Jiang Chen returned to the Safe Zone just as the simulated "sun" of the pocket dimension began to set, casting long, eerie shadows across the glowing flora.
The other four students were still meditating. Lin Qingxue was surrounded by a faint blue mist, her aura steadily climbing toward the Qi Gathering Realm. The muscular student from Iron-Fist High was sweating profusely, his skin turning the color of bronze.
Jiang Chen sat down in a secluded corner, leaning against his weapon case. He didn't meditate. Instead, he opened his senses to the surroundings while his mind raced.
"Trust no one. Not even the City Lord."
The words from the soldier's diary echoed in his mind. Skyscar City was one of the last bastions of humanity, protected by a massive energy dome. If a traitor opened a rift from the inside... the dome would become a cage. A slaughterhouse.
"I can't hand this notebook over to the Examiners," Jiang Chen reasoned. "I don't know who they report to. The City Lord controls the Academy board."
He touched his chest. The diary was safe in the System Inventory. The ultimate safe.
"For now, I play dumb. And get strong."
He closed his eyes. His consciousness sank back into the Myriad Heaven's Grave.
The Mortal Dust Battlefield.
The red fog of the Demon Emperor's zone had receded slightly, revealing a new area: The Broken Blade Canyon.
This was a narrow pass filled with jagged rocks. The wind here cut like knives.
[New Area Unlocked.]
[Enemies: Remnant Wills of the Gale Saber Sect.]
[Average Level: Body Tempering 7th Stage.]
Jiang Chen drew his Cold-Iron Heavy Sword in the mental world.
"7th Stage. Golden Marrow Phase," Jiang Chen grinned. "Perfect sparring partners."
A ghost materialized from the wind. It was a lanky swordsman holding a curved saber. Unlike the heavily armored ghosts he fought before, this one moved with terrifying speed.
Whoosh.
The ghost vanished. A split second later, a slash appeared on Jiang Chen's soul-projection cheek.
"Fast!"
Jiang Chen rolled forward, barely dodging a decapitation strike.
"Speed vs. Weight," Jiang Chen analyzed, scrambling up. "I can't hit him if I swing blindly. I need to predict."
He closed his eyes. He focused on the vibration of the air. His newly upgraded Phantom Sword Steps hummed in his legs.
Don't chase the wind. Cut where the wind is going.
The ghost circled him, preparing for a fatal strike from behind.
Now.
Jiang Chen spun, dragging the heavy sword along the ground. He didn't aim for the ghost. He aimed for the space in front of the ghost's path.
Heavy Slash.
BOOM!
The sword slammed into the earth, sending a shockwave of debris and distorted air upward. The ghost ran straight into the wall of force. Its form flickered, destabilized by the impact.
"Caught you."
Jiang Chen followed up with a shoulder bash, knocking the stunned ghost into a rock, then finished it with a downward smash.
[Victory.]
[Reward: +3 Months Cultivation.]
[Reward: Wind-Saber Technique Fragment (1/10).]
"Fragments?" Jiang Chen frowned. "I have to collect ten to learn the skill? Cheap system."
He continued the grind.
He fought for what felt like days inside his head. In reality, hours passed in the outside world.
Slash. Smash. Repeat.
His cultivation bar filled up.
Body Tempering 6th Stage (Mid) -> (Late) -> (Peak).
By the time his mental energy was finally exhausted and the headache returned, the 24-hour timer in the Spirit Spring Ruins was ending.
Ding.
[Breakthrough!]
[Realm: Body Tempering 7th Stage (Early).]
His bones hummed. His marrow felt hot, turning into a semi-liquid gold state. His blood was thicker, heavier, carrying more oxygen and Qi.
Golden Marrow Phase.
He was now in the same realm as Lin Qingxue had been at the start of the exam.
The Exit.
The vortex reopened. The five students were teleported back to the Colosseum office.
The Chief Examiner looked at them. He nodded approvingly at Lin Qingxue.
"Qi Gathering 1st Stage?" The Examiner's eyes widened. "Excellent! You broke through inside the ruins. You have truly lived up to the Lin Family name."
Lin Qingxue stood tall, a faint blue aura surrounding her. She had crossed the threshold into superhuman.
He looked at the others.
"Gu Linger, 8th Stage Peak. Good."
