2: The Trial of Assessment

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Yet the affairs of the world are ever unpredictable.

Chen Longshi had barely steeled his resolve when, as soon as the mobilization meeting concluded, he received a call from his father.

“Son, I have tremendous news to share.”

Instead of delight, a vague sense of unease pricked at Chen Longshi’s heart. He asked, “What news?”

“Our Tiansheng Real Estate won the bid today—we’ve become one of the main contractors for the Wall Construction Project. Do you know who I was just drinking with? General Leng of the Wolf Fang Army! He heard about your impending graduation and specially mentioned to me that he could pull some strings for you. If you’re willing to join the Wolf Fang Army, you’ll start no lower than a company commander.”

Chen Longshi felt no joy at this and quickly turned over the implications in his mind. He asked, “Dad, once we’re involved in the Wall Construction Project, there’s no backing out, is there?”

His father, Chen Tiger, was momentarily stunned. “Son, you’re usually so quick-witted. How could you ask such a question? This is a national mobilization—everyone is taking part. Every construction company in the country has been tapped. Tiansheng Real Estate ranks among the top three in Chuzhou—how could we possibly stand aside?

In this matter, the only path is to join proactively. Hesitating or siding with the conservatives would only leave us unwelcome on both sides. There’s little profit to be had in the Wall Construction Project itself, but at least it brands us with a state-backed identity. Whatever losses we suffer now, we’ll recover eventually.”

Chen Longshi agreed with his father’s analysis, though he hadn’t expected his father to be so eager to pledge allegiance.

“Dad, if possible, please try to secure the section at Jiutian Peak for our part of the project.”

“Jiutian Peak?” Chen Tiger paused and checked the map. “That’s the most challenging section! High altitude, bitter cold, harsh environment—no one dares take it on. The military was planning to handle it themselves. And this is a once-in-a-century project, nothing like the others. Even with subsidies, we’d lose at least tens of billions.”

“It’s all right, just a few billion. That won’t break our family, will it?” Chen Longshi spoke with a tone of subtle persuasion. “Dad, I’ve received confidential information from my teacher—recently, star energy fluctuations around Jiutian Peak have been acting strangely. There’s suspicion a new dimensional rift may form there. If we participate in the early development, we’re bound to gain unexpected rewards.”

Chen Tiger’s demeanor grew solemn. “Is this information reliable?”

“It concerns dimensional rifts—how could any information be certain?” Chen Longshi spoke earnestly. “These details are circulating internally, but the military is already preparing covertly, just in case. Of course, it’s a serious matter, and the final decision is yours. But whatever you decide, you’ll need to act quickly. Once the dust settles, it’ll be impossible to get involved.”

Such weighty news immediately brought to Chen Tiger’s mind the rise of the Ali Grand Avenue Consortium.

Didn’t Ali seize its opportunity by being among the first to develop a dimensional secret realm? Now Boss Ma is famous worldwide. The people even jokingly call “Ali Grand Avenue” the “Ali Great Thief”—who knows how much they’ve gained from the secret realm.

And it’s not just Ali—SwiftRise, Raymi, Lady Green, Eight Petal Chrysanthemum—these tech conglomerates have all grown ever stronger by following a similar path in the new era. If an opportunity like this landed with Tiansheng Real Estate, even if not the nation’s richest, Chen Tiger could at least become the wealthiest man in Chuzhou. Perhaps one day, he might even earn a title of nobility.

“Secure Jiutian Peak,” he decided in an instant. This was a gamble worth taking.

“There’s one more thing, Dad. I have a sincere suggestion for you,” Chen Longshi said.

Chen Tiger’s face darkened. “You rascal, save the games with your old man. Out with it!”

“Heh, then I’ll come straight out. Our family may have some assets, but we’re still far from the real power elite. The military has its factions—the Wolf Fang Army is strong, but so is the Dragon Army. I’m excelling at Xuanyuan Military Academy, and with imperial backing, as long as I graduate normally, I’ll be an officer. My post after graduation is sure to be in a privileged department—there’s no need to get tangled in military factional politics.”

