Chapter 417: Sophomore Final Exam

The end of August had arrived, bringing with it the final exams for second-year students. Unbeknownst to them, students in the Civil Engineering Department's Foundation Establishment class had already completed two academic years.

In the Dao Heart Examination Hall, Feng Jiu observed the performance of each examinee in the spirit realm.

Li Xiao, speeding in his flying boat, was faced with a choice between a student from Underworld University and a vocational college student. He decisively chose to run over the vocational college student. This was followed by 10 vocational college students, then 100, then 200... It wasn't until he reached 300 vocational college students that he began to hesitate.

Feng Jiu nodded slightly, murmuring, "This question is outdated. It's too simple for current students; it should be updated. Vocational college students have depreciated significantly in value over the past few years, making this a simple math problem that doesn't truly test one's character."

On another screen, Yu Xinghan, transformed into a stray dog by a spell, worried about unemployment. He diligently sought work and practiced "dog skills" everywhere, desperate for a chance at survival.

Feng Jiu nodded slightly. "Even when at rock bottom, he doesn't forget to strive. His persistence in job hunting, even as a dog, shows a truly commendable Dao Heart."

On yet another screen, Ying Xin, facing coercion from the "Weekend Heresy," chose to die rather than yield, demonstrating her unwavering resolve.

Feng Jiu nodded slightly. "This question is very timely; it must be a recent addition. To prefer death over cult coercion and refuse to give up one's right to overtime—another excellent candidate for the immortal path! It seems the school's anti-cult education has been quite successful recently."

Turning to another screen, Gongshu Jin was seen on a construction site. He lifted a co-worker's corpse and activated its spiritual bones to shake the earth.

Feng Jiu nodded slightly. "Inheriting a companion's dying wish, transforming their death into a professional advantage, and working overtime together until the very last moment—excellent, truly excellent!" Feng Jiu then considered, "Several consecutive questions have been work-related. Is this due to the influence of the Weekend Heresy?"

On another screen, Feng Jiu watched Ji Yuanzhu become a demon-blooded being. He repeatedly overcame the urge to consume his family's flesh and blood, eventually raising his entire demon-blooded family, selling them off, and earning his first fortune.

Feng Jiu remarked, "He overcame the primal hunger for flesh and blood, suppressed familial affection, and embraced nothing but the immortal path. This is a good solution to the problem, and more importantly, it demonstrates an unyielding Dao Heart."

On another screen, facing forced demolition, Zhang Yu seized an opportunity to hide inside his house. By being "in residence," he qualified for additional demolition compensation, securing a larger payout.

Feng Jiu nodded slightly. "He put himself at risk, aiming for a big win from a small gamble, demonstrating a spirit of struggle and adventure! However, Zhang Yu's Dao Heart seems to extend beyond this; the next question should increase in difficulty."

Observing the performance of each student in the Foundation Establishment class, Feng Jiu remarked, "Every single one possesses an astonishing fighting spirit; they are all exceptional talents who have made continuous progress throughout the past academic year. All are good students, with no academic underachievers!"

In the Mana Examination Hall, students took turns, lining up for tests on mana quantity, mana quality, True Qi conductivity, and other relevant aspects. Li Mingbo, the mana instructor, was utterly astonished.

"Zhang Yu from the first tier ranks first in all mana-related metrics, completely surpassing Ji Yuanzhu from the sixth tier..." A first-tier student achieving such a comprehensive and overwhelming victory over a sixth-tier student made Li Mingbo feel as though the natural order had been completely upended.

Next, he looked towards Yu Xinghan on the other side. Also a first-tier student, Yu Xinghan was already among the top five in the class, very close to fourth place. Had Zhang Yu not appeared, Yu Xinghan's performance alone would have been astonishing enough for Li Mingbo. He then looked at Li Xiao, nodding slightly. "This is within the normal range for a first-tier student."

In the Physical Strength Examination Hall, Zhang Yu led the way, darting like lightning through the complex examination course. His passage was like a hurricane, sending clouds of dust and debris from the structures flying into the sky.

At this moment, the vital essence within Zhang Yu's body was practically boiling. His qi and blood surged like molten lava. Propelled by his Level 20 physical strength, he forcibly activated several explosive cultivation techniques. The Battle Demon's Fallen Longevity Art and the Endless Spring and Autumn Zen wildly propelled his physical body. While they couldn't temporarily break his physical strength beyond the Foundation Establishment limit, they allowed him to forcibly exert a hint of power exceeding Level 20 physical strength.

Under the influence of such raw power, the burden on his body was immense. His flesh and blood were constantly being damaged and torn, as if his body were burning. Yet, with the blessing of Body Vitalization, his body repeatedly sustained damage and healed. Moreover, with the Martial Dao Saint Body's blessing, his vitalized body carried a profound martial arts insight, allowing him to evenly distribute damage and maintain a balanced state of flesh and blood destruction and regeneration. Furthermore, under the precise control of his martial arts insight, the power exerted throughout his body allowed him to unleash even greater speed and force. He accelerated rapidly through sharp turns with virtually no deceleration.

Ji Yuanzhu, enveloped in swirling winds and empowered by his spiritual bones, continuously accelerated forward, yet found he couldn't catch up to Zhang Yu.

"Damn it, my linear acceleration is definitely faster than his, but..." Faced with the winding terrain, Ji Yuanzhu was forced to repeatedly slow down and turn. He was consistently unable to reach his maximum speed. Simultaneously, in this combat simulation examination hall, he also had to constantly dodge various incoming attacks.

In stark contrast, Zhang Yu allowed a bolt of thunderfire to strike him head-on, which violently collided with a cloud of mist around his face. Under this thunderfire impact, Zhang Yu's speed didn't slow down in the slightest! Instead, utilizing the refined control of his martial arts and the Nine Heavens Cloud Empty Force, enhanced by the Martial Dao Saint Body, he borrowed power directly from the thunderfire impact to accelerate himself even further.

Ji Yuanzhu watched helplessly as he accelerated repeatedly, only to be forced to halt each time due to turning and dodging. Conversely, Zhang Yu's speed became increasingly rapid and fierce, creating an ever-widening gap between them.

"Why?" he thought. "Why, when I'm already giving my all? Why am I falling further and further behind Zhang Yu?" Watching Zhang Yu's increasingly distant figure, Ji Yuanzhu felt a growing sense of frustration and helplessness, as if he were watching someone whose overall score was steadily widening the gap, with nothing he could do.

As each exam concluded, Zhang Yu consistently demonstrated overwhelming strength, securing the top position in the class with undeniable dominance in almost every test.

Yu Xinghan captured photos of Zhang Yu's relentless sprint to first place and posted them in Zhang Yu's alternate dual cultivation group.

Yu Xinghan: Zhang Yu photos! [Image file]

Messages immediately flooded the group chat.

"Zhang Yu looks so handsome when he sprints.""With that much money, he'd look handsome doing anything!""Group owner, please take a few more pictures!""Group owner, has Zhang Yu replied yet?"

Yu Xinghan: The number of applicants is too high!Yu Xinghan: Zhang Yu and I discussed it. You'll need to pay a potion fee upfront, and then Zhang Yu can take a dose of medicine with you.Yu Xinghan: Remember, it's just for taking the medicine; nothing else.