Chapter 55: Returning to the Battle Hall

Chapter 55: Chapter 55: Returning to the Battle Hall

Maple City Battle Hall.

Because it had been requisitioned for the mock college entrance exams, the area around the Battle Hall had been very quiet these past few days.

Otherwise, even at night, the City Combat Hall would have been bustling with a constant stream of people.

After all, the City Combat Hall was open 24 hours a day. Gambling was legal inside, but only when run by the hall’s staff.

Li Heng was glad there were fewer people around. Otherwise, in his current state, he’d surely be laughed at if anyone saw him.

Because he was horsesick!

Li Heng had considered that he might get carsick, seasick, or airsick, but he never imagined that one day he would get horsesick!

The Ghostly Warhorse was incredibly fast, much quicker than an average car. It had stuck to the non-motorized vehicle lanes, practically flying the whole way.

Li Heng’s head was spinning, and he felt a faint sense of unease, as if he couldn’t get his bearings.

But more than the dizziness, what really occupied Li Heng’s mind was something Lin Jiangang had said to him before they mounted up.

"About to break through to the Soul Warrior realm?!"

Although Lin Jiangang had said it in a light, teasing tone, Li Heng sensed an unusual undertone, though he couldn’t quite put his finger on what it was.

Still, his Strength and Agility attributes were indeed approaching 20. In terms of physical fitness alone, he was certainly close to being a Soul Warrior.

However, to break through to the Soul Warrior realm, simply meeting the physical standards (all three core attributes at 20) wasn’t enough; there were other conditions to be met.

Li Heng wasn’t in a hurry to reach the Soul Warrior realm. He just wanted to get more experience fighting multiple opponents at once.

After all, he was currently stuck in a dungeon. Whether it was clearing Wolf King Mountain or exploring Ice Jiao Lake, Li Heng desperately needed more experience in one-vs-many combat.

As for the Soul Warrior realm, Li Heng figured he would just let nature take its course.

"The simulation exams are over. The hall was supposed to reopen tomorrow, but because of you, I’ve pushed it back three days. This way..."

Just as Li Heng was lost in his own thoughts, Lin Jiangang broke the silence and motioned for Li Heng to follow him.

"Because of me?" Li Heng was confused.

"Student Li Heng, do you know what the most popular event at the Battle Hall is?" Lin Jiangang didn’t answer directly, instead posing a question of his own.

Li Heng shook his head.

Lin Jiangang just smiled and pointed forward with his right index finger. "Soul Beast Melee!"

Following Lin Jiangang’s finger and his words, Li Heng saw a combat arena ahead.

The arena floor was covered with fine steel cages of varying sizes, many of which were shaking violently.

"These cages are all filled with soul beasts! Ones that broke through the realms and escaped into the real world!"

!!!

Hearing they were soul beasts that had escaped from the realms, Li Heng froze.

During his compulsory education in the Alliance, the schools had taught them the basics about realms.

1. Generally, realms used for exams and the like are called "Fully Explored Realms." These are realms that have been "cleared" by the Alliance and then sealed, allowing them to be fully controlled.

2. Realms that haven’t been fully "cleared," but have been partially explored, are called "Partially Explored Realms." Although they can’t be sealed or carried, these realms are relatively stable and generally not dangerous.

3. Realms that have not been "cleared," not even partially, are known as "Zero Secret Realms." They are extremely dangerous, with potential peril at every step.

4. "Unknown Realms" are those that have appeared but from which no information has ever returned. No "explorer" who has entered such a realm has ever come back alive.

Beyond these four typical kinds, the world was filled with countless other atypical, unknown realms.

No one ever knew when or where a new realm might appear.

And with the exception of "Fully Explored Realms," any other type of realm held the possibility of soul beasts breaking through into this world.

When soul beasts invaded reality, it was undoubtedly a shock to the world, and for the vast majority of ordinary people, it meant disaster.

Li Heng naturally understood what these Realm-Breaking Soul Beasts signified, so as he looked at the cages before him, he was at a loss.

Why had Lin Jiangang brought him here? And why were there so many Realm-Breaking Soul Beasts!

"Lin Jiangang, is this the young prodigy you brought? He looks... pretty ordinary! In my opinion, this last spot should just go to Zhang Xue from No. 3 High School."

Before Li Heng could ask why they were here, a slightly scornful voice drifted over from the area with the fine steel cages.

Huh?

Looking toward the source of the voice, Li Heng saw a middle-aged man in a black suit. Behind him were two women in office attire holding files and a girl in a No. 3 High School uniform.

"Those are people from the Soul Energy Alliance. Don’t worry, I’m here."

Lin Jiangang was also slightly surprised by their sudden appearance, but he quickly reassured Li Heng before walking over to the group.

Li Heng: ???

’Are we that close?’

’What do you mean, I don’t have to worry because you’re here?’

Li Heng complained silently in his heart but said nothing out loud, simply following Lin Jiangang.

At the same time, hearing the tone of the man from the Soul Energy Alliance had left Li Heng feeling a little uncomfortable.

Although he personally didn’t care much about some national targeted exam, this sudden feeling of being looked down upon would make anyone feel a bit annoyed.

"Director Wang. Are you getting salty because you can’t stand to see the excellent talent I’ve recommended?" Lin Jiangang walked right up to Wang Junde and retorted.

Having been retorted to, Wang Junde said no more. He waited for Lin Jiangang and Li Heng to approach, then began sizing up the young man behind Lin Jiangang once more.

A few seconds later.

"His qi and blood, as well as his physical condition, are both very close to a Soul Warrior’s. And this longsword... it looks like a Cyan Blade Longsword, doesn’t it? Interesting! Heh! Lin Jiangang, are you telling me this is a child from an ordinary family? Because from where I’m standing, he looks like the disciple of a family with a long tradition in the Sword Way!"

"Believe it or not! Besides, the city’s notice said that I’m the one recommending the top ten candidates this year. Why does a big shot like Director Wang, who joined the Soul Energy Alliance, have time to come here and meddle today?"

After trading a few more sarcastic remarks with him, Lin Jiangang glanced over at the girl from No. 3 High School, Zhang Xue. He had some impression of her; she was one of the top students in the recent mock exams.

But for various reasons, Lin Jiangang hadn’t considered Zhang Xue and had chosen Li Heng instead. He just hadn’t expected this Wang Junde to bring Zhang Xue here now.

"I have to admit, this student Li Heng is indeed quite decent. If it were any other realm, I would also consider letting Li Heng go. But as for this national targeted realm, I personally believe that student Zhang Xue might be a more suitable choice."