2: He and Lan?

The next day, the college entrance examination.

City No. 1 Middle School, the playground.

A bronze gate stands in the middle of the playground.

Right above the bronze gate, there is a line of small characters engraved.

Teleportation Array, No. 17

[Secret Realm of Level A Difficulty Dungeon: Evil Emperor Desert]

[Required level: Level 9-11. ]

[Team limit, five people. ]

[Introduction to dungeon missions: The evil emperor's poisonous scorpions are all over the desert, and the deadly venom poses a fatal threat to the warriors who enter the dungeon. ]

[Task requirements: kill ordinary poisonous scorpion*1000, kill poisonous scorpion king*1, get the beast crystal in the brain of poisonous scorpion king. ]

on the rostrum.

Provincial, municipal, and school leaders finished their speeches respectively.

With the sound of a cannon, the 13th vocational college entrance examination officially kicked off.

"Candidates, the dungeon teleportation array has been activated."

"Candidates are requested to complete the team formation as soon as possible and enter in an orderly manner."

The teleportation array opened, and the bronze gate leading to the Evil Emperor Desert, a secret realm of the dungeon, glowed with hazy white light.

On the playground, thousands of students were in an uproar.

"Oh my god, it turned out to be the Evil Emperor's Desert, A level-difficulty dungeon!"

"Isn't this too difficult?"

"It's just not fair!"

Ling Zhan's class is not conspicuous.

At this time, under the leadership of the class teacher, like other candidates in the class, they also came to the entrance of the teleportation array.

When you see the dungeon difficulty rating: A grade. There are at least half of the students in the class, and their hearts are half cold.

"It's over, it's over, I've heard that this year's college entrance examination is difficult, but it doesn't mean that you will get an A grade right?"

"Last year's B-level difficulty dungeon, half of the candidates were not able to complete the dungeon test."

"Who is the person who made the question? It's too stupid."

"Hush!"

Beads of sweat dripped off the teacher's forehead with a bang, and he gave the boy who was speaking a hard look, dragged him aside, and began to teach him a lesson.

"Zhou Yan Wang, you don't dare to talk about anything, if you want to die, can you stop dragging me along?"

hiss.

Hearing the words Zhou Yanwang, a group of students who were chattering just now fell silent.

One after another looked at the rostrum with respect and awe, stayed for a moment, and quickly retracted it.

The difficulty of the dungeon was unprecedentedly high, and the top leader of the invigilator was the notoriously strict Zhou Yanwang.

Candidates suddenly feel Alexander.

"Su Ran, what do you think, are you sure?"

"I... I don't know."

"well."

"The beginning is hell-level difficulty, who can stand it."

Those who could maintain their composure were the few candidates represented by Sun Ze.

Even Su Ze felt some pressure at this time.

After all, it is an A-level difficulty dungeon, even if you are a top student, you can't say that you are sure of it.

Seeing the students complaining one after another, the class teacher couldn't help but feel his heartache.

As the head teacher of the graduating class, before the college entrance examination, she had already issued a military order to the head principal.

"Now I can only do my best and obey the destiny." The head teacher smiled wryly.

playground.

Thousands of candidates are either busy forming teams or listening to their class teachers.

Facing the challenge of a dungeon with hell-level difficulty, no one dares to take it lightly.

"Oh my god, someone has entered the copy."

Suddenly, A student exclaimed.

"What!?"

A stone stirs up a thousand waves.

Countless students and teachers subconsciously turned around.

"Which team is this?"

"The college entrance examination has just begun. Is it really so intense?"

In full view,

In front of the bronze door,

A figure stood, bathed in dazzling white light. In the next second, the figure suddenly disappeared and entered the dungeon ahead.

Countless people were stunned by this scene.

"One... one person!?"

"Damn it, you're really alone, and you didn't even form a team. Are you preparing to tackle the dungeon solo?"

"Look at the small characters inscribed on the bronze door."

Candidate information:

Name: Ling Zhan

Team size: 1 person

Occupation: None

"So, he's unemployed!"

"Hiss~"

There was a gasping sound as if someone desperately needed air.

You see, even though it's a dungeon, once death occurs within its confines, it means that life is lost.

It's not that no one in previous college entrance examinations chose to venture into the dungeon alone.

But those individuals, without exception, were all geniuses among geniuses.

Who is this Ling Zhan?

Why him?

"Ling... Ling Zhan!?"

The moment they saw the candidate's name, a buzzing sound filled the heads of the graduating class, and their scalps went numb!

"No... it can't be true?"

"Just a coincidence, maybe."

Gulp.

The class teacher swallowed a mouthful of saliva and nervously looked back, his neck making a crisp sound.

The original spot where Ling Zhan was standing.

He was gone.

