After a tense minute of waiting, the final batch of monsters appeared before Lin Moyu. This time, instead of a mage, a boss-level monster materialized. To Lin Moyu, it made no difference.
With a simple command, his Skeleton Warriors charged in, swiftly dismantling the monster with precise strikes. Silence fell once again as the creature collapsed. For Lin Moyu, the fourth round was already over. Now, all he had to do was wait for the others.
Ten minutes passed before the fourth round of exams concluded.
"The fourth round of exams is over!" The examiner's voice echoed through the trial grounds, reaching every corner inside and outside the tower. "Out of 120 participants, only 5 have passed."
A murmur spread through the audience. The announcement highlighted the skill of those remaining, proving they were true prodigies, worthy of competing for the top educational institutions.
The rankings soon followed:
Lin Moyu: 3,605 points.Zuo Mei: 2,470 points.Xia Xue: 2,270 points.Wang Zihao: 2,265 points.Feng Xiu: 2,200 points.
Lin Moyu maintained a significant lead.
As the top five received a restorative light, Wang Zihao, who had been weakened by his berserk state, felt the effects vanish. His strength returned, and a smile crept across his face. "As expected! The fifth round is where the real battle begins."
Xia Xue exhaled in relief. "Top five—I'm almost guaranteed a spot in Xiajing Academy." Zuo Mei's expression was more intense. "Xiajing Academy, here I come."
All five shared the same goal: entry into the prestigious Xiajing Academy.
The examiner's voice cut through the room once more, this time filled with challenge. "I know many of you have your sights set on Xiajing Academy, but don't get too comfortable. The final round will determine everything. Only the strongest will make it through."
"If you want to secure your place, you'll need 10,000 points."
The atmosphere grew tense as the rules of the fifth round were explained. The round was named "The Battle Space," and it was designed to be unlike anything they had faced before. Each contestant would be teleported into a special arena where they would face endless waves of monsters—warriors, mages, archers, and knights, all of increasing strength and number. It would be a true test of endurance and strategy.
The monsters would grow stronger as the battle progressed, starting at level 15, with a reward of 50 points per kill. As their levels increased, so would the points, up to 800 for level 19 monsters. And these were just the ordinary creatures. The enhanced, elite, and boss monsters promised even greater rewards.
The fifth round was designed to equalize the playing field. A slow start could spell doom for even the strongest of contenders. Points would accumulate based on careful balance—too fast, and the monster levels would spike; too slow, and they would fall behind.
Lin Moyu understood the challenge well. This final round was meant for those who could thrive in chaos, the real battlefield for the geniuses of the empire.
The countdown ended, and in an instant, the five contenders were teleported into the battle space. The screens in the control room went dark, leaving the examiners grumbling in frustration.
"We can't even watch it," one said, shaking his head. "The most exciting part, and we're left blind."
"Even with our authority, we're only allowed to see their points," another added.
They turned to Ning Xuanfeng, the senior examiner, hoping for a glimpse of hope. "Master Ning, can you view the battle?"
Ning Xuanfeng gave a slight shake of his head. "Even I am restricted."
Gasps filled the room. "Not even you? Who can access it, then?"
"There are fewer than ten people in the empire with that privilege," Ning Xuanfeng replied calmly. His words struck the room like a hammer. The weight of those ten figures loomed large over the minds of the examiners, leaving no room for curiosity.
"That's enough questions for today," Ning Xuanfeng added. "Remember, some things are beyond your reach."
Meanwhile, in the battle space, Lin Moyu surveyed his surroundings. The vast plain was a desolate, grim place. The ground was blackened and soaked with the scent of blood, dotted with jagged rocks, some towering meters high.
The stench of death clung to the air—a familiar presence to Lin Moyu as a necromancer. This place had seen war, true war. Unlike the sterile battlefields of dungeons, this space was soaked in the remains of real, violent conflict. The dead here left behind a palpable sense of loss and destruction.
Lin Moyu's mind clicked into focus. "It seems they want us to experience the battlefield for real."
Just then, the sound of approaching footsteps reached his ears. A group of monsters emerged in the distance, moving towards him. It was time for the real battle to begin.