“There!”
Someone in the plaza waved at Shen Ye.
Xiao Mengyu!
Shen Ye waved back.
Qian Rushan chuckled beside him, patted his shoulder, and lowered his voice.
“I’ll leave you two alone. Contact me later.”
“Hey, don’t be disgusting. We’re just friends,” Shen Ye said irritably.
Qian Rushan didn’t believe him at all. He winked at Shen Ye before turning around to leave with the other professionals who had come to pick up the newcomers.
Shen Ye jumped off the air shuttle and walked up to Xiao Mengyu.
It had only been a night, but her aura felt noticeably different from before.
“Thank you. The healing power you used during battle remained in my body and helped me achieve a breakthrough,” Xiao Mengyu said.
Shen Ye looked at her.
The title above her head had disappeared.
Not only that, but even “Great Swordsman” had become hazy, as if it was evolving into a new title.
—She really did break through.
Shen Ye suddenly noticed how noisy it was around them.
Air shuttles were landing nonstop.
Every time one opened, examinees from all over the world stepped out, looking around curiously.
The slower-moving heavy cargo shuttles were packed with various supplies.
Shen Ye even saw a 100-meter-long air shuttle carrying two mecha suits.
This floating island didn’t produce any crops, had no mineral resources, and no factories.
Everything had to be transported in from the outside.
Despite how busy the port was—
Many people kept glancing in Xiao Mengyu’s direction.
—She was wearing a white hoodie with the hood up, covering her waterfall-like hair. A black mask concealed her face, only revealing her bright eyes. A long sword was strapped to her back, and she wore loose athletic pants, giving her a sharp yet effortlessly graceful look.
“No need for thanks. Let’s find a place to talk,” Shen Ye said.
“Follow me,” Xiao Mengyu replied.
She led him out of the plaza, crossing a few streets until they reached a large sports complex.
“I’d like to rent a small soundproof room for two hours. I’ll extend it if needed.”
“Understood. Please proceed to Hall 9.” The staff handed her a key card.
“Let’s go,” Xiao Mengyu said.
She led Shen Ye further inside. As they walked, Shen Ye observed the structure, which resembled a modern movie theater complex.
Starting from “Hall 1,” each training hall had its doors shut. Occasionally, the muffled sounds of battle could be heard from within.
Along the way—
They passed several public sparring arenas.
Many people were engaged in fights.
A girl was sent flying, rolling several meters before coming to a stop.
She struggled to her feet, her face filled with anger.
“You know so many advanced techniques! Why are you picking on someone like me who hasn’t learned anything yet?”
On the platform—
A tall male student stood with his arms crossed, looking down at her smugly.
“I’m just completing a mission. Why should I care about you?”
Shen Ye glanced at the guy.
He was wearing chainmail armor, metal gauntlets flickering with flames.
—With equipment that good, losing wasn’t even an option.
Shen Ye suddenly recalled something—
This guy… he’d seen him in the ‘Rookie’ card deck.
He was a four-star newcomer, ranked seventeenth in the deck.
The guy had sharp instincts. He immediately sensed Shen Ye’s gaze and turned to look at him.
“Another newbie—wait, no, a one-star!”
He sounded interested, jumping down from the platform and walking toward Shen Ye.
A sword blocked his path.
“He’s mine.”
Xiao Mengyu spoke.
The tall student glanced at her, then at her sword, and hesitated.
“Tch. Fine, beat him up first. I’ll take my turn after.”
“You didn’t hear me? He’s mine,” Xiao Mengyu repeated.
The student’s expression darkened.
“Keeping him all to yourself? You won’t last long if you act like this.”
A flash of cold light.
His clothes split in two and fell to the ground.
Xiao Mengyu’s hand rested lightly on her sword hilt—
As if she’d never even drawn it.
“Say that again,” she said flatly, tilting her head.
The student grabbed his clothes, not even daring to look at her before running away.
“Hmph.”
Xiao Mengyu continued leading Shen Ye forward.
“Are we really going to fight?”
Shen Ye asked in a low voice.
“As long as we stay in battle, no one else can challenge you,” Xiao Mengyu said.
She held up her card.
It displayed the words: “In Combat.”
Shen Ye checked his own card—
It showed the same thing.
“Wait, doesn’t this mean we found a loophole? If everyone did this, wouldn’t they all be safe?” Shen Ye asked.
“Not quite. Others can forcefully interrupt our battle—if they defeat me first.”
Xiao Mengyu said calmly.
“I see… Thanks.”
