Staring at Bangboo before them, Zhu Yuan and Qingyi exchanged glances, both utterly astonished. Just a week ago, Bangboo had been utterly lazy; yet after merely a week, he was now disciplined and well-trained.
They had assumed it would take at least half a month. They hadn't expected it to be completed so quickly, and the results looked quite impressive.
At that moment, Nekomata reminded them, "Well, Chief, are we ready to begin the assessment now?"
Zhu Yuan snapped out of her thoughts and nodded hastily. "Ah... yes, of course we can start the assessment."
Immediately after, Zhu Yuan turned to the staff nearby. "Prepare the testing area. We'll commence the Universal Qualification Test assessment immediately."
The General Qualification Test was also known by another name: the Hollow Combat Practical Assessment. During the assessment, one would face various types of Ethereals. Only by defeating all the Ethereals could the assessment be completed.
Moreover, based on the strength and number of Ethereals, the qualification assessment was divided into six tiers. Completing the corresponding assessment would grant a qualification certificate of the respective tier.
Since these Bangboo were only temporarily trained, as Zhu Yuan anticipated, only the most basic test needed to be completed.
Soon, with the staff, Billy, Nicole, and others, the assessment venue was finally set up.
Immediately after, Zhu Yuan stated solemnly, "During the assessment, Ethereals will appear one by one, invading the Bangboo bases. Each trainer must direct their Bangboo to guard key positions within the base, blocking the Ethereals' advance and buying time for the specialized Ethereals hunters..."
Then, Zhu Yuan formally announced, "The assessment begins."
At Zhu Yuan's command, the staff immediately released pre-prepared low-tier Ethereals needed for the assessment, directing them to breach the Bangboo base.
Xiangling snapped to attention. "Huh? It's started? We haven't even decided who's in command yet..."
Zhu Yuan sighed helplessly. "Nothing we can do. According to the rules, once the assessment begins, it cannot be paused... You must quickly direct the Bangboo to defend the base..."
Hearing this, Billy hurriedly interjected, "There's no time! I'll take command..."
No sooner had the words left his mouth, Billy waved his hand dramatically, issuing orders to the first Bangboo.
"Cleaver Bangboo, hold your position there... Yes, yes, right at that corner. Fight the Ethereals when they come. If you can't hold them off, retreat..."
Immediately after, Billy continued, "Suit Thug Bangboo, you hold the second corner—yes, right there—and assist Cleaver Bangboo on the front line..."
Per assessment rules, not all Bangboo could directly enter the Bangboo Base. Instead, they had to complete specific tasks to earn entry slots.
For instance, killing the first Ethereals grants an extra entry slot. Successfully holding the line for three minutes, five minutes... each duration earns additional slots.
At this very moment, Billy—the Bangboo combat commander—along with Nicole, Anby, Nekomata, Sam Li, Hu Tao, Xiangling, and others beside him, were all nervously observing the Bangboo base from a god's-eye view.
As the Ethereals gradually closed in, Nekomata urgently warned, "Billy, alert Bangboo to engage!"
Snapping to attention, Billy bellowed, "Cleaver Bangboo, stand by! The first wave of Ethereals is here—five or six of them. They might be non-combatants. Be cautious, don't get bogged down. Just stall them for a bit—"
Cleaver Bangboo responded obediently, "Mm-hmm, mm-hm (Understood, Commander)!"
Under everyone's gaze, the first wave of Ethereals charged right up to Cleaver Bangboo. Each Ethereal looked like a fierce demon, wielding weapons that glowed with Ether light, seemingly intent on tearing Cleaver Bangboo to shreds.
However, the very next moment, Cleaver Bangboo simply hummed in acknowledgment. Far from being afraid, he leaped up from his spot and launched the first attack at the Ethereals.
The cleaver sliced through the first Ethereal before Cleaver Bangboo leapt back. The next second, that Ethereal actually cracked open—yes, literally cracked open—split cleanly in two, shattering into fragments that scattered across the ground.
Witnessing this scene, Zhu Yuan was taken aback. "That powerful?"
What appeared to be an ordinary slash had instantly killed an Ethereal. Admittedly, it was only the lowest-tier Ethereal, but Zhu Yuan knew full well that just a week ago, these Bangboo were still street-dwelling novices. When had they become so formidable?
Four or five Ethereals remained. The battle wasn't over yet.
Billy shouted a warning, "Cleaver Bangboo, watch your back!"
Even without Billy's reminder, Cleaver Bangboo knew perfectly well several Ethereals remained. With a grunt, Cleaver Bangboo spun around and swung a blade, ducked to evade an attack, leaped up and slashed again, slipped past another strike, then used the wall's rebound to deliver yet another blow...
Blow after blow, Cleaver Bangboo went berserk, single-handedly eliminating the first wave of Ethereals.
Nearby, Zhu Yuan was utterly astonished by Cleaver Bangboo's performance. Qingyi, however, wore a pensive expression. She had already discerned that while Cleaver Bangboo's flurry of strikes looked chaotic, each movement was perfectly coordinated—from evading strikes, to using the terrain for momentum, to the precise angles of each swing.
It resembled a complete sword technique. Exactly—like a martial arts sequence.
While Zhu Yuan and Qingyi pondered, the second wave of Ethereals surged forth, breaching Bangboo's base. This wave outnumbered the first—over a dozen of them.
Billy shouted, "Cleaver Bangboo, fall back for now. This time, we'll trap them and finish them off. Team up with Suit Thug Bangboo to take care of this wave of Ethereals."
Cleaver Bangboo immediately responded, "Mm-hmm, mm-hmm-da (Understood, Commander)—"
Suit Thug Bangboo also answered, "Mm-hmm, mm-hmm (Commander, I'm ready for battle)—"
Soon, the group of Ethereals burst into the area where Cleaver Bangboo and Suit Thug Bangboo were positioned.
Just like last time, Cleaver Bangboo still looked ready to fight, shouting "Mm-hmm" as he charged forward, seemingly intent on going all out against the Ethereals.
Suit Thug Bangboo, however, was much more elegant. He first adjusted his suit before beginning his fight with the Ethereals.
Unlike Cleaver Bangboo's approach, Suit Thug Bangboo relied solely on bare-handed combat—punching, flying kicks, followed by a powerful shoulder charge that forcefully blocked an attack. Then he brushed the dust off his cuffs, launched another flurry of strikes, and smashed one Ethereal into fragments.
A mountain-crushing leap landed on another Ethereal's head, where tiny fists relentlessly pounded until it too exploded...
Cleaver Bangboo and Suit Thug Bangboo joined forces. With effortless ease, they routed over a dozen Ethereals, leaving them in complete disarray.