Chapter 34: Zhou Yi

“What are you daydreaming about?” Principal Sun frowned at Old Li and said, “Send a message quickly. Tell that child about the danger inside. If he can’t manage, he should avoid dangerous places and quietly wait for the third tidal shift.”

That last sentence was the real key.

Old Li replied in his deep, gravelly voice, “Alright!”

“And one more thing!” Principal Sun suddenly added, “Tell the child that if he endures until the end of the third tidal shift, I’ll give him a custom-made level-four weapon. He can claim it anytime.”

Old Li’s expression changed slightly.

A custom level-four weapon—even he only had one, and it accounted for all his assets.

Principal Sun was truly making a hefty investment.

“Don’t look at me like that,” Principal Sun scoffed, curling his lip. “If I win, I’ll get a custom level-five weapon. Giving him a custom level-four means I make a huge profit.”

A custom level-four weapon was worth less than a fifth of a custom level-five.

“I understand!”

Old Li nodded heavily, picked up the enchanted treasure, and began transmitting a message to Fang Qingyun.

By now, there were few students left inside the secret realm.

A five percent survival rate was no exaggeration.

Even fewer students were carrying out the mission—just a dozen or so.

Some had confidence in themselves.

Some just wanted to try their luck.

Some were simply there for the spectacle.

Because the temporary mission carried real risks, the chief examiner had agreed to provide a certain level of support to those who accepted the task.

Therefore, the examiner allowed each school to transmit guidance to their students undertaking the mission.

After all, it was the first time they’d faced such a large-scale monster threat.

The purpose of the college entrance test was for students to shed blood, gain experience, not to send them to their deaths!

Old Li immediately used the enchanted treasure to send information about the demon monkeys to Fang Qingyun, along with Principal Sun’s promise.

“I’m in!”

Fang Qingyun was delighted.

He already planned to use the third tidal shift to make a final charge at his origin point.

Now, with this extra incentive, there was nothing more to be said.

No one could stop him!

If anyone tried, he’d let Little Black bite them.

If Little Black couldn’t handle it, he’d drag Zhao Junhong over.

Speaking of which, where did that scoundrel run off to?

Why couldn’t he be found?!

Sensing his master’s excitement, Little Black threw back its head and howled at the sky, picking up speed.

Watching through the monitors, Principal Sun smiled.

Old Li shot him a glare, “Are you going to say ‘for wealth men die, for food birds perish’?”

Principal Sun sneered, curling his lip, “Who am I mocking? It’s a true saying. But I’m no different. We’re all the same—let’s not point fingers.”

Old Li was taken aback, giving Principal Sun another look.

Since Principal Sun’s arrival, First High had grown steadily stronger. This year’s college entrance test was an explosion of success. It didn’t seem like mere coincidence or just the result of Principal Sun’s ruthless methods.

At the very least, Old Li found comfort in Principal Sun’s words just now. Subconsciously, he felt drawn to stand with him.

At the same time, Principal Zhang was also sending a message to Zhou Yi.

But the content of his message made Zhou Yi, who was fleeing for his life, furrow his brow.

“Fang Qingyun…”

“Is there really such a genius?”

“Understood. I’ll find a chance to deal with him.”

The issuing of the mission drew countless eyes.

The real top talents were all heading toward the demon monkeys.

The demon monkeys chasing Zhou Yi and Zhao Junhong seemed to sense danger as well—their pursuit slowed, and they let out anxious chattering sounds.

Zhao Junhong had just heaved a sigh of relief when exhaustion flooded his body.

His wounds burned with intense pain, as though on fire.

But what he felt even more keenly was anger.

He gritted his teeth, glaring at Zhou Yi ahead of him, his eyes filled with murderous intent.

That bastard, relying on his superior strength, had kept trailing just ahead of him.

Wherever he tried to escape, Zhou Yi would run the same way.

This was just another form of “kiting.”

“Are you trying to get me killed?” Zhao Junhong’s face was dark as he stared at Zhou Yi.

“Get you killed?” Zhou Yi smiled faintly, “We’re both candidates—what deep-seated grudge could there be? I’m just concerned for you. If you can’t hold on, I’ll definitely step in to save you. At worst, you have an enchanted treasure and can leave the realm at any time, right?”

