Weakest Beast Tamer Gets All SSS Dragons novel Chapter 272

"That's not a Big Stone Lurker," Liu noted with surprise.

"First time observing advanced trials?" asked a sixth-year student who had sat down next to him, her tone friendly.

Liu nodded, not taking his eyes off the arena.

"Stone Mountain," she explained. "The natural evolution of the Big Lurker, already at Silver 1 level. When you advance to fifth year or obtain a Bronze 2 beast, you face a Lesser Stone Mountain. But these are seventh-years with Silver beasts, so they fight against a complete Stone Mountain."

Liu processed the information, mentally comparing the dimensions. The Stone Mountain must have measured at least six meters in height, with proportionally greater mass. Its surface displayed crystalline formations that suggested increased resistance.

"And that's not all... In seventh year we have to face two types of trials," continued the student, apparently pleased to share her knowledge. "The Stone Mountain tests our ability to overcome formidable defenses, while the Greater Giant Toad of Silver 1 rank evaluates our skill against agile and aggressive opponents. They can choose the order, but they must complete both to advance to eighth grade."

"Which is more difficult?" asked Liu, unable to contain his curiosity.

The student considered the question.

"Depends on your specialty. For defensive beasts, the Mountain is a headache. For offensive ones, the Toad can be a nightmare."

The conversation was interrupted when the final barriers were deactivated.

The three tamers took strategic positions around the Stone Mountain, maintaining a perfect triangular formation. Unlike first-year students, there was no nervousness or doubt in their movements, only mechanical precision born from countless hours of practice.

At an imperceptible signal between them, they fully invoked their beasts.

The Major Digger Cricket appeared first: an impressive creature that combined insect characteristics with adaptations for underground excavation. But it looked much larger and more resilient than its iron rank version.

The Deep Threat emerged next: an evolved version of the digger mole, also larger and evidently more powerful. Its fur, a brown so dark it seemed almost black, absorbed light instead of reflecting it.

Zhou Liwei didn't perform an invocation. Unlike his companions, he maintained his beast's fusion with his body.

"Beginning in three, two, one..." counted the supervising professor.

The barriers dissipated, releasing the Stone Mountain.

The reaction was immediate and perfectly coordinated. Without needing verbal communication, the tamers of the diggers directed their beasts toward opposite positions. The Cricket and the Deep Threat simultaneously submerged themselves in the arena, disappearing beneath the surface with impressive speed.

Liu could see something that many other spectators missed: the diggers weren't leaving open tunnels behind them. They meticulously closed every inch of the path traveled, compacting the earth as they passed.

'Are they generating a barrier against sound?' Liu wondered.

The surface around the Stone Mountain began to ripple, as if the earth itself were breathing.

The earth control exercised by the two digging creatures was much more sophisticated than anything Liu had observed in first year.

The Stone Mountain, however, was not a passive opponent. Its Silver 1 rank granted it elemental control that rivaled that of its attackers. The stone beast began emitting its own vibrations, countering the underground movements with pulsations that stabilized the ground beneath its feet.

The underground battle quickly escalated in intensity. Shock waves began emanating from the center of the arena, so powerful that earth-element auxiliaries had to intervene, neutralizing the vibrations before they affected the stadium's structure.

And while this was happening, Zhou Liwei remained absolutely motionless, his eyes closed, his wing-arms extended horizontally, in what appeared to be a deep trance.

"He's preparing," commented the sixth-year student, her voice dropping to a respectful whisper. "The signature technique of the Silver Steator Vulture."

Liu, using his own bat's perception, managed to see what remained invisible to most: sound waves, at frequencies inaudible to the human ear, emanating from Zhou Liwei in precise circular patterns.