Chapter 3: Chapter 3

C3 – I Have Money

The second test arrived on schedule. Zhou Mu pulled up to the exam hall in a supercar valued at 88 million yuan, eliciting gasps from the crowd. Several girls couldn’t resist asking for his contact details.

“Look, it’s the sickly one from the Zhou family!”

Someone sneered, setting off a wave of murmurs among the onlookers.

“Didn’t he fail the last test? His physical attribute is a mere 3 points.”

“He’s no match for Mr. Rouge. Mr. Rouge boasts a physical attribute of 8 points!”

The trio lobbed taunts at Zhou Mu.

Unfazed, Zhou Mu stepped out of his car and faced them with a sneer. “You’re all so pitifully poor!”

“You dare insult us?”

They were incredulous at Zhou Mu’s audacity. The usually timid Zhou Mu was now domineering.

Zhou Mu just smirked. “A bunch of paupers!”

“I’m at 8 points for physical attribute. How do you even compare?”

Mr. Rouge retorted with a cold snort.

Zhou Mu simply smiled and countered, “I’m wealthy!”

“My spirit animal is a first-rank, five-star!”

Mr. Rouge boasted once more.

Zhou Mu coolly replied, “And I’m good-looking!”

“Just shut it! You’re both poor and ugly!”

Zhou Mu spat in contempt and strode confidently towards the exam hall, leaving Mr. Rouge seething with rage.

“He’s bound to fail!”

Mr. Rouge spat out a vicious curse. “If he passes, I’ll livestream myself eating three pounds of feces!”

Zhou Mu, having checked his attributes, proceeded to the practical combat test. The task was to battle fiend beasts. Killing ten first-rank, one-star fiend beasts meant passing the test. Continuing to challenge meant extra rewards. The higher the level of challenge, the better the rewards, and the higher the ranking of universities he could apply to. Achieving a “first-rate” evaluation would earn him an extremely rare soul skill.

The practical combat test unfolded in a circular coliseum, surrounded by a throng of spectators and anxious parents. Below the stage, a level six Animal Whisperer stood watch. With each additional challenge Zhou Mu faced, the stakes—and the danger—soared.

Without the presence of a seasoned Animal Whisperer, it’s tough for inexperienced examinees to muster the courage to fully commit to the challenge.

“You’re taking the exam yourself!”

The speaker was the proctor for this examination, Zhou Ming.

His duty was to prevent cheating and ensure the safety of the examinees.

“Uncle Ming, I’m certain I’ll pass this time!”

Zhou Mu said with a confident smile.

Zhou Ming was indeed his uncle.

Zhou Mu’s father had two brothers.

After decades of hard work, Zhou Mu’s father had risen to become a leading merchant in Ambergrasp. His second brother had ascended to the role of commander of the Ambergrasp military.

Zhou Mu’s father’s youngest brother, still girlfriend-less in his thirties, would invariably end up scolded by their grandfather every New Year.

Zhou Mu had the closest bond with Uncle Ming.

“The Zhou family kids are all outstanding!”

Uncle Ming gave Zhou Mu’s shoulder a gentle pat as something the size of a finger slipped down Zhou Mu’s neck and into his shirt.

“The first trial’s fiend beast is the hare. Toss out the Water Jade Radish, and the rabbits won’t kick you,” whispered a faint voice, moving Zhou Mu.

Zhou Ming, as the proctor, was complicit in the cheating. His career prospects seemed of little concern to him.

The Zhou family’s eldest son was wealthy, and the second son wielded power.

“Don’t worry! I’ve got this!”

Zhou Mu grinned, pulling out the radish and biting into its crisp flesh. It was no surprise the rabbits were fond of it.

Zhou Ming sensed something amiss, yet the examination had to proceed.

He opened the enclosure, and ten hares darted out.

Their snow-white fur and long ears made them look adorable and seemingly harmless.

Yet, as first rank, one-star fiend beasts, hares served as prey for other fiend beasts.

One should never underestimate a group of hares; a misstep could result in broken bones.

A slightly larger spirit animal would have no trouble defeating these hares.

The ten hares quickly turned their attention to Zhou Mu.

Zhou Mu remained unflustered as he casually summoned Gator with a wave of his hand.

The emerald-hued Gator was strikingly beautiful.

Its arrival instantly caused a stir.

Once Gator appeared, the ten ferocious hares surprisingly settled down and lay flat on the ground.

Gator leisurely made its way over to feast on the rabbits.

What was happening?

Why had all the hares suddenly stopped moving?

Gator didn’t waste time eating.

In under thirty seconds, it polished off ten Hare Rabbits and let out a burp.

“I really underestimated you!”

Zhou Ming watched Zhou Mu breeze through the challenge with ease and nodded in approval. Without hesitation, he unleashed the second wave of fiend beasts.

“Meet the Gopher, a first-rank, two-star fiend beast. They excel at burrowing and tunneling. The floor here has been fortified with a mode, so they can’t escape. Your prize for winning is a martial arts technique of your choice.”

Zhou Ming briefly described the fiend beast’s traits, seemingly concerned that Zhou Mu might be at a disadvantage.

“Understood!”

Zhou Mu acknowledged with a nod.

Gator had achieved leader quality. Apart from third-rank fiend beasts, it could vanquish any other fiend beast.