Lin Yuan looked at the three of them.
Jiang Ran’s face was full of expectation. Chen Mo pushed up his glasses and said nothing, but his gaze conveyed the same sentiment. Song Zhiyi’s expression was flat, yet she remained standing in front of him, making no move to leave.
The three of them sincerely wanted to invite him to join their team. It wasn't because of his realm—he had reported himself as Tier 1, Level 4.
Among the Hangzhou examinees, that was only considered upper-middle. Their invitation stemmed from their chance encounter at the station the previous day.
They didn’t know him and were unaware of his true strength, yet they were willing to team up with him.
It wasn't a bad feeling.
However, Lin Yuan still shook his head.
“I’m enough on my own.”
Jiang Ran’s face visibly slumped.
“Why? Three days of wilderness combat is dangerous for one person. Being in a team means we can at least look out for each other.”
“I’m used to it,” Lin Yuan said.
That was the truth.
He had spent ten days killing monsters in the wilderness, and he had always been alone.
He decided where to go, whether to fight, and whether to run—all on his own.
He didn’t need to accommodate anyone else’s pace, nor did he need anyone to accommodate his. To him, a team wasn't a help; it was a shackle.
Song Zhiyi looked at him, her gaze lingering briefly on the Purple Lightning on his back. She didn’t ask anything, only nodding.
“Then be careful.”
Jiang Ran wanted to say more, but Song Zhiyi pulled him away.
After walking a few steps, he turned back and shouted, “I’ll treat you to some Pian'erchuan after the exam!”
Lin Yuan smiled and waved him off.
Soon, the broadcast for the examinee assembly sounded.
A booming male voice erupted from the loudspeakers around the plaza, drowning out all the noise.
“Attention all examinees! Please line up in your designated areas according to your exam permit numbers. The reading of the exam rules will begin in ten minutes. Please remain quiet.”
The crowd began to move.
The three thousand examinees were divided into thirty squares according to their numbers, with one hundred people in each square.
Lin Yuan’s number was 1137, placing him in the twelfth square.
He carried Purple Lightning to his designated spot and stood still. The surrounding examinees sized each other up, and some were whispering in low voices.
“That guy carrying the purple spear, you see him? F-rank lightning ability.”
“F-rank? Why even bother with the exam?”
“He’s Tier 1, Level 4. His realm is high enough, at least.”
“What’s the use of a high realm? An F-rank lightning ability hitting a Tier 1 monster is like a light scratch.
My cousin has a lightning ability, E-rank. He said that at F-rank, you can’t even shock a Tier 1, Level 1 Gray-skinned Jackal to death. You have to rely entirely on hacking away with a weapon.”
“Then why didn’t he buy a better weapon?”
“Look at that spear on his back. It’s Tier 2, B-rank. That costs at least a million. He’s clearly rich. Probably just some rich kid here to experience life.”
Lin Yuan turned a deaf ear to them.
A middle-aged man in a deep blue uniform walked onto the platform at the front of the plaza.
He had a burly build and short, grizzled hair. Pinned to his chest was the badge of the Hangzhou Ability User Association.
He walked to the center of the stage. Without needing a microphone, his naturally deep voice carried across the entire plaza.
“I am the chief examiner for the Hangzhou test site, surnamed Meng. I won’t waste words. I will now read the exam rules.”
The entire field fell silent.
“The combat portion of the National Ability User College Entrance Exam at the Hangzhou test site will last for three days.
All examinees will enter the D-rank danger zone in the west suburbs of Hangzhou—the hills right behind the land you’re standing on.”
He pointed behind him.
Beyond the high walls at the back of the base lay the rolling hills.
Lin Yuan had just killed a Tier 2, Level 2 Rock-armored Great Bear there yesterday evening.
“The rules are as follows.”
“First, examinees must survive in the danger zone for three days. After three days, return to the base with your locator to complete the basic assessment. Those who fail to return on time will be considered to have forfeited the exam.”
“Second, you earn points by killing monsters. Tier 1, Levels 1 to 3 are worth 1 point. Tier 1, Levels 4 to 6 are worth 3 points. Tier 1, Levels 7 to 9 are worth 5 points. For Tier 2 and above, each kill starts at 10 points, with the specific value determined by the examiners based on the species and actual level.
Your locators will automatically record your kill data. Do not even think about cheating.”
“Third, examinees may seize points from one another. The method of seizure is as follows—both parties must simultaneously press the combat button on their locators to enter judgement mode.
The winner receives thirty percent of the loser’s current points. Private fighting outside of judgement mode is prohibited; violators will be disqualified.
Attacking examinees who have already lost their ability to fight is prohibited; violators will be disqualified. Multiple people ganging up on a single person is prohibited; violators will be disqualified.”
“Fourth.” Chief Examiner Meng’s tone grew heavier.
“When the distress button on the locator is pressed, an examiner will arrive in the shortest time possible.
But I’ll give you the harsh truth first—there is a time delay between the moment you press the button and the moment the examiner arrives. It could be as short as dozens of seconds or as long as several minutes.
In the face of true danger, a few seconds is enough for you to die several times over. So, act within your means. Don’t gamble with your life.”
The atmosphere in the plaza grew significantly more solemn.
“Fifth, regarding weapons.”
Chief Examiner Meng continued, “Examinees are not permitted to carry weapons exceeding Tier 2, B-rank into the testing area. Examinees without weapons, or those whose weapons do not meet the regulations,
may borrow basic weapons from the equipment department, with grades not exceeding Tier 2, B-rank. Weapons already brought in must undergo inspection. Any that do not comply will be temporarily confiscated and returned after the exam.”
Several staff members began moving through the squares, inspecting the examinees' weapons one by one.
When they reached Lin Yuan, a staff member glanced at the Purple Lightning on his back and scanned it with an instrument.
“Tier 2, B-rank. Complies with regulations.”
Lin Yuan nodded.
Chief Examiner Meng’s voice rang out again: “During the exam, examinees may form teams. The method of point distribution within the team is to be decided by the team itself; the testing site will not interfere.
However, the locator’s distress signal and kill records will still be tracked individually. Do not think about coasting on your team’s kill count.”
“Any other questions? Ask now.”
Someone in a square raised their hand.
“Examiner, can we return to the city for supplies during the exam?”
“No. For these three days, you will eat and sleep in the danger zone.
Bring whatever you want to eat. If you don’t bring enough, figure it out yourself. There are wild fruits, water sources, and monsters in the wilderness. You won’t starve to death.”
No one else raised their hand.
“Good.” Chief Examiner Meng lifted his wrist to check the time.
“Begin entering the testing area now. Follow the order of the square numbers and pass through the security gate. The exam time starts the moment you step into the danger zone.
Three days from now—that is, by 6:00 PM on the 20th of this month—you must return to the base to report.”
“Everyone—move out.”
...
The twelfth square was the fourth group to enter.
Lin Yuan followed the line through the security gate and walked out of the exit at the back of the base.
Outside the high walls, at the entrance to the D-rank danger zone, the silhouettes of the hills were faint in the morning mist.
The examinees ahead had already begun pairing off in groups of three to five or even seven or eight, discussing tactics and routes.
Those who had formed teams were the first to rush into the woods, while those who hadn't were still looking around anxiously at the entrance, searching for suitable teammates.
Rate on N.U.
