Ji Jue suddenly felt that something was off.

It wasn't just a gut feeling or anything vague; it was a clear perception—the world seemed much more real!

It was like looking at a 1080P screen through glasses with a five-hundred-degree prescription, everything seemed clear enough, but suddenly switching to 4K on a big screen with 20/20 vision, the previous resolution and frame rate were shockingly low!

Has the simulation upgraded, changed graphics cards?

At this critical moment?

Why?

It's as if you're in an exam, and suddenly see a serious-looking person speaking quietly to the proctor at the door. You don't know who they are or what they're talking about, but the atmosphere has completely shifted.

You know some unknown change is happening, yet you're completely in the dark.

This feeling is really bad.

Maybe he's paranoid, overly suspicious, but as a student being toyed with, being prepared, even if mentally, is better than being entirely clueless.

[13]

After yet another round of elimination, from the original thirty-two, only thirteen remained.

Either taken away by the opponent's Heaven and Earth Same Life, or vice versa... the records show various situations.

And in this context, Lou Feng actually managed to hang on!

Although he couldn't overcome his opponents, he climbed to ninth place using the survival strategy.

After experiencing the intensity of life-and-death battles between participants, he invested all resources into building his workshop. Within its boundaries, Lou's Spiritual Shaping was further enhanced, even using it to forge the entire workshop anew.

Defense maxed out, aiming for 360-degree coverage without any blind spots.

Opponents had no chance of scoring points from him, but the downside was he didn't score much himself, only securing a minimal guarantee, slowing his development.

However, according to Ji Jue's impression of Loud Lao Lou, this guy might seem gentle and refined but is deadly cunning, possibly brewing something big in secret.

Cannot be too cautious.

Hmm, it's time to start considering how to target him...

Or think about how to survive the targeting.

At this stage, Ji Jue's own level is still lacking.

In fact, compared to other participants, his weaknesses are the most evident, only hidden by various cunning operations.

Even if he shouts till the sky falls, it won't change reality.

——His training duration is far too short!

All counted, it's only been four months. Yet the inheritance he's learned all requires mid-to-late stage development.

Modern Alchemy completed the basics, but the subsequent research direction is still uncertain, needing further study. He's only lit up the prerequisite skills of the Xiang Sword Theory inheritance, not yet starting the main path.

Mutated Alchemy, the shortcut leading to a dead end, is naturally unusable.

His reliance, besides the Dissociation Technique, is Fluid Alchemy and its reverse-engineered Solid Alchemy. Without Fēngōng, their versatility and convenience are also compromised.

If possible, he'd want to hide Kun Jin this powerful weapon as a trump card for a surprise at the final moment.

But there aren't many left.

Using one means one less.

Now that it's been deployed for deterrence, it won't have unexpected effects anymore.

And the Strong Assault series is still too thin, easily targeted and countered. After all, Power Armor is just a cost-effective personal equipment, not all-powerful. Even on a frontline, it needs fire support and satellite strikes.

Reaching the current level is already Ji Jue's limit.

Beyond this, there are more powerful strategic-level armors, some even matrix holy relics like the Four Symbols series and Tianlong, but these are out of reach for Ji Jue, a non-core old horse working with a military enterprise. Even thinking about them is sin.

He's currently in an awkward state of half-baked foundation.

Solid enough but not enough to fully develop many skills for later stages.

Fortunately, the intense competition has become customary among peers, making everyone assume that others are similar to themselves.

No one considered——Ji Jue relies on Power Armor because, besides this engineering and alchemy combination, his skill tree achievements are quite few.

If he wants to maintain his advantage...

He can only go for tougher strategies and harder solutions!

"...this exam forces it all."

Ji Jue sighed: "Even children's humanity is faded."

Instantly, he used all his points, fourteen hundred and sixteen, fully committed... then looked back at his workshop.

After enduring so much, it was time for some renovations.

No way he could tarnish the name of the saintly inheritance.

Ji Jue rolled up his sleeves.

"Time to start working!"

.

Time ticked away, the torrential rain seemed endless, the black mist danced and circulated from the ocean and island like tides.

Even after a long night, no light was seen.

The dark times became particularly agonizing.

