After collecting the Body Tempering Spirit Liquid, Zhou Hong continued his search within the barrier.
Unfortunately, he found nothing useful afterward.
However, it was understandable. Finding the Body Tempering Spirit Liquid was already very fortunate, considering the barrier had been scoured countless times by the powerful cultivators of the Primordial Academy.
Finding nothing else of value, Zhou Hong returned to his original spot.
Gu Dao Chen and the others had been waiting for Zhou Hong all this time. Seeing that he hadn't returned for so long, they had become quite anxious.
"Zhou Hong, you're finally back! You had us worried sick," everyone rushed forward when Zhou Hong reappeared.
"What are you worried about? I told you to wait here for me. Did you guys run around recklessly?"
"Of course not, but if you hadn't come back, we would have feared something had happened to you."
"Don't worry, I've already hunted enough demon beast cores."
"Enough how much?" everyone asked, puzzled.
"500."
"What?" everyone was shocked.
"Zhou Hong, don't scare us. Hunting just 100 demon beasts could potentially secure first place. You're saying you hunted 500?"
"Yes," Zhou Hong nodded.
"That's incredible! You're only in the early stage of the Heart Movement realm. Your strength among all the participating geniuses is probably within the top 300. How is that possible?"
Zhou Hong chuckled. The reason he could hunt so many demon beasts wasn't due to his true strength, so he felt no particular pride. If it were purely based on his own ability, he would have been lucky to hunt 50.
"Alright, let's start distributing the demon beast cores. To avoid suspicion, each of you will receive 8 to 10 cores, which should be enough for you to pass the assessment. I'll keep the remaining 400-plus cores for myself."
"Zhou Hong, based on your strength, in the early Heart Movement stage, you could at most hunt 30 to 50 demon beasts. If you present 400, won't people get suspicious? They might suspect you have high-grade magic artifacts or something similar. To avoid unnecessary trouble, I think you should take less. Just ensure you can enter the Primordial Academy. This place is a mix of all sorts; you never know what might happen."
Zhou Hong chuckled again, "Let them be suspicious. I'd like to see who dares to mess with me. I, Zhou Hong, am not a pushover."
The others didn't say anything further, but in their hearts, they were secretly wondering what trump cards Zhou Hong possessed to have killed over 400 demon beasts in a single day. However, since Zhou Hong didn't mention it, they wouldn't pry.
Soon, as evening approached, the assessment concluded.
Zhou Hong and the other 10,500 participants almost all emerged from the barrier. Only a few individuals did not, clearly having perished inside.
"Everyone, line up and submit your hunted beast cores for registration," a proctor shouted.
Everyone immediately formed queues.
Soon, it was Zhou Hong's turn. He stepped forward.
"What's your name?"
"Zhou Hong."
"How many demon beasts did you hunt? Submit your beast cores as proof."
"400."
"What did you say?" When Zhou Hong said 400, the proctor in charge of registration looked up at him in disbelief.
"You meant 40, right? For someone in the early Heart Movement stage, hunting 40 demon beasts is quite normal."
"No, 400," Zhou Hong replied, then poured out all 400 demon beast cores, filling the table.
"Wow," the crowd exclaimed in unison.
Everyone stared at Zhou Hong in astonishment. Some frowned, some pondered, and others looked thoughtful. At that moment, no one knew what was going through their minds as they looked at Zhou Hong. But undeniably, Zhou Hong, by hunting 400 demon beasts, had successfully captured everyone's attention.
"All these demon beasts, did you hunt them?" the registering proctor asked incredulously.
"Yes."
"How did you manage it?"
"I'm sorry, that's my private business."
"Alright, I've registered it for you. However, young man, having trump cards is good, but not knowing how to conceal your edge is not always a good thing," the proctor advised kindly.
"Thank you, mentor."
Soon, everyone had finished their registration.
"Now, I officially declare this year's enrollment assessment concluded. Please return here tomorrow morning to view the admission list."
The crowd gradually dispersed, the results to be known the following day.
Zhou Hong and his companions also left the foot of the mountain.
However, several pairs of eyes were constantly watching Zhou Hong. After he left, several individuals stealthily followed him.
"Zhou Hong, someone is following you," Dark Golden Crow urgently warned in Zhou Hong's mind.
"Heh, I knew it. Seeing me hunt 400 demon beasts, some people couldn't wait to make a move on me."
"Zhou Hong, don't be careless. I still need 20 days to fully control your body. For these 20 days, your strongest trump card is your puppet artifact, which is only at the late Nascent Soul stage. If any expert beyond the late Nascent Soul stage targets you, you'll be in trouble."
"Don't worry, based solely on the fact that I hunted 400 demon beasts, it's not enough to attract the attention of an expert at or above the late Nascent Soul stage."
"That's true, but just be careful yourself." Su Dan Novel Network
Zhou Hong said no more. Arriving at an intersection, he told Gu Dao Chen and the others, "You guys go to the inn and wait for me."
Zhou Hong and Gu Dao Chen's group had already agreed to go to a grand inn for a celebration that night. Furthermore, many participants who had been eliminated had already left, so Zhou Hong and his friends could find an inn to stay in that night.
"Where are you going?" Lu Yi Long asked, confused.
"I have something to attend to. I'll join you later. Go to the Golden Dragon Grand Restaurant and wait for me."
"Alright."
Zhou Hong took the diverging path. The pairs of eyes following him also continued to trail him silently.
When Zhou Hong reached a deserted alley, one of the followers suddenly jumped out, blocking his path.
"Stop."
Zhou Hong immediately recognized the person blocking him as another participant. Judging by the aura, this participant was at least in the mid-Heart Movement stage.
"Heh, you've been following me all this way, and now you've finally made your move," Zhou Hong said with a cold sneer.
"You knew I was following you?" the participant asked, surprised.
"Not only do I know you were following me, but I also know there are four others behind me. Come out, stop hiding," Zhou Hong shouted loudly.