The Cleaver Bangboo and Suit Thug Bangboo joined forces. Without even seeming to exert their full strength, they effortlessly shattered more than a dozen low-level Ethereal into fragments.
Witnessing this, Zhu Yuan was utterly stunned.
She quickly realized that the moves these two Bangboo had just displayed weren't ordinary techniques—they were martial arts.
Bangboo knew martial arts? When did they develop a martial arts module?
From what Zhu Yuan knew, a certain research institute had once tried to develop a martial arts module to give Bangboo innate martial ability. But that project had failed and was never implemented.
So why could these Bangboo fight with martial arts?
Zhu Yuan couldn't figure it out. Still, she didn't interrupt the assessment. She decided to wait until it was over to get her answers.
As the test continued, wave after wave of Ethereal stormed the Bangboo base. Under Billy's command, Cleaver Bangboo and Suit Thug Bangboo grew fiercer with every battle, repeatedly cutting down the invaders.
"Cleaver Bangboo, engage—"
"Mm-hmm, mm-hmm (Understood, Commander)!"
"Suit Thug Bangboo, careful—this wave brings many of them..."
"Mm-hmm, mm-hmm (Rest assured, Commander)!"
...
Until the final wave ended, not a single Ethereal breached the Bangboo base. Cleaver Bangboo and Suit Thug Bangboo stopped them all.
Zhu Yuan was shaken to her core.
There was no doubt—the assessment had been cleared. And it had taken only two Bangboo to defeat all the Ethereal.
After a brief silence, Zhu Yuan announced loudly:
"The first assessment is complete. Cleaver Bangboo and Suit Thug Bangboo have passed."
At this, Billy frowned.
"Why only two?"
Zhu Yuan answered seriously, "Because you only deployed two Bangboo."
Realization hit Billy, and he let out a helpless sigh:
"..."
It was true. He'd had several deployment slots available, but only sent out two Bangboo.
Nekomata tilted her head.
"Billy, why didn't you send out the others to help?"
Billy covered his face, embarrassed.
"I forgot..."
The trial had gone far too smoothly. Just two Bangboo had utterly routed the Ethereal, and Billy never once thought to deploy more.
He had prepared countless battle strategies before the test began—yet hadn't used a single one.
Billy cleared his throat.
"Don't worry. Next time, I won't forget."
Hu Tao sighed.
"Forget it. I'll command the next trial."
Guoba chimed in beside her:
"Lu, lu-lu—"
Billy looked confused.
"What's it saying now?"
Xiangling explained, "Guoba says you should watch carefully and learn how to command Bangboo properly."
Billy was left speechless:
"..."
...
Before the second test began, Qingyi had been quietly observing the Bangboo. It was obvious their abilities had already far surpassed the requirements for a "Tier 1 Combat Certificate."
In fact, Qingyi believed even a single Cleaver Bangboo or Suit Thug Bangboo could have cleared the previous trial alone.
So Qingyi asked with a smile,
"Are the Bangboo that haven't fought yet just as strong as the Cleaver Bangboo and Suit Thug Bangboo we saw earlier?"
Billy answered confidently,
"Of course! Every Bangboo has learned Guoba's martial arts."
Guoba's martial arts?
Qingyi glanced at Guoba, immediately understanding—it had taught them.
Zhu Yuan was stunned.
"That little guy taught them?"
Billy nodded.
"That's right. He's incredible—he can beat a Notoriety Ethereal with just one hand."
At this point, Billy had become Guoba's biggest fan.
Zhu Yuan frowned slightly:
"..."
Clearly, she wasn't convinced.
Qingyi chuckled.
"Since these Bangboo are so powerful, why waste time? I suggest we skip the lower-level combat trials and go straight to the sixth-tier assessment."
Zhu Yuan quickly protested.
"But Senior, that would violate the regulations."
Qingyi replied with a smile,
"Regulations are rigid, but people are flexible. These Bangboo clearly possess power far beyond Tier 1 requirements. Making them climb step by step would be a waste of time... It's better to move straight to Tier 6."
He wasn't wrong.
After a brief hesitation, Zhu Yuan nodded.
"Alright. But I must ask the examiners. Sam Li, Nicole, Hu Tao—do you agree to go directly to the sixth-tier combat assessment?"
Sam Li gave a slow nod.
"By all rational measures, the Bangboo can easily handle Tier 6."
Hu Tao smiled.
"Exactly. Let's start quickly—the Bangboo are already eager."
Zhu Yuan nodded.
"Very well. Let's begin..."
She then instructed the staff to skip the Tier 2 through Tier 5 tests and proceed directly to Tier 6.
Soon, the new trial began.
Compared to Tier 1, the Tier 6 combat assessment unleashed many more Ethereal, each far stronger. A single mistake could be dangerous.
Zhu Yuan watched the battlefield carefully, fully prepared to intervene if necessary.
Meanwhile, Hu Tao, like Billy before her, first deployed two Bangboo. But unlike Billy, she placed both of them directly on the front line, ordering them to work together against the first wave.
As the Ethereal swarmed into the base, Hu Tao shouted:
"Cardboard Bangboo, hold the enemy back! Shooter Bangboo, provide long-range support!"
"Mm-hmm, mm-hmm-da (Understood, Commander)!"
"Mm-hmm, mm-hm (Ready to fire)!"
The two little Bangboo faced the oncoming Ethereal without fear.
Cardboard Bangboo fought like an old-school martial arts star, his fists and kicks even sharper than Suit Thug Bangboo's earlier moves. He weaved between the Ethereal, holding back four or five of them at once...
Meanwhile, Shooter Bangboo kept firing from the rear, sniping in perfect coordination with Cardboard Bangboo, knocking enemies down one after another.
Clearly, this assessment put far more pressure on the Bangboo than the previous one. It took great effort, but together they defeated the first wave.
At that moment, Billy reminded,
"Hu Tao, you can deploy more Bangboo now."
Hu Tao chuckled lightly.
"Of course I know—"
With the first wave cleared and the Ethereal's strength understood, the rest became much simpler. Hu Tao assigned each Bangboo to positions based on their abilities.
They passed the test smoothly, helping over a dozen Bangboo earn their Advanced (Tier 6) Hollow Combat Qualification Certificates.
Immediately afterward, another trial was held. The remaining Bangboo also passed, obtaining their Tier 6 Hollow Combat Certificates.
When all assessments were finally complete, Zhu Yuan held the report in her hands, the shock in her heart still far from fading.