Bay Town.
Rows of simple, low houses stood quietly. The scenery was picturesque, with the ebb and flow of the tide visible in the distance. A salty sea breeze brushed against their faces. With a bit of decoration, it could easily become a tourist town attracting visitors from all directions. Usually, few people passed through here.
But today, a convoy of black special transport vehicles pulled to a stop, and from them descended many boys and girls with slightly youthful faces—along with their spirits.
Giant Squid, Rumbling Pig, Power Ape, Armored Elephant, Water-Snail, Flame Pig, Plague Locust, Thorn Turtle, and many more. Every spirit’s level of training was visibly superior compared to others of its kind.
At this point, there were still two days until the start of the third stage of the exam. The students who had come here, whether moderately outstanding or top-tier, dared not slack off. They seized the final moments to train their spirits, coordinate with them, and practice their spirit-controlling gestures to greater proficiency.
Lin Mingzheng was leading his two spirits—a Clockwork Sprite and a Golden Roar Lion—toward the town’s training ground. Suddenly, one of his lackeys caught up to him.
“Boss, another school has arrived.”
Lin Mingzheng frowned. What did that have to do with him? Then he heard, “It’s Ancheng! Su Hao from Ancheng is here!”
He paused mid-step, turned smoothly, and headed toward the town entrance. His family’s spirit doll, lost in recollection, shuddered involuntarily, hesitated, then followed.
By the roadside, a test-taker pondered for a moment and asked his classmate, “Who’s Su Hao from Ancheng?”
“No idea. Isn’t Ancheng just a small city? Our neighbor, Xikou City, which is about the same size as Ancheng, probably doesn’t have anyone daring enough to sign up for the advanced exam zone.”
The two shook their heads. They figured this Su Hao from Ancheng was probably someone that guy knew. They hadn’t heard of him and didn’t care at all.
But suddenly, another test-taker wearing the same school uniform as the previous guy leaned in. “You don’t even know Su Hao, the big shot from Ancheng?” He shook his head, as if daring to take the third-stage exam without knowing Su Hao was unthinkable.
One of them scoffed. “He’s not some big deal that we have to know him. I chose the advanced exam zone, so I’m not afraid of any competitor. Even Feng Liangcai, who’s famous in our provincial capital of Tiannan, we’d have to compare to find out who’s better. Let alone some Su Whatever from who-knows-where.”
He lifted his chin slightly, exuding the pride of a genius and a spirit of never easily conceding to anyone.
“Sigh…” The top student from No.1 High School shook his head in disappointment. “Looks like you really don’t know about Su Hao.” He walked step by step toward the town entrance, eyes lowered, as if lost in memory. “Su Hao, the big shot—he doesn’t have any special achievements, just… a few days ago during the power test, he blew up the machine.”
Blew it up. Up. Up.
The echo faded into the crashing waves. The two test-takers, their faces stiff, slowly turned to look at each other, unable to hide their… Holy crap!!!
Blew up the machine? Is that… even human?!
…
Stepping out of the car, Su Hao felt like galloping off on a horse. In an era where other test-takers could only rely on their own two legs, riding a horse would make him the coolest guy on the street. Unfortunately, he glanced at the size of his Water Scale Beast. He hadn’t yet mastered a flashy mounting move. For now… he’d hold off on showing off.
He looked around, his gaze briefly lingering on each extraordinary spirit, jotting down data, then shifting to the next. ‘Should I keep selling intel?’ ‘No, better not.’ The college entrance exam was a serious, formal occasion, and Su Hao didn’t dare pull any tricks. Most importantly, during the joint exam, he’d lacked confidence and needed some tactics. But now, he felt he had a bit of an edge—to crush others.
“Let’s go.” Su Hao headed toward the accommodations arranged by the officials. Each person got a small courtyard—nothing luxurious, but spacious enough.
“Whoosh~” A white-striped tiger sprinted past them, stirring up a breeze that messed up his hair. Su Hao took a look. Someone was riding the Wind-Striped Tiger, wearing a school uniform, apparently another test-taker. A tiger rider, a strong one. Su Hao couldn’t stand it. Someone showing off in front of him. It seemed he’d have to strip that Wind-Striped Tiger bare, hmph! He turned and gave Liu Ren a look that said, “Get your little notebook ready.”
…
Bay Town was originally a military base, with an airport and a command center. Inside the command center building, high-ranking officials from the province—the exam committee, inspection team, and other big shots—had gathered. Watching the vibrant, youthful new generation, they couldn’t help but smile.
“This batch is the best talent from Tiannan Province this year, a cut above last year’s level.” “That’s to be expected. The province allocated so many funds, and technology is advancing. These are the results we deserve.”
With the third-stage exam yet to begin, the big shots’ conversations weren’t limited to the exam; they touched on classified information ordinary spirit masters wouldn’t know. “I heard terrorist activity abroad is getting more frequent?” “A small country’s capital was attacked!” “Those lunatics! Traitors to humanity!”
An inspection team big shot asked, “Tiannan Province was attacked by terrorists last year. Has protection been strengthened this year, especially for these gifted students?” “Rest assured, Commissioner Chen. The special transport vehicles carrying the students can withstand high-intensity attacks. Each driver not only has superb driving skills to avoid sudden dangers but is also a veteran elite-level. We’ve also formed a special support team of five spirit masters with flying spirits, led by a master-level, capable of rapid response anywhere. Additionally, all exam sites have round-the-clock patrols of soldiers and elite spirit masters on standby.”
“Keep up the vigilance. This is our first year incorporating practical exams, and the process will be broadcast live on TV. There can be no mistakes.” A booming voice rang out. The newcomer had a strikingly shiny bald head and walked with a vigorous stride. Seeing him was like witnessing a blazing flame. Even the esteemed big shots in the hall showed respect.
“Flame King.” “President Xia.” Xia Yanghua, the provincial guild president and Flame King, scanned the room and said, “I’ll be stationed here during the exam.” He gazed out the window, almost hoping some reckless fool would show up.
…
A TV broadcast van slowly pulled up and stopped at the town entrance. Several people stepped out. Leading them was a female reporter in professional attire, holding a microphone, with delicate makeup. She approached the few spirit masters guarding the entrance but didn’t dare get too close. Several massive Earthquake Wolves lay there, their presence intimidating. She called out from a dozen meters away.
“Hello, we’re from Tiannan TV, here to interview the exam candidates.” The upright spirit master, expressionless, asked, “Do you have credentials?” “Yes, we do.” The female reporter and the other TV staff produced their relevant documents. After a check, they were let through. They entered the town, wandered around the streets twice, and didn’t spot a single test-taker. They fell into contemplation.
“Where is everyone?”