"Zhou Hong, I will exterminate your entire clan." The eighteenth prince, after getting up, roared hysterically.
"Hmph, you think you're capable of that?" Zhou Hong curled his lips disdainfully, not taking him seriously at all. Zhou Hong was too lazy to argue with him, as his father was already his subordinate, and no one would believe him anyway.
"Zhou Hong, let's forget it. We're all going for the assessment, why make it so tense?" At this moment, Gu Dao Chen and others quickly came forward to mediate.
"Yes, Zhou Hong, just let him go."
Zhou Hong didn't go up to beat the eighteenth prince again, but warned him, "Eighteenth dog, if you dare to be arrogant in front of me again, don't blame me for being impolite."
The eighteenth prince gritted his teeth in hatred, but being weaker than Zhou Hong and not having his personal guards with him, he could only swallow his pride. However, deep down, he was absolutely unwilling to give up.
Thus, the merchant ship heading for the Tian Yang Continent set sail.
Zhou Hong and the others would be at sea for ten days.
Time passed slowly.
In the blink of an eye, ten days of sailing were over.
"Dear passengers, the Tian Yang Continent is about to arrive. Please prepare to disembark."
Zhou Hong quickly came to the deck. Indeed, in the distance, a very prosperous continent appeared. This prosperous continent was the Tian Yang Continent.
Gu Dao Chen, Jiang Cai Yue, Shui Yang Mei, Lu Yi Long, and others also came to the deck. Looking at the prosperous continent ahead, they all exclaimed in amazement.
"As expected of the Tian Yang Continent, the population is so dense. I heard that the population here reaches three hundred billion, and the area is 1,000 times that of our Zi Xiao Continent," Jiang Cai Yue said with emotion.
"Yes, in the Tian Yang Continent, powerhouses are as common as clouds. Those like us in the Fusion stage are everywhere. Unlike on the Zi Xiao Continent, where there are less than ten people our age who have cultivated to the Fusion stage."
"Mm-hmm, I really hope we can be admitted to the Tai Gu Academy this time. As long as we can get in, even if we are ranked last, it will be an immense honor for us."
Gu Dao Chen and the others looked expectant.
Everyone glanced at Zhou Hong and said with envy, "Zhou Hong, you are in the late Fusion stage. Your talent and strength guarantee you at least a top thousand ranking, so entering Tai Gu Academy is extremely secure."
"Yes, we are so envious of you."
All of them looked at Zhou Hong with reverence, except for the eighteenth prince, Zi Xiao Ming, who snorted slightly from behind, still displeased with Zhou Hong. However, although he was a prince of the Zi Xiao Empire, here in the Tian Yang Continent, he was nothing.
"Alright, don't think too much about it, let's get ashore quickly. This isn't our first time here, and we have experience. Let's go to Tai Gu City first and find an inn to stay."
"Right, right. If we go late, we might not find an inn. During the assessment days, countless young talents will come from hundreds of continents, and the inns will surely be full."
Zhou Hong and the others quickly disembarked and rented a beast-drawn carriage to a place called Tai Gu City. Tai Gu Academy was located within Tai Gu City.
About half a day later, they arrived at Tai Gu City by beast-drawn carriage.
As expected, upon arriving at Tai Gu City, the flow of people immediately surged, and even the city gate was crowded.
"It seems that this year's recruitment assessment is no less crowded than in previous years," Gu Dao Chen sighed, looking at the people queuing to enter the city at the city gate.
The more people came to participate in the assessment, the less chance they had. After all, they were all trying their luck. If they were lucky, they might get in, just like Zhou Hong's former fiancée, Na Lan Yun Zhu, who got lucky and happened to get in when there were dozens of extra spots in the previous year's recruitment.
"Everyone, don't be discouraged. Since we're here, let's take the assessment seriously," Zhou Hong comforted them.
"Easy for you to say. With your late Fusion stage strength, you can get in with your eyes closed," Jiang Cai Yue gave Zhou Hong a look.
"Haha, don't worry, I guarantee that each of you will be admitted," Zhou Hong said with a laugh.
"Don't joke with us. Although we meet the minimum requirement for the early Fusion stage, there are countless more talented people in the early Fusion stage. If we get admitted, it's usually due to sheer luck."
"Everyone, this isn't your first time participating. You should know that participants from other continents usually form teams, especially if there are strong individuals among them. They can help the weaker ones, and then they'll naturally have hope of being admitted. In the past, participants from our Zi Xiao Continent were generally ordinary in strength, but this year is different. This year, I, Zhou Hong, am definitely capable of helping you. Just follow me during the assessment."
"Really?" Gu Dao Chen, Jiang Cai Yue, Shui Yang Mei, and Lu Yi Long's eyes lit up, looking like they were about to cry with excitement.
"Why would I lie to you? We're all from the Zi Xiao Continent, and we're fellow townsfolk here, so we should help each other. Based on past experience, the first stage of the assessment is to traverse the Dark Forest, the second stage is to cross the Sea of Death, and the third stage is to enter the Tai Gu Barrier. When the time comes, if you follow me, your chances will be much higher."
"Mm-hmm." The few of them were immediately so excited they looked like they would cry.
At this moment, not far away, the eighteenth prince heard Zhou Hong's words and his heart was greatly shaken.
The eighteenth prince naturally knew that what Zhou Hong said was true. If Zhou Hong was willing to help them, they would indeed have a great chance.
Thinking of this, the eighteenth prince gritted his teeth. He had originally harbored intense hatred for Zhou Hong, thinking of reporting to the Emperor and exterminating their Zhou family once they returned to the Zi Xiao Continent. But now, hearing Zhou Hong's words, he was tempted.
"Zhou Hong." After a moment of hesitation, the eighteenth prince walked up.
"What do you want?" Zhou Hong grunted impatiently.
"What you just said, is it true?"
"What's true or not?"
"You said you would help us pass the assessment."
"Hahaha, please don't misunderstand. When I said 'you,' I didn't include you," Zhou Hong sneered. This eighteenth prince was truly delusional.
"Zhou Hong, I will report to my father about you beating me earlier. However, if you are willing to help me pass the assessment, I can let bygones be bygones," the eighteenth prince proposed.
"Bah, you'd better let bygones be bygones. I'm still waiting for you to report back to your father and exterminate my family."
"Zhou Hong, don't push it too far."
Zhou Hong was furious. How dare he call him excessive? It was already good of him not to have killed the prince.
"Eighteenth dog, if you continue to be so arrogant in front of me, I might just exterminate you. Don't think I wouldn't dare. Get lost!" Zhou Hong roared.
The eighteenth prince's face turned ashen with anger. He gritted his teeth and said, "You think helping them guarantees they'll be admitted? Hmph, I'd like to see if they can really get in." With that, the eighteenth prince flicked his sleeve and turned to leave.