Chapter 8: Into the Isolation Zone

They traveled to the provincial capital together.

The happiest among them was undoubtedly Principal Sun.

How wonderful!

Because of Li Yang, Fang Chuyun and Yu Hongyuan were finally getting along!

These three were the future stars of Huangcheng.

Just looking at them made Principal Sun so emotional that he nearly burst into tears.

When Madam Yu Zhiying heard the news, she immediately arranged for her son to use a more spacious car.

Not only did this ensure that all three of them could sit comfortably, but it also allowed them to bring along Fang Chuyun’s coach.

Before they left, Yu Zhiying flicked her son on the forehead.

“Learn from Li Yang!

I told you to get along with Fang Chuyun, and you’ve messed it up for three years!”

Yu Hongyuan: “……”

Learn?

Learn what, exactly?!

He cursed both of them in his heart, hoping they wouldn’t get into Zhongdu Military Academy!

Of course, Yu Hongyuan only dared to think this.

On the surface, he remained obedient and submissive.

There was no denying that Yu Hongyuan came from a well-off family.

Li Yang didn’t recognize this world’s car brands, but just from the design, she could tell it was expensive.

From the outside, it looked like a business van.

But once inside, it was surprisingly spacious.

The seats could recline fully, and they even had massage functions.

In front of them was a small TV screen.

The air inside was fresh and pleasant.

Li Yang took the back seat.

Fang Chuyun sat beside her.

Yu Hongyuan sat in the front row next to Fang Chuyun’s coach.

As soon as the car started, the “battle” began.

Yu Hongyuan said, “Fang Chuyun, let’s exchange some intel.”

Fang Chuyun replied, “You go first.”

“Why should I?”

“Then forget it.”

Li Yang was actually quite curious.

Although she had studied many past records, the practical exams changed every year.

There were more than ten different formats, and each format had its own unique evaluation methods.

The possible combinations were endless predicting the content was even harder than the college entrance exam.

Fang Chuyun and Yu Hongyuan definitely had insider information.

This kind of intel either required strong connections or money neither of which Li Yang had.

Both of them fell silent, locked in a silent battle of wills.

Suddenly, Yu Hongyuan turned to Li Yang.

“Li Yang, I’ll tell you this this year’s practical exam will be held in a special isolation zone!”

After saying this, he shot a provocative look at Fang Chuyun, as if to say, “See? My intel is valuable!”

Li Yang, who had memorized the past records, immediately grasped the key point.

“Does that mean we’ll be clearing out mutated creatures?”

Yu Hongyuan: “Uh…”

Seeing him hesitate, Fang Chuyun looked at Li Yang and answered,

“It depends on the level of the isolation zone.

If it’s high-level, it could be a survival-based exam.

If it’s low-level, then it’ll be about clearing out mutated creatures.”

Although Yu Hongyuan was sitting in the front row, he was listening carefully.

At that moment, the driver, an Executor, spoke up.

“Don’t worry.

Since none of you have integrated a star within your bodies yet, for safety reasons, the isolation zone won’t be too high-level.”

A “special isolation zone” referred to areas where mutated creatures gathered.

These zones were usually located in the wild forests outside the city.

The level of an isolation zone was determined by the strength of the mutated creatures inside.

The higher the creatures’ rank, the higher the isolation level, and the greater the danger.

The Executor driving the car had been hired by Yu Hongyuan.

Hearing him speak, Yu Hongyuan immediately felt proud and lifted his chin.

At that moment, Fang Chuyun’s coach also spoke up.

“This year’s chief examiner is from the conservative faction.

There’s a high chance the exam will be survival-based.”

The Executor in the front responded,

“Not necessarily.

Master Lin is only relatively conservative.

But the Lin family is firmly in the war faction.”

“That was in previous years.

Since Master Lin took charge of the family, they haven’t been as war-focused.”

“But historically, survival-based exams have been rare.

This year, it’s more likely to be about clearing out mutated creatures.”

Unlike Yu Hongyuan and Fang Chuyun, their driver and coach didn’t argue.

But it was clear that they had differing opinions on what the exam would entail.

Li Yang listened carefully.

Based on the records she had studied in the past few days, she was beginning to form a clear picture.

The first phase of this year’s practical exam would most likely take place in a special isolation zone.

As for what type of isolation zone it would be, that was uncertain.

It was like the essay prompt in a college entrance exam if leaked, someone would be held accountable.

However, after reviewing past records, Li Yang already had a general idea of the different types of special isolation zones.

If it turned out to be a mutated plant zone, that would be perfect!

She absolutely loved mutated plants.

If that was the case, she could take the exam while harvesting lifespan at the same time…

Li Yang didn’t even dare to imagine how happy she would be!

A one-hour car ride wasn’t long.

With all the “intel exchange” happening, the time passed quickly.

After arriving at the provincial capital, they were all assigned to the exam preparation center.

Each person had their own exam number.

They had to find their designated classroom and wait for the official exam to begin.

Li Yang was assigned to Group 8.

Fang Chuyun was in Group 1.

Yu Hongyuan was assigned to Group 20.

This year, about 200 students in Donghua Province qualified to apply for the top military academies.

Each group consisted of 10 students, making a total of 20 groups.

Li Yang was very satisfied with being placed in Group 8.

What a lucky number!

Maybe there really would be mutated plants in the isolation zone.

If so, she would truly “prosper”!

