, No. 1 Could it be your son?

The second day of the college entrance examination, at 8:40 a.m.

Beijiang City, First People's Hospital.

Tao Chunru changed into her nurse's uniform and walked down the street with several colleagues.

The colleagues chatted about the college entrance examination as they walked.

"Did you see that? I heard this year's college entrance exam is very difficult."

"Yes, it's very rare. My second uncle's daughter's Qi and Blood are both over 9. In previous years, she would have been able to pass easily, but I didn't expect her to be eliminated before the first day was over this year."

"By the way, Sister Mo, how's your son doing?"

"Don't even mention it. I was eliminated yesterday afternoon, ranked outside the top 400,000. My chances of getting into Wuhan University are gone. I heard the girl who ranked second in the province in total points is an orphan, living with her older sister in the neighborhood next to mine. You know what? It's just so unfair. Sigh..."

"She's a top genius who awakened SS-level talent. How can ordinary people compare to her? Try to think positively. If she doesn't get into college, she doesn't get into college. As long as the child isn't lazy or stupid, there's always a way for her to succeed."

"Yes, I think being an ordinary person is pretty good too, at least there's no danger," Tao Chunru comforted her.

"By the way, Sister Chunru, is your son also taking the college entrance exam? How is it going?" Sister Mo asked, shifting the focus of the conversation to Tao Chunru.

Everyone looked at her.

Tao Chunru said embarrassedly, "I didn't know. I sent him a message last night, but he didn't reply."

A slightly younger female nurse standing nearby pondered:

"I remember Sister Chunru's son's name is Jiang... Jiang Yuan, right?"

"Um."

"Jiang Yuan?" Sister Mo exclaimed in surprise, then smiled teasingly and said, "I think the candidate ranked first in the total points in Jiang Province right now is also named Jiang Yuan, and he's also from Nanjiang No. 1 High School. Could it be... that he's your son, Sister Chunru?"

"Maybe it's possible."

Hearing their teasing, Tao Chunru forced a smile and said, "I think it's probably not the same person, just someone with the same name..."

Before she could finish speaking, Sister Mo interrupted, "I think so too. After all, your son only awakened an E-level talent. How could he possibly become the top scholar in the entire province?"

"And it's a huge lead! When I checked last night, he had over 600 points, and this morning he had over 900, leaving the second place by more than 400 points. It's unbelievable!" another nurse exclaimed in amazement. "I really don't know how his parents could have given birth to such a prodigy."

The young nurse looked at Tao Chunru with anticipation, "Sister Chunru, your son is also from Nanjiang No. 1 Middle School. Could you ask him to help me get the top scorer's autograph? When he becomes a big shot in the future, it will definitely be incredibly valuable."

Tao Chunru was about to say something when Mo Jie interrupted her again, saying, "Such super geniuses will definitely soar to great heights after the college entrance examination. How can ordinary people even get close to them?"

"Xiao Li, I think you'd better not make things difficult for Sister Chunru."

"...That's true."

As they walked into the hospital lobby, they were surprised to find it filled with patients.

"Sister Lily, what's going on?" Xiao Li asked in astonishment.

Another nurse, already busy using her skills to heal patients, said with sweat pouring down her face, "This morning, a huge explosion suddenly occurred on the bridge over the river, killing and injuring hundreds of people."

"By the river again?" Sister Mo asked in surprise. "How many times has this happened this month?"

"Today, not only on our side, but also in Nanjiang City across the Posuo River, several accidents and disasters have occurred along the riverbank. I really don't know what happened."

Tao Chunru felt a little worried upon hearing this.

My younger sister, Tao Yufeng, and her family live in a community not far from the Posuo River. I don't know if they have been affected.

And Xiaoyuan... why can't I get through on the phone? Is he still taking the college entrance exam?

Please, please don't let anything happen.

"Stop dawdling and come help!"

"They're here."

………………

Nanjiang City.

Inside a factory in Linjiang, the former food factory has now become a ruin, with charred ground and thick smoke billowing everywhere.

In a charred crater the size of a basketball court, there still remain bizarre, mutated bodies, but they are now completely lifeless.

When Zhang Wei arrived.

