Chapter 14 The Assessment Begins

Lin Huang’s registration encountered no obstacles. The sign-up process was merely a preliminary screening to prevent an excessive number of participants in the test. Since Lin Huang had already entered the meeting room, Yi Yeyu saw no harm in allowing one more person. Besides, she believed his chances of passing the assessment were virtually nil; he would surely be eliminated during the test, so there was no need to make things difficult for him.

Without even the opportunity to prove himself as a Summoner before Yi Yeyu, Lin Huang inexplicably completed his registration.

“Hey, you’re pretty lucky. When you raised your hand earlier saying you hadn’t registered, I thought that witch would toss you out,” the chubby man, naturally friendly, sidled up to Lin Huang and extended his hand. “Let’s get acquainted. I’m Yin Hangyi. What’s your name?”

“Lin Huang.” Lin Huang couldn’t refuse such a sociable fellow, especially since he meant no harm, so he politely shook his hand.

“You haven’t even reached the Iron rank, yet you’re here for the reserve hunter assessment? You’ve got guts!” Yin Hangyi clapped Lin Huang’s shoulder.

“I thought I’d give it a try. Who knows, maybe I’ll pass,” Lin Huang replied with a smile. He had no intention of revealing he was a Summoner.

After a casual conversation with Yin Hangyi, Lin Huang took his leave—if he didn’t go, this chatty fat man might keep him talking for who knows how long.

Dinner eaten, a stroll through the night market, and Lin Huang returned to his hotel, turning in early for the night.

The next morning, after breakfast, he arrived well ahead of time at the previous day’s meeting room. The chief examiner, Yi Yeyu, seemed to loathe tardiness, and Lin Huang didn’t want to jeopardize his eligibility.

Thanks to yesterday’s stern warning, not a single person was late. All 127 attendees from the day before were present before seven fifty.

At eight o’clock sharp, Yi Yeyu appeared. This time, she wore black trousers, her top still a white short-sleeved shirt—different in style from the previous day, yet her stunning figure could not be concealed by any attire.

The male participants, all young and full of vigor, followed her movements with their eyes. Yet they didn’t gaze at her face, but rather at her chest.

Yi Yeyu ascended the podium, swept her gaze over the attendees, and began to speak.

“Everyone is here—good. Now, let me explain the assessment details.”

“The theme of this test is simple: survival. As professional hunters, we often face harsh environments and powerful monsters. Learning how to stay alive is essential for every hunter. Those who fail in this lesson usually meet tragic ends.”

“The assessment will take place 330 kilometers from Base 7C87, in a primary wild zone—the Crimson Sand Desert. The challenge is straightforward: enter the desert at Point A and, within fifteen days, traverse the entire 1,500 kilometers to reach Base 7D121.” As she spoke, Yi Yeyu projected a three-dimensional map, marking the starting and ending locations. “You are not permitted to bring any water or food—everything must be procured from the desert itself.”

At her words, the crowd erupted in groans. Even Lin Huang’s face turned grim; he had prepared a ton of drinking water and plenty of rations just the day before.

“After we inspect your storage equipment, you’ll receive a special rescue communicator. If you cannot continue, you may press the rescue button and withdraw from the assessment. Of course, failing to reach Base 7D121 within fifteen days also counts as failure.”

“I’ve covered everything. If you have questions, ask them now,” Yi Yeyu said, her lips curling into a faint smile.

“Examiner, according to the terrain you just showed, our destination, Base 7D121, isn’t directly on the edge of the Crimson Sand Desert; it’s separated by a range of snowy mountains. So, the assessment area includes not just the desert but also climbing the mountains, correct?” a bespectacled man raised his hand and asked.

“You’re quite observant. Yes, you must climb the mountains—barehanded. All mountaineering tools in your storage spaces will be confiscated,” Yi Yeyu replied, her smile widening.

Groans sounded again in the crowd; the color drained from Yin Hangyi’s face beside Lin Huang. “Are they planning for a total wipeout?”

“Any other questions?” Yi Yeyu seemed very satisfied with the difficulty she’d set.

“Examiner, I just looked up information on that mountain range. The one behind Base 7D121 is called Goddess Mountain, a secondary wild zone with bronze-level monsters. Surely this isn’t suitable for a reserve hunter assessment?” This question came from Lin Huang.

The crowd was instantly abuzz.

Yi Yeyu paused, brows furrowing. “It’s true Goddess Mountain is a secondary wild zone, but one peak has no bronze-level monsters—it can be considered a primary wild zone. You’ll climb that mountain; I’ll arrange for the safe route to be marked.”

She had intended to leave a trap here, increasing the difficulty and lowering the pass rate. Lin Huang’s observation forced her to mark the safe route. If she refused and insisted on the unsafe route, and news reached the Hunter Association’s upper ranks, the assessment would be nullified—reserve hunter tests aren’t allowed in secondary wild zones.

“If there are any other questions, ask them now. Otherwise, let’s prepare to depart.” After Yi Yeyu spoke, a few more raised their hands, but their questions were trivial.

Lin Huang propped his chin, pondering the assessment’s difficulties.

“No food or water is a major problem—so while traveling, we’ll need to find water sources. The desert wild zone has many poisonous and stealthy monsters to watch out for. Most dangerous of all are people; some will surely try to steal others’ supplies. Covering 1,500 kilometers, we’ll need to finish in thirteen days at most, leaving at least two days for barehanded mountain climbing…”

“It’s now 8:20 a.m. I’ll take you to the assessment area,” Yi Yeyu announced, reaching into the air. Suddenly, a green wooden door appeared; she pushed it open. “Line up, pass through the door, and wait at your spot—don’t wander!”

“A spatial artifact!” Yin Hangyi’s eyes lit up, exclaiming in a low voice.

“What’s an artifact?” Lin Huang couldn’t help asking.

“You really don’t know? Artifacts are super treasures surpassing gold-grade weapons. Only by slaying transcendent monsters do you have a chance to acquire one. Spatial artifacts are even rarer than most weapon artifacts. Looks like this witch has quite a background!” Yin Hangyi replied, sounding like a seasoned expert.

Lin Huang grew ever more curious about this world. Beyond gold rank was the transcendent; he wondered about the gods—just how powerful was the strongest force in this world?

The line grew shorter as more people passed through the door. Soon, it was Lin Huang and Yin Hangyi’s turn. As he stepped through, his vision blurred. In the next instant, he opened his eyes to find himself standing in a vast desert.

“Amazing!” Lin Huang exclaimed in awe.

~~~~~~

【Thanks to “Little Dot a Han”, “Inverse Meng Lin”, “Tianle Years”, and “vi Soy Sauce” for their rewards~~】