In front of this magical beast stood a giant demon hunter, tens of thousands of times larger than itself. Xiao Xun had conjured its appearance based on the original game art. Not only was its face terrifying, but its attire was also enough to awe this 'timid' magical beast.
The colossal bone spear lunged towards the magical beast, which collapsed with a roar as if instinctively reacting.
Xiao Xun clapped his hands with satisfaction. "What a dummy."
With that, he turned and ran back towards the city.
It was a ten-kilometer journey. Xiao Xun only arrived just as the sun was about to set, finding everyone preparing hunting tools and about to set off.
Upon seeing Xiao Xun, they immediately asked about the magical beast.
Xiao Xun pointed towards the direction of the Migajale Mountains. "It died of fright."
Everyone was stunned. They exchanged glances, all disbelieving. Such a large magical beast, what hadn't they seen, and it actually died of fright?
As everyone was still in doubt, the person who had been hanging from the beast's horn earlier flew back with the beast's head.
Upon seeing everyone, they arrogantly tossed the beast's skull in front of them.
"Everyone, no need to panic. The magical beast has been killed by me."
A murmur swept through the crowd. Then, someone exclaimed, "As expected of a Super Archmage's student, truly amazing!"
"This is Dukar, the pride of the Blazing Moon Kingdom!"
"..."
Xiao Xun looked with disdain at Dukar, who was basking in the praise, accepting everyone's accolades. Perhaps only he and Dukar knew the truth of what happened.
Dukar himself probably believed he had slain the magical beast through his own power.
However, it had nothing to do with him. The competition required a branch of the Immortal Tung Tree, not the beast's head.
He approached the elder of the council and said, "This competition you've organized is unreasonable!"
The elder, facing Xiao Xun, who was several ranks higher than him, stroked his beard. "May I know what Lord Svein is dissatisfied with?"
"Firstly, I don't understand the purpose of this competition. Cutting tree branches. I've heard the Immortal Tung Tree is a legendary tree. We haven't even seen what it looks like, and even if we find it, we're not sure!"
He then shook the axe in his hand. "Secondly, this broken axe. If you're not going to give everyone the same one, and instead draw lots to decide which axe each person uses, you might as well just draw lots to decide who enters the next round."
The elder nodded. "That makes sense." He then took the microphone and announced to everyone, "Competitors who did not obtain a branch from the Immortal Tung Tree, as long as you return your axe, you will receive a seed. Those who can grow the 'Ice Snow Fairy' within three days will also enter the third round."
This announcement caused an uproar.
What was unexpected was that someone actually managed to obtain a branch from the Immortal Tung Tree. Secondly, people had even discarded their axes as cumbersome during their escape, while only Xiao Xun had carried them back as if they were treasures.
Xiao Xun listened to the elder's words and asked in a low voice, "Did someone really bring back a branch from the Immortal Tung Tree?"
The elder nodded. "I am also very surprised, but it was indeed brought back, and the High Priest has examined it. It is indeed real."
Xiao Xun's eyes widened. He thought, 'How much skill would that take? Even if they knew the competition's content in advance, there's no place to find it! Or perhaps they are truly a master. But no matter the reason, if the third round is a magic competition, then I am definitely no match for anyone here.'
Just as Xiao Xun was considering asking who it was, the elder produced a seed, the size of a soybean and resembling rock candy, and placed it in Xiao Xun's hand.
"My lord, this is the seed. Please take care of it."
Xiao Xun looked at the rock candy in his hand. "This is a seed? How strange."
He clasped the rock candy and asked the elder beside him, "How do I plant this?"
The elder took out a seed and showed it to Xiao Xun in the setting sun. "This is very easy to plant. Just place it in a transparent container, add water, and put it in the sunlight. Under normal circumstances, it will sprout in a day, bud in two days, and bloom in three days. The flowering period lasts for five days. By then, you can bring the blooming 'Ice Snow Fairy'."
"That simple?"
Xiao Xun found it hard to believe it was a competition, but seeing the few people collecting seeds, he didn't say much more.
He took the seed back to the castle. "Planting flowers? There might still be twists and turns. This open-book exam is too difficult!"
Walking into the castle, no matter how he looked at the rock candy in his hand, it didn't resemble a seed.
Just then, the captain of the guards walked over. Seeing Xiao Xun, he saluted. Xiao Xun nodded in response and then showed him the rock candy in his hand.
"What is this in my hand?"
The captain of the guards looked down at the rock candy in Xiao Xun's hand. "If this humble servant's guess is correct, this should be the seed of the 'Ice Snow Fairy', shouldn't it!"
Xiao Xun said nothing and walked away with the rock candy, thinking, 'Could this really be a seed?'
However, both the feel of it and his years of accumulated knowledge refused to let him believe that this thing could sprout and bloom.
He walked to a corridor, looked around to see no one, and quietly picked it up, sticking out his tongue to lick it. "Mmm! It's sweet."
The sensation on his tongue told him it was rock candy. "Could they have given me the wrong one?"
To verify his suspicion, he put the rock candy in his pocket and headed to the kitchen.
The chefs and kitchen staff were busy preparing dinner for the evening. Because Xiao Xun often came here, no one stopped their work, allowing Xiao Xun to wander around the kitchen.
Xiao Xun approached the head chef. The head chef was engrossed in flipping through a recipe book.
Seeing Xiao Xun arrive, he respectfully stood up and bowed. "My lord has come quite early today! I wonder what delicious delicacies you will teach us?"
"Not yet. By the way, do you have any rock candy in the kitchen?"
Seeing Xiao Xun looking around, the head chef indicated he didn't know what rock candy was.
"It's that stuff that looks like ice, it's sweet, and it dissolves when you put it in hot water."
The head chef still shook his head. "It might be different in other countries, but in our country, what you're describing is a type of flower seed called the 'Ice Snow Fairy'."
Xiao Xun was stunned and quickly asked, "Can I just put it in water?"
The head chef nodded. "That's right."
At this point, Xiao Xun completely put aside his doubts and happily returned to the top-floor master bedroom with the rock candy.
Upon entering the room, he remembered he forgot to get a glass bottle. He looked around and saw an empty glass water cup. He temporarily placed the rock candy inside and poured some water from the kettle.
He heard the bell from the watchtower, and Xiao Xun knew it was the signal for dinner.
Although the food here didn't suit his taste, he had made an appearance in the kitchen earlier. If he didn't eat once, it would be understandable, but not eating every time was somewhat unreasonable.
At least there were meat and vegetables, a balance of meat and vegetables. The meat quality was just a bit poor, and the taste was a bit strange.
When Xiao Xun arrived at the dining hall, there were only a few people, and Sailor Fes was not present.
Xiao Xun wanted to ask someone nearby about the Empress's whereabouts. The violin began to play a melodious tune, and Xiao Xun knew that now he could only eat and not speak.
As soon as the violin stopped, Xiao Xun immediately approached the nobleman closest to him. "Why isn't Your Majesty here for dinner today?"