The Proctoring Space.

The instructors were rapidly reviewing the test results.

Any controversial cases were filtered out for a vote by the ten Chief Instructors and the Head Instructor of the grade—eleven people in total.

The majority rules.

The Head Instructor, Saint Monarch You, said:

"Alright, that leaves one last point of contention... It concerns Zhao Chi of Class 4.

"In the final stage of the test, Zhao Chi obtained the Slime Race Bloodline in a very risky manner.

"However, Instructor Li Ruanyu had already arrived on the scene. Per regulations, she was required to kill the Magical Beast immediately.

"Instead, Instructor Li Ruanyu waited for five seconds, only making a move to kill the Slime after Zhao Chi had completely acquired the Slime Race Bloodline.

"This action violates the exam regulations. It is suspected of providing the student with additional confidence and assisting them in scoring points.

"According to the rules, the corresponding points should be deducted from Zhao Chi’s score—specifically, 10 points.

"If so, his rank will drop to second place, and the final first-place winner should be Zhou Lue of Class 9.

"Hmm... Alright, that covers the point of contention. Instructor Li, you may present your case."

Li Ruanyu shot a helpless glance at Li Yin, the Chief Instructor of Class 9.

Li Yin, however, threw up his hands. "Don’t look at me. I wasn’t the one who submitted this."

These submissions were all anonymous.

Besides the Chief Instructors, many other instructors were also present, assisting with the review.

Li Ruanyu nodded.

"Everyone should have just watched the combat replay.

"At that time, Zhao Chi was completely engulfed within the Emperor Slime, in imminent danger of suffocation.

"As per regulations, I immediately entered his territory to perform a rescue.

"However, after I entered, I saw that Zhao Chi still possessed a strong will to fight. He was using a Flame Curse Talisman he’d gotten from a Newbie Treasure Chest to attack from inside the Slime.

"I judged that his objective was the Slime Race Bloodline.

"Moreover, while his situation was critical, he wasn’t at the point of suffocation yet. So, following the rules, I did not interfere with the student’s actions.

"It was only when Zhao Chi burst out from the Slime’s body and the Slime was about to launch a powerful attack that I finally intervened.

"So, when I first entered, Zhao Chi’s life was not in danger, and I chose to wait.

"After Zhao Chi emerged from the Slime and it attacked, I determined that his life was truly in danger, and that is when I acted.

"I did wait on the scene for five seconds, but Zhao Chi didn’t even notice I was there until after he burst out of the Slime’s body.

"I provided no assistance to his confidence, and therefore did not violate any regulations. All of my actions were in accordance with the rules.

"I submit this for the Head Instructor’s review."

Saint Monarch You nodded. "Do any of the Chief Instructors have questions?"

The other nine Chief Instructors all shook their heads.

"Very well, let’s vote. All Chief Instructors who believe Instructor Li’s actions complied with the regulations and that no points should be deducted from Zhao Chi’s score, please raise your hand."

Saint Monarch You raised his hand.

Six other Chief Instructors raised their hands.

Saint Monarch You nodded. "A total of seven people agree not to deduct the points. The final controversy is now resolved. The final rankings will remain unchanged. Alright, let’s return."

In an instant, the figures of the Chief Instructors vanished and reappeared in the Grand Hall.

Dean Liao Zheng smiled. "I’ve been waiting a while for you all. Is everything confirmed?"

Saint Monarch You nodded at Liao Zheng.

Liao Zheng cleared his throat.

He announced in a booming voice:

"All students, quiet down. The test is now officially over, and the rankings are finalized. We will now begin to award the prizes.

"First are the Learning Point rewards, which have just been distributed. Everyone, please check.

"If there are any problems, please report them to your respective Chief Instructors."

All the students received a system notification.

Zhao Chi received one as well:

[The 337th Junior Lord Placement Test has ended.]

[Class Rankings]

[1st Place]Basic Class 10

[2nd Place]Basic Class 9

[3rd Place]Basic Class 1

[4th Place]Basic Class 8

[5th Place]Basic Class 5

[Individual Rankings]

[1st Place]Class 4: Zhao Chi

[2nd Place]Class 9: Zhou Lue

[3rd Place]Class 10: Yuan Zhao

[4th Place]Class 1: Hua Yuyin

[5th Place]Class 8: Wei Jinlong

[Your Learning Points have increased by 138. Current Total: 220 Learning Points]

Zhao Chi did a quick mental calculation. The numbers were correct.

He had accumulated 82 Learning Points over the past two years.

First place this time came with a 100-point reward. He earned 36 points for clearing eight stages. He also received 2 points for his class’s ranking.

That brought his total to 220 Learning Points.

Class 4 had placed 9th overall. Although Zhao Chi had taken first place individually and made a significant contribution to his class’s score, the other students’ results were unfortunately too mediocre.

Aside from Zhao Chi, who was far ahead in first place, the rest of the rankings were less than ideal.

[1st Place]Class 4: Zhao Chi

[25th Place]Class 4: Cao Feng

[39th Place]Class 4: Duan Yun

[48th Place]Class 4: Lu Yi

[...]

[191st Place]Class 4: Yang Xiong

’Nothing to be done about it.’

’Yang Xiong relied purely on his own efforts for this test. Placing in the top 20% of the grade is already quite good for him.’

’He can probably get some resources to take back with him, so his strength will likely see a decent boost next time.’

’As for the others, their potential for short-term improvement probably isn’t as high.’

Dean Liao Zheng spoke again:

"Alright, we will now present the special individual awards. Will the students ranked 6th through 30th please come up on stage to receive your prizes."

A stir went through the crowd.

Over twenty students stepped out from their ranks and ascended the awards platform.

Cao Feng was the only one from Class 4.

He held his head high, chest puffed out, and swaggered onto the stage.

It was as if he couldn’t care less about the item he had just lost.

Zheng He: "Cao Feng, you’re the man!"

Shi Juan: "Brother Cao is so handsome!"

Cao Feng waved to the audience below.

Li Ke: "Cao Feng, Cao Feng, a pretty boy as free as the wind!"

Cao Feng’s brow twitched as he mouthed back: "Shut the fuck up!"

Soon, the Chief Instructors began awarding each of them one Copper Treasure Chest.

They looked heavy.

They gleamed with the metallic luster of brass.

The students happily held them up.

This type of Treasure Chest was a student reward and could be freely brought back to their territories.

Liao Zheng announced with a smile, "Alright, next, will our students ranked 2nd to 5th please come on stage to receive your awards."

This time, only four people went up.

Each one carried themselves with an extraordinary air.

Zhou Lue and Yuan Zhao stood in the center, but the gap between them was enormous—wide enough for three more people.

Hua Yuyin and Wei Jinlong stood on the outer edges.

The moment the four of them stepped on stage, they caused a sensation, especially among their respective classes.

Everyone started chanting their names.

Liao Zheng smiled and motioned with his hands, gesturing for the crowd to quiet down.

"My, my, these are the celebrities of our grade, so I won’t waste time on individual introductions. We instructors watched the entire test. You all performed exceptionally well, and your decision-making was decisive. I hope you have good luck with these two Copper Treasure Chests and find some useful items inside."

This time, it was their respective Chief Instructors who came on stage to present the awards.

Each Chief Instructor beamed with pride as they looked at their student.

These Chief Instructors weren’t merely teachers; they were more like mentors.

After graduation, if the students chose to continue fighting, they would very likely become direct subordinates of these Chief Instructors.

The bond between an instructor and their student was a very close one.