensive strength was obviously lacking, the same couldn't be said for Zheng Hongru and the others. If any one of them set their eyes on his teammates, they might lose their lives right here.

In this examination, there was a very explicit rule stating that if your team lost a member, your score would be cut in half. If you lost two members, then very sorry for you, the remaining three members didn't have to carry on taking the examinations. You could directly set off the rescue signal and let the patrolling experts send you home.

After thinking for a couple seconds, Zhang Che immediately came to a decision and turned to leave the valley the way they came from. "Come on, let's leave this place. We'll find another place to explore deeper in the hunting zone."

"Brother Che watch out!" Xiao Yi suddenly cried out in shock!

However, his reminder was obviously a tad too late. A green blur of sword light had already stabbed forward like lightning.

A blurry black silhouette brushed past Zhang Che's side, narrowly missing the green sword blur and disappeared into the surrounding rocks once more.

Zhang Che's expression turned even more serious. His sudden stab didn't hit anything, but his armor, on the other hand, was struck by that phantom of an exotic beast at the neck. If he wasn't protected by the Swamp Crocodile King armor, perhaps he would have fallen to this attack right here.

Exactly what kind of an exotic beast was it, to be so quick!?