Emojis
ForTestingPurposeLi Yang wasn’t running aimlessly.
EmojisForTestingPurposeDuring the half-hour she spent memorizing the “Entry Guidelines”, she didn’t just commit it to memoryshe truly understood it.
EmojisForTestingPurposeEvery piece of information, whether explicitly stated or subtly implied, had been carefully extracted.
EmojisForTestingPurposeShe had also formulated a few of her own theories.
EmojisForTestingPurposeFor example, the “Entry Guidelines” listed countless dangers.
EmojisForTestingPurposeBut what about the things that weren’t mentioned?
EmojisForTestingPurposeDid that mean they were relatively safe?
EmojisForTestingPurposeAfter all, this was an assessment.
EmojisForTestingPurposeDespite the invigilators’ serious expressions and the ominous “Life and Death Contract”, it was clear that the officials wouldn’t throw a group of teenagers into completely unknown danger.
EmojisForTestingPurposeThe isolation zone had undoubtedly been thoroughly studied beforehand.
EmojisForTestingPurposeOtherwise, they wouldn’t have gone through such painstaking effort to create a detailed “Entry Guide”.
EmojisForTestingPurposeIf the officials had already mapped out the area, then anything not mentioned in the “Entry Guidelines” was likely relatively safe.
EmojisForTestingPurposeSo, Li Yang deliberately walked through areas not covered in the guidelines.
EmojisForTestingPurposeOnce she had put enough distance between herself and the others, she slowed her pace and carefully observed her surroundings.
EmojisForTestingPurposeThe ground beneath her was relatively dry, with scattered fallen branches nearby.
EmojisForTestingPurposeTall, unfamiliar trees grew wildly, while smaller shrubs struggled through the gaps, reaching for sunlight.
EmojisForTestingPurposeThe weather was pleasant today.
EmojisForTestingPurposeHowever, the air carried an unusually strong scent of moisture and decay, far from the fresh, oxygen-rich environment of a typical jungle.
EmojisForTestingPurposeLi Yang carefully studied the tree before her.
EmojisForTestingPurposeShe reached out and touched its rough bark and thick trunk, sighing softly.
EmojisForTestingPurpose“What a huge tree.”
EmojisForTestingPurposeNot all plants underwent mutation.
EmojisForTestingPurposeIt was somewhat like the monsters in ancient folktales, requiring both spiritual energy and the right opportunity.
EmojisForTestingPurposeThe tree before her wasn’t a mutant plant.
EmojisForTestingPurposeBut it was so tall and massive that she couldn’t help but feel the urge to cut it down.
EmojisForTestingPurposeHowever, she resisted the temptation.
EmojisForTestingPurposeFirst, ordinary plants granted very little lifespan most likely not even worth the effort.
EmojisForTestingPurposeSecond, cutting down such a large tree would create too much noise, potentially attracting powerful mutant creatures.
EmojisForTestingPurposeThat wouldn’t be worth the risk.
EmojisForTestingPurposeReluctantly, Li Yang withdrew her hand and patted the tree.
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Good luck!
EmojisForTestingPurposeIf you ever mutate, I’ll come back and chop you down.”
EmojisForTestingPurposeA breeze rustled through the leaves, making the tree shake as if trembling in fear.
EmojisForTestingPurposeShe couldn’t chop down the big ones.
EmojisForTestingPurposeBut small shrubs?
EmojisForTestingPurposeThat was worth a try.
EmojisForTestingPurposeThis was, after all, an isolation zone.
EmojisForTestingPurposeEven ordinary plants here were probably very different from the wild grass in Heqing Community.
EmojisForTestingPurposeLi Yang untied the iron axe from her waist, rolled up her sleeves, and swung at the small shrub.
EmojisForTestingPurposeBefore entering the isolation zone, every examinee had been given the opportunity to choose their own weapon.
EmojisForTestingPurposeMost people picked swords, knives, or guns.
EmojisForTestingPurposeOnly Li Yang rushed straight for the iron axe.
