*Chapter 61: Family Floored! Turning the Exam Room into a Battle Arena?!

[Core Tactics Lv1: Allows you to share some of your mechanic skills with all your mechanical creations within a certain range, current range: 1km. Computing Power required: 10 (50% discount for computing power enhancement). Cooldown: None.]

Seeing this newly unlocked skill, Zheng Mu was taken aback, then his face lit up with excitement.

Being able to share his mechanic skills with his mechanical creations within a kilometer, Zheng Mu instantly recognized the power of this ability.

First off, there weren't many skills available for combat assistance.

[Battle Analysis] allows him to anticipate surrounding attacks one second in advance and react accordingly.

[Nano Magnetic Field Scanning] can nullify all stealth abilities from enemy assassins.

Without a doubt, these were powerful skills for the game.

In addition to these combat-ready skills, Zheng Mu was also delighted to discover that his [Golden Hand], [Biological Scan], and [Nano Mechanical Wave] abilities, typically used in mechanical manufacturing, could now be leveraged through his mechanical creations.

However, he was still on the hook for the cooldown time.

Still, this could provide significant convenience.

"Heh, now we're talking," Zheng Mu chuckled, choosing to dive right into studying the new skills without hesitation. Boosting his confidence further, he unlocked three new skills upon reaching level 20.

He couldn't wait for the other schools' candidates to get a taste of the mechanic profession's hidden dangers.

Zheng Mu wasn't the only one gearing up for what was next.

Leng Bingyue and Cai Shengkun also opted to enhance some of their own skills using Experience Points originally intended for leveling up.

The day after Zheng Mu reached level 20, his point card, used to track points, pinged with a new notification.

"Ding, ding, ding."

"The assessment rules have been modified. After deliberation by the Examination Office and ultimate confirmation, the rules for this year's top-tier university assessment have been adjusted. The prohibition against killing has been lifted.

"You can now steal points from other participants by killing them."

"Candidates who voluntarily surrender, activating the protection charm, cannot be further attacked. Violators will be handed over to the Professional Court."

"The original rules for point admission and the requirement to reach the evacuation point within a month remain unchanged."

"Students who are confirmed to participate in the assessment can continue their actions after receiving this message. Those who refuse the assessment can voluntarily withdraw and will be picked up by the nearest Feiyun boat."

"Students who withdraw from this top-tier university assessment can participate in the secondary university assessment project arranged by the Education Department..."

There was a loud snap, accompanied by a sharp cry from a blade.

A massive desert centipede, at least seven or eight meters long, was beheaded with a single stroke.

Gu Ming, a top-ranked, S-level professional Wine Swordsman, frowned at the news from his point card. It wasn't the time for celebration.

"Mr. Gu, a major shift in the assessment rules is unprecedented," one of his fellow candidates remarked.

"Do you plan to continue? They're allowing outright killing now."

"To be frank, I'm considering dropping out. If you hadn't helped me earlier, I'm sure I would've been forced out by Wang Long by now. But allowing them to kill me..."

Several of the less capable candidates around him chattered nervously.

Gu Ming remained silent, making the decision to press forward. Despite the heightened risk, he had faith in his abilities.

Elsewhere, S-level professional Huang Feng Mage Sangluo received the news on his point card. But instead of concern, his face lit up with delight.

"Hahaha! This is perfect for me, Sang Luo. Now, I can use my abilities without restraint. I'm destined for first place in this assessment."

Sangluo, a long-haired man dressed in a mage's robe, looked like an artist. After his hearty laughter, he turned to the followers trailing behind him.

"So, are you going to hand over your point cards voluntarily, or should I do it for you?"

On the leaderboard, S-level professional Curse Wizard Jiang Lanlan and S-level professional Spirit Guide Ge Feng, ranked eighth and ninth respectively, teamed up.

Upon hearing the point card's message, they exchanged a puzzled glance.

"Aunt Lanlan, why are they suddenly allowing killing? Should we..."

