Reborn to Be A Beast Master

C19 - You Are Not Xie Yang

The trio that arrived were male adventurers. One was a brawny, honest-looking fellow. Another was a slender young man. The last was a square-faced, middle-aged man exuding maturity and stability.

The forthright, muscular man led the way. His had been the voice calling out earlier. Upon spotting Xie Yang, he paused, a realization dawning on him. He slapped his forehead and sighed in exasperation.

"Tung Yaying, you've fallen for a pretty face again. What have you promised him this time?"

"Moo Zhen, who's fallen for a handsome man?"

Tung Yaying shot the brawny man a glare before introducing Xie Yang to the group.

"He's on the same mission as us. He wants to head to Knell Valley too, but couldn't secure a ride. So, I offered to take him with us."

"You're heading to Knell Valley?"

Moo Zhen examined Xie Yang, then scratched his head.

"Kid, you look like you're still in school, am I right?"

Xie Yang nodded confidently. "I'm a student at Lakeshell High, set to graduate this year."

Upon hearing this, everyone except Tung Yaying, who was already in the know, looked at him oddly.

He was merely an apprentice Beastmaster and a student at that. His pet likely hadn't even reached second rank, and yet he was bold enough to venture into Knell Valley. They weren't sure whether to admire his courage or question his sense of self-preservation.

Moo Zhen, ever the straightforward one, scratched his head again and advised, "Little brother, Knell Valley is too perilous for you. You'd be better off picking an easier task."

Xie Yang just shrugged. "I think I can handle this mission."

"It's too tough for you," Moo Zhen insisted.

The thin young man was growing visibly impatient with Xie Yang's disregard for their warnings. He frowned and said, "You're just an ungraduated student. How are you going to handle the Death Bell Beetles in the valley? You're not Xie Yang."

Caught off guard, Tung Yaying, standing to the side, blurted out, "Xie Yang?"

Moo Zhen clarified, "Don't you remember? Just yesterday, we talked about Xie Yang, the unparalleled genius who aced the superior-grade Apprentice Assessment!"

Tung Yaying whipped her head around to stare at Xie Yang, her expression one of utter astonishment.

She recalled the young man who had introduced himself earlier, mentioning his name was Xie Yang.

And here he was, also named Xie Yang, boldly ready to take on the task of exterminating a swarm of insects.

His identity was unmistakably clear.

"You're Xie Yang?"

Tung Yaying's voice faltered as she asked.

Her question left the others momentarily dumbfounded.

But they quickly regained their composure and turned to Xie Yang with looks of amazement.

Speaking candidly, Xie Yang confirmed, "Yes, I did pass the Apprentice Assessment at the superior level yesterday."

Moo Zhen was visibly taken aback.

The other three shared his astonishment.

They hadn't anticipated that the prodigious Beastmaster, who had stirred up such a buzz in Lakeshell's Beastmaster community, would suddenly be among them.