EmojisForTestingPurposeBefore leaving, she even asked the instructor, “Sir, can I take more than one?”
EmojisForTestingPurposeThe instructor hesitated.
EmojisForTestingPurpose“…You can take more, but be mindful of your weight load.
EmojisForTestingPurposeCarrying too much might be a disadvantage.”
EmojisForTestingPurposeLi Yang grinned happily.
EmojisForTestingPurposeShe wasn’t greedy.
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Two axes will be enough!”
EmojisForTestingPurposeTwo iron axes more than enough to last three days!
EmojisForTestingPurposeBang!
EmojisForTestingPurposeWith a single swing, the shrub fell instantly.
EmojisForTestingPurposeA long-lost sound rang in her ears “Ding!”
EmojisForTestingPurposeThen, the system notification popped up:
EmojisForTestingPurposeLifespan +3 minutes.
EmojisForTestingPurposeAs expected, it was just an ordinary plant.
EmojisForTestingPurposeThe lifespan gain was too low.
EmojisForTestingPurposeOf course, it was still better than the wild grass from Heqing Community.
EmojisForTestingPurposeThat one only added one second a complete waste of effort.
EmojisForTestingPurposeOne axe swing took 10 seconds.
EmojisForTestingPurposeThe lifespan gain was only 3 minutes.
EmojisForTestingPurposeAfter experiencing the sweet rewards of clover, she couldn’t settle for so little anymore!
EmojisForTestingPurposeMutant plants were the real prize!
EmojisForTestingPurposeJust as she was thinking this, she heard a faint rustling sound nearby.
EmojisForTestingPurposeHer sharp eyes caught a suspicious-looking shrub.
EmojisForTestingPurposeIt wasn’t very large, but it was… moving?
EmojisForTestingPurposeThe “Entry Guidelines” described high-risk mutant plants.
EmojisForTestingPurposeBut in such a huge isolation zone, there had to be less dangerous variations too.
EmojisForTestingPurposeMaybe this was one of them!
EmojisForTestingPurposeLi Yang tightened her grip on the iron axe.
EmojisForTestingPurposeTechnically, this would be her first time dealing with a mutant plant.
EmojisForTestingPurposeThe four-leaf clover didn’t count—it couldn’t even move.
EmojisForTestingPurposeWhoosh!
EmojisForTestingPurposeThe small shrub suddenly realized it had been discovered.
EmojisForTestingPurposeIt launched several green leaves toward Li Yang like flying blades.
EmojisForTestingPurposeThe leaves were thin as knives and incredibly fast.
EmojisForTestingPurposeBut Li Yang easily dodged them with a simple sidestep.
EmojisForTestingPurpose90 physique points weren’t just for show.
EmojisForTestingPurposeHer physical abilities were on another level.
EmojisForTestingPurposeIn a flash, Li Yang charged toward the shrub and swung her axe down.
EmojisForTestingPurposeThe small shrub suddenly jumped into the air!
EmojisForTestingPurposeWhat had once been a round, harmless-looking bush now sprouted a giant, fanged mouth completely ruining its cuteness.
EmojisForTestingPurposeLi Yang aimed for the open mouth and swung down with force.
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Aargh!”
EmojisForTestingPurposeThe ugly shrub let out a piercing scream.
EmojisForTestingPurposeIt tried to leap forward and bite her.
EmojisForTestingPurposeBut before it could, Li Yang brought the axe down again, splitting it in half.
EmojisForTestingPurposeEven in its final moments, the ugly shrub made a desperate move scattering its remaining leaves like deadly projectiles toward her.
EmojisForTestingPurposeLi Yang reacted instantly.
EmojisForTestingPurposeShe dodged behind the large tree, using its thick trunk as cover.
EmojisForTestingPurposeThud! Thud! Thud!
EmojisForTestingPurposeThe leaves struck empty air.
EmojisForTestingPurposeAnd the ugly shrub was officially dead.
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Ding!”
