Many contestants were startled upon hearing the True God announce that the next test would be an eating competition. They immediately began to assess their strengths and weaknesses for this particular challenge.

Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen, however, had their eyes light up. They secretly thought, “Won’t the next test be a chance for a free feast?”

“A buffet, huh?” Zhang Yu muttered to himself. “I’m definitely going to eat back the registration fee, travel expenses, and teleportation costs.”

Bai Zhenzhen, beside him, speculated, “The next test isn’t going to be an all-you-can-eat processed food buffet, is it? That would be amazing!”

Zhang Yu interjected, “We’re taking the Foundation Establishment exam. How could we possibly be eating processed food? It should at least be something high-value and difficult to digest, like demon beast meat – that would be more suitable for an exam, right?”

As the two discussed what they might eat in the upcoming test, Yu Xinghan approached them and said, “This is Xiantu City. Even eating dragon meat in the next test would be normal here.”

As he spoke, his eyes filled with longing, and his mouth involuntarily began to water profusely.

Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen were both startled at the mention of “dragon meat,” then became somewhat skeptical.

“All-you-can-eat dragon meat?” Zhang Yu asked. “Isn’t that a bit exaggerated?”

Yu Xinghan replied, “What’s so special about dragon meat in Xiantu City? Every person from Xiantu City here is wealthy. Ordinary food isn’t enough for them to digest.”

He gestured towards Yun Jing with a nod and said, “See number 11 over there? He’s a prominent figure among Xiantu City high schoolers. It’s said he spends tens of millions each month just on outsourced cultivation.”

Bai Zhenzhen exclaimed, “These damn rich people are truly loaded! Where do they even get all that money?”

Yu Xinghan explained, “They’re from the 1.5th layer… things about the 1.5th layer are naturally beyond your understanding as someone from the 1st layer.”

Bai Zhenzhen asked, “Then how do *you* know about the 1.5th layer, being from the 1st layer yourself?”

Yu Xinghan replied, “I learned it from my master; he always keeps up with all kinds of intelligence from Xiantu City. After all, this is where the wealthiest companies, most advanced technologies, and most promising students in Kunxu’s 1st layer gather. Paying attention to this place is like keeping an eye on the future direction of the Immortal Dao world…”

Then, Yu Xinghan looked at them and pitched, “Would you like to subscribe to some cutting-edge news about the Immortal Dao world from me? I also have sharp commentaries from Golden Core Immortals.”

Charging for information was Yu Xinghan’s new business venture, which had recently brought him a significant income.

Zhang Yu was interested at first, but remembering his current savings, he pursed his lips and said, “Maybe later.”

Just then, barrels of food were brought to the scene, much to the anticipation of Zhang Yu, Bai Zhenzhen, and Yu Xinghan.

However, when the barrel lids were opened, Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen’s faces filled with disappointment at the sight of the synthetic food inside.

Having already eaten synthetic food for several months, the thought of having to compete by eating it again made them nauseous, turning their faces green.

Zhang Yu cursed inwardly, “Damn it… I paid thirty thousand for registration last time, just to eat *this*?”

A hint of embarrassment flashed across Yu Xinghan’s face as he thought to himself, “How much have these True Gods embezzled?”

Meanwhile, Deng Bingding, the chief examiner, continued to explain the rules of the test.

In summary, the test was about who could eat the most, with an unlimited supply of synthetic food. During the test, participants were forbidden from using spirit roots or magic power—in short, any power beyond their physical body. However, mental cultivation techniques, as they are a power of the mind’s visualization and inherently part of physical strength, were not restricted. Furthermore, various methods like vomiting or hiding food were considered cheating. Anyone caught doing so would be permanently disqualified from obtaining the Foundation Establishment qualification certificate.

Deng Bingding stated, “Eating, digestion, and metabolism are the foundations of physical strength and a major manifestation of physical prowess. A true strong person must possess powerful internal organs, precise control over their bodily functions, and a strong ability to marshal the power of their digestive system. It can be said that the stronger the physical body, the stronger the digestive ability, and the larger the food intake – this is a certainty. This round will assess your physical strength and control over your body from this perspective. If simple running, jumping, and weight-bearing are external physical skills, then what we’re testing today is the internal strength of the body. Everyone, do your best.”

In an instant, as the test officially began, a series of bar graphs reappeared on the screen in front, showing each contestant’s number and the amount of food consumed. With the countdown of 3, 2, 1, the bar graphs on the screen immediately surged upwards.

Amidst a loud gurgling sound, a brawny man picked up a large barrel and, like a whale swallowing, gulped down the synthetic food within. As the synthetic food poured in frantically, there were even sounds like a surging river, drawing the attention of many nearby students.

The brawny man, Meng Tao, swallowed a large barrel of synthetic food in an instant, then couldn’t help but slightly frown. “This is really damn unpalatable.”

The synthetic food in the barrel had no seasoning, and to Meng Tao, it tasted like dirt. But after seeing himself quickly swallow a large barrel of synthetic food, his pride overcame his aversion to the taste.