"What the fuck just happened—"

"My teaching qualification rating, my performance!"

The head teacher's vision blurred, and the world started spinning.

"Ah! Teacher, are you alright?"

"Oh no, the class teacher fainted!"

Panic ensued among the graduating class.

...

On the podium.

"Huh?"

"A candidate has entered the dungeon."

"Yes, it appears that we still have promising candidates this year."

Director Zhou from the Education Bureau expressed his satisfaction.

He was also the person in charge of this year's college entrance examination.

Nickname: Zhou Yan Wang.

His words held great weight.

Next to him,

Several other principals and teachers heard this and quickly nodded in agreement.

Seated in the front was King Yan of Zhou. In his presence, no one would dare utter a word.

Everyone followed Zhou Yanwang's gaze and focused their attention on the large screen.

In the next moment,

Several principals and teachers were momentarily stunned.

The smile on Zhou Yanwang's face froze in an instant as well.

Name: Ling Zhan

Team size: 1 person

Occupation: None

"This..."

"So, he's an unaffiliated individual. Is this student out of their mind?"

As they regained their senses, several principals and teachers glanced discreetly at Zhou Yanwang, only to find his expression as gloomy as a thundercloud.

"Nonsense!"

Angrily, King Zhou Yan scolded the first candidate to enter the dungeon.

"Which school is this? Which class does the student belong to?" he demanded.

On the podium, leaders of different ranks exchanged bewildered glances.

"Ahem."

After a long pause, one of the principals mustered the courage to answer, "It should be from No. 1 Middle School, a student in the graduating class, and the class teacher's surname is Sun."

In the background,

"What?"

"Is this student from our school?"

"Oh no, this is a disaster!"

Upon hearing this, the principal and dean of No. 1 Middle School immediately turned pale.

Initially, the two of them were relishing the idea of witnessing the misfortunes of their colleagues. But in the end... were they the ones becoming the laughingstocks?

...

In the dungeon of the Evil Emperor Desert, a flash of white light appeared at the entrance.

A figure treaded upon the soft desert ground.

Thousands of miles of yellow sand, a desolate expanse.

Bows for archers, axes for warriors, shields, staffs for wizards...

Each piece of equipment automatically adorned Ling Zhan the moment he stepped into the dungeon world.

The gear on his body appeared bulky and rather unremarkable.

All-powerful, yet utterly useless.

Despite possessing rudimentary skills of various low-level professions, his proficiency paled in comparison to true professionals—a gaping chasm separated their abilities.

Outside, on the large screen,

Ling Zhan, being the first to enter the dungeon, garnered the attention of thousands.

Zhou Yanwang stared at the screen with an expressionless face. However, as he caught sight of Ling Zhan's unprofessional identity, his previously composed countenance noticeably turned indifferent.

The leaders, both high-ranking and low-ranking, accompanying him remained silent as if they were mute cicadas.

The principal and director of No. 1 Middle School, in particular, were seething with anger. If it weren't for the inappropriate setting, they might have dashed into the dungeon and strangled this unlucky student to death.

"A solo dungeon for casual individuals."

"He's the first one to enter the dungeon. Isn't this a direct affront to Zhou Yanwang, the exam's creator?"

The principal and director of No. 1 Middle School gritted their teeth in fury.

"This person named Ling Zhan, it wouldn't matter if he perishes alone, but the teachers, directors, and principals of No. 1 Middle School may suffer the consequences."

It was common knowledge that Zhou Yanwang was quick-tempered and harbored grudges.

In the previous college entrance examination, a vice-principal had privately voiced complaints and grievances.

And what happened?

The very next day, the vice-principal was dismissed. Three directors and several teachers chose to resign alongside him.

In the realm of education, Zhou Yanwang reigned supreme.

He determined who lived and who died.

That was authority.

True authority!

...

"This isn't good. The venomous scorpions have appeared."

"Hiss~ How frightening!"

"He won't meet his end so easily."

On the large screen,

Ling Zhan had just entered the dungeon when a rustling sound emerged from the yellow sand beneath his feet.

In the next moment,

Several shiny black scorpions, each the size of a human face, emerged from beneath the sand.

Their tail stingers resembled knives, glinting with a cold light.

Whoosh.

The scorpions launched their attack.

Many female students instinctively gasped and covered their eyes, unable to witness the impending gruesome scene.

"I can't believe it."

"I don't know what to make of this!"

Suddenly,

The crowd erupted in exclamations.

On the large screen,

Ling Zhan drew a knight's longsword from his back.

"Disperse!"

With a low shout, he moved like a ghost. Accompanied by an incomprehensible incantation, the knight's longsword emitted a faint black gleam.

Assassin, primary skill: Phantom.

The sword cut through the air like a gust of wind.

Slice!

