Mu Xin's warning resonated deeply with Shi Feng. In fact, he understood the Upper Zone's differences and significance even better than Mu Xin and Ke Rui.
In his previous life, aside from the major factions in the Divine Realm, every expert who had reached the fifth-tier Class — without exception — had been overwhelmingly desperate to enter the Upper Zone. That desperation could only be described as madness, a kind of frenzy that neither Mu Xin nor Ke Rui could ever truly comprehend.
It was a madness that made people willing to stake their very lives.
On the surface, the Upper Zone merely extended human lifespans dramatically. That alone was enticing enough to make the major financial groups go to war over it. But Shi Feng could clearly sense from those fifth-tier experts that their willingness to risk death went far beyond a longer lifespan. It was as though something inside the Upper Zone was drawing these peak experts of the fifth tier and above, compelling them to do whatever it took.
This was precisely why so many fifth-tier experts — and even sixth-tier god-level experts — had vanished without a trace in the Divine Realm, their fates unknown.
The most notable case was Ziyan Liuyun.
As a sixth-tier Divine Priest, her strength had been a headache even for the super guilds. To gain entry to the Upper Zone, she had agreed to the harsh terms of one particular super guild. She had fulfilled those conditions and entered the Upper Zone — only to disappear forever after.
So whether it was Ke Rui's caution or Mu Xin's warning, Shi Feng regarded the Upper Zone with deep wariness. At the same time, he was genuinely curious to see what it was actually like.
……
As Shi Feng followed Mu Xin to the entrance of a deep, dark corridor, several dozen people were already lined up at the door. Most of them were remarkably young — roughly an even split of men and women, none older than twenty at most, with the youngest perhaps only sixteen or seventeen.
These young men and women paid no attention whatsoever to beauties like Ke Rui and Mu Xin, barely sparing them a glance. Instead, every single one of them was sizing up Shi Feng, who stood there in casual sportswear.
"Another newcomer."
"Look at him — he hasn't prepared at all. Definitely another one of those connections-rat."
"Shh — don't let him hear you. People like that aren't someone we can afford to offend."
……
The whispered discussion among these young men and women reached Shi Feng's exceptionally sharp ears, leaving him momentarily baffled. Beside him, Ke Rui nearly burst out laughing but managed to hold it back, only a faint smile tugging at the corner of her lips.
"Don't pay them any mind," Mu Xin glanced at the group dismissively. "They just happen to be here for the Upper Zone entrance assessment."
"The Upper Zone entrance assessment?" Shi Feng raised an eyebrow in surprise.
This was the first he'd ever heard of such a thing. As far as he knew, entering the Upper Zone was nearly impossible unless the Green God Group actively recruited you. Everyone else faced insurmountable barriers.
"Mm. The Upper Zone isn't just a place where the powerful and wealthy live, as you might imagine," Mu Xin explained. "It's also where the Green God Group cultivates its internal talent. These people have all passed the Green God Group's preliminary screening. If they pass this assessment, they'll also receive Upper Zone residency."
"Only talents under twenty years old are eligible for this assessment. Anyone older can only work on the Green God Group's periphery. As for the assessment itself — it means getting through this corridor that leads into the Upper Zone."
"Getting through this corridor?" Shi Feng pointed ahead at the deep, dark passageway, his expression full of bewilderment.
"That's right. This corridor is also called the Path of Spirit. It tests and tempers a person's mental willpower. Normally, the Path of Spirit is sealed, so its effect on those passing through is minimal. But when the Path of Spirit is activated, only three or five people manage to get through each year. The pass rate for these assessment newcomers is extremely low." Mu Xin nodded. "But once you do pass, you'll not only earn the Green God Group's recognition — you'll also receive a considerable reward."
Ke Rui nodded as well and said to Shi Feng with a touch of pride: "I passed the Path of Spirit a year ago, and my sister is even more of a genius — she passed it when she was only fifteen. It caused a huge stir throughout Yuantian City's Upper Zone at the time."
Just as Mu Xin was explaining things to Shi Feng, a young man emerged from inside the corridor.
He wore a fitted T-shirt that left his skeletal frame and musculature completely visible, every line as sleek and powerful as a cheetah's. Despite his youthful appearance, there was a weathered quality about him, a sense of experiences far beyond what his face suggested.
The moment this man appeared, the expressions of every person present — the young men and women, Ke Rui, and Mu Xin alike — shifted to one of solemn respect.
"Hmm? Another newcomer?" The young man glanced at Shi Feng, a flicker of surprise in his eyes.
"Manager Luo, there's been a misunderstanding. He's here to register inside today — he's not an examinee," Mu Xin quickly clarified.
"So Hong Xinyuan's reserved quota was given to this one." The young man's gaze toward Shi Feng carried a hint of distaste. "Lucky kid. But today is the Green God Group's Upper Zone assessment. If you want to go in, you'll have to go through with these newcomers. I don't have time to re-seal the corridor."
Mu Xin's brows furrowed tightly at this.
The rivalry between Manager Luo and Uncle Hong was hardly a secret in the Upper Zone, but she hadn't expected Manager Luo to openly seize this opportunity for retaliation.
Registration in the Upper Zone typically required advance appointments, and waiting several months was considered normal. The reason they could register so quickly this time was entirely thanks to Uncle Hong's connections.