Chaos

All the students at the scene were either bewildered or frantic. Even Su Ming's expression changed when he heard "the Battle of Diyan Star."

"Insane. This is absolutely insane."

Even Chen Tong couldn't help complaining.

Su Ming took a deep breath. Apart from its main star, the Third Planet, the Old Federation actually had nine other planets, and Diyan Star was one of them. Historically, Diyan Star had been the planet second only to the Third Planet in prosperity, and it had possessed a massive population.

The Battle of Diyan Star had been the most critical battle in the epic war that had erupted between the Old Federation and the Mechanical Race, which was composed of silicon-based life-forms, a hundred years ago.

After the Mechanical Race broke through the Black Flame Star Defense Line around the outer Tenth Planet, it used Diyan Star as a direct stepping stone and launched a devastating invasion of it.

Diyan Star fell. Using it as a stepping stone, the Mechanical Race pointed its spearhead straight at the Third Planet.

At the moment of life and death, the Old Federation hastily mobilized fleets from every side and launched a massive attack on Diyan Star.

The two sides fought a bloody battle over Diyan Star. Although the Mechanical Race was ultimately driven off the planet, countless fleets and heroes of the Old Federation fell.

Diyan Star's twelve original base cities were reduced to five.

Its population also plummeted from 6.2 billion to less than 2 billion.

The brutality of this battle could be seen from that alone.

"I know many of you probably don't understand why you're being treated this way. But you need to understand one thing: you're adults now. The City Exam isn't child's play. We want talent—real talent! If you want to score high, then fight with all your strength in this exam! Also, you'd better find a way to stay alive. If you die, congratulations—you'll receive an authentic death experience! Believe me, you won't like how it feels."

General Ams gave everyone a piece of advice.

"Wait, we're all on the same ship right now. If the Command Department gives orders recklessly, or the people flying the ships pilot them wildly, won't the ship be destroyed before we even reach the battlefield? Wouldn't that mean we'd all get zero points?"

"And what if everyone refuses to work together?"

Countless students raised their objections.

General Ams seemed to have expected their questions. He turned to everyone and said,

"I know many of you will feel this is unfair and ask what happens if the others refuse to cooperate or the Command Department gives foolish orders. What I want to say is this: the ship is yours now. Do whatever you want with it. You can unite, or you can split apart. It's your choice! And don't talk to me about fairness. Haven't those of you in the Command Department taken classes on rallying people? If you didn't work hard before, then this is the best punishment you could receive! Good luck. I now officially declare the exam started!"

"Good luck, everyone!"

As General Ams announced the official start of the exam,

the alarms throughout the entire ship suddenly grew dozens of times louder, while red lights flashed across the whole transport compartment.

"Seriously? The exam just started, and they've already made it look like the apocalypse is coming. Isn't this a bit too exaggerated?"

"I feel so anxious. I don't even know what to do."

"Exactly. I'm completely lost."

Every student present wore a bewildered expression.

At that moment, a mission log popped up in front of every student.

"Main Mission: Perform Your Duties, Break Through the Fire Net, and Crash-Land on Diyan Star."

Immediately afterward, all the panels on the surrounding metal walls suddenly rose, revealing transparent glass beyond them. In an instant, everyone could clearly see outer space around the ship. Beams of light and missiles swept past them one after another.

They could even see many nearby ships being hit and exploding.

Looking into the distant starry sky, they could see Diyan Star, roughly the size of a soccer ball.

"OMG!"

The many students stared at the scene, their mouths hanging slightly open.

Then, with a thunderous boom, the ship carrying Su Ming and the others shook violently. A synthesized mechanical voice rang out.

"Warning. The external armor of Ship H34 has been hit."

"Ah! The ship's going to be sunk! What do we do?"

A male student shouted in panic.

At that moment, a hot-tempered male student beside him carefully examined the Command Department insignia on his clothes, then kicked him and angrily spat,

"Are you a pig? TMD, you're from the Command Department! Why are you asking us what to do? Hurry up and get to the cockpit to give orders! There's no one else on this ship. How the hell did I end up with a teammate like you?"

"Oh, right! I'm going now!"

The student finally came to his senses and hurried toward the exit.

The other students also reacted one after another, and the scene instantly descended into chaos.

"Gunners! Who here is a gunner?"

"Are there any cute female medics? Let's team up!"

Looking at the chaotic scene before him, Su Ming sighed softly. This world really is just a bunch of amateurs putting on a show.

"Su Ming, what do you think we should do now?"

Chen Tong asked with a solemn expression.

"Go. To the hangar!"

Su Ming replied to Chen Tong without the slightest hesitation.

"Okay!"

Chen Tong immediately followed Su Ming as they ran toward Corridor 3 at the front of the transport compartment.

There were seven corridors in total. Each one had corresponding signs indicating where it led. Of course, if you couldn't understand the directional signs, there was nothing anyone could do for you.

As Su Ming and Chen Tong ran forward, Chen Tong suddenly spotted a petite girl with short brown hair in the crowd. He immediately said to Su Ming,

"Look! Isn't that Zhao Ran from our class?"

"Call her over. Classmates are more reliable at a time like this."

Su Ming replied to Chen Tong without hesitation.

Chen Tong immediately shouted loudly,

"Zhao Ran!"

Zhao Ran heard someone calling her and immediately turned her head.

When she saw Su Ming and Chen Tong, her face lit up with delight, and she immediately sprinted over.

The three soon regrouped, and Zhao Ran said excitedly,

"You're here too!"

"Yeah."

Chen Tong nodded in reply.

"Huh? Why don't I see the class monitor? Aren't the three of you usually together?"

Zhao Ran asked curiously.

"He isn't taking the exam at this school, so he isn't on this ship. But he should be participating in this battle too. If we're lucky, we might run into him on the ground after we crash-land."

Chen Tong gave Zhao Ran a brief explanation.

"I see."

Zhao Ran suddenly understood.

"Let's not talk about that for now. We need to get to the hangar!"

Su Ming hurriedly reminded them.

"Okay!"

Zhao Ran immediately followed Su Ming and Chen Tong as they ran toward Corridor 3.

Of course, Su Ming and the other two weren't the only ones who had figured things out. Lin Chuyu and the others also ran toward the hangar at the first opportunity.

Besides them, Su Ming also saw Gu Meng and the others from First Academy. In short, the place was incredibly lively.

A moment later.

Inside the corridor, Su Ming and the other two continued running toward the hangar. Whenever they encountered a fork along the way, Su Ming immediately identified the signs.

"Left!"

Chen Tong and Zhao Ran simply had to follow Su Ming blindly.