C154 The Battle in the Wild!
The clamor outside was irrelevant to Chu Yi.
At that moment, Chu Yi and Lee Zi were seated in a small room, meditating in silence.
The space wasn't designed with Chu Yi in mind.
During the college entrance exams, everyone was on equal footing, regardless of their previous status.
Apart from Chu Yi, there were a dozen other candidates nearby.
The government had set aside these rooms in the First Stadium specifically for these prodigies to rest and recuperate between tests.
The candidates were the stars of the college entrance exam, no matter its purpose.
While Chu Yi and Lee Zi were resting with their eyes closed, the other examinees were not.
They were quiet, though, not causing any disturbance.
At this third stage of the exam, there were scarcely any ordinary citizens left.
Even the least distinguished among them were heirs of middle-class families, all well-mannered.
Curiosity about Chu Yi and Lee Zi was evident, but seeing them with eyes closed, no one dared to interrupt.
That didn't stop the candidates from communicating in other ways, primarily focusing on their competition.
Chu Yi appeared to be resting, but he was far from asleep.
His senses were fully engaged, giving him a complete awareness of his surroundings.
He could hear every murmur of conversation among the other geniuses.
Chu Yi noted that after much discussion, a few key topics emerged.
First and foremost were his and Lee Zi's appearances; looks always seemed to hold significant sway.
The second hot topic was Lee Zi herself. Despite rumors that her prior success was due to the Chu family's influence, her innate talent was undeniable.
The third topic was a jumble of conversations about the elite talents and mavericks.
There was much debate over who would emerge as this year's top scholar in Redmarsh City.
From these exchanges, Chu Yi gleaned information about a few individuals, including several at the Gold level.
Although Chu Yi was aware that this year's exams were challenging, the allure of the government's generous rewards had prompted various families to draw upon their full strength.
Yet, the revelation of so many Gold-level participants left Chu Yi somewhat astonished.
After all, humanity was still at a First Level civilization...
"I've heard that the third stage of the exams is going to be revamped. It's not going to be a Challenge format anymore."
"Right, I got wind of that from my grandfather, too."
"I'm curious about what it'll be. Maybe we'll stand a chance this time."
Just by making it into the national exams, one could secure substantial rewards.
But the national exams were incredibly tough.
Consider this: a total of 256 individuals were competing in the third stage, but only 500 could advance to the national exams.
Five hundred might seem like a large number on paper.
But in reality, it's not as many as it sounds.
Keep in mind, the Adirang Region is comprised of thirty-six areas.
So, averaging it out, less than fifteen people from each area could make it into the national exams.
Similar to the second stage, the top five from each area automatically earned a spot in the national exams.
The rest would hinge on their individual scores.
Redmarsh City is, of course, among the most elite areas in the entire Adirang Region. Even so, the number of people from here who make it to the national exams each year never surpasses thirty.
That means, aside from the top five, the remaining 250-plus individuals are vying for just 25 spots.
It's essentially a ten-to-one ratio.
Moreover, this time around, we're aware of more than five Gold Generals alone.
So, the competition is fierce.
If the old Challenge method were still in place, those of us at the Silver Peak level wouldn't stand a ghost of a chance, except for the exceptionally gifted among us.
And even then, it would all come down to the luck of the draw.
But now, things might be different.
Of course, it's premature to make any assumptions. Until the exam rules are officially announced, all this speculation is just that.
Quickly, the clock struck nine.
The third round of the examination was set to begin.
As the voiceover filled the room, Chu Yi and his companions knew it was their cue to take the stage. This was a departure from the second round of assessments, where participants dove straight into the action upon arrival.
The third round was a major event in Redmarsh, preceded by a series of introductions—a rather elaborate affair. For the candidates, especially those prodigies groomed by their families, the importance of this moment could not be overstated. It was an excellent chance for them to make a name for themselves. Despite their high ranks and elite family training, which gave them an edge over their peers from more modest backgrounds, they were still young. And youth comes with the universal desire for recognition and fame. The dream of hearing one's name cheered by the masses is what drives every passionate young person, and they were no exception.
Thus, it was likely that all the candidates, with the probable exceptions of Lee Zi and Chu Yi, were eagerly anticipating the ceremony.
...
