Final Exams Over

"No problem. I can persuade her."

Li Wei remained as expressionless as ever, but Su Shijie somehow felt like he was discussing something suggestive.

Thinking of that big-breasted monster Eva, ugh... Second Brother really was the repressed type.

"It's fine, take it slow. You can't rush this kind of thing. Given how seriously the Federation treats Evil God Cultists, they're still in the middle of their crackdown. No matter how extreme they are, they wouldn't show themselves at a time like this. We're not worth that kind of attention yet."

Hearing Li Wei's words, Su Ren also wore an ambiguous smile.

What made Evil God Cultists troublesome was that they knew how to lie low and still retained their rationality. Compared with Contaminated Beasts and highly contaminated lunatics, they knew how to endure.

Otherwise, why would they have calmly hunted Spirit Deer? After killing the pursuers, they would have turned around and fled with their whole family.

Once the general direction had been decided, they all began discussing the rest of the journey and some of Binhai City's specialties.

When the time came, his sister and Second Brother could go to Prosperous City to buy a bigger vehicle and bring along more Red Umbrella Mushrooms as local specialties and such.

The atmosphere gradually became more cheerful.

Afterward, Su Shijie went to Bai Xinxin and Bai Congcong again to discuss tutoring.

They would cram for one day tomorrow to deal with the exam the day after. Even if they were leaving, they couldn't give up the medicine authorization that had practically been delivered to their mouths.

Based on the diminishing returns from previous medicine use, Su Shijie estimated that the next time he used one, it would only raise him by at most one minor stage.

Still, as one's evolution level rose, spiritual energy saturation became increasingly difficult. Being able to gain one minor stage was already quite good.

Spiritual energy saturation was a bit like soaking dried-out genes in spiritual energy until they gradually became saturated. The lower the saturation level, the faster it went; once it was high, it naturally slowed down.

Many people got stuck at 99%, or even 99.9%, just a tiny bit short of full saturation...

"Xinxin~, just help me out. I've worked hard for so many years, and I'm about to reap the rewards. I can't let all that effort go to waste now."

Su Shijie coaxed and pleaded with Bai Xinxin.

"Heh, you only know to call me Xinxin when you need something. Aren't you being a little too mushy?"

Bai Xinxin shivered, but she did not refuse.

Beside her, Bai Congcong covered his mouth and laughed.

"What are you laughing at? Go wash the dishes."

Bai Xinxin shot her younger brother a glare.

"I'll do it, I'll do it. I'll wash them today."

Su Shijie hurriedly volunteered. Although Bai Congcong had never made things difficult for him over such matters and always willingly joined the tutoring sessions, a person had to know how to behave. Since they were helping him tomorrow, how could he possibly let—

"No, no. Don't break the dishes."

Bai Congcong quickly waved his hands. Usually so easygoing, he seemed to have some sort of trauma regarding Su Shijie washing dishes. Then he darted into the kitchen in a flash.

Su Shijie, who had just rolled up his sleeves, could only sigh and return to his room...

After continuing to adapt to his newly acquired abilities and practicing them thoroughly, Su Shijie went to sleep, giving himself a proper chance to ease the mental exhaustion brought on by ten days of high intensity.

The next day, under Bai Xinxin and Bai Congcong's relentless bombardment, he began a full day of cramming. He Lei sat nearby the entire time, recording the key points the two of them highlighted.

Because of their understanding of the coursework, Bai Xinxin and Bai Congcong had always had an exceptionally firm grasp of the question bank. Their predictions were accurate every time.

It was much like teachers marking key topics before university exams. A short burst of tutoring could genuinely produce a noticeable improvement in grades.

Su Shijie's powerful mental hardware was especially helpful, making things even easier. It ensured that he could play games every day without falling behind.

He Lei had a harder time by comparison, but fortunately, he had never slacked off in class and had always studied diligently. His foundation was solid, so he would see obvious results as well.

Under these circumstances, the final exams, which had already been delayed by network repairs and the Deer Herd Migration, finally arrived.

Even Anna Brin, whom Su Shijie had set back before, did not come to bother him. Everyone threw themselves into the tense day of final exams.