Despite their close age, Jiang Lanlan was Ge Feng's aunt in terms of family hierarchy.

"What are you scared of?" Jiang Lanlan, followed by two intimidating ghosts, responded with a flippant huff. "I'm a Curse Mage, unbeatable in both mental and physical attacks. And you, a Spirit Guide, can summon several elemental spirits. Why worry about your magical attack power?"

Ge Feng, who lacked assertiveness, quickly agreed. His eccentric aunt may be a troublemaker, but she was sharper than him.

His father had advised him before the assessment: be supportive of your aunt, even if she decided to drop out of the assessment, honor her decision.

The top-tier professionals, although surprised by the sudden rule change, had unwavering faith in their abilities. They all chose to continue the assessment.

Most of the A-level professionals also decided to remain in the assessment. Despite the risk of death, the prospect of attending a second-tier university was too bitter a pill to swallow. If they met an unbeatable opponent, they could activate the defense charm and concede.

However, faced with such an abrupt rule change, many chose to drop out immediately.

"I can't participate. I just wanted to test my luck. If I get into a top-tier university as a B-level professional, I could achieve great things. But I won't risk my life for it."

"I'm dropping out too. S-level professionals are incredibly powerful. I've seen one from a distance. Beast Master Wang Long turned into a mammoth and trampled a level 25 monster into a pulp."

"Count me out. Why change the rules midway through the assessment?"

"Let's just leave. As a B-level professional, I can still make progress at a second-tier university."

Above, the sky was bustling with flying vessels, constantly descending to pick up people.

In a massive conference hall in Huangsha City, representatives from all top-tier universities were gathered. Their expressions were grim.

Liu Weiqi, vice president of Shengqing University, glared at General Qin.

"Qin Zhi, have you Southwest military officers gone mad? You've pushed the limits of this contest with your brutal tactics. Do you realize the consequences? You're inviting disaster!"

"You're finished! You and your Southwest Military Officers are going down!"

Liang Jindong, vice president of Beiwu University, also looked displeased, snorting coldly.

"It seems like a last-ditch effort from a desperate man. It's ludicrous to think you can hinder our enrollment. Even if our numbers are small, we'll still be far superior to your Southwest Military University!"

"Heh, you have just over 2,000 candidates. I wonder how many you'll have left after this mess?"

Hearing this, representatives from other third-tier colleges chuckled and shook their heads.

"Half? President Liang, I fear you've overestimated this year's Southwest Military University. They won't get a single S-level professional, and A-level professionals will make up less than a tenth."

"There are so many B-level professionals, and I bet they already regret choosing your sinking ship. How many do you think will remain now that they can flee?"

Despite the taunts and ridicule, Qin Zhi seemed unfazed, wearing a never-before-seen ferocious grin.

"What? Scared?"

"Ridiculous!" Liu Weiqi retorted, his eyes wide with anger.

"Are we afraid of your puny Southwest Military University and your handful of A-level professionals?"

Qin Zhi nodded.

"Yes, just our few A-level professionals. Since Vice President Liu isn't afraid, why did he go to such lengths to restrict our candidate, Zheng Mu, a few days ago?"

"People might think your wife ran off with someone, leaving you with nothing but a green hat!"

Immediately, several generals from the Southwest Military University in military uniforms burst into laughter.

Liu Weiqi's face turned red with rage.

However, seeing the mocking gazes from Qin Zhi and his colleagues, he could only grit his teeth and snort coldly.

"Let's see how this pans out! Even if that mechanic prodigy made an impressive gadget, he's only an A-level professional!"

"At Shengqing University, we have four S-level candidates. What do you Southwest Military Officers have to compete with us?!"

Liu Weiqi ignored everyone's attempts to calm him and stormed out of the meeting.

The military generals standing behind Qin Zhi grew serious after Liu Weiqi left.

They focused on the large screen in the conference room. Numbers were rapidly increasing: three thousand, four thousand, eight thousand... In just half an hour, the number exceeded ten thousand.

