Is First High School Out of People?

The venue for the practical exam wasn't at the school or in the city, but at the Exotic Beast Hunting Ground on the outskirts.

The exotic beasts in this hunting ground were mostly captured and raised by humans during their struggles against them, so they were still different from true beasts in the Wilderness.

Thus, the hunting ground remained within the city base's range, with manageable danger, making it suitable for high school students to gain real combat experience.

The hunting ground wasn't open to the public on normal days; it was mainly used for studying exotic beast behavior or providing students with practical opportunities.

That afternoon, over forty thousand senior students from 108 high schools across Guanyun City all gathered at the suburban hunting ground.

This Mock Exam covered all high schools in the city, and the hunting ground would be fully opened.

Most students had never seen a real exotic beast before, and now they could finally witness creatures that only existed in textbooks or videos and pictures—they were both excited and nervous.

"Students, before entering the hunting ground, you'll each receive an Energy Talisman. Then you'll be shuffled out of your classes and scattered as you enter."

"Once you face a life-or-death crisis, the talisman will automatically activate to save you, and someone will come to rescue you quickly. Of course, your score will stop there."

"The hunting ground is clearly divided into zones. From the outer edge to the core area, the exotic beasts will get stronger."

"From first-grade initial-stage beasts to those just entering second grade, their numbers will dwindle."

"Your goal is to hunt as many exotic beasts as possible—the stronger they are, the higher the score."

"You don't need to kill the beasts; just grab the Tracking Monitor hanging around their necks."

"Of course, killing a beast won't deduct points, but you can't take it with you either."

"Remember, safety first—don't act rashly."

"You can snatch prey from other students, but you can't deliberately attack other examinees. Otherwise, the one who strikes first will lose points."

"You can team up with others, but scores will be divided based on contributions."

Outside the hunting ground, Head Teacher Wang Tong tirelessly emphasized the exam rules, even though the students already knew them by heart.

After the students from various schools and classes were shuffled, loaded onto military vehicles, and dropped off at different spots around the hunting ground, Lu Chong was still mulling over the rules.

"Is this exam system fair and reasonable?"

Lu Chong thought it seemed to have some loopholes, but this was a practical exam—whatever could happen in real combat could happen here too.

So there was no absolute fairness, but it was very realistic.

"A first-grade beast is equivalent to a human Martial Disciple, also divided into nine stages."

"A first-grade, first-stage beast is worth 1 point."

"Second stage is 2 points, third stage is 4, doubling each time."

"That means hunting a ninth-stage beast is 256 points, equivalent to over two hundred first-stage ones."

"The further you go, the harder it gets, but it's much more efficient, and fewer people will compete—provided you have the strength."

Lu Chong analyzed quietly to himself as he waited to enter the exam grounds.

At two in the afternoon, the Energy Light Wall covering a Hundred Mile Radius vanished on schedule, allowing students to enter the hunting ground from all directions.

An alarm sounded, and a broadcast came through every student's earpiece: "Attention all students, you have ten minutes to enter the hunting ground for the exam. After ten minutes, the light wall will reactivate, and no one else can enter."

Lu Chong looked around—he was the only one nearby.

He didn't hesitate and stepped resolutely into the desolate area ahead.

Ten minutes later, the Energy Light Wall descended again, trapping all examinees inside the hunting ground.

Before him lay a barren, ruined town, with collapsed old buildings everywhere and moss and vines growing over the weathered ruins.

Lu Chong had studied history well and knew that this hunting ground at Guanyun City base was actually the aftermath of a desperate street battle between humans and exotic beasts fifteen years ago.

After a brutal fight, humans repelled the beast tide, but half the city's buildings were destroyed.

Instead of demolishing and rebuilding, they left the war ruins as a warning for future generations, thus forming this relic hunting ground on the outskirts of Guanyun City.

Whoosh!

As Lu Chong silently moved through the streets and alleys, a black shadow suddenly shot out from a window on the left, letting out a whining sound as it lunged toward his neck.

A Shadow Cat!

Lu Chong glanced at it—a pitch-black feline exotic beast, known for its speed, agility, and sharp claws.

But this one was only first-grade, first-stage, and its speed was nothing impressive in Lu Chong's eyes.

Just as the green-eyed Shadow Cat bared its claws, inches from Lu Chong's neck, he moved.

He sidestepped slightly, his left hand shooting out like lightning, while his right hand came down like a swatter.

Then—

Lu Chong's left hand now held a nameplate, and his right hand gripped the Shadow Cat's neck like an eagle's claw, lifting it into the air.

"So this is a Shadow Cat?"

Lu Chong didn't rush onward; instead, he carefully observed the so-called exotic beast.

"It's a shame I can't take it back, or I could've sold it for some cash." Lu Chong silently regretted.

Since he couldn't have it, he didn't kill this Shadow Cat. Instead, he held it in his hands and examined it slowly.

Having finally run into an Exotic Beast, he figured he should study it carefully, so he'd know how to deal with similar ones later.

This Shadow Cat was half a meter long, with smooth, glossy black fur and claws like hooked barbs, extremely sharp.

And when it bared its teeth at Lu Chong, the fangs it showed were just as pointed.

Its eyes were a deep green, with vertical pupils, giving it a truly ferocious look.

Over here, Lu Chong was still flipping and prodding the Shadow Cat in his hands like a curious kid.

Over there, in the Monitoring Hall not far from the Hunting Ground, Wang Tong blushed and shrank back into the crowd, unable to bear watching.

At the front of the hall, a massive screen displayed multiple split views, showing live feeds of some students.

Especially those with strong baseline scores—their feeds were deliberately enlarged for the audience to watch.

Of course, if a weaker student showed outstanding performance, staff would promptly switch to their feed.

The people seated below were either influential figures in Guanyun City or teachers directly overseeing the students.

Besides the Head Teachers of each senior class, the principals of all high schools were also present.

In addition, there were representatives from the Department of Education, the Military stationed in Guanyun City, and high-ranking police officials.

The live feed was kept confidential—at least until the College Entrance Exam was over—and everyone had signed a non-disclosure agreement.

Principal Wei Jianguo of First High School sat near the center of the front row, watching the students on the big screen with a cheerful smile.

"Old Wei, which student are you keeping an eye on?" asked an elderly man in a long robe beside him, who looked only a few years younger.

Wei Jianguo glanced at Lu Chong on the screen and pointed with a chuckle, "Take a look at this student of mine—boundless potential."

The principal of Third High School glanced at Lu Chong, who was busy petting the cat, and let out a light laugh. "Has First High run out of talent?"