Standing at the heart of the vast square were 128 disciples gathered for the assessment. Aside from him, another 128 individuals stood to the side. These were the candidates with special nominations, not included in the roll call. The honor associated with this event was not meant for them.
At that moment, the square was alive with stirring speeches, but despite the fervor, the crowd's interest was lacking. Thankfully, the organizers were aware and kept this part brief. What followed was the moment everyone, aside from the actual assessment, had been waiting for—the roll call at the front!
For the gifted, this was their most glorious moment, possibly the pinnacle of their entire lives. It's worth noting that the third stage of the examination was broadcast live. Over fifty million people across Redmarsh were tuned in, and considering the city's status as a political, cultural, and economic hub within the Adirang Region, countless others from surrounding areas were also watching.
Moreover, with numerous districts under Redmarsh's jurisdiction, the population of the entire region exceeded three hundred million. Simply put, the act of calling out names was witnessed by at least five hundred million viewers. Having half a billion people learn one's name was, without a doubt, one of the proudest moments of their lives.
As each name was called, a wave of cheers erupted from the crowd.
These prodigies deserved such acclaim!
In the future, they would be pillars of the Terran Human Race, striving to bring honor to Earth amidst the cosmos!
Chu Yi had always been indifferent to the ritual of name-calling, even finding it slightly embarrassing.
But when his own name was called, and over two hundred thousand people in the Martial Arts Stadium chanted it in unison, Chu Yi's usually serene heart was stirred with emotion.
In rapid succession, the names of one hundred and twenty-eight geniuses were announced.
Their names reached the ears of over five hundred million humans. Though these names might initially flicker briefly in their consciousness, as the competition unfolded and certain names were repeatedly called, these five hundred million spectators would ultimately remember them!
Of course, the majority of these geniuses would be forgotten.
Only the truly exceptional, the once-in-an-era prodigies, would earn a lasting place in everyone's memory!
At last, with the pre-battle name-calling complete, the real competition was set to begin.
In the past, the geniuses would have been ready by this point.
But this time was different, as the actual rules of the assessment had not yet been revealed.
Everyone was in the dark about how this assessment might change, but one thing was crystal clear.
This time, the third stage of the assessment would certainly not be the usual Challenge!
The next moment, as a formidable figure from the government stepped forward, all eyes were drawn to him.
This was no ordinary individual; this was a true pinnacle of strength.
This was...
War God!
In previous years, having a Diamond Level Great General host the third stage of the college entrance exam was already a mark of distinction.
Typically, the host for this stage was just a Gold General.
But this time, it was none other than a War God taking center stage!
The shock was undeniable.
War Gods were figures usually seen on television or in video footage.
But witnessing a War God in person was nothing short of incredible for many.
"It's War God Xu!"
Someone in the crowd recognized the identity of the War God.
Redmarsh, as the capital of the Adirang Region, was home to three War Gods.
Chu Yi had already encountered War God Luo, and now War God Xu, the second of the trio, was making an appearance. He was the most frequently seen War God in the Adirang Region.
Despite the enigmatic nature of War Gods, many people could identify one at a glance. War God Xu made his entrance, descending slowly from the sky, using his immense power to break free from Earth's gravitational pull. Beings at the War God Level had the ability to fly freely. While modern technology made flying a simple task, it was an entirely different matter to achieve this feat unaided. Hence, to many, War Gods were akin to deities.
War God Luo, it seemed, was not one for excessive talk. He surveyed the examinees with a nod of approval. "I'll spare you any further preamble," he declared. "Let's get straight to the details of the third stage."
In that moment, the identity of War God Xu was momentarily forgotten by the examinees. Their focus was solely on the assessment ahead. "You've likely been informed about the shift from the previous challenge format to a points-based system for this third stage," he continued. Indeed, the points system had been in place since the second stage and would persist into the third.
"This time, the government has delineated a specific area in the wilderness of Redmarsh for your examination," he announced. The news did not cause the stir one might expect. For the average examinee, the wilderness represented untold dangers, a veritable death sentence. The recent incident involving Lee Zi only deepened their trepidation towards the very notion of the wilderness.
But those present were no ordinary candidates. They were the cream of the crop, the truest of elites and geniuses, even prodigies in their own right. To them, the wilderness was fraught with peril, but it was nothing that would unduly concern them.
