The group found a restaurant nearby for dinner. Lu Xunji temporarily put aside his plan to make soup for Xie Ji, but ordered some iron-rich foods at the restaurant.
Xie Ji didn't like spinach, so he secretly threw the spinach that Lu Xunji had put on his plate into Ji Shi's bowl.
Ji Shi cooperated with him, quickly rolling the spinach into her mouth.
Lu Xunji glanced at Ji Shi and said with a half-smile, "If you keep helping him eat, Xie Ji will still be iron deficient in his next physical exam. I'll bury you in the ground to grow spinach."
Ji Shi: "..."
Lu Xunji frowned and replaced Xie Ji with spinach and beef rolls. "Eat some, sweetie."
Xie Ji reluctantly ate two bites, then refused with a pained expression, "No more, it's too bitter, I can't eat it."
Lu Xunji didn't force him to eat; instead, he lowered his head to study the recipe.
There are many foods that can replenish iron, so there's no need to force Xie Ji to eat what he doesn't like.
Ji Shi curled his lip and complained unhappily, "I thought you were so principled."
After finishing their meal, the group prepared to return to school. Zhou Heyu gave Xie Ji a brass knuckle duster, Mu Yao gave him a small personal dagger, and Ji Shi took out a small ion gun.
Xie Ji was taken aback. "This thing can be used for the assessment?"
"The special combat assessment uses real weapons." Ji Shi sighed worriedly, "Otherwise, where do you think the 10% mortality rate came from? You have to sign a death waiver before participating in the assessment. Here, take it. You won't let Lu Xunji teach you. Xie Ji, don't get hurt, or I'll be heartbroken."
Xie Ji patted Ji Shi on the shoulder. "Don't worry, buddy, I'm pretty steady."
After saying that, he followed Lu Xunji back to the hotel with a bunch of clattering things.
--
Before the assessment the next day, Xie Ji arrived at the examination venue for the practical assessment. Shang Yan rushed over then, wearing glasses, sweat beading on his nose, and panting as he called out, " Xie Little Ji!"
Xie Ji turned around and saw Shang Yan, exclaiming with delight, "Why are you here too?"
"I'm at Imperial University of Science and Technology, so my information is a bit delayed." Shang Yan pushed up his glasses and sighed. "If your fortune-telling exam video hadn't been uploaded to Imperial University of Science and Technology, I wouldn't have known you were so bold... Where's Lu Xunji?"
"He went to get his equipment; we'll be going in for the assessment in a bit," Xie Ji said. "Don't worry, I'll be fine."
"I'm not at ease at all." Shang Yan glared at him. "You're so reckless. You should have told me earlier. It's just going to an Imperial Military Academy. You told me it was just a matter of maneuvering, that you didn't need to personally take this deadly exam?"
Xie Ji rested his chin on his hand, striking a cool pose. "I want to give the other candidates a chance."
Shang Yan rolled his eyes at him, then said, "If you get out safely, I'll pack two truckloads of cherries for you, you'll eat your fill."
Xie Ji grinned, revealing a row of small white teeth. "Okay, bro."
Lu Xunji walked over from a short distance away, carrying two camouflage packages. Shang Yan spoke with Lu Xunji alone for a few moments. Lu Xunji glanced at Xie Ji, nodded, and then handed the packages to Xie Ji: "Let's go."
Xie Ji slung his bag over his shoulder and waved to Shang Yan, "See you later, brother."
Shang Yan nodded and watched the two figures enter the examination hall.
Before the Xie Ji, everyone had been instilled with the idea that the practical assessment was extremely dangerous, so I was mentally prepared. But I never imagined it would be this dangerous.
The second practical assessment involved a fifty-mile trek through a primeval forest.
The six candidates will traverse the entire primeval forest to reach the military academy's welcoming point. Meanwhile, hundreds of soldiers armed with highly lethal weapons are scattered throughout this dense primeval forest, and they will harass and obstruct the students at any time and place.
The candidates didn't even have the option to hide; among these hundred soldiers, ten held the "passes" needed to pass the test.
Only those who obtain the pass and successfully reach the test endpoint are considered to have passed the exam.
Originally a group of students with little combat experience, they might even lose their way in the primeval forest. They faced not only threats from poisonous trails, wild beasts, and venomous insects, but also constant deadly dangers posed by human intervention.
Although the hundred NPC soldiers conducting the assessment will try their best to eliminate candidates without harming them, accidental clashes are sometimes unavoidable.
Many candidates also lose their lives to wild beasts or poisonous insects in the forest.
As Xie Ji smeared camouflage clay on his face, he said, "It seems that the 10% mortality rate isn't just a rumor."
Lu Xunji supported him, smeared the camouflage mud on his face, and whispered, "Now you know fear."
Xie Ji smiled and said, "Logically speaking, I should be a little scared, after all, it's a primeval forest, but looking at you, I don't seem so afraid. It feels really good to have someone with you, thank you, Lu Xunji."
Lu Xunji paused in applying camouflage clay to him, then lowered his eyes. "Hmm, it's good that you're not afraid."
The six candidates stood at the entrance, all looking panicked. People immediately gathered around them, seemingly wanting to team up with Lu Xunji.
"Hey boss, can I come with you? I promise I won't hold you back!"
Lu Xunji coldly refused, "Sorry, I'm not used to traveling with people. Let's go our separate ways."
The person who came up to ask the question turned pale, gave an awkward laugh a few times, and left.
Xie Ji stood to one side, saying nothing.
Although, given his personality, he was quite happy to bring these people along, since it would be more lively if everyone traveled together.
But the question was directed at Lu Xunji, not him, so there's nothing Lu Xunji can do if he doesn't like him.
Lu Xunji glanced at the map expressionlessly, then whispered to Xie Ji, "Stay close to me. If you get tired, you can tell me."
Xie Ji extended his hand. "Wait a moment, shall we go in?"
"Mm," Lu Xunji comforted her, "Don't be afraid, I'll lead you out of here."
"Oh, I'm not scared, wait for me."
Xie Ji pulled a Bagua compass from his backpack with a groan, muttered something under his knuckles, but Lu Xunji couldn't hear it. He just saw Xie Ji put the compass away and point in a direction.
"Brother, let's go that way, the pass is over there."
Lu Xunji raised an eyebrow. "You can even call that?"
Xie Ji on hips, said, "I'll say it again: don't underestimate me, I'm very strong."
Lu Xunji rubbed his head and praised him generously, "Great baby."
After saying that, he led Xie Ji in the direction he had indicated.
[Holy crap, I just glanced at the display on the drone, and there are definitely a few examinees with passes on that route!]
[ Xie Ji doesn't even need to cheat! He's a cheat code himself!]
[Seriously? That's really accurate? You must have just guessed!]
[Is this some kind of East Asian sorcery? I've only ever seen this kind of magic in ancient Earth books. Wait, there are actually people who know it?!]