Trees parted to the left and right, weeds receded, and a wide path suddenly appeared in the dense jungle—a place where even a single person would struggle to pass.
At the end of this passage, a mighty army of plants surged forward, threatening to overwhelm everything.
At the very heart of this botanical legion sat a charming young girl, her legs crossed atop the head of a colossal Tree Man.
Her gaze swept over her surroundings with an air of dominion, as if she were a monarch holding sway over all creation.
‘The Jungle Empress, a goddess from ancient Greece who commanded the wilds.’ This was the sole thought that consumed Liu Lu at that moment.
She immediately realized the implication: Li Xiushen had likely been defeated. They had fallen victim to Huang Xiu’s stratagem.
Yet, despite this revelation, not a hint of retreat flickered within her. Instead, a twisted, fervent desire for battle ignited in her eyes.
The Liu family of Yanghai had never known surrender without a fight, not even during an examination.
“Now, it’s your turn!” Huang Xiu declared coolly, her left hand propping up her cheek, her head tilted slightly.
Liu Lu rubbed her hands together, a grin spreading across her face. “Then here I come!”
“Wuwu, I’m sorry, I know I was wrong!”
Amidst the plant army, Liu Lu’s hair was disheveled, her body firmly bound by massive, serpentine vines. A prominent lump adorned her head.
Tears of remorse streamed down her face as she choked out, “I’m sorry, I’m so sorry!”
She had been defeated at light speed!
Against the overwhelming suppression of the plant ocean army, Liu Lu, still only in her adult insectoid stage, found herself utterly powerless to retaliate. She was instantly beaten into a hasty, scrambling retreat.
Initially, a hint of defiance had lingered within her. However, after the Tree Giant delivered a thorough ‘lesson’ with its ‘fist of love,’ she instantly saw the error of her ways, resulting in her current, somewhat battered appearance.
Watching the tear-streaked Liu Lu, Huang Xiu’s eyes sparkled with amusement, her lips curving into a smile she struggled to suppress. She cleared her throat slightly, then inquired, “Will you dare to do it again next time?”
“No, I wouldn’t dare, I wouldn’t dare, I’m sorry,” Liu Lu stammered, shaking her head frantically like a rattle drum.
‘Oh, your big sister is sorry, I originally just wanted to…’
Her voice trailed off, imbued with a hint of embarrassment. ‘I just wanted to be friends with you.’
‘Be friends?’
Huang Xiu paused, then, with a mix of curiosity and amusement, asked, ‘Does your family usually break people’s hands when making friends?’
‘This isn’t… you!’
Liu Lu glanced up at Huang Xiu, but a sharp glare from Huang Xiu’s eyes made her immediately lower her head again.
‘You scolded me,’ she added, her voice barely a whisper.
Oh.
Wait.
In truth, it was merely a habitual response, a touch of ‘Zaun-level’ intensity reserved for those who were stubborn and enjoyed a bit of playful banter. Such exchanges were commonplace among players in games. However, Huang Xiu had never anticipated that this loli before her would actually hold a grudge over such a trivial matter. Considering this, and the fact that Liu Lu hadn’t actually tried to break her hand during their initial handshake, Huang Xiu hadn’t been overly harsh with her opponent. After all, she had already discerned that Liu Lu’s ability was likely a form of physical enhancement. Therefore, if Liu Lu had truly intended to, she could have easily crushed Huang Xiu’s hand bones earlier.
‘Since you know your mistake, don’t repeat it next time!’
Huang Xiu waved her hand, issuing the command, and the massive vines immediately loosened their grip.
*Thud!*
Liu Lu dropped from the air, landing on the ground. She struggled to her feet, her gaze averted from Huang Xiu, a flicker of apprehension in her eyes.
[Project Three concluded. Candidate 122 is victorious. Candidate 46 and Candidate 295 are defeated!]
The broadcast echoed simultaneously throughout the examination hall and the waiting room. By then, many had already selected their challenge targets and followed the various colored guide lines to other locations. The waiting room had thinned out somewhat, but a considerable number of people still remained.