EmojisForTestingPurposeA system notification appeared:
EmojisForTestingPurposeLifespan +1 month
EmojisForTestingPurposeLi Yang: “……”
EmojisForTestingPurposeShe grumbled in dissatisfaction.
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Only one month?”
EmojisForTestingPurposeThe system pretended not to hear.
EmojisForTestingPurposeAfter thinking for a moment, she comforted herself.
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Fine… at least it was easy to chop.”
EmojisForTestingPurposeThe ugly shrub could move and attack.
EmojisForTestingPurposeBut it wasn’t difficult to kill just a few swings of the axe.
EmojisForTestingPurposeIf there were enough of them…
EmojisForTestingPurposeThis could be a good source of lifespan!
EmojisForTestingPurposeHer determination surged.
EmojisForTestingPurposeShe was going to sweep through the shrubs and hunt them all down.
EmojisForTestingPurposeEliminating mutant plants was everyone’s responsibility.
EmojisForTestingPurposeAnd Li Yang would take the lead!
EmojisForTestingPurposeGuided by the “Entry Guidelines” and her week of intense studying, she now had a deeper understanding of mutant creatures.
EmojisForTestingPurposeFor example, most mutants were highly aggressive which made the four-leaf clover in Heqing Community even more special.
EmojisForTestingPurposeAdditionally, mutant creatures emitted a stronger “Star Radiance” although Li Yang wasn’t sure if that’s what it was.
EmojisForTestingPurposeTo her, it just looked like a faint, flickering glow.
EmojisForTestingPurposeShe avoided areas where mutant animals might appear.
EmojisForTestingPurposeInstead, she focused solely on plants.
EmojisForTestingPurposeEspecially these small shrubs if she found one, she chopped one.
EmojisForTestingPurposeSometimes, she accidentally cut down an ordinary plant.
EmojisForTestingPurposeThat just meant another 3-minute bonus.
EmojisForTestingPurposeOn the first day, Li Yang stayed busy.
EmojisForTestingPurposeBy nightfall, she followed the “Entry Guidelines” and located a safe overnight spot.
EmojisForTestingPurposeThe isolation zone was more dangerous at night mutant animals became more active.
EmojisForTestingPurposeBut Li Yang had no interest in animals.
EmojisForTestingPurposeShe just wanted to survive until morning and continue her plant-hunting spree.
EmojisForTestingPurposeBy the end of the day, she had chopped 10 ugly shrubs and 20 other mutant plants.
EmojisForTestingPurposeThat night, she checked her system panel:
EmojisForTestingPurposeLifespan: 4 years / 10 years
EmojisForTestingPurposeLi Yang had gained 3 full years of life!
EmojisForTestingPurposeMaster Li was very satisfied.
EmojisForTestingPurposeAfter all, this was just a side benefit along the way.
EmojisForTestingPurposeOnce she got into Zhongdu Military Academy and joined the Agricultural Department, she could dream of ten, even a hundred years of life!
EmojisForTestingPurposeThat day’s experience made Li Yang rethink the four-leaf clover from Heqing Community.
EmojisForTestingPurposeThat plant was definitely not ordinary.
EmojisForTestingPurposeEven though it had taken her a long time to chop, it had still granted her ten years of life a clear sign of its uniqueness.
EmojisForTestingPurposeAlthough Li Yang had gained three more years, she wasn’t in a hurry to increase her physique value.
EmojisForTestingPurposeA 90 physique score was already eye-catching enough.
EmojisForTestingPurposeIf she broke past 100… she might actually have to worry about getting captured for research.
EmojisForTestingPurposePhysique value could wait.
EmojisForTestingPurposeLi Yang turned her attention to mental strength.
EmojisForTestingPurposeThe military academy only tested physique value.
EmojisForTestingPurposeWouldn’t it be fine if she increased her mental strength a little?
EmojisForTestingPurposeBesides, with a 90 physique but only 40 mental strength, it made her look like a brute with no brains.
EmojisForTestingPurposeThat wasn’t good.
EmojisForTestingPurposeA person needed intelligence too.
