Chapter 63: Entering the Island, Swiftly Advancing Toward the Mountain’s Foot

The Crow Warrior’s eyes emitted an eerie green glow as he simultaneously turned to look at Xiao Tiance. The green light flickered continuously, and the Crow Warrior’s wings beat, stirring up a whirlwind. Instantly, Xiao Tiance felt a chill run down his scalp and could not help but take a step back. At the same time, he gripped his heavy sword tightly, which burst forth with a flash of red light.

Seeing this, Lin Xue immediately stepped between the two. “If you want to fight, wait until after the entrance exam!” At her words, Yang Feng nodded and withdrew his intense gaze. Xiao Tiance took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down. When the Crow Warrior had looked at him just now, he had felt an overwhelming sense of threat.

A thunderous roar suddenly erupted from the sky above. The entrance examination had officially begun!

Lin Xue called out, “Let’s get moving!” The six of them quickly formed a group and passed through the shimmering barrier. Their average level was exactly twenty-one, which met the requirements for entering the island.

It felt as though they had passed through a veil, and then they found themselves on White Sand Island. The air was oppressively humid, thick with the briny scent of the sea. The moisture was so intense that everyone felt as if they had plunged underwater, leaving them distinctly uncomfortable.

Gu Panpan pinched her nose and complained with a look of disgust, “What is this awful place? Why is it so damp and foul-smelling?”

In the center of White Sand Island stood a mountain towering over a thousand meters above sea level, making it highly conspicuous. The entrance to the “Heart of the Ocean” dungeon lay upon this very peak. From their vantage point, they could see a river cascading down its slopes, and atop the summit, a massive vortex spun incessantly—a swirling gateway to the Heart of the Ocean.

Lin Xue fixed her gaze upon the mountain, determining their destination. The island was even larger than they had anticipated. After passing through the barrier, everyone dispersed. Where once the beach had been densely packed with people, now not a soul was in sight.

Face grim, Lin Xue said, “We must hurry. Our target is the Heart of the Ocean dungeon! If we encounter monsters on the way and they do not attack us, try your best not to provoke them!” With that, she dashed off ahead alone. The others wasted no time and quickly followed.

White Sand Island teemed with monsters—beings with the heads of sharks, human bodies, and wielding tridents in their hands. These creatures, known as Sharkheads, possessed razor-sharp teeth and bodies covered in tough scales.

Their fangs could snap through steel as if it were nothing. Sharkheads lived in the island’s fish ponds, with narrow passages connecting each pond. Yang Feng and the others swiftly made their way across.

Suddenly, a Sharkhead leapt from the water, lunging at the group. Lin Xue was the first to react, immediately launching an attack.

Heavy Strike! It was the most basic skill of a swordsman. Instantly, her sword pierced the Sharkhead, enraging the beast, which charged at her with eyes blazing red, clearly having lost all reason.

At that moment, Yang Feng hurled a detection water sphere at the Sharkhead.

[Common Sharkhead]
[Level: 20]
[Combat Power: 500]
[Defense: 300]
[Speed: 200]
[Mental Strength: 100]
[Skills: None]

Judging by its attributes, this was indeed a level 20 monster. It was not particularly strong, nor did it possess any skills—hardly an obstacle to block their path.

Pierce! Before the Sharkhead could close the distance, Lin Xue thrust her longsword forward, activating her skill. With a tearing sound, the blade drove straight through the Sharkhead’s body.

At the same time, a burst of flame landed on the Sharkhead, engulfing it in a fiery blaze. Yet the creature did not perish immediately; instead, it charged at Lin Xue, its entire body aflame.

Without anyone noticing, Gu Panpan appeared behind the Sharkhead. With a swift motion, she plunged a sharp dagger into its back.

“Ah!” The Sharkhead let out a wretched cry and collapsed to the ground. At that exact moment, an arrow pierced its body.

The Sharkhead, run through by the arrow, finally ceased to move.

[Successfully slain Level 20 Common Sharkhead. Experience +2000.]
[Lin Xue has obtained one Sharkhead’s Razor Tooth!]

Yang Feng heard the notification ring in his mind—the Sharkhead was dead. Since they were in a team of six, each received only a modest share of experience. As the leader, Lin Xue collected all the items dropped by slain monsters.

This entrance exam was not about leveling up, so Yang Feng paid little mind to the experience or items. After dispatching the Sharkhead, the group pressed forward at a brisk pace. Along the way, they encountered several more Sharkheads. The closer they drew to the mountain, the more monsters appeared, and their levels increased accordingly. Before long, level twenty-two monsters began to show up.

Dealing with these stronger beasts cost the group some time. After slaying a level twenty-two monster, Lin Xue looked up at the distant peak.

“At our current pace, it will take at least two hours to reach the island’s center. And once we arrive, climbing the mountain will take additional time. We’re moving too slowly!”

“From now on, if we’re attacked by monsters, Miao’er, you’ll be responsible for holding them off. We must avoid wasting time!”

“We have to pick up the pace and reach the dungeon entrance as quickly as possible!”

She had made up her mind not to bother fighting every monster, but to hurry towards their true goal. Yu Miao’er nodded. “Understood!” The whole team accelerated.

Whenever they encountered monsters, Yu Miao’er would hold them at bay.

Elven Arrow! A volley of sharp arrows drove the monsters back, clearing the way.

With this strategy, their progress sped up significantly. In less than ten minutes, Yang Feng and the others had reached the mountain’s base.

However, just as Lin Xue had predicted, they were already late. Several other teams had beaten them there.

A river tumbled down from the mountaintop, and there was only one path up the mountain. Most crucially, this single path was less than a meter wide.