The clearing at the foot of the mountain was exceptionally noisy. Most of the students had already withdrawn from the Ghost Domain, gathering in groups of three or two to rest. The air was filled with a faint smell of dust and the excitement of surviving a disaster.
Zhang Feng unscrewed the cap of his mineral water bottle and took a vigorous swig, his eyes casually scanning the exit. When that familiar figure finally walked out of the shadows, he nearly choked.
"Yo? It's that kid Jiang Han."
Zhang Feng wiped the water stains from the corner of his mouth while looking sideways at him. The crew-cut boy beside him didn't even bother to hide his disdain, snorting coldly, "That kid actually dragged it out until the very end to come out. Does he really think he's the main character?"
In contrast to the sarcasm and mockery from that side, the chubby Zhang Yuanyuan was so excited he almost jumped up, waving his arms frantically at Jiang Han. "Jiang Han! Jiang Han! You finally came out. I thought something happened to you in there."
Jiang Han replied in annoyance, "Can't you say something nice for once?"
Zhang Yuanyuan tucked his hands away, stammering, "Well, uh, where did you hide? I looked everywhere but couldn't find you..."
Hearing this, Jiang Han rolled his eyes. "Screw you. You think I'm a coward?"
Zhang Yuanyuan wanted to press further, but Jiang Han had already walked straight toward Chen Yuan, who was in charge of the assessment.
Seeing Jiang Han, Chen Yuan was astonished.
This boy was the first to enter the mountain, yet the last to come out. Having stayed in the Ghost Domain for such a long time, logically, his mental state should have been extremely tense. Yet, this kid not only showed no signs of fatigue but looked spirited and energetic.
However, thinking of Jiang Han's mediocre aptitude, Chen Yuan shook his head secretly. "Still falls a bit short."
"It's you?"
At this moment, Bai Ruoxue also noticed Jiang Han, recognizing him as the guy who stole her spotlight when entering the mountain. However, Jiang Han's fame in school wasn't high, so Bai Ruoxue didn't pay him much mind.
"Uncle Chen, now that everyone is out, that Green-tier Soul Jade can be given to me, right?"
Since everyone had come out, Bai Ruoxue extended her fair little hand again, looking as if it were her due.
Just then, Jiang Han spoke up with a smile, "Don't be in such a hurry."
As he spoke, he took out the white jade vase from his bosom.
Seeing this, Bai Ruoxue rolled her eyes beautifully. "Tch, what a waste of time."
Chen Yuan, however, rarely smiled at Jiang Han. "Your courage is commendable."
Among those who came out of the Ghost Domain, including Zhang Feng and even Bai Ruoxue, although they appeared normal on the surface, a careful observer could tell—Bai Ruoxue had mentioned wanting to go home quickly more than once.
It was just that this girl was too proud, so proud that she desperately hid her timidity, not wanting any outsider to see it. As a third-tier Spirit Master of the Tianji Pavilion, Chen Yuan had seen many such talented youths and could naturally see through their thoughts at a glance.
What surprised Chen Yuan, however, was that he didn't see a single trace of fear on Jiang Han's face.
Even more surprising, this kid seemed to want more?
Recalling his previous experience, Jiang Han felt a little excited and thought to himself, "This primary Ghost Domain is simply a holy land for leveling up. I must come more often if I get the chance!"
"Uncle Chen, hurry up and open it. Stop wasting time," Bai Ruoxue pouted in dissatisfaction.
She completely regarded that Green-tier Soul Jade as something already in her pocket.
Chen Yuan smiled, then opened the white jade vase.
Just one look.
His hand suddenly trembled.
Whoosh!
Chen Yuan looked up in disbelief. "Are you sure you did all this by yourself?"
Jiang Han shrugged. "Naturally."
"Hmm?"
As if sensing something, Bai Ruoxue frowned slightly.
Chen Yuan took a deep breath and said in a deep voice, "Jiang... Jiang Han, right? I'll ask you one more time. Was the Wraith Essence in this white jade vase collected by you alone? It doesn't matter if classmates helped; you will have to form your own teams in the future anyway. I won't deduct the reward for outside help."
He wanted to confirm a fact.
Because, before this, he had clearly seen this boy enter the mountain alone, and return alone.
"Uncle Chen, what on earth is wrong?" Bai Ruoxue suddenly felt that something was off and quickly leaned over to look into the white jade vase.
Instantly, her expression changed drastically, and she exclaimed, "How is that possible?!"
Inside, the white essence had completely filled the white jade vase, almost to the point of overflowing.
But if that were the case, didn't it mean she had lost?
Just then, the crowd in the distance heard Bai Ruoxue's exclamation and looked over one after another.
"What happened?"
Zhang Feng frowned, stood up, and walked over.
As soon as he arrived, he saw the overflowing white jade vase in Chen Yuan's hand.
Immediately, Zhang Feng's eyes shone with admiration as he said, "Student Bai, you actually slew such a large number of wraiths! It's truly admirable!"
At these words, Bai Ruoxue felt terrible.
She glared hatefully at Zhang Feng.
Zhang Feng was confused. Did he say something wrong?
Just then, Jiang Han spoke up, "Senior Chen, if the results are out, can you announce the first place winner?"
Zhang Feng looked at Jiang Han in astonishment and disbelief. "This... this is yours?"
"Otherwise, is it yours?" Jiang Han flashed his signature toothy grin.
Looking at Jiang Han's cheeky smiling face, Zhang Feng felt a surge of anger. "Impossible! This is absolutely impossible! A trash with three skill slots like you, how could you possibly surpass us?" "Alright, stop putting on an act here just waiting to be slapped in the face." Jiang Han waved his hand with a smile.
Suddenly, Zhang Feng gritted his teeth and said, "I know, you must have filled it with mineral water inside to try and bluff your way through!"
Hearing this, Bai Ruoxue's expression shifted slightly.
Chen Yuan also revealed a contemplative look.
Jiang Han, however, was nonchalant. "Just have Senior Chen check it, won't you?"
"Right! Senior Chen, you must inspect it thoroughly!" Zhang Feng immediately looked at Chen Yuan.
At that moment, Chen Yuan spoke up, "No, Wraith Essence cannot mix with other liquids at all. If it did, there would be a clear separation between the two, visible at a glance."