Lanchi's Grand Entrance with a Heavyweight Move

As Lanchi, following the examination hall's order, stepped into the giant Void Gate under the examiner's guidance, he immediately felt as if he had been thrown into a dark room where he lost all his senses.

Complete darkness, nothing could be seen, not even the sound of his own heartbeat could be heard.

Gradually, like a singularity in the darkness, the only point of light dotted his vision, followed by comprehensible characters surging towards him like shooting stars—

[Welcome to the Shadow World, artificially created and simulated with technical support from the Magic Engineering Institute.]

[Note: The content of this assessment is a practical simulation of the Shadow World. There is no life-threatening danger in the simulated Shadow World.]

[After failing in the Shadow World or the examinee is killed, they will be automatically ejected from the Shadow World.]

[However, you may experience death and pain, including but not limited to falling off a cliff, decapitation, and other relatively terrifying scenes.]

[…]

[Have you read the above points and agreed to enter the Artificial Shadow World?]

[Continue/Exit]

Lanchi did not swipe past with one click.

Instead, he carefully read the entire instruction manual for the Artificial Shadow World Activation Terminal.

Only then did he move his finger to the [Continue] side.

He remembered seeing in books that if one died in the real Shadow World, the challenger would truly die.

Therefore, in Lanchi's understanding, the real Shadow World was an extremely dangerous place, completely different from this artificial Shadow World with protective mechanisms.

Moreover, the laws of the Hutton Kingdom clearly stated: Newcomers often need to practice extensively in artificially developed simulated Shadow Worlds, achieve very high evaluations, and pass the assessment by the Kingdom Alliance Council before being granted permission to challenge the real Shadow World.

Even so, the death rate in the real Shadow World remained high.

This showed how dangerous the Shadow World was.

Fortunately, the artificial Shadow World used for the exam was equivalent to a practice mode and was quite safe.

"The chief examiner mentioned that the main theme of the exam is 'wisdom and temperament'..."

"Then I naturally have to exert my wisdom and temperament to the extreme to avoid experiencing the feeling of death in the artificial Shadow World."

Lanchi thought to himself.

As he touched [Continue], ripples appeared on the silver-white light screen, rapidly spreading from his fingertip, disappearing beneath the text and seemingly about to reveal new content.

Before he could see it, he felt as if he was rapidly falling from above the world.

Along with a sense of weightlessness, Lanchi felt his entire being suddenly immersed in a completely new world!

Soon.

The surroundings quickly brightened.

The scenery instantly filled Lanchi's vision.

At this moment, a bone-chilling coldness struck, like a ruthless sharp blade, directly piercing his heart.

He felt the temperature plummet, and the entire world seemed to be frozen.

His blood felt like it was freezing; the frosty air could easily penetrate his skin.

"Hoo-ha! What the hell is this place!"

The breath Lanchi exhaled almost instantly condensed into ice crystals.

He could only grit his teeth, resisting the piercing sting of the cold wind.

He found himself standing on a snowfield.

Vast white snow covered the land, and the sound of wind and snow howling filled the space between heaven and earth, making his brain buzz!

As far as the eye could see, the sky was a leaden gray, thick clouds obscuring the sunlight.

The cold wind whipped up snowflakes across the sky, swirling in the air, sometimes gathering, sometimes scattering, making the entire white world both mesmerizing and harsh.

"My lord, we'll be at their house soon!"

It seemed to be an old voice, shouted out hysterically, battling against the wind and snow.

Lanchi turned his head towards the sound. Behind him, an old man in a cotton coat and a heavily armored knight in silver-white armor were also struggling to walk through the snow mist.

Although Lanchi didn't immediately understand what the old man's words meant.

He quickly saw that what stood in the wind and snow was a small village.

It was like a gem left behind in the vast snowy landscape.

And he was inside this village.