EmojisForTestingPurposeJust look at this test if she hadn’t memorized the “Entry Guidelines”, she wouldn’t have made it through the first day so smoothly.
EmojisForTestingPurposeIt was late at night.
EmojisForTestingPurposeThere was nothing else to do.
EmojisForTestingPurposeSo, Li Yang decided to spend three years of lifespan to boost her mental strength!
Isolation Zone: Control Room
EmojisForTestingPurposeThe Isolation Zone for the Combat Assessment had a central control room.
EmojisForTestingPurposeAt the center stood a massive screen, split into twenty smaller sections, each corresponding to a different group.
EmojisForTestingPurposeEach section had several focus points tracking individual examinees.
EmojisForTestingPurposeStanding before the screen were the examiners overseeing the Donghua Province assessment.
EmojisForTestingPurposeThe chief examiner was a tall, muscular middle-aged woman.
EmojisForTestingPurposeShe observed the screen for a while before asking, “How is the first-day assessment going?”
EmojisForTestingPurposeAlthough she was the chief examiner, she couldn’t monitor everyone at all times.
EmojisForTestingPurposeEach section had multiple hidden invigilators keeping an eye on both student movements and their safety.
EmojisForTestingPurposeThe assistant examiner quickly reported, “So far, twenty students have withdrawn.
EmojisForTestingPurposeMost of them failed to read the “Entry Guidelines” properly and accidentally provoked a Tier 1 High-Grade mutant creature.”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Among those still participating, there are two main types:
EmojisForTestingPurposeOne group memorized the guidelines thoroughly and chose to act alone, spending the first day relatively peacefully.
EmojisForTestingPurposeThe other group didn’t pay much attention to the guidelines but had strong personal skills.
EmojisForTestingPurposeThey fought through an exhausting day but managed to barely survive.”
EmojisForTestingPurposeThe chief examiner sneered.
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Bravery without strategy is just a pointless death wish.
EmojisForTestingPurposeIt’s better if they get eliminated early.”
EmojisForTestingPurposeThe assistant examiner hesitated for a moment before adding, “There is one examinee who stands out.”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Oh?”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“She’s in Group 8, from Huangcheng No.1 High School.
EmojisForTestingPurposeHer name is Li Yang, and her physique score is 90 points.”
EmojisForTestingPurposeThe chief examiner raised an eyebrow.
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Oh, it’s her?
EmojisForTestingPurposeLet me guess she also didn’t read the “Entry Guidelines”, did she?”
EmojisForTestingPurposeThe invigilator in charge of Group 8 spoke up.
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Li Yang memorized the entire “Entry Guidelines” word for word.”
EmojisForTestingPurposeThe chief examiner’s gaze softened.
EmojisForTestingPurpose“A meticulous one, I see.”
EmojisForTestingPurposeThe assistant examiner switched screens, pulling up Group 8’s footage.
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Professor Chen, take a look at this.”
EmojisForTestingPurposeThe screen lit up.
EmojisForTestingPurposeIn Group 8, the students had split into three teams.
EmojisForTestingPurposeChen Song’s team had the most people and was in the worst shape.
EmojisForTestingPurposeThey had immediately encountered a Tier 1, Sixth-Grade mutant boar, forcing them into a desperate struggle.
EmojisForTestingPurposeOne of them even panicked and pressed the emergency beacon, withdrawing from the test.
EmojisForTestingPurposeMeanwhile, Xu Wenpei’s team of three had a smaller, more cautious approach.
EmojisForTestingPurposeThey only encountered a Tier 1, First-Grade mutant pheasant.
EmojisForTestingPurposeAlthough they got pecked half to death, they managed to escape without casualties.
EmojisForTestingPurposeThen there was Group 8’s third team which was just Li Yang, alone.
EmojisForTestingPurposeShe had clearly memorized the guidelines thoroughly.
EmojisForTestingPurposeEvery step she took was perfectly calculated like a textbook example of survival.
