41: The Demon Exam Begins

Time passed day by day, and in the blink of an eye, a week had gone by.

Today was an extremely important day in Hua Country; it was also the turning point of destiny for millions of Grade 12 students—the College Entrance Examination!

The national media were ready with their cameras and equipment, along with various pre-written drafts, waiting to report the first-hand news; the people were also busy but kept an eye on any movement online, and even foreign magazines and newspapers turned their gaze toward Hua Country.

At this moment, at the main gate of Flower City No. 72 Middle School, stood a row of elite Soldiers from the City Defense Force. Beside each person sat a Bronze Rank Battle Wolf. These Battle Wolves were motionless, like statues, but their taut muscles and readiness to pounce left no doubt that if anyone dared to approach, they would immediately reveal their ferocity.

The sunlight poured over these Soldiers, as if casting a layer of copper skin on them, making them appear even more solemn.

Directly opposite the gate, on a vast plaza, stood hundreds of students. Most were reciting knowledge about Yao Beasts, intending to sharpen their spears at the last moment. Further out, beyond the defense line, many parents stood waiting, looking forward with anticipation.

If one looked closely, they would find that most of the parents waiting outside the venue were actually more nervous than the candidates.

Every year during the College Entrance Examination, some geniuses would emerge. As long as no accidents occurred, these individuals would become the backbone of the country in a few years, and some prodigies might even have the chance to become influential figures.

To name a local example, Flower City's current Garrison Commander, Lu Yimin, rose to prominence after being admitted to the Lingnan Academy.

With such a living example nearby, it was no wonder these parents, who hoped their children would become Dragons and Phoenixes, were so nervous and eager.

Because of this, the College Entrance Examination was highly anticipated every year, with people speculating on who the favored children of heaven would be this year.

"Wow! So many people."

A crisp voice rang out from the corner. A Girl dressed in cool summer clothes looked at the boy beside her. "Great God, I didn't expect it to be so spectacular. Even the City Defense Force has been deployed."

As she spoke, her two ponytails swayed. Although she wore no makeup and had a few fine beads of sweat on her face, it didn't affect her agility in the slightest, like an elf lost in the human world during summer.

This Girl was none other than Mo Yu, and the one she called 'Great God' was naturally Xie Ning.

Xie Ning also glanced at the crowd. He wasn't surprised by the bustling throng, but he still said irritably, "Aren't you already exempt from the exam? Why did you come here to join the fun?" stories.

Mo Yu playfully stuck out her tongue and said, "Hehe, I've never participated in the College Entrance Examination, so I just came to see the excitement. I didn't expect it to be so grand; it makes me a little regretful that I applied for the exemption."

Xie Ning shook his head helplessly. Fortunately, this examination site was not for the Breeder assessment; otherwise, just based on those words, Mo Yu would have been mentally slaughtered by the stares of others a thousand times over.

Arriving at the red line, Xie Ning showed his Admission Ticket and walked inside, while Mo Yu stayed outside the red line.

Compared to those candidates who were sharpening their spears at the last moment, Xie Ning's reaction was much calmer. He looked at the crowd and found a spot with fewer people to stand.

But just then, a gentle inquiry sounded:

"Excuse me, are you Xie Ning?"

Xie Ning turned his head, nodded slightly, and replied, "I am Xie Ning. Is there something you need, classmate?"

The other party was a clean-looking boy with blond hair and a fair complexion, yet with a typical Hua Country face. He was currently looking at Xie Ning with a kind smile.

The boy smiled slightly and said, "Hello, my name is Jin Feng. I've heard rumors about you before, that you could even defeat a Bronze level 4 Evil Eye Black Tiger. You're really impressive."

"Thanks, it was just good luck, nothing much." Xie Ning shook his head and replied.

At this time, two people looking around saw Jin Feng and walked over, complaining, "Jin Feng, why did you run off here? You made Yingying and me search for quite a while."

Xie Ning looked back. The newcomers were also a boy—short, with cropped hair and dark skin, carrying a backpack—who was now looking at Jin Feng with a helpless expression. Beside him stood a Girl dressed exquisitely, with a proud look in her eyes.

Jin Feng saw the newcomers and scratched his head. "Sorry about that. I just saw the legendary Student Xie Ning and couldn't help but come over to say hello. I kept you waiting."

