After the staggering death toll of the first night, fatalities dropped sharply from the second morning onward. Surprisingly, the number of deaths each day remained in the double digits.

Over the course of an entire week, fewer than two hundred examinees were eliminated. At this point, the adaptability of Ember-types became unmistakably clear. Once they had time to prepare, aberrant creatures became far less of a threat.

At the same time, far too many examinees were no longer content to hide inside their shelters and merely cling to survival. After making extensive preparations, some began venturing out beyond their workshops of their own accord. Others went even further. They did not merely maintain their workshops; they had restored the entire observation station, even installing entirely new defensive structures and equipment.

Adaptation, creation, and evolution were the true essence of the Ember Path. Not only did the Association observers who had initially complained and voiced doubts finally fall silent, even the apprentices taking part could feel their own abilities improving amid the torment and hardship.

“That should do it.”

Inside the newly refurbished workshop, Lou Feng carefully set the final component into place. He wiped the sweat from his forehead...