2 p.m.
The grand and majestic South Yun Plaza was already packed with a sea of people.
Though the official assembly time hadn't arrived yet, many freshmen were too excited to rest even during lunch. They had already donned their gear and arrived early, eagerly waiting for the start of the Freshmen Competition.
"It's a dungeon…"
"The Silver Secret Realm Gate!!"
Suspended in the air was a massive gate shimmering entirely in silver.
"All dungeon secret realms are controlled by official organizations…"
"And the 'game map,' well… to be precise, all the leveling spots within the Xuanlong Country's territory are strictly regulated. Ordinary people have to apply through official channels even to enter."
Freshmen from all over the country started sharing insider stories.
Among those accepted into Jiangnan University, many were from prestigious families, and they talked about knowledge ordinary people wouldn't know.
In fact, this content was to be covered later in the history course, New World History, but these elite students didn't hesitate to bring it up early as talking points.
"Here's the thing: leveling resources are limited. Even though the Xuanlong Country provides compulsory education support, unfortunately, the vast majority of people will never reach level 20 in their lifetime."
It turned out that in the Divine Realm game, monsters in leveling spots would respawn after a cooldown once killed—standard MMORPG mechanics.
However, after the game manifested into reality, monsters at leveling spots did not respawn once killed.
This was why leveling resources were limited.
"What about the dungeon secret realms then?" someone asked skeptically.
After all, every player who cleared a dungeon in the game could enter again to farm it repeatedly.
"The number of dungeon secret realms is limited, and once you pass the required level, you can never re-enter the dungeon again. The further you go, the fewer dungeons remain…"
"Unless, new dungeon gates fall from the sky again."
A somewhat twitchy elite student said nervously.
New dungeon gates dropping from the sky?
Everyone instinctively looked up.
The current world order was created 70 years ago by the Earth Will—also called the Creator God—when fabricating the Divine Realm game.
According to many rumors, humans could receive blessings from the Creator God through sacrificial offerings.
The most famous case, supported by video evidence, happened ten years ago, when a pillar of light descended from the sky over a Western country, and a golden-hued secret realm gate dropped from the heavens.
It was said the price for this blessing was a massive guild's sacrifice of a demon lord's corpse and its core crystal from the Rift.
"You're really showing off!" someone said, glaring at the elite student.
Instantly, the tall and skinny youth surrounded by freshmen swallowed nervously, unwilling to say more.
"Brother Xue…"
Xue Hongfang, last year's Jiangnan Province Gaokao runner-up.
He was currently ranked fourth overall, ahead of four other provincial top scorers.
At this moment, Xue Hongfang didn't continue to lecture his out-of-family relative; his cold eyes were already interestedly fixed on a tall figure walking by the plaza's edge.
It was him!
Yun Chen!
The man who had stolen his top rank!
To think that Xue had always been first in multiple high school mock exams…
But when the official Gaokao came, the crown he considered his own vanished.
Thanks to connections, he even knew the gap: Yun Chen was a full eleven seconds faster.
What qualifications did this unclassed drifter have… to compete with his hidden profession?
"This is Yun Chen?" the out-of-family relative sprinted over, arrogantly eyeing the figure from a position of entitlement.
One couldn't deny Yun Chen's aura was extraordinary.
His tall and slender frame was powerful yet not bulky under light armor, and his sharp, ruggedly handsome features were attention-grabbing.
He was the type of man that teenage girls would absolutely admire.
Combined with a faintly aloof, cool demeanor that kept people at arm's length, he was like an iceberg that women wanted to melt with their passion.
"Yun Chen…"
"He's here!"
At that moment, many top prodigies who saw him as a rival muttered warnings among themselves.
Some thought the unclassed drifter's tactics were already bugged at this stage, and were wary, treating him as a formidable enemy…
Some believed he was shameless and despicable, not worth their notice…
Others thought he was worth recruiting…
…
Various hostile, admiring, or disdainful gazes flickered over him.
As Yun Chen arrived, the plaza's conversations increasingly focused on this so-called top freshman.
Many realized much of the gossip was baseless.
"They say he's from some small town, a standard rote learner who just studies hard…"
"But how come he looks more like one of the aristocrats here than those born into them?"
That was interesting.
Meanwhile, the second-ranked freshman, Shen Tairan—the top scorer from Dazhou Province—glanced at him briefly and closed his eyes to rest.
Though his face looked calm and detached, his mind was inexplicably running simulations of a fight against this drifter.
Beforehand, to take the unclassed drifter seriously, Shen had reviewed all basic skills of various professions.
He never believed rumors. Since Jiangnan University had given Yun Chen first place, he knew he must be lacking somehow.
But that was okay…
This wasn't the Gaokao with so many restrictions.
The rules had changed!
"The first place belongs only to me. Just hope you don't fall too far behind."
At this moment, many deans appeared at the grand South Yun Plaza.
Behind them followed a large group of instructors.
The previously noisy plaza instantly quieted down.
This book is provided by FunNovel Novel Book | Fan Fiction Novel [Beautiful Free Novel Book]