Legendary Beast Cultivator

The disciples gathered at the academy gate in the morning. A cacophony of chirps, wind gust and collective murmurs lingered across the surroundings.

In front of the muttering disciples, there were five elegant caravans aligned in a perfect row. They were nearly eight meters long, and meticulously crafted by Oakwood, shimmering resplendently against the morning light. Each caravan had carvings of different beasts like falcons, tigers, rabbits, and some bugs too.

The semi-curved majestic roofs were embedded with azure tiles that lent an elegant charm to the caravans. White curtains hung gracefully, embroidered with the academy’s symbol — Hope. The caravans were tugged by two Iron-Horn Wind Elks, uncommon beasts standing nearly six feet tall. Their greenish fur rippled sluggishly in the faint morning breeze, and soft bugles escaped the elks’ mouths.

The disciples stood in a long semi-circle in front of the five grand caravans, their quiet voices wavering like a gentle morning breeze.

Lin Cangxuan folded his hands behind his back, and stepped forward onto the courtyard. His long gray hair waved gently as he smiled warmly, his fox-like eyes darting over the eager disciples’ faces.

"Well then, my dear brats," Lin Cangxuan’s voice boomed, carrying over the breeze. "Before we step into these elegant caravans, let us settle the arrangements. Step forward in your groups of three and announce who shall bear the responsibility of the group leader!"

Immediately, the disciples began shuffling into their trios.

Chen Ming grinned, stepping forward with a rising chest, beside Lin Yuan and Lian Nichang.

"Group One!" Chen Ming announced loudly, raising his hand with confidence. "I, Chen Ming, user of the Wind-Falcon, will lead this magnificent team! Our team includes Lin Yuan with his Turtle beast, and Lian Nichang with his Wolf beast! And of course, we are honored to have Assistant Master Qin Yuze watching over us!"

Qin Yuze, standing nearby with a calm expression while his Ice Wolf rested quietly beside his legs, merely gave a slow nod. Lin Yuan simply chuckled slightly, while Lian Nichang let out a warm smile.

Next, Xiao Yanrui stepped up, his posture still.

"Group Two!" Xiao Yanrui called out. "I am Xiao Yanrui, holder of the Ice-Bear, and the leader of Group Two! Chi Fenglian with his Boar beast, and Huo Ren with his Fire-Falcon beast are with me! Our guardian is Assistant Master Gu Su Feng!"

Gu Su Feng, his Water-type Falcon rested lightly on his shoulder, gave a confident grin toward the trio.

From the third spot, Xiao Lanxue took a sluggish step forward, her eyes shining against the morning light.

"Group Three," Xiao Lanxue bellowed, her voice crisp like frost. "I am Xiao Lanxue, holder of the Ice-Serpent, acting as leader. My group members are Ying Yue with her Lightning-Wolf, and Yun He with her Earth-Ape. We shall be under the supervision of Assistant Master Shen Li Xiaoran."

Shen Li Xiaoran, standing with her towering Dark Ape, crossed her arms and let out a small smile toward the three young women.

Then Gu Fang Xin stepped forward with a calm glint in his eyes.

"Group Four!" Gu Fang Xin announced passionately. "I, Gu Fang Xin, holder of the Fire-Serpent, the leader of Group Four! Alongside me there were Chi Ruyan with his Lightning-Serpent, and Lian Mei Lin with her Lightning-Boar! We are supervised by Assistant Master He Muran!"

He Muran stood calm, his Earth Boar snorting a cloud of air beside him as he offered a reassuring nod to his young group.

Finally, Teng Haoran stepped out from the last group, his posture straight and confident.

"Group Five!" Teng Haoran called out with a bright smile. "I am Teng Haoran, holder of the Wind-Falcon, leading Group Five! My companions are Huo Luo Ren with his Fire-Deer, and Chen Yu Ming with her Water-Wolf! Assistant Master Shen Ruoxi will be guiding our journey!"

Shen Ruoxi, her gentle Moonwater Deer nudging her hand, offered a sweet smile to the trio.

