Universe Infinite Canteen

Although it had only been two hours since nightfall, many people had already gone to bed early because there was nothing else to do.

But due to a notice, they had no choice but to climb out of bed again.

The long-missing new principal had finally returned and was even set to deliver the opening school speech.

Of course, no one was looking forward to this, as everyone was well aware of Hou De's situation—a group of mediocre students, inexperienced instructors, and a poor school.

It was all-around backward, a situation not even a god could salvage.

Moreover, since the old principal, Cao Jinhua, had a good image in the hearts of all teachers and students, many were instinctively resistant to the new principal's arrival.

Most people thought that Ma Lu's opening speech was just a formality and that life would continue as usual afterward.

Yet when they arrived, they saw no sign of the new principal.

Only Cao Youyi was in the school building.

Once everyone had almost arrived, Cao Youyi closed the large doors of the classroom behind him and then handed out the papers he had been holding.

"Per the new principal's request, we will now conduct a baseline test for the new academic year."

Having finished speaking, ignoring the students' uproar, Cao Youyi's gaze swept over the crowd and stopped on a man and a woman, both only in their early twenties, not much older than these students.

"Instructor Zhong, Teacher Jing, prepare for the physical and practical assessments that follow."

The two were taken aback by this, and after a moment, Instructor Zhong said, "Now, right now?"

"Mhm, once the specialized subjects are tested, I will take the students to the playground."

The two looked at each other.

"Is there anything else?" Cao Youyi asked.

"No, nothing, we'll go prepare." Both young instructors hurriedly walked toward the back door, but after pushing it, they couldn't open it.

"The back door is locked, go this way." Cao Youyi stepped aside to let the two leave the classroom.

Then he closed the large doors behind him again, pulled out a pocket watch, and glanced at it. "What are you all standing around for? Hand in your papers in an hour, the new principal said there are cash rewards for the top ten."

Upon hearing that last phrase, the students finally snapped out of their daze and began to sit down and start on their papers.

However, most people's minds were still muddled, not knowing how the promised principal's speech had turned into a surprise test, and moreover, a test that paid money, which was a first for Hou De.

Many doubted the authenticity of this event, especially since the bank had come to demand payments that afternoon, causing quite a stir at the school gates, which most students had heard something about.

Everyone knew the school's finances were not promising; could they really spare money to give out rewards to students during such times?

But despite their doubts, they had to answer the papers, as the school ultimately controlled the issuance of their graduation certificates, and not obtaining one would severely hinder a talisman master's future employment prospects.

In the examination hall, some wrote furiously, others furrowed their brows…

The hour quickly passed, followed immediately by the Physical Strength test.

The students arrived at the playground and began running in the dark, doing pull-ups, push-ups…

After a set of physical tests, most of the students were exhausted, but they had little time to rest before facing the practical exams.

Since they couldn't afford professional equipment and instruments, Hou De's practical test was straightforward and brutal—it was a fight between teachers and students.

But because the teachers were all quite young, having graduated not long ago, their strength wasn't much greater than that of the upper-grade students. Hence, after testing around four or five students, they would need to take a break to recover their mental and physical strength.

Past practical examinations generally proceeded by age and lasted several days.

This time, all the students coming for the test at once placed a great deal of pressure on Teacher Jing, who was currently panting more and more rapidly after having engaged with six students.

Thus, Instructor Zhong, having just wrapped up the physical tests, hurriedly stepped forward to replace her. However, Instructor Zhong too could not last long. After examining four students, he was even more out of breath than Teacher Jing.

Cao Youyi had planned to take over next, but just then a voice came from behind her.

"I'll take over."

A figure emerged from the darkness.

For many teachers and students, this was their first encounter with Hou De, the enigmatic new principal.

He was younger than everyone had imagined, looking even younger than some of the instructors, but at the same time, his every move radiated authority.

Ma Lu deliberately positioned himself within the crowd, allowing the radius of the Dignity Candy's effect to envelop most of the teachers and students.

Without further ado, he stated, "Next, who's up?"

A small-statured boy raised his hand and stepped forward, "I—I'm Tan Yi, from..."

"There's still much to do, no need for introductions," Ma Lu nodded at Tan Yi, "make your move."

Tan Yi swallowed hard, staring at Ma Lu opposite him, feeling an intangible pressure that made his limbs shake feebly.

Nevertheless, he mustered his spirit just as Cao Youyi commanded to begin, and immediately reached into his pocket to grab his talisman.

However, before he could pull out his talisman, Ma Lu had already dashed over to him.

Throwing a punch, it hit Tan Yi's chest, sending him staggering backward several steps and tumbling to the ground.

Then Ma Lu mounted on top of him and delivered a flurry of punches.

Tan Yi, who had never seen such tactics, was completely dazed.

Usually, be it during teachers' lessons or student sparring, there was a principle of restraint, and actions had a very systematic approach—never had someone been pummelled with punches before they could even use a talisman.

Was this… still a Talisman Master spar, or had it turned into a street brawl?

With a face full of grievance, Tan Yi looked towards Cao Youyi, hoping she would deliver justice, but Cao Youyi merely said indifferently, "Tan Yi, you failed."

Hearing this, Ma Lu released his fists and stood up. Seeing Tan Yi still lying on the ground with a pitiful look, he shook his head.

"Once inside the catastrophe belt, do you also expect those monsters to follow any rules? Go back and keep training, who's next?"

"It's my turn!" A girl with braids and glasses stepped forward, having learned from Tan Yi's ordeal, she had her talisman ready in her hand.

Channeling spiritual power and waiting for the examination to start, she immediately activated the talisman. Then her eyes were enveloped by a burst of blinding light, rendering her unable to see!

The girl with glasses let out a cry of surprise, and right after, Ma Lu knocked her down with a sweeping kick, causing her to fall sprawling.

This time, however, Cao Youyi did not speak up because she too was momentarily blinded by Ma Lu's unexpected Light Illumination Technique.

Fortunately, she reacted more quickly than others and closed her eyes sooner, so she recovered faster, regaining her sight about ten seconds later and gradually.

Seeing the glasses-wearing girl lying on the ground, she spoke again, "Song Jiaojiao, you failed."