Despite the exhaustion, Qin Ruqing had no regrets about her earlier actions.

The impact and recognition she gained were solid.

She had to hold on!

Qin Ruqing’s expression turned serious as she spoke rapidly, “Next, let me go over some important details.”

Since they were among familiar faces, Qin Ruqing would usually avoid such explanations.

She wanted to move on with her sister Qirong.

However, with Lin Yijun and Hong Hua mixed in—who were potentially just here for the show—she decided to give some advice.

“Director Feng’s rules may seem simple, requiring only the completion of tests, and appearing less dangerous and relatively easy… but that’s a huge mistake!”

Qin Ruqing pursed her lips, making a firm conclusion, “I bet that in the first round, at least half of the participants will be eliminated.”

What?! At least half?!

Lin Yijun’s eyes widened, “That can’t be true. Didn’t Director Feng say that as long as we meet the standard line and complete the tests on time, we’ll be fine?”

Qin Ruqing shot her a look, asking, “Did Director Feng tell you what the specific score for this standard line is?”

“Well, since it’s a standard line, it shouldn’t be too high.”

“But Director Feng also said that the conference only selects true geniuses, and only geniuses can reach the top of Buzhou Mountain.

This standard line is just a deceptive term, called a standard but essentially a genius line!”

The group felt a jolt.

The difference between a standard line and a genius line was immense, with the former leading to relaxation and the latter to vigilance.

Qin Ruqing continued, “The hidden genius line is a trap, and the time factor is also a huge trap!”

Qirong had not expected there to be a time trap, “But it’s supposed to be a whole day, right?”

Qin Ruqing smiled, “It might sound like a whole day is plenty of time, but did Director Feng mention how many test items there are? Plus, the test items are scattered across the Buzhou Islands, and you have to find them yourself.”

In Qin Ruqing’s view, if there weren’t issues, she would be willing to take her head off and use it as a ball.

“In short, the test items are tricky, and some might be very time-consuming. The test locations are also tricky; you might spend half your time just traveling. So—handle the easier tests quickly to secure more time for the bigger challenges ahead.”

“Alright, that’s all I have to say. Qirong, Tang Zifeng, check your jade slips for the indicated locations, and let’s see if we’re on the same path,” Qin Ruqing said, focusing on the people she cared about most.

Lin Yijun puffed up her cheeks.

She knew she wasn’t very close to Little Monster and had even fought with her before, but being left out of this advice still made her a bit resentful.

She glanced at Tang Zifeng and noticed his lips twitching slightly upwards, likely very pleased.

Hmph, you reserved person.

If you’re happy, you should show it openly.

Acting all subtle, it’s as if no one would notice.

Qirong and Lu Wei took out their jade slips and checked the information.

Qirong said, “My first test location is on the eastern Buzhou Island, Sandboat Island.”

Lu Wei, “Mine is on Green Jade Island.”

Tangzi Feng, “On Giant Stone Island.”

Lin Yijun was about to say her location when…

Lin Yijun called out loudly, “Hey, I’m also at Giant Stone Island!”

Hong Hua weakly spoke up, “I heard the test locations might have pitfalls, but the jade slip clearly marked the location.”

“Just because it’s marked now doesn’t mean it will be marked in the future…” Qin Ruqing was too lazy to explain further.

This is just like those deceptive gacha games, where the drop rates, daily free draws, and diamonds are all just part of the scam—pure trickery!!

Qin Ruqing glanced at her own jade slip, “I’m also at Sandboat Island, Qirong and I will go together. We need to hurry!”

Although she said this, her gaze was on Lu Wei’s direction.

Her eyes were firm as she said:

“Sis, you’ll be going to Green Jade Island for the alchemy test, so you’ll be on a completely different route from us.

Remember what I just said, if anything unexpected happens or if you sense something is wrong, use the communication stone to contact me immediately!”

Not content with just this, she went on with many more instructions.

Lin Yijun beside her was clearly getting frustrated.

The little monster is very sharp with others, but is genuinely kind to her own family.

After giving Lu Wei her instructions, Qin Ruqing looked at Tang Zifeng.

But did she need to worry about Tang Zifeng’s level?

Undoubtedly not.

So Qin Ruqing just smiled, “Tang Zifeng, I look forward to your good news!”

It felt like something solid had settled beside her heart, not making its presence known but being a steadfast support.

Tang Zifeng gave Qin Ruqing a deep look and nodded.

“Alright, let’s go!” Qin Ruqing was straightforward and decisive.

After giving the instructions she deemed necessary, she turned and called out to Qirong, leaving without hesitation.

Lu Wei looked at Tang Zifeng, “Big Brother Tang, we’ll meet up later!”

Tang Zifeng nodded, and Lu Wei quickly summoned her alchemy furnace and left.

In the end, only Hong Hua and her group were left at the port.

After everyone had departed, two people approached Hong Hua and said:

“Head of the family.”

Hong Hua seemed entirely different now.

The timidity had faded, and she now looked like a true family head.

Just as Qin Ruqing had mentioned, even if she wasn’t entirely unscrupulous, she was at least not entirely naive.

Hong Hua consolidated the information she had just received from Qin Ruqing and said with a serious expression, “We need to hurry, at least half of the test should be completed by the end of the first day. Let’s go!”

With that, she vanished from the spot.

After the four department heads disappeared from the top of Mount Buzhou, they didn’t go their separate ways but instead gathered in a secret chamber.

Inside the chamber was a self-rotating sphere marked with intricate lines and symbols.