"Iron-Fist boy, 7th Stage Mid. Acceptable."
Then he looked at Jiang Chen.
The Examiner frowned. He pulled out a scanner.
"Jiang Chen... 7th Stage Early?" The Examiner raised an eyebrow. "You entered as a 6th Stage. You only advanced one small level in the Spirit Spring? With that density, even a Common Grade talent should have advanced twice."
The Iron-Fist student sneered. "Guess his talent really is trash. He wasted the ticket."
Jiang Chen kept his face blank. He suppressed his aura. The System allowed him to hide the density of his Qi. His 7th Stage was forged from the pure essence of ancient warriors—it was denser than tungsten. But on a scanner, it just looked like a small amount.
"I slept most of the time," Jiang Chen lied lazily, yawning. "The environment was too comfy."
Lin Qingxue glanced at him. She didn't buy it. She had seen him sprint into the Danger Zone. She smelled the faint scent of ozone and rust clinging to him.
"Very well," the Examiner sighed, disappointed. "The results are finalized. You are all dismissed. The official University Entrance Exam is in one month. Prepare yourselves."
Outside the Colosseum.
Jiang Chen walked out into the bustling street. It was night in the real city. Neon lights painted the rain slicked streets in pink and blue.
"Hey, Guitar Hero."
Jiang Chen turned. It was Lin Qingxue. She was waiting by a sleek, black hover-limousine with the Lin Family crest on the door.
"Need a ride?" she asked. "District 9 is far. And dangerous at night."
"I like walking," Jiang Chen said.
"Wang Lie is waiting for you," she said bluntly. "His men are watching the subway stations. He's embarrassed about the loss. He plans to break your legs before you get home."
Jiang Chen stopped. "Is that a warning or an invitation?"
"It's an offer," Lin Qingxue opened the car door. "Get in. I have questions about the Robot you blinded with spice."
Jiang Chen considered it. A free ride in a bulletproof limo vs. fighting twenty goons on the subway?
He tossed his heavy case into the backseat and slid in.
"Fine. But no interrogation about my 'trash' talent."
The car hummed to life and lifted into the air lanes.
Inside, the interior was luxurious. Leather seats, a mini-bar, soft jazz playing. Lin Qingxue poured two glasses of iced tea.
"I checked your file," she said, sipping her drink. "Orphan. Adoptive parents died in the Beast Tide of 10,014. Grade F talent. Failed every exam until last week."
"Stalker much?" Jiang Chen took the tea.
"I like puzzles," she said, her eyes locking onto his. "You're a puzzle. You move like an ancient master, you carry a sword that weighs as much as a motorcycle, and you smell like... secrets."
Jiang Chen stiffened.
"But," she continued, looking out the window, "I don't care about your secrets. I care about the Entrance Exam."
"What about it?"
"I need a teammate," she said. "The University Exam this year is a Team Survival format in the Dark Forest. I need someone who can take a hit and doesn't panic. You fit the bill."
"Why not choose Wang Lie? Or the Little Witch?"
"Wang Lie is an arrogant idiot. Gu Linger is... chaotic. You are pragmatic."
She extended a hand.
"Join my team. We split the loot 50/50. And I'll cover your resource costs until the exam."
Jiang Chen looked at her hand. A wealthy sponsor? That solved his money problem. And having a Qi Gathering teammate was a huge advantage.
"50/50 is generous," Jiang Chen said. "But I have one condition."
"Name it."
"I need access to the City Library's Restricted Section."
Lin Qingxue blinked. "Why?"
"I like reading history," Jiang Chen lied. He needed to research the Expedition of 9980.
"Done," she shook his hand. Her grip was cold and firm.
"Welcome to Team Zero, Jiang Chen."
As the car sped through the neon sky, Jiang Chen looked out the window. Below, in the shadows of District 4, he saw a group of men in dark cloaks moving through an alley.
One of them looked up. His eyes glowed red.
Jiang Chen's system pinged.
[Demon Qi Detected.]
[Proximity: 500 meters.]
The conspiracy wasn't just in a notebook. It was already on the streets. And the traitor's soldiers were getting bold.
Author's note
* Guess who will be the traitor ?
City Lord
Lin Family
Wang Family
Or other
(-_-)