Zhao Junhong’s expression darkened further.

This damned bastard.

The demon monkeys bore a grudge against Zhou Yi.

But Zhou Yi kept sticking by him, so the demon monkeys would naturally target him as well.

When the wounded Zhao Junhong finally couldn’t hold out, he’d surely become the monkeys’ primary target.

Was he being used as cannon fodder to wear down the monkeys?

If the examiner hadn't suddenly issued the mission and flashed a golden light to intimidate the monkeys, he’d already have been surrounded.

“Zhou Yi, you’re impressive. I’ll remember you!” Zhao Junhong’s voice was icy.

Zhou Yi’s smile only grew wider. He looked at Zhao Junhong with interest, “Is that a threat?”

“Yes! And I will absolutely follow through!” Zhao Junhong’s answer was resolute.

He drew his blade, saying coldly, “Or maybe, we settle this right now?”

“Heh!” Zhou Yi laughed, his smile gentle and unchanging despite Zhao Junhong’s threats.

From beginning to end, he’d never regarded Zhao Junhong as a real opponent.

He waved his hand, saying softly, “We’re both candidates—the first goal is to pass the test. Don’t do anything unnecessary. Still, let me give you a word of advice: your temper is too sharp. With such a nature, you won’t live long.”

“Screw you!” Zhao Junhong roared, stamping forward and brandishing his blade at Zhou Yi.

Zhou Yi’s face shifted slightly.

He hadn’t expected Zhao Junhong to be so reckless.

Despite being chased by demon monkeys, despite being weaker, he dared to attack under these circumstances.

What’s more, his sudden burst of strength was astonishing.

Steel clashed as their blades met.

Zhao Junhong staggered from the blow, but Zhou Yi used the momentum to retreat.

Never forget—the demon monkeys were still in pursuit.

Their pace had slowed, but they hadn’t stopped.

Seeing Zhao Junhong about to be surrounded, Zhou Yi’s eyes showed a hint of regret.

What a shame.

According to his plan, Zhao Junhong should’ve tangled with the monkeys ten minutes later, just before the third tidal shift.

Who would’ve thought he’d be spent so soon?

Just then, a bright light flared around Zhao Junhong, his speed suddenly surged, and he darted away from the monkeys with lightning speed.

Both Zhou Yi and the monkeys were stunned.

“A treasure? This guy actually has an enchanted treasure.”

“Don’t think too highly of yourself, punk. You really thought everything would go your way?” As he escaped, Zhao Junhong flipped Zhou Yi off. “Now, enjoy your alone time with the demon monkeys!”

“You—” Zhou Yi’s smile faded.

So all of Zhao Junhong’s anger and attacks were just to shake him off?

And he’d succeeded.

He, Zhou Yi, had been outmaneuvered?

A shadow crossed Zhou Yi’s face.

“Zhao Junhong, you just said you’d remember me. Well, I’ll remember you too.”

“Idiot!” Zhao Junhong scoffed, “Just wait. Before long, I’ll come for you again—and I’ll bring my brother. The two of us will bury you together.”

Zhou Yi sneered coldly, “One defeated dog, two defeated dogs—it makes no difference.”

“Damn you!”

“All you know is—”

“Dirtbag!”

“Mark my words—”

“Piece of trash!”

“I’m telling you—”

“Your ancestors—!”

“Bastard!”

At last, Zhou Yi’s expression changed.

Born of nobility, gifted since childhood, always the favored son of heaven—who had ever dared curse him to his face?

He glared icily at Zhao Junhong, voice cold as frost: “Don’t let me see you again. Especially outside the secret realm. Or else…”

“Screw you!” Zhao Junhong flashed two middle fingers, gritting his teeth. “Once I’m healed, I’ll definitely come for you.”

“You?” Zhou Yi’s expression was full of disdain.

Both were quasi-warriors.

But even among quasi-warriors, the gap could be enormous.

By strict definition, as long as any attribute reached warrior level, one could be called a quasi-warrior.

That included speed, strength, constitution…

Within the secret realm, the tidal shift had occurred twice already. The candidates who remained were almost all quasi-warriors.

As long as you met the conditions for a true warrior, when the tidal shift ended, the realm’s blessing would be yours.

The condition for becoming a warrior: spiritual power of ten points!