Fang Chuyun sighed in disappointment.

“It’s a shame we’re not in the same group.”

Li Yang hadn’t expected this cool-headed girl to be so clingy.

But then, Fang Chuyun added, “No worries, we’ll have our chance in the future.

Li Yang, we’re destined to fight one day.”

Li Yang: “……”

Oh, she wasn’t being clingy she just wanted to beat her up.

Yu Hongyuan, on the other hand, was very pleased with his placement in Group 20.

This was the furthest group from Li Yang.

It was perfect.

Finally, he didn’t have to be anyone’s lackey anymore.

He could start fresh and recruit his own followers!

And so, the three of them parted ways.

Li Yang felt that this grouping wasn’t random.

It was likely a deliberate decision by the examiners.

Splitting up students from the same city was probably meant to set the stage for the next phase of the exam.

Could this year’s practical test be a competitive mode?

Same-city competitions were prone to favoritism, so did they scatter everyone to prevent that?

But if it was a special isolation zone, there had never been a precedent for a competitive format.

Of course, it was also possible that Fang Chuyun and Yu Hongyuan’s intel was incorrect.

Li Yang entered the Group 8 classroom, where students were already discussing

“Huangcheng is incredible this year.

There’s actually someone with a 90-point physique score!”

“Whose kid is it?”

“I heard she’s an orphan.

She unexpectedly awakened her potential after losing a close relative…”

“Wow, that’s amazing!”

“Sigh, it’s tough for small cities.

This year, 20 students in our province have surpassed 90 points in physique.

And 10 of them are from the provincial capital.”

Donghua Province had nearly twenty cities.

The provincial capital had more concentrated resources, so it naturally produced more students with high physique scores.

For example, out of the 200 students taking the exam this year, 30% were from the provincial capital.

And among those with 90+ physique points, the ratio was even more imbalanced.

“I looked it up!

Her name was in the Huangcheng Daily.

She’s called Li Yang!”

Li Yang: “……”

Thanks a lot, Huangcheng Daily.

Taking advantage of the ongoing discussion, Li Yang slipped into the classroom unnoticed and found a corner seat.

She had originally planned to make some acquaintances and gather information about the exam.

But now…

Forget it.

Introducing herself didn’t seem like a great idea anymore.

Luckily, no one was focused on asking about their groupmates’ names.

Instead, they were gossiping about the upcoming practical test.

There were all sorts of speculations, but everyone agreed on one thing this year’s test would take place in a special isolation zone.

As for the specific format, no one was sure.

Most students leaned toward the “mutated creature extermination” theory.

After all, “survival mode” had been rare in past exams.

Once all the students arrived, a middle-aged teacher wearing black-framed glasses entered.

He swept his gaze across the room with a serious expression.

“Roll call.

When I say your name, stand up and respond with ‘Here.’”

The classroom instantly fell silent.

Sitting in the corner, Li Yang felt a little uneasy.

Why was there a roll call?

Hadn’t they already registered upon arrival?

But of course, her complaints couldn’t reach the teacher’s ears.

He had already started calling names.

“Chen Song.”

“Here!”

A skinny boy who looked like a bamboo pole stood up.

“Xu Wenpei.”

A round-faced girl stood up and chirped, “Here!”

“Li Zhengrui.”

A messy-haired boy with thick glasses stood up.

“Here!”

After calling about eight or nine names, the teacher suddenly paused.

He stared at the name for a moment before finally reading it aloud.

“Li Yang.”

As soon as the words fell, the entire classroom began looking around.

Who?!

Who was Li Yang?!

Was this the 90-point physique genius from Huangcheng?!

Sitting in the corner was useless.

Everyone’s eyes eventually landed on her she was the only one who hadn’t been called yet.

Ignoring the attention, Li Yang stood up and responded.

“Here.”

The teacher adjusted his glasses and gave her a thorough look.

Then, he nodded.

“Alright, sit down.”

Li Yang sat down, but several pairs of heated gazes remained fixed on her.

Some students whispered among themselves.

“Damn, she’s actually in our group!”

“Is she really the Li Yang from Huangcheng?

Does she really have 90 physique points?”

“She doesn’t look that strong…”

The teacher coughed lightly.

“Quiet.”

The students fell silent, though some still stole glances at Li Yang.

The teacher knocked on the desk.

“This year’s exam theme is Survival.”

As soon as these words were spoken, all the students’ attention snapped back to the front.

They sat up straight, their expressions turning serious.

Survival mode?!

Was the special isolation zone ranked very high this year?!

The teacher turned on a projector and began explaining the rules of the practical exam.

“In thirty minutes, candidates will enter the special isolation zone in groups of ten.”

“The isolation zone is classified as Two-Star level.”

“The requirement to pass is survive for three days.”

Upon hearing this, some students immediately groaned.

“A Two-Star isolation zone?!

But we’re not even Executors yet!”

“A Two-Star zone is high-risk even for first-rank Executors.

Aren’t we walking into certain death?!”

The teacher responded coldly.

“If you’re afraid of dying, don’t apply to a military academy.”

The room fell silent.

The complaining student shut his mouth.

The projector flickered, displaying a dense block of text.

The teacher continued.

“For the next thirty minutes, carefully read the entry guidelines for the special isolation zone.

Once you are certain, sign your name and leave a fingerprint.”

“Be aware

The special isolation zone is a high-risk area.

Once you enter, your life or death is your own responsibility.”