“Am I right?”

Chen Tiger’s face darkened further. He felt as though his good intentions had been misunderstood, but he wasn’t deaf to advice.

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Chen Tiger was a master in the business world, always decisive in negotiations, but he valued his son’s opinion above all. After all, everything he worked for at his age was for his son’s future—one day, all would be passed down to him. He pondered, “So you’re saying you won’t join the military after all? Isn’t that what the academy’s for?”

“Most likely not. If I were an average military student, joining the army and heading to the front would be expected. Ironically, because my grades are too good, it’ll be harder for me to get sent to the front.”

“You rascal, the farther you stay from the front, the happier your mother will be.”

With a son like that, he certainly didn’t want to be the one holding him back.

“Jiutian Peak it is, then. The Wall Project is a loss anyway, it’s just a matter of how much. I’ll leave General Leng to his own devices. But when are you coming home? Your mother has arranged a marriage meeting for you—just waiting for you to come back and sort it out.”

“Meow, meow, meow~~”

Is matchmaking really a standard plotline for every protagonist?

In his past life, women were never in short supply for him; matchmaking was never needed. In this life, he had entered military school early, and though there was no lack of pretty female students, the academy’s strict management and his own focus on study and training meant he’d never been in a relationship. The prospect of a legendary matchmaking meeting was, in truth, rather intriguing.

He promised to return after graduation if time allowed, and also reminded his father to keep him informed of any changes.

His father was eager for this as well. Ever since his son had joined the academy, they’d had few chances to see each other. Chen Longshi had always been the precious only child, cradled in his parents’ palms, their pride and joy. Forced to leave home for military service in his youth, their meetings had only become rarer—a worry for any parent.

Moreover, their family was the envy of many, with the close, brotherly ties between father and son.

...

“Long, where have you been? I’ve been looking for you everywhere.”

Returning to his dormitory, Chen Longshi was stopped by a crew-cut young man.

“Come on, Daxiong, don’t call me ‘Long’er’—someone might get the wrong idea. Just call me Long.” The academy’s dorms were spacious; their eighty-square-meter room was home to just two.

His roommate was Nie Renxiong. Though not brothers, living and training together had made them close. “So, what’s up?”

“If your mom can call you that, why can’t I?” Daxiong shot back, disgruntled.

“You looking for a fight?”

“All right, all right—someone wants you... No, not me, it’s Teacher Hua. He’s looking for you. He’s called for Ji Yao and An Zhongyuan as well. You three are the top students in our class—if you’ve all been summoned, there must be good news. I’ve been searching everywhere for you.”

“Got it. I’ll head over now. Keep the beer and crayfish warm for me—we’ll share when I get back.”

“Damn, I help you deliver a message and you extort a meal out of me? You’re impossible.”

Chen Longshi made his way to the teacher’s office, familiar with the route. Teacher Hua Xiong’s imposing figure was already waiting at the door. “Come in, you’re the last one.”

Chen Longshi stepped inside without preamble, finding a man and a woman already waiting.

Even in uniform, Ji Yao’s allure was unmistakable—a beauty both mature and noble, captivating to both men and women alike. Her stunning figure, with its perfect curves and endlessly long legs, would put her in the top three of Chen Longshi’s two lifetimes of experience.

An Zhongyuan was massive, standing over six foot two, only a few centimeters shorter than Chen Longshi, but with a frame twice as broad. If Chen Longshi embodied the grace of a trained athlete, An Zhongyuan was the very image of raw power—at least, if one overlooked the face.

They had been standing together, but as Chen Longshi entered, Ji Yao nonchalantly made space for him in the center. He stepped forward naturally, exchanging greetings with the two. An Zhongyuan gave a curt nod, while Ji Yao offered a sweet smile.

Hua Xiong got straight to the point. “The reason I’ve called you three is for the upcoming graduation assessment. You’ve probably heard the trial will take place in a secret realm.”

The three nodded—it was no secret; anyone with an interest could find out.

Ji Yao asked, “Teacher, we’ve been training for all sorts of situations in secret realms recently. Is there some change?”

