The third test began the next day, just as the sun was hanging fresh in the sky. All the participants were gathered in the center of the main square, then taken one by one to the transfer altar guarded by several test officials.
"This is the final test," said one of the instructors, his gaze sharp as he looked over the crowd of students. "You will be transported to the Golden Mist Forest. There, you must survive for two hours and hunt each other."
Some students gulped as soon as they heard the word 'hunt'. Their expressions changed instantly. It sounded horrifying.
Each student was given a small, faintly glowing orb—the Spirit Ball. The ball reacted to its owner and could not be hidden with magic or any item.
"The rules are simple," the instructor continued. "You only need to take the spirit ball from other participants. Every time you defeat someone and take their spirit ball, the number of balls you hold will increase. After two hours, whoever has the most spirit balls will receive the highest score."
Lin Xian stood calmly among them. His spirit ball was tied to his belt, hanging like a small light that never stopped glowing.
He said nothing, only staring straight ahead as one by one the students began to be transferred through the magic altar.
And finally, it was Lin Xian's turn.
A flash of light enveloped him, and as his vision cleared again, he was already standing in the middle of a vast, unfamiliar forest. Towering trees loomed above, their roots jutting from the ground like giant claws, and the scent of damp earth mixed with a magical aura filled the air.
A faint roar echoed from the distance.
"This reminds me of the first test..."
Lin Xian didn't rush. He immediately climbed the nearest tree and calmed his breath. One thing to remember in this test: it wasn't just about strength, but also strategy.
"This isn't about who's the fastest, but who can gather the most spirit balls."
Lin Xian sat on the tree with ease. He even leaned his body against the trunk and began to close his eyes.
"I'll rest for a bit."
***
Elsewhere, some participants immediately attacked each other as soon as they met. One girl managed to collect two balls within ten minutes—her name was Yu Yilan, a student from a small family but talented in sword techniques.
In the eastern part of the forest, Liang Fei was already holding three balls. His face was still filled with irritation.
"If I find him here... Lin Xian… you won't survive."
But unexpectedly, a mid-tier Magical Beast lunged from behind the bushes. Liang Fei swiftly dodged, but one of his spirit balls fell to the ground, and a skinny boy who had been watching from behind a tree quickly snatched it and ran like a rabbit.
Liang Fei froze.
"...Was I just robbed?"
He turned to the skinny boy, but the magical beast didn't give him a chance. The beast leapt and fired a flame qi.
Liang Fei clicked his tongue in frustration. "Damn it."
***
Feng Luchan was watching from the screens displayed by the officials. The children's movements were being monitored to prevent any unwanted incidents. Killing was not allowed there.
"What is that kid doing?" Feng Luchan complained while staring at one of the screens.
Everyone there could see a boy sleeping on a tree as if he were in his own home. Meanwhile, other students were fighting hard to collect spirit balls and earn high scores.
"He seems scared, sir. He probably thinks that if he doesn't get defeated and still holds one spirit ball, his score will remain intact. He already got a high score on the general knowledge test," one of the staff offered an opinion.
But Feng Luchan didn't think so. He felt something was off. Lin Xian might not be as genius or talented as Liang Fei or Ahn Yue. But he wasn't the weakest either. He should've been able to collect a decent number of spirit balls.
"What are you planning, kid?" Feng Luchan narrowed his eyes.
He intended to keep watching Lin Xian, but for now, he decided to check the other areas. Just as he was about to do that, suddenly Lin Xian opened his eyes and looked in one direction. Right toward the device monitoring him.
He smiled and said something.
Feng Luchan's eyes widened. He was furious. "You little bastard, I'll kill you!" he shouted.
A terrifying aura burst from within him. The room trembled from the pressure of Feng Luchan's qi. Even some of the broadcasting orbs shattered and lost connection.
"Sir, please calm down!" pleaded one of the officials.
Feng Luchan clenched his fists so tightly that blood dripped from his palms. He was determined to make Lin Xian pay.
"You... I'll make you suffer, bastard!" shouted Feng Luchan.
***
Lin Xian looked relaxed. He jumped down and picked up a fallen spirit ball, then stepped on it until it shattered. After that, he started walking again.
After only a few steps, Lin Xian saw a boy struggling to climb a small cliff while trembling in fear. His face was full of wounds, and two spirit balls hung from his belt.
"Don't come any closer!" The boy held a large rock as if he was going to throw it at Lin Xian.
Lin Xian simply raised his hand. "Relax. I'm not going to take your balls."
The boy looked confused. "Why?"
"I'm targeting someone else. You're not one of them. But... want to exchange information?" Lin Xian sat calmly on a rock.
The boy eventually nodded.
From that short conversation, Lin Xian learned an important piece of information: there was one participant who was collecting spirit balls without fighting. He relied on traps, light poisons, and even manipulated magical beasts to attack other participants.
His name was Qin Zhen, from a tiny village of only 20 people.
"Interesting. Someone actually knows how to use their brain," Lin Xian praised.
He turned around and waved his hand. Then, he flicked his wrist and stored something. Lin Xian smiled as he walked away from the frightened boy.
Seeing Lin Xian had gone far, the boy finally felt relieved. He wanted to hide and keep his two spirit balls intact until the round ended.
But as he reached for his spirit balls. "Where are they?" He looked around but found nothing. "Why are they gone?"
The boy kept searching for his spirit balls, but the result was the same. He couldn't find them until he finally looked toward the direction where Lin Xian had gone.
"Don't tell me…"
The boy sat down and laughed bitterly. He had fought hard to collect those spirit balls from other students. He even got injured, and now those balls were taken by Lin Xian without even fighting.
"Looks like I've failed again today." The boy sighed, smiling in resignation. "I'm sorry, father… mother, I've failed again. I guess I'll follow your request. I'll just become a farmer."
He closed his eyes.