Listening to the broadcast, a wave of complex emotions, mainly dread, washed over them.
“Ah? That fast? She took down two people back-to-back? If that’s even human, I’ll eat my hat!” someone grumbled.
Even the candidates currently undergoing challenges in other locations were stunned upon hearing the broadcast. They lifted their heads, gazing at the enemies before them, then recalled their own recent, rather pathetic, ‘chicken-pecking’ skirmishes. Suddenly, their enthusiasm for continuing their challenges evaporated. After all, no matter how much they improved, it seemed they would never catch a glimpse of that transcendent figure’s back.
Yet, amidst the crowd, there was an unexpected turn. A certain candidate, instead, seized the opportunity presented by their opponent’s momentary distraction and unexpectedly launched an attack. His face contorted into a snarl, his eyes blazing with fury, as all his might surged forth with that single punch. His ability, named [Vibration], caused several overlapping phantoms to appear around his fist.
“This is my strongest punch! I must win this match! I want others to know that I am not the weakest!”
He roared these words in his heart, only to watch, horrified, as his opponent before him snapped out of their shock. With a belated but swift strike, the opponent’s fist pierced through his elaborate, insubstantial phantoms and landed squarely on his chin.
*Bang!*
Two front teeth flew from the candidate’s mouth as he toppled backward. He crashed heavily to the ground, his vision momentarily darkening. He tried to push himself up, but his body refused to obey. The candidate was unable to continue!
At the same moment, the broadcast announced, [Project Three concluded. Candidate [Winner’s Number] is victorious, Candidate [Loser’s Number] is defeated!]
****
The one who had amazed and astonished everyone, Huang Xiu, was encountering some trouble at that very moment. She found herself blocked by three peculiar individuals, each with a distinct appearance, clearly not mere background characters.
“Little girl, why don’t you consider joining our Awakened Higher Vocational College? Everything Tiandu University can offer, we can offer too, and we even have something better!” Qu Zuiliu said with a beaming smile. She extended her right hand, a red silk knot tied around her fair wrist, her soft fingertips as alluring as spring water. “Our Awakened Higher Vocational College is a collection of ancient sects from bygone eras. Most of the ancient legends you’ve heard are about our predecessors at the college, and we possess their legacies.”
Noticing that the young girl seemed somewhat shy, Qu Zuiliu took a step forward, her two hands gently enclosing Huang Xiu’s right hand. “As long as you join us, you can choose whatever you desire.” With that, Qu Zuiliu playfully winked.
“Eh!”
The sensation of smoothness and warmth emanating from the palm and back of her right hand was incredibly intense and distinct. Huang Xiu’s pretty face flushed, and she immediately tried to pull her hand away.
“Let go of me!” she whispered.
However, despite their smoothness, Qu Zuiliu’s hands possessed an extraordinary strength, making it impossible for Huang Xiu to withdraw her own.
*Whoosh!*
A flash of white light streaked across her vision, and Huang Xiu heard the beautiful woman before her give a small cough. Then, her right hand was released.
“Student Huang, why don’t you join our Conquest Bureau?” said Cheng Yangping, his square-jawed face stern, his arms crossed over his chest.
The white light once again darted past Huang Xiu’s eyes, then arced gracefully before coming to a halt directly behind Cheng Yangping. As the white light dissipated, its true form was revealed: an exceptionally ancient-looking Han-style longsword without a hilt. The longsword bore the rust of ages, yet its blade remained remarkably pristine. It was evident that the sword’s owner cherished it greatly.
“Holy cow, a Sword Immortal!” Huang Xiu exclaimed, her eyes wide with awe.
The Great Xia Nation boasted a long and storied history, and its cultivation culture was even more ancient and profound. Which adolescent, in their youthful exuberance, hadn’t dreamed of wandering the world with a sword, flying on its blade, or cultivating to become an immortal?