The Jungle Empress and Unexpected Recruitment

Trees parted left and right, weeds stepped aside. A wide passage appeared in the jungle where even squeezing through was difficult.

At the end of the passage, an army of plants surged forward.

In the very center of the plant army sat a cute girl cross-legged on the head of a giant tree man.

She surveyed everything around her with a commanding gaze, like a ruler in control of all.

‘Forest Empress, the ancient Greek god of the jungle,’ Liu Lu thought to herself.

But she quickly realized: Li Xiushen was probably defeated. They had fallen for Huang Xiu’s scheme.

Even so, she showed no sign of retreat. Instead, a twisted battle intent flashed in her eyes.

The Liu family of Yanghai had never surrendered without a fight, even in an assessment.

“Now, it’s your turn!” Huang Xiu said coldly, leaning her cheek on her left hand and tilting her head slightly.

Liu Lu cracked her knuckles. “Then here I come!”

…

“Boo hoo, I’m sorry! I know I was wrong!”

In the midst of the plant army, Liu Lu’s hair was a mess. A giant vine python coiled tightly around her body.

On her head was a huge lump.

Tears of regret streaming down her face, she sobbed, “I’m sorry, I’m sorry!”

Instant death!

Faced with the overwhelming sea of plants, Liu Lu, still in her larval stage, had no power to fight back.

She was beaten to a pulp in no time.

At first, she was unconvinced. But after the tree man gave her a stern lesson with its loving fists…

She came to her senses. Now she had a bump on her head.

Looking at the tearful Liu Lu, a smile crept into Huang Xiu’s eyes. The corners of her mouth were harder to suppress than an AK.

She cleared her throat and asked, “Will you dare to do it again?”

“No, no, I’m sorry,” Liu Lu shook her head frantically like a rattle-drum.

“Sorry, Miss Xiuxiu. I only wanted to…”

Her voice grew quieter, as if embarrassed. “I only wanted to be friends with you.”

“Be friends?”

Huang Xiu was taken aback, then said with a mix of exasperation and amusement, “Since when do friends try to crush other people’s hands?”

“That’s because… you…” Liu Lu looked up at Huang Xiu, but quickly lowered her head when Huang Xiu glared at her.

“You scolded me,” she added in a voice as soft as a mosquito.

“Ahem.” A flash of embarrassment crossed Huang Xiu’s face. Scolding someone was indeed wrong.

But it was just a habit. She liked to get a bit rowdy with people who were stubborn and liked to banter.

It was just a normal part of gaming.

But Huang Xiu never expected that this little girl would hold a grudge over that.

Considering that, and the fact that Liu Lu hadn’t used her full strength when shaking hands, she could have crushed Huang Xiu’s bones if she wanted to,

Huang Xiu decided not to be too harsh on her.

After all, she had already figured out that Liu Lu’s ability was probably body enhancement.

If Liu Lu had wanted to, she could have easily broken Huang Xiu’s hand bones.

“Since you know you were wrong, don’t do it again!” Huang Xiu waved her hand, and the giant vine python released its grip.

Thump!

Liu Lu fell from midair, landed on the ground, and struggled to her feet. She looked at Huang Xiu with fear, not daring to meet her eyes.

“Project Three ends. Candidate 122 wins. Candidates 46 and 295 lose!”

The announcement echoed in both the examination area and the waiting room.

By now, many candidates had chosen their targets and followed the colored guiding lights to other places.

The waiting room had emptied somewhat, but still had a fair number of people.

They were all stunned.

“What? She crushed both NO.2 and NO.3 that fast? That’s insane! I’m out!”

Someone complained.

Even the candidates who were still in the middle of their challenges were dumbfounded when they heard the broadcast.

They looked up at their opponents in front of them, then recalled their own clumsy fights.

They instantly lost all motivation to continue.

No matter how much they improved, they couldn’t even see the back of that S-rank.

But among them, there was an exception.

Candidate 299 seized the opportunity when his opponent was distracted and launched an attack.

His face twisted with fury. He put all his strength into that punch.

His ability, called [Vibration], made his fist produce multiple overlapping afterimages.

‘This is my strongest punch! I have to win this match! I’ll show everyone I’m not the weakest!’

He roared in his heart, then watched as Candidate 29 snapped out of his daze, struck first, and punched him right on the chin.

Bang!

Two teeth flew out as Candidate 123 fell backward.

He hit the ground hard. His vision went black. He tried to get up, but his body wouldn’t obey.

Candidate 123 could no longer fight!

At the same time, the broadcast announced, “Project Three ends. Candidate 28 wins. Candidate 123 loses!”

…

But number one, Candidate 122, who had amazed everyone, was now in some trouble.

She was stopped by three weird-looking guys who clearly weren’t common extras.

“Little girl, how about joining our Special Higher Academy? Everything Tian Du University can give, we can give. And we can provide the best training resources!”

“Everything Tian Du University can give, we can give, and we have even better things!” Qu Zuiliu said with a smile.

She extended her right hand. A red silk knot was tied around her slender wrist. Her soft fingers were as tender as spring water.

“Our Special Higher Academy is a collection of ancient sects. Most of the ancient legends you’ve heard are about our ancestors, and we also have their inheritances.”

Seeing that the girl seemed shy, Qu Zuiliu stepped forward and took her right hand with both hands.

“Just come, and you can choose anything you want.” She finished with a playful wink.

“Hey!”

The smoothness and warmth on the palm and back of her right hand were unusually strong and distinct.

A blush crept onto Huang Xiu’s face. She immediately tried to pull her hand away.

“Let go!” she whispered.

But Qu Zuiliu’s hands, though soft, were surprisingly strong. Huang Xiu couldn’t pull free.

Whoosh!

A flash of white light passed before Huang Xiu’s eyes. She heard the beautiful woman snort softly.

Then she let go of Huang Xiu’s right hand.

“Join the Battle Bureau, Huang Xiu,” said the square-faced Cheng Yangping, arms crossed.

The white light flew past Huang Xiu again, arced, and stopped directly behind Cheng Yangping.

The white light faded, revealing the true form: a very ancient Han-style sword without a handle.

The sword bore the rust of time, but the blade was exceptionally clean.

It was clear the owner treasured it.

“Whoa, a sword immortal!” Huang Xiu’s eyes went wide.

Daxia had a long history, and its immortal cultivation culture was deeply rooted.

Which teenager hadn’t dreamed of traveling with a sword, flying on a sword, and becoming an immortal?