Chapter 118: A Hot Pot Feast, Let’s Get It Arranged

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Jiangcheng, Upper City District, Grand Banquet Hall.

The architecture here is ornate and magnificent, gleaming with gold and jade, radiating absolute opulence! Although Jiangcheng is not exactly a major metropolis, the city officials have spared no effort to ensure their reception for guests remains prestigious.

In the hall, which spans several hundred square meters, rotating round tables are arranged in neat rows. On the rotating centerpieces sit a dazzling array of ingredients, so abundant that a typical family could hardly imagine them: Chinese cabbage, turnips, radishes, lotus root slices, potatoes, spinach, broad glass noodles, kelp, shiitake mushrooms, oyster mushrooms, enoki mushrooms, instant noodles...

Of course, there are also meat dishes like ham sausages, fish balls, shrimp balls, as well as beef and mutton.

Along the edges of the round tables are electric stoves. Each stove is set to its maximum power, with chicken and beef bone broth bubbling away in stainless steel pots, emitting an enticing aroma. The tabletops rotate slowly, bringing the rich spread of ingredients before every guest.

"Come, come! Everything was just picked from the Obsessionists' garden; it’s fresh and safe! Eat your fill, don't be shy!"

"Look at this beef, it’s so tender! It was practically grown by a five-star chef!"

"Out of dipping sauce? There are a few more packets here—these are the Walmart-Dajiao brand, Little Fat Sheep style. Absolutely authentic!"

"And these pots, these tables, these ingredients—they were all arranged by a professor from the History Department himself..."

"How is it? Our Jiangcheng super-luxury rotating hot pot buffet, it’s not inferior to Wudu’s, right?"

"Come, let’s toast with some Formaldehyde! The more you drink, the more you have!"

"No, no, I can't get used to the taste of Formaldehyde. Ether is far more fragrant! Two cups for one, how about that?"

"Hey, hey! I haven't even spoken for my Methanol yet, and you're already counting two for one? That calls for a penalty drink!"

[Warning: The beverages mentioned above are toxic, carcinogenic, anesthetic, and can cause blindness. Ordinary humans who have not undergone super-evolution should not imitate this...]

As the night wore on, the clinking of glasses continued, the conversation flowed, and the table became a scene of chaotic revelry. Dishes were served like a running stream, and programs followed one another like a revolving lantern. The officials of Jiangcheng poured all their enthusiasm into hosting the Yunzhou College Entrance Examination Inspection Team and the interviewers from the "Big Four" universities.

The boisterous retro hot pot feast lasted until midnight. Only then did the various parties head home, tipsy and disoriented, trying to metabolize the strange array of beverages in their systems.

"Well? Did you find out any news?" As soon as he finished seeing off the guests—who were stumbling about, boasting drunkenly that they could handle three more cups—Li Jing’ao turned his head, his eyes completely clear of any intoxication.

"The hot pot was truly fragrant! So delicious! No wonder it was the most high-end cuisine before the Great Catastrophe!" The subordinate secretary, sporting the most popular hairstyle from before the Catastrophe, smacked his lips, seemingly still savoring the flavor. Even though he was an official and Li Jing’ao’s aide, he rarely got to enjoy such luxuries.

Suddenly, his braid was yanked tight, pulled forcefully to the side.

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Li Jing’ao’s rigid face appeared before him, his eyes cold and lifeless—no, looking at him like he was a dead fish.

The boiling methanol in the secretary’s system instantly turned into cold sweat, pouring out in torrents and soaking his clothes. "Elder, yes, yes, I found out some things..."

"Speak!"

This year’s college entrance examination is unusual. Although the Alliance’s structure is technically based on urban autonomy and has a somewhat laid-back vibe, it is by no means free of internal friction.

In fact, there are many conflicts—

For instance, the friction between the pre-catastrophe generation and the "New Humans" is far deeper and more divisive than the generational gaps of the past.

