Chapter 5: The College Entrance Exam Is Over

Especially Zhang Chu'an, who usually scores around 600 on practice tests, got 700 on the college entrance exam—this is too outrageous, it’s bound to draw attention.

Just getting 60 or 70 points more than usual would be enough, so all four looked different as they left the exam hall.

Guo Jing’s face was filled with guilt.

Zhang Chu'an was thrilled.

Nie Huaishang remained calm and composed.

Zhang Xiaofan looked utterly indifferent.

Yet when friends and family outside the exam hall asked about their scores, they all answered with confident smiles: “Did well.”

Then they went together to a nearby restaurant to celebrate.

After eating, the four discussed in their group chat what they should do after the exam results were announced.

Guo Jing: “The college entrance exam is over. What are you all planning to do next?”

Nie Huaishang: “So far, besides cultivating to improve my strength, I’ve been reaching out to key characters and building connections—I’ve already contacted He Chenguang, Wang Yanbing, and Li Erniu.”

Zhang Chu'an: “I’ve made contact with Ye Cunxin from Fire Phoenix.”

Guo Jing: “I’ve contacted Gou Tou Lao Gao from Langya.”

Zhang Xiaofan: “I’ve contacted Xiao Zhuang.”

Nie Huaishang: “Although our mission in this world isn’t mandatory, this is our first one, and the rewards we earn will determine whether we can change our miserable fates.”

Nie Huaishang: “Compared to this world, our only advantages are intelligence and our unique cultivation methods.”

Since Zhang Xiaofan and Guo Jing haven’t started cultivating yet, the group’s special cultivation methods are Qi refinement and immortal cultivation.

Nie Huaishang: “I’ll ask—has anyone here successfully formed a Golden Core?”

Guo Jing: “No, there isn’t enough spiritual energy here to cultivate. Didn’t you succeed either?”

Nie Huaishang: “You know I have poor talent and no interest in cultivation, so I’ve never formed a Golden Core.”

Nie Huaishang now deeply regrets it—if he hadn’t neglected cultivation, he could have already eliminated those mercenaries alone.

Zhang Xiaofan: “That’s unlucky—I can’t cultivate or form a Golden Core either.”

Zhang Chu'an: “Same here.”

Nie Huaishang: “For now, I plan to head to Taishan and see if I can find spiritual energy there. If Taishan has none, then in this world, I’ll have to rely solely on Qi refinement.”

Even though refining Qi alone is enough to defeat all special forces soldiers, why didn’t Guo Jing defeat Gou Tou Lao Gao?

Is it reasonable for a high school student with little training to defeat the commander of a special forces unit?

Guo Jing didn’t use any Qi at all when fighting Gou Tou Lao Gao—he only used ordinary human physical strength.

Nie Huaishang: “Then let’s meet up at Taishan.”

The four told their families they were going to Taishan independently and set off.

The four went to Taishan alone, claiming independence, but on the way, two black-clad men followed Zhang Chu'an.

They waited to kill him in a remote area; Zhang Chu'an sensed them but said nothing—after all, these two were just minor players.

The four soon arrived at Tai’an County. Chinese civilization originated in the North China Plain, which in ancient times was known as China.

Taishan lies in the center of the North China Plain, surrounded by vast flatlands; its elevation of over a thousand meters makes it profoundly imposing against the surrounding terrain.

Moreover, Taishan sits at the heart of ancient Chinese cultural exchange—the Shandong region, birthplace of Confucianism.

Thus, ancient emperors, after achieving great accomplishments, chose Taishan to perform the Fengshan ceremony—to report their deeds to Heaven.

Historically, only seven emperors ever completed the full Fengshan ritual.

Qin Shi Huang Ying Zheng conquered the Six Kingdoms and unified all under heaven, laying the foundation for a unified Huaxia.

Emperor Wu of Han Liu Che expelled the Xiongnu and opened the Western Regions, establishing the backbone of the Han people.

Emperor Guangwu Liu Xiu restored the Han dynasty and initiated the Guangwu Restoration.

Emperor Gaozong of Tang Li Zhi expanded the Tang Empire to its greatest territorial extent.

Emperor Xuanzong of Tang Li Longji presided over the Kaiyuan Golden Age, with myriad nations paying tribute.

Emperor Zhenzong of Song Zhao Heng… this emperor—perhaps the author’s history is shallow, since no one knows what great deeds he accomplished; if any fans exist, feel free to comment.

Yet as the last emperor to perform Fengshan, he must have achieved something extraordinary that even Ming Taizu Zhu Yuanzhang, who expelled the Tartars and restored China, and Ming Chengzu, who created the Yongle Golden Age and sailed the Seven Seas, could never match.

After a brief moment of awe, Zhang Chu'an quickly opened the group chat.

Zhang Chu'an: “Guys, don’t show yourselves—two assassins are following me.”

Nie Huaishang: “You’re still a high school student—why would assassins be after you? You’ve only contacted Ye Cunxin. Yes, Ye Cunxin—these must be assassins from the Black Cat organization.”

Guo Jing: “What did you say to that girl?”

Zhang Chu'an couldn’t physically touch Ye Cunxin—he still had the chastity spot.

Zhang Chu'an: “I didn’t say much—just swindled her out of an apartment.”

Holy shit—the three fell silent. From the terrorists’ perspective, their money is earned with their lives—they’d never tolerate being cheated.

And they’re all death-seeking outlaws who always seek revenge, as shown by their murders of soldiers’ families.

Nie Huaishang: “Brother, swindling terrorists’ money—you’re unique.”

Guo Jing: “For people like this, swindle them all you want. This time, let these assassins come but never leave.”

Nie Huaishang: “Guo Jing, you know Gao Zhongdu from Langya, right? Once we capture these two, hand them straight to him.”

Nie Huaishang: “Zhang Chu'an, lure them into the dense forest first. Then we’ll ambush and knock them out.”

Zhang Chu'an: “Understood.”

The two assassins followed Zhang Chu'an up the mountain. There were many tourists on Taishan; killing him in public would disrupt K2’s next plans. When they saw Zhang Chu'an enter the dense forest,

the two assassins followed closely, but the terrain was too complex—they couldn’t get a clear shot with their silenced pistols.

Suddenly, both went black and collapsed. Seeing the unconscious assassins, the four stripped them of their clothes, confirmed they had no weapons, then bound them tightly.

Zhang Chu'an exhaled: “Phew, finally dealt with them. Being followed by these two assassins was unbearable.”

Nie Huaishang frowned: “It’s not over. Given their nature, they’ll target your families.”

Zhang Chu'an’s eyes flashed with cold fury—over a decade of parental love wasn’t just words. If K2 dared touch his family, he’d expose his Golden Light Spell and Thunder Art and wipe the entire organization out.

Nie Huaishang patted Zhang Chu'an’s shoulder: “Don’t panic—they won’t kill in the city yet. That would ruin their future plans.”

“But we can’t let them rest easy. Guo Jing, call Gao Zhongdu and have him investigate.”

No sooner had Nie Huaishang finished than Guo Jing pulled out his phone and dialed Gou Tou Lao Gao’s number.