In the afternoon, inside the training hall, Ethan reported his progress to his teacher. "Teacher Wei, I've broken through. I'm now at the second level of the primary stage."
Marshal nodded in acknowledgment. "Reaching the second level in half a month, especially with 'Observing the Mountains and Seas,' is quite rapid. You've used quite a few 'Soothing Elixirs,' haven't you?"
Ethan confirmed with a nod.
"It's commendable that you're willing to invest so much. Now you can start practicing the second level. The primary second level is about permeating every inch of your muscles with Yuan Force, making them as tough as mountains. The key to cultivation is..."
As before, Marshal provided detailed explanations, and Ethan listened attentively. Then came the practice, with Marshal offering guidance from the sidelines. After the training session, Marshal advised, "Don't rush your training in the next two days; make sure to rest well. You'll need to be sharp when entering the forbidden zone. And remember, cultivation requires both diligence and appropriate rest. Haste makes waste."
Ethan took note. With no classes on Saturday and Sunday, he didn't want to waste time, but he also remembered Marshal's instructions and didn't train too hard. After two restful days, Monday arrived.
Early in the morning, the new students gathered on the parade ground, waiting for their instructors. Suddenly, they felt the ground tremble, and several mechs entered the parade ground. Among them were three humanoid mechs, but one resembled a giant wolf. The wolf-shaped mech, primarily dark with decorative red lines like flames, elicited gasps from many students.
"It's a 'Demon Mech.'"
Ethan recalled the content from Teacher Emar's mech class. She had mentioned that there are three types of mechs. The most common are humanoid mechs, known as 'Mystic Mechs.' There are also non-humanoid mechs, known as 'Demon Mechs.' 'Demon Mechs' are relatively difficult to control because they aren't humanoid, and even with a resonance system, they are challenging to operate. Besides these two types, there is a third kind, which Teacher Emar didn't elaborate on, simply referring to it as 'classified.'
One of the black heavy-duty humanoid mechs stepped forward. This mech was particularly bulky, especially its arms, which were unusually thick and long, extending past the knees. Its outer armor exceeded standard specifications, and it was equipped with a special weapon system. After it stopped, the cockpit at the back of its head opened, and a pilot emerged—a Mech Pilot!
The pilot surveyed the crowd from his elevated position, pausing for two seconds on Ethan's face before Marshal's voice was heard: "These are our academy's mechs, and the pilots are third-year students from our academy. They are responsible for escorting academy personnel and, for them, this is also an important test."
Marshal pointed to the pilot of the black heavy-duty mech, "He Hao, a third-year student, Visualization Technique level: Intermediate third layer. He is the captain of this team. The mech he's piloting is the 'Mystic Mech, Black Thunder.' Black Thunder is 85.47 meters tall, weighs 1987 tons, with an 'Horizon' 3rd generation operating system, a 'Lightning' main engine, and four auxiliary engines."
Then he shifted his finger to the pilot emerging from the wolf-shaped mech, a girl who boldly blew a kiss to the new students. "Su Jiu, a third-year student, Visualization Technique level: Intermediate second layer. She's the deputy captain. Her mech is the 'Demon Mech, Greedy Wolf.' Greedy Wolf weighs 1685 tons, with the same operating system, a 'Wolf Pack' main engine, and nine auxiliary engines."
After introducing the remaining two Mech Pilots, Marshal gave the order, "Move out." Moments later, a convoy left the 'Warrior Academy.' Inside the vehicles, most of the new students were excited, giving Ethan a sense of nostalgia for school field trips. After boarding, each student received a carry case.
Marshal announced, "What you're holding now is equipment distributed by the academy. It includes a set of field combat uniforms, a set of light armor, guns, ammunition, a military knife, and emergency medical elixirs. These won't be much use against Behemoths or even parasite swarms, but if you accidentally encounter one or two Behemoth parasites, they can be somewhat helpful. So, get equipped now."
The girls in the carriage gasped, "Right here?"
"Doesn't that give the boys an advantage?"
Marshal replied expressionlessly, "Once you enter the forbidden zone, the battlefield, things will be much more brutal. If you don't want to die, cut the chatter."
Sitting in the back, a girl opened her carry case and, without a word, took off her outer clothes and changed into the camouflage combat uniform with an indifferent expression.
"Serena is so bold, not afraid of losing out."
"Of course, she's the second in the academy test; she must be no ordinary person."
Several girls whispered among themselves. Ethan glanced at the girl who was second only to him in the academy test scores. Serena was tall, with her black hair tied into a high ponytail and a ruby earring on her left earlobe. Her eyes were indifferent, seemingly uninterested in anything.
