"I just hope this so-called challenge will provide some degree of pressure."
Walking back, Tang Luochuan couldn't help but chuckle softly to himself. Since even Teacher Wu didn't know the specifics of the challenge, then surely...
The difficulty of this challenge must be extraordinary. However, how it would fare against him remained to be seen. He simply hoped it would be somewhat challenging.
"I think it should be about right."
Beside him, Gu Yue's expression showed little fluctuation, her face always adorned with a calm smile. She believed that no matter what kind of challenge it was, it would hardly amount to anything for them.
"But we'll have plenty of time ahead, whether for cultivation or simply being together."
Gu Yue said with a smile.
Currently, their strength was at level 55. Though not overwhelmingly powerful, for their age group, it was always a case of overwhelming superiority.
She thought it wouldn't hurt to take things a little slower sometimes.
"Mmm..."
"I suppose you're right."
Tang Luochuan responded with a smile. Having an extra month meant there were indeed many things they could do.
"Next student, please."
"Hand over your Soul Guidance Device. Don't try to hide anything from the teacher—my eyes are the measure—"
Gradually, as the voices reached his ears, his gaze soon settled on the scene not far away.
At the moment, the first-year students were undergoing inspections, surrendering their Soul Guidance Devices. As for whether anyone could cheat their way through—naturally, that was impossible.
The teacher in charge of inspections possessed a Martial Soul called "Eagle Eye," granting him extraordinary observational abilities. Within a foot's distance, nothing could escape his notice.
"During this final exam..."
"The Evil Soul Masters haven't been very peaceful."
A pensive look crossed Tang Luochuan's face. His impression of this situation was still quite vivid.
But now, with Wu Lin's strength having improved and the powerful Ultimate Douluo Tong Yu secretly following him, he wasn't too worried about Wu Lin coming to harm.
But what about the others...
"Then again, it seems only Wu Lin has the 'train killer' buff. Better have him stay extra vigilant."
Tang Luochuan could only think this way. In the original storyline, the Evil Soul Masters only appeared on Wu Lin's train. He hoped it would remain that way—it might even help Wu Lin hone his combat skills.
Whether other areas would face different situations was also something to consider. After all, he was only referencing the plot and wasn't omniscient.
"Luo Chuan, Gu Yue."
Just then, a clear female voice rang out. Not far from Tang Luochuan and Gu Yue stood Yuanen Yehui and Mu Xi, waving at them.
"Ye Hui, Mu Xi-jie, you're here too."
Looking at the two, Tang Luochuan offered a friendly smile, exchanging glances with Gu Yue before asking softly.
"Mmm..."
"We're just packing up and preparing for the final exams. What about you two? Didn't you go with the other students for the inspection?"
The two wore faint smiles as they explained. As she spoke, a trace of confusion flickered across Yuanen Yehui's face, and she pointed toward the other first-year students in the distance.
Those individuals were all reluctantly handing over their money without exception, leaving nothing behind.
As a transfer student, Mu Xi might not have been aware of the special arrangements for first-year students, but she clearly knew about it now.
"We didn't participate in the final exams."
"It was said to be the decision of the Pavilion Master, Atlas Douluo."
Tang Luochuan shook his head, while Gu Yue beside him spoke indifferently in a soft voice.
"So that's how it is..."
Yuanen Yehui and Mu Xi exchanged glances, both nodding thoughtfully without showing any extra emotion.
If it were anyone else skipping the final exams, they would have been shocked and questioned why. But if it were Luo Chuan and Gu Yue...
What of it?
Rules were meant to be broken by such geniuses.
"What about you two?"
"Don't you need to prepare for the exams?"
At this point, Gu Yue asked.
"We still do."
"Although we second-years don't need to hand over money or Soul Guidance Devices, the challenge content is still indispensable. Especially for me—this time, I have to challenge a Battle Armor Master..."
Yuanen Yehui couldn't help but sigh as she explained her situation to the two before her. The content was almost the same as for first-years, except they didn't need to surrender their money.