“Hahahaha, I usually use the Gluttony Spirit Root! My entire digestive system is already accustomed to massive food intake. Even if I can’t use the Gluttony Spirit Root now, my advantage is definitely incomparable to others. In this gluttony test, I might even get into the top three! Maybe even top two!”

So, as Meng Tao frantically devoured the synthetic food, his eyes briefly glanced at the screen nearby, and then a look of delight appeared in them.

First place: No. 23
Second place: No. 11
Third place: No. 18

Seeing himself ranked third, Meng Tao’s first reaction was naturally a flicker of joy. But when he noticed the top two continuously widening the gap with him, that flicker of joy turned into surprise. Meng Tao couldn’t help but glance towards Yun Jing and Ye Lingxiao, wanting to see how they were eating. What he saw further shocked him.

Yun Jing’s chest seemed to have opened up a large hole, and he was pouring the food directly into it, completely bypassing the need to swallow. It was as if he was just transferring the synthetic food from one barrel into another, straight into his body. Meng Tao was astonished, “Has he completely given up on taste and swallowing? For him, eating is practically like refueling.”

On the other side, Ye Lingxiao, as his vital energy surged and muscles stretched, suddenly swelled up significantly. His limbs, chest cavity, throat, esophagus, and stomach all greatly expanded, transforming him into a small giant. He picked up the food barrel in front of him as if it were a large cup, casually pouring its contents into his mouth.

Meng Tao thought, “Ye Lingxiao can stretch his physical structure so freely… Yun Jing and Ye Lingxiao… their physical bodies are simply monstrous. Do they have no weaknesses? Well, at least it’s good that I can secure a top-three spot in this round.”

Just then, Chief Examiner Deng Bingding calmly stated, “Some students might be wondering why we are using synthetic food for this test. It’s because synthetic food is the easiest to digest, the lightest on the system, and the most adaptable to various digestive tracts, making it suitable for an examination. I know some may not be accustomed to it, but the ability to quickly adapt to the food is also part of this assessment.”

Huang Zichou, standing nearby, listened to Deng Bingding’s explanation but knew these were just excuses. The real reason was to save on the budget. “These high school students can eat a terrifying amount. If we served anything valuable, wouldn’t they just eat through the entire budget? It’s better to stick with an unlimited supply of synthetic food and let them eat as much as they want.”

As Deng Bingding spoke, Dai Xingzhi, not far away, was gulping down synthetic food while thinking, “This is truly disgusting.” As a resident from within the North Sixth Ring of Xiantu City’s Upper City, Dai Xingzhi had barely ever eaten synthetic food. In his opinion, it was exclusively for poor migrant workers who came to Xiantu City. Now, as he swallowed large mouthfuls, he indeed found it increasingly unpalatable and difficult to swallow. He thought to himself, “Not only do my stomach and intestines need to adapt, but I also need to mentally endure this stuff. Probably only those poor souls who eat it every day are used to it…”

“Damn, I’m going to throw up…” Zhang Yu muttered with a grim expression, drinking from a large barrel of synthetic food in front of him, feeling a wave of misery. “I’ve been eating this stuff daily for so long that I already felt like throwing up, and now I have to compete by eating it today? Who the hell said that enduring hardship makes you a superior person? All the synthetic food I’ve eaten before… it’s just hindering me in this Foundation Establishment exam.”

Finally, Zhang Yu couldn’t help but ask, “Examiner! Can we add some seasoning?”

Deng Bingding calmly replied, “No. Overcoming taste is inherently a part of cultivation and is also one of the contents of this assessment.”

Dai Xingzhi looked at Zhang Yu, who had made the request, and thought to himself, “Sure enough, he’s one of those damn rich people.” He observed Zhang Yu’s seemingly nauseated expression and thought, “While it’s a bit unpalatable, is it really that exaggerated? What does he usually eat? Is it because he’s too rich that he always has such high demands for taste?”

Even in Xiantu City, wealthy high school students usually prioritized scores and rankings, accustomed to placing food taste as a secondary concern. To Dai Xingzhi, Zhang Yu’s performance indicated that he was simply too used to comfort and lacked the cultivation perseverance of Xiantu City residents. This feeling was especially reinforced when he compared Zhang Yu to Yun Jing and Ye Lingxiao. “Hmph, as expected, even among the wealthy, these outsiders aren’t as capable as us Xiantu City residents.”

As many students frantically swallowed synthetic food, racing against each other on the screen’s leaderboard, the minor god Huang Zichou observed the performance of several students and remarked, “The second phase is about to begin.”

On the field, Meng Tao, who had been rapidly devouring food, suddenly began to slow down. It wasn’t just him; several other students who had been eating frantically also gradually reduced their pace at the same time.

Huang Zichou commented online, “Heh heh, the so-called ‘Gluttony Contest,’ a competition of food intake, isn’t just about who eats the fastest. As Sir Deng just said, it’s about overall metabolism, digestion, the ability to harness the power of the digestive system, and the students’ control over their own bodies.”