https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-425-The-Surge-of-Qiongjiang-Coins/13687058/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-427-Earth-and-Wood-Customs-Unrelenting-Onslaught/13687060/
Chapter 426: Tower Defense? (Please Vote for Me)
Among the three judges, the central figure was formed of swirling mist, with two streaks of lightning flickering like eyes at the level of its head. Director Gao knew this was none other than Xi Yun Zhenjun—deputy head of Wanfa University, in charge of teaching and talent cultivation.
For years, Xi Yun Zhenjun had championed the cultivation of young immortals before adulthood, arguing that the best path for Kunxu youth was the grave. He consistently advocated for allowing anyone under eighteen to begin cultivation, believing they could contribute meaningfully to society at an early age.
Yet this floating, cloud-like figure before him was merely a manifestation—an ephemeral avatar.
To the left stood a towering being, ten meters tall, with fangs jutting from its mouth and a dragon-like snout, a descendant of elephant demons. Director Gao recognized this as Tian Xiang Zhenjun, a senior expert in Civil Engineering and a major influence in academia. Tian Xiang Zhenjun was also a master of the Shengzhuang field—once, to meet a deadline, he had single-handedly gestated three thousand demonic embryos in a single day. He had long campaigned for equality between humans and demons, insisting that every human should have the right to be mass-produced and farmed like livestock.
Whether it was Tian Xiang Zhenjun or Xi Yun Zhenjun, both were figures Director Gao had known by name for hundreds of years. Yet each time he met them, he had to admit—they had changed dramatically.
They always stayed ahead of the times, constantly evolving their thinking, leading the tide of progress. No wonder they’d risen to become vice principals and technological titans.
On the right sat a radiant fifth-rank Zheng Shen named Geng Chen Yi, his divine aura flickering with brilliance. This Zheng Shen was also no stranger to Director Gao—he had long overseen many affairs in Wanfa University City. He had even led the previous sweep against the Double Rest Cult.
Now, Geng Chen Yi was in charge of supervising the Zheng Shen forces to maintain order during the Military License Exam.
As he moved, his divine power rippled through the Ling Realm, spreading outward across the entire arena. His consciousness swept through the space, and slowly he spoke:
"Are you all ready?"
Instantly, a chorus of responses echoed back from the Zheng Shen.
Among them was Deng Bingding—once a supervisor during Zhang Yu’s Foundation Establishment Exam in the First Layer, now promoted to the Second Layer. Deng Bingding now replied within the Ling Network:
"The Examination Hall is prepared. All eight candidates have arrived."
As he spoke, Deng Bingding glanced at Zhang Yu’s position, silently musing: "Zhang Yu’s still only a Third-Year? Why’s he taking the Military License Exam?"
Geng Chen Yi turned to Xi Yun Zhenjun and smiled. "Principal, all candidates are present. Shall we begin?"
A deep rumble echoed from within Xi Yun Zhenjun’s form, thunderous and layered, forming a heavy, resonant voice.
"Then let it begin."
…
Eight candidates stared up at the sky, watching the floating barge. In an instant, the world flashed—Deng Bingding’s projection materialized before them.
Seeing Deng Bingding’s face, Zhang Yu’s eyes flickered with surprise.
Then came the rules.
"Two rounds?" Zhang Yu thought. "Eight candidates, each guided to a different direction—ten kilometers away, each to a unique destination."
"The last three to arrive… are eliminated?"
Hearing that rule, the students in the arena stiffened. Their eyes sharpened.
As the countdown appeared in midair, each candidate prepared.
Ping Han stood atop his treasure chest.
Su Yanyang activated his Spirit Armor, lifting himself into the air.
Xiao Yunji’s Spirit Armor shifted and transformed, releasing torrents of Gang Qi. His martial energy surged violently.
3…
2…
1…
Boom!
Like cracks of thunder splitting the sky, the eight candidates vanished simultaneously—eight streaks of black lightning, each shooting toward a different direction.
Watching them disappear, Deng Bingding thought to himself: "Second Layer funds are just as tight as ever."
"This Military Permit exam is incredibly expensive. That’s why they’re eliminating three right away—budget constraints."
He glanced toward Zhang Yu’s vanished direction and sighed: "I wonder how far Zhang Yu can go."
…
At this moment, the entire Examination Hall was under Zheng Shen surveillance. On the flying barge, the three judges and their guests saw vivid scenes unfolding within the hall.
Xi Yun Zhenjun spoke calmly: "Though only ten kilometers, the route is filled with traps—designed to slow down the candidates."
Tian Xiang Zhenjun nodded. "First round is basic. Tests foundational skills, and also their ability to adapt. The bottom three? They don’t deserve the Military License."
Tian Xiang Zhenjun focused his mind, and his vision shifted to Su Yanyang.
There, Su Yanyang hovered midair, his limbs and torso composed of glowing crystal lattice, crackling with electricity, radiating a terrifying aura—his ultimate Spirit Armor, Disha God.
He hadn’t worn his previous speed-focused set—his finances had been strained after a year of legal battles. That suit had been sold before the exam.
