No Suspense, Provincial Champion

Lin Moyu stepped out of the trial tower's entrance alongside Xia Xue, Zuo Mei, Wang Zihao, and Feng Xiu. The tower's doors shut behind them with a finality that echoed their accomplishment.

"The main battle class exam has concluded. Candidates, please remain in place and await your final points evaluation." The examiner's voice resonated, casting a blanket of anticipation over the crowd.

No one dared leave. After all, the final rankings would be announced shortly, a yearly ritual eagerly awaited by all.

For main combat professionals, evaluations were split into two key components: points and overall performance. Top-tier institutions, such as the prestigious Xiajing Academy, demanded not only high grades and points—level 15 and above with at least 10,000 points—but also an "excellent" performance evaluation. While lesser-known schools offered more leniency, anyone aspiring to greatness understood the weight of their evaluation.

For those who hadn't entered the battle space, provincial examiners would issue their assessments. However, candidates who participated in the battle space were under the watchful eye of the Shenxia Empire's highest officials.

In Xiajing City, a group of the Empire's most elite, including Meng Anwen and Bai Yiyuan, were reviewing the events inside the battle space. Their attention was primarily drawn to Lin Moyu.

"He was the one who turned the tide," Meng Anwen remarked, watching the replay with interest. "Impressive."

"Necromancer," another official added. "A profession that emerged recently in Xihai City's No. 1 Middle School."

Bai Yiyuan nodded. "I had intended to keep an eye on him during this exam, but his strength has exceeded expectations."

The compliments rolled in. Lin Moyu's cool composure and sheer power had set him apart. He didn't just survive; he completely upended the abyss' plans, neutralizing the threat single-handedly. As a result, other candidates' performances seemed to fade into obscurity. They hadn't even had time to leave a lasting impression.

One official sighed. "This year's evaluations will be tricky."

"Not really," another chimed in, scoffing. "Those who fled are weak-willed. They would be liabilities on the battlefield, nothing more than deserters."

"But they're still kids," one official reasoned. "Lin Moyu is the exception, not the rule."

After deliberation, the officials finalized their evaluations.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the results were projected onto a massive light screen.

Lin Moyu

Points: 34,605

Evaluation: Excellent

A collective gasp rippled through the crowd. Lu Yun, the principal of Xihai No. 1 Middle School, leaped to his feet, his face flushing with excitement.

"First place! Champion!" he shouted, practically shaking from the adrenaline rush. His student had claimed the provincial title, a badge of honor for his school.

"Congratulations, Old Lu!" one of his colleagues said, patting him on the back.

"Ten years of bragging rights!" another chimed in.

"More like twenty! Xihai No. 1 Middle School is making a name for itself."

As they laughed and celebrated, Xia Xue turned to Lin Moyu, smiling. "You really are the provincial champion."

For once, there was no rivalry or competition in her voice—just admiration. Lin Moyu nodded, his lips curling into a faint smile. "Thanks."

Xia Xue blinked. "You can smile?"

Lin Moyu raised an eyebrow. "Of course."

"You look good when you do. You should smile more," she said, as if discovering a hidden facet of his personality.

As Xia Xue teased Lin Moyu, the second-place result appeared:

Xia Xue

Points: 7,600

Evaluation: Excellent

Compared to Lin Moyu's feat, her result, though impressive, didn't cause much of a stir. But Lu Yun was beaming again. His students had taken both first and second place.

Envy filled the air as other principals exchanged glances. Lu Yun's school had performed exceptionally this year.

The results kept coming.

Feng Xiu

Points: 6,700

Evaluation: Excellent

Zuo Mei

Points: 6,325

Evaluation: Excellent

Wang Zihao

Points: 6,300

Evaluation: Poor

Wang Zihao's face turned ghostly pale as the word "Poor" appeared next to his name. This verdict sealed his fate. No top institution, not even those in the Shenxia Empire's top 20, would accept him with that evaluation.

"It's not fair!" Wang Zihao shouted, his voice cracking with frustration. "How could they give me a poor evaluation?"

A beam of light enveloped him before he could protest further. In an instant, Wang Zihao vanished, expelled from the examination grounds for violating the rules.

The scene unfolded without sympathy. This was the world of high-level combat—unforgiving and ruthless. And Lin Moyu? He stood atop it, his victory shining brighter than ever.