"Good! Very good!" Lin Cangxuan giggled softly, stroking his long beard as he looked over the fifteen disciples. "The groups are set. Now, board your respective caravans!"

Without any delay, the disciples and their assigned Assistant Masters stepped toward the five magnificent oakwood caravans.

As Group One made their way to the first caravan, Lin Cangxuan stood back, his fox-like eyes narrowing slightly as he locked his gaze onto Lin Yuan’s calm back. A faint, wicked grin crawled on the Headmaster’s lips.

’How will Lin Yuan overcome this final hurdle? Hehehe!’ Lin Cangxuan thought to himself, his inner laughter filling with sheer anticipation. ’I can’t wait to see it!’

Inside Caravan One, the interior was spacious, lined with soft seats and decorated with silk decoratives.

Chen Ming threw himself onto a cushioned seat with a loud satisfied sigh. "Ahhh! Now this is what I call traveling in style! If every trial was like this, I’d take ten more trials straight!"

"Don’t get too comfortable, Chen Ming. The Assistant Master is right here," Lian Nichang sat down across from him, adjusting his robes slightly.

Assistant Master Qin Yuze sat near the window, sipping tea from a small bamboo flask, his Ice Wolf snoozing peacefully on the floor. He stared at Chen Ming with a slight smirk. "Enjoy the comfort while it lasts, brat. Once we reach the peak, you’ll be sleeping on rocks."

"Master Qin, why must you destroy my lovely dreams so quickly?" Chen Ming sat back, the sorrow filled on his face.

Lin Yuan turned his head, managing to hide the laugh on his face. Meanwhile, in Caravan Two, things were far less quiet. Chi Fenglian was leaning out against the curtained window, watching the landscape start to blur.

"Hey, Huo Ren! Do you think we’ll find any wild beasts good for roasting on Azure Mist Peak?" Chi Fenglian asked, his face anxious.

"Are you crazy?! All you think about is eating! Leave the poor wild beasts alone!" Huo Ren gasped vehemently, hugging his Fire-Falcon close.

"Will you two shut up for five minutes? We haven’t even traveled ten miles yet," Xiao Yanrui, sitting straight like a statue, rubbed his temples.

"Hahaha!! Let them be, Yanrui! A full stomach makes a fierce warrior!" Gu Su Feng chuckled loudly, nodding his head slightly.

Over in Caravan Three, the atmosphere was much gentler, filled with quiet conversations.

"There it is! Perfect!" Ying Yue was busy braiding a small flower into Yun He’s hair.

"Thank you, Ying Yue!" Yun He giggled softly, checking her reflection in a mirror.

Xiao Lanxue sat nearby, leaning back with her eyes closed, listening to the gentle clattering of the wheels, while Shen Li Xiaoran watched them with an elder-sisterly warmth.

In Caravan Four, Gu Fang Xin was engaged in an intense, and serious arm-wrestling match with Chi Ruyan on a tiny wooden folding table.

"I’m winning... I’m definitely winning!" Gu Fang Xin grunted, his face turning red.

"Not in a million years!" Chi Ruyan grinned, veins popping on his arm.

Lian Mei Lin watched them with utter disgust, slapping her forehead. "You two are idiots. Gu Fang Xin... you were also behaving like a nerd nowadays. Master He Muran, can I please toss them out the window?"

He Muran gave a boisterous laugh, leaning back with his arms crossed. "Hahaha! Forgive them, girl! Energy is a good thing!"

And in Caravan Five, Teng Haoran was reading a small beast-catalog book, while Chen Yu Ming fed tiny water-filled berries to her Water-type Wolf. Huo Luo Ren was fast asleep, his head resting against the edge, snoring faintly.

Shen Ruoxi smiled at the peaceful sight, leaning back against the blue cushions as the twin Iron-Horn Wind Elks pulled the caravans smoothly across the main road.

The journey lasted for hours. The morning sun slowly shifted and tugged into the mountains before dipping down the horizon, casting long, orange rays across the place.

