Gradually, the spirit cats chasing the red dot multiplied—from one, to two, then three, ten, and finally hundreds.
Lin Tian was utterly stunned at the sight. Although the cultivation of the two-tailed spirit cats was not particularly high, any cultivator on Xiangye Mountain could normally handle a single one with ease. But facing hundreds of them at once was an entirely different matter.
As the commotion grew, the two-tailed spirit cats across the mountain rapidly gathered. Meanwhile, fewer than twenty cultivators had successfully obtained the ribbons from their tails.
Witnessing this overwhelming swarm, the other trial participants immediately faltered. Lin Tian's laser pointer seemed like a harvester; wherever the red dot appeared, chaos followed like a swarm of locusts—terrifyingly relentless.
"You two, go see what's happening on Xiangye Mountain!" The noise had evidently alerted the elders overseeing the trial from below.
Xu Guan and Zhu Zhiwei exchanged surprised glances at the command. They had not expected the elder to point to them so casually. After all, secretly placing a three-tailed spirit cat in the trial area was a violation of the rules. If the elder discovered it, punishment would be inevitable.
Entering Xiangye Mountain, they intended to check on the three-tailed spirit cat's progress—and to recall it if necessary. But the scene that greeted them left both utterly shocked. Though formidable participants occasionally appeared in previous trials, never had Xiangye Mountain been left in such a state of devastation.
"What on earth is going on?" Xu Guan muttered, horror etched across his face.
At that moment, a three-tailed spirit cat leapt forward, followed closely by a massive horde of two-tailed spirit cats.
"Senior, when did your three-tailed spirit cat become this powerful?" Xu Guan asked in disbelief. While the three-tailed cat's cultivation far surpassed the two-tailed cats, commanding such a large group should have been nearly impossible. Yet now, it seemed the three-tailed cat had become the leader of the entire swarm.
"Take a look at whose spirit pet this is," Zhu Zhiwei said, a glint of pride in his eyes. He had never imagined his own three-tailed cat could wield such dominance—its brilliance reflected on its master.
"Alright, call them to a stop," he commanded, casting a proud glance at the three-tailed spirit cat.
But the moment the words fell, a red dot silently appeared on his body. Zhu Zhiwei paid it no mind at first, seeing it as harmless.
The next instant, his three-tailed spirit cat leapt and swiped with incredible speed.
"Beast! What are you doing?" Zhu Zhiwei, a Foundation Establishment Stage cultivator, moved to strike with spiritual energy, sending a powerful palm forward. The three-tailed cat was knocked back—but immediately, the surrounding two-tailed cats surged forward like possessed creatures, recklessly attacking him.
As a Xuanwu Sect disciple, Zhu Zhiwei could not falter. A wall of spiritual energy materialized, blocking the assault. But as the numbers of attacking cats swelled, he felt an overwhelming pressure. Cracks appeared across the energy wall.
Within moments, the wall shattered. Claws rained down mercilessly.
Though formidable, Zhu Zhiwei could not withstand the sheer number of two-tailed spirit cats. The red dot flickered across his body, guiding the relentless strikes. In mere moments, the once dignified disciple had been reduced to a battered, pitiful state.
"Senior, are you alright?" Xu Guan was paralyzed with shock at the scene. His eyes widened as he noticed the red dot on Zhu Zhiwei moving silently toward him.
Xu Guan's face turned pale. Though his cultivation level matched Zhu Zhiwei's, his strength was slightly inferior. The approaching red dot—Lin Tian's control device—signaled that the two-tailed cats were now targeting him.
With a scream, Xu Guan mobilized his spiritual energy and fled, crushing a jade slip in his hand. Simultaneously, an elder in white robes at the foot of Xiangye Mountain suddenly opened his eyes and sped toward the mountain.
Seeing the black tide of two-tailed spirit cats, the elder was dumbfounded. In all the years of Xuanwu Sect trials, he had never witnessed anything like this.
"Elder, save me!" Xu Guan shouted, running toward him.
A roar erupted as the elder condensed his energy into his dantian, shaking Xiangye Mountain to its core. The previously gathered spirit cats scattered as if struck by fear.
Seeing the cats disperse, Xu Guan finally exhaled deeply, tears glinting in his eyes.
"Not good," Lin Tian muttered, his expression changing in an instant. Pocketing the laser pointer, he spun to escape.
But the moment he turned, a two-tailed spirit cat leapt and, as effortlessly as lifting a chick, snatched him up.