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Hua Xiong waved a hand. “Still in a secret realm, and the location is now confirmed—the Primeval Secret Realm in Shennong Forest, northwest of Chuzhou. That will be for the regular students. For elite students, the additional assessment will be held in a special trial realm within—the Sword Tomb Secret Realm.”

Shennong Forest, the Sword Tomb Secret Realm?

Chen Longshi’s heart skipped—those names were so familiar. With that spark, long-buried memories surged forth. If he recalled correctly, the Sword Tomb Secret Realm appeared in a spinoff online game from the Monster Movie Universe as the final test of the beginner’s village.

But was this world the same as the one he remembered?

If it was...

He thought of something hidden within that dungeon, and his heart beat faster. Even as a transmigrator, he couldn’t help but be excited—whatever it was, it must be a true treasure.

“You three are the ones I have the highest hopes for. I have no doubt you’ll excel in the trial. But since there are rankings, and you’re the inaugural class of Xuanyuan Military Academy—the first disciples, so to speak—the higher-ups have decreed that the top three students will receive special rewards.”

“Teacher, what kind of rewards?” An Zhongyuan asked eagerly.

“First place: a fourth-grade Star Weapon with thirty-six seals, plus your choice of one gold-class Star Technique and two gold-class Star Skills from the armory. Second: a Star Weapon with twenty-seven seals, one gold-class Star Technique, and two silver-class Star Skills. Third: a Star Weapon with eighteen seals, one silver-class Star Technique, and two silver-class Star Skills.”

As soon as Hua Xiong finished, Chen Longshi could sense the excitement radiating from both An Zhongyuan and Ji Yao.

Truthfully, the number of skills was of little consequence—at their stage, high-level techniques and skills were rarely used. But the chance to access them early, to plan their martial path ahead of others—who wouldn’t want that? Not to mention the famed Star Weapons—those were worth fighting for.

“There are eighteen classes this year, over nine hundred students. Standing out won’t be easy. But I hope you give it your all in the trial. Not just the top three—even the top fifty get rewards, though nothing as tempting as the top three...”

An Zhongyuan said, “Teacher, you don’t need to say more. We’ll give everything we have to reach the top three—we won’t let Class Ten down.”

Hua Xiong smiled at him. “You’re the class leader; confidence is good, but don’t underestimate the others. The exam is in three days. Here are some materials on the Sword Tomb Secret Realm—take them and study well. If you need anything, come to me any time.”

“Yes, thank you, Teacher.”

“All right—An Zhongyuan, Ji Yao, you may leave. Chen Longshi, stay behind.”

At these words, An Zhongyuan glanced at Chen Longshi, his expression unreadable. He saluted and left. Ji Yao winked covertly at him, mouthing “Good luck,” before heading out as well.

Once they were gone, Hua Xiong studied Chen Longshi. “How is your health?”

“Much better, thank you. I’ve completely recovered. I suppose it was just bad luck—got knocked on the head by chance.”

Hua Xiong’s tone grew grave. “The intelligence department investigated the accident thoroughly—no anomalies were found, and the driver was caught. But for a top-tier Martial Forging Realm student, an elite at the academy, to be knocked out like that, and in a place not all that secluded, with no one discovering you for a whole day, is very coincidental. So many coincidences in a row are suspicious. Don’t let your guard down. Society is unstable, the Wall Project has begun, and some people may not be able to sit still. If anything unusual happens, come to me immediately.”

A chill ran through Chen Longshi. “I understand. I’ll be vigilant.”

In truth, not everything was ordinary—after all, he was a transmigrator now.

He’d been sleeping poorly lately, too, often feeling a heavy, echoing heartbeat, as if something lived inside his chest. But hospital tests—X-rays, MRIs, even genetic scans—showed nothing. Still, he sensed instinctively that this was not something to share.

“Come by my place when you have time—your teacher’s wife misses you.”

“Thank you for thinking of me. I’ll definitely visit her—and I’ve been craving her braised pork knuckle for a long time!”

“Good.”