"Divine empowerment? What does that mean?"
Bai Jue asked, puzzled.
"You'll find out when the time comes," Si Kong Xi replied.
"In short, you'd better be the one who personally kills that Dark Entity royal. And be careful—there are plenty of dangers hidden within the forest stronghold."
With that, she hung up.
Bai Jue rubbed his chin, deep in thought.
Divine empowerment…
It probably had something to do with divine abilities or innate arts.
Since he didn't have enough information, Bai Jue didn't dwell on it. If he got the chance and killed that Dark Entity royal himself, the answer would naturally reveal itself.
After returning to the classroom and saying goodbye to Ji Yingying and Cheng Taihe, Bai Jue headed home to make preparations.
As soon as he arrived home, Bai Jue's thoughts shifted, and his consciousness entered Yama's Domain.
He appeared beside Chang Xi.
"How's the research going?" he asked.
"Just as you suspected, husband," Chang Xi replied gently, stepping closer.
"That Dark Entity's corpse can indeed strengthen wraiths and undead—but it also carries a strong contaminating effect."
She raised her hand and pointed in a certain direction.
Bai Jue followed her gaze, his brows knitting tightly.
In the distance, the undead who had previously broken through in strength were now roaring restlessly. Their expressions were dull, their pupils crimson, filled with madness and bloodlust.
"What's going on?" Bai Jue asked in a low voice.
"The power contained within a Dark Entity's corpse—or rather, the essence it leaves behind—can enhance many forms of life, not just wraiths," Chang Xi explained seriously.
"But that power also causes corruption. It erodes reason, driving the affected into madness."
"Husband, you must never touch such things yourself. Once contaminated, there's almost no way to cleanse it. Even if you gain power, you'd only become a puppet in the end."
Bai Jue nodded calmly.
"Don't worry. I'm not foolish enough to walk that path. However…"
His gaze swept across the roaring wraiths.
With a thought, he raised his right hand.
"Come here."
Instantly, several hundred wraiths moved toward him, lining up obediently before him.
Though madness burned in their eyes, they remained firmly under his control.
After confirming this, Bai Jue's eyes lit up, a bold idea forming in his mind.
"I have no interest in Dark Entity corpses or blood for myself," he said slowly.
"But they can be used as nourishment for the wraiths under my control, strengthening them."
"Even if they lose their sanity, as long as they remain bound to my will, that's enough."
Bai Jue smiled.
Chang Xi thought for a moment before warning him,
"Husband, your idea is feasible—but you must never allow their strength to surpass yours. If they do, there's a chance they could break free from your control."
After all, Dark Entity power was far too mysterious.
There was no guarantee such a thing couldn't happen.
Bai Jue nodded solemnly, committing the warning to memory.
After spending half a day within Yama's Domain, Bai Jue withdrew and began cultivating at home.
The night passed in the blink of an eye.
The next morning.
Bai Jue sat cross-legged on his bed.
After exhaling slowly, he opened his eyes and put away the Awakening Crystal in his palm.
Another attempt—still unsuccessful.
But his expression remained calm, without the slightest hint of impatience.
This was exactly as expected.
After washing up and having breakfast, Bai Jue headed to school.
By the time he arrived, the school buses were already waiting. Under Teacher Ning's guidance, the students boarded and set off.
Bai Jue took a window seat. A faint fragrance drifted over—it was Ji Yingying sitting beside him.
Leaning closer, she whispered,
"Bai Jue, do you know which other strong seasonal users are in our school?"
"You do?" Bai Jue turned, curious.
"I know a few," she said with a grin.
"See that guy over there? Class Four—Tan Heng. His seasonal ability is Start of Autumn."
"And the one from Class Five—Song Shan. His is Great Heat."
"There's also Liang Yiran from Class Three. His is Start of Spring. The rest are roughly similar."
Bai Jue nodded in understanding.
Start of Autumn—storm-based power.
Great Heat—often mistaken for flames, but in truth, dominion over temperature itself.
Start of Spring—a support-type ability, especially powerful in healing.
Each of them was formidable in their own right.
Especially Start of Autumn, one of the strongest among the solar terms.
But after a brief glance, Bai Jue lost interest.
During this college entrance exam, the only thing that truly concerned him was that Dark Entity royal.
Well… and the Forest Centaurs.
Not out of curiosity about their anatomy.
Absolutely not.
Time passed.
An hour later, they finally reached their destination.
Before them stood an enormous ancient tree, towering into the sky. Embedded within its massive trunk was a gigantic spatial gate, overflowing with vibrant life energy that made one feel refreshed just by standing near it.
Yet upon closer inspection, faint strands of darkness could be seen swirling within the gate's green glow.
"All students, we've arrived."
Teacher Ning stood and addressed them.
"Come to me to receive your equipment, then prepare to enter."
The equipment was a distress device.
If a student encountered mortal danger, they could activate it, and instructors would enter the spatial gate to rescue them using its locator.
However, activating it also meant forfeiting the exam.
Bai Jue received his device—a wristband that also displayed a basic map.
The map only marked a few resource points where food could be obtained.
After everyone had collected their equipment, the time reached nine o'clock.
Standing before the spatial gate, Teacher Ning spoke calmly,
"From now until nine a.m. one week later, this will be your survival period inside the spatial gate. Prioritize staying alive."
"I won't say anything more."
"The college entrance exam—begins now."
One by one, students stepped into the spatial gate, expressions filled with excitement or tension.
Soon, it was Bai Jue's turn.
As he passed Teacher Ning, she smiled faintly and added,
"Oh, I forgot to mention—special seasonal users will be interfering with the spatial gate as you enter."
"This means you'll be randomly deployed throughout the gate's interior, rather than arriving at the same location."
"So for those hoping to secretly team up—keep that in mind."
Bai Jue twitched the corner of his mouth.
That was clearly aimed at him.
She probably assumed he planned to team up with Ji Yingying and Cheng Taihe.
But Bai Jue had no such intention.
Shrugging, he stepped forward without hesitation and entered the spatial gate.
A wave of dizziness washed over him.
When he opened his eyes again, he found himself standing in a dense forest filled with towering ancient trees that blotted out the sky…
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