The Jungle’s Embrace

The silvery white exam hall seemed capable of transforming into any scene.

With a rumbling sound, it soon became a lush forest.

Weeds grew past the knees. Trees were thick and green, some so wide that two people couldn’t wrap their arms around them.

Strange-shaped plants covered the ground. Huang Xiu even spotted a Rafflesia, said to be the smelliest flower.

“Fifty meters?” she asked.

“Fine!” Li Xiushen nodded.

He didn’t want to take advantage of Huang Xiu. He wanted a fair fight. Besides, fifty meters was nothing for a Special.

“I don’t have any objections either.” Liu Lu was sucking on a lollipop, looking indifferent.

“Who goes first?” Huang Xiu casually turned her head, as if surveying the surroundings.

Liu Lu and Li Xiushen noticed this and grew more cautious. Since Huang Xiu had chosen the forest, it was obviously her home turf. It would definitely help her ability.

“What kind of powerful ability does she have?” Li Xiushen wondered.

He could guess it was either long-range or guerrilla type, related to plants. But he was sure it wasn’t a direct offensive ability. Probably not strong head-on.

“But no matter what, it can’t match my Electrical Surge.” A sharp glint flashed in Li Xiushen’s eyes.

Most of the Li family’s Specials had abilities related to electricity. From the smallest overload to lightning return, the strength of abilities varied with each generation. In his generation, he had surpassed his predecessors, awakening a powerful ability called [Electrical Surge].

This ability allowed Li Xiushen to generate an extremely strong instantaneous voltage inside his body without harming himself. He could use the current from this voltage to stimulate his body, enhancing his physical attributes, or attach it to his body to deliver electric shocks to enemies. It was a pure and powerful offensive ability with great potential for development.

The admissions teacher from the Special High Court had given him high praise. That was why he was so confident. He believed that even as an A-grade, he could win against an S-grade with his ability.

Li Xiushen pulled himself together and said loudly, “I’ll go first!”

“Go ahead. I don’t care.” Liu Lu only cared about getting a chance to fight Huang Xiu. She didn’t mind the order.

After speaking, she started warming up. A series of cracking sounds came from her small body, startling in their intensity.

“In one minute, we start on time. Please, proctor, note the time and tell us to begin.” Huang Xiu finished speaking and turned to back away until she was about fifty meters away.

When she looked up again, all she saw was a vast forest, eerily silent. Tangled vines and weeds filled the gaps between the trees, blocking all view. In this situation, it was impossible to see each other even from ten or twenty meters, let alone fifty.

Huang Xiu spun on her toes like a butterfly, scanning her surroundings with a happy smile.

“Really… I’ve never had such a good start.”

She used the pink nail of her left index finger to cut open her right palm. She clenched her fist, letting hot blood drip through her fingers.

“The exam begins!”

A mechanical voice echoed in her ears. Huang Xiu smiled and waved her hand, splashing blood. “The show is about to start.”

At the same time, fifty meters away, Li Xiushen, who had been resting with his eyes closed, suddenly opened them.

A blue electrical light flashed in his eyes. His hair and body hair stood on end like a hedgehog. Pieces of debris on the ground floated up and stuck to his clothes.

“I’m coming. You’d better hide well!” His voice sounded robotic.

The next second, a faint crackling sound arose.

Zzzzt!

Li Xiushen’s body flickered and disappeared from where he stood.

Li Xiushen gasped for breath, looking ragged. Green sap dripped from his hedgehog-like hair, leaving a green streak on his face. The pungent smell made it hard for him to breathe.

“Come out!” he shouted angrily, but his eyes remained alert to the surroundings.

Damn it… he roared inwardly. He was wrong. He had been wrong about everything! This wasn’t Huang Xiu’s home turf. It was her absolute domain!

He had been so confident, but the moment he entered the forest, Huang Xiu had hit him like a club, leaving him dizzy. Every blade of grass was a soldier. Ambushes lurked everywhere. Under her terrifying ability, this was no longer just a figure of speech. It was the truth.

Any plant that looked harmless could suddenly attack him. The entire forest was his enemy!

Whoosh!

There was a slight movement behind him. Li Xiushen’s body flickered, and his right hand shot out, tearing apart a mutant weed soldier.

Zzzzzt.

Electricity surged through his hand. The weed turned black from the shock and crumbled into dust. But he had no time to feel happy. Instead, his face showed urgency and anxiety.

Because at that moment…

Rustling sounds came from all directions. He turned to look. Countless mutant plants emerged from everywhere, surrounding him completely.

“Shit!” Li Xiushen’s face twisted. He had to break out. In this forest, he was definitely not,

Thump, thump!

His thoughts were cut off. A wooden stick-like object tapped his shoulder twice.

When did it get so close?!

Li Xiushen turned in horror, swinging his right hand with dazzling blue electricity behind him.

“Don’t curse!” The large tree behind him had turned into a giant treeman without warning. It had been leaning down, tapping his shoulder with a finger.

Bang!

His right hand hit the treeman’s leg. Electricity raced along the wood grain, leaving black burn marks before stopping at its knee.

“Nice tattoo. I like it!” the treeman said with a laugh.

The treeman’s huge right hand grew larger in Li Xiushen’s terrified eyes. It filled his entire vision, blocking out all light and scenery.

“Ahhh!!!”

A cry of terror echoed through the forest, fading as it bounced among the trees.

Hearing this, Liu Lu looked puzzled. What was happening in the forest? If she wasn’t mistaken, that scream was Li Xiushen’s. But… he had only been in there for less than a minute?

Rustle rustle rustle!

Liu Lu heard the sound and turned to look. The weeds and vines in the distance suddenly shook, as if something was about to emerge.

Who was it?

The athletic girl’s eyes sharpened.

Under her gaze, the shaking weeds and vines suddenly grew legs and scurried away to the sides.

“Huh? What the hell?” Liu Lu crunched her lollipop completely, and the little white stick fell to the ground.