A9-Level Assessment

In the boundless Dantian, two miniature planets revolved nonstop as Cosmic Origin Energy surged around them.

Suddenly, all the energy seemed to answer a summons, rushing toward one spot and quickly forming a new miniature planet. After comprehending the Domain of Wood, Yin Congyang had smoothly advanced to Planetary Level Three.

"One minute until Cosmic Shuttle. We will return to the Original Universe," the ship began to slow as its intelligent Optical Computer announced. "After we return to the Original Universe, it will take about two more hours to reach our destination. Please prepare!"

Yin Congyang, who had been cultivating as usual, perked up. They were finally almost there. He had spent more than two months alone aboard the ship. Apart from setting aside a little time each day to enter the Virtual Universe, chat with a few brothers, and test his ideas in the Killing Field, he had spent almost all his time cultivating. Of course, he no longer went to the Battle Space; the opponents there could no longer put any pressure on him.

He was filled with anticipation for life at the Training Camp. Deep down, he was someone who enjoyed a challenge, with a strong heart and steadfast will. And as he comprehended more Domains, the power of the laws and the mysterious fluctuations in his Dantian nourished his soul exceptionally well, making it grow stronger by the day. A powerful soul, in turn, could give rise to a powerful will.

The ship shuddered slightly for a few seconds.

"Cosmic Shuttle complete. We have successfully returned to the Original Universe. Would you like to activate the external-view simulation?" the ship's intelligent system announced.

"Activate it."

"External-view simulation activated at 100%."

The walls, floor, and ceiling of the cabin began to fade, until they vanished completely. Yin Congyang gazed at the pitch-black starry sky before him. Only a distant cluster of stars gave off a faint glow; there were no stars nearby.

As expected, the ship sped toward that distant cluster. After more than an hour, Yin Congyang suddenly felt a ripple sweep over the ship. The scene before his eyes changed, revealing a massive planet, far larger than Jupiter, the biggest planet in the Solar System. Eight satellites orbited it. Strangely, this planetary system had no star, and the planet itself did not shine. Yet the eight satellites, orbiting at different angles, emitted light of various colors, keeping the entire system from being plunged into darkness.

"Beep—"

"Signal received. Transmitting four-dimensional, fifth-level verification code... Verification successful. The ship will enter C9 Spaceport and is preparing to land..." After a lengthy verification process, the ship slowly touched down on the designated spaceport's landing pad.

"This ship has completed its mission. Thank you for traveling with us." The ship's intelligent system sounded almost cheerful, as if pleased to have finished its task. "Please disembark. After leaving the ship, follow the ground guidance and report to an instructor at the Green Pouch Secret Realm Elite Training Camp..."

Yin Congyang looked back at the ship, then suddenly asked, "If I want to leave the Training Camp later, will I take this ship again?"

"This ship is only responsible for transporting trainees to the Training Camp," the ship's intelligent system replied promptly.

Yin Congyang said nothing more. He turned and flew out of the ship. A bright yellow guidance strip appeared on the ground, with an arrow at its tip. Following it, he flew into a huge tower-shaped building. The lobby was empty. The strip continued upward, and when he reached the sixth floor, it pointed to a room.

"Whoosh—"

Yin Congyang walked to the entrance. The highly futuristic door rotated and retracted in all directions, and he stepped inside.

Four people sat in the middle of the room. They were the same four who had watched him on the screen earlier, and now they sat upright with stern expressions.

The purple-haired woman at the head of the group looked straight at Yin Congyang, her gaze imposing. "Trainee Yin Congyang, from the Silver Blue Star System in the Black Dragon Mountain Starfield."

"Yes, Instructor." Yin Congyang answered calmly, unmoved by the pressure in the purple-haired woman's gaze.

"Very good. You are currently at Planetary Level Three and have comprehended three Domains of law, meeting the standards for the Elite Training Camp. The Training Camp has Planetary Level and Star Level divisions. The four of us instructors unanimously agree that you may join the Planetary Level Elite Training Camp," the purple-haired woman continued. "The Planetary Level Training Camp is divided into Classes A, B, C, and D. New trainees usually enter Class D, but given your outstanding talent, we can offer you the chance to take an assessment. If you pass, you can enter Class A directly. Are you willing to take it? I should warn you that trainees in Classes A, B, C, and D receive different resources. The A9-Level Assessment you would face is the most difficult. It takes place in reality and carries some risk. Historically, 10% of trainees attempting the A9-Level Assessment for the first time have died, and 95% of those who died were below Planetary Level Five. Think it over carefully..."

Yin Congyang considered this briefly, then asked the purple-haired woman, "Instructor, may I ask a question?"

