Chapter 1: Candidate, hello.

Starlight High School, 9 a.m.

The corridor echoed with the gentle female voice – as always – punctually carrying out the broadcast.

[Today’s Civilization Data Update:]

[Current number of contained anomalies: 147,892, Deity Faith Index: 86.7%, Technological Development Index: 92.3%, Civilization Safety Index: 73.9%, Increase compared to yesterday: 0.02%……]

[Reminder: A lunar eclipse is approaching, and the activity level of anomalies is expected to rise. Please prepare for protection in all colleges.]

[Thank you to every pioneer who fights to protect human civilization.]

[May the gods show mercy, and may humanity endure forever.]

Su Fu leaned against the wall outside the teacher’s office, listening to this completely unfamiliar broadcast.

She lowered her eyes, looking at the fine pleats on her uniform skirt.

She is Su Fu, and she is not, because she has traveled through time.

She never expected that ten years after graduation, she would not only have to repeat high school but also as a poor student, waiting for a talk with the headteacher.

Moreover, this is an era of interstellar anomalies.

She looked up at the window, the majestic college building complex was enveloped in a semi – transparent protective shield.

Even if it was only the most marginal God College in the Milky Way, it was the last safe fortress in this region.

Outside the protective shield, distorted shadows moved like living beings, and the dark fog kept probing the weak points of the protective net.

Those were “anomalies,” Su Fu sighed.

Anomalies were like a plague; once they arrived, they would quietly alienate all the rules in the area and then devour and expand.

The only existence that could fight against anomalies was the gods.

Humans could obtain the power to fight against anomalies by believing in the gods.

And the God College was born, becoming the last fortress of human civilization.

Those anomalies that could be detected and controlled were compiled into……exam papers.

Each exam paper was a real battlefield of an anomaly invasion.

Traveling through time was one thing, but she had landed in such a dangerous world.

Moreover, according to the original owner’s memory, she was about to start the final exam.

The exam papers were full of anomalies that could bite her like a small snack!

To survive, she had to obtain the power of the gods.

But the key was that the original owner had not successfully summoned a god so far, and she had no divine skills at all.

Moreover, according to the college regulations, if she failed this assessment again, what awaited her was not a makeup exam but forced expulsion.

She would be directly transferred to the “Fuel Plan” and become one of the energy sources to maintain the operation of the protective shield outside.

How to put it, it felt like her grave was right at the door.

It was really……a catastrophic beginning.

No wonder the headteacher wanted to talk to her.

But Su Fu was not ready to die.

If she had to restart, she would. 

Although it was a catastrophic initial number, it was better than being dead.

Moreover, although there were anomalies threatening, this was also a brilliant era when the gods reappeared in the world.

The gods walked the world, bestowing their supreme divine power on believers and favoring mortals with their immortal divine skills.

And the Chinese mythological figures she had studied in her previous life might actually appear before her eyes!

She couldn’t help but look forward to it – whether she could summon the Great Sage Equal to Heaven and obtain the divine skill of the golden cudgel that could overturn rivers and seas?

Or invite the Second Lord and ask for the heavenly eye that could see through everything?

Or get the divine hound that could track everything to accompany her?

Not to mention the creation gods like Nuwa and Pangu who had opened up the world!

In such a divine age, even if the beginning was difficult, so what?

Moreover, there was a reason why the original owner had not successfully summoned a god before.

The core of summoning a god lay in “calling its name and recognizing its title.”

In other words, one had to be able to recognize the true body of the god and then obtain the god’s power through its title.

This should have been a simple process, but unfortunately, before the anomalies invaded, the gods were asleep, faith was lost, and various mythological knowledge was fragmented.

It was not until the anomalies arrived that the gods began to gradually awaken.

Humans had to explore ruins and holy places to rebuild the lost mythological knowledge.

After years of effort, most of the pantheons had been restored.

Pantheons like Greek and Norse, with fewer gods, distinct images, and simple titles, could almost be recognized with eyes closed.

But the Chinese pantheon that the original owner believed in was different.

Chinese civilization has a long history, and its mythological system is extremely complex.

She could casually name the heavenly court system, the underworld system, the enfeoffed gods system, the primordial chaos system……………

As for the titles, they were even more complicated. 

A god might have more than ten titles, and there were even taboo names.

The cultural disconnection led to the loss of most historical materials, and the remaining records were contradictory and hard to distinguish between truth and falsehood.

Not to mention, there was also the risk of backlash.

If you called the wrong god, the best case was a failed summoning, and the worst case was a fatal backlash.

Who would dare to gamble with their own life? 

There were already good and easy – to – use pantheons available.

So this originally most powerful and extensive pantheon became the weakest because of its huge system and hard – to – find holy places, with few believers.

The original owner did summon a Chinese god in the last exam paper, but five divine dragons appeared at the same time!

Although their breath was strong, their forms were vague, and the original owner still had to recognize their true bodies from the Azure Dragon, Yellow Dragon, Thunder Dragon, Yinglong, and Zhulong.

