Chapter 38: Relaxed? That's Called Absolute Confidence!

【'Fireball' was extremely displeased: What does that look in that kid's eyes mean? Is he looking down on this Lord?】

【'Fireball' jumped around in a rage: This Lord hates people who look down their noses the most. Your fire element is as weak as a matchstick, so why pretend to be a big shot?】

"Alright, Xiao Huo, don't rush. There will be a chance for you to make your move."

Lin Mo said leisurely in his mind.

"According to the rules of past major exams, the first phase is usually a solo trial, but in the second phase, there is typically a PVP confrontation segment, though the specific rules vary slightly each year."

Hearing this, 'Fireball's' flames surged wildly all over its body.

【'Fireball' rubbed its fists: That's great! This Lord's blade is already thirsty for battle!】

【'Earth Shield' spoke weakly: Huh? Confronting other humans? Humans are far more ferocious than wild monsters. Master, maybe we shouldn't participate in the second phase?】

Upon hearing this, before Lin Mo could even speak, 'Fireball' instantly lost its temper.

【'Fireball' shot out a flame, pointing at 'Earth Shield' and scolding: Shut up! You good-for-nothing coward! You've completely disgraced the entire skill community!】

【'Earth Shield' looked aggrieved: I was just thinking of Master's safety... That Zhao Yu looks so fierce...】

Seeing the two skills about to start arguing again.

Lin Mo had no choice but to once again take on the role of peacemaker.

"Enough, enough. Xiao Huo, rein in your violent temper. You are both good brothers; you must love each other, understand?"

"And you, Xiao Tu."

Lin Mo's tone became slightly stricter. "With your current defense, if Zhao Yu can break through it, I'll write my surname 'Lin' backwards. What are you afraid of?"

Under Lin Mo's guidance, the two skills finally calmed down.

Just then.

"Everyone, be quiet!"

A majestic voice echoed across the entire square.

Everyone looked up and saw a towering figure appear on the high platform directly above the square.

"That is... Zhang Tiejun, the Deputy Commander of the Jianghai City Defense Force, known as the 'Iron-Boned Mad Lion'!"

Someone recognized the newcomer and exclaimed softly.

Zhang Tiejun, expressionless, his voice booming like a great bell:

"I am Zhang Tiejun, the chief examiner for this major exam."

"I won't waste words. Since you stand here, put away those frivolous and smiling thoughts!"

"This is an examination ground, and it is also a battlefield! In the future, you will face demons and the Abyss. If you lack even this much seriousness, go home and drink milk immediately!"

After this lecture, many students present shrank their necks, their expressions becoming tense.

Seeing this, Zhang Tiejun nodded slightly and shouted loudly:

"Now, announce the rules of the major exam!"

"This major exam is divided into two phases."

"Phase One: The Trial Tower!"

As his words fell, the ground in the center of the square shook violently with a boom.

Several black towers, dozens of meters high, slowly rose from beneath the earth.

"The Trial Tower has a total of thirty floors. Each floor will spawn monsters of different types and different strengths."

"The rules are simple: Clear one floor, earn 100 points. For the final ranking, points are prioritized first; for those with equal points, those who cleared it in less time rank higher!"

"After Phase One ends, the top two hundred candidates will qualify to enter Phase Two!"

Hearing the number "top two hundred," a sound of collective gasps immediately rose from the crowd.

This year's candidates in Jianghai City numbered in the tens of thousands, yet only two hundred could enter the next round; this elimination rate was simply cruel.

Zhang Tiejun ignored the commotion below and continued:

"As for Phase Two, the two hundred promoted candidates will be randomly teleported to the 'Mist Wasteland'."

"There, a high-level wind mage will release a storm from the outside. The storm circle will continuously shrink as time passes. Do not attempt to touch the storm, or you will be torn apart instantly."

"In Phase Two, killing ordinary wild monsters earns 10 points, and killing elite wild monsters earns 20 points."

Speaking thus, Zhang Tiejun paused, and a killing intent suddenly rose:

"Of course, besides wild monsters, you have the fastest way to gain points... defeating other candidates!"

"Defeat a candidate, and you will directly plunder all the points they hold!"

Upon hearing this, the entire hall erupted in uproar.

Plunder all the points?

This meant that even if you killed many monsters in the early stages, if someone tricked you at the end, you would have just been sewing clothes for others!

Looking at the candidates below with various expressions, Zhang Tiejun said coldly:

"No need to worry about anyone dying."