"You may ask, but I can't promise I'll answer."

"Could the A9-Level Assessment exceed the limits of Planetary Level combat strength? Why can't it be held in the Virtual Universe?" Yin Congyang asked cautiously.

A trace of amusement showed through the purple-haired woman's cold expression. "You're clever. I can tell you plainly: A means Planetary Level, and 9 means ninth rank. The so-called A9-Level Assessment is the ultimate test for Planetary Level Nine. As for why it can't be held in the Virtual Universe...

"Assessments in the Virtual Universe usually use standardized physical attributes. But an individual's combat strength isn't determined only by secret techniques, skills, Domains, and comprehension of the laws. Their physical attributes are also extremely important. When facing a life-or-death crisis in reality, every response reveals their will, character, and many other qualities. These are the most direct measures.

"The Training Camp Intelligent System and the four of us instructors can use these as a basis for judging whether a trainee is qualified to receive the Elite Training Camp's resources and training, and whether they can endure the brutal competition and elimination..."

Yin Congyang nodded and answered firmly, "I'm willing to take the assessment, Instructor."

The four instructors exchanged glances and nodded. The purple-haired woman turned to the burly man with the shortest, golden hair. "Then please take the trainee to register for the assessment, Instructor Golden Lion."

Golden Lion, his short golden hair like a lion's mane, grinned and sprang to his feet. "Come with me!"

He turned toward a door on the other side of the room, and Yin Congyang followed.

After leaving the tower-shaped building, Golden Lion led Yin Congyang through the air, flying straight toward their destination.

As they flew, Golden Lion glanced at Yin Congyang. He thought the young man was interesting. "Don't you want to ask anything?"

Yin Congyang had been able to withstand the pressure in their gazes thanks to his powerful soul, but that did not mean the four were weak. They were all Universe Level Nine experts. So he was genuinely curious. "Instructor Golden Lion, all four of you are Universe Level experts. I'm just a Planetary Level trainee. Why were all of you waiting here for me?"

Golden Lion replied meaningfully, "It's just customary. In the previous batch of Planetary Level trainees, some advanced to Star Level and went to the Star Level Training Camp in the other hemisphere. Some died during various trials. The few who survived but failed to reach Star Level within a hundred years were demoted to external members and left the Training Camp.

"The Training Camp was empty, so a few of us could watch your performance on the way here from the Surveillance Room... Others have been arriving to report over the past few days. For now, you're among the more talented in this batch. Including you, only five have qualified for the A9-Level Assessment. Two others failed: one entered Class B, and one died..."

He gave Yin Congyang a mischievous grin. "Why do we take this so seriously? Of course, it's for the points. You're already an internal member, so I can tell you this. You trainees have points too, but your points aren't worth the same as ours. How do we earn ours? It depends on how many people in your batch succeed over the next hundred years. The more of you who make it, the more points we get..."

Yin Congyang asked in confusion, "Does advancing to Star Level count as making it?"

Golden Lion burst out laughing. "Of course not. Advancing to Star Level is only the most basic requirement. There are other standards to assess, such as Force Amplitude, Mental Power Amplitude, Domains, laws, and the results of secret technique training. But the most important thing is..."

He suddenly lowered his voice. "The most important measure is the Heaven-Reaching Tower. Everything else comes down to this: how many floors you can clear is the most direct measure of your talent. If you clear enough floors, you might even be recruited directly into the Virtual Universe Company's Core Layer as a Core Member!"

Yin Congyang's eyes lit up. "So that's how internal members get promoted? It doesn't sound all that hard."

Golden Lion glared at him. "Not all that hard? Do you know that even I can't clear enough floors in the Heaven-Reaching Tower to be recruited directly into the Core Layer as a Planetary Level Core Member? And I'm currently Universe Level Nine, with a Ninth-Level Domain!"

Seeing Yin Congyang's stunned look, he added smugly, "Now do you see how hard it is? The Heaven-Reaching Tower is really just a benchmark for people to look at. The quickest path into the Virtual Universe Company's Core Layer is actually the Universe Human Peak Genius Tournament, held once every ten thousand years. The top one thousand can enter the Core Layer directly. Unfortunately, the next one begins in only two or three years, so you won't make it in time. Of course, the Genius Tournament is a competition among Star Level geniuses from across the Cosmic Humans. Even if you went, there's no guarantee you'd place in the top one thousand and enter the Core Layer directly... So don't aim too high. Take it one step at a time..."

Yin Congyang kept his expression neutral, but couldn't help sighing inwardly. If I hadn't known I'd miss the Genius Tournament, do you think I'd have wanted to come to this place?

The two flew incredibly fast. As they spoke, Golden Lion came to a stop. "We're here..."