Su Fu: ……………… It’s hard for the child.

In the case of a large – scale loss of mythological records, it’s no wonder that the original owner couldn’t recognize them.

Su Fu is different. 

After ten years of hard study, she has almost studied all the Chinese myth – related books.

And now, this knowledge is completely preserved in her mind.

Take distinguishing the dragon clan, for example, it is not enough to just look at the appearance.

You have to know that Yinglong helped Dayu to control the flood and valued virtue the most;

Zhulong is active at night and likes to be straightforward;

Azure Dragon is in charge of spring and hates those who break trust and abandon righteousness………………

She felt a bit regretful. 

If she had taken that exam, it would have been great to recognize the five divine dragons and get at least five divine skills!

The Azure Dragon controls the spring wind and rain, and she may obtain the ability to call the wind and rain.

The Yellow Dragon is in charge of the central five soils, and she may obtain the art of controlling the soil;

The Thunder Dragon controls the thunder, and she may learn the thunder method;

Yinglong raises clouds and spreads fog, and is better at transformation;

Zhulong is a conceptual divine dragon. 

It is said that it can control time and even see through illusions.

If summoned, she might be able to obtain the divine skill of time reversal?

What a pity!

Just as she was thinking, the office door opened.

Carrying a burst of crisp air – conditioning cold air, the headteacher’s voice came out:

“Su Fu, come in.”

The headteacher is a middle – aged man named Lin Wenyu.

“Su Fu,” he sighed, his tone filled with just – right regret and said, 

“Look at you, why didn’t you choose any other pantheon, but choose the Chinese pantheon with the lowest pass rate.”

“Moreover”,

“Even now, you haven’t succeeded in summoning the most basic god even once.”

He paused,

“You are my student, and I can’t ignore you.”

“So, change your major.”

“The Greek pantheon is now in the peak of recruitment, Athena’s card pool data is very beautiful, with a pass rate of 99.8%, or the Norse pantheon’s Odin which is even better.”

The headteacher talked incessantly, while Su Fu was distracted.

Why was he suddenly so kind – hearted?

The pass rate of the final exam paper was only 70%, and she was not the only one who didn’t pass.

Why did he specifically talk to her and suggest changing her major?

And he didn’t mention it early or late, but just when she was about to start the final exam?

Something was fishy.

As for changing her major……………

She knew the Chinese pantheon best.

Not to mention whether she could change to other pantheons, as far as she knew, the resources of other mainstream pantheons had long been monopolized by major families, and those holy places had been divided up completely.

For her, a commoner, to get a share in those places? 

One could dream.

The upward channel was completely blocked.

Poor kid.

On the contrary, the Chinese pantheon……………

Because there were few believers, those holy places had not been fully developed yet.

Moreover, the most important point is that, according to the existing divine level division, the Chinese pantheon has the existence of the creator god, and its potential is unlimited.

Pangu created the world, Nuwa created humans, Fuxi set the eight trigrams…….

It’s just that the years are long, the civilization is fragmented, and the cognitive conditions are too strict, which leads to the current situation where no one knows.

Everyone chose the easier one which they can handle: Greek and Norse pantheons.

But if you want to talk about potential, the Chinese pantheon is the strongest.

After all, it’s the creator god!

Lin Wenyu talked himself hoarse and finally stopped, staring at Su Fu: “What are you thinking?”

Su Fu blinked her eyes, with a sincere face and replied: 

“The teacher is right. I will try a different belief in this exam.”

“That’s great!” Lin Wenyu swept away the previous regret, and a joyful expression appeared on his face.

“Now I’m relieved. You will definitely pass this exam. Go ahead.”

Su Fu left the office with doubts in her heart.

So all this talk was to make her change her major?

The key is……………

The Chinese pantheon?

But why?

As for changing her major, it’s impossible. 

She just agreed verbally.

As soon as Su Fu walked out of the door, a young man in a silver – white uniform brushed past her.

He was the young master of Shen family, one of the three major families.

Shen Yunling.

She glanced at Shen Yunling, but he didn’t even give her a proper look.

Su Fu withdrew her gaze.

He walked straight into the office, and the headteacher’s voice came from behind, his tone suddenly much more respectful.

“Young Master Shen, you’re here!”

Su Fu paused for a moment. 

This attitude? 

Could it be that this headteacher has the Shen family behind him?

This is not strange. 

In this world, major families are entrenched, and financial groups are everywhere. 

The teachers of the God – derived College more or less have the shadow of major families or financial groups behind them.

But she was not worried that the headteacher would do favoritism, because the assessment was not in charge of the teachers.

It was led by one of the seven SSS – level divine instruments and the God-derived Shen Yan intelligent AI directly under the Ministry of Education.

In Su Fu’s view, it would be more accurate to call Shen Yan a divine – crafted intelligence rather than an artificial one.

It is a super AI that pools the power of top-tier deities and possesses the most advanced computational technology, being omniscient and omnipotent.

Shortly after she left, Shen Yunling sat opposite the headteacher.