Finally, the caravans began to slow down before coming to a halt.

"We have arrived at the bottom of the peak," Qin Yuze’s calm voice echoed inside Caravan One.

The white curtains were drawn aside, and one by one, the disciples stepped out onto the cool, damp grass of the valley.

The moment their feet touched the ground, every single disciple petrified in awe. Sprawling majestically right before their eyes was Azure Mist Peak.

The mountain soared so high into the heavens that its peak was swallowed by waves of azure-tinted clouds. The towering trees with bark and blue leaves stretched across its slopes, rustling rhythmically under the mountain breeze. A gentle, shimmering mist cascaded down like a veil, reflecting the orange rays of the setting sun.

"Woah..." Chen Ming muttered, his jaw dropping in shock as he stared upward. "It’s... it’s a breathtaking visual..."

"It really is magnificent," Lian Nichang whispered, his eyes glinting with wonder.

"So beautiful..." Ying Yue and Yun He murmured together from nearby, mesmerized by the sheer grandeur of the peak.

Lin Yuan stood quietly, his calm eyes glancing at the mountain outline, feeling the energy hidden within its forests.

Shen Ruoxi stepped in front of the gathered disciples, her voice cutting through their amazement.

"Listen up, everyone," Shen Ruoxi announced, waving her hand. "The sun will set in less than an hour. It is far too dangerous to begin climbing into the forests at night."

He Muran stepped up beside her, placing a hand on his waist. "Tonight, you brats, take a rest at the base! The trial officially begins tomorrow at dawn."

"Each group must set up their camp separately," Gu Su Feng continued with a sharp grin on his face. "Get your wood for campfires, build your shelters, and prepare yourselves. As for food... we will go out and handle tonight’s dinner."

"Yes, Masters!" the disciples answered in unison, bowing slightly.

The five groups dispersed to the surroundings around the mountain base to set up camp.

Group One found a nice, flat clearing near a small stream.

"Alright, teamwork time!" Chen Ming announced, folding up his sleeves. "Lin Yuan, Nichang, let’s gather dry wood before it gets dark!"

Lin Yuan nodded smoothly, picking up a rope. "I’ll grab the fallen branches under the few trees."

"I’ll gather the small dry twigs and pinecones for the campfire!" Lian Nichang clenched his fists, letting out an enthusiastic smile.

The three young disciples quickly built a wooden tent using branches and thick leaves, securing it tightly with strong vines. Within half an hour, a neat, cozy shelter was completed.

Similar things played out across the mountain base. Group Two was busy clearing the ground, with Xiao Yanrui guiding Chi Fenglian and Huo Ren with good precision. Group Three worked gracefully, arranging stones around their fire pit. Group Four turned gathering wood into another frantic competition between Gu Fang Xin and Chi Ruyan, and caused Lian Mei Lin’s annoyance. Group Five worked calmly, setting up cozy sleeping mats under the shade of a large oak tree.

After a few minutes, The five assistant masters returned from the fringes of the nearby forest, carrying freshly hunted wild pheasants and sweet mountain roots.

And soon the five crackling campfires lit up the darkening mountain base, sending faint trails of smoke drifting into the cool night air.

The scent of scorched meat filled the campsite. Group One sat around their fire, happily chewing on tender roasted meat.

"Aah... delicious!" Chen Ming groaned in satisfaction, wiping his mouth with his sleeve. "Nothing beats eating outdoor food after a long ride!"

"Eat properly, Chen Ming," Lin Yuan said with a warm smile, taking a small bite from his roasted root.

Lian Nichang laughed quietly beside them, tossing a tiny piece of meat to his wolf beast, and the wolf snatched it mid-air with a happy yip

.

Across the mountain base, laughter, cheerful banter, and warm clinking of water cups echoed lightly against the silence of the night.

As the stars slowly unveiled themselves across the canopy above Azure Mist Peak, the disciples crawled into their tents, fell asleep, listening to the soft chirping of night crickets and the rustle of the mountain wind.