Volume One, Chapter 15: The Fear Test Officially Begins!

Lin Beiye was somewhat taken aback by Li Jinhe’s words.

He paused briefly, then instinctively nodded. “Don’t worry, I’ll get through it.”

Hearing this, Li Jinhe furrowed her brow slightly.

She had only wanted Lin Beiye to understand the gravity of the situation and be mentally prepared.

She hadn’t expected him to tell her he would pass smoothly!

This made Li Jinhe a bit annoyed. “Forget it, saying more is useless. Anyway, I’ve already warned you.”

With that, she rolled her eyes at Lin Beiye and walked past him.

Lin Beiye didn’t mind Li Jinhe’s attitude.

What troubled him more was the eavesdropping device in his pocket.

But as long as he acted cautiously, he should be able to avoid unnecessary trouble.

Taking a deep breath, Lin Beiye quickly caught up with the group ahead.

Soon, he boarded a vehicle with his class.

However, due to the large number of people, there were no seats left for him.

Helpless, he had to grab the handle beside the driver, struggling to keep his balance.

With a deafening roar, the engines started one after another.

The vehicles carrying the participants in the fear test began to depart.

Inside the cabin, an indescribable tension filled the air.

Not a single person spoke along the way.

It wasn’t until they arrived at their destination that the students began whispering among themselves.

At that moment, the teacher spoke, “I’ve already explained everything that needs to be said.”

“Let me remind you all once more.”

“The fear test is a combined examination for all middle schools in Tianzhou City!”

“It includes not only our East City Middle School but also West City, North City, South City, and the Tianzhou Public Middle School.”

“So there are many participants!”

“You must remember this!”

“Once inside the fear test space—”

“Make sure to find your school’s team!”

“Keep that in mind!”

After finishing speaking, the teacher led the students off the vehicle toward a spacious open area.

Lin Beiye silently followed at the rear of the group, carefully scanning every inch of the surroundings.

After a thorough look, he found nothing unusual; the scenery was plain and ordinary.

Then, his gaze caught a familiar face—Li Yan.

Her appearance didn’t surprise Lin Beiye.

Because the fear test, a special annual examination, was always organized by the Ghost-Slaying Division.

This time was no exception.

Members of the Ghost-Slaying Division warmly greeted the teachers.

They then took over from the teachers, leading the students to a supposedly luxurious hall.

Upon entering the hall, Lin Beiye was stunned by its grandeur.

The hall was vast, roughly the size of several football fields.

Every so often, a giant screen hung in the middle, reminiscent of an airport waiting lounge.

Lin Beiye was taken aback by the scale.

While he was still absorbing this, Li Yan, acting as the commander, began speaking over the hall’s broadcast system.

“Students, please maintain order. The fear test will commence shortly!”

With that, members of the Ghost-Slaying Division quickly organized the students into orderly groups.

Each was given an identity card.

When Lin Beiye received his, the division member hesitated briefly.

He looked Lin Beiye over and gave a meaningful smile. “I heard you’re the only student in this batch with a recommendation spot.”

Lin Beiye was momentarily stunned, about to reply.

But the member had already walked away.

Lin Beiye examined the card in his hand.

It resembled more a magnetic screen card than a simple card.

It displayed his name, age, and school.

Most importantly, in the most prominent position was a “forfeit” button.

At that moment, the hall’s broadcast system sounded again.

“I believe everyone has their identity cards now.”

“Let me carefully explain the rules of the fear test once more.”

“First, the fear test space will be conducted in a fully enclosed environment.”

“The screens in the hall will only display participants’ names and whether they pass.”

“Second, 100 to 200 people form a single group entering the fear test space.”

“Inside, participants may freely form their own teams.”

“Third, the fear test space uses a randomized map system; each student will be assigned different tasks.”

“No matter the method, as long as you complete the task within the designated time—”

“And reach the specified location to insert your card for identity verification, you will be considered to have passed.”

“Fourth, if your life is threatened or you feel unwell or face any unforeseen circumstances preventing continuation—”

“Press the forfeit button immediately. Otherwise, all consequences will be your responsibility.”

“Fifth—and most crucial—the ghosts encountered in the fear test space are real ghosts!”

“Please be extremely cautious! Treat this seriously, not as a game!”

“That concludes the rules.”

“Students whose names appear on the screen, please gather at the test entrance!”

Lin Beiye focused intently on the screen, searching for his name.

When he confirmed he was not among this group, he breathed a sigh of relief and sat down patiently for the next round.

However, a student beside him looked as if struck by a thunderbolt, pale and standing up, muttering, “Damn it! Why am I in the first batch?”

He walked toward the test entrance, his back radiating unwillingness and helplessness.

A group of classmates behind him laughed teasingly, and someone shouted, “Old Li! Don’t forget to tell us how it goes in there!”

The student called Old Li didn’t respond, only waving his hand as if saying a final goodbye.

Lin Beiye hadn’t expected such a strong reaction from the first batch.

Almost every student heading in wore a complex expression.

Curious, Lin Beiye asked a nearby student, “What’s wrong with them? Even if you’re not in the first batch, the second and third will come around.”

The student looked at Lin Beiye in surprise. “You don’t know? Which school are you from?”

“East City Middle School,” Lin Beiye replied.

“East City Middle School, no wonder. A few days ago, there were strange reactions in East City District. It’s normal your school didn’t get a chance to brief you,” the student said candidly.

“Classmate, the first batch going in is basically food for the ghosts inside!”