“Teacher Lin,” he said slowly and deliberately, 

“she………………agreed to change her major?”

***

Su Fu pushed open the classroom door, and cold air and the light from the corridor flooded in together.

She sensed the atmosphere and subtly paused for a moment.

The classroom was clearly divided according to seats, with the front row being the exclusive territory of the children of major families and good students, and now there were only two girls.

One of the girls, upon hearing the door open, glanced up at Su Fu indifferently; it was Jiang Qingyu.

Thanks to her extremely high deity affinity, she became the most legendary “commoner genius” of this session.

From the start of school, she had overwhelmed all the children of major families with her overwhelming strength.

Han Yuxuan also noticed Su Fu, her eyes twinkling with a gleam of gossip, and she excitedly asked, 

“Su Fu! What did the headteacher talk to you about?”

Her voice was not low, attracting the attention of many people.

“Nothing,” Su Fu calmly said, “just suggested that I change my major.”

“Oh!” Han Yuxuan slapped the table, 

“If you ask me, you should have changed it long ago! What didn’t you choose any other?, but had to choose the Chinese pantheon, such an obscure pantheon.So far, not even a single deity has been summoned……”

The speaker was unintentional, but the listener was intentional.

The people behind her exchanged meaningful glances, and someone let out a soft laugh.

Only then did Han Yuxuan realize she had said something wrong, and she quickly covered her mouth and said: 

“Ah, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean that………………”

Su Fu ignored it, her face unchanged as she walked straight to the last row of the classroom.

That was her seat.

And Han Yuxuan’s attention also shifted to a new piece of gossip.

She spoke bluntly: “Shen Yunling just said he was going to see the headteacher. I guess he must be for that extra quota.”

“However,” Han Yuxuan turned her head to look at Jiang Qingyu, her tone full of admiration: 

“Qingyu, you’re definitely a shoo – in! Your first – place position has never been shaken. You’ll definitely get into the provincial college this time!”

Provincial college?

Su Fu’s mind stirred.

As the core institution of this world, the God College forms a pyramid structure according to its level.

As long as the grades are good enough, one can be continuously selected to study in a higher – level college, step by step from the outer ring of stars to the core star system, and become an S – level citizen who enjoys top – level treatment and has the richest divine power training resources.

And the exam is the only chance to change one’s destiny against all odds, an iron – clad rule and a well – known fact.

The Starlight Seventh High School where she was in was only a regional – level college, and the treatment and resources were far less than those of the provincial college.

Among the twelve regional – level high schools, no one wanted to get into the provincial college.

To advance, one could only pass the provincial college’s assessment, but the competition was fierce, and each region only released a small number of assessment quotas, most of which were reserved for students of their own school.

Last year, Starlight only got two quotas.

That is to say, only two students were qualified to take part in the assessment of the provincial college.

And Han Yuxuan said……………

“Extra quota?”

She suddenly thought of the headteacher’s unusual attitude towards her, and the repeated suggestions to change her major………………

What was so special about her?

“Chinese pantheon.”

Could it be that the Ministry of Education of this session was quite aggressive and seeking change?

If so……………

Su Fu was amused.

So Shen Yunling probably couldn’t beat Jiang Qingyu? 

So he set his sights on her, the poor student?

And the headteacher, without her knowing, in a gentle and positive manner, let Su Fu change her major.

Deciding her fate on his own, just to please Shen Yunling.

She could even think of the headteacher’s psychology, anyway the quota was a waste to her.

At this time, the classroom door was pushed open.

The headteacher and Shen Yunling walked into the classroom one after another.

Without beating around the bush, he swept his eyes over everyone, especially Su Fu, and directly announced: “Now”

“The final exam officially begins.”

With the headteacher’s voice, everything in front of Su Fu’s eyes shattered noisily, turning into countless light points and dissipating.

Space was like broken glass, cracking, peeling, and dissipating inch by inch.

Her consciousness seemed to be pulled out of her body and fell into the boundless void.

[The Shen Yan assessment space is being constructed……]

[Construction completed]

[Space stability: 98%]

[Divine power field strength: normal]

[Abnormal interference: not detected]

In the nothingness in front of her eyes, golden data streams poured down like waterfalls, converging into a series of information.

Su Fu felt her consciousness being slowly pulled back to wakefulness.

[The assessment system has been initialized]

A gentle and emotionless voice sounded in the void:

“Hello, candidate, welcome to the [God College] 4050 – 4051 academic year final assessment space.”

“Affiliated branch: C – level outer ring star cluster – polar star cluster area – Lingxiao province – Starlight Seventh High School”

[Candidate information confirmation]

[Name: Su Fu]

[College: Kunlun College]

[Student number: F01]

[Assessment subject: D – level comprehensive copy practical assessment (first – year final)]

[Assessment parameters generated]

[Difficulty rating: D – level]

[Survival expectation: 70%]

[Pass rate: 70%]

The data stream finally converged into a golden inquiry:

“Please select your [faith pantheon] for this time.”