At the same time, the Shadow World information appeared before his eyes—

[Shadow World: Hidden Flame of Winter]
[Level: Tier 1]
[Number of Challengers: 1]
[The gap between the heart of good deeds and the power of good deeds is called benevolence and righteousness. Forcibly exercising benevolence and righteousness can be considered foolish, yet there are always those who are willing to carry it through to the end.]
[Winter is coming. As a noble from the northern border, your territory is currently facing a financial deficit, and you have little money left.]
[While you were stopping in this village to rest, you heard the village chief say that a magic furnace was stolen in the village today.]
[Recently, there have been frequent harsh blizzards. If this magic furnace is not recovered, the three people in this family might freeze to death tonight.]
[Mission Objective: Please help this family solve their predicament before dark (within 1 hour) so that they can safely get through this cold winter.]
[Note: As a noble of the Holy Kingdom and a believer of the Holy Rite Church, your bottom line is that you must never violate the law, never harm civilians, and never defraud civilians. Otherwise, the Church Executioner who knows your background will execute you.]
[Note: Correspondingly, if criminal acts are discovered, the Executioner will also assist you in giving the criminals appropriate punishment.]

After understanding the requirements of this test, Lanchi looked ahead.

Not far away, there was indeed a house built of wood, its roof covered with thick white snow, as if hidden in this pure white world.

So the old man behind him must be the village chief, and the knight in silver-white armor is the Executioner.

Lanchi didn't rush towards the house ahead but analyzed the current situation slightly.

Since his current identity was that of a noble in this inexplicable country, subject to strict constraints, some of the simplest and most brutal methods of passing the test were definitely out of the question.

For example, he couldn't directly seize resources from other families to help this one.

Unless he was confident he could defeat this Executioner who looked very formidable.

Trying might just lead to death.

As for taking this family to squeeze into the village chief's house, they might survive tonight, but not the entire winter.

This clearly didn't meet the mission objective either.

If he were to forcefully order a certain family to take in this family for the entire winter.

This kind of abuse of power, like a cuckoo taking over a magpie's nest, would likely be illegal.

"As expected, petty cleverness won't work in this Shadow World. All the shortcuts are blocked."

Lanchi muttered to himself in the wind and snow.

In less than a moment, his cheeks were frozen red, covered with a thin layer of frost.

When he prepared to move again, he felt the joints in his limbs stiffen in the severe cold, making movement increasingly difficult.

Even wearing thick noble winter clothes couldn't block this biting cold.

Suddenly, Lanchi also realized that based on the physical condition of the examinees, the time they could spend active on the outdoor snowfield was actually very limited.

Aimless searching would inevitably bury him in this wind and snow.

"Let's go investigate clues at this family's place first."

He quickly quickened his pace and walked towards the wooden house ahead.

In a spacious and bright conference room in the main building of the Sage Institute, chairs and tables were arranged in a round table format, with several large round tables surrounding a central projection screen.

Five or six teachers from each group sat at each table, either intently watching the magic screen or actively communicating with others.

Compared to a conference, this was more like a seminar or a review session.

They were carefully recording the highlights and details of each examinee in this test, occasionally exchanging opinions with other teachers.

On the screen, the scenes of the examinees after entering the Artificial Shadow World were clearly displayed.

Without exception, all examinees were progressing slowly.

After going to that family's house, they learned from the couple that there was a strange sound outside the window on the night of the theft. Immediately after, the door of the house seemed to be blown open by the wind and snow, and then the temperature inside the house plummeted.

When the couple cautiously walked out of the bedroom, they found that the magic stove had disappeared, and there were some footprints outside, which should belong to a tall adult male, but they were quickly covered by the accumulated snow.

As for questioning the little girl in the house, the niece adopted by the couple, she seemed to know something, but no matter how they talked to her, she wouldn't speak.

So some examinees chose to investigate clues from other villagers, while others tried to find a way to start with the abnormality of the little girl.

Of course, there were also examinees who didn't carefully read the questions and acted smart, inexplicably dying under the Executioner's sword—

He promised benefits to the village chief to take in this family for the entire winter.

However, given the current state of the territory, the lord couldn't guarantee he could produce the money. This constituted fraud. The Executioner, who knew the situation inside and out, immediately saw that the lord was lying and executed him.

"These guys who think they're so smart often fail to notice the logical loopholes and are the quickest to die in the Shadow World."

As he crossed off the name of the eliminated participant, Vice Dean Ron sighed,

"This is a lack of wisdom."

The correct approach was actually quite simple: notice the most basic clue, "the abnormality of the little girl," gather some key information from other villagers, complete the decryption to uncover the truth, and subdue the culprit. The problem would then be easily solved.

"The Shadow World requires a combination of wisdom and talent, and sometimes noble character is also needed to gain the favor of the characters within and unlock clues."

