Not Even Blocking? Is He Playing Up There?

Song Chuan gazed at the massive, illusory light screen above, his eyes exceptionally bright.

First place in Attack Power, Qin Zhixue; first place in Support, Wu Qingyang; first place in Elemental Mastery, Wang Yan...

And the first place in Defense was none other than he, Song Chuan.

In truth, Song Chuan knew some inside information regarding today's ability tests.

The top-ranked Awakened from each category would be pushed by the upper echelons of Cloud Sea City to form a single team!

After all, this was the first time the Alliance had arranged a special assessment during the Grand Exam.

For the sake of the bigger picture, the high-ranking officials of Cloud Sea City naturally had to set aside their mutual grievances to ensure that the team representing Cloud Sea City consisted of the strongest individuals.

And now, Song Chuan had successfully secured a spot among them.

He would likely be forming a team with the SS-rank Qin Zhixue, as well as the two S-rank Awakened, Wang Yan and Wu Qingyang!

The more he thought about it, the more excited Song Chuan became, his lips curling into a grin he could barely suppress.

Having been repeatedly rejected when trying to team up with Qin Zhixue before, he had truly suffered quite a blow.

"This test came at the perfect time, it's absolutely brilliant."

It was like a double blessing.

At this moment, Song Chuan felt that his future was bright.

On the other side.

Chen Ming walked toward the testing platform.

Surrounding him were countless gazes fixed firmly upon him.

As for which two abilities Chen Ming chose to test...

There was no need for words, nor any need for thought.

Walking to the base of the platform, Chen Ming registered his information with a staff member in charge.

Just then, he caught a glimpse of a graceful figure stepping down from another platform.

At the same time, a chorus of exclamations erupted from the crowd.

"Qin Zhixue's Elemental Mastery test has surpassed Wang Yan's, taking the top spot!"

"Tsk tsk, 900 points in Light Elemental Mastery!"

"As expected, in front of an SS-rank class, even an S-rank can only be completely crushed."

"I feel like if she weren't limited to testing only two categories, Qin Zhixue would have taken first in everything!"

"That's a bit much, buddy. Her support abilities wouldn't necessarily be stronger than the Light Priest Wu Qingyang's, we have to respect that everyone has their own specialty..."

"Speaking of which, why aren't Wu Qingyang and Qin Zhixue on the same team? They both master the light element; teaming up would surely be powerful."

"Because Wu Qingyang is in the Abyss Squad, and Qin Zhixue is in the Morning Light Squad."

"Tell us something we don't know..."

"Hey, I actually have some inside scoop. I heard the principals of Cloud Sea City seem to want to merge the Morning Light Squad and the Abyss Squad."

Merge the Morning Light Squad and the Abyss Squad?

Hearing the chatter from the crowd, Chen Ming was slightly stunned.

He then shook his head and let out a light, indifferent chuckle.

No one could influence or dictate his choices.

Not in the past, and certainly not now.

Chen Ming saw Qin Zhixue walk straight toward him after stepping off the platform.

She spoke directly upon meeting him:

"You busy person, you stood me up for the entire day yesterday. So, how is it? Has your physical issue been resolved?"

Despite the words.

There was no hint of interrogation in Qin Zhixue's tone.

She knew Chen Ming was absorbing resources, so she hadn't sent him any messages to disturb him yesterday.

"It's resolved. Don't worry, I'll definitely have time today."

Chen Ming gave his assurance.

Qin Zhixue said, "Good. I'll wait for you to finish your tests; I haven't used the Dungeon Rune Stone yet."

Chen Ming nodded, then walked up the steps ahead.

Clack, clack...

On the metallic steps, the sound of Chen Ming's footsteps was exceptionally clear.

Because at this moment, the vast city border seemed to have grown much quieter.

From the moment Chen Ming arrived at the border, countless people had been watching him.

There was no helping it; the level of buzz Chen Ming generated upon his appearance was simply too high.

At this moment, seeing Chen Ming step onto the high platform for testing instantly drew every gaze.

Some people had even finished their own tests but remained at the city border specifically to wait for Chen Ming.

On the defense test platform.

Chen Ming stood his ground, his gaze fixed forward.

Opposite him stood a mechanical apparatus nearly ten meters tall, radiating a gleaming, dark luster.

"Test commencing. Class-holders, please prepare your defenses!"

"Note: This is a defense test. The class-holder must withstand 10 attacks per stage!"

The mechanical apparatus emitted a clanging, metallic sound.

Then, the metal on its surface began to twist.

It proceeded to 'spit out' a one-meter-tall, four-legged mechanical creature.

[Mechanical Beetle]

[Level: lv.2]

Below the platform.

Countless people stared intently at Chen Ming's every move, terrified of missing any important detail.

What exactly was the secret of this C-rank Shield Guard who had soloed the Exotic Beast Forest?

Was he a dual-class holder, or did he possess a hidden class?

A single battle would be enough to know!

After all, the characteristics displayed by a class during combat were relatively easy to discern.

Especially with more powerful classes, the traits were all the more obvious.

Soon, they saw it...

Chen Ming on the platform twisted his neck and rubbed his wrists.

And then...

There was no then.

Because after Chen Ming finished his set of movements, he just stood there, motionless?

He didn't release any skills.

He didn't bring out any defensive equipment.

He didn't even make a single defensive gesture.

He was just...

Very casual.

"What is he doing?"

"I don't know either..."

"Wait, is he up there to play around?"

"The way he's acting, why does it feel like... he disdains making a defense?"

"Chen Ming is already level 6, so he looks down on this initial level 2 test?"

"Uh, no matter how much he looks down on it, he shouldn't just stand there without blocking at all."

A chorus of confusion and skepticism rose from below the platform.

Meanwhile.

In a high-rise building behind the plaza.

The Inspector and several principals stood before the window.

They all cast their gazes toward Chen Ming below.

They were naturally somewhat curious about this C-rank class-holder who ranked first in Cloud Sea City.

The Inspector, in particular, had become very interested after learning Chen Ming's information.

However, at this moment, a flash of disappointment crossed his eyes.

"Arrogance is not a good trait..."

In the struggle between human class-holders and exotic beasts, the greatest taboo was underestimating the enemy.

When fighting truly high-level exotic beasts, a single moment of carelessness could lead to a desperate situation.

On the defense test platform.

The Mechanical Beetle had already begun its assault.

A sharp metal spike protruded from its head, glinting with a cold light as it shot forward.

Clang—

A slightly piercing sound rang out.

The metal spike struck Chen Ming's chest... or rather, his clothing, with unerring accuracy.

The incomparably sharp tip was currently snagged on a button.

It could not advance even a fraction of an inch further.

[-0!]

Chen Ming stood silently in place, not even bothering to lift his eyelids.

A Level 2 mechanical creature couldn't even reach the threshold to deal damage.

It wasn't even worthy of scratching an itch for him.

"Can you be faster? I'm in a hurry."

His voice was not loud, yet it was heard clearly by the countless people below the stage.