Shen Ye glanced at her ranking—Fifth among all newcomers.
Five stars above her head.
Her swordsmanship was acknowledged as the best.
Anyone who wanted to fight him now had to think twice.
—This was essentially a protective barrier.
“Are all noble family kids hunting regular examinees for points?” Shen Ye asked.
“Not all. Take Nangong Sirui, for example. He’s too proud to do something like that.”
“You didn’t do it either.”
“No. It’s dishonorable, and not every noble wants to participate.”
“But what if someone overtakes your ranking by doing it?”
“That’s simple,” Xiao Mengyu said matter-of-factly.
“I’ll just keep beating them until I take back all the points they farmed.”
“That… actually makes a lot of sense.”
They walked for a while until they reached a door marked with a large “9.”
Xiao Mengyu scanned the key card.
Beep, beep, beep!
The door slid open.
Inside, a clean wooden floor stretched across a space roughly the size of a basketball court.
The two stepped inside.
“This is a soundproof, enclosed training facility, so no one else can hear what we say.”
Xiao Mengyu explained.
“When I came here, I thought you’d take me to a café or something.” Shen Ye said.
“This place is quieter and more convenient.”
“But if someone gets injured here and is in a life-threatening situation, wouldn’t that mean there’s no one to call for help?”
“There’s a life detection system.”
“The facilities here are really nice. Next time, I’ll apply for a venue too.” Shen Ye remarked.
“Did your Shen family register you as an aristocratic disciple of Yunshan Port?” Xiao Mengyu asked.
“No.”
“Then you won’t be able to apply—these advanced combat venues are only available to aristocratic disciples. Of course, professionals employed by the Three Major Institutions can also apply.”
Shen Ye thought for a moment and said, “Is it because they’re afraid we ordinary people wouldn’t be able to compensate for any damages?”
“Yes.”
“That’s really annoying. Does this world belong to the Noble families or something?” Shen Ye muttered.
“If you manage to get a five-star rating in the ‘Newcomer’ deck, you can apply as well.”
Yeah, right.
Might as well forget about it for now.
“Actually, forget about these power rankings for a moment—I have something to tell you.”
Xiao Mengyu changed the topic.
She recounted everything that had happened since she found Zhao Yibing the previous night.
Shen Ye frowned.
“That’s not right… After I returned to the hotel, I never saw Zhao Yibing. Where was her body?”
“The shadow,” Xiao Mengyu reminded him.
Shen Ye suddenly understood.
But what exactly was that shadow?
“The ‘Skinner’s’ remains were also taken by the shadow. Why?” he asked.
“I don’t know either, but I suspect it needs those remains for something—strange entities like that often require sacrifices that humans can’t understand.” Xiao Mengyu said.
“So Zhao Yibing is going to take the exam as well.” Shen Ye sighed.
“Stay away from her. She’s definitely no longer human.” Xiao Mengyu warned.
“Would reporting this to the authorities do any good?”
“No one would believe it.”
“What about Kunlun?”
“I reported the situation, but there was no response.”
Shen Ye suddenly recalled something.
“By the way, last night, even the emergency line wasn’t working. Do you know why?”
“Someone made a deal with the ‘Skinner.’ Whenever it fights, all communications in the area are cut off to cover up its killings.” Xiao Mengyu said, speaking in an intentionally vague manner.
The two exchanged glances, both well aware of who those “someones” were. *Noble families
“The influence they have is terrifying.” Shen Ye sneered.
“And that’s not all—this morning, several Noble families approached my family, trying to arrange my engagement.”
“Engagement?” Shen Ye repeated.
“Yes. The proposed groom is an elder from a major Noble family. He’s in his fifties and just lost his wife.”
“They really think you’d agree to that?”
“I told them I needed a few days to think it over.”
“Huh?”
Xiao Mengyu remained calm. “Some people in my family are pressuring me.”
Shen Ye asked, “So—”
“I’m just stalling for time. Once I get into one of the Three Major High Schools, I won’t leave until I no longer have to fear them.”
Shen Ye subconsciously let out a breath of relief.
“Shen Ye, have you decided which high school to apply to?” Xiao Mengyu asked.
“I have no idea about any of the Three Major High Schools.” Shen Ye admitted.
It seemed like both of their struggles were happening at the same time.
On his side, his uncle was forcing him to apologize.
On Xiao Mengyu’s side, they were outright trying to destroy her life.
Xiao Mengyu had trained in swordsmanship since childhood, received professional instruction, and attained her current level of mastery.
Even she had to put on a front and buy time.
And him?
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