Chapter 6: Student No. 3 – Jing Ruli

Deep beneath the Yujin Organization, one hundred meters below ground, stood the central arena.

At this moment, Yun Meng had already arrived—earlier than everyone else.

Unlike her casual attire in the training grounds above, she now wore full combat gear.

Her black, form-fitting combat suit gleamed under the cold fluorescent lights, accentuating her slender yet powerful frame. The sight drew discreet glances from several male trainees around the perimeter.

Seeing their carefree expressions, still oblivious to the pressure of the final trial, Yun Meng’s eyes flickered with amusement.

“Little ones,” she said with a smirk, “are you ready to face true hell?”

She clapped her hands.

Instantly, massive transparent barriers rose from the ground around the central platform, sealing off the arena completely.

As the barrier sealed shut, the ground at the center split open.

Thud… thud… thud…

A deep, rhythmic pounding echoed through the chamber.

From the fissure emerged a colossal creature—nearly twenty meters in length.

“Are you kidding me? Its stellar energy signature is close to three thousand!” Kalolin stared in shock, her cat ears instantly fluffing up into puffs of fur.

All composure vanished. Fear flashed across her face.

If even the fourth-ranked Kalolin was this shaken, the rest of the trainees weren’t faring much better.

Yun Meng nodded in satisfaction at their terrified expressions.

This was how they should look before the final trial.

“Second-Rank Stellar Beast — Earth Lizard. Yes, this is your final test today.”

“The objective is simple: survive as long as possible against this beast. Three minutes. That’s all.”

“Of course, given the massive gap in strength between you and this creature—and the fact that some of you are non-combat type star cores—”

“This isn’t a solo challenge. It’s a team trial. You may form groups of up to three.”

“Alright. That’s all the briefing.”

“Now… go find your teammates.”

With that, Yun Meng walked over to the Earth Lizard and affectionately patted its armored head.

The beast, capable of tearing apart armored vehicles with ease, now lay docile beneath her hand—gentle as a domesticated puppy.

But that only applied to Yun Meng, a Second-Rank Stellar Envoy.

To the rest—especially Tian Dao and the other first-rank Stellar Prodigies with star energy levels below Rank One—this same creature would show them exactly what true cruelty felt like.

Even Tian Dao, the strongest among them, wasn’t immune.

But the organization wouldn’t risk unleashing such a beast without reason.

After the initial shock, the trainees instinctively gravitated toward Tian Dao.

After all, in a team-based trial, who better to lead than the top-ranked prodigy?

Many had the same idea—including Chen Kong, the protagonist.

“T-Tian Dao… brother…” Chen Kong stammered, eyes fixed on Tian Dao, wanting to team up but too shy to ask.

Tian Dao smiled and placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder.

“Sorry, little empty space,” he said, “this one’s gonna be rough. I can’t promise I’ll make it through with you.”

“Besides…” He glanced toward Chen Xing, who stood nearby. “You’ve got a better match right there, don’t you?”

Chen Kong flinched, eyes dropping. He wasn’t ready to approach Chen Xing.

But the very person who constantly mocked him—yet secretly looked out for him—stepped forward.

“Useless,” she muttered, “don’t lag behind.”

“O-oh, y-yes, sis…”

Watching Chen Kong get pulled away by his sister, Tian Dao turned to Kalolin, who stood silently, tail curled around her tactical tablet, analyzing the Earth Lizard’s data.

“Hey, Kalolin,” he teased, “do you think Chen Xing has some hidden trait?”

“How else can you explain it? She clearly cares about little empty space—but every time they meet, she acts like she wants him erased from existence.”

Kalolin didn’t even glance up.

She ignored him completely—her version of “emotional cold shoulder.”

Tian Dao sighed, realizing his joke had fallen flat.

He turned his gaze toward the crowd. The final team spot was still open.

He had already decided who would fill it.

Ignoring the cluster of eager trainees trying to latch onto him, he walked straight to a girl lying on the ground, hugging a pillow.

She was sleeping.

Right in the middle of the final exam.

And judging by her expression, she was deeply asleep—peacefully so.

Jing Ruli’s purple hair spilled across the floor. Tian Dao crouched down, then gently used a strand of her hair to tickle her soft, round cheek.

“Hey, Ruli,” he whispered, “the test’s about to start. Wake up.”

Her brow twitched in her sleep. She grunted, then yanked the pillow over her head—revealing large letters printed on the fabric.

[Combat in Progress – Do Not Disturb]

Tian Dao burst into laughter.

Seriously? Kalolin always called him irresponsible. But look at the rest of the 36 Stellar Prodigies—none of them were normal. They were all just messed-up kids.

But since gentle methods failed, he pulled out his ultimate weapon.

“Ruli,” he said, “dinner’s being served in the mess hall.”

“Zzz… dinner…?!”

Jing Ruli shot upright like a rocket, her jacket—used as a blanket—slipping off and revealing her tiny bear-print pajamas underneath.

She frantically scanned the area, searching for food.

But there was nothing. Just anxious trainees and Tian Dao, grinning like a mischievous cat.

She realized she’d been tricked.

Fuming, she pulled out a marker from her pocket and, in full view of Tian Dao’s stunned expression, scrawled a new message on the pillow’s back:

[Liars Tian Dao and Dogs – Prohibited from Approaching]

Then, with a dramatic thud, she flopped back down and resumed sleeping.

Tian Dao sighed. First move failed.

He reached for his final ace.

“Ruli,” he said, “get up! The exam’s starting. If you don’t wake up now, I’m going to tell Chen Xing you stole her hidden snacks.”

Snap!

Her eyes flew open.

She scrambled to her feet instantly.

“Tian Dao!” she cried, “I’m awake! Tell me the exam rules—I’m ready to take it seriously!”

Tian Dao couldn’t help but laugh.

It made sense.

Jing Ruli—ranked third among all Stellar Prodigies, behind only Tian Dao and Chen Xing—was the only one who genuinely feared someone.

And that someone was Chen Xing.

The reason?

Chen Xing was fiercely competitive. Every time she fought Jing Ruli, she went all out—no mercy, no holds barred.

Jing Ruli, who loved to play it safe and avoid pain, was constantly worn down.

She couldn’t relax like she did against Tian Dao. There was no “fun fishing” when Chen Xing was around.

So over time, she developed a deep-seated fear—so strong that just hearing Chen Xing’s name triggered instant panic.

She’d go into full alert mode, refusing to let Chen Xing come within five meters.

And now, Tian Dao had the perfect leverage.

With Jing Ruli finally awake and on her feet, he knew his final teammate had been secured.

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(End of Chapter)

Chapter end