Chapter 21

Rong Taotao, who had been waiting all day, didn't receive a friend request from Si Huannian. Instead, she received a call from her sister-in-law in the evening.

"Hello, Sister-in-law~"

"Tomorrow morning at 8 o'clock, we'll gather in front of the martial arts hall? Okay, I got it."

"Do we need to prepare anything? Should I bring extra clothes? Some water, food, and such?"

"Oh? Just bring a humble heart... Hmm..."

"Sister-in-law, your words are so profound, I... Eh? You hung up?"

Rong Taotao put down her phone, couldn't help but pout. She was so busy, not even letting her finish five sentences.

...

The next morning, after having breakfast, Rong Taotao and Lu Mang, dressed in thick down jackets, arrived at the martial arts hall.

Both of them clearly knew that their examination site was beyond the wall, so... gathering at the martial arts hall rather than at the school gate might mean there would be an elimination round here?

Although her sister-in-law said that Rong Taotao only needed to bring a humble heart, she still went to the store last night and bought a bunch of chocolates, the kind that are smooth and creamy.

That morning, the front of the martial arts hall was bustling with people, and the young faces were filled with excitement, anxiety, and other emotions.

Rong Taotao estimated that there were nearly 100 junior high school graduates. It wasn't until Yang Chunxi walked up the stone steps in front of the martial arts hall that the crowd quieted down.

She was wearing a beige trench coat, and inside the wide-open coat was a thin white wool sweater. Her demeanor was impeccable, but she did indeed have a touch of cold beauty.

The cold wind blew through her jet-black hair, and Rong Taotao couldn't help but wrap her down jacket tighter around herself.

"Pay attention."

Yang Chunxi's calm voice cut through the layers of wind and snow, making the martial arts hall silent. Even the students sparring in the outdoor training area stopped.

She began, "Welcome to the entrance examination for the Songjiang Soul Martial University Junior Class. Before you came, you should have known about our examination site, which is north of the wall."

Looking at the obedient and quiet faces, Yang Chunxi nodded slightly and said, "The examination site is somewhat dangerous, so the school has assigned a guardian to each examinee.

For your safety, Songjiang Soul Martial University has contacted the local defense corps and invited 100 Snowflame Army soldiers."

"Wow!"

"Tsk tsk..." A series of light sighs came from the children, who seemed excited and relieved.

Yang Chunxi: "From the moment you step beyond the first wall, the only ones you can rely on are the Snowflame Army soldiers. Therefore, I hope you will cooperate with their work.

Of course, under normal circumstances, the Snowflame Army soldiers hidden in the shadows will not interfere with your examination. However, if it involves a matter of life and death, you must unconditionally follow their orders.

If you do not obey the soldiers' commands, it could cause significant trouble for your soul martial career."

Yang Chunxi's gaze swept over the entire crowd, her expression serious and solemn: "Songjiang Soul Martial University has the confidence and ability to do this. If an examinee is found to be uncooperative, not only will you be sent back by Songjiang Soul Martial University, but the soul martial high school you applied to will also reject your admission."

Such a severe punishment system made the middle school students realize the seriousness of the situation.

Yang Chunxi: "100 examinees, from all over the country. To put it bluntly, you are all talented individuals, but talent does not mean everything.

The criteria for this examination will not be disclosed to you.

The only thing you know is the content of the examination."

The students' ears perked up, their eyes fixed on the Songjiang Soul Martial teacher on the steps.

Yang Chunxi: "North of the first wall, south of the second wall. Survive for 7 days in this area."

"Damn..."

"Survive!? 7 days!? Isn't it just about killing a low-level soul beast and coming back?"

"Who cares about killing a soul beast, you'll freeze to death!"

Yang Chunxi raised a finger, and the crowd below fell silent again: "The Snowflame Army soldiers will do their best to ensure your safety. Additionally, you can withdraw at any time. There is no time limit; you just need to signal the Snowflame Army soldiers, and they will bring you back."

As she spoke, Yang Chunxi drew a half-circle in the air, indicating to everyone: "Line up by gender, form two columns, and enter the martial arts hall to collect survival supplies and equipment."

After a brief chaos, Rong Taotao followed the group into the martial arts hall.

Yang Chunxi watched the students enter and said, "The school will provide lockers for you to store all your personal items in the changing room. When you come out, you must be uniformly dressed and are not allowed to hide any personal items. Violators will be sent back directly."

Rong Taotao touched the chocolate in her pocket, feeling extremely uncomfortable.

She had been thinking about using it to replenish her energy, but now that option was cut off.

The key point is that chocolate is so expensive...

Inside the hall, the boys and girls entered their respective changing rooms, where teachers were already waiting.

