These 20 types of drugs are incredibly diverse. Zhang Yu thought to himself, “They replenish energy, stamina, and mana; boost qi and blood; and also aid in muscle gain, bone strengthening, and nerve stimulation…”

Simultaneously, another light screen appeared, displaying the list of drugs permitted for this exam. Zhang Yu compared the 20 drugs reviewed by the internet celebrity with this list, noting their respective point values. The points varied significantly, from the lowest regular supplements like stimulants and focus aids, which were 10 points, to more potent muscle-building and bone-strengthening drugs, which were around 25 points. The strongest ones were categorized into 50, 80, and 100-point tiers.

“But this video only mentioned 20 types, didn’t it?” Zhang Yu thought. “The examiner explicitly said there were 23 drugs to choose from for this exam.” He then noticed the three highest-scoring and most potent drugs, each worth a full 1500 points. “They omitted three types? Why would they use this internet celebrity’s video as an explanation then?”

Meanwhile, Ye Lingxiao, on the other side, was not surprised. He mused, “This video gained popularity because it was initially pushed by companies to promote these 20 primary drugs.” He continued, “It seems the decision to incorporate drug use into this exam is deeply intertwined with corporate dealings. Perhaps these 20 main drugs, heavily promoted by companies, were intentionally included in the exam’s roster of permissible substances specifically to boost sales, with this video serving as a convenient secondary tool.”

As an heir of Xiandu’s Ye clan, Ye Lingxiao was well-versed in the intricate relationship between corporations and the True Gods. The companies affiliated with the Ten Great Sects engaged in rivalry, cooperation, disputes, and business with the True Gods. To Ye Lingxiao, the profound and complicated nature of these connections was almost beyond comprehension.

For instance, the Red Packet Charms and Favor Charms he had diligently researched held great secrets, leading him to suspect they were involved in money laundering between corporations and the True Gods. “The woman I met earlier could use a Favor Charm to transfer money,” he recalled, “which might have been a part of money laundering.” He sighed, “However, even if engaging in such a business temporarily earns the favor of the True Gods, it likely won’t end well.”

Although the profits were enormous, Ye Lingxiao ultimately abandoned his exploration in this area, having gradually sensed the terrifying risks involved.

Just then, as the video concluded, Deng Bingding began, “Three drugs were not introduced in the video, and I will now provide additional details on them.” He explained, “These three drugs were omitted because they are cutting-edge products still in laboratories, not yet widely released to the market. This is due to their respective drawbacks, despite their incredibly potent effects. In essence, these three are the most powerful among the 23 available drugs, but they also place the greatest strain on the body. Each one will severely test your physical endurance.” He continued, “First up is the ‘Dao Comprehension Sustained-Release Capsule’…”

As Zhang Yu listened to the explanation, he mentally summarized the drug:

**Dao Comprehension Sustained-Release Capsule**
* **Function:** This product contains sedatives and negative emotion blockers, capable of temporarily increasing the resilience of the Dao heart and absorbing negative emotions. Requires long-term use.
* **Adverse Reactions:** Not yet clear.

Zhang Yu inwardly critiqued, “I’ll pass on this one. If the company itself states ‘not yet clear’ for adverse reactions, there’s likely a significant hidden danger.”

Next, Deng Bingding introduced another drug, also worth 1500 points. Zhang Yu mentally summarized its features:

* **Function:** Mimics the spiritual catalysts produced by mana circulation in natural spirit root possessors, effectively suppressing fatigue in the Dantian and meridians, stimulating spirit root function, and thus greatly accelerating mana recovery and growth efficiency.
* **Adverse Reactions:** Anxiety, rapid breathing, convulsions, coma.
* **Note:** Long-term injection may induce meridian cancer.

When he first heard the description, Zhang Yu thought it sounded promising, imagining he could take a few doses to boost his mana during the exam. However, upon hearing about “meridian cancer,” Zhang Yu’s brow immediately furrowed. “What kind of drug is this? They’re actually using something like this for an exam? Do they really expect students to risk their lives?”

Then, Deng Bingding introduced the final drug:

**Phoenix Mimic Function Enhancer**
* **Function:** This product contains nano-grade mimicked phoenix cells, capable of stimulating human muscle and bone growth and providing phoenix hormones for the repair of physical injuries, thereby significantly increasing body tempering efficiency.
* **Adverse Reactions:** Diarrhea, abdominal pain, dizziness, headache, drowsiness, insomnia, neuritis, fever, fatigue, high fever, anaphylactic shock.

Deng Bingding concluded, “The Phoenix Mimic Function Enhancer has numerous adverse reactions, but they are generally mild and transient, mostly not affecting cultivation.” Hearing this, Zhang Yu was unsure whether to believe it. “Still, this Phoenix Mimic Function Enhancer seems to be the most reliable of these three ‘miracle drugs’,” he mused. “I just wonder if my High School Saint Body combined with Spring and Autumn Endless Meditation can truly withstand it. But a single dose is worth 1500 points, far surpassing any other drug. If someone else takes it, I’ll have no choice but to push myself too.”

