Fantasy: I Become God by playing a game [Dungeons + LitRPG +Xinxia]

**Chapter 20: Mock Exam (5)**

In the dim cave, Su Chen and three other students stared at each other across the campfire. Outside, rain poured relentlessly. The combination of the night and the deep forest brought an indescribable sense of unease. It felt as if something might leap out from the shadows at any moment, sending a shiver down their spines.

The crackling of burning wood punctuated the silence, its sporadic pops adding an edge to the tense atmosphere. Sensing the awkwardness, the precocious female classmate broke the silence.

"My dear classmates, I am Zheng Liu from Class 7. This is Xu Jianliang from Class 5, and he's Chai Xi from Class 8," she said, gesturing to the two male students beside her. "Which class are you from?"

Zheng Liu's question was directed at Su Chen.

Xu Jianliang hailed from Class 5, one of the elite "authentic" classes of their senior high school. Students from these classes all possessed mid-grade spiritual roots, and their families were typically cultivators. Naturally, they had access to superior education and resources, setting them apart from ordinary students.

In contrast, Zheng Liu's Class 7 and Chai Xi's Class 8 were categorized as human dao classes, where students had low-grade spiritual roots and average aptitude for cultivating. Su Chen, from Class 3, also belonged to this category.

Among the three, Xu Jianliang had the highest cultivation level, having reached the sixth level of the Qi Gathering Stage. Zheng Liu and Chai Xi were comparatively ordinary, with cultivation levels at the third and fourth levels of the Qi Gathering Stage, respectively.

Despite his relatively modest cultivation level, Chai Xi drew the most attention. As one of the rare physical trainees in their senior year, his abilities set him apart.

Looking at this peculiar trio, Su Chen finally introduced himself. "Su Chen, Class 3."

"Su Chen?" Zheng Liu immediately pulled out her watch to check something. Moments later, she found Su Chen's ranking.

"Wow, Su Chen, you're amazing! You already have 25 points," she exclaimed.

Her remark caught Xu Jianliang's attention. He glanced at Su Chen, surprise flickering across his face. Zheng Liu leaned in, continuing with a deliberately admiring tone. "Student Su, you're much better than me. I've only accumulated 16 points so far. I'm not even sure if I can make it to the second stage of the mock exam."

Then, she added with feigned curiosity, "Your cultivation level doesn't seem particularly high, Student Su. Did you earn so many points because you've mastered special techniques or possess some magical weapons?"

It was considered impolite to ask fellow cultivators about their techniques or magical weapons. However, Zheng Liu's demeanor cleverly masked her intent, presenting her inquiry as harmless curiosity. Yet Su Chen wasn't fooled.

Instead of replying, he pulled out some ordinary beast meat from his storage bag and began roasting it over the fire.

Wuquan Mountain's ecology was rich. Although the region teemed with monsters, it also hosted plenty of ordinary wildlife. Without these animals, the monsters kept in captivity by Jiangnan No. 1 High School would have long starved.

Seeing her question ignored, Zheng Liu adopted an aggrieved tone. "Student Su, I think you misunderstood me. I didn't mean anything by it. I was just curious because of how impressive you are." She paused for effect, then continued, "If my question offended you, I apologize."

Her words were smooth, expertly deflecting blame while painting herself as reasonable and considerate. With simpler individuals, or those easily embarrassed, this tactic might have worked. They might have relented and divulged their secrets.

But Su Chen wasn't one to fall for such tricks. His indifference to social norms and moral conventions left him unperturbed. He continued roasting and eating his meat, completely ignoring Zheng Liu's attempts.

Zheng Liu's expression twitched slightly, but she restrained herself. Instead of getting angry, she shifted her posture, maintaining her white lotus facade.

Meanwhile, Xu Jianliang and Chai Xi, perhaps sensing Su Chen's aloofness, stopped trying to engage him. They too sat in silence.

The oppressive quiet in the cave was soon broken by the sound of hurried footsteps and a loud, eerie howl.

"Howl!"

From the darkness outside the cave, more than a dozen pairs of glowing green eyes emerged. The three students jumped to their feet, their faces tense.

Xu Jianliang spoke calmly. "We're in trouble. These are Blood Amber Demon Wolves."

The Blood Amber Demon Wolf was a rare, social demon found in Wuquan Mountain. Resembling ordinary gray wolves, their distinctive feature was the blood-red amber embedded in their foreheads. This amber was not merely decorative—it was the source of their power, capable of emitting a special kind of light unique to their species.

Adult Blood Amber Wolves were formidable, with a minimum cultivation level of the fourth level of the Qi Gathering Stage. The alpha wolf could even reach the sixth or seventh level of the Qi Gathering Stage.

Before them now stood about a dozen wolves, their sizes indicating full maturity. The pack's leader had two blood ambers between its brows, signifying its sixth level of Qi Gathering Stage cultivation—higher than Xu Jianliang's.

Facing such odds, the four of them had little chance of winning.

"Student Su, under the circumstances, we must join forces," Xu Jianliang declared. "I'll handle the leader. The rest of you focus on the other wolves. Blood Amber Wolves are cautious by nature. If we demonstrate sufficient strength, they'll retreat."

With that, he stepped outside the cave, facing the imposing alpha wolf. Zheng Liu and Chai Xi followed suit, drawing their weapons.

Su Chen, however, remained inside, observing the scene. His eyes fell on the pack, noting the fresh wounds on several of the wolves. A realization dawned on him.

These wolves hadn't come here by chance—they had been lured. It was clear the trio intended to use him as bait to distract the wolves while they earned points by hunting them.

After all, with the body-protection watch ensuring their safety, they faced no real risk.

But Su Chen had no intention of playing along.

Glancing at Xu Jianliang, who had so "valiantly" volunteered to face the alpha, Su Chen smirked.

'If they want to act, then I will act better.'

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(End of Chapter)