42: College entrance examination begins

"Lin Feng."

Her voice was not loud, but it carried a penetrating quality.

"Your performance in the dungeon just now, were you trying to fool ghosts?"

Lin Feng's heart skipped a beat, but his expression remained calm.

"Qin Yuyan, I don't understand what you mean. My Carrion Xenomorph's strength is limited..."

"Limited strength?"

Qin Yuyan interrupted him, a faint, yet clearly disbelieving, curve playing on her lips.

"That ugly Black Iron Tier 7 monster?"

"Heh, in Gu City Town, the Xenomorph you summoned was far more capable than that."

She took a step closer, her gaze as sharp as a blade.

"I don't believe you only have this much strength. Tell me, what is your true trump card? Or rather, what exactly is your true Lifebound Demon Pet?"

Lin Feng was silent, not expecting Qin Yuyan to ask this. He believed that no one in Gu City Town had discovered his Alien Queen.

"Could it be Zhang Yong?"

Lin Feng recalled Zhang Yong knew the Facehugger had parasitized the Mutant Bat Leader... "It's fine if you don't say."

Qin Yuyan didn't seem to expect him to confess immediately, and her tone turned cold.

"But I will definitely find out. During the college entrance exam practical assessment, or some other time, you won't always be able to hide it."

Her tone suddenly shifted, her voice lowering a few octaves, carrying a serious warning.

"Also, I have something to inform you: Xiong Gang and his team have completely disappeared. No one has seen them alive or dead. It happened on the night of the incident in Gu City Town."

Lin Feng feigned surprise!

His pupils constricted slightly as he struggled to control his expression.

Qin Yuyan watched his reaction closely and continued.

"Although there is no direct evidence pointing to you, I have received reliable information that the Xiong Family has already started an investigation."

"And one of the key clues in the investigation is you!"

"Because you were the last, or rather, the only one confirmed to have had contact with Xiong Gang's team before their disappearance."

"And it's well known that you and Xiong Gang don't get along!"

"Moreover, the Xiong Family's influence in Weiyang City is not small."

Qin Yuyan's tone carried a hint of gravity.

"They sometimes don't pay much attention to evidence in their actions. You'd best be careful recently, especially... don't let anyone discover any connection between you and the core secret of that night in Gu City Town. The people of the Shield of Chang'an are tight-lipped, but it's hard to guarantee there aren't other channels."

Finally, she gave Lin Feng a deep look, her eyes seemingly saying, "I know you're definitely not simple, don't disappoint me, but also don't get caught!" Then, without another word, she turned and merged into the crowd, leaving Lin Feng standing alone in the bustling trial ground hall.

The Xiong Family... The shadows of Gu City Town from last night had not completely dispersed, and a new crisis seemed to have quietly approached.

He took a deep breath, his eyes becoming sharp.

"A storm, it seems, cannot be avoided."

He murmured, clenching his fists, then turned and strode out of the trial ground, preparing to face everything that was to come.

He didn't choose any transportation, but walked home along the familiar streets.

The setting sun lengthened his shadow, and the city's hustle and bustle enveloped him. What seemed like an ordinary journey home now felt as if unseen dangers lurked within it.

Just before he was about to step through the community gate, a very subtle but clear tremor came from deep within his consciousness, from the Spirit Beast Space... it was the Alien Queen!

A cold, highly vigilant mental fluctuation was transmitted, not pointing to a specific target, but rather a feeling of being "watched."

That gaze was like a venomous snake hiding in the shadows, carrying scrutiny, probing, and even a hint of imperceptible malice, firmly locked onto him.

Lin Feng's footsteps did not falter in the slightest, and even the frequency of his breathing remained normal, but all his muscles instantly tensed, and his mind became highly concentrated.

Through the Alien Queen's consciousness, he 'saw' a blurry figure, flashing and disappearing in the shadow of a street corner.

A window on the third floor opposite, with its curtains drawn, also subtly adjusted its angle slightly... "Is it someone from the Xiong Family?"

Lin Feng sneered inwardly. Qin Yuyan's warning was by no means groundless.

The Xiong Family's actions were even faster than he had expected.

He calmly swiped his access card and entered the relatively safe interior of the community, but the feeling of being spied upon had not completely disappeared, only becoming more subtle and distant.

Over the next few days, Lin Feng acted like any ordinary third-year high school Student.

In the morning, he left for school on time.

After school, he either went straight home, or he and Wang Yin walked arm-in-arm, chatting and laughing, to the trial ground in the city center for "extra practice."

Days passed in this superficial calm, the numbers on the calendar quietly approaching the day that would decide the fate of countless people... the college entrance exam!

On the sports field of Weiyang City First High School, all third-year Students were gathered, the atmosphere solemn and tense.

The air was filled with the unique hormones of youth, mixed with anticipation, unease, and a hint of resolute determination for the future.

Zhang Yong stood on the high rostrum, a crisp black combat uniform replacing his usual suit, appearing exceptionally dignified.

On his weathered face, there was no smile now, only the soldier-like sternness and gravity. His gaze swept over the dense crowd below like an eagle.

"Students!"

Zhang Yong's voice, amplified through the loudspeaker, echoed across the entire sports field, loud and powerful, silencing all whispers.

"Today is one of the most important battlefields in your lives... the day the Professional Practical Assessment begins!"

He took a deep breath, his voice becoming even more solemn.

"This practical assessment will be conducted in a special 'small world'! All of you will have one month to operate within it!"

"Inside the small world, the environment is complex, with various levels and types of demon beasts, resource points, and you might even encounter other 'accidents'!"

"Your mission is only one: survive! And obtain as many valuable 'trophies' as possible!"

"Trophies include, but are not limited to: demon beast crystal cores, rare materials, spiritual plants, and even certain special intelligence or relic items!"

"Finally, all the trophies you bring out of the small world will be assessed by a dedicated intelligent evaluation system for their value. The points obtained will be your college entrance exam practical score!"

"It directly determines which higher education institution you can enter and what kind of professional path you will embark on!"

"Remember, this small world is absolutely real! You will truly face death and various threats! Students who participated in the Gu City Town training might still remember the real flesh-and-blood struggle..."

"So... cherish life, act within your capabilities, but also dare to fight and seize opportunities!"

He paused, his gaze sweeping across the entire field again, carrying a heavy sense of entrustment and warning.

"Finally, one point to emphasize: competition is not prohibited within the small world! You may encounter examinees from other base cities, and you may also encounter... challenges from your classmates!"

"Contention within the rules is allowed, but remember, the bottom line is—do not maliciously cause 'death'! Violators will be severely punished and disqualified from the assessment! The Dragon Kingdom Professional Association has dedicated personnel entering the small world to monitor the entire process of the trial!"

"Now, everyone, enter the designated teleportation point!"

"The Professional Practical Assessment officially... begins!"

As Zhang Yong's words fell, in the center of the sports field, dozens of teleportation gates, flashing with a faint blue light, slowly lit up, like whirlpools leading to an unknown destiny.

Lin Feng stood among the crowd, feeling the complex emotions of his classmates around him—nervousness, excitement, or fear. His eyes, however, were exceptionally calm, even carrying a hint of imperceptible fervor.

One month in the small world... This was not only an examination that determined his future but also an excellent stage for him to verify his strength, resolve troubles, and even... find certain answers!

He glanced at Wang Yin, who was nervously swallowing beside him, and patted his shoulder.

"Yin Zi, don't chicken out, stick close to me."

"Mm!"

Wang Yin nodded vigorously, his eyes also becoming resolute.

Following the flow of people, Lin Feng and Wang Yin strode towards the faint blue light gate.