Yan Runan was standing on the edge of the deep pit, her dreamy blue hair fluttering in the wind.

"Thank you for your hard work," Zhang Wei said.

Yan Runan turned his head and smiled, "It's no big deal. Just treat me to hot pot later."

Zhang Wei smiled, looked at the deep pit, and then his smile faded.

Yan Runan said, "Recently, the Abyss Believers in Nanjiang City have become increasingly active, which is not a good sign."

"I know."

"And there's something that's very concerning."

Tell me about it.

Yan Runan, whose eyes were covered by black satin, looked at the Posuo River not far away. "Whether it is the collective activity of the Abyss Believers using mental pollution on civilians, or the martial artists whose flesh and blood have been contaminated by strange creatures, their activity locations are very close to the Posuo River."

"I noticed this a long time ago, but after several investigations of the Posuo River, we came to the conclusion that..."

Zhang Wei rubbed the cigarette between his fingers to light it, took a deep drag, and said:

"Nothing unusual at all, not even a trace of a ferocious beast."

"That's the biggest anomaly."

Yan Runan said in a low voice.

She looked up at the sky.

"Perhaps the truth will come out soon."

Zhang Wei: "Is this a prophecy or a warning?"

Yan Runan shook his head and said nothing.

She jumped down from around the pit, her tone returning to its usual light and casual manner.

"Anyway, if the sky falls, Chairman Qin and Director Lu will hold it up, so why should I get involved?"

"Once I lure a few junior students back to Shenwu, I can go back to the capital to get my credits, hehe."

Hearing her words, Zhang Wei remembered something and said with a strange expression, "The one currently ranked first in Jiang Province, could it be the one from last time...?"

Yan Runan snapped his fingers. "Bingo, you guessed right."

"How about it? I have good taste, right?"

Listening to her laughter, Zhang Wei felt a mix of emotions, both admiration and wistfulness.

I never expected that the boy, whose file showed an ordinary family background, average job advancement, and E-level talent, would possess such strength.

That's really... a secret they kept hidden for so long.

"What talent do you think he awakened?" Zhang Wei asked.

"I don't know, I can't tell."

As Yan Runan spoke, he added, "However, there is one thing I am certain of."

"What?"

"Based on my assessment, his combat strength should be close to the third tier. Moreover..."

Yan Runan recalled those blazing golden eyes and said softly, "I sensed an indescribable danger emanating from him."

Zhang Wei remained standing there, his expression blank, his lips slightly parted but unable to utter a single word.

A first-tier martial artist with the combat power of a third-tier warrior?

It can also make you feel dangerous...

Are you kidding me?!

"That's all for now. I'm going to find a friend to grab some snacks. Don't call me unless it's absolutely necessary. I'm very busy."

After Yan Runan finished speaking, she turned and left, ignoring Zhang Wei who was still in a daze.

Long after she left.

Zhang Weicai gradually came to his senses.

"Jiang Yuan..."

"I never imagined that such a genius would emerge from Nanjiang City."

Zhang Wei's expression was solemn.

He knew Yan Runan's strength very well. Two years ago, she was the top scorer in the college entrance examination. She had an S-level talent but a legendary profession. After joining Shenwu University, her combat power skyrocketed. Now she was a fourth-level martial artist. If she wanted to, it would only be a matter of time before she reached the fifth level...

The fact that even she felt a sense of danger made it hard to imagine what secrets that boy was hiding.

If these words hadn't come from Yan Runan's mouth, but from someone else, he would have just laughed it off and wouldn't have believed them at all.

But since it's Yan Runan's judgment, it can't be wrong.

In addition to her own great talent, her intuition is so accurate that it is comparable to a prophetic talent.

Zhang Wei took a deep drag of his cigarette, tossed it aside, and crushed it with his foot.

"It seems best to have Director Lu inform them..."

………………

An underground research institute in Nanjiang City.

People were whispering in the darkness.

"...It'll be soon, very soon, they haven't noticed yet..."

"...calamity and disease...rain falling from the sky...the entire city..."

"...This is purification, this is a ritual..."

"...Congratulations on the King's arrival..."

"...Just a little bit more, just a little bit more..."

..............................