The monthly exam had escalated into a large-scale, school-wide assessment, drawing unprecedented attention. Shen Lu's office phone was ringing off the hook with inquiries.
To quell the barrage of questions, Shen Lu, after obtaining consent from higher national authorities, decided to implement comprehensive surveillance and live streaming, opening broadcast windows on a specific extraordinary individuals website.
The venue was an isolated island. Seven days were allocated to set up a complete assessment site, with many structures materialized using the Dream Whale's special abilities.
As for the source of the anomalies, Shen Qi had opened spatial rifts and forcibly captured them from various locales' confinement chambers.
Lu Zhi had curiously asked Shen Qi if the confinement chambers' spaces weren't independent.
Shen Qi explained that a confinement chamber was a portal to the anomaly domain. In reality, they all belonged to the same space, but each chamber, upon activation, would become a singular entity.
Soon after Lu Zhi entered the Divine Tower, numerous confinement chambers had appeared worldwide. Some were successfully deciphered, and the chambers naturally vanished. However, for those that failed, the anomalies within would manifest in the real world.
This was why Shen Qi had faced no objections when capturing anomalies and using them as test scores in the exam. Who would have thought that Shen Qi, a mere 'human,' could enter a confinement chamber as easily as walking into his own backyard?
Anomalies at Level Three and above possessed a certain level of intelligence. The higher the level, the smarter and more cunning they became. To survive, they could only obediently follow Shen Qi's instructions and remain in their designated locations.
With Shen Qi personally overseeing the operation and the meticulous control of other members of Lophis, everything was under control.
As Lu Zhi boarded the plane heading to the assessment site, Shen Qi called out, "Wait, I have a small gift for you."
Lu Zhi took the small white bird from Shen Qi, his surprise so great he could barely close his mouth. "You're really Shen Qi, right? Not something else disguised as him? You're actually giving me a little bird as a gift? Wait... are you implying something?"
It wasn't that Lu Zhi was petty. After being teased about being 'fast' just moments ago, he was now being gifted a 'little bird.' Could it be another veiled jab at his perceived 'smallness'?
With that thought, Lu Zhi's cheeks puffed out in anger, and he shoved the dazed little white bird back into Shen Qi's palm. "Here, take it back!"
Shen Qi playfully flicked Lu Zhi's forehead, amused and exasperated. "What are you thinking about all day? This is useful."
Only then did Lu Zhi, half-believing, take the little white bird. However, for some reason, the bird remained in a stiff, 'petrified' state. If he hadn't felt the warmth beneath its feathers, he would have suspected it was a fake.
Since Shen Qi said it was useful, it would definitely come in handy during the exam.
Alright, he had overthought it.
"I'm leaving, see you later." Lu Zhi waved goodbye to Shen Qi with his back turned and boarded the flight to the assessment site.
As soon as he entered the plane, with a whoosh, several students sitting by the window uniformly retracted their heads from their gossip-filled peering.
Lu Zhi: ...
Fine. Gossip was humanity's most beautiful trait, wasn't it?
"The official rules for the exam have been released. There will be team competitions and individual competitions."
As soon as Lu Zhi sat down, he received an invitation from Lan Yushan. "Lu Zhi, want to team up?"
"You guys have already discussed and decided to form a team for the competition? The points for the team competition are split equally." Lu Zhi opened his optical computer to check the rules. "The team competition consists of small teams of five. If the team earns ten points, each member only gets two points."
Luo Shiyu: "We've all read the rules. Acting alone is extremely dangerous. Facing a Level Five anomaly, it would be difficult for us to escape on our own, let alone kill it."
Gu Weiyu chimed in, "Indeed. Level Five anomalies are not something we freshmen can handle. It's already challenging enough to solo a Level Four anomaly. It's much safer and more assured to participate in the team competition."
Lu Zhi heard them and smiled. "Let me say this upfront, my abilities are quite niche. Don't blame me for being a drag later."
Although Manluo was an S-class treasure, its defense was extremely strong, but its offensive capabilities were rather weak.
Lu Zhi didn't want to use the power of the Divine Imprint in the live broadcast unless absolutely necessary.
Lan Yushan chuckled. "What are you talking about? I'm the weakest one here."
"In that case, we're still missing one person." Lu Zhi applied to join Luo Shiyu's team. He stared at the names for a moment, then smiled and said, "Ah, the three of you all have the character 'Yu' in your names. With such immense rainfall, it's practically flooding the Golden Mountain. We need someone with fire to suppress it, right?"
Luo Shiyu, Lan Yushan, and Gu Weiyu all had 'Yu' in their names.
"Ah, you're right. I hadn't even noticed," Lan Yushan said with a silly laugh.
"Do you have anyone in mind?" Luo Shiyu asked.
Lu Zhi: "Fire attribute... I only know Senior Jiang Yue, but she probably already has a team, right?"
Jiang Yue was a second-year student and likely wouldn't team up with them freshmen.
*Beep beep.*
Lu Zhi's optical computer suddenly received a message from Jiang Yue, clearly stating three words: "Help me carry!"
Lu Zhi, with a wry smile, told Luo Shiyu, "Uh... Senior Jiang Yue wants to join our team competition, is that okay?"
It was better to arrive early than on time.
...
The plane landed on a small island adjacent to the main assessment island. Most of the participating students had arrived. As Lu Zhi and the others disembarked, they saw Jiang Yue waving excitedly, as if she had met a kindred spirit in a foreign land, and approached them with swift steps. "Why are you guys just arriving?"
"Wahoo, welcome Senior Jiang to the team, breaking our curse of flooding the Golden Mountain!" Lan Yushan's excited shout drew the attention of other students around them.
Jiang Yue looked stunned. "Huh? Flooding the Golden Mountain? What curse? I didn't realize you were a fan of 'Legend of the White Snake.'"
Lu Zhi hadn't expected Lan Yushan to remember his casual remark.
Lan Yushan chattered, "No, no, Lu Zhi said our three names all have 'Yu,' and he was worried about flooding the Golden Mountain, needing fire to balance it out. Senior joining our team is like sending charcoal in the snow!"
Hearing this explanation, Jiang Yue burst into laughter. "Oh my, then I must be the team's darling!"
The personalities of the group blended very well. Gu Weiyu and Jiang Yue quickly struck up a conversation. It was just that their heights, builds, and appearances made their interaction rather amusing.
The tall, alluring, and sexy beauty, Gu Weiyu (Junior > 18 years old).
The petite, delicate, and adorable girl, Jiang Yue (Senior > 20 years old).
"Yo, Jiang Yue, is this your sister?" Wang Cao Tian, who appeared out of nowhere, emerged from behind the group.
Jiang Yue put her hands on her hips. "Sister my foot! Talk trash again, and I'll beat you up!"
Wang Cao Tian hid behind Xia Zhi, sticking out his tongue and making a face. "I'm so scared."
Xia Zhi adjusted his glasses and said seriously to Jiang Yue, "Beat him to death. Don't hold back." With that, he pushed Wang Cao Tian, who was hiding behind him, forward.
Jiang Yue grinned sinisterly and lunged at Wang Cao Tian.
"Damn it! Xia Zhi, what happened to brothers having each other's back?" Wang Cao Tian ran away, covering his head.
Lu Zhi was left speechless by the antics of these two livewires. Were they really this childish?
【Dong—】
【The assessment site portal will open in three minutes. All students are requested to enter the portal as instructed. The teleportation destination is random. All students are advised to prepare in advance—】
【The duration of this assessment is three days.】