Chapter 78: The National Examination Bet

Soon.

A staff member led Gandalf through a long corridor and pushed open a heavy door.

Behind the door was a spacious lounge.

Lu Qi, Ye Xi, and two other boys had already arrived.

The four of them were either sitting or standing with different expressions, but all of them exuded an Aura of undisguised exhaustion.

Their clothes were stained with dust, and some places even had signs of damage, obviously having experienced a fierce battle inside the Tower of Apocalypse.

Among them, the one in the best condition was surprisingly Lu Qi.

Although his face was a bit pale, his spirit was exceptionally excited, and he was boasting to Ye Xi.

"Ye Xi, I really didn't expect you to be able to squeeze into the top five."

His tone carried a hint of condescending surprise.

"It seems you haven't been idle during this time either."

Ye Xi glanced at him, crossed her arms, and rolled her pretty eyes.

"If you can get in, why can't I?"

Hearing this, not only did Lu Qi not get angry, but he laughed smugly instead.

"Well said!"

He took a step forward, raised his voice a bit, and his gaze swept across Ye Xi and the other two boys.

"Since everyone is a representative of Dongning Province, I'll speak my mind first."

"Tomorrow's National Examination, you must all listen to my command!"

"If anyone holds me back, don't blame me for being impolite!"

The other two boys, one named Shen Fuhai, had a slightly plump figure; the other named Yuan Kai, was tall and thin.

Hearing this, expressions of dissatisfaction appeared on both of their faces.

Shen Fuhai frowned and said, "On what basis?"

"Just on the basis that I'm stronger than all of you!" Lu Qi raised his chin high, with undisguised arrogance on his face.

He extended a finger and shook it in front of the three of them.

"Me, provincial examination score, fourteenth floor!"

"What about you?"

"Which floor did you climb to?"

As soon as these words were said, the expressions of Shen Fuhai and Yuan Kai changed instantly.

Ye Xi also opened her small mouth in surprise.

The three of them looked at each other and saw shock in each other's eyes.

The three of them had tried their best to barely step onto the thirteenth floor before the assessment ended.

This Lu Qi actually managed to go up one more floor than them.

Seeing the shocked expressions of the three, the smugness in Lu Qi's heart almost overflowed.

"So, do you all understand?"

He deeply enjoyed this feeling of controlling everything.

"Tomorrow, as long as you obediently listen to my command, I guarantee I'll lead you to get good grades!"

Just as he was immersed in his own prestige, the lounge door was pushed open again.

Gandalf walked in.

Lu Qi's voice stopped abruptly.

Everyone's gazes were unanimously attracted over.

The newcomer was draped in a gorgeous robe embroidered with the trajectories of stars and a crescent moon, its radiance restrained, mysterious and noble.

He had a tall and straight figure, a handsome face, deep eyes, and a calm stride.

Compared to the disheveled state of the other four people in the lounge, he was immaculate, as if he hadn't just walked out of a trial of blood and fire.

It was more like a Young Master coming for sightseeing.

Lu Qi looked Gandalf up and down, his eyes turning vigilant.

He narrowed his eyes and spoke first.

"You are that Gandalf?"

Zhou Huai controlled Gandalf, his gaze sweeping past Lu Qi without lingering.

He seemed not to have heard Lu Qi's question, walking straight towards the other three with a gentle smile on his face.

"Hello everyone, I am Gandalf."

This action stunned Ye Xi, Shen Fuhai, and Yuan Kai.

But the goodwill released by the other party made them immediately develop a favorable impression.

Ye Xi reacted first, a sweet smile blooming on her face.

"Hello! My name is Ye Xi!"

"Shen Fuhai." The slightly plump boy smiled honestly.

"Yuan Kai." The tall and thin boy also nodded.

Lu Qi, who was completely ignored, had the smugness on his face instantly freeze and turn livid.

A burst of anger rushed straight to his head.

"Hey! I am talking to you, are you fucking deaf or blind?!"

He rushed in front of Gandalf in a few steps, almost spitting saliva.

"You are also a student of Donghai No. 1 High School? Why haven't I seen someone like you before?!"

Zhou Huai finally turned his head and looked at him calmly with the look of watching a clown.

"Where did this dog come from."

"Barking here crazily."

"You…!"

Lu Qi was so angry that his whole body trembled, his face under the mask turned the color of pig liver, and he raised his hand to condense a fireball.

"All of you, stop!"

Just at this moment, a stern shout came from the door.

A teacher in uniform walked in quickly with a gloomy face.

"Want to fight, huh?"

"Do you believe I will cancel all of your National Examination qualifications right now?!"

The magic fluctuations on Lu Qi's body dissipated instantly.

Although he was arrogant, he could also tell the occasion.

He glared fiercely at Gandalf, his eyes as if he wanted to tear him apart alive.

"Very well, you wait for me."