Then there are the clashes between the Genetic faction, the Lineage faction, and the Naturalist school, akin to racism and anti-racism.

Furthermore, there is the strife between the Conservatives, who believe in conservative treatment, and the Radicals, who believe that one should expand whenever possible—or even manufacture the conditions to do so.

Setting aside those broad topics, there are constant disputes surrounding the college entrance exams themselves.

Whether the minor subjects should be scrapped entirely, or graded separately on a different ranking system for admissions... these arguments have been going on for a long time.

The struggle between the Radicals—who believe the current education system is too gentle and merciful, and that children should be thrown onto the battlefield to grow through blood and fire—and the Conservatives has never ceased.

Regarding the curriculum, whether evolution, forbidden arts, and other experimental forms of cultivation should be introduced at the high school level is also a contentious topic.

Despite the many disputes, the Second Elder in charge of education in Yunzhou, Yi Mengjue, is powerful and highly decorated. He has always been a practitioner and active advocate of the belief that "knowledge can be transformed into strength," maintaining that "accumulating knowledge takes time."

Therefore, even though the reformers and radicals make a lot of noise, they are like tiny dogs barking at the wind.

Why, then, did he suddenly order the major universities to appoint interviewers to go down to the grassroots level alongside the examination inspection team this year?

Is Elder Yi ensuring his will is enforced? With his dominance, that shouldn't be necessary...

Or perhaps there have been shifts in the upper echelons of the Alliance? Is Elder Yi, despite his apparent power, facing the risk of being purged? But there hasn't been a whisper of that.

Li Jing’ao has no interest in the power struggles at the higher levels; his rank and abilities dictate that he has already reached his ceiling. He only hopes that no matter how others fight, Jiangcheng doesn't come out on the losing end.

He pondered for a long time without finding a clue, so he had to create this opportunity to investigate carefully.

"According to the intelligence team's probes, these interviewers are all supporters of Elder Yi."

"However, judging by their tone, actions, and expressions, the orders they received seem somewhat inconsistent with Elder Yi's usual initiatives, so they themselves are whispering about it..."

Although unexpected, it aligns with certain suspicions—if they were just maintaining the status quo, there would be no need to send people. Since they were sent, something is bound to change.

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"Are you sure?"

"Elder, are you still unsure of the capabilities of our intelligence team?"

Knowing the truth from the tone of voice and sensing the mood from the scent—the intelligence team’s abilities are indeed trustworthy.

So, things are a bit troublesome...

Li Jing’ao shifted his position slightly. "How are the students preparing for the exam?"

"Excellent!" At the mention of this, the secretary’s face lit up, his bald head gleaming, and his braid wagged like a dog's tail.

"Not to mention the two-stars, we already have over seventy who have advanced to three-star. Including those who broke through earlier, the total has already passed ninety... With five days left until the exam, there’s a high chance we’ll break one hundred!"

"The Imaginary Space is truly powerful!" he exclaimed sincerely.

How could Li Jing’ao not know that? Although they are forbidden from using indestructible weapons, even five-star students can enter.

That long-lost feeling of blood pumping with excitement... If he weren't so old, he would have really wanted to strive for a six-star rank himself.

In any case, as long as their talent points aren't misaligned, the physical test for the main subjects of the college entrance exam generally falls within these ranges: zero to thirty for one-star, twenty to sixty for two-star, and fifty to one hundred for three-star... it varies depending on talent and ability.

Over a hundred three-star students means over a hundred students capable of scoring high on the main subjects.

"What’s wrong, Elder? Are you not happy? If these results get out, Jiangcheng will really make a name for itself," the secretary said excitedly.

"Happy! Of course, I’m happy..."

But I’m afraid that someone might be unhappy because their disciple fails the exam...

Princess Gu Ji, when you were selling those holographic helmets in Jiangcheng, you probably didn’t expect this day to come, did you?

"Add a person to the list we’ve arranged..."

The Chief Administrator of Jiangcheng is nothing if not meticulous.

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