Gu Xun and Dong Qianqiu rose from the virtual world. They exchanged a glance before surveying their surroundings, only to find every other virtual pod completely empty. It seemed they were the last two remaining.
"Everyone else got eliminated?"
"Probably."
Dong Qianqiu asked Gu Xun as he surveyed the empty cockpit, and Gu Xun nodded in agreement.
The two stepped out of the room to find teachers, classmates, and examiners waiting for them.
"Congratulations, both of you. You passed the assessment with perfect scores."
The invigilator smiled warmly at Gu Xun and Dong Qianqiu, prompting gasps from the other trainees.
"Perfect score! I didn't even pass!"
"Yeah, I only made it to the first ring. Facing spirit beasts? How could I possibly win?"
"I got swarmed by wolves and killed instantly."
The trainees' results seemed largely disappointing, while the teachers worked to reassure them.
Soon, the trainees returned to the Elementry Academy campus. Dong Qianqiu, who had spent six nerve-wracking hours in the virtual world, was also feeling quite exhausted.
"Tired? Want something to eat?"
Gu Xun handed Dong Qianqiu a golden apple. Dong Qianqiu recognized it as the one Gu Xun often ate in the virtual world, though it didn't seem to glow with a purple light.
"Thanks."
After thanking him, Dong Qianqiu took the golden apple with both hands and took a small bite.
Immediately, she felt he stamina begin to recover, and his attributes seemed to have increased. This appeared to be a support spirit skill as well.
"Is this also your spirit skill?"
"Pretty much."
Gu Xun responded casually, and Dong Qianqiu fell into deep thought.
Dong Qianqiu realized Gu Xun possessed at least three support spirit skills: the jellyfish, the ice element damage boost, and now this golden apple.
"I feel all my attributes increased by fifty percent. Plus, I seem to have gained some damage reduction and a shield that absorbs damage."
"And the recovery is incredible—whether it's spiritual power, spirit power, or stamina, everything regenerates rapidly. Are you really not a support-type soul master?"
Dong Qianqiu eyed Gu Xun suspiciously. An attack-type spirit master possessing healing, damage boosts, and attribute enhancements? Did that even make sense?
"I truly am an attack-type spirit master."
Hearing this, Gu Xun looked back at Dong Qianqiu, seeking confirmation of his own role. Dong Qianqiu responded with an expression that screamed, 'You say so, but I don't believe you.'
Gu Xun and Dong Qianqiu chatted their way back to the classroom. After the teacher finished announcing all the scores, countless students let out cries of despair.
Both Gu Xun and Dong Qianqiu were utterly astonished—they hadn't expected over half the class to fail.
It seemed the proctor had intentionally increased the difficulty because of Gu Xun and Dong Qianqiu.
After announcing the results, the teacher dismissed the class. Gu Xun gathered his things, ready to leave.
"Gu Xun, where do you live?"
Dong Qianqiu suddenly turned to ask. Gu Xun paused before replying:
"Elf Planet."
"Elf Planet? I meant your current residence, not your hometown."
Dong Qianqiu, realizing it wasn't another star system, assumed Gu Xun was referring to his ancestral home's location.
"Villa Number One in the villa district next to Heaven Dou Garden."
"Tsk... Truly a young master. Your residence is luxurious."
Dong Qianqiu whistled in astonishment. She knew Gu Xun's family background wasn't ordinary, but she hadn't imagined them to be this wealthy.
"Gu Xun, we have two days off after midterms. Why don't I come hang out at your place?"
Dong Qianqiu currently lived in student dorms and didn't know many people—just Gu Xun and a few teachers.
So, she figured she might as well go hang out at Gu Xun's place to break the monotony.
"Huh? Whatever you say."
"Great! By the way, where's Paopao? Haven't seen her in ages."
"Paopao reached the ten-year spirit beast level. The little fish tank couldn't hold her anymore, so I'm keeping her at home now."
As Gu Xun and Dong Qianqiu walked side by side toward the school gate, Dong Qianqiu stared at Gu Xun's luxury car waiting to pick him up, momentarily speechless.
"What are you spacing out for? Get in the car."
Gu Xun urged Dong Qianqiu, who'd been staring blankly at the car. At his prompting, she climbed in.
Once inside, the vehicle started moving. Dong Qianqiu glanced at the burly driver—a man who looked like trouble—and instinctively shifted closer to Gu Xun.
Gu Xun, gazing out the window, naturally noticed the little shark's movement. Only when Dong Qianqiu leaned against him did she feel a sense of security.
Throughout the ride, Dong Qianqiu remained quiet and obedient. For some reason, she felt an overwhelming sense of pressure from the burly driver.
During the car ride, Dong Qianqiu remained quiet and subdued. For some reason, he felt an overwhelming sense of pressure emanating from the burly man beside him.
The atmosphere inside the vehicle was eerily tense, a silence so thick it felt almost frightening. Dong Qianqiu could only mimic Gu Xun's behavior, shifting her focus to the scenery outside the window.
As the surrounding scenery receded, Dong Qianqiu found herself lost in thought. Soon enough, they arrived at the gates of a villa spanning five hundred square meters.
"Young Master, we've arrived."
"Mhm."
Dong Qianqiu startled at the respectful voice of Di Tian. Gu Xun stepped out of the car, and Dong Qianqiu hurriedly followed suit.