31: Are you taking the entrance exam for the same university?

Just after Jiang Yao left...

Several figures plummeted from the sky like cannonballs, landing in various spots around the park.

These people were all from the Jiangnan City Demon Extermination Institute; they had rushed over the moment they sensed the aura of battle.

Soon, they gathered together, their expressions dark and somber.

"A thug committed murder here; the bodies were all dumped at the bottom of the lake."

"Dammit, where is the thug?"

"The thug's aura has vanished."

"How could it just vanish?"

By now, the flames had died out, and the path in front of the woods had been completely transformed.

Ravines crisscrossed the ground, and every inch was covered in scorched marks.

One of the elderly men said in a deep voice, "No, the thug's aura didn't vanish; it was swallowed by this great fire."

As soon as he spoke...

Everyone curiously gathered around, looking at the scorched and devastated battlefield.

Sizzle!

The elderly man flicked his wrist, and a pebble flew into the battlefield. It was instantly swallowed by the residual fire elements in the air, exploding into a brilliant blaze.

"Hiss, such powerful fire elemental force!"

"It seems an expert killed the thug for us. For someone to unleash such a powerful strike, their strength is likely not below that of a War General."

"When did our Jiangnan City get another expert of the War General Rank?"

"Who knows? Maybe they were just passing through."

Everyone speculated and began to sense the area carefully.

Finally, from within the dense fire elements, they sensed three extremely faint traces of the thug's aura.

It was a perfect match for the aura on the bodies at the bottom of the lake.

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

"It seems that's the case. Let's go; we'll leave this to the Defense Department to handle."

"But, do we need to identify the master behind those fire elements?"

The elder shook his head. "No. Since the other party has already left, it means they don't want to be disturbed.

If we annoy them, which of us Privates could withstand the wrath of a War General?"

Everyone agreed, feeling lucky they hadn't stumbled into a major disaster.

"Alright, you guys go and seal off the park. I'll erase the aura of the fire elements here; we'll act as if nothing happened."

"Yes!"

The group was about to seal the scene when the elder suddenly let out a soft sound of surprise.

"Captain, what's wrong?"

The elder stroked his chin and said, "Strange, there are actually two other auras hidden within these fire elements.

One is easy to identify—it's undoubtedly the lightning element. But there's another one that I can't seem to detect no matter how I try."

"No way, even the Captain can't detect it?"

The group was shocked, looking at the elder with disbelief on their faces.

Although their Captain's strength was only at the ninth stage of the Private Rank, the Talent he had awakened was very special.

It was specifically designed for detecting auras.

With the help of his Talent, any aura below the War King Rank would find it hard to escape the Captain's tracking.

Yet the aura the Captain mentioned couldn't be detected?

"Could it have been left by a War King?!" someone gulped and voiced this conjecture.

Everyone immediately gasped.

A War King!

That was an existence with a Divine Punishment Level of at least 1000! Even in the entire Human Race, they were famous experts!

Jiangnan City had yet to produce a single War King!

The elder's eyes flickered as he sighed:

"I don't know. It's also possible it's an aura I've never encountered before, and I'm simply being ignorant."

"Enough talk. The Defense Department will be involved soon. You guys hurry up, and I'll erase the traces."

"Yes, Captain!"

After everyone had hurriedly left...

A look of intense heat suddenly appeared in the elder's eyes as he murmured to himself:

"Could it be that legendary Domain aura?"

There was no answer... By this time, pedestrians were already swarming outside Jiangnan Park.

Some quickly noticed the abnormality inside the park and stopped by the roadside to watch, their faces filled with shock.

Meanwhile, on a street several kilometers away...

Xiao Panxue was pulling Su Yan's hand, weaving quickly through the crowd, her long black hair dancing with her steps.

"This should be far enough."

After a moment, Xiao Panxue finally slowed down and let go of his hand.

Su Yan was still savoring the warmth in his palm, his expression a bit dazed.

"Um, Su Yan."

Xiao Panxue suddenly spoke.

Su Yan snapped back to reality and asked, "Hmm?"

"About what I said to Jiang Yao, about you being my boyfriend..."

Su Yan chuckled. "I know. You were using me as a shield; it's a standard move."

Xiao Panxue turned around, her beautiful eyes looking at him. "You're not angry?"

"Why would I be angry?"

