First Bloom

After the spiritual energy revived, it wasn't just beasts and humans that changed, but plants as well.

The plants on Pig Head Mountain were naturally no exception, growing exceptionally lush, like an ancient forest.

The wild grass was taller than a person, and any tree was at least as thick as two people hugging it.

Demonic beasts hid in the grass or on the trees, making them difficult to spot immediately.

Even so, the situation inside the examination grounds was clearly displayed on the large screen at the entrance.

Nearly two hundred years after the spiritual energy revived, the integration of supernatural abilities and technology had already reached a very high level.

On the screen, which was two hundred meters wide and two hundred meters long, countless images of varying sizes were displayed, showing the candidates' examinations in real-time.

On the right side of the screen was the candidates' score ranking, with a total of five hundred participants.

The higher the rank, the larger the image of the candidate.

Real-time broadcasting was an old tradition of China's Martial Arts Examinations.

Not only outside the examination grounds, but all major and minor base cities in Jiangnan would receive the images simultaneously.

Of course, this was limited to the Monster Suppression Bureau, and strict identity verification was required to enter and watch.

After all, they were the pillars of the nation, so basic security measures had to be in place.

Even around the large screen outside the examination grounds, unauthorized personnel were not allowed to approach.

"I knew it, Ziyue wouldn't disappoint us."

Not far from the giant screen, an old man stared at the screen, stroked his long beard, and couldn't hide his pride.

Because the first place was none other than Qi Ziyue from Jiangnan No. 3 High School.

Hearing this, many people shifted their gaze to the leaderboard:

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.

Fifth hundredth place, Lu Jiaojiao (Baiyun No. 1 High School), 1 point.

"Heh heh, congratulations Principal Li, it's finally taken twenty years for No. 3 High School to get a good seedling."

At this moment, beside the old man with the long beard, a slightly hunched old woman spoke indifferently.

Although it sounded like a congratulation, everyone could hear the underlying tension.

This was because the old woman was the principal of Jiangnan High School No. 1.

For twenty years, the top five spots had been dominated by Jiangnan High School No. 1. Now, not only were two spots taken by others, but the first place was also someone else's. The principal couldn't help but feel uncomfortable.

Especially since this was the old woman's last year as principal.

"Heh heh, it can't compare to Principal Gong. Your school has three in the top five."

Principal Li smiled wryly and gave the other party a subtle retort.

As soon as he finished speaking, the surroundings quieted down considerably.

Because these two individuals had extremely high seniority, many people present were their former students.

"Ahaha, you two teachers are too modest. Look, my Baiyun No. 1 High School only has one person on the list, and they're at the bottom."

At this moment, Principal Li Shuogen of Baiyun No. 1 High School squeezed between the two, easing the awkwardness.

He was indeed their student, and since the examination grounds were set up in Baiyun City, he had to play the role of a host.

However, when Li Shuogen looked up at the two, he noticed their gazes were a bit cold.

What's wrong?

"Little Li, you're only fifty years old, are your eyes failing you?"

Gong Yanhua slightly straightened her hunched posture and then pointed to the large screen.

Li Shuogen couldn't help but look up, and the next second he understood.

On the leaderboard, Baiyun No. 1 High School didn't just have one person, but two, and neither of them were at the bottom.

Lu Jiaojiao's score had changed to "3," ranking her 467th. Further up was Shi Yan, with a score of 6, ranking him 391st.

"Uh, it updated. I didn't notice."

Li Shuogen touched his slightly balding head, feeling a bit embarrassed.

The leaderboard had indeed updated. The first-place Qi Ziyue already had 19 points, but... who was Shi Yan?

He sifted through his memories but couldn't recall anyone named Shi Yan.

Just as he was about to find the dean to ask, he was stopped by Li Bihuang.

"Little Li, you're not being honest. Having such an excellent student and not telling your teacher."

"What an excellent... huh?"

Can't find the book by its title? Try searching for the author instead, maybe they just changed the name!

Li Shuogen looked at the leaderboard again and noticed Shi Yan's score had risen dozens of places to 12 points.

Subconsciously, his gaze shifted left, finding the screen showing Shi Yan's location.

"Holy crap, Dad, how are you so strong?"

Beneath a large tree, Liu Wang stared wide-eyed at the six black goats lying on the ground.

One slash, one goat!

Looking at the glowing red knife in Shi Yan's hand, Liu Wang couldn't help but wonder: Could it be that Shi Yan saved the director's life?

"They're even stronger."

Shi Yan pointed to the light screen that had appeared on his wrist.

The wristband had many functions, besides recording data, it could also display the real-time rankings of the examinees.

Because the screen was small, one had to flip pages to see the lower rankings.

At this moment, the rankings had 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 closely pursuing, pushing the archery experts down.

Shi Yan glanced at it and then closed the screen.

Others' strength was their own; he had his own pace.

He brought up his status panel, and the prompts on it brought him joy.

[Killed Level 1 Goat Demonic Beast, Martial Virtue Points +2] [Killed Level 1 Goat Demonic Beast, Martial Virtue Points +2] [...] A total of six beasts had increased his Martial Virtue Points by 12.

"They're monsters, I won't compete with them."

Seeing the top-ranked individuals, Liu Wang felt a little better.

They were S-Class and could fight for a long time; Shi Yan couldn't catch up.

As long as he couldn't catch up, Shi Yan and he were still on the same level.

"Never mind them, let's get something to eat."

Shi Yan pulled out his dagger and began to process the goat meat.

Demonic beasts were highly nutritious for humans, and humans could also replenish themselves by eating demonic beasts.

While preparing food for Liu Wang, Shi Yan also needed to save some for himself.

"Oh my goodness~"

Seeing Shi Yan start preparing food, Li Shuogen stumbled, his face showing a look of exasperation and disappointment.

If he didn't go kill demonic beasts now, wouldn't it be even harder to get points later when others had already killed all the weak ones?

It wasn't just Li Shuogen; Shi Yan's homeroom teacher, Qin Feng, was also a bit surprised.

He had already instructed Shi Yan to get easy points first, which meant killing the demonic beasts on the outer edges.

Although Pig Head Mountain was large, demonic beasts were not infinite; whoever struck first had an advantage.

Preparing food now... seemed like putting the cart before the horse.

"Oh? This is quite interesting."

From another location, Mo Changfeng of the Extreme Martial Arts Hall also noticed Shi Yan.

As someone who currently knew Shi Yan best, he wasn't worried about Shi Yan falling behind in points.

Instead, he was more concerned about Shi Yan's character.

He helped his friend but didn't overdo it, showing great discretion.

Wielding a sharp blade and possessing great strength, yet he was very steady and didn't rush to rack up points.

He had great abilities but didn't abandon his friend, tsk tsk.

Good character, high talent, and a mature mindset – this was the kind of talent that could shoulder great responsibility!

Looking at the Lava Spirit Devouring Saber Shi Yan had brought out for roasting meat, Mo Changfeng's admiration for their museum curator grew.

"As expected of you, you have a great eye for people."