Chapter 23: Assessment of the Space-Time Gate
Chapter 23: Assessment of the Space-Time Gate
Tang Dynasty, Yue City, May 30th.
The city-wide awakening assessment examination was finally here.
Since the original admission rules ensured that all high school seniors had reached adulthood and met the awakening requirements, today was the defining moment for their future.
The 1st-level space-time gate No. 15204, located in Yue City's South District, was their testing ground.
To ensure safety, all students traveling to the site were under strict martial law.
This martial law control would remain in effect until the school buses carrying the students arrived at the Space-Time Gate Outpost.
---
On the Road to the Unknown
The school bus convoy of Yueshi No. 14 Middle School moved in an orderly fashion, escorted by armed patrols.
Each school bus had been arranged so that students who had been matched as teammates sat together.
---
Jiang Tian's bus was in the second position within the convoy.
The entire ride, students kept glancing at him, whispering among themselves, pointing discreetly yet frequently.
---
"Do you think Jiang Tian is just delusional? What an idiot, getting matched with Xue, the school beauty!"
"Who knows what he's thinking? I heard his family is poor, and he doesn't even have proper weapons. What the hell is he carrying?"
"Man, what rotten luck! If I got stuck with a teammate like that, I'd..."
---
Before the student could finish, a sharp voice cut through the whispers.
---
"If I were you,"
"I'd save my energy for the assessment—"
"—instead of wasting it on gossip."
---
The entire bus fell into dead silence.
A single sentence had instantly shut everyone up.
This was the deterrent power of Yueshi No. 14 Middle School's strongest student—Xue Ruyan.
Satisfied that she had achieved her goal, Xue Ruyan turned back and glanced at Jiang Tian, her expression calm yet inquisitive.
---
The Rumors Had Gotten Out of Hand
When they had gathered at school, Jiang Tian had immediately drawn attention.
Not just because of himself—
But because of the bizarre gear he carried.
An iron pot strapped to his back, a shoulder bag filled with bottles and jars, and—of all things—a kitchen knife.
Even though both the pot and knife were forged with black dragon engravings—looking as intimidating as any weapon—
They were still just kitchen utensils.
At first, even Xue Ruyan herself had been startled.
But after experiencing the benefits of Jiang Tian's food firsthand, she couldn't deny that she was curious about how his "cooking skills" would help them in the assessment.
---
Initially, the other students had just found it strange.
But as time passed, their comments became harsher, their tones more mocking.
They were even trying to sow discord between her and Jiang Tian.
This assessment was no joke.
As teammates, they needed a basic level of trust and cooperation.
---
"Thank you, Xue."
Jiang Tian's voice was calm, but genuine.
---
Xue Ruyan shook her head slightly, still curious about his reaction.
---
"You really don't care about what they said?"
---
Jiang Tian simply smiled and shook his head.
---
"There's no point in bothering with fools."
---
The truly intelligent students—the ones with real confidence—
They were already focused on strategy, discussing their plans with their teammates—
Or simply resting, gathering energy for the upcoming battle.
---
The ones mocking him?
They were just scared.
They couldn't handle the pressure, so they used him as a scapegoat to vent their anxiety.
---
Soon, the school bus arrived at the outpost base.
After disembarking, students were led by teachers to the assembly point, where they lined up neatly in a large open-air playground.
More and more students arrived, their school uniforms marking their different schools.
---
"The Leaders Are Here."
One by one, the city's officials stepped onto the temporary podium.
To Jiang Tian's surprise, their speeches were brief—
Just simple words of encouragement and blessings.
The atmosphere remained calm—
Until a bald man in a black combat uniform took the stage.
---
"I am the Chief Examiner of the Yue City Awakening Assessment—Lu Zhi!"
---
His voice boomed across the entire assembly.
---
"You all know the team formation system for this exam."
"The strong lead the weak—randomly matched in pairs."
---
"The assessment is task-based and will last for three days."
---
"Each school will enter the Space-Time Gate in order—based on last year's rankings."
---
His words were short, but they carried authority.
Without wasting any more time, Lu Zhi turned around and left.
An examiner stepped forward, signaling the students of Yueshi No. 1 Middle School to proceed first.
Even though Yueshi No. 14 Middle School's overall ranking was decent, their performance last year was poor.
So, they were ninth in line to enter the space-time gate.
---
As the group moved forward, Jiang Tian finally saw it—
---
The Space-Time Gate.
---
A massive mechanical frame—15 meters high, 8 meters wide—
Inside it, reality itself seemed shattered, like a distorted mirror, trembling as if unstable.
As students ahead of him stepped forward, their bodies gradually melted into the mirror-like distortion.
Jiang Tian could feel it—
The spiritual energy growing denser the closer he got.
Soon, it was his turn.
He stretched out his hand—
The moment his fingers touched the surface, a strong pull came from the other side.
He relaxed—
Stepped forward—
And vanished.
---
On the Other Side…
As soon as his feet touched the ground, a rush of rich spiritual energy surged into his body.
His entire being felt like it was cheering in excitement.
---
"This place is incredible."
---
Jiang Tian took a deep breath—
The energy felt intoxicating.
He couldn't wait to look around.
---
The Flame Bird World.
His first battlefield.
And, if all went well—
His first kitchen.
---