"Really not angry?"

"Really not angry!"

"Then give Big Sister a smile."

"Haha."

"No, that's too forced."

"Hehe."

"Still no, that's too creepy."

"Jie jie!"

"You're asking for it, Su Yan!"

The two of them walked side-by-side on the sidewalk, the morning sun shining from behind them.

The atmosphere gradually became cheerful.

Xiao Panxue then remembered something and said with a smile:

"By the way, Su Yan, once you get into a university, I'll give you an SS-rank Skill."

Su Yan was surprised. "Why the sudden gift?"

"Weren't you quite envious of that A-Rank skill, Explosive Earth Spike? I'm giving you an SS-Rank one now. Are you happy?"

"What? Was I envious?"

Su Yan was speechless.

I'm someone who throws around SSS-rank Skills like they're nothing; why would I be envious of an A-Rank piece of trash?

Xiao Panxue thought he was just being stubborn and ignored him, the corners of her lips curving up as she said:

"But you must get into a university, no matter what kind of university it is."

"And if I don't?"

"You'll die a very miserable death."

Feeling Xiao Panxue's predatory gaze, Su Yan couldn't help but shudder.

"Work hard, young man. Don't let Big Sister down."

Xiao Panxue stood on her tiptoes and patted his head, her eyes narrowing into crescents... By the time Su Yan arrived at school, class was almost about to start.

But the classroom was still buzzing with noise; everyone was excitedly discussing the Demon Slayer smashing the Novice Village's boundary wall last night.

"So strong! I saw the news as soon as I woke up. I was so excited I dropped my phone!"

"Dropping your phone is nothing. I smashed my dad's computer and got hung up and beaten for half an hour!"

"Impressive! I'm convinced!"

"Speaking of which, now that the boundary wall is gone, everyone can clear the Novice Map. How will that affect the National College Entrance Examination?

I'm already Level 5. Doesn't that mean if I work a bit harder, I could also be recruited early by a top-tier university?"

"You're being too conservative. I think I could be recruited early by Imperial Capital University!"

Listening to a bunch of people with C-Rank Talents bragging awkwardly, Su Yan didn't have the heart to interrupt and walked straight to the back row.

Tang Xia was still slumped over her desk, catching up on sleep as usual.

Her messy ponytail draped over her shoulder, coiled several times, covering her entire face.

"What do you do at night? You're always sleeping in class. Even a pig wouldn't sleep as much as you."

Su Yan patted Tang Xia's face to wake her up.

"What do you know? This is called health maintenance!"

Tang Xia struggled to open her groggy eyes and looked up to glare at him, her ponytail sliding off her shoulder.

As she looked up, Su Yan immediately saw the pitiful state of Tang Xia's chest being squeezed against the edge of the desk. He couldn't help but lament... a human is worse off than a desk!

However, it was also confirmed that a chest of this scale was indeed only half the size of Xiao Panxue's.

"Xiao Xia."

"Su Yan."

Suddenly, both of them spoke at the same time.

Su Yan smiled. "You go first."

Tang Xia huffed. "I'm not going first. You go!"

Su Yan smiled, then his expression turned serious as he said:

"Now that the Novice Village's boundary wall is broken, this is a rare opportunity. You need to find a good team.

As long as you can reach Level 50 before the National College Entrance Examination and then go to the Forest Kingdom for your Class Advancement, a top-tier university shouldn't be a problem for you."

Tang Xia froze for a moment, then burst out laughing.

"What the hell are you laughing at?"

Su Yan was very dissatisfied.

Tang Xia said giggling:

"Su Yan, how do you have the nerve to lecture me when you're in your situation? I should be the one saying that!

It's not too late to let me carry you. Taking advantage of this great opportunity where no Breakthrough is needed, you might even get into a decent university!"

Again? She still hasn't given up?

Su Yan grinned. "Let's not. If you carry me, then you'll have to go to the same university as me. Are you sure?"

"Bah, who wants to go to the same university as you!"

As expected, once those words were out...

Tang Xia immediately crossed her arms stubbornly, looking as if that was absolutely impossible.

The two of them then engaged in their daily bickering while waiting for the bell to ring.

However, a few minutes later...

The homeroom teacher walked into the classroom with a grave expression and said in a heavy voice:

"I'll take a few minutes of your time to announce something."