Evening at the Hangzhou Combat Base. The square inside the high walls was already growing crowded.
Examinees gathered in small groups, comparing their points with one another.
A dozen or so examiners moved through the crowd, checking the data on the locators and inspecting each student’s backpack one by one.
Several temporary sinks had been set up along the edge of the square, where a few examinees were hunched over, scrubbing their faces.
Having not washed for three days, the water running off them was pitch black.
Someone nearby teased, “Damn, that water is darker than ink.”
“Look in the mirror, you’re even darker,” the other retorted.
On the other side of the square, a group of examinees surrounded a point display board, pointing and whispering.
The electronic screen wasn’t lit yet; the final rankings wouldn't be announced until after 7:00 PM.
However, everyone already had a good idea of the results. The score of the person in first place had already spread like wildfire among the students.
“1,756 points. He’s in a league of his own. He’s nearly 1,100 points ahead of second place. Do we even need to wait for the announcement?”
“Who’s in second?”
“I think it’s someone named Xiaxia. Dual attributes—wind and weapon system. Tier 1, Level 5. She has 690 points.”
“Third is Han Feng with 680. Only ten points behind Xiaxia.”
“If Han Feng hadn't been crushed by Lin Yuan yesterday and lost thirty percent of his points, he would have been second.”
“To still be third after getting wrecked like that... an A-rank weapon system user really is fierce. Too bad he ran into someone even fiercer.”
At the base entrance, examinees continued to trickle back from the dense forest. Each time someone returned, the staff at the gate checked a name off their list.
The time was 6:40 PM.
Deep in the forest, Lin Yuan was walking toward the perimeter with Purple Lightning resting on his shoulder.
The large pack on his back was bulging, stuffed to the brim with the loot he had gathered over the last three days.
He adjusted the straps, shifting the weight. “I definitely need to get a space ring next time.”
“Other transmigrators get a storage space right at the start. I’ve been here for two and a half years and I’m still lugging around a sack like a common laborer.”
As he stepped out from the edge of the forest, his vision suddenly opened up.
The gray-white buildings of the combat base were only a few hundred meters away, and the searchlights on the high walls had already been switched on.
The square was packed with people—examinees, examiners, staff members, and even a few reporters with cameras held back behind a cordon.
At that moment, Lin Yuan’s stomach gave an undignified growl.
After eating compressed biscuits for three days, his eyes turned green with envy at the sight of someone in the square gnawing on a chicken leg.
He checked his phone—6:53 PM.
Seven minutes left. Plenty of time.
He quickened his pace toward the base entrance. After registering, he stepped onto the square.
It didn’t take long for people to notice him, and the whispers started immediately.
“Holy crap, it’s Lin Yuan.”
“That bag is ridiculous. Did he go on a shopping spree?”
“1,756 points... His lead is more than double the next person’s.”
Lin Yuan turned a deaf ear to it all.
Somewhere near the edge of the square, someone was selling roasted chicken legs. The aroma, mixed with the scent of cumin and chili powder, wafted toward him.
He dropped his bag on the ground, pulled out his phone to scan a code, and bought two.
Leaning against a lamp post at the edge of the square, he held a leg in each hand, eating with pure delight.
“Senior!”
A clear voice rang out from the crowd, and Bai Li came running over, weaving through the people.
She was still wearing her moon-white casual clothes, though her sleeves were stained with a few blades of grass and her hair was a bit messy.
She reached Lin Yuan, slightly out of breath, her eyes bright.
“You’re out too. How many points did you get?” Lin Yuan asked indistinctly, his mouth full of chicken.
“520 points.” Bai Li’s voice was soft, but a hint of small pride peeked through when she mentioned her score.
“Xiaxia got 690 points and made it into the top ten. I mostly played a supporting role.”
Lin Yuan made a corny joke. “520? Is that a confession?”
Bai Li’s face instantly flushed crimson.
Lin Yuan nearly choked on his chicken leg and waved his hand hurriedly. “Just kidding, just kidding. Don’t take it seriously.”
Just then, Xiaxia pushed through the crowd and walked over.
She still wore her usual expression that suggested everyone owed her money. She shot Lin Yuan a look.
His torn black clothes, the ripped back of his shirt, that absurdly large backpack, and a chicken leg in each hand.
“What kind of look is this? Are you a refugee or are you moving house?”
“None of your business,” Lin Yuan said, taking another bite of chicken.
“As if I’d care,” Xiaxia rolled her eyes.
“I can’t believe you actually crushed Han Feng. Well done. That guy used to walk around No. 1 High School with his nose in the air. I’ve hated the sight of him for a long time.”
Before Lin Yuan could reply, the square’s loudspeaker crackled to life, a booming voice drowning out the chatter.
“Attention everyone! The exam period has concluded. All examinees, please gather in the center of the square. The results are about to be announced.”
7:00 PM sharp.
The crowd began to converge toward the center of the square.
The three thousand examinees lined up by their ID numbers. Although their formations were a mess after three days of field combat, basic order was maintained.
Examiners moved through the ranks, doing a final head count.
On the stage at the front of the square, the lights flickered on, and several high-powered searchlights illuminated the entire platform.
Meng Hao stepped onto the stage.
He was wearing the same deep gray uniform from the first day. He was burly with graying short hair.
He didn’t need a megaphone; his naturally booming voice easily suppressed all the whispering in the square.
“I am Meng Hao, the Chief Examiner of the Hangzhou testing site. The three-day wilderness combat exam officially ends now.”
The square fell silent.
“I believe you all have a sense of how this year’s exam went.
The difficulty was higher than in previous years. Monster activity was at least thirty percent higher than the same period in the past, and the probability of encountering Tier 2 monsters was double.
The fact that you were able to persevere until the very end under such adverse conditions is proof of your strength and will.”
He paused, his gaze sweeping across the field.
“I will now announce the top three.”
The atmosphere in the square suddenly grew tense.
Even though everyone already had an idea of the results, hearing the Chief Examiner announce it officially was entirely different from hearing rumors.
“Third place.” Meng Hao tapped on his tablet.
“Han Feng. Total points: 680.”
A beam of light landed on Han Feng, who was standing in the front row of the formation.
He had changed into a clean No. 1 High School uniform, and the scratches on his face had been treated. Hearing his name, he gave a slight nod, his expression calm.
“Second place,” Meng Hao continued.
“Xiaxia. Total points: 690. She is also the highest-scoring female examinee in the Hangzhou district this year.”
Another beam of light fell, illuminating Xiaxia.
She stood near the front. When the light hit her face, she didn’t smile, only tilting her chin up slightly.
“First place.” Meng Hao’s voice suddenly rose several decibels.
Lin Yuan still hadn't finished his chicken leg.
“From Donghai City, Lin Yuan. Total points—” Meng Hao paused for effect.
“1,756 points.”
Rate on N.U.
