Chapter 5: The Assessment Begins

[Shocking! A student from Qingteng Academy in our city awakened an SSS Level Spirit Contract Master talent, yet fell from grace, enamored by beauty, and contracted an E-level waste Contracted Spirit!]

[Famous critic Cai Xin said, "This young man lacks a sense of responsibility; it’s utterly ridiculous and self-destructive behavior."]

[Deep Blue City Guardian Organization’s acting in-charge, Deputy Captain Zhao Hu, stated that this is a personal choice and would provide no comment, but the organization expresses its disappointment.]

[Citizens spontaneously petitioned to kick out this termite wasting academy resources from Deep Blue City and exile him to the Lower City District to set an example! Currently, Qingteng Academy’s principal, Chen Guangpu, has not yet responded.]

"..."

In just one night, the news of Han Zhan awakening an SSS Level talent and only contracting an E-level Contracted Spirit quickly fermented throughout Deep Blue City.

Public resentment rose, and criticisms were continuous.

Some people cursed Han Zhan as an idiot, wasting his talent, wasting the academy’s nurturing, and disappointing all citizens of Great Xia.

Others claimed Xia Youwei was a vixen, seducing men and wishing her ill fate, wanting to unearth her identity.

In the Yage Hotel, seeing these abusive remarks, Zhao Hu exhaled a circle of smoke and squinted his eyes leisurely.

"Godfather, you’re amazing!"

Xiao Mei said cheerfully behind him.

"In what way am I amazing?" Zhao Hu, in a great mood, countered the question.

"You’re annoying!" Xiao Mei coquettishly teased.

"This wave of public opinion is just a prelude; it’s an appetizer for him. When it comes to the Spirit Contract Master assessment, I’ll let him know what cruelty is."

"Daring to challenge me without even measuring his level, courting death!"

"It’s still early; we can do some morning exercise."

...

When Han Zhan arrived at Qingteng Academy, the surrounding people pointed and whispered among each other about him.

Occasionally, some disdainful snickers could be heard.

Before long, Xia Youwei also appeared at the school gate.

Her small face was somewhat pale, seemingly not well-rested, and upon seeing Han Zhan, she hurriedly jogged over.

"I... I’m sorry..."

Xia Youwei twisted her fingers, bowed her head, and murmured.

If it weren’t for her, Han Zhan wouldn’t have suffered so much slander and criticism; she felt very guilty.

Han Zhan laughed heartlessly twice, then reached out and tousled Xia Youwei’s head.

"Stop apologizing for everything all the time; you’re the campus belle, be confident."

As he spoke, Han Zhan stuffed a bag into Xia Youwei’s arms.

"What’s this?"

"Bread and milk, figured you didn’t have breakfast. The Spirit Contract Master assessment is coming up; don’t screw up."

With breakfast in her arms, Xia Youwei felt a warm rush in her heart; she nodded vigorously.

"Okay!"

"As for those clowns," Han Zhan’s tone shifted, "let them take a good look at who the real waste is, who the real idiot is."

"Smash their faces hard!"

"Okay!"

The Spirit Contract Master assessment is a major event held every year after the awakening conference.

Its purpose is to screen Spirit Contract Masters and Contracted Spirits of varying qualities, thereby arranging different paths for them.

The assessment is divided into three stages: combat, healing, and decision-making ability.

Each assessment is scored independently,

that is, if you pass any single assessment, you can be assigned to the corresponding area.

Combat refers to warriors, regardless of front-line combat, offensive positions, or exploration of relics; there are corresponding combat teams.

Healing refers to medical and support personnel in various teams or rear combat hospitals.

Decision-making power, often set by the unified command department, aims to find young "brains" capable of commanding in different battlefield situations.

The Spirit Contract Master assessment is of great significance, and each assessment is broadcasted by officials of various cities to the public.

As for those Spirit Contract Masters and Contracted Spirits who can’t meet the standards in all three major items, they will be exiled to the Lower City District.

Survival of the fittest, natural selection.

This world is more cruel and more real.

Han Zhan and Xia Youwei arrived at the Spirit Contract Master assessment site, where a lot of candidates had already gathered.

Han Zhan also spotted Xiao Mei in the crowd, who seemed to have consumed some tonic, glowing with vitality after one night.

Before he could take a second glance,

Xia Youwei already stood in front of him, blocking his view with the back of her head.

"Don’t look!"

Why was she getting jealous?

With a smile on his lips, Han Zhan tousled her hair into a mess, causing Xia Youwei to squawk.

"You’re Han Zhan, right?"

A voice suddenly came from behind, and a proud-looking boy approached.

"And you are?"

"I’m Wang Luma, Xiao Mei’s Spirit Contract Master."

"Pfft." Han Zhan nearly choked on his saliva.

This name is truly gifted.

Wang Luma’s expression turned a bit sinister. "What are you laughing at?"

"Sorry, I just thought of something particularly funny and couldn’t hold it in."

"Hmph, clown, seeking attention. Han Zhan, not choosing Mei’er will be your most regrettable decision!"

"If I had chosen her, there’d be no role for you, right? By then, where would you be, hiding under the covers shedding little pearls, sniffling?"

Han Zhan didn’t hold back, directly retorting.

Wang Luma, hearing his words, instinctively clenched his fists. "You!"

"Luma, don’t bother with him; he’s just an upcoming exile to the Lower City District, a waste."

At this time, Xiao Mei also walked over from the crowd.

She gave a venomous look at Xia Youwei, who was closely and affectionately standing beside Han Zhan, and then hooked her arm with Wang Luma’s, heading towards the assessment point.

The assessment had already begun.

The first test was the combat test.

Spirit Contract Masters and Contracted Spirits would enter a special combat space, where the number and type of Insect Race would gradually increase based on the test’s difficulty.

In the combat space at this moment, Wang Luma and Xiao Mei stood side by side.

"Test difficulty one: Tier One Alien Insect Black Bull Insect, one." As the assessor’s voice rang out, the cage opposite was opened, and a calf-sized insect was released inside.

Black Bull Insect, Tier One Alien Insect, known for brute force, low intelligence, and thick-skinned.

For newly awakened Tier One Spirit Contract Masters, it presents a considerable challenge.

Wang Luma cried out,

A bright green light radiated from him, gradually converging on his head to form dew drops.

An S Level talent, Like the Morning Dew.

The performer can significantly enhance the attributes of themselves and their Contracted Spirit.

Simultaneously, Xiao Mei transformed into a spear shape, with celestial energy swirling around the spear body under the blessing of Like the Morning Dew, appearing extraordinary!

"Break!"

Facing the oncoming Black Bull Insect, Wang Luma grasped the spear with both hands and thrust forward fiercely.

The sharp spear tip stabbed directly in, and the Black Bull Insect let out a shrill howl,

but the thick-skinned feature of the Black Bull Insect enabled it to continue rushing forward with brute force despite being impaled in a vital area.

Wang Luma bit his teeth and sank the Green Blood Washed Silver Spear.

In the next second, white immortal spirit energy surged, piercing it through with a single strike!

Tier One Black Bull Insect, dead.

"Next!" He proudly raised the spear tip, brimming with fighting spirit.

Seeing this scene, the crowd erupted with exclamations.

"He’s so cool!"

"Is this what an S Level talent Spirit Contract Master is? It’s too powerful!"

"An S Level Contracted Spirit Green Blood Washed Silver Spear can even pierce through a thick-skinned Black Bull Insect with one stab!"

"Where’s Han Zhan, the one with the E-level contracted spirit? I just want to see the expression on his face now, hahaha!"

"Don’t worry; he’s up next. Come quickly to watch; the clown is about to start performing!"