"This is an opportunity for the school to shine, and if any students perform exceptionally well, the school will also offer additional rewards."
After finishing, Lao Bai looked thoughtfully at Chen Mo.
The strongest combatant in the experimental class is now Chen Mo's Blazing Flame Fox, even capable of defeating Transcendent 3-tier Spiritual Beasts.
If the students in the class performed well, he could also get a larger bonus.
"Before the expedition, the school will prepare a backpack for you, containing 7 days' worth of rations and some basic medical supplies. This time, the use of various potions is allowed, so everyone can start preparing now."
"Before entering the Penglai Secret Realm, let me test everyone's knowledge. Who knows the history of the Penglai Secret Realm?"
Lao Bai asked with a smile.
A male student wearing black-framed glasses raised his hand.
"You."
"The channel to the Penglai Secret Realm was the first Spirit Realm entrance to appear in history, right here in our Shenghai City. In the year 3045, a gigantic sinkhole appeared in Yida Square of Shenghai City. After the government dispatched the military to investigate, they found that the sinkhole was actually a spatial passageway connecting to another world."
The male student with glasses spoke slowly.
"Since most of the Penglai Secret Realm is surrounded by the ocean and rarely visited by humans. At first, the army's operations were undetected by the Spirit Realm people, and they even captured many creatures from the Spirit Realm for research. It was not until the military was hunting a Star Whale that they engaged in a severe conflict with the native powers of the Penglai Islands, Crab Valley."
"From then on, the major forces of the Penglai Islands were aware of the Blue Star military's existence and quickly found the secret realm's entrance. When they learned that the entrance led to another world, several major forces of the Penglai Islands immediately mobilized a large number of Spirit Masters, and even awakened the totem-level Guardian God, Chi Wen, in a wild attempt to occupy Blue Star."
"Out of desperation, Dongxia resorted to nuclear weapons and killed Chi Wen, who had only recently been awakened. This made the major forces of the Penglai Islands believe that Blue Star possessed Totem Level Mechanical Spirit Beasts, so the two sides signed a non-aggression treaty. From then on, Blue Star ushered in the Spirit Era."
"So, peace is built on the foundation of nuclear deterrence, huh."
Listening to the male student's narration, Chen Mo couldn't help feeling a bit emotional.
"Well-explained. Even today, there are over 100 entrances connecting Blue Star to the Spirit Realm, and each one leads to a different domain of the Spirit Realm."
Lao Bai continued.
"But to this day, no one understands how these entrances appeared or the connection between Blue Star and the Spirit Realm. However, what's undeniable is that each entrance to the Spirit Realm poses a hidden danger. Although each entrance is guarded by the military and powerful Spirit Masters, should a Totem-level Spiritual Beast launch a forcible attack, it would be a catastrophe for the city where the entrance is located."
Currently, there is no Spirit Master on Blue Star capable of cultivating a Spiritual Beast to Totem Level, the highest is a Crown Spirit Master who has an Overlord Stage Spirit Beast.
It's said that Dongxia has a Totem Level Guardian God, but whether this is true or not is unknown.
"So to all the students here, strive to become a powerful Spirit Master and fight for our world!"
Lao Bai's speech from the podium grew increasingly impassioned, and Chen Mo was nearly ignited by it.
"But striving to become stronger to protect the ones you want to protect, that indeed is a pretty cool thing. Right, Jiu Bao?"
"Chirp!"
————————————
One day passed quickly.
At the end of the school day, Chen Mo asked Lao Bai for a week off.
Although he had only been to school for one day, Chen Mo had already felt the inconvenience of the school.
Compared to the Thunder Training Ground, Xiao Jiu's training speed was much slower, and they couldn't practice moves anytime and anywhere.
As for the knowledge he learned in class, he could just read the books directly.
One of the perks of becoming a Spirit Master is enhanced memory; some knowledge is often remembered after just one read.
So—he decided to "drop out" early.
Lao Bai understood Chen Mo's thoughts and thus agreed to his leave request readily.
After school, Chen Mo headed straight to the market and bought several different types of ordinary mixed fish.
Regarding the challenge of becoming a Fishing Master, he thought of a method to exploit a bug.
Although the challenge requires catching wild fish, if I buy them and let them go, then they become wild fish, right?
Just to be safe, I need to test it first.
I found a nearby river, and Chen Mo stood on the steps and released a carp into the water.
Then, Xiao Jiu quickly unleashed electric balls, directly stunning the carp.
Chen Mo reached out and grabbed the stunned little carp, and seeing the progress bar for ordinary fish catch count changed from 0 to 1, Chen Mo laughed.
"It really works! That's so like me!"
Then he went back to the vegetable market, bought one of every kind of fish, and then released them one by one into the river.
Xiao Jiu was responsible for numbing them all with electric balls, precisely controlling the power of each electric ball.
Making sure it wasn't enough to kill the fish, but just to numb them for a while.
After they came to, Chen Mo released them again.
"Dear fishies, think of the electric shock as the price for me rescuing you from the fishmongers! Remember, all gifts come with a price."
However, in the end, Chen Mo kept the biggest crucian carp as dinner for him and Jiu Bao.
"Let's make a crucian carp tofu soup when we get back!"
"Chirp!"
However, what Chen Mo didn't expect was— the scene of him instructing the Blazing Flame Fox to "electrocute fish" in the river was seen by a middle-aged auntie.
Without saying a word, the middle-aged auntie took out her phone, snapped a photo of Chen Mo and the Blazing Flame Fox, and then directly called to report them.
10 minutes later.
Chen Mo, parched and tongue-tied, had to explain to the police officers for a long time, even presenting his payment receipt to prove that he had bought those dozen fish and released them.
As for "electrocuting fish," it was just that when he was releasing them, he saw the fish were almost done for, so he "electrocuted" them just to invigorate their spirits.
"Damn it, that goddamn traitor reported me for electrocuting fish in the river!"
I, Chen Mo, will remember this enmity!
Although exploiting the bug was feasible, the chance of finding so many Spirit Fish on Blue Star was almost impossible.
I'll have to wait until I get to the Spirit Realm to figure out a way.
"Speaking of which, Transcendent rank Spirit Fish surely don't move slowly in water, and it's their home field, capturing them definitely won't be easy. Seems like in the next few days, I'll have to teach Xiao Jiu a move specifically for catching fish. Oh well, I'll ask Senior Brother She tomorrow!"
The next early morning, Chen Mo headed straight to the Thunderbolt Daoist School.
"Senior Brother She, what moves are good for electrocuting fish?"
"Electrocute fish? Are you serious, Junior Brother?"
Seeing Chen Mo nodding, She Pili thought for a moment and then said:
"To electrocute fish, naturally you would prefer a move that's powerful and has a wide range. Moves like Group Lightning and Electric Net are suitable for your needs. However, Junior Brother, electrocuting fish is risky, getting caught for that can lead to arrest."
"Cough cough, our school is going to organize a training activity in the Spirit Realm soon. I was thinking of electrocuting fish in the Spirit Realm to earn some pocket money. The move Electric Net sounds great, a net and fishing are a perfect match! Senior Brother, does your Thunder Qilin Turtle know it?"
"I haven't learned it. Abu has only learned defensive moves; you can ask other senior brothers or my dad."
She Pili looked at Chen Mo with a somewhat strange gaze.
Probably only this little junior brother would think of catching fish during a training exercise.
"Xiao Mo, the master is looking for you."
While Chen Mo was talking to She Pili, the cool but warm-hearted eldest senior brother came over and spoke to Chen Mo.