The Exam Hall Exit

Xiao Ran recited "Po Zhen Zi," and the vast force of literary talent surged through his writing staff. Silver frost blanketed the ground, crushing the surrounding statues within dozens of meters to dust like dry leaves. Stones flew everywhere, and purple lightning scattered beneath the silver radiance. At last, the brief silence gave everyone a chance to catch their breath.

But that respite was so heavy it made their hearts pound.

The air was thick with blood, the stench of burning, and the choking dust of pulverized stone. The people sheltered by Xiao Ran had escaped death, but their faces were still etched with shock and exhaustion. The lanterns suspended above their heads had dimmed further. Many people's blood-lotus lanterns were like dying candles in the wind, flickering on and off.

They had spent too much.

Though these "examinees" had all been demonized, with bodies and minds comparable to entry-level D-rankers, even they couldn't withstand such a drain. Their depleted energy left them dizzy and disoriented, as if they might collapse at any moment.

Xiao Ran reined in his literary talent and quickly retreated.

But unlike everyone else, he didn't look relieved. His gaze remained fixed on the darkness ahead, where faint arcs of electricity flashed now and then in the distance.

After a moment, a series of footsteps approached through the darkness. More statues strode over, their cold black stone bodies gleaming like metal. They showed no anger or fear, only the purest killing intent.

At the sight, many people began to despair. These statues seemed endless, and the more they fought, the stronger they became.

"How much longer?!"

Xiao Ran turned and shouted at the Tan brothers.

"Almost!"

Tan Shanyuan and Tan Shanming were crouched over the crack in the door, steadily sprinkling black powder into it.

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