Rong Taotao received a locker key and a set of white snow camouflage clothing, including a wool cap, gloves, military boots, a backpack, and even a ski-like pair of goggles.

Songjiang Soul Martial University was indeed wealthy and generous, with a wide range of equipment sizes and everything available, like a self-service store, and the best part was that it was free.

Rong Taotao quickly changed into the clothes and, following the teacher's guidance, walked out of the changing room with the other students and went upstairs.

As she walked, she flipped through the contents of the large backpack.

Food, water, medicine, a small pot, a sleeping bag... Hey, what's this?

A flare? Probably for signaling for help?

While reading the instructions for the flare, Rong Taotao heard a "ding ding dang" sound.

Rong Taotao looked up and her mouth formed an "O" shape.

This was like a large military supply store, and at that moment, students were testing the weapons to see if they were suitable.

Since the examination targets were soul martial students, the room was filled with 20 weapon racks, with a wide variety of weapons.

Rong Taotao had come here yesterday morning to get a halberd, but she hadn't expected the internal space to be so vast and well-stocked.

In the soul martial world, 50% of people can awaken to become soul martial practitioners, so the martial arts culture in the entire Chinese society is undeniable.

Especially for these children, when they saw the weapons, their eyes lit up.

Following the teacher's recommendation, Rong Taotao chose a small outdoor survival knife and then headed for the weapon racks.

His target was the halberd.

Hundreds of weapons were neatly arranged, and the halberd was particularly tempting.

Just as Rong Taotao reached the weapon rack, a middle-aged man's voice came from behind: "Was it you who sparred with Huannian yesterday?"

Rong Taotao was taken aback, turned around, and only saw the man's chest.

Rong Taotao strained to look up and saw a plain, square face.

This man must have been waiting for me here all along, right?

Rong Taotao nodded and said, "Hello, teacher. Yes, it was me who sparred with her."

Rong Taotao was self-aware; he knew that the man was not interested in "Rong Taotao" but in his name: Xu Fenghua's son.

This scene had been a constant throughout Rong Taotao's growth, and he was used to it.

Rong Taotao rubbed his head and smiled foolishly, "Um... hehe, I didn't beat her."

The man: "..."

If you could beat her, that would be a real problem.

The middle-aged man: "I heard you lasted two rounds with her, which is quite impressive. What did you learn?"

Oh, you're quite a talker, aren't you?

If you want to see the son of a soul general, just say it. You're even giving both sides a way out?

Rong Taotao's expression was strange, "The gap was too big, not even in the same weight class. I didn't learn much. I wasn't careful, and she picked me up... Oh, right! I did learn something!"

The man: "Hmm?"

Rong Taotao's face lit up, "I can now sing 'Forget the Troubles' really well!"

The man: "..."

Rong Taotao rummaged in his pocket, took out a piece of chocolate, and handed it to the male teacher, "What's your surname, teacher?"

The man was clearly taken aback. This kid... isn't afraid of strangers?

"Take it, teacher. The examination doesn't allow hiding personal items, so my chocolate was a waste.

I have to get rid of it all before leaving the martial arts hall. If you don't take it, it's like sending me home indirectly." Rong Taotao raised his hand and placed the chocolate on the teacher's chest.

A blatant act of bribery!

The surrounding students were stunned!

"Haha, kid, you're quite interesting." The man's large hand took the chocolate and said, "I'll pass it on to Huannian; she likes sweet things."

"Eh, how stingy~ Not at all generous!" Rong Taotao took another piece of chocolate from his pocket and stuffed it into the teacher's hand, "Both of you, both of you!"

The man looked at Rong Taotao in amazement and then laughed.

Rong Taotao couldn't help but be moved.

This plain, square face, but when he smiled, it was so carefree.

The charm of this middle-aged man was almost maxed out...

At that moment, Rong Taotao had only one thought: In twenty years, I will become such a man!

In full view of everyone, the man really took the chocolate, seemingly not caring about others' opinions or any influence.

He even said openly, "I am one of the teachers for this junior class. Do well in the examination."

Rong Taotao quickly asked, "Teacher, what's your name?"

"Li Lie." The middle-aged man said casually and then turned to leave.

Li Lie?

The name was easy to remember, very... Damn! My God!

Li Lie!

In Rong Taotao's mind, the plain face of the middle-aged man merged with the image from the internet he had looked up yesterday.

One of the four courtesies of Songjiang Soul Martial, the alcohol in the set of tobacco, alcohol, sugar, and tea!

He actually waited for me here? This...

With Li Lie, why do I need anyone else?

Si Huannian?

Ha ha, forget it!

From now on, I am Li Lie's person!

Of course, if Si Huannian accepts my friend request and sends me two more chocolates, I'm not saying I can't...

After all, that chocolate is really delicious.