Chapter 547 - 234: Sub-dragon Warrior, the Golden Mechanism’s Heaven-Defying Effect
Chapter 547: Chapter 234: Sub-dragon Warrior, the Golden Mechanism’s Heaven-Defying Effect
It seemed the deeper secrets of the Painful Labyrinth had been completely buried in that explosion.
But Lin Ye didn’t believe it.
’A rift this massive can’t possibly have just one exit.’
Ah Qiang froze. Then, two orbs of hateful soulfire blazed to life within its empty eye sockets!
"As you command!"
Ah Qiang’s voice was filled with an unprecedented determination.
"Even if I have to tear this place apart, I will find the path to the lower levels!"
...
「The next day.」
The morning sun streamed into the room through the floor-to-ceiling windows.
At nine o’clock sharp, Li Kai Nian’s car pulled up to the hotel entrance, right on time.
The four of them boarded the car.
The vehicle lifted off smoothly and merged into the bustling skyways of the Imperial Capital. It sped toward the heart of the sprawling city, toward the Great Xia Ministry of Education.
Before long, a magnificent architectural complex came into view. Its style was a blend of solemn grandeur and futuristic technology.
Led by Li Kai Nian, the four passed through several layers of security before finally arriving in a spacious, brightly lit hall.
Inside the hall, dozens of figures were already gathered.
They were the cream of the crop—the top one hundred students from this year’s national martial arts college entrance exam.
The moment Lin Ye’s group walked into the hall, the somewhat noisy room fell silent.
Every gaze in the room, like iron filings drawn to a magnet, snapped to the figure leading the group.
Lin Ye!
At that moment, the hearts of nearly every prodigy in the room inexplicably clenched.
They couldn’t quite explain where this feeling came from.
The young man before them wasn’t exuding any discernible aura, his expression as placid as a deep pool of water. Yet, a mere glance from his dark eyes was enough to make one’s heart pound uncontrollably.
In the crowd, Xia Lianxue’s face paled slightly.
She subconsciously lowered her gaze, not daring to meet Lin Ye’s eyes.
Not long ago, outside Imperial Capital Exam Site 001, she had been the "favored daughter of heaven," so arrogant she looked down on everyone.
But now, just one day later, their roles had been completely reversed.
She had been relegated to the background, while he had become the center of everyone’s attention—the one at the very apex of the pyramid.
The stark contrast left her feeling suffocated and humiliated.
Xiao Lingchen, who stood beside her, was in no better state.
Although he still maintained a composed and carefree demeanor, anyone could see the strain in his smile.
His gaze toward Lin Ye was filled with deep apprehension and confusion.
Just as the atmosphere in the hall grew awkward, a middle-aged man in a crisp uniform emerged from a side door.
His gait was firm and steady, his gaze as sharp as an eagle’s.
"Good morning, students."
"By order of the Director-General, I am here to present the rewards for this year’s exam."
He scanned the room and, without any preamble, got straight to the point.
"All candidates ranked below twentieth place may later proceed to the eastern supply depot with your identification to receive your reward: one SS-rank cultivation resource and one A-rank Celestial Abyss Spiritual Object."
As his words fell, a wave of suppressed gasps and sharp intakes of breath swept through the crowd.
An SS-rank cultivation resource!
An A-rank Celestial Abyss Spiritual Object!
Either of those items would be enough to drive an ordinary martial arts family into a frenzy!
And to think, this was just the reward for those ranked below the top twenty!
"Candidates in the top twenty will follow me shortly. You will be granted access to the Ministry’s Tier 1 Resource Vault. There, you may select a Cultivation Technique that suits you, as well as one S-rank or higher Spiritual Object of your choice."
At this, the prodigies ranked outside the top twenty looked on with unconcealed envy.
The chance to enter the Ministry of Education’s resource vault and choose a Cultivation Technique... that was a privilege far beyond what mere material rewards could compare to!
The official’s gaze finally landed on Xia Lianxue and Xiao Lingchen.
"Xia Lianxue, Xiao Lingchen."
"The two of you may enter the Tier 2 Resource Vault. There, you may select one Cultivation Technique, one Observation Skill, and one Spiritual Object of your choice."
Hearing this, the expressions on Xia Lianxue and Xiao Lingchen finally eased somewhat.
Although they had failed to secure the top spot, the Ministry had clearly granted them special treatment second only to the champion.
It was a form of acknowledgment for their status and strength.
Just when everyone thought the rewards had all been announced, the official’s gaze turned to Lin Ye.
His tone, without him even realizing it, became much more deferential.
"As for... Lin Ye."
He paused, as if choosing his words carefully, before saying something that plunged the entire hall into a dead silence.
"Please come with me."
"The Director-General wishes to speak with you..."
"Whatever you want, you can tell him directly."
"He will satisfy your every request."