Chapter 142: The Practical Test Arrives

Outside the venue.

Facing the closed doors of the hall, the reporters temporarily laid down their cameras and rifles, taking a brief rest.

At that moment, a figure suddenly climbed over the wall beside the venue.

Having just released his strength on the ground, he ran toward the gathered reporters.

“Hey, isn’t that the volunteer who sells us information?”

“Yeah, it really is him. That guy’s gutsy—climbing over the wall just to sell intel?”

“So that means he has new information again. Let’s hurry and ask him, see if we can get exclusive, firsthand news.”

The reporters welcomed the volunteer into their group, found him a small folding stool to sit and rest, and even offered bottled water and cookies.

The volunteer gulped down several mouthfuls of water, wiped his mouth roughly with his sleeve, and said, “I have a piece of information. Price: fifty thousand Tianlong coins. Anyone interested?”

“Fifty thousand?” The reporters were somewhat stunned, exchanging glances.

That was no small sum, especially for a piece of intelligence whose value was still unknown.

One reporter hesitated and asked, “Brother, are you sure this intel is worth that price? We’re all ordinary folks working hard for a living, not like those pros who can make hundreds of thousands selling a few pieces of gear. We can’t just give you that kind of money casually.”

The volunteer shot him a cold glare but said nothing.

At that moment, a small-time reporter who had been watching stepped forward. “I’ll buy that information!”

The other reporters looked at him in surprise.

“Which newspaper is he from? That’s quite bold.”

“Probably the Luzhou Daily. This guy’s name seems to be Lu Wenxiong.”

“Well, he definitely has the capital to be so bold—an established newspaper that launched an electronic edition a few years ago. Rare to see a paper thriving in the age of social media.”

“Ah, I really envy his financial clout. When I spend a thousand from the event budget, I have to haggle with finance for half a day.”

“...”

The volunteer immediately stood up. “Brother, you’ve got guts!”

He pulled out his phone. “Let’s add each other on Feixin; I’ll send you the details.”

The volunteer glanced around and said without hesitation, “There are too many ears here; don’t let anyone freeload.”

This remark made the surrounding reporters lower their heads awkwardly.

Lu Wenxiong smiled. “No problem, I’ll scan your code. The money will go through the same channel as before.”

“No problem.”

The two quickly agreed and completed the transaction for the intelligence.

The volunteer took another gulp of water, pulled on his hood, and prepared to sneak back.

His method was admittedly reckless and risked being caught by security, but with his volunteer status, slipping some money would be enough to explain things.

“Lu, I’m off for now. If there’s more intel, we’ll contact each other by phone.”

Lu Wenxiong waved at him with a smile, watching as the volunteer seized a moment when security was inattentive, climbed the wall, and dashed back into the venue.

Then he turned to his fellow reporters. “Everyone, same as before: who wants to share costs and split the intel?”

...

Wang Chen exited the testing grounds, and Tang Ruotong immediately approached him.

“Wang Chen, why did you come so late today? That was dangerous.”

Tang Ruotong’s tone carried a trace of lingering worry, clearly treating Wang Chen’s matters as her own.

Wang Chen smiled gently. “There were some things I had to handle, so I was delayed.”

Seeing the doubt on Tang Ruotong’s face, Wang Chen continued, “Don’t ask me now. Soon you’ll understand what I’ve been busy with. It’s all confidential.”

Though puzzled, Tang Ruotong nodded silently and followed behind him.

Nearby, Lu Shiyu, who had been waiting for a while, approached after Wang Chen and Tang Ruotong finished talking. “Wang Chen, I was so worried about you.”

Wang Chen lowered his eyes and replied politely but coldly, “Thank you for your concern, Lu.”

Lu Shiyu felt a sudden pang of grievance at his indifferent demeanor and was about to protest, but then heard Wang Chen say:

“The live combat test is about to start; I won’t disturb you from resting.”

Wang Chen slightly nodded and walked off with Tang Ruotong.

Tang Ruotong glanced back at Lu Shiyu, lips parted and stammering, but ultimately could only cast a complex look.

Lu Shiyu stood alone in place, speechless and choked with emotion.

...

The remaining level tests were completed shortly thereafter.

Although the competition covered all universities in Luzhou, not every student participated.

The university competition mainly selected those with combat talent or potential for support-type professions.

If some students awakened to life-oriented professions, they would likely never be involved in combat.

Having them participate would be somewhat absurd, and using a combat-focused competition as the sole standard would be unfair to them.

Thus, those with life professions understood their future path from the day they awakened.

If they wished to pursue further education, they would take other exams to enter universities offering courses related to life professions.

If not, they would enter society early.

This might sound harsh, but many life professions held real value—such as increasing yields of certain crops.

Therefore, some life profession holders lived well, at least materially comfortable.

Only those who awakened to main combat roles or support roles with potential would consider joining the university competition.

After all, strength remained the primary foundation in this world.

There were only around thirty to forty thousand such students in Luzhou, illustrating the high elimination rate at the awakening threshold.

The university competition was divided into many sub-venues, so even using crystal ball testing, the average efficiency was high.

After testing, students lined up neatly by school and class, orderly entering the pre-set teleportation arrays to proceed to the live combat test grounds.

Wang Chen’s school ranked near the top, so he was teleported quickly.

As the warm white light faded, he stepped out of the teleportation array, finding himself at the entrance of a secret realm.

Around him was an open area with signs of recent construction, apparently a site temporarily prepared by the student committee for the competition.

Warm white lights guided all students to the entrance of the secret realm.

The organizer, holding a microphone, announced loudly, “The live combat test segment will begin shortly. From now on, restrictions between classes and schools are lifted. Participants may form teams freely, with a maximum of five members.”

His voice softened as he reassured them, “Those who did not perform well in the level test, don’t be discouraged. The live combat test is the most valuable segment. Get ready to show your true skills!”

“All right, enough chitchat. After your homeroom teachers give you some brief instructions, you may start forming your teams. The time limit is thirty minutes.”

The orderly squads in the open area dispersed swiftly after the instructions were given.