Just as they were discussing.

Another teacher saw a brilliant mage who directly used wind magic to cut down trees and then quickly dried the firewood with magic.

Even more remarkably, some were attempting to create fire-attribute magic items that could replace magic stoves.

It was truly a display of various skills.

However.

These seemingly impressive actions didn't earn much favor from the teachers.

"Sometimes the Shadow World can indeed be shortcutted through its own characteristics, but sometimes it can also lead to traps..."

"I remember the original version of this Tier 1 Shadow World was very disgusting, because upon investigation, you would find that the wicked couple deliberately hid the magic stove so that the little girl would freeze to death in the blizzard, thus defrauding the high funeral subsidy stipulated in the Northern Border Territory's laws."

"Even if you gave them dry firewood or a magic stove, it wouldn't save the little girl, because what was truly cold were the twisted hearts of those people."

"Sometimes being overly arrogant and trying to skip the Shadow World's mechanisms can unexpectedly lead to failure. This is a lack of composure and stability."

The teachers, accompanied by sighs, discussed the core of this entrance examination.

For most candidates, who were Tier 2 or Tier 3, this Tier 1 Shadow World didn't require any combat elements where force needed to be used.

It was merely the most basic and simplified Shadow World mode.

But it could fundamentally assess whether a candidate had the aptitude to challenge the Shadow World.

"Hey, what's going on with this guy?!"

A sudden exclamation attracted the attention of all the teachers.

The teachers at each table looked towards that corner of the split screen.

They saw a candidate belonging to the Knight Institute.

In his view, the scene was completely different from that of other candidates.

He wasn't wearing a noble's long coat, but was left with only a pair of pants. His muscles were clearly defined, and he stood there with his arms crossed in the biting cold wind.

Even though his messy, gray hair was covered in snowflakes, he didn't seem afraid of the cold at all. His deep purple pupils were as tough as a lone wolf's.

"What is this guy doing?"

"Wait! Actually, as a noble, the clothes on this candidate are worth some money, enough to cover the cost of the village chief taking in a family for the entire winter. This way, the little girl will be protected by the village chief."

It was impossible for an ordinary person to be so harsh on themselves, as if they hadn't considered their own life or death at all.

However, this Shadow World didn't actually require challengers to survive until the end.

Sacrificing oneself to uphold righteousness wasn't necessarily a bad option.

"That's how the brutes from the Knight Institute are; occasionally, one or two who aren't quite right in the head pop up."

"But this Knight Institute candidate named Frei... if you say he's stupid, he also seems strangely smart..."

Although Frei completely went against the purpose of the exam, he did indeed fulfill the requirements with his noble character and exceptional physical fitness.

"Perhaps completely abandoning wisdom and temperament is also a display of wisdom and temperament?"

"You have to admit, he truly embodies many knightly virtues, including honesty, compassion, bravery, sacrifice... it's just that it completely deviated from our initial assessment goals. The Knight Institute struck gold this year."

Slowly, despite the teachers finding it difficult to give an objective evaluation of Frei's approach to clearing the trial, they couldn't help but praise him in the end.

At least as a knight, he was truly worthy.

"Wait."

Deputy Dean Ron, who had been looking down and flipping through candidate files, suddenly said in a deep voice,

"...I found out that this guy seems to be addicted to gambling and often loses everything but his pants, getting used to pawning his clothes... So he might have developed muscle memory, and as soon as he enters this Shadow World, when faced with uncertainty, he first takes off his clothes to cash them in and solve the problem."

"..."

"..."

After praising him for so long and getting it completely wrong, everyone felt extremely awkward, and the conference room suddenly became unusually quiet.

After a moment.

Deputy Dean Ron finally broke the oppressive silence, clearing his throat and trying to guide the meeting back on track.

"Look on the bright side, this guy is a candidate from the Knight Institute, so it's their headache."

"Indeed."

"Our students are clearly much more normal."

The teachers nodded in agreement, feeling fortunate.

Not long after.

Gradually, another teacher discovered something.

Among the Sage Institute candidates.

There seemed to be another rather unusual fellow.

In the image, a young man with black hair and green eyes was shown.

Not only did he not rush to investigate.

Instead, he immediately returned to the village chief's house.

