71: Chapter 71 The College Entrance Examination on the Tip of the Tongue! The Impending Danger!

Secret Realm Unlocks: The Trial by Taste

"Countdown to the secret realm assessment begins. All examinees, hold your breath and await!" The magistrate's authoritative voice boomed like rolling thunder past everyone's ears once more.

3!

2!

1!

As the final second fell, the fate-deciding College Entrance Exam officially commenced!

BOOM——!

Above the examination grounds, thousands of scorching white lights descended like divine punishment.

In an instant, all examinees on the field were swallowed by the radiance, vanishing completely from their spots, forcibly teleported to the assessment plane.

This secret realm was an exclusive examination ground constructed by the Great Xia Dynasty, gathering numerous Mythic-grade formation masters and expending immense power. Nationwide, 33 independent secret realms were established. The internal systems automatically calculated points for slaying monsters in real-time. Ultimately, results from all examination zones would be compiled across time and space to determine the national Divine Rankings.

On the viewing platform.

Jiang Yu watched the vanishing stream of light and let out a sudden sigh, his face etched with 'melancholy': "Ah, looking at this momentum, once the College Entrance Exam ends, my wallet is likely to suffer a major hemorrhage!"

The surrounding big shots all turned to look, faces full of confusion: "Old Jiang, why do you say that?"

"What else could it be?" Jiang Yu sighed heavily and spread his hands. "I made a bet with that dragon-riding kid. If he wins the top scholar's laurel, I have to personally dig into my own pocket to prepare a grand gift for him. Troublesome..."

Upon hearing this, the corners of everyone's mouths twitched in unison. This wasn't helplessness; this was blatant, naked bragging!

"Old Jiang, could you maybe rein in that grin stretching to your ears before you speak?"

"Exactly, it's too glaring! If I weren't worried about not being able to beat you, I'd really want to punch you right now," said the mayor of neighboring Zhenjiang City, grinding his molars.

Jiang Yu shot him a sidelong glance and leisurely added, "Oh, right. He's the one who helped your city clear out the Necromancer last time and also saved your precious daughter."

The Zhenjiang Mayor froze slightly, his half-raised fist stiffening mid-air. A complex expression settled on his face as he sank into deep thought, a flicker of some 'poaching' scheme beginning to gleam in the depths of his eyes.

"Huh? What's this kid doing? Why is he starting a fire right where he landed?" Another big shot pointed at the projected secret realm scene and exclaimed.

Inside the secret realm, ancient trees towered into the sky. The monster levels here spanned an enormous range, covering Level 1 to Level 60, testing both strength and luck.

However, after landing, Su Chen was in no hurry to rush for points. Instead, with calm composure, he summoned the Amethyst Thunder-Flame Dragon, which had shrunk to about one meter tall. Man and dragon worked in perfect sync. With one dragon's breath, the dragon instantly ignited the gathered wood.

Immediately after, under everyone's dumbfounded gazes, Su Chen pulled out half of a Snow Wolf Dark Gold BOSS corpse, radiating a piercing cold aura, from his backpack. This was his 'spoils of war' from his return from the Hundred Thousand Snow Mountains.

He casually drew the famous sword 'fire of joy', using it as a skewer to impale the meat, and leisurely placed it over the fire.

Having awakened the **[Devouring Evolution]** talent, his stomach was practically like a bottomless pit.

Coupled with the long journey and not having had time for breakfast, he was currently ravenous. How could he have the mind to kill monsters?

A sprinkle of cumin, a rub of pepper salt.

This wasn't just the College Entrance Exam; it was a feast for the senses.

Under the high temperature of the dragon's flame, the Dark Gold BOSS's fat sizzled and popped. A rich, extraordinary aroma instantly permeated the air.

Monsters within a radius of several miles were bewitched by the scent of this high-level flesh, emerging one after another, their souls seemingly unsettled.

From Level 10 minor monsters to Level 40 elites, each had greed shining in their eyes as they slowly closed in.

"ROAR——!"

Whenever a monster stepped within ten meters of Su Chen, the Amethyst Thunder-Flame Dragon would let out a low, menacing roar, followed by a breath attack that instantly obliterated it.

[Points +50]

[Experience +2000]

Experience and points transformed into streams of light, continuously flowing into Su Chen's body like homing birds returning to their nest.

The big shots initially thought this was some brilliant tactic to lure enemies, only to realize... this kid really was just eating!

Half an hour later, Su Chen let out a satisfied burp.

[Ding! You have devoured the Snow Mountain Dire Wolf (Dark Gold BOSS). Free attribute points +50. Ice Element Resistance +3%.]

An entire Dark Gold BOSS entered his stomach. Although it didn't trigger a large-scale evolution, it granted him an extra level's worth of attribute gains.

"Time to get down to business." Su Chen extinguished the fire, stood up, and stretched.

He looked into the distance and noticed some examinees passing by the area. Upon seeing the dragon beside him, they turned and ran as if they'd seen a ghost.

Su Chen rubbed his nose somewhat glumly. "At a time like this, shouldn't there be a few blind 'geniuses' leading a team over to steal my points, only for me to slap them down in return?"

On second thought, he was riding a giant dragon. Only a fool would come over to deliver themselves to death.

He stamped his foot, causing the ground to crack into a shallow pit as he leaped lightly onto the dragon's back.

The Amethyst Thunder-Flame Dragon's body swelled dramatically, transforming into its complete form to roam freely through the forest. Its dragon's breath now not only covered a wide area, required no incantation, had zero cooldown, but each blast was also annihilation-level, clearing the field.

"This is purely a case of dimensional overkill..." The big shots on the viewing platform collectively mourned for the other examinees in the same venue.

However, just as Su Chen was mowing down points like cutting grass, he remained unaware. On his arm, the black **'Shadow Mark' was flickering with a cold, quiet light. It was the gaze of the Dragon-Slaying Sword Saint**.

Deep within the secret realm, the void twisted violently.

A suffocating shadow fluctuation frantically assaulted the spatial barrier.

CRACK——BOOM!

The barrier was torn open, revealing a fine fissure. A teleportation gate leading to void-like darkness slowly took shape.

A shadowy Goblin clad in jet-black heavy armor, wielding a dark spear, with crimson bloodlust flickering in its eyes, stepped forth. Its voice was dry, like sandpaper grating:

"Finally... made it through..."

Its gaze pierced through the dense forest, locking dead onto Su Chen's direction.