He squeezed a few words out from between his teeth.

Afterwards, under the leadership of this teacher, the five of them left the lounge and entered a more spacious office.

Inside the office, Chief Examiner Li and two other examiners were sitting on the sofa.

The gazes of the three were like three sharp swords, scanning back and forth across the five people.

"Sit down, all of you."

Chief Examiner Li's voice sounded, carrying an Aura of natural majesty without being angry.

Waiting for the five to take their seats, he slowly spoke.

"First of all, congratulations to the five of you for standing out in the provincial examination."

"Your performance has been seen by all of us, very good."

He paused, his tone turning serious.

"But the provincial examination is just an appetizer."

"The upcoming National Examination is the real battlefield."

"I hope you can keep up the good work and win glory for our Dongning Province."

"As long as you can achieve rankings in the National Examination, besides the rewards of the National Examination, our Dongning Province will never be stingy!"

"Now, we have prepared separate rooms for you, go back and have a good rest, adjust your state."

"Yes!"

The five answered in unison, then got up and prepared to leave.

"Gandalf, you stay."

Chief Examiner Li's voice sounded abruptly.

"I have some things I want to talk to you about alone."

Zhou Huai's heart tightened, but his face remained calm.

He controlled Gandalf, calmly stopped his steps, and sat back down on the sofa.

Waiting for Ye Xi and the other four to leave the office with doubtful eyes, the heavy door was closed.

The atmosphere of the entire room instantly became oppressive.

Chief Examiner Li picked up his teacup, but didn't drink, just gently flicked the tea leaves with the cup lid.

"Gandalf."

He raised his eyes, his gaze as sharp as an eagle's.

"To be honest, you gave me a huge surprise."

"But you also confused me very much."

"I asked the principal of Donghai No. 1 High School, their school has never had a student named Gandalf."

"You are just like… popping out of thin air."

He gently placed the teacup on the table, making a soft sound.

"Where on earth do you come from?"

"And what is your purpose in participating in the grand examination?"

"Can you give me a reasonable explanation?"

As Chief Examiner Li's voice fell, the gazes of the other two examiners were also firmly locked onto Gandalf.

Invisible pressure filled the entire space.

Zhou Huai sighed softly in his heart.

It still attracted the official's attention after all.

This was also something that couldn't be helped.

He wanted to keep a low profile, but his strength didn't allow it.

Fortunately, he was prepared long ago.

Zhou Huai controlled Gandalf, meeting Chief Examiner Li's gaze with a calm expression.

"Your Excellency Chief Examiner, I am indeed a person from Donghai City."

"I come from a certain Family. As for which specific Family it is, please forgive me for not being able to disclose it temporarily."

He spread his hands, his tone carrying a hint of taking things for granted.

"You should be able to understand that it is not easy for the Family to cultivate me. Naturally, I must keep a low profile before having absolute certainty. If I were to die halfway, wouldn't all previous efforts be wasted?"

"As for my purpose…"

Gandalf's mouth curved into a confident arc.

"Naturally, it is to win the National Examination top scorer."

"After all, our Family is still counting on me to amaze the world with a single feat and take the Family soaring into the sky."

Chief Examiner Li listened quietly, the expression on his face not changing in the slightest.

But he nodded inwardly in his heart.

This explanation was reasonable and logical.

Coupled with this kid's priceless epic-grade equipment, without a wealthy and powerful Family supporting him from behind, it would simply be impossible.

Donghai City… the ones with this kind of foundation are none other than the Zhou, Ye, and Sun Families.

That Lu Qi from the Zhou Family has already been placed in the open.

The little girl from the Ye Family has good talent, but the Family's actions have always been gentle.

Then, only the Sun Family is left!

No wonder the Sun Family has kept such a low profile all these years; it turns out they were secretly holding back such a big ultimate move!

Chief Examiner Li wildly brainstormed in his heart, having already perfected the persona for Gandalf.

He looked at the confident young man in front of him and suddenly smiled.

"Want to win the National Examination top scorer?"

"Quite a big tone."

"How many parts of certainty do you have?"

Zhou Huai didn't hesitate.

"The top scorer will definitely be mine."

"Hahahaha!"

Chief Examiner Li laughed heartily, his laughter filled with appreciation.

"Good! What a 'definitely be mine'!"

"I, Li Gang, just like this arrogant streak of yours!"

His laughter retracted, his body leaned forward slightly, staring into Gandalf's eyes.

"Kid, I'll give you a promise."

"If you can really win a national top scorer back for our Dongning Province."

"I'll make the decision to let you randomly pick an item from the treasury of the Dongning Province military department!"

Hearing this, Zhou Huai's eyes lit up.

"It's a deal."

He grinned.

"You can't go back on your word."

Li Gang's smile grew even wider.

"When has what I, Li Gang, said ever not counted?"

He pointed to the other two examiners beside him.

"Both of them can testify."