Zhang Hao smiled awkwardly and said, "Haha, I really didn't know it could be like this!"
Yun Qiuyu rolled her eyes at Zhang Hao and said, "Just like you, rushing in for the assessment so carelessly, perhaps you're the only one like this."
Zhang Hao felt a little awkward. Suddenly thinking of something, he said to Yun Qiuyu, "Qiu Yu, are your points enough? How about I give you some points? This way, your ranking will be higher. Anyway, I have enough points, so losing some doesn't matter."
Yun Qiuyu shook her head and said, "No, I can't take your points. My 110,000 points are enough. As long as I pass the second stage, it's enough to enter the College I want. Only the top ten get rewards, so having this many points is a waste."
Zhang Hao thought for a moment and felt that Yun Qiuyu was right.
After verifying the tokens with Dou Bi, Ying Da, and others, the four formed a team.
While the second stage hadn't started yet, Zhang Hao also wanted to know what the second stage would test. Therefore, his gaze fell upon Dou Bi, who was the most well-informed person present.
Zhang Hao looked at Dou Bi and asked, "Dou Bi, do you know what the second stage tests?"
Dou Bi nodded at Zhang Hao and said, "Boss, the second stage tests crossing the Death Swamp!"
"Death Swamp?"
Zhang Hao muttered with interest.
"Yes, Death Swamp. Boss, I wonder if you know about the Endless Swamp?" Dou Bi looked at Zhang Hao and asked.
Zhang Hao smiled and said, "I've been through the Endless Swamp, and it is indeed quite dangerous."
"Yes, Boss, if the Endless Swamp is dangerous, then the Death Swamp is more than a hundred times more dangerous than the Endless Swamp. However, the Death Swamp is very large. We will be teleported to different areas, and ultimately we have to enter Death Mountain. On Death Mountain, we need to seize tokens. The ranking is based on the order in which the tokens are seized." Dou Bi explained to Zhang Hao.
Zhang Hao understood immediately after hearing this. Suddenly, he remembered something and looked at Dou Bi, asking, "Since the danger level varies in different areas of the Death Swamp, how can fairness be guaranteed?"
Dou Bi smiled wryly and said, "Actually, when this assessment first came out years ago, there was a lot of controversy. The danger level varies in different parts of the Death Swamp, so in the early days, people raised similar questions. However, with one sentence from Lord Zhang Hao the Assessment Officer, everyone was rendered speechless."
"Oh, what did he say?" Zhang Hao also asked curiously.
Dou Bi smiled and said, "The Assessment Officer said, luck is also a kind of strength. If your luck is bad, who can you blame!"
Suddenly, Yun Qiuyu beside him asked, "Then, would someone control the teleportation array? For example, teleporting a person or a certain team to a relatively easy area?"
Dou Bi thought for a moment and said, "The possibility you mentioned isn't non-existent, but it's not a big problem, because it's impossible for only one team to exist in any single area. The so-called unfairness is merely relative unfairness."
While they were talking, the teleportation array in the assessment area opened, and Zhang Hao and the others stepped into the teleportation array.
Zhang Hao and the others felt dizzy. Soon, they appeared on a flat ground.
After Zhang Hao and the others were teleported in, several hundred more people were also teleported in.
And at this moment, outside the assessment area
Elder Wei's expression was extremely gloomy. He found an assessment officer responsible for the second assessment area and asked, "Lord Gu, hasn't the Ninth District been closed for a long time? Why is this area being reopened this time? Don't you know that this area is very dangerous?"
Lord Gu was precisely the assessment officer responsible for the second assessment, Gu Taiyi. He smiled faintly and said, "Brother Wei, why do you say that? Although that area is very dangerous and was once closed, the Academy Alliance has never said it couldn't be reopened. Elder Wei, you are so worried, could it be that a relative is in this area?"
Elder Wei said angrily, "Lord Gu, you are twisting words and being unreasonable. I will report this to the Academy Alliance and hold you accountable."
Gu Taiyi laughed heartily and said, "Brother Wei, I regret to inform you that reopening the Ninth District was a collective decision of the Academy Alliance. If Brother Wei doesn't believe me, he can go and ask Lord Zhang Hao the Alliance Leader."
"This... how is this possible..."
Elder Wei's expression changed. He originally thought it was Gu Taiyi's private decision, but now it seemed that wasn't the case. Thus, this could no longer be changed. After all, he was just an invigilator, and there was still a layer between him and the Academy Alliance.
"Elder Wei, actually the Ninth District isn't as terrifying as you think. To some extent. This Ninth District is a shortcut. If the Martial Warriors who enter this area are lucky. They can shorten the journey by nearly half compared to other Martial Warriors. And can achieve good results." Gu Taiyi smiled faintly.
Elder Wei laughed angrily. This Gu Taiyi was simply twisting words and being unreasonable. Although this Ninth District indeed shortened the usual journey. However, the danger level within it was far above that of other areas. Historically, it was because the death toll among assessors entering the Ninth District was too heavy. That the high-level members of the Academy Alliance finally closed the Ninth District. Unexpectedly, it has now been artificially reopened.
What worried Elder Wei the most was that Zhang Hao had entered this area. He even wondered if the reopening of the Ninth District this time was because of Zhang Hao. However, this time, Zhang Hao was not the only one who entered the Ninth District. This still left Elder Wei somewhat confused. However, Elder Wei also thought of a possibility. If the other party let many other Martial Warriors enter the Ninth District to cover their tracks, that would be too terrifying. The person behind this, in order to kill Zhang Hao, made so many people accompany him to their deaths, which was also too terrifying. However, this was just Elder Wei's guess. He didn't dare to be certain if the truth was really as he thought.
"Kid, there's nothing I can do to change all this now. I hope you can create another miracle by entering the Ninth District." Elder Wei muttered.
The second assessment also lasted for one month. After one month, those who passed the assessment would enter the final third stage.
According to the assessment regulations. As long as one passed the second stage assessment, they could enter any College other than the Three Great Academies.
Those who passed the third stage assessment could enter the top Three Great Academies in the Northern Region. Therefore, the second stage was the most crucial stage. As long as one passed the second stage, even if they couldn't enter the strongest Three Great Academies in the Northern Region, they could still go to other Colleges of a slightly lower tier, which would also be considered a promising future. However, this second stage was far more dangerous than the first stage. In the first stage, the College regulations did not allow killing. But the second stage was a test of life and death. Therefore, they would face the danger of death at any time. The danger level was far beyond what the first stage could compare to. Therefore, candidates entering the second stage must be mentally prepared for death.
Death Swamp Ninth District
It has been one day since entering the Ninth District.
"Ah!" A Martial Warrior was completely trapped in the swamp mire, and his body was gradually being swallowed.
"Save me... save me..." the Martial Warrior shouted in fear.
Zhang Hao sighed inwardly and offered no help. Entering here meant being mentally prepared for death. He was here for the assessment, not to save people. Moreover, it was not certain he could be saved. The speed at which this person sank into the mire was too fast.