After getting the village chief's permission, he began to find a few books on the bookshelf.

Then, he leisurely leaned back on the sofa, flipping through the books by the fireplace.

He even took sips of hot tea from time to time, his expression exceptionally content.

Clearly, his strange behavior attracted the attention of the teachers.

"What is this guy doing? Is he actually enjoying himself?"

The teachers who noticed Lanchi began asking each other.

Soon, a young teacher chuckled softly, then shook his head and said:

"Students who drop out halfway usually act like this, staying in a safe spot. But I've never seen someone drop out as decisively as him."

The other teachers nodded upon hearing this.

They were almost fooled by the relaxed and composed aura about this guy.

"Lanchi Wilford... This guy's attribute test results weren't ideal. His family is a famous wealthy merchant family in the South Wantina Border Territory, the eldest son of the Wilford family. Is he here to experience life?"

The vice principal found Lanchi's admission information and sighed helplessly.

After learning about his situation, the teachers also lost interest in this lax rich young master.

Just as the professors' attention gradually shifted away from Lanchi.

He finally closed the book in his hand.

And holding this book, he decisively took the Executioner and went to the previously burglarized family's home again.

Knock knock.

Lanchi gently knocked on the door.

Then came a faint sound of footsteps from inside the door, accompanied by the howling wind and snow.

As soon as the door was opened, he saw the middle-aged man who came to greet him, shivering from the cold.

"Lord, has your investigation made any progress?"

The middle-aged man asked with a hint of worried expectation on his face.

But in his heart, he was actually secretly laughing.

This foolish noble's investigation direction had been completely misled.

Now, all he had to do was trick this shabby lord out of his house again, letting him continue to wander aimlessly in this icy world with his foolish sense of benevolence.

However.

Lanchi just stared sharply at the middle-aged man, as if he had finally confirmed something.

"The investigation has made no progress. However, earlier, and just now, when you saw me, did you not bow to me?"

Lanchi slowly raised his hand and pointed at the middle-aged man in the house, asking.

"Apologies, Lord, I heard you are always very amiable and don't care about these details. It was our oversight..."

The sudden question made the middle-aged man tremble with fear. He quickly pressed his daughter's head down with his wife and bowed to Lanchi, speaking in a low voice.

He didn't understand what had gone wrong to make this noble suddenly change his demeanor so drastically.

This seemingly kind lord hadn't conducted any investigation in their home, so how could he have possibly noticed anything amiss?!

Lanchi sneered:

"According to the etiquette of the Northern Border Territory, you and your wife should have bowed to me. However, you failed to show me the proper respect twice. I believe your attitude towards me is exceptionally contemptuous, which has insulted me."

He opened the Codex in his hand and sternly rebuked,

"According to the Holy Kingdom Codex, page 719, line 3, the crime of insulting a noble, I will arrest your entire family. Children under 12 are exempt from this crime, and according to the Custody Regulations on page 134, this girl has lost her guardians and will be taken back to the town by me to be cared for by the Church. This is in accordance with the regulations."

After speaking, Lanchi turned back to look at the Executioner and held up the open book in his hand, showing the Executioner the page of the Codex detailing the "crime of insulting a noble."

It was clearly written there.

As for the etiquette of the Northern Border Territory, Lanchi had just confirmed it in detail by asking the village chief and the Executioner.

The Executioner was slightly stunned.

After a moment of hesitation, he finally stepped forward and took control of the three people who were completely bewildered.

"You will be temporarily held at the village chief's house. After the blizzard passes, you will all return to town with me. Those who should go to prison will go to prison, and those who should study at the Church will go to the Church."

Lanchi stared at the Codex, speaking word by word.

Next.

He watched as the three, led by the Executioner, set off towards the village chief's house.

In the wind and snow.

Lanchi put his hands in his pockets, let out a sigh of relief, and showed a relieved smile.

"Clearly, this exam is testing the students' legal awareness. This way, their family can spend a warm winter in prison and the Church."

Outside the venue.

"?!"

The professors who inadvertently witnessed Lanchi's actions began to twitch uncontrollably at the corners of their eyes.

Even Loren, the chief examiner who saw all this in the examination hall, widened his eyes.

This chapter is 5500 words, almost three chapters combined. It was hard to break it up, so I sent it out together. Thank you all for following along, Xi Zhi is grateful!