The Western Region’s department head took his seat and urged, “Quick, quick, besides the special assessments, everyone participating in the martial arts track should have gone to Sandboat Island. Let’s switch to the Sandboat Island view.”

The Eastern Department head Feng Qinxue didn’t need to be urged.

She performed a hand gesture and recited a spell, causing the mysterious sphere to spin faster.

It suddenly stopped at a specific location, which was marked as Sandboat Island.

The point representing Sandboat Island was magnified, and a live image of the island appeared above the sphere.

Scenes from the Island Tests

Indeed, the four directors’ hurried departure meant they were going back to monitor the tests.

Not just here, but all the industries under the Huicui Building were broadcasting the testing situations from each island.

Those who had the means to access the monitoring watched from home, while those who didn’t were freeloading off others.

At this moment, the island with the highest viewership was Sandboat Island.

Most of the renowned talents on the leaderboard were participating in the combat track, and the first stop for the combat track was Sandboat Island.

“Jianzong’s Dan Qing has already arrived. Fast as always!”

“Princess Ming Ying and Fang Zhiming are here too.”

“And the number one on the leaderboard, my Fairy Ruqing!”

“Get lost, who’s your Fairy Ruqing! She’s mine!”

“Fairy Ruqing isn’t here yet? Could it be that she hasn’t figured out the hidden rules of the first round?”

“No way, she must have been delayed or something.”

“Hey, hey, hey, she’s here! Princess Ruqing—! Huh, why is there a man next to her?” The tone turned subtly off.

“You fool, that’s her brother! One of the participants from the Qin family, called Qirong.”

Since Qin Ruqing’s meteoric rise from sixteenth to first place on the leaderboard, Huicui Building had urgently released a special report on her, detailing her background.

She came from the South Region’s South Ridge Qin family, daughter of the head of a silver-grade family, fifth in the family hierarchy, and currently the sixth elder of the Qin clan.

Of course, this was just the basic information.

Deeper details were still under investigation due to the short time frame.

The Huicui Building’s staff had mentioned that they had sent people to dig deeper, and updates would be provided in the special report on Fairy Ruqing, so everyone should stay tuned.

Now, on Sandboat Island’s broadcast, besides the bustling crowd of family contestants, there was a towering green stone tablet.

In the chamber, the South Region’s Head Director murmured:

“Ancient Path Testing Stele, let’s see how high you can climb…”

Sandboat Island

Qirong looked up, “Such a tall stele!”

The same kind of stele could be seen all over the Sandboat Archipelago; it was likely the tallest structure on the island.

Qin Ruqing’s eyes moved as she looked at the crowd gathered in front of the stele and said, “Let’s go and take a look.”

As they approached, they saw many names carved on the stele, its edges smooth and weathered by the wind and sun.

Looking to the far right, they saw a wooden board with a line of text.

[Testers attack the stele to obtain testing results. Note: Each stele can only be attacked once. Tests can be done separately, no need for continuous attacks.]

Qirong raised his eyebrows, “Is it really that simple? Just attack the stele to complete the test? How will the results be measured?”

Qin Ruqing crossed her arms and pondered without giving a direct answer, “Let’s observe for a while.”

They watched to see how others approached the test.

Besides the largest stele on the island, there were smaller stone tablets, which were also used for testing.

There were more of these, grouped together.

Some people were attempting to attack these smaller stone tablets.

Most attempts were like stones sinking into the sea; the stone tablets’ material seemed to be extraordinarily hard, absorbing techniques and exhibiting strange properties.

Only a few people could provoke a reaction from the smaller tablets.

This person appeared to be a sword cultivator, who was…With a full-strength strike, the small stone tablet actually lit up, and a golden vertical line appeared in the center of the tablet.

The line rose straight up, stopping halfway.

This commotion also caused the examination official, who was sitting cross-legged on the large stone tablet, to open his eyes.

He glanced in that direction, his lips moved as if silently speaking, and then he closed his eyes again.

No one heard the official; he said, “The secondary tablet has lit up, the vertical line is halfway up, the main tablet can record the name.”

As long as one can carve their name on the main tablet, the assessment is considered passed, meeting the genius standard.

Of course, if even one of the tablets fails to record a name, the subsequent tests are considered unnecessary.

In the minds of the examiners, the participant has already been eliminated.

A person from a prominent family, seeming to have figured out the rules, confidently approached the examiner and said he was ready.

The examiner opened his eyes. “Are you certain?” His voice was extremely solemn.

The person hesitated for a moment, startled by the tone, but still said, “Yes.”

The examiner said no more and directly summoned the golden ring. “Then, the assessment begins.”

As the golden ring was summoned, the large main tablet was activated, directly lighting up, and the tablet seemed to be enveloped in an invisible aura.

As the first person to take the test, the solemn atmosphere made the young man extremely nervous, even causing a slight regret.

This test might be hazardous…

However, it was too late to back out now.

The young man, who looked somewhat delicate, was a contestant from a local prominent family in the Eastern Region.

Standing before the first stone tablet, he solemnly summoned a magical artifact, clearly not intending to hold back.

From the preparation to the strike, this young man made no mistakes.

The attack was powerful, clearly of the grand spell level.

As a chosen prodigy selected through layers of screening, despite being the first to act, he did not falter.

After launching the attack, the young man felt confident that everything was fine, and his anxiety eased somewhat with the smooth execution.

He looked up and saw his attack hit the stone tablet, causing the golden light on the tablet to ripple.

The tablet itself remained unchanged, without even a sound.

Seeing the tablet’s lack of reaction, the young man felt disheartened.