"It's hard to believe. So many professionals are quitting because they fear death, and they haven't even faced their opponents yet."

"If they stuck to the old rules, many of them could have passed the test and gotten into top-tier universities."

A general frowned, displeased.

Graduates from top-tier universities have good networks and relationships. Those trained at universities like Shengqing should be strong.

Qin Zhi agreed.

"Over the years, our explorations in the large monster areas have been repeatedly delayed for various reasons. Even when we finally launch a large-scale operation, our gains are minimal compared to our losses..."

"It turns out we've been cultivating so many 'all show, no go' types!"

As he spoke, the number of candidates choosing to quit rose again.

Meanwhile, in a cloud-covered unknown space, a man meditating suddenly frowned. Then, he chuckled.

"There's still hope. Changing now could save a lot."

A calm voice replied, "Change is good, but the extent of the change depends on how potent your solution is."

Zheng Mu had no idea that his audacious actions had drawn the attention of some of the Dragon Kingdom's top experts.

Right now, he was dealing with another issue.

Through the patrolling eagle's efforts, 2,000 Southwest Military University applicants had finally gathered at the base.

Upon arrival, they discovered they'd been tricked.

What was this special order from the Southwest Military University? They thought they'd receive some secret support to keep them in the game.

But it turned out to be a scheme by Zheng Mu, a fellow applicant.

He had lured them here under the pretense of official school business.

"Listen, if you don't explain this, I'm reporting you to the oversight committee!" one yelled.

"That's right! You tricked us into battling low-level monsters. It's nearly impossible to accumulate enough points for admission here."

"You've wasted all our time!" another one shouted.

Surveying the lively crowd from the high rooftop of the base, Zheng Mu had already coined a term for this motley crew.

"The Unknown Army."

Their skill levels are low, their personal levels are also low, and their bravery often hinges on the sheer number of their own ranks.

Right now, these guys who were rejected by the top-tier universities in the central region are running amok like wild dogs.

Having reached the outskirts of the Bone-Swallowing Desert, they felt empowered again, thinking they had evidence of Zheng Mu's missteps.

Frankly, if not for these guys' sheer numbers, this year's Southwest Military University would be facing demotion at the start of the semester.

Zheng Mu found them irritating.

These clueless individuals didn't grasp the situation. Anyone with an ounce of sense, looking at his expansive base, should realize they're no match for an S-level professional.

At least, they shouldn't be picking a fight they can't win.

Zheng Mu remained silent.

Suddenly, the base gate beneath his feet swung open. A mechanical creation burst out, catching everyone off guard.

In the next instant, the guy who spoke first saw a fist hurtling towards him.

"Boom!"

"Ahhh!"

He screamed, flying backward in an instant. The surrounding individuals were equally stunned.

They hadn't figured out what had just attacked them.

They were confused why Zheng Mu would act directly against them despite being heavily outnumbered.

"Damn! This kid's lost it! Get him!"

"Get ready for my Fire Rain technique!"

"Ah!"

The chaotic scene left everyone, including Leng Yanmu and Kui Shengkun, stunned.

In Huangsha City, even Qin Zhi and his team looked perplexed at Zheng Mu's decision to confront the mob with force.

"Why, why is he doing this? Is he planning to steal points from these guys?"

Qin Zhi frowned. He Guang was too taken aback to speak.

"Boss, what are you doing? Didn't you say we'd get them on board with our plans and bring them into the Southwest Military Attaché together?"

Cai Shengkun watched the various skills and attacks unfold before him. He felt his skin crawl, and he couldn't fathom why Zheng Mu had jumped into the fray.

Zheng Mu shot him a glance, pointing at the scene below. "Look at them. Are they cooperating? Or maybe you'd rather play nice and discuss life's grand scheme with them?"

Cai Shengkun turned to see the 2,000 Southwest Military candidates, who had clearly been unhappy with them, were now unleashed after Zheng Mu's actions.

He found their behavior a stark contrast to their earlier demeanors when they were being chased away by other candidates during the patrolling eagle's investigations.