EmojisForTestingPurposeIf she continued following this strategy, she would easily pass the combat assessment.
EmojisForTestingPurposeThe elimination rate for the combat test wasn’t actually that high.
EmojisForTestingPurposeAfter all, everyone here had a physique score of at least 83.
EmojisForTestingPurposeAs long as they weren’t completely reckless, Zhongdu Military Academy and Star-Slayer Academy were willing to accept them and train them properly.
EmojisForTestingPurposeBut this girl on the screen…
EmojisForTestingPurposeShe wasn’t just avoiding danger.
EmojisForTestingPurposeShe had even found the hidden “safe zone” mutant plants.
EmojisForTestingPurposeSo-called “No-Rank” plants referred to those that had absorbed large amounts of Star Radiance but hadn’t fully mutated yet.
EmojisForTestingPurposeThese plants had low danger levels, which was why the “Entry Guidelines” didn’t mention them.
EmojisForTestingPurposeUnder normal circumstances, as long as examinees left them alone, they wouldn’t attack.
EmojisForTestingPurposeBut Li Yang was different.
EmojisForTestingPurposeShe chopped down a No-Rank Photinia shrub.
EmojisForTestingPurposeThen she chopped down a No-Rank Blackberry bush.
EmojisForTestingPurposeThen she chopped down a Morning Glory plant that was about to mutate…
EmojisForTestingPurposeThe entire examination hall fell silent.
EmojisForTestingPurposeNo wonder the assistant examiner had called her “special”.
EmojisForTestingPurposeAcross the entire testing ground, the remaining 180 students were either hiding quietly or getting beaten senseless by mutant creatures.
EmojisForTestingPurposeOnly Li Yang…
EmojisForTestingPurposeYou couldn’t say she was hiding she stayed in the “safe zone.”
EmojisForTestingPurposeBut you couldn’t say she was being cautious she was actively attacking No-Rank mutant plants!
EmojisForTestingPurposeThe assistant examiner cleared his throat.
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Professor Chen, according to the rules, students receive bonus points for defeating mutant creatures.
EmojisForTestingPurposeBut since she’s only killed No-Rank ones… does it count?”
EmojisForTestingPurposeThe scoring system was a hidden mechanic the examinees didn’t know about it.
EmojisForTestingPurposeBut their final ranking depended on it.
EmojisForTestingPurposeTier 1, Low-Grade: 5 points
EmojisForTestingPurposeTier 1, Mid-Grade: 10 points
EmojisForTestingPurposeTier 1, High-Grade: 20 points
EmojisForTestingPurposeThe single Tier 2 creature: 100 points though it was almost impossible for non-Starbearers to defeat.
EmojisForTestingPurposeBut… No-Rank mutants?
EmojisForTestingPurposeThey had forgotten to assign a point value for those.
EmojisForTestingPurposeAfter all, the professors who designed the test were high-level Starbearers.
EmojisForTestingPurposeTo them, No-Rank mutants were as weak as ordinary plants.
EmojisForTestingPurposeThey had completely ignored them.
EmojisForTestingPurposeBut Li Yang reminded them by cutting down 30 of them.
EmojisForTestingPurposeThe assistant examiner added, “If she had only killed one or two, we could ignore it.
EmojisForTestingPurposeBut with this many… it would make the combat assessment seem inconsistent if we didn’t count them.”
EmojisForTestingPurposeAfter some thought, the chief examiner declared, “Fine… 2 points each.”
EmojisForTestingPurposeAnd just like that
EmojisForTestingPurposeLi Yang, with 60 points, surged to the top of the leaderboard.
EmojisForTestingPurposeThe chief examiner frowned.
EmojisForTestingPurpose“I should’ve said 1 point instead.”
EmojisForTestingPurposeBut after reconsidering, she smirked.
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Then again…
EmojisForTestingPurposeClearing 30 mutants without triggering a larger threat?
EmojisForTestingPurposeThat’s a talent in itself.
EmojisForTestingPurposeEven if it’s… a little unconventional.”