After the Spiritual Revival, it was not only beasts and humans that changed; plants did as well.
The vegetation on Pig Head Mountain was naturally no exception. It grew in wild abundance, like an ancient forest.
The weeds stood taller than a person, while any random tree was at least wide enough for two people to wrap their arms around.
Demonic beasts hid amid the grass or up in the trees, making them difficult to spot at first glance.
Even so, everything happening within the examination grounds was clearly displayed on the huge screen at the entrance.
Nearly two hundred years after the Spiritual Revival, the integrated application of supernatural abilities and technology had long reached an advanced level.
On the screen, which was two hundred meters both wide and long, countless windows of varying sizes displayed the candidates' examinations in real time.
On the right side of the screen was the candidates' score ranking, listing a total of five hundred people.
The higher a candidate ranked, the larger their display window.
Live broadcasts had always been an old tradition of Huaxia Kingdom's Martial Arts Examination.
Not only outside the examination grounds—even base cities large and small throughout South of the Yangtze received the feed simultaneously.
Of course, it was limited to the Monster Suppression Bureau, and anyone entering the bureau to watch had to undergo strict identity verification.
After all, these were the pillars of the nation. Basic confidentiality measures still had to be maintained.
Even around the massive screen outside the examination grounds, unrelated people were not allowed to approach.
"I knew Ziyue wouldn't let us down."
Not far from the giant screen, an elderly man stared at it, stroking his long beard. He could not hide his pride.
Because the person in first place was none other than Qi Ziyue of Jiangnan No. 3 High School.
Hearing this, many people shifted their gazes toward the rankings:
First place, Qi Ziyue (Jiangnan No. 3 High School), 11 points.
Second place, Gu Hao (Jiangnan High School No. 1), 9 points.
Third place, Zhai Leida (Jiangnan High School No. 1), 9 points.
Fourth place, Wu Qiang (Shennan No. 1 High School), 9 points.
Fifth place, Ren Jie (Jiangnan High School No. 1), 8 points.
Five-hundredth place, Lu Jiaojiao (Baiyun No. 1 High School), 1 point.
"Hehe, congratulations, Principal Li. After twenty years, Jiangnan No. 3 High School has finally produced a good prospect."
At that moment, beside the long-bearded elder, a somewhat stooped old woman spoke in an indifferent tone.
It sounded like a blessing, but everyone could hear the gunpowder in her words.
That was because the old woman was the principal of Jiangnan High School No. 1.
For twenty years, Jiangnan High School No. 1 had dominated the top five. Now, not only had two spots been taken, but first place belonged to someone else. Naturally, she was unhappy.
Especially since this was the old woman's final year as principal.
"Hehe, we can't compare to Principal Gong. Your No. 1 High School has three people in the top five."
Principal Li gave her a smile that did not reach his eyes, returning the favor with a soft nail.
The moment he finished speaking, the surroundings quieted considerably.
The seniority of these two was frighteningly high. Many of those present had once been their students.
"Ahahaha, you two teachers are far too modest. Look at Baiyun No. 1 High School—we only have one person on the list, and she's at the very bottom."
At that moment, Li Shuogen, the principal of Baiyun No. 1 High School, squeezed between them and defused the awkwardness.
He truly was their student. Since the examination grounds were located in Baiyun City, he had to show at least a little hospitality as the host.
However, when Li Shuogen looked up at the two of them, he found their expressions somewhat cold.
What was going on?
"Little Li, you're only fifty, aren't you? How have your eyes already gone bad?"
Gong Yanhua straightened her stooped body slightly, then pointed at the giant screen.
Li Shuogen could not help but look up. The next second, he understood what was happening.
Baiyun No. 1 High School did not have just one person on the rankings, but two, and neither was at the bottom.
Lu Jiaojiao's score had become "3," placing her 467th. Above her was Shi Yan, with 6 points, ranked 391st.
"Uh, it refreshed. I didn't notice."
Li Shuogen rubbed his slightly balding head, somewhat embarrassed.
The rankings had indeed refreshed. Even Qi Ziyue, who was in first place, already had 19 points, but... who was Shi Yan?