Final exam scores would be uploaded to the Dawn Goddess—fair, impartial, and open.

Once the exams were over, Su Shijie finally let out a breath.

Honestly, the Credit Points he had earned from ten consecutive days of hunting had already far exceeded the purchasing privileges he could obtain through exams.

The opportunity earned through several years in the Advanced Class really amounted to only that much.

Though someone like him, who had spent all his time gaming, had no right to say so, the Advanced Class truly was the greatest opportunity for ordinary people to achieve a class leap.

For those from well-off families, on the other hand, the Advanced Class was valued more as a stepping stone. Those ranked in the top fifty could enter a Floating City for further study, while also finding it easier to connect with talented people and possibly gain the favor of those higher up...

"Brother Su, how did you do?"

He Lei came out with a smile on his face. It looked like he had performed well.

"Not bad. Probably better than I originally expected. A top-forty spot is secure."

Su Shijie's raw abilities were right there for all to see. Especially now that he was in the late stage of Awakened Rank Level Four, his related talents had improved greatly.

Studying came more easily, and the exam had felt simpler too.

If he had not been so rushed for time, he probably could have achieved an even higher ranking.

"Haha, Xinxin and Congcong are still as good as ever at predicting the questions. I think I might even have a chance at the top forty—maybe even higher."

He Lei looked delighted as well, feeling that he had completely outperformed himself this time.

If he could make it into the top forty, or even the top thirty, it would undoubtedly greatly ease his financial burden. Once they entered Prosperous City, it would also be easier for him to obtain Awakened Rank potions.

"Come on, let's grab a meal. My treat."

Just as Su Shijie was about to take He Lei to the market to find a skewer stall and pig out on grilled meat, he suddenly sensed a hand reaching for his shoulder. He nimbly leaped aside and discovered it was that unlucky brat, Anna Brin.

Her brother had clearly agreed to let bygones be bygones last time. Don't tell him this girl still didn't know when to quit!

However, Su Shijie noticed that Anna seemed somewhat downcast today. He had no idea what had happened, but he had no interest in getting involved. He waved her off and said, "You're not coming. Go on, get lost."

Anna did not curse at him this time. She looked as though she wanted to say something, but in the end, she said nothing and simply left.

Meanwhile, Bai Congcong and Bai Xinxin had finished packing up and came over as well.

"Grilled food again? It's unhealthy."

Bai Xinxin looked every bit like a nagging housekeeper.

"Then are you eating or not?"

"Eating."

When they arrived at the market, there were noticeably more snack stalls, with venison making up the bulk of the offerings. The prices were also cheaper than usual.

Since many outsiders had already left over the past two days, the market was not as lively as it had been before. Most people were simply eating and drinking.

However, Su Shijie unexpectedly spotted Xu Hao and Old Man Xu again. While he sent the other three off to order food, he took the opportunity to walk over.

"Old Man Xu, do you still have purchase rights for special arrows? I'd like to buy some."

He had not yet opened the Armor-piercing Arrows, but the Scatter Shot had indeed produced astonishing results. Since they could not be recovered and reused, Su Shijie planned to stock up.

"Oh, little Su. What, did you make a good haul this time?"

Hearing that Su Shijie wanted to buy purchase rights for special arrows, the old hunter understood immediately. Su Shijie must have used them to hunt some valuable prey and gotten a taste for the profits.

"Yeah, I even hunted a Transformation Tier one."

There was no problem with revealing a little at the right time. With the Star Crossbow and his father, it was perfectly normal for them to hunt Transformation Tier Spirit Beasts.

That Bug Knight, Huang Jiangyong, had bought meat from them several times already. It was hardly a secret.

"Sure. We rarely use X-6 arrows anyway. I'll keep ten for myself, and you can buy the rest."

There were a total of two hundred and thirty purchase rights. Su Shijie spent 50,000 Credit Points to buy them all in one go.

Of the 1.7 million earned from the hunt, his father had transferred all of it to him. He had intended to combine it with the purchase rights to buy another Awakened Rank potion. Now that his pockets were full again, he naturally needed to keep plenty of consumables like arrows on hand...