"All candidates participating in the major exam will be bestowed with a 'Soul Protection' status."

"When you suffer fatal damage, the protection will forcibly activate, protecting you until the exam ends, though that also means you will be eliminated."

"Now, everyone, line up in order of your admission ticket numbers and enter the Trial Tower one by one!"

"The major exam, begins!"

Lin Mo calmly listened to the specific rules of this year's major exam, showing no expression.

It was nothing more than fighting monsters and fighting people.

He casually took out a bag of fire-element snacks and began queuing to enter the Trial Tower.

……

……

Monitoring Command Center, Second-Floor VIP Monitoring Room.

The decor here was extremely luxurious, with even dedicated service staff serving tea and water.

Xu Wenchang sat on the sofa in the exact center, while Lin Tianhao and his wife, along with Zhao Lei, sat on either side; the atmosphere appeared harmonious, yet undercurrents surged beneath the surface.

"It has begun."

Lin Tianhao straightened his posture as he watched the footage of examinees entering the venue displayed on the large screen.

He turned his head and gave an order to a technical adjutant standing behind him.

With that adjutant's operation, the internal view of the Trial Tower where Lin Mo was located was zoomed to the maximum, occupying almost the entire screen.

On the screen, Lin Mo was sitting cross-legged on the ground, holding snacks in his hand.

"..."

"..."

"Your son... is quite relaxed, huh."

Xu Wenchang blurted out.

Lin Tianhao's old face flushed slightly; he coughed awkwardly:

"Ahem... well, Old Xu, my boy just has a better mindset. This is called... remaining unmoved even when Taishan collapses before one's eyes."

"Hahahaha..."

Xu Wenchang laughed loudly. "What a fine 'remaining unmoved even when Taishan collapses before one's eyes.' Young people nowadays are mostly too tense; it's rare to see someone so interesting."

Zhao Lei, sitting nearby, found these words particularly grating.

Relaxed? Remaining unmoved even when Taishan collapses before one's eyes? This is nothing but rotten mud that cannot be plastered onto a wall; he's just giving up!

Zhao Lei snorted coldly and said to another adjutant:

"Bring up Zhao Yu's footage as well."

"Yes, Commander Zhao."

Soon, Zhao Yu's footage on the side was also brought up and placed in the very center of the screen alongside Lin Mo's.

In the footage, Zhao Yu held a staff, his expression solemn, his eyes sharp as an eagle's.

This style was, compared to Lin Mo's right beside it, simply two extremes.

Zhao Lei pointed at the screen and said with implied meaning:

"Old Xu, look; this is the attitude a major exam should have."

"Even when a lion wrestles a rabbit, it uses its full strength. This is the quality an excellent professional should possess; even when facing a weak enemy, one must never slack off."

Having said this, Zhao Lei glanced at Lin Tianhao and spoke in a sarcastic tone:

"Unlike some people who treat the exam hall like an amusement park. With such an attitude, they will suffer greatly when they eventually step onto a real battlefield."

Hearing these words, Lin Tianhao immediately became displeased and retorted:

"Zhao Lei, stop blowing things out of proportion."

"Fighting a few small monsters and putting on a face like you're facing a great enemy—isn't that exhausting? People who don't know might think he's fighting an Abyss BOSS."

"My son is simply handling heavy tasks lightly; what do you know!"

After these words, Zhao Lei glared at Lin Tianhao. "Handling heavy tasks lightly? Hmph, I say he's just careless and reckless!"

"What's wrong with being careless and reckless? If you don't believe me, let's see who clears it faster?"

Lin Tianhao's face was full of defiance.

Seeing the two old classmates about to quarrel again, Xu Wenchang hurriedly stepped in to mediate:

"Enough, enough. You're both in your forties; stop acting like children."

"Just look, just look."

Xu Wenchang's gaze swept back and forth between the two screens as he said with a smile:

"One is a genius with extraordinary talent, handling heavy tasks lightly."

"The other is an excellent student with solid fundamentals and a serious attitude."

"Each has its own merits. Let's continue watching; the Trial Tower hasn't even started yet, and the good show is still to come."

"Hmph!"

Lin Tianhao and Zhao Lei both snorted coldly at the same time, ignoring each other completely.

However, although Xu Wenchang said this with his mouth, his gaze lingered more on Lin Mo.

After all, after so many years, he had truly never seen a student so "relaxed" right under the eyes of the Long Xu Ban admissions officers.