Everyone couldn't help but grip the protective amulets on their wrists. They knew that at this critical juncture of life and death in the labyrinthine jungle, the amulets were their last resort for survival. However, using an amulet meant being eliminated from the assessment.
"If everyone has understood the rules, please enter the examination grounds. I wish you all good luck!" Jiang Yiling said, gesturing to open the protective barrier of the high platform near the jungle. A wide spirit bridge then extended outward.
The path led directly to the ancient jungle below, and the final assessment officially began.
Everyone descended along the spirit bridge in order. They reached the entrance of the labyrinth, which was a ten-way intersection, each path leading in a different direction. While every path could theoretically reach the end, the challenges varied wildly. Paths could also intersect, or a wrong turn at a subsequent fork could lead to them being unable to escape the maze.
One by one, people chose a path and entered. Yan Jiaojiao stood for a moment, then selected the one furthest to the right and walked past.
Yan Ruxue wanted to follow Yan Jiaojiao, likely still plotting against her.
However, Wen Jinshu disagreed. She was the first to choose the path furthest to the left and entered. Yan Ruxue and Chen Bingbing each shot Yan Jiaojiao a glare, but eventually followed Wen Jinshu.
Yan Jiaojiao glanced back at the four of them, her gaze lingering on Wen Jinshu for a moment before she continued forward.
Not far ahead, they encountered another four-way intersection, and the disciples who had chosen this path were further divided.
At this point, everyone was still cautious, refraining from attacking each other. They simply chose their respective paths with vigilance and pressed on.
After two more bifurcations not long after, Yan Jiaojiao found herself with only five people by her side. Three of the men were traveling together in an alliance.
Besides Yan Jiaojiao, the only other person traveling alone was a robust man. He appeared to be a few years older than Yan Jiaojiao, stood eight feet tall, and was covered in well-defined muscles, giving him a formidable appearance.
He took the lead, walking alone at the front. As Yan Jiaojiao was observing him, a clump of vines suddenly emerged from the wall and directly pounced on him, binding him tightly. The vines constricted, securing him to the wall, rendering him immobile.
The three men behind him were startled. One even stumbled and fell to the ground. Seeing that the vines did not attack them further, the three men regained their composure.
"What do we do?" the one who had fallen asked his companions, watching the robust man struggle desperately.
The leader of the three didn't hesitate. "That's a man-eating vine. Once it has a prey, it won't attack anyone else. Let's hurry past."
Another man chimed in, "That's right. This is an assessment. We've just lost a competitor."
The robust man, overhearing everything, showed no panic or anger. He didn't even cry out for help, merely struggling against the vines. However, the vines were too tight, preventing the man from freeing his hands to cast any spells.
"A true man," Yan Jiaojiao thought to herself.
Seeing the three men take the opportunity to bypass them, Yan Jiaojiao drew a dagger she had prepared from her boot and walked towards the bound man.
The man who had fallen earlier saw this and exclaimed, "Is this girl trying to kill him?"
Yan Jiaojiao, however, crouched down and, with a "thwack," plunged the dagger deeply into the root of the vine. A thick, crimson fluid spurted out.
The vine branches that had bound the man twitched, then lost their strength, writhing and slowly loosening their grip. The man fell to the ground with a "thump."
Yan Jiaojiao had saved him.
"Meddling busybody!"
The leader of the three men cursed at Yan Jiaojiao before waving his hand, signaling the other two to follow and quickly depart, fearing the robust man might blame them for their inaction.
The robust man, catching his breath, stood up and cupped his fists towards Yan Jiaojiao. "Thank you, young lady, for saving me. My name is Pu Zhi. May I know your honorable surname and given name?"
"Yan Jiaojiao," Yan Jiaojiao replied, offering a slight support to Pu Zhi.
"Ah, Yan Jiaojiao. I didn't recognize you at first," Pu Zhi said, a look of realization dawning on his face.
The first person with the five-element affinity was bound to draw attention. However, as it was their first meeting, Pu Zhi hadn't memorized her appearance.
Yan Jiaojiao nodded and said no more, simply gesturing for Pu Zhi to continue forward.
Pu Zhi followed behind Yan Jiaojiao, hesitating several times as if wanting to say something. Finally, Yan Jiaojiao couldn't help but turn back and ask, "Is there something you wish to tell me?"
Pu Zhi was caught slightly off guard. After a brief moment of flusteredness, he sheepishly said, "Well, how about we form an alliance?"
Yan Jiaojiao smiled. "As you saw, although I possess the five-element affinity, my cultivation is only at the third stage of the Red level. An alliance with me offers you no advantage."
"I am at the sixth stage of the Red level. I can protect you," Pu Zhi immediately replied. Then, remembering that Yan Jiaojiao had just saved him, he added, "I was caught off guard earlier, which is why I couldn't free myself immediately."
Yan Jiaojiao certainly understood this. Pu Zhi had not shown panic when restrained by the man-eating vine, indicating his confidence in his ability to escape. Yan Jiaojiao had simply acted on impulse.
"Aren't you afraid I'll use you? Many people betray their allies when they reach the end," Yan Jiaojiao asked, tilting her head.
Pu Zhi, however, shook his head. "Miss Yan is a good person. I trust you. Besides, even if there is real danger, as a man, I will always protect you first."
Yan Jiaojiao raised an eyebrow. If this man were to fall in love, he'd likely be a devoted, albeit naive, partner.
"Forget it. You could have escaped even if I hadn't saved you. You don't need to repay me for my kindness," Yan Jiaojiao said, waving her hand and preparing to head towards another fork in the path.
Pu Zhi was about to speak again when a cry of alarm came from ahead. It was unmistakably the group of three from earlier, and the cries were getting closer!
They were turning back and running towards them.
Both Yan Jiaojiao and Pu Zhi immediately became alert. Sure enough, after a short while, they saw their frantic figures running in the distance, and behind them, a giant minotaur was chasing them!
"This minotaur has gone berserk! Help us!" the leader of the three shouted for help.
As their figures drew nearer, Yan Jiaojiao could also see the minotaur's numerous wounds and its two pairs of bloodshot, crazed eyes.
It was easy to surmise that the three had encountered the minotaur blocking their path and had attacked it. However, none of them had managed to kill it. Instead, they had thoroughly enraged it, leading to their panicked flight.
Pu Zhi immediately stepped forward, blocking Yan Jiaojiao behind him. He firmly planted his stance, pushed his palms forward, and formed a solid spirit energy barrier.
"Miss Yan, you should quickly head towards that other fork. I will hold it off here!"