Days passed, and in the blink of an eye, the first semester was drawing to a close.
In the past days, Grade One Class One maintained a united and spirited fighting will, and the entire class was immersed in a fervent atmosphere of Cultivate.
From classrooms to training grounds, and then to meditation rooms, students diligently Cultivate could be seen everywhere.
Everyone was going all out to improve their strength, not daring to be even slightly negligent.
On this day, Shen Yi stood on the podium, a rare, brilliant smile on her face.
This unusual smile caused an inexplicable unease among the students below.
"Teacher Shen, your smile... it makes us a little scared," Xie Xie couldn't help but mutter softly.
"Hmm?"
Shen Yi raised an eyebrow and looked at him. Although she still smiled, her gaze instantly silenced Xie Xie.
Xie Xie quickly lowered his head, not daring to say more.
The other students also held their breath, waiting nervously for Shen Yi to continue.
"The teaching for the first half of the academic year is about to end."
Shen Yi finally spoke, a hint of playfulness in her voice, "The final exam you've all been looking forward to is coming."
This sentence made all the students in the class unconsciously sit up straight, and the classroom instantly fell silent.
Looking forward to the final exam?
It's unlikely any student would truly look forward to it.
After all, Shrek Academy's final exams have always been known for their strictness, with people being eliminated every time.
A tense atmosphere permeated the classroom, and every student's face was filled with solemnity and worry.
Having enjoyed the benefits of Cultivate and studying at Shrek Academy, none of them wanted to be the one eliminated.
"According to the rules, five people will be eliminated in this final assessment."
Shen Yi's gaze swept across the room, "I hope everyone takes it seriously and doesn't become one of those eliminated."
She paused, then continued: "Of course, if everyone can meet the passing standard, no one will be eliminated."
"However, in the next final assessment, everyone's passing score will be raised by five points."
Then, Shen Yi announced the exam rules in detail: "Starting from tomorrow morning, within fifteen days, you need to travel to Mingdu alone. Along the way, you must pass through at least ten cities, including Mingdu."
"In each city, you need to defeat an opponent whose Cultivate is more than five levels higher than yours, without any external assistance. How to find an opponent, how to defeat an opponent, and how to travel to Mingdu—these are all your own affairs."
"Everyone must travel alone. Before leaving, all storage spirit tools, communication spirit tools, as well as other resources and money, must be left behind."
"The Academy will send teachers to follow along and record your combat situations, but the teachers will not intervene, even if you face life-threatening danger. This is no exception."
"Therefore, throughout the entire exam process, I hope you will be cautious and not challenge opponents you cannot handle."
After announcing the rules for the final exam, Shen Yi walked out of the classroom without delay, leaving behind a silent room.
The students of Grade One Class One looked at each other, then fell into deep thought.
The first problem before them was as real as it gets: how to get the first sum of money for the journey.
"Fang Yang, how do we earn money?" Tang Wulin was the first to speak, his brows furrowed.
Fang Yang's tone was calm, "It's simple."
"Hmm?"
Tang Wulin and the others' gazes all fell on Fang Yang.
"Isn't it just playing to Shrek Academy's tradition?" Fang Yang's lips curved into a meaningful smile.
"You mean... robbery?"
Gu Yue asked thoughtfully, a hint of understanding flashing in her eyes.
"No, as students of Shrek Academy, can we call it robbery?"
Fang Yang shook his head, his tone matter-of-fact, "This is clearly borrowing money."
"Oh, I see..."
Tang Wulin and the others showed thoughtful expressions upon hearing this.
"Fang Yang."
At this moment, Ye Xinglan and Wu Sido also walked over.
"What's wrong?"
Seeing this, Fang Yang looked at the two of them.
"It's just, how are we supposed to earn money?"
Ye Xinglan asked directly, and Wu Sido nodded in agreement, indicating the same question.
"It's simple."
Fang Yang's answer was still crisp and decisive, "Just borrow some money, isn't it?"
"This..."
Ye Xinglan and Wu Sido exchanged glances. This suggestion sounded a bit outrageous, but in the current situation, it seemed to be the most direct and effective method.
After a brief thought, both had to admit that this suggestion made a lot of sense... The next morning, all the students of Grade One Class One gathered at Spirit Ice Plaza, ready to depart.
Almost all students who could be admitted to Shrek Academy had storage spirit tools for their daily storage.
The first thing Wu Changkong and Shen Yi did upon arrival was to register and store their storage spirit tools.
Other than the clothes on their backs, they were not allowed to take a single item with them during the final exam.
Fang Yang looked calm; his truly important items were mostly stored in the strange fire pearl, and his storage spirit tool only contained some ordinary objects.
Body searches were absolutely strict, with males and females separated.
Most students were relatively honest, but there were also some who held onto a glimmer of hope.
When a teacher whose Spirit was an eye and who had a Spirit Ability called 'X-ray Vision' appeared, all hopes of getting away with anything vanished... Outside the Academy gate, a cold wind blew. Despite the physical conditioning of Shrek students, who shouldn't feel cold, there was still a sense of shivering.
"So clean!" a student cried out miserably.
Afterward, everyone bid farewell and quickly departed.
Fifteen days seemed like a long time, but they had far too many things to do.
The first step was to earn money; without money, it was impossible to move an inch!
"Then let's split up too," Fang Yang said.
"Okay."
Tang Wulin and the others nodded.
"Gu Yue, Xiao Yan, be careful," Fang Yang instructed.
"Mhm."
Gu Yue and Xu Xiaoyan nodded.
To be safe, he had left a flame on both Gu Yue and Xu Xiaoyan.
With this safeguard, it would be enough to handle most unexpected situations.
At the main gate of Shrek Academy, Fang Yang was the first to arrive.
His old acquaintance, Le Zhengyu, happened to walk over as well. He naturally saw Fang Yang but had no intention of acknowledging him.
Just as Le Zhengyu was about to walk past, Fang Yang took a step sideways, blocking him.
"Fang Yang, what do you mean?" Le Zhengyu frowned.
"Robbery. Hand over one million federal currency, and I'll let you pass," Fang Yang said nonchalantly.
Le Zhengyu was so angry he laughed, "Robbery in broad daylight? Do you have no regard for the law?"
"You don't want to get beaten up, do you?" Fang Yang's tone remained calm.
"You..."
Le Zhengyu's eyes were bloodshot, and he gasped for Qi like an ox.
"Are you giving it or not?" Fang Yang took a step forward.
"Fine... I'll give it. I just hope you have the money to take, but not the life to spend!" Le Zhengyu said through gritted teeth.
"Good, I'll be waiting."
Fang Yang smiled slightly and extended his hand.
Le Zhengyu reluctantly took out one million federal currency from his storage spirit tool and handed it to Fang Yang.
Fang Yang nodded in satisfaction, "Good, you can go now."
"Hmph."
Le Zhengyu snorted coldly and left angrily. Before he left, he glared fiercely at Fang Yang.
Fang Yang watched Le Zhengyu walk away, a meaningful smile playing on his lips.
This money was enough for his expenses on the road.
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