As the drug introductions concluded, boxes of medicine were swiftly brought into the exam hall and placed before the five candidates. Deng Bingding gave a final warning: “Next, monitoring patches will be affixed to your bodies to constantly track your physical condition. Should any life-threatening situation or condition exceeding your physical limit arise, you will automatically be eliminated. I hope everyone acts within their capabilities and does not consume drugs beyond their physical endurance…”

Despite this warning, when the exam officially began, Zhang Yu watched Yu Xinghan rush forward, scooping up box after box of reagents as if at a buffet, turning drug intake into a frenzied feast. Yu Xinghan first grabbed a row of Dragon-Elephant preparations, secretly gloating, “These must cost a fortune normally. Today, I can inject myself to my heart’s content.” He sighed, “Ah, if only I could take some home.” As over a dozen doses of Dragon-Elephant preparations were injected, Yu Xinghan’s body visibly swelled, and even his previously somewhat sunken cheeks became full again. His points also instantly surged to over a hundred. He then proceeded to inject various other supplements in succession, feeling his qi and blood surging within him, as if compensating for all the deficits accumulated from recent overtime work. Yu Xinghan thought to himself with immense satisfaction, “I originally thought this second round was just a formality, but I never expected to have such a blast injecting drugs. Tomorrow, I can even go back to working overtime at the Red Tower!” A smile unconsciously crept onto his face as he thought this. He then felt his body, sensing a dull ache in his internal organs and the rapid thumping of his heart. “520 points,” he murmured. “Phew… I’m pretty much at my limit. I could inject more, but it would harm my body. Besides, I’m not vying for the Foundation Establishment Qualification Certificate, so there’s no need to push myself so desperately.”

Just as Yu Xinghan was thinking this, a colossal figure loomed over him, and a hand larger than Yu Xinghan’s head reached past, grabbing a row of syringes. It was Meng Tao, Number 18, a Xiandu native possessing the Gluttony Spirit Root. In the previous Gluttony Competition, he had eaten quickly but performed poorly due to his slow digestion. That very setback made Meng Tao realize something crucial: “In terms of physical quality, I am far inferior to a prodigy like Ye Lingxiao. To even approach that level, I must rely solely on quantity.”

Just as a robust 5-year-old can be single-handedly subdued by a 15-year-old, this demonstrates the dominance of size and weight. Consequently, over the past two months, Meng Tao underwent eight modification surgeries. Combined with his Gluttony Spirit Root, this caused his height to surge to 3.2 meters and his weight to exceed 1000 kilograms. If quality was lacking, then quantity would compensate. He intended to unleash extraordinary physical strength through his abnormal physique, leveraging his immense size and weight to overpower his opponents.

In an injection-based exam like this, Meng Tao knew his current physique and weight provided a significant advantage, allowing him to handle considerably more drugs. As a top student from Xiandu, he was already experienced in maximizing drug intake. Glancing disdainfully at Yu Xinghan, Meng Tao thought, “What an ignorant outsider, just injecting wherever he fancies.” He continued, “That’s not how you administer medicine. If you want to inject a lot, you should first consume some nutritional liquids to stimulate your appetite. Then, take capsule forms to line your stomach and initiate digestion. Only after that should you use injectables, and critically, avoid stimulants or tranquilizers, as the brain’s metabolism is the slowest…”

Yu Xinghan watched from the side as Meng Tao swiftly unwrapped box after box of drugs. His points surged rapidly, reaching over 1200 in an instant. “What a terrifying guy,” Yu Xinghan thought. “How much medicine do these Xiandu people inject on a regular basis? How many surgeries have they undergone?” He mused, “Number 18 must have more than doubled his weight since the last time I saw him, right? Are they raising livestock? And thinking about it, these Xiandu students are also high schoolers, so they’re naturally in a period of rapid development. While I’m making progress, they’re improving at an incredible pace too…”

Not expecting to obtain the Foundation Establishment Qualification Certificate in his first year, Yu Xinghan felt no anxiety. He simply turned to look at Ye Lingxiao. “Number 23 (Ye Lingxiao) is, if I recall correctly, the strongest student from Xiandu.” A surprised “Huh?” escaped him. “He’s actually going for the 1500-point drugs?”

Under Yu Xinghan’s astonished gaze, Ye Lingxiao, whose score was still zero and who had yet to take any drugs, walked directly to the front. With a single syringe, he injected the ‘miracle drug’ into his body. The next moment, Ye Lingxiao’s veins bulged all over, appearing like small snakes wriggling beneath his skin. He then abruptly gasped, breathing heavily, as his entire body began to tremble violently.