The person talking to Jin Feng followed his gaze and looked at Xie Ning with doubt, clearly not recognizing him. The Girl beside him also frowned and shook her head.

"Xie Ning? What legend? Never heard of him," the boy said truthfully.

Xie Ning smiled and didn't speak.

"This is my friend, Ye Chong, and the Girl beside him is the Prodigy of the No. 3 Middle School, Zhan Yingying." Jin Feng introduced them. "And this is the famous figure of Huacheng No. 1 Middle School, Xie Ning. He's the one who received bonus points for the College Entrance Examination from the City Defense Force."

"Him? He doesn't look like it at all." Ye Chong looked suspicious.

Xie Ning smiled. "Hello, everyone."

Ye Chong ignored Xie Ning and pulled Jin Feng away, grumbling as they walked, "I say, why do you always look for some Genius? Besides, where does this guy look like one? He doesn't have the slightest look of a Genius."

"How can you say that..."

Beside them, Zhan Yingying's expression was cold. She nodded and turned to leave with the two of them, their voices fading into the distance.

Xie Ning shrugged.

Soon, it was 8:30, and they began entering the examination venue.

The Soldiers at the gate retreated to both sides with their Battle Wolves, and the gate slowly opened. A crowd of students rushed in, some starting to run to find their classrooms, including Ye Chong and the others seen earlier.

Xie Ning walked unhurriedly and soon found his classroom. After verifying his identity, he entered the classroom to wait. Coincidentally, he was in the same class as Ye Chong.

The two were also stunned to see each other, but they said nothing.

When the exam began, everyone started answering the questions.

This subject's exam was very similar to the Breeder assessment, but compared to the Breeder's written test, it was much simpler. After all, no matter how strict the College Entrance Examination was, it was only a threshold from high school to university; the questions wouldn't exceed the syllabus by much. In contrast, the Breeder assessment, even at the Elementary level, represented a kind of strength and honor.

While others were still thinking hard, Xie Ning was already writing rapidly. Inside the classroom, the sound of his writing was the most prominent.

Ye Chong was originally struggling with a question. Just as he was about to figure it out, he was Divided Soul by Xie Ning's loud writing sound, and his flash of inspiration instantly vanished. He glared at Xie Ning with a distressed look.

"Candidates, don't look at others. Focus on your own work."

The Examiner's voice rang out, startling Ye Chong into quickly turning back and sitting up straight, his forehead breaking into a light sweat.

Xie Ning had no idea what had happened. Only after more than half an hour had passed, he had already finished writing.

These questions were quite difficult for a high school student, but for Xie Ning, who had undergone multiple evolutions and gained knowledge feedback, they were a bit too simple.

Having finished the questions and with nothing to do, Xie Ning did the same thing again.

He lay down and slept... Meanwhile, in the monitoring room, three chief Examiners of No. 72 Middle School were in front of the monitors, watching everyone's performance.

The three chief Examiners were from the City Defense Bureau, the Cultivation Association, and a Flower City official. Among them, the person randomly assigned from the Cultivation Association turned out to be President Lin Yangqiu.

The person from the City Defense Bureau had an appearance that matched his identity. Wearing camouflage and standing there motionless with a serious expression, a scar running from his forehead to his cheek made him look somewhat ferocious.

The officer noticed Xie Ning's examination room at this time and couldn't help but frown, feeling quite disappointed.

"Captain Li, has something happened?" The representative of the Flower City officials was a middle-aged woman dressed simply with her hair pinned up.

"He's probably referring to that student sleeping in Exam Room 21," Lin Yangqiu said with a smile.

He had long since discovered Xie Ning's whereabouts and paid more attention to him. The result was just as he had expected: while others were still struggling, he had already finished.

"Indeed, I didn't expect the President to notice as well; it's this student. While everyone else is writing diligently, this student gave up early, which is truly a pity. Participating in the Monster Taming College Entrance Examination is not a privilege every child gets. If they don't know how to cherish it, they will surely regret it in the future." Captain Li nodded, pointing at one of the monitors.

The woman with pinned-up hair also noticed and couldn't help but shake her head. "Yes, how many talented children are unable to participate due to their family circumstances, missing this opportunity to change their lives. This student... what a pity..."

"Haha~ Don't be too pessimistic. Perhaps this exam paper is too simple for him?" Lin Yangqiu laughed.

Captain Li and the woman with pinned-up hair smiled bitterly and did not respond.