On the plains, the wind kicked up dry dust.
The sun poured down without obstruction, baking the ground until it was scorching hot.
"Bang—!!!"
A dull, heart-pounding explosion erupted, and the shockwave kicked up all the dust within a ten-meter radius.
Leo crossed his arms in front of his chest, his entire body blasted backward by a terrifying force, the soles of his boots plowing two deep furrows into the ground.
After sliding a full seven meters, he barely managed to steady himself.
The smoke and dust slowly dissipated.
Leo lowered his slightly trembling arms and wiped away the trace of blood from the corner of his mouth, his chest heaving violently.
He could feel a dull, bone-deep pain coming from the bones in his arms—a warning that the power had exceeded his limit of endurance.
"Master Biscuit."
He gasped, a bitter smile on his face.
"Your strength after returning to your original form... is too powerful. My two arms were almost ruined."
Standing opposite him was a figure over two meters tall.
Muscles bulged like cast iron, every inch of line containing explosive power.
Long golden hair was tied into a neat ponytail behind her head, and the originally petite princess dress had long since been replaced by a tight-fitting black training suit.
That face was still exquisite, but the contours were more defined, and her eyes were as sharp as knives.
This was the true appearance of Biscuit Krueger.
"Tch."
Biscuit curled her lips, her face filled with displeasure.
She moved her right arm, which had just thrown that punch, and her joints let out a crisp crackling sound.
"If you say that again, I won't show any more mercy."
Her voice was much deeper, carrying an undisguised threat.
"I hate my original appearance—too tall, too muscular, and hideous. You think so too, don't you? Hmm?"
The final "Hmm" was drawn out, and her fist slowly tightened.
Leo's Adam's apple bobbed. These five months of special training had made him deeply realize one thing.
In front of Biscuit, honesty was sometimes less important than survival.
"You're right."
He had a serious look on his face.
"A woman is naturally most lovely when she is petite and delicate. Your usual appearance, Master, is very good, absolutely perfect."
Biscuit stared at him for two seconds, snorted, and the Nen around her body began to flow.
Her tall and robust figure slowly shrank like a leaking balloon, her muscle lines became soft, and her height decreased—a few seconds later, that little blonde girl with twin tails stood on the plains again.
She patted the non-existent dust off her body, her expression returning to its usual ease.
Leo secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
These five months, every day had been spent breaking through limits.
Early morning was systematic cultivation—accumulation of Qi capacity for the Enhancer type, nature transformation for the Transmuter type, and long-range release for the Emitter type.
Biscuit's teaching was strict to the point of being harsh, every detail had to be repeatedly polished until it formed muscle memory.
Afternoon was practical sparring.
At first, it was Biscuit in her little girl form, but as Leo grew rapidly, that level of pressure was no longer enough.
A month ago, Biscuit returned to her original form for the first time.
In that battle, Leo only lasted thirty seconds.
The strength of a true Two-Star Hunter completely submerged him like a landslide or a tsunami.
Power, speed, experience, and the use of Nen—a total crushing in all aspects.
But it was precisely this crushing that allowed Leo to see the scenery from a higher vantage point, and allowed him to find a new Breakthrough direction every time he was knocked down.
Late afternoon was hunting time.
Deep within the Moonlight Tundra lived various powerful creatures: Spine-back Mountain Boars with fur as hard as iron, Silver-light Leopards as fast as lightning, and Swamp Giant Lizards that could spit acid... every battle was a life-and-death struggle.
The tattoo on the back of his hand continued to heat up, and life energy constantly poured in.
[Rank: 29→31→34→37→39→41]
Five months, twelve levels.
The physical strengthening brought by each level up was clearly felt.
Muscle density increased, bones became tougher, nerve reaction speed improved, and the five senses became sharper.
Coupled with the nourishment of Nen, this body was evolving toward a non-human Domain.
But the price was equally heavy.
High-intensity training kept his body on the brink of collapse at all times.
Muscle tears, micro-fractures in bones, internal organ vibrations...
If it weren't for Biscuit using "Magical Esthetician Cookie" every night for deep massage and repair, combined with Leo's own powerful recovery ability, he wouldn't have survived this hellish special training at all.
At this moment, Biscuit walked up to Leo and looked up at him—even though she had returned to her little girl form, her gaze still carried the pressure belonging to the strong.
"Everything I can teach you, I have already passed on without reservation."
Her voice calmed down, rarely showing a hint of softness.
