The First Round of the Exam 1

As Shen Ya's voice rang out beside him, an unusual feeling surfaced within Gu Tian's heart. It was the same feeling he had six years ago when he first met Lin Yun Tian's younger siblings—fear. However, Gu Tian displayed no trace of it on his face. He simply maintained his usual calm smile and replied evenly,

"Nice to meet you, Miss Shen."

Standing beside him, Wu Shuang, seeing that Gu Tian had already greeted her, quickly followed suit.

"Nice to meet you, Miss Shen."

Shen Ya glanced at both of them before responding in her usual composed tone,

"Likewise."

Although, deep down, she had an urge to slap Wu Shuang, simply because he annoyed her, she chose to suppress her emotions instead.

After that, silence fell between the three of them. No one spoke another word.

Once every student had completed their registration, officials from the Central Government activated a massive portal standing at the center of the examination grounds. Inside lay a specially designed ethics examination room.

"The candidates may now enter the examination room," a voice announced over the speakers.

Without hesitation, Gu Tian, Wu Shuang, and the other students began making their way inside.

Upon entering, each examinee found themselves seated before a complete computer setup, specifically designed for the test. The atmosphere was eerily silent, filled with an oppressive tension that emphasized the importance of the examination.

Government officials began explaining the rules of the exam, outlining the format and the allocated time limit.

"The ethics test will last three hours. Candidates will be required to answer various situational questions, assessing their moral values and decision-making abilities in different scenarios. Do your best."

With that, the examination officially began.

Three hours passed swiftly.

Once the ethics examination was complete, the tens of thousands of candidates were evenly divided into three groups to proceed to the next phase of the examination.

Gu Tian, Wu Shuang, Ye Feng, and Shen Ya were placed in Group C. According to the exam sequence, Group C would start with the third trial the Endurance Test.

As the groups were finalized, all Group C candidates stepped into the portal leading to the endurance testing grounds.

Upon passing through the dimensional gate, they arrived in a vast chamber, so expansive that its boundaries were nowhere in sight.

Walking beside Gu Tian, Wu Shuang leaned closer and asked in a playful tone,

"So? How'd the exam go for you?"

Gu Tian responded with a faint smirk, exuding complete confidence.

"If the score is out of 100, I got 100."

Wu Shuang burst into laughter.

"You? With ethics? You sure you have any?"

Gu Tian's smirk widened, and he immediately fired back,

"Maybe not as much as others, but definitely more than you. That much, I'm sure."

Wu Shuang rolled his eyes and let out a sarcastic scoff.

"Oh yeah? And what exactly gave you that kind of confidence?"

Before the conversation could continue, a wave of whispers suddenly arose from the students nearby.

"Wait… isn't that Ye Feng?! He actually showed up for the exam?!"

"A guy with an F-rank talent actually thinks he has a chance? What's he here for? To sell vegetables?"

Soft mocking laughter spread among the students.

However, despite the ridicule, Ye Feng remained completely unfazed. His expression didn't change in the slightest. He knew words were meaningless, his actions would prove everything.

While Ye Feng maintained his focus, Shen Ya suddenly stepped forward and approached him.

Seeing this, many students turned to each other in confusion.

"Wait… why is the Goddess Shen Ya walking up to that loser?"

"Are they… connected somehow? Or does she pity him?"

Before the rumors could spread any further, a sharp voice rang out.

"Silence. We will now begin the explanation of the trial."

At once, all students fell silent and turned their attention toward the proctor.