Handing over money was only required in the first year. This approach better demonstrated students' abilities, honed their secondary profession talents, and added more weight to their scoring calculations.
By the second year, such requirements were no longer in place.
On one hand, after three years of tempering in the first year, students' secondary profession skills had been refined to perfection. On the other hand, they wouldn't waste a whole month on exams anymore.
The exam duration was shortened to 12 days. Within less than two weeks, they had to challenge ten Soul Masters who were at least five levels higher than themselves across ten cities—a task equally challenging.
"Let's all do our best, then."
Tang Luochuan chuckled lightly, bidding farewell to the two students also heading for their exams, and quietly waited for the rest of their companions.
After some time, under Tang Luochuan and Gu Yue's watchful eyes, Tang Wulin and his group—who couldn't scrape together even a hundred Federal currency—emerged with troubled expressions.
"We're broke..."
Faced with the current situation, everyone fell into silence. A single coin could stump even a hero, and as geniuses, they had never experienced such dire straits before.
"Being broke..."
"So this is how it feels..."
Xie Xie wore a pensive look.
As the scion of one of the top three families in Donghai City, one could call him useless, but never poor! The others were much the same—Xu Xiaoyan from the wealthy Xu family of Donghai, Ye Xinglan, granddaughter of a Super Douluo, Wu Siduo, a royal relative of the Star Luo Empire...
They were all geniuses, sure, but who among them had ever lacked money?
"From now on, everyone will have to work hard on their own. There's no need to be so dejected. For people like you, earning money isn't really that difficult."
Tang Luochuan looked at his disheartened companions and shook his head with a smile, offering words of comfort.
Each of them was a master in their respective secondary professions. While they might not earn vast sums, covering travel expenses was almost as easy as lifting a finger—if not quite that simple, it was close enough.
Not to mention Tang Wulin being a sixth-rank Forging Master—just one casual job from him would actually cover everyone's travel expenses.
"That makes sense."
Beside them, Wu Siduo nodded in agreement, murmuring softly to herself. The more challenging the trial, the better it would prove her talent, wouldn't it?
"I hope we all achieve good results."
Tang Wulin also chimed in with a smile, his tone straightforward and his mindset undoubtedly positive.
"Also, there's always a risk of danger during the journey. For instance, Wu Lin and I were once attacked in another place. I hope none of you encounter such situations."
"And stay vigilant, okay? The person sitting next to you on the train might just be an Evil Soul Master disguised as an ordinary person."
At this point, Tang Luochuan spoke with a grave tone.
Safety was clearly of utmost importance, especially in these turbulent times.
As he spoke, his gaze lingered particularly on Tang Wulin. After all, the latter was his primary concern—did he even understand the weight of being a "train assassin"?
"Yes, Luo Chuan/Boss."
The group responded in unison before dispersing, each heading off to earn money.
Among them, Wu Siduo left alone. Tang Wulin and Xie Xie paired up, as did Wang Jinxi and Zhang Yangzi, Xu Xiaoyan and Ye Xinglan, Wei Xiaofeng and his cousin Zheng Yiran...
"Luo Chuan."
"Nothing much to do today. Come take a walk with me."
In the end, only Tang Luochuan and one other remained. At this moment, Gu Yue gently took his hand, her heart brimming with anticipation.
Since they had the entire month free starting now...
They might as well go shopping today.
For them, cultivation wasn't something that could be rushed overnight anyway—no big deal.
However, just then, a Soul Guidance Communication Device suddenly rang loudly, displaying four short characters: President Zhen Hua.
"Hello, President."
Tang Luochuan answered the call softly.
"Luo Chuan, your final exams are over these couple of days, right? Do you have time to come to Heaven Dou City?"
"You promised me a long time ago."
From the other end of the line came Zhen Hua's hearty laughter.
"Huh?"
"I do have time..."
Tang Luochuan paused, then replied quietly.
"Then come."
"I'll introduce you to a powerful expert..."
(End of Chapter)