"The rest is up to you to practice, realize, and Breakthrough. I only intended to stay for three months... I didn't expect that in the blink of an eye, it would be the end of the year."
Leo was silent for a few seconds, then bowed deeply.
This action was done extremely solemnly, his waist bent to ninety degrees, pausing for three seconds before straightening up.
"Thank you very much for your guidance, Master Biscuit."
His voice was very serious.
"I will remember these five months of teaching for the rest of my life. If there is any need in the future, as long as you say the word, I will definitely do it."
This was not polite talk.
Biscuit's unreserved teaching over these five months had exceeded the scope of an ordinary commission.
She not only taught Nen abilities but also combat wisdom, wilderness survival, and even some secret knowledge known only to Hunters.
Leo kept this kindness in his heart.
Biscuit waved her hand, that indifferent smile reappearing on her face.
"Mm-hmm, I've seen all your hard work. Alright, the special training ends here. Tomorrow morning, we'll set off to return."
She paused, as if suddenly remembering something.
"By the way, you're not a Hunter yet, are you? It's December now... I suggest you go get a hunter license. The Hunter Exam is next January."
Leo nodded.
"That's right, I plan to go sign up in a few days."
"That's good."
Biscuit put her hands behind her back and paced a couple of steps.
"Also, our school is called the 'Shingen-ryu'. That old man Netero, the Chairman of the Hunter Association, is the founder of the Shingen-ryu. You work hard..."
She turned her head and looked at Leo, a glimmer of expectation flashing in her eyes.
"I hope that one day, you can be stronger than that old fellow. I have high hopes for you."
Leo rubbed the back of his head awkwardly.
"I will."
This sentence wasn't said heavily, but Biscuit heard the weight in it.
On the last night in the Moonlight Tundra, the two did not train.
Biscuit rarely cooked personally, making a sumptuous dinner using the ingredients collected during this time.
Glowing moss served as natural lighting, illuminating the camp like a dream.
There wasn't much talk during the meal, but the atmosphere was very relaxed.
After five months of living together day and night, a wordless understanding had formed between the Master and disciple.
The next morning, the two packed their gear and left the glowing forest where they had lived for five months.
After half a day's trek, they arrived at the city closest to the Moonlight Tundra—Yutope City.
This was the outpost for entering the tundra, and many well-equipped explorers could be seen on the streets.
The airport was located in the eastern suburbs of the city.
Compared to the bustling city where Heavens Arena was located, the airport here was much smaller, with mostly short-haul airships taking off and landing.
In the waiting hall, Biscuit patted Leo's arm.
"Let's part ways here."
She withdrew her hand, took out a card, and handed it to Leo.
"This is my contact information. If you run into trouble you can't solve, you can find me—of course, don't bother me with small things."
Leo took the card and tucked it away carefully.
"When you get back to Heavens Arena, remember to help me check on that kid Wing's training progress."
Biscuit's expression became dangerous.
"If he's been slack, lazy, or passive in his training... give him a good lesson for me! Don't be polite; if he gets hurt, he deserves it."
Leo couldn't help but laugh.
"No problem, Master Biscuit, I will."
He paused, looking at the figure before him who seemed petite but was actually as vast as the mountains and seas, and said solemnly once more.
"Thank you for your guidance and company during this time."
Biscuit waved her hand impatiently.
"Alright, alright, this is so mushy! Hurry up and go, the airship is about to take off!"
Leo smiled and said no more.
He picked up his pack and turned toward the boarding gate.
The small airship slowly rose, tracing an arc over Yutope City and flying toward Heavens Arena.
Biscuit stood at the edge of the tarmac, looking up at the shrinking airship until it became a black dot on the horizon and finally disappeared.
She sighed softly, a complex expression on her face.
There was gratification, expectation, and a faint hint of worry.
"I hope my decision was right..."
Biscuit murmured to herself, her voice scattering in the wind.
"Old man Netero, I seem to have... released an extraordinary beast from its cage."
She shook her head, shaking off these thoughts, and turned toward another gate.
In the airship's cabin, Leo leaned against the window, watching the mountains and rivers flash by below.
Seven months of special training had polished this raw stone into a sharp blade.
And now, it was time to verify the sharpness of that blade.
The Hunter Exam... battles above the 200th floor of Heavens Arena... and the countless secrets of this vast world waiting to be explored.
Leo closed his eyes and began to plan his next itinerary.
First, return to Heavens Arena to check on Sophia and Wing's training progress, and then, sign up for next year's Hunter Exam.