Divine Talisman Grandmaster

C27 – The Test Began!

The end-of-semester finals for the third year of high school arrived on schedule, with every student brimming with anticipation. This wasn’t just any exam; it was the one that could alter the course of their lives forever!

Lu Lixing was among the throng of students, yet his composure set him apart. He had a deep understanding of his capabilities. A steady performance was all that stood between him and the chance to apply to the prestigious Six Great Academies. His best friend, Sha Zhenghao, on the other hand, never fretted over such matters. His aspirations didn’t lie within the walls of academia but on the military frontlines.

Indeed, Sha Zhenghao aspired to be a distinguished soldier. Post-exams, he wouldn’t be found on a university campus; he’d be enlisting in the army. He was convinced that his obscurity at school wasn’t a reflection of his merit but a mismatch of environment. The army was where he was meant to thrive.

Embracing this conviction, Sha Zhenghao’s resolve to enlist was unwavering. Lu Lixing wholeheartedly supported his friend’s ambition. Despite the battlefield’s inherent risks, it also promised vast opportunities. With Sha Zhenghao’s unyielding optimism, he was bound to carve out a notable reputation in the military ranks. Who knows, Lu Lixing might one day find himself leaning on Sha Zhenghao.

As the exam loomed closer, the two friends exchanged goodbyes at the classroom door before heading off to their respective testing sites, each poised to take on the exam that would redefine their destinies.

Lu Lixing located his designated testing pod by his exam number. Settling into the pod, he composed himself, awaiting the commencement of the test.

The examination consisted of three segments: the cultural test, the combat test, and the meditation test. The cultural test assessed the candidate’s grasp of Runes and knowledge of Federation history. The combat test evaluated overall physical prowess. The meditation test, however, gauged the development of the candidate’s Brain Domain and the potency of their psychic force.

In the scoring breakdown, cultural and combat tests each accounted for 200 points, but the meditation test tipped the scales with a hefty 400 points.

It’s clear just how crucial the development of the Brain Domain and the strength of psychic force are. For Lu Lixing to gain admission into one of the Six Great Academies, he must not only achieve a total score of at least 650 points but also score over 350 points in the meditation test.

Suddenly, an alarm blared within the testing pod, snapping Lu Lixing back to the present. Familiar with the procedure after numerous tests, he recognized it as a signal that the examination was imminent.

“Examinee number 1088, Lu Lixing, your test will commence shortly. Please prepare yourself!”

A sterile mechanical voice echoed as Lu Lixing gently closed his eyes. Following a subtle vibration, he slowly reopened them to find himself in an expansive wilderness.

This wasn’t an actual wilderness but a virtual environment created by the testing pod. Yet, all sensations here were authentically replicated. That meant injuries would cause real bleeding and pain. A fatal strike, while not truly lethal, would disqualify a candidate from further testing, effectively ending their chances.

“First question, examinee, identify the terrain and name this location within ten seconds.”

Lu Lixing surveyed his surroundings. Observing the chariot ablaze and the flag and remnants of soldiers embedded in the ground, he spoke with a firm voice, “This is the Black Wind Plain, the site of the Black Wind Defense.”

The Black Wind Plain was not just a battlefield but also a sacred site honoring fallen heroes. In the past, the Demonic Beast Army had ambushed the Federation’s Black Wind Fortress through a spatial tunnel. At the time, the fortress was vulnerable, with most troops deployed elsewhere. It was then that the commander of the Third Division, Kuang Weizhao, made his stand. Leading his division, they fought valiantly against the Demonic Beast Army. With just ten thousand soldiers, they held off nearly a million beasts for ten hours, buying precious time for reinforcements. Their efforts ensured the fortress’s defense and the Union Army’s victory.

Despite the triumph, the Union Army’s joy was subdued, for Kuang Weizhao and his entire Third Division had perished, leaving no trace behind except for a solitary flag that remained as a testament to their sacrifice.

A decade has passed since the Black Wind Defense, and the third division’s banner still stands on the Black Wind Plain. It’s become a common sight to see people visiting to honor the third division’s martyrs. Consequently, the banner has transformed into a monument, a constant reminder of the third division’s valorous contributions to the Federation.

Lu Lixing’s knowledge of the Black Wind Defense was initially limited, but Sha Zhenghao, an ardent admirer of Kuang Weizhao, frequently recounted tales of Kuang and the historic defense to Lu. As a result, the test question about the Black Wind Plain was a breeze for him.

The test protocol dictated that after naming the location, Lu would be subjected to a combat evaluation themed around the Black Wind Defense, pitting him against a troop of Demonic Beasts to gauge his fighting prowess.

Soon, the scene before Lu shifted dramatically. Although he remained on the Black Wind Plain, the air was now thick with the scent of blood, transporting him back to the days of the Black Wind Defense.

“Reinforcements to the Black Wind Plain are ten minutes out. As the third division’s sole survivor, you must hold on until they arrive. Fight! Annihilate every Demonic Beast that charges at you!”

Hearing the system’s command, Lu’s expression darkened. The test demanded he fend off a Demonic Beast horde for ten minutes—a tall order, to say the least.

Only the fiercest of beasts were deemed worthy to join the Demon Clan’s ranks and swell the Demonic Beast army. Now, standing alone, the system expected Lu to withstand a million-strong onslaught for ten minutes. Was this some kind of twisted joke?

“Something’s off here,” Lu murmured, his brow furrowing. Despite his suspicions, there was no time for contemplation; the Demonic Beast army was already bearing down on him. As he faced the oncoming tide of beasts, a grim resolve settled over him.

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