Ji Jue didn't dare venture out without thorough preparation and protection.

After rounds of black rain, Luye Island had reached an abundance of mutants, evil creatures were everywhere, even the ocean beyond had turned into a Demon Realm according to Ji Jue's observations.

Several probe devices launched barely swam a few kilometers. Either damaged by pollution or swallowed by massive creatures in the black ocean...

Occasional lightning flashed through the clouds, eerie shadows slithered by.

This dead world had wholly turned into a chaos playground for evil beings. Monsters rapidly grew, hunted, died, then birthed stronger, stranger entities. The human-normal ecosystem collapse led to a nightmare-like endless cycle, causing more terrifying outcomes, or perhaps infinite repetition.

Like a stagnant swamp.

Insects devoured each other, drawing nutrients from deeper mud, dying, and becoming part of decay.

Sometimes, Ji Jue sat on a defunct launch silo, gazing afar, deeply feeling the grand yet dark transformations.

Maybe, this is the so-called Realm of Decay.

Creation and mystery are endless, even the abyss holds immense prospects.

Suddenly, he seemed to comprehend Jian Yuan's ambition and arrogance—since such transformations exist, why shouldn't I know?

Only...

"...this nonsensical stuff, maybe ignorance is fine?"

Creating hell to understand hell, ultimately only getting hell. Even proud Jian Yuan remains untouched by decay, yet what's the difference from Decay Creation?

Even without diving into Vortex or pursuing grand evils, the moment prideful omniscience arose, a mania uncontrollable after that, he had become a true Corrosive Furnace.

Perhaps he knew long ago, but didn't care.

Honestly, Ji Jue didn't care either.

Maybe Jian Yuan was right, perhaps Decay has its existence reason, maybe unparalleled wisdom and creation exist in this world.

But that's not his concern.

In silence, he slowly stretched his hand toward the distance.

Through the gaps of his five fingers, stared at the immense, harsh dark world.

If someday all this was burned to ashes...

That flame must be beautiful.

.

The downpour continued, under the same clouds and rain, fake time sped by despite torment. Soon, the countdown reached its end again.

This time, everyone was terrified.

Even a fool could sense something off.

As time went by, the once pale countdown gradually turned blood red.

No words or warnings needed.

Just the high silence made everyone sweat bullets, fully focusing on the competition.

Who knows what's happening? Perhaps You Sui arrived, turning the exam into a death game if lost?

Even such a possibility is smaller than the association suddenly showing mercy and waiving annual fees, but who knows?!

Anyway, win first, talk later!

This time, when the countdown ended, not the usual bell sounded.

It was an earth-shaking toll.

Deafening in every simulation world for participants, stunning them as they looked around.

Silhouettes emerged from mirror-like projections.

Like a forced entry into a video chat room, the thirteen participants faced each other, clueless.

First time so close and clear.

Ji Jue hadn't reacted but saw sharp eyes among the crowd... although all instinctively looked at him, sharp and alert, one gaze was even sharper, carrying hidden resentment.

Yes, it's old Lou!

"Hey, is this a peak meeting?"

He smiled, waving at Lou Feng, beaming.

However, Lou Feng showed no smile, as all eyes turned due to Ji Jue, his expression changed, lips moved. No sound was heard, but imagining, it might be some festive greetings.

Take it as early new year wishes!

Ji Jue looked away.

Then, earth-shattering sounds arose...

As scenes shattered, Ji Jue's world crumbled instantly.

In earth-shaking roars, rain surged, transforming the world.

Land collided, rocks rubbed, islands shook, boiling the sea, monstrous outlines surfaced but couldn't cross unseen walls.

Temple-like four-sided halls rose from mountains, forming Sacred Places; phantom-like rainbow glows shone, blurred buildings emerged in mist; dazzling lights interwoven, crystal towers built from spiritual material soared between heaven and earth; cave-like deep holes appeared in moving soil...

Eventually, the once familiar empty island seemed crowded.

In an instant, thirteen workshops gathered on Luye Island, forming an equidistant concentric circle.

In brief silence, no one spoke.

Only silence remained.

What's left to say?

The final showdown has begun, roll up sleeves and get to work!

Now! Immediately! Right now!

——Blood Bath!

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