Perhaps sensing Ethan's gaze, Serena looked back. Her eyes were like studded stars, deep and profound. Ethan couldn't read any meaning in her eyes, so he turned away and opened his own carry case. He took off his outer clothes, and as he did, a collective gasp filled the carriage.
Ethan's body was covered in numerous scars, patches here and there, and dark red blotches from the 'Crimson Poison,' making his body appear 'ugly.' Ethan didn't care about the stares of others. He quickly put on the combat uniform, donned the armor, and checked the rifle.
Once everyone had changed into their gear, Marshal said, "After entering 'Mist Gorge,' pay special attention to a plant called 'Phoenix Tail Fern.' It's part of the 'Behemoth Ecology' of Forbidden Zone 3. The Phoenix Tail Fern is an evergreen shrub named for its resemblance to a phoenix's tail. It's also the favorite food of the dominant Behemoth 'Huan.' Its scent attracts 'Huan,' so when you see it, stay away. Do not pick it. Understood?"
The students responded in unison. Then Eliot raised his hand and asked, "Teacher, what's the mission of the Ground Exploration Corps in the forbidden zone?"
Marshal replied, "It's a routine mission: searching for 'Primordial Stone Fragments,' collecting rare plants from the forbidden zone for use as ingredients in various elixirs, and if possible, eliminating some Behemoths to prevent the expansion of the forbidden zone."
Primordial Stone Fragments...
Ethan's mind flashed back to the dark, profound crystal he had encountered. Victor had brought back a piece of 'Primordial Stone' from the Galaxy Stadium, which had attracted the Behemoth 'Qu Ru.' In Xiao Shi's general knowledge class, it was mentioned that 'Primordial Stone' is a product of 'Behemoth Space,' falling to the earth along with Behemoths during the 'Behemoth Calamity.' 'Primordial Stone' can affect the local ecology, causing ordinary animals and plants to mutate. Additionally, Behemoths can evolve by absorbing energy from the 'Primordial Stone,' raising their tier level. That was why the 'Taotie' in the Galaxy Stadium had stayed with the 'Primordial Stone' instead of leaving.
Now, with each opening of 'Behemoth Space,' 'Primordial Stone' occasionally falls, but according to statistics, not as much as during the 'Behemoth Calamity.'
Another male student frowned and said, "Teacher, I don't understand. You said Behemoths can evolve through 'Primordial Stone,' so they need it. But why do we humans collect it? Why not just destroy it?"
Marshal coughed a few times and smiled, "It seems Xiao Shi didn't mention this to you. Well, let me tell you. We collect 'Primordial Stone' because it may contain 'Primordial Stone Fragments.'"
"Primordial Stone Fragments?" echoed a chorus of puzzled voices in the carriage.
Marshal nodded lightly, "Yes. Although 'Primordial Stone' is favored by Behemoths, it occasionally contains a jade-like stone that can trigger mutations in Divine Concealment. Even the most insignificant Divine Concealment can become very powerful under the influence of this stone. Some inscriptions found in that 'world' mention this stone, known as 'Primordial Stone Fragments.'"
Ethan felt a jolt in his heart and quickly lowered his head. He finally understood the reason for the mutation of his 'Gaze of Qi' and the origin of the diamond-shaped white jade. It turned out that what he had obtained that day was a 'Primordial Stone Fragment'!
At that moment, the convoy had left the underground city and arrived on the surface. The intense sunlight streamed through the windows, momentarily distracting the students as they pressed their faces against the glass. Even the usually indifferent Serena tilted her head to look outside. These students, unlike Ethan, had not seen the sun for many years and were naturally excited to be on the surface.
By the lakeside, the academy convoy joined the Ground Exploration Corps, and together they headed northwest. Three days later, they reached Forbidden Zone 3, 'Mist Gorge.' As they entered the gorge at midday, the bright sunlight was suddenly replaced by dim light, as if they had entered another world.
Ethan looked out the window. Near the edge of the forbidden zone, there was almost no fog, but further in, the view was filled with gray mist. Lightning flickered within the dense fog, occasionally illuminating bizarre shapes, evoking a sense of mystery and danger.
After entering the gorge, both the Ground Exploration Corps and the academy convoy had their mechs exit the transport vehicles, walking alongside the convoy. The presence of these towering mechs should have been reassuring, but once inside the gorge, even the most thick-skinned students tensed up, and the carriage fell silent.
Just when Ethan thought this silence would last until they set up camp, the broadcast in the carriage announced, "Attention, Behemoths detected ahead."
"Matching with the archive database..."
"...Matching complete, the Behemoths ahead are confirmed as 'Si'."
"Level: Lower-tier 3."
"Type: Caterpillar."
"Characteristics: Immense strength, burrowing, shockwaves!"