With a light thud, a poisonous scorpion was cleanly split in half by the sword.

The green blood splattered on the yellow sand, emitting a corrosive sizzle.

"This... a low-level assassin skill!?"

The power... it's unexpectedly strong!?

It's not weaker than that of a professional assassin.

How did he achieve that?

Countless teachers and students stood dumbfounded.

"The power of an assassin skill used by a casual profession is this formidable!?"

"Didn't they say that casual careers have no future?"

First and second-year students were left in astonishment.

The strength displayed by this sword exceeded their preconceived notions.

And he's still a casual profession!?

How impressive!

If that's the case, what's the point of pursuing first or second-rank professions?

Just treat them as average individuals.

On the rostrum,

Zhou Yanwang's eyes revealed a hint of surprise.

But that was all.

"Silence." His gaze turned stern, and the teachers and students dared not even breathe.

His eyes returned to the large screen.

At this moment,

Ling Zhan had already dispatched several poisonous scorpions consecutively, each with a single strike.

It was astounding how a casual profession possessed combat prowess equal to that of a top-tier profession.

However...

"It's clever, but it's a shame that casual individuals remain casual." After observing the large screen for a while, Zhou Yanwang disdainfully shifted his gaze.

Even though the power of this sword was remarkable and caught people's attention, Zhou Yanwang's eyes were discerning.

As the architect of this exam, he had participated in countless previous college entrance examinations. Zhou Yanwang had witnessed numerous exceptional academic prodigies, as well as candidates with average talents and mediocrity.

While others were still marveling at the swordsmanship of Ling Zhan's casual profession and its comparable power to a regular profession, Zhou Yanwang sneered.

"The attack power is indeed commendable, but what about the mana bar?"

"With such high explosive output, sustaining it three times is already the limit for the mana bar."

"It's just a show."

His words resonated.

The previously excited teachers and students were jolted, their eyes instinctively turning to the large screen.

"You're right, high burst damage often means high mana consumption."

"The so-called high output comes at the expense of excessive mana consumption."

"No matter how impressive the skill is, it will be in vain if the mana bar is depleted."

"Damn it, I thought I was a genius, but it seems... hehe!"

"Zhou Yanwang truly lives up to his reputation; his discerning eyes are sharp."

Those who had regained their senses wore speechless expressions on their faces.

Especially the leaders, big and small, sitting behind Zhou Yanwang.

At this moment, they not only felt speechless but also a tinge of shame.

After all, there was a reason why he was hailed as the King of Hades.

Such reactions were only natural. Casual professions were considered at the bottom of the food chain. The experiences and lessons accumulated by countless "predecessors" in previous college entrance examinations couldn't be easily overturned.

Others had all been deceived by Ling Zhan.

"How many times do you think Ling Zhan can use his skills? Three times? Or maybe five times?"

"I wager it's three times at most. How much mana can a casual professional possess?"

"I'm guessing twice. This guy is just showing off."

That being said, Ling Zhan suddenly became the center of attention.

All eyes turned back to the large screen.

Ling Zhan had already dispatched several poisonous scorpions.

However, three giant poisonous scorpions, each more than three times the size of ordinary ones, slowly emerged from the depths of the yellow sand.

Their massive scorpion tails loomed like blades in the sky.

Their eyes burned crimson.

Green mucus dripped continuously from their long fangs.

"I don't know what to do!"

"What kind of monstrosity is this? The previous poisonous scorpion was only the size of a face, but these three... they're as big as millstones!"

"Poison... Poisonous Scorpion King! Level 12 Poisonous Scorpion King."

Ordinary poisonous scorpions were only level 10.

Level 12 Poisonous Scorpion Kings rarely appeared in the periphery, and now three of them appeared simultaneously. How could anyone fight against this?

"It's over."

"When this guy killed an ordinary poisonous scorpion earlier, he used his skills at least three or four times. His mana must have been exhausted long ago."

"It's game over for him!"

"When an individual profession enters the dungeon, the outcome is predictable."

In the desert's yellow sand,

The sudden appearance of three Poisonous Scorpion Kings also startled Ling Zhan.

However, strangely enough, despite facing the three Poisonous Scorpion Kings, Ling Zhan's face soon showed no signs of panic.

He raised his knight's sword once again.

Outside, the teachers and students stood in awe.

"He didn't give up?"

"Is he still planning to fight?"

Clang!

The sword was raised.

"Assassin, low-level skill: Phantom!"

Slash!

The sword struck the back of the Poisonous Scorpion King, causing sparks to fly.

"Oops."

"It didn't break."

"Assassin, low-level skill: Phantom!"

Once again, a sword fell, and a new sword was born.

"What the hell, again!?"

"He still has mana!?"

In the outside world,

Thousands of people were left dumbfounded.