42: The final exam begins

The location for the Grand Examination was within a Secret Realm, which is a special space that can be considered a small, isolated world.

Secret Realms vary in size; some are man-made, while others are naturally formed.

Lu Qianyuan's examination location this time was within a natural Secret Realm.

Most of the resources within it had already been plundered, leaving only some weaker exotic beasts deliberately kept to serve as targets for this assessment.

Generally speaking, to enter the Four Great Academies, one needs to rank among the top hundred in their respective region.

For instance, they are from Survival Zone 37 of District 49, and to enter the Four Great Academies here, one must be in the top hundred.

Otherwise, they would have no chance with the Four Great Academies.

Achieving a top hundred rank was not difficult for Lu Qianyuan, but he disliked being high-profile. He preferred to quietly achieve his goals, ideally with as few people knowing as possible.

So, for this Grand Examination, Lu Qianyuan decided to casually aim for a top thirty spot, which would be enough to ensure his entry into the Four Great Academies without being too conspicuous.

Although it might raise some questions, it was insignificant.

After all, to the Four Great Academies, no matter how good his results were, he was just a poor country boy, and a poor country boy with very poor talent.

Such individuals were common in outer regions like District 49.

Among so many people, Lu Qianyuan was not special and not worth too much effort to investigate.

Time slowly passed, and before long, Li Hong arrived in the classroom.

“This is a Stone of Protection, one for each person. Once it shatters, you will be directly teleported out of the Secret Realm. I don’t think I need to elaborate on the consequences.”

Li Hong took out a white, round stone from a pouch she held and displayed it in her hand.

She then distributed them one by one, ensuring everyone received a piece.

After distributing them, she took out a pile of black Storage Pouches from another pouch.

“These are Storage Pouches, capable of holding one cubic meter of items, to make it convenient for you to carry things. Each person gets one.”

After distributing both items, Li Hong led everyone to the training ground.

At this time, many students had already gathered on the training ground, and there were also five giant purple spatial doors.

Not only students from their school were gathered here, but also students from other schools.

This year's batch of students, including Lu Qianyuan, was lucky; the Secret Realm doors were set up here, so students from other nearby schools came to their school to take the examination.

Through the doors, one could even see a lush forest on the other side.

This was the upcoming location for the Grand Examination, the Secret Realm.

Next was the tedious inspection process. After checking all items carried by everyone and ensuring no accidents, it was time for the boring pre-Grand Examination speech.

“I wish everyone good results in this examination. If you feel you are not up to the task, please give up decisively.”

Zhang Sheng said earnestly, but he said this every year, and every year there were examinee deaths.

He only hoped this batch of examinees would be careful and not push themselves too hard.

After a brief admonition, Zhang Sheng sent the examinees into the Secret Realm in batches.

Large numbers of examinees entered the five Secret Realm doors in batches, teleporting to different Secret Realms.

The Secret Realms entered were randomly drawn on the spot, to prevent cheating to the greatest extent possible.

As the bottom-ranked student in his class, Lu Qianyuan was naturally in the last group.

He paid a little attention and noticed that Ye Yan entered Secret Realm 2.

He himself drew Secret Realm 5.

It was good to be separated from Ye Yan, saving him from competing for points.

While waiting, Lu Qianyuan suddenly noticed a relatively strong student entering his Spiritual Perception.

She was very powerful, a Third Stage, and her entire aura exuded a chill, like ice that had not melted for ten thousand years.

Even Lu Qianyuan felt a slight pressure from her.

The person who arrived was You Muxue, who was a bit late.

Seeing You Muxue’s arrival, Ye Yan also felt a bit of anticipation.

At this time, [Youxue Sword Immortal] should have just reached the Third Stage. As a Spirit Master of the same blade and sword system, he was looking forward to fighting her.

Ye Yan recalled that You Muxue at this time should have just entered the Third Stage, but her strength was in no way inferior to those Third Stage cultivators who had been famous for a long time.

Even he only had an eighty percent chance of winning.

Her innate ability was worth him taking seriously.

And her final Secret Realm should be Secret Realm 3, assuming no unforeseen circumstances.

Because You Muxue arrived late, she could only be in the last group.

Although she had the ability and qualifications to cut in line, she was not going to do so.

What did it matter to enter a little later? Strength was the Foundation of everything.

Lu Qianyuan was also curious about You Muxue's background for a moment. The strongest student he had perceived was only at the Peak of the Second Stage, and their aura was somewhat unstable.

But You Muxue was completely different; she was a Third Stage, with a solid Foundation and powerful strength. Most importantly, Lu Qianyuan discovered a purple Battle Spirit within You Muxue's body.

This was the best quality Natal Spirit among all the students present, apart from his own.

Lu Qianyuan was curious about what abilities You Muxue possessed; perhaps he could replicate one.

It is worth mentioning that Lu Qianyuan, after completing his Breakthrough, had not yet replaced Advanced Origin Qi Recovery with Photosynthesis.

With Intermediate Yuanqi Recovery, he only needed twenty days to complete the replication, which was not a long time, and Lu Qianyuan could afford to wait.

Unfortunately, Lu Qianyuan entered the Secret Realm before he could see You Muxue's draw result.

“Muxue, why are you so late?”

Principal Zhang Sheng came to the lottery box and asked with concern.

“I Cultivated for too long and wasted time.”

You Muxue said, a little embarrassed.

After all, she almost missed something as important as the Grand Examination; this was not ordinary carelessness.

“So diligent! It seems this year's first place will definitely be yours.”

“I'll try my best.”

You Muxue didn't speak too confidently. There were many hidden talents among the students; perhaps some monster would emerge from nowhere and defeat her.

During their conversation, You Muxue also completed her draw.

Secret Realm 5.

“Do your best. With your strength, first place is definitely within your grasp.”

“Okay, Uncle Zhang.”

You Muxue smiled sweetly, then entered Secret Realm 5.

As her figure twisted, You Muxue also entered the Secret Realm.

Inside Secret Realm 5, Lu Qianyuan felt the Origin Qi concentration and was slightly surprised.

The Origin Qi inside the Secret Realm was actually a little higher than the outside world, but only slightly, about five percent.

What a pity, it wasn't much higher, so there was no chance for Advanced Materials to be born.

After a brief sigh, Lu Qianyuan officially began his hunt. Using Spiritual Perception, he quickly located his first prey for this trip.