"The Endurance Test consists of ten levels. Candidates will use their beasts to withstand gravitational force, while their own bodies will be subjected to the same pressure simultaneously. The grading system is as follows:"

Round 1: F-Rank → 1x Gravity → 1 Minute

Round 2: E-Rank → 2x Gravity → 1 Minute

Round 3: D-Rank → 5x Gravity → 2 Minutes

Round 4: C-Rank → 10x Gravity → 3 Minutes

Round 5: B-Rank → 20x Gravity → 5 Minutes

Round 6: A-Rank → 30x Gravity → 10 Minutes

Round 7: S-Rank → 50x Gravity → 15 Minutes

Round 8: SS-Rank → 70x Gravity → 20 Minutes

Round 9: SSS-Rank → 90x Gravity → 25 Minutes

Round 10: SSS+ Rank → 100x Gravity → 30 Minutes

"The test is divided into ten rounds. In the first round, candidates must withstand 1x gravity for one minute to achieve an F-rank score and proceed to the E-rank round, where gravity doubles to 2x for one minute.

"If a candidate fails to last a full minute, they will only receive an F-rank score and be disqualified from proceeding further.

"In the third round, gravity will increase to 5x. To achieve a D-rank score, candidates must endure for three minutes. Those who fail to last three minutes will receive an E-rank score instead. This pattern continues until the tenth round."

"Candidates are allowed to use their skills and special abilities to endure the test."

"You have five minutes to prepare. The trial will begin shortly."

As soon as the explanation ended, a wave of tension filled the examination hall. Many students began stretching, checking their beasts, and focusing their minds for the upcoming trial.

Five minutes later, the examiner's voice rang out.

"In ten seconds, all candidates must summon only one beast...the one with the strongest defensive abilities."

At the announcement, the examinees hurriedly summoned their beasts. Amidst the chaotic summons filling the air, Gu Tian calmly raised his hand and called forth Xiao Bai.

A white dragon emerged from his spiritual energy. Its appearance seemed unremarkable at first glance....just like an ordinary dragon. However, the deep brilliance in its eyes hinted at a power that lay hidden within.

Beside Gu Tian, Wu Shuang also summoned his beast.

A Divine Immortal Qilin manifested amidst a surge of divine energy. Its golden and silver aura pulsed rhythmically, causing several nearby beasts to instinctively turn and shudder in fear.

Gu Tian glanced at Wu Shuang's beast with interest. The information about it immediately appeared in his vision.

[Name: Divine Immortal Qilin]

[Power Level: Silver - Low]

[Race: Pureblood Qilin]

[Element: Light, Earth, Water, Fire, Wood, Metal]

[Special Abilities:Eternal Heavenly Flames (SSS+)Immortal Domain (SSS)Qilin's Judgment (SSS)Solar Breath (SSS)Sunlit Hooves (SSS)Immortal Muscles (SSS)Heavenly Hymn (SSS)Path of Restoration (SSS)Five Elemental Mastery (SSS)]

[Potential: Emperor - Peak]

[Evolution Paths: 0]

[Evaluation Compared to Other Silver-Tier Beasts: SSS+]

"A Divine Immortal Qilin… that's quite powerful." Gu Tian mused internally.

Although it was one of the strongest beasts among Silver-tier creatures, Xiao Bai was certainly not inferior in any way.

While Gu Tian was analyzing Wu Shuang's beast, Wu Shuang was also trying to scan Xiao Bai out of curiosity.

However, the moment he attempted to gather information, his system displayed nothing but blank data.

[Name: ???]

[Power Level: ???]

[Special Abilities: ???]

[Potential: ???]

[Evolution Paths: ???]

"What the hell?!" Wu Shuang nearly cursed out loud.

Even if Gu Tian possessed a special artifact to prevent detection, his beast shouldn't be immune to his system's scanning abilities.

Wu Shuang internally raged. "System, are you messing with me?!"

His system responded in its usual emotionless tone.

[Host is too weak. The artifact shielding this beast's data far exceeds the level accessible to the host.]

Wu Shuang's eye twitched. "You damn parasite!"

Just then, Gu Tian turned toward him with a subtle smirk, as if he already knew what Wu Shuang had just tried to do.

"Hmm? Something wrong?" Gu Tian asked in a playful tone.

"Nothing!" Wu Shuang quickly snapped back, turning away in frustration.

Meanwhile, the examiner's voice rang out once more.

"The test will begin in ten seconds… All candidates, prepare yourselves!"