The audience erupted in shock and confusion, boiling like a pot of water.
Even the principals and directors on the platform wore incredulous expressions.
But they knew this had to be King Yama Zhou's doing.
So they turned to look at King Yama Zhou, seated in the middle of the platform.
"Director Zhou, what's going on?"
King Yama Zhou slowly stood up, braced both hands on the table, and spoke into the microphone in a deep voice. "Quiet!"
Whoosh!
The venue, which had been boiling like an erupting volcano, fell silent in an instant.
King Yama Zhou commanded great respect, after all. He was the head of vocational education and trials in Nanzhou Province.
Every principal, director, teacher, and student present was under his management.
Everyone looked at the imposing King Yama Zhou with curiosity and eagerness to learn.
Clearly, they were waiting for him to explain.
King Yama Zhou smiled faintly, then spoke in a low, authoritative voice:
"I'm sure all the teachers and students are wondering why, despite Ling Zhan only clearing the elite monster stage, we say he killed the final-stage boss, Great Emperor Shanli."
"Allow me to explain."
"Actually, I divided this trial into three stages."
"The first stage tests the candidates' basic combat abilities and helps them become more adept at using their skills effectively."
All the teachers and students nodded in agreement.
King Yama Zhou's trial had been arranged with great care and precision, testing candidates in every aspect.
In the first stage, candidates only needed to establish a solid foundation in combat to pass with ease.
As for the subsequent wave of quasi-elite monsters, that tested how effectively candidates could use their skills. Quasi-elite monsters were much harder to kill than ordinary monsters, so the teams had to make good use of their skills.
They couldn't let their mana run out too quickly, nor could they give the monsters an opening.
In other words, for ordinary candidates, this stage tested their teamwork and skill usage.
Any candidate who passed this stage didn't need to worry too much about their results. They might not get into a Key Combat Academy, but they could at least attend an ordinary combat academy.
They wouldn't end up at some lousy combat academy.
Now that they understood King Yama Zhou's explanation,
all the teachers and students waited eagerly to hear what he had to say about the elite monster in the second stage.
Why did Ling Zhan count as having passed despite killing the elite monster?
"As for the second stage, it wasn't actually an elite monster stage. It was a boss stage!"
King Yama Zhou's voice struck everyone's hearts like a heavy hammer.
Shock and confusion welled up inside them.
But before they could ask,
King Yama Zhou calmly explained:
"At this point, I'm guessing some of you are wondering why the monster's name appeared in purple, and why its other information, like its level and health, all indicated that it was an elite monster."
"Let me clarify. The monster's true health, defense, and level were all fake! I deliberately set them that way!"
"In truth, that monster was the Supreme Poison Crab King, Great Emperor Shanli!"
Boom!
Everyone was shaken to their core once again!
"The purpose of setting up this stage this way was to test the top students' character!"
"Some top students have ranked near the top in assessments year after year, and as a result, they've grown arrogant and looked down on others."
"I wondered: if I deliberately disguised a boss monster's information as that of an elite monster, how many top candidates would fail here?"
"Turns out my reasoning was sound! Some top students really did get battered and humiliated at this stage!"
King Yama Zhou's stern voice rang out across the venue.
Some candidates had already lowered their heads in shame.
They were all top students who had failed in the third stage!
Those with their heads bowed—
without exception—
were the top students who usually ranked near the top in assessments at their respective high schools!
Their teachers and fellow students had placed great hopes in them.
But they had all failed.
Now, they finally understood why the elite monster's skills had been so terrifying!
Why it had been so difficult to deal with!
Bai Wushuang's face was the reddest of all.
King Yama Zhou's words had hit the mark!
When he reached the third stage, he saw that the opponent was an elite monster whose health and defense were only at an elite monster's level, so he had let his guard down!
As a result, when the elite monster unleashed its skill, Bai Wushuang had nearly died at its hands!
"At this point, I'm guessing some candidates are thinking: bosses are already hard to beat, so who could possibly pass this stage?"
King Yama Zhou sneered, fixing his gaze on the candidates who had failed. His voice turned cold. "I know that few teams and top students in Yundong City can defeat a boss, but that doesn't mean none of them can."
"Besides, the final stage's result isn't based on whether you kill the boss. It depends on how much of its health you manage to deplete!"
"In other words, if you can take away even half of the boss's health, your final result can be rated [Excellent]!"
"But ask yourselves: when you failed because of your arrogance and complacency, how much health did you take from that monster?"
That one question
made the candidates who had already bowed their heads in shame feel even more ashamed!
When they honestly assessed themselves, they realized they hadn't even depleted a third of the monster's health!
"Director Zhou, does Senior Ling Zhan's result mean he has a shot at becoming the provincial trial champion?"
Suddenly, a bold female student stood up and raised her hand to ask King Yama Zhou.
Her question made everyone realize the same thing!
Right!
If this was a boss stage, did Ling Zhan's incredible result mean he could become the provincial trial champion?
Hiss!
At the thought, everyone drew in a sharp breath.
Even Principal Zhong's chubby face flushed red with excitement, like an apple.
His whole body trembled!
City No. 1 High School... was about to produce the champion of the city trial ranking?
Holy crap! Holy crap! Holy crap!
The prospect was simply staggering!
King Yama Zhou smiled broadly and didn't dampen their enthusiasm.
Then he continued, "Of course, there is still a third stage."
"I told you, this trial has three stages in total!"
"Of course, the third stage is called the Endless Trial. It's quite special. As for what makes it special, you'll find out as you watch..."
Wow!
The teachers and students were astonished once again.
Then they looked at one another.
There really was a third stage!?
But they quickly understood.
As expected, this kind of trial setup was just like King Yama Zhou!
"Could it be that to become champion of the Provincial Trial Ranking, you have to pass the third stage?"
"That makes sense. The monsters among the provincial-level geniuses wouldn't be stumped by such a simple boss stage!"
"Let's see what makes the third stage so special!"
Everyone began talking at once.
King Yama Zhou finished speaking.
He had already sat back down and was leisurely sipping his tea.
Actually, even he hadn't expected Ling Zhan, a Jobless Freelancer, to make it all the way to this final step.
It had truly astonished him.
But he wouldn't let that show on his face.
Before you continue