Gao Wu: I became the minor villain that the protagonist was about to destroy.

"Lin Yue, how did you know?"

"I awakened a month ahead of schedule because I reached the limits of human potential, but I never expected that someone would awaken so early. My master said that my talent is already rare in the world."

Xiao Yi asked, "What's the difference between awakening early and awakening at the appropriate age?"

"I heard my master mention this before. When the human body reaches its extreme and awakens, the heavens and earth will not only provide a lot of feedback to it, but also awaken dual characteristics."

&: "Dual characteristics?!?"

Chu Yu exclaimed in shock, "So, Lin Yue, you possess two fixed characteristics?!"

"That's right, I have two."

Chu Yu immediately protested, "Damn it! Why won't my father let me reach the pinnacle before awakening!"

"Young Miss, awakening to the ultimate realm is not as easy as you think. It requires immense talent and perseverance to achieve, to be on par with awakened beings with a mortal body."

"As you know, even the lowest level of Awakened Ones has physical attributes dozens of times higher than ordinary people."

"To hone one's skills with a mortal body at least dozens of times greater than that of an ordinary person is incredibly difficult."

"I didn't know that when I was in the mountains, I was subjected to my master's rigorous training and beatings every day. I was always on the verge of life and death, and then I was helped to repair myself with special medicine."

"It took a full ten years to reach the pinnacle, just one month before the day of awakening."

"Baki is a full six months ahead of me, which shows how extraordinary his talent is."

Chu Yu suddenly thought of something: "Then wouldn't Baki be able to come out on top in this martial arts exam?"

Lin Yue said with a solemn expression, "I'm afraid it's not that simple. If it's just our No. 2 Middle School, Baki can be said to be the strongest, but I'm not very clear about the situation in other schools and other cities."

"Maybe there are people like us too, who knows."

After hearing this, the group fell into deep thought. They had thought they were like geniuses, but compared to true geniuses, they seemed to be far behind.

At this moment, Mo Ling spoke up: "Oh dear, Xiao Yu, Xiao Ni, don't think about it so much. If we don't hurry, we'll fall further and further behind them."

"Yeah, we can definitely turn things around! Let's go! Let's fight the demon wolves!!"

Chu Yu pulled the two of them forward, with Lin Yue silently following behind, while Xiao Yi's gaze remained fixed on Lin Yue.

"I thought the difference between you and me was only in terms of realm, but I didn't expect there was also a gap in characteristics."

"However, I will not lose to any of these prodigies!"

On the other side, in the territory of the Cyclops.

The air was thick with the pungent smell of sulfur mixed with the stench of blood. Yujiro Hanma's flat shoes sank deep into the enormous head beneath his feet, the skull creaking under the weight.

"Pfft!"

The skull exploded instantly.

He glanced around, a near-pleasant grin spreading across his face, as if watching a poorly executed performance. Dozens of Cyclopes, wielding crude metal clubs, surrounded him, their low growls a threatening chorus, their massive single eyes burning with anger and a barely perceptible hint of fear.

"Purity," Yujiro's voice wasn't loud, but it clearly drowned out all the noise, carrying the disappointment of someone who had tasted inferior liquor. "It's not quite enough."

"Whoosh—!!"

The moment his words fell, a terrifying aura, almost tangible and reddish-black, erupted from his imposing body! It was not merely killing intent, but more like the awakening of some primordial beast, carrying an overwhelming will to crush everything.

The air currents became turbulent, and the pebbles on the ground trembled slightly. The cyclops surrounding Yujiro staggered backward uncontrollably. The anger in their eyes was replaced by pure terror, an instinctive fear of an apex predator.

Yujiro ignored the cyclops; their frailty held no appeal for him. He slowly withdrew his foot and casually strode forward.

His footsteps were steady, each one making a clear "tap, tap" sound on the rough rocky ground. The one-eyed giants ahead let out terrified whimpers, involuntarily and awkwardly retreating to the sides, forcefully clearing a path to the summit. No giant dared to meet those inhuman eyes.

At the summit of the desolate mountain, the scene was even more terrifying. It resembled a giant primitive altar, with the Cyclops King, Du Xiao, sitting majestically on a throne carved from a single piece of obsidian in the center.

Its body was nearly half again as tall as that of an ordinary tribesman, its muscles bulging like the gnarled roots of an old tree, reaching a height of twenty meters, resembling a small mountain. To the left of its throne leaned a giant mace, entirely black and covered with ferocious spikes, its blade still bearing traces of dried dark red blood.

An exceptionally strong Cyclops guard carefully carried a huge tortoise-shell container with mysterious patterns, walked heavily to the throne, knelt on one knee, and raised it high.

Inside the tortoise shell was a thick, scarlet liquid radiating intense energy.

The owl stretched out its giant paw, took the tortoise shell, and without even looking at it, tilted its head back and gulped it down. The scarlet liquid flowed down the corner of its mouth and dripped onto its chest.

"Whoosh—!"

A ferocious and violent aura, far more intense than that of an ordinary giant, burst forth from its body like a storm. Its enormous single eye instantly became bloodshot and emitted a scorching light.

All the Cyclopes kneeling on the mountaintop lowered their heads even further, their bodies trembling slightly with awe, emitting a unified, low groan as they paid homage to their absolute king.

Just then, something unexpected happened!

A massive black shadow hurtled down from the foot of the mountain like a cannonball, tearing through the air with a piercing shriek before crashing heavily onto the open ground in front of the Lone Tyrant Throne with a deafening roar, creating a shallow crater and billowing dust.

As the smoke and dust cleared, it became clear that the figure was a Cyclops guard, his bones shattered and he was on the verge of death.

This unexpected "gift" startled all the kneeling giants, who quickly grabbed their weapons and nervously guarded the area below.

Below, a concentrated and ominous crimson-black aura was steadily approaching, its presence dimming even the light in its wake. The aura was cold and violent, a stark contrast to the wild and untamed aura of the Lone Hawk.

The massive body of the Lone Owl finally stirred, shifting to a more comfortable sitting position, its thick fingers tapping lightly on the armrest of the throne. Its single eye narrowed slightly, looking down at the restless tribesmen and the approaching "little one," a hint of interest appearing in its gaze for the first time, but mostly a condescending indifference.

Du Xiao waved his hand, and his elite troops immediately picked up their weapons and headed towards the camp gate.