Now, with Disha God enhancing him, he flew forward at breakneck speed, defying gravity.
But then—suddenly—he felt a crushing weight, as if an invisible mountain pressed down on him, dragging him toward the ground.
Su Yanyang’s expression darkened. His Eye Armor scanned in all directions, quickly pinpointing the array’s core. With a flick of his palms, he unleashed a torrent of mud and sand, shattering the formation.
Tian Xiang Zhenjun commented casually: "Not bad, Su Yanyang. Quick reflexes."
He switched to Xiao Yunji’s view—now the girl had transformed into a giant over ten meters tall, her three heads and six arms charging forward, smashing through every trap and array like a living war machine.
Tian Xiang Zhenjun laughed heartily: "This Xiao Yunji is fierce! Using a transformation-type Spirit Armor? That’s commendable."
Just then, Xi Yun Zhenjun spoke from beside him: "Tianxiang, take a look at Ping Han."
Tian Xiang Zhenjun switched to Ping Han’s perspective—there, the young man stood atop a metal box taller than himself, racing toward his destination at high speed.
Around him, multiple Spirit Artifacts orbited like protective satellites. Every incoming barrage—be it lightning fire or slashing sword qi—was deflected effortlessly.
From time to time, the artifacts fired beams of fire, reducing any obstacle to scorched earth.
Ping Han stood with his arms crossed, letting his Spirit Artifacts do all the work. He didn’t even flinch as the attacks rained down. He was the fastest among the eight, streaking toward his goal like a bolt of lightning.
Tian Xiang Zhenjun’s trunk swayed slightly. His eyes flicked to the Qiongjiang Coin price chart and value display on Ping Han’s gear, and he chuckled: "A kid who got rich overnight from trading Qiongjiang Coins? Lucky one."
Xi Yun Zhenjun nodded. "He arrived at the exam just before bankruptcy. That’s true divine fortune."
As cultivators who had walked from ancient times into the modern era, they understood that the definition of xianyuan—divine fortune—had evolved.
In ancient times, enlightenment after receiving a secret transmission, falling into a hidden cave, or accidentally ingesting a celestial herb—those were all divine fortunes. History was full of tales of people leaping ahead of decades or even centuries of effort in a single stroke.
But in modern times, immortals couldn’t illegally teach. Hidden treasures had been exhausted. Even celestial herbs weren’t left unclaimed.
Yet divine fortune hadn’t vanished—only transformed.
Winning the lottery was divine fortune. Profit from stock trading was divine fortune. Gambling success could be divine fortune. Gains from crypto trading? Also divine fortune.
In short—overnight wealth was the new divine fortune.
And to Xi Yun Zhenjun, Ping Han was a textbook case: someone who struck divine fortune, and—crucially—had seized the chance to take the Military License Exam.
Xi Yun Zhenjun’s gaze flickered across the arena. He had already calculated the value of every Spirit Armor and Spirit Artifact on display.
Ping Han: First.
Xiao Yunji: Second.
Tian Xiang Zhenjun remarked: "Looking at wealth, comprehensive score, and cultivation level—Ping Han might actually get the Military License."
"Principal Xi Yun," he added with a grin, "your Wanfa University is going to produce another Military License holder."
Xi Yun Zhenjun remained calm. "Divine fortune is just the start. Whether he can hold on to it depends on him."
Meanwhile, Director Gao watched Zhang Yu’s footage.
On screen, Zhang Yu was clad in golden armor, a Golden Thread Jade Disc floating behind his head. With each step, the ground cracked beneath him, thunderous echoes rolling out.
Thanks to the Taiyi Jin Ye Dan and Protective Aura, he advanced without pause, absorbing every attack that came his way, emerging unscathed from the storm of smoke and debris.
The Golden Thread Jade Disc behind him occasionally fired deep-cold beams, freezing certain arrays in place.
Director Gao could see: Zhang Yu wasn’t the fastest, but his speed was as steady as Ping Han’s—no fluctuations, no hesitations. He reached the destination in fourth place.
Then Director Gao turned to the first finisher—Ping Han—and sighed inwardly: "If Ping Han actually gets the Military License this time, I’ll need to have a serious talk with him."
"If he can liquidate all his Qiongjiang Coin holdings, pause his crypto trading, and focus on cultivating the Tian Kunlun Shifting Mountain Divine Power… he could become another prodigy for our Civil Engineering Department."
As Director Gao pondered, the final three were eliminated.
And Zhang Yu caught Tian Xiang Zhenjun’s attention.
The giant demon’s trunk curled. "A Third-Year taking the Military License Exam? Principal Xi Yun, your Civil Engineering Department really is producing talent in droves."
Xi Yun Zhenjun was also surprised. He flipped through Zhang Yu’s file, intrigued.
At the same time, the second round of the Military License Exam began.
Zhang Yu stared at the words appearing before him.
"Build a defense line. Protect the core. Withstand one hour of attacks?"
He studied the provided blueprints.
Liaoyuan Platform, Ningpo Tower, Suo Yao Tower…
He blinked.
"Build defensive towers? Playing tower defense?"
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
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