He ran through his memories, yet still could not recall anyone named Shi Yan.
Just as he was about to ask the dean of studies, Li Bihuang grabbed him.
"Little Li, that's not very honorable of you. You have such an outstanding student, yet you never told your teacher."
"What outstanding... huh?"
If you can't find it by searching the book title, try searching for the author. It may simply have been renamed!
Li Shuogen looked back at the rankings and found that Shi Yan had 12 points, jumping dozens of places in one leap.
Subconsciously, he shifted his gaze to the left and found the display showing Shi Yan.
"Holy shit, Dad, how are you so awesome?"
Beneath a large tree, Liu Wang stared wide-eyed at the six black goats lying on the ground.
One slash, one kill!
Looking at the red-glowing blade in Shi Yan's hand, Liu Wang could not help but wonder: Could it be that Shi Yan saved the bureau chief's life?
"They're even stronger."
Shi Yan pointed at the light screen rising from his wrist.
The wristwatch had many functions. Aside from recording data, it could also display the candidates' real-time rankings.
Because the screen was relatively small, one had to turn pages to view the lower rankings.
At that moment, the rankings refreshed again:
First place, Qi Ziyue (Jiangnan No. 3 High School), 22 points.
Second place, Gu Hao (Jiangnan High School No. 1), 21 points.
Third place, Zhai Leida (Jiangnan High School No. 1), 21 points.
Fourth place, Ren Jie (Jiangnan High School No. 1), 20 points.
Fifth place, Wu Qiang (Shennan No. 1 High School), 19 points.
The three from Jiangnan High School No. 1 were chasing closely, even squeezing the archery expert out of the top ranks.
After one glance, Shi Yan closed the screen.
Others' strength was theirs. He had his own rhythm.
He brought up his panel, and the notifications on it filled him with delight.
[Killed a Level 1 goat demon, Martial Virtue Points +2] [Killed a Level 1 goat demon, Martial Virtue Points +2] [...]
The six of them had increased his Martial Virtue Points by 12.
"They're monsters. I won't compare myself to them."
Seeing the people at the top of the rankings, Liu Wang felt a little better.
They were S-Class and could keep killing for a long time. Shi Yan could not catch up to them.
As long as Shi Yan could not catch up, he and Liu Wang were still on the same level.
"Forget about them. Let's get something to eat."
Shi Yan drew his dagger and began preparing the goat meat.
Demonic beasts were greatly nourishing when they ate humans, while humans could also replenish themselves by eating demonic beasts.
As he prepared food for Liu Wang, Shi Yan also needed to save some for himself.
"Oh, heavens above!"
Seeing Shi Yan begin making food, Li Shuogen staggered, his face filled with the look of someone who hated iron for not becoming steel.
Why was he not killing demonic beasts now? Once everyone else had killed off all the weak ones, would it not be even harder to compete for points?
Li Shuogen was not the only one. Shi Yan's homeroom teacher, Qin Feng, was also somewhat surprised.
He had already told Shi Yan to take the easy points first—to kill the demonic beasts on the outermost perimeter.
Pig Head Mountain was enormous, but its demonic beasts were not limitless. Whoever acted first held the advantage.
Yet he was already preparing food... that was putting the cart before the horse.
"Oh? How interesting."
Elsewhere, Mo Changfeng of the Extreme Martial Arts Hall had also noticed Shi Yan.
As someone who currently knew Shi Yan rather well, he was not worried that Shi Yan's score would fall behind.
Instead, he cared more about Shi Yan's character.
He helped his friend, but did not overhelp. He knew where to draw the line.
He held a sharp blade and possessed immense strength, yet remained remarkably steady, not charging ahead to grind points.
He was capable, yet he had not abandoned his friend. Tsk, tsk.
Good character, high talent, and a mature temperament—this was the kind of talent capable of shouldering great responsibility!
Watching Shi Yan use the Lava Spirit Devouring Saber to grill meat, Mo Changfeng admired their Hall Master more and more.
"As expected of you. You truly have an eye for people."
Before you continue