Wang Xu and the others followed Cui Badiao for a while, passing through the college's tech district and heading straight to the "Jump Room."
The Jump Room was the size of an auditorium, featuring a circular pillar with a radius of three meters in the center, its surface covered with a multitude of letters and numbers, emanating a white glow.
At this time, many people were gathered in the Jump Room—counting them, there were at least fifty or sixty, all gene warriors of second tier or above, and several dozen third-tier gene warriors.
"Cui Badiao, your class has really made waves this time, sweeping the top three spots on the points leaderboard. The dean has even praised you," a middle-aged man dressed in blue battle armor approached, wearing a smile that was anything but friendly.
Clearly, this middle-aged man, named He Shi, nicknamed "Blood Flying Dagger," had a strained relationship with Cui Badiao. They were not on good terms.
Wang Xu recognized He Shi; he was also a sixth-tier gene warrior, adept at using hidden weapons, often killing insect beasts with just a single flying dagger.
Cui Badiao glanced at him and responded with indifference, "Since you mentioned it, our class will continue to secure the top three spots this time, so don't worry."
He Shi squinted his eyes, casting a meaningful glance at the twenty or so students behind Cui Badiao, pausing on Wang Xu and Zhang Xinglin for a moment before turning to leave.
In the martial arts department, there were four classes, and Wang Xu belonged to the fourth class led by Cui Badiao, while He Shi led the first class.
Previously, the points leaderboard was dominated by the first class; half of the top ten spots each month came from them. However, after the previous senior students advanced to the elite level and entered the "Inner Courtyard," the first class began to decline, and Wang Xu's fourth class suddenly rose to the top position, maintaining it for a long time—much to He Shi's discontent.
Now, the fourth class held four out of the top ten spots, and the top three had no share for the other classes, which was intolerable for the proud and complacent He Shi. Therefore, for this trial, He Shi had specifically ordered: as soon as they encounter anyone from the fourth class, they were to snatch their spoils without hesitation!
The instructor of the second class was a captivating young woman named Yu Chunyan, who was also a sixth-tier gene warrior, though her strength ranked below that of Cui Badiao and He Shi.
The instructor of the third class was an elderly man with graying beard, known respectfully as "Old Feng." Old Feng had participated in the most brutal battles against insect beasts; he was already forty when he started taking gene potions, missing the best age for cultivation and achieving sixth-tier was impressive.
"Everyone." As the fourth class students arrived, all participants gathered. Old Feng stood up.
Once Old Feng began speaking, everyone below fell silent, even the instructors showed him some respect and ceased their quarrels.
"This trial differs from past ones. Teams with two third-tier students must go to the C-level area, while teams with only one third-tier student can proceed to the D-level area. Next, you may step onto the jump platform to initiate spatiotemporal jumping." After delivering this instruction, Old Feng didn't provide any further explanations and returned to his class.
Wang Xu and the others were already aware of the task areas, so they weren't surprised by Old Feng's announcement. However, some students who were less informed started whispering among themselves.
C-level areas were patrolled by fourth-tier elite insect beasts—far more dangerous than D-level areas. If one went recklessly, whether or not they could return was questionable!
Some students began to hesitate; teams that initially had two third-tier members started to disband, opting to take their second-tier members to the D-level area instead. After all, this was a trial, not a life-and-death battlefield; reducing risk was essential, especially since the D-level area also offered opportunities for training without excessive danger.
"Whoosh!"
"Whoosh!"
"Whoosh!"
The jump platform lit up brightly, and the several students standing on it vanished in an instant. Those choosing to enter the D-level area left early, while the remaining students insisted on heading to the C-level area.
The C-level area was fraught with danger, but it was also filled with opportunities!
The number of third-tier insect beasts encountered in the D-level area was limited, whereas in the C-level area, each third-tier beast carcass represented 3 points. If they could kill several, not only would their ranking rise, but their points would accumulate, allowing them to exchange for more cultivation resources.
"Alright, the remaining students heading to the C-level area will receive a custom D-level battle suit due to the area's special nature and higher danger level. Come up and collect it!" The staff in charge of the jump platform opened up a box containing a set of blue battle armor.
Wang Xu exchanged glances with the others, a hint of concern in their eyes.
The academy's issuance of battle armor clearly indicated how dangerous the C-level area really was!
"Now, everyone close your eyes, relax your bodies, and don't resist in the slightest. Begin spatiotemporal jumping!"
With that command, Wang Xu closed his eyes. In the next moment, dizziness washed over him, and he felt the urge to vomit.
The disorientation came swiftly and left just as quickly. Within seconds, Wang Xu felt light across his entire body, fresh air filling his mouth, and then he felt his feet leave the ground, as he began to fall.
"We're here!" Steady on his feet, Wang Xu opened his eyes.
Before him lay a dense forest, interspersed with several dilapidated buildings that had long since become ruins, their worn exteriors cloaked in moss and wild grasses, making them nearly unrecognizable.
Bright flashes of light signaled the arrival of Zhang Xinglin and the others.
"Let's go, look for a safe zone." Wang Xu waved, and a long knife suddenly appeared in his hand as he led the way into the forest.
This was "space folding technology," capable of creating an independent space in rings, belts, gems, or other objects— a magical technique developed by scientists utilizing cosmic energy.
Zhang Xinglin and the others wasted no time, drawing their weapons and following Wang Xu.
Wang Xu glanced around and noticed that Zhang Xinglin wielded a black sword, evidently forged from ancient bronze. Wang Xu was slightly surprised, as most of today's weapons were made using a combination of ore and technology; few still used such ancient techniques.
At the same time, he observed Tang Yan drawing a soft sword from her waist. The sword appeared extraordinary, likely surpassing B-level and reaching A-level.
Not dwelling on it further, Wang Xu began using the radiation detector on his wrist to search for a safe zone.
In their fight against the insect beasts, humanity had spared no effort, even using bombs that emitted radiation. It's easy to imagine that such blasts would leave the area uninhabitable for humans again, with a radiation duration of fifty years. Yet, insect beasts naturally repelled from these radioactive zones.
Thus, every time they ventured out for trials, the first order of business was to seek a radioactive area to serve as a safe zone for the students.
Radiation had a tremendous impact on insect beasts but only minimal influence on humans; as long as they didn't reside there for long, their bodies wouldn't suffer any issues.
"I've found it. This area has radiation levels that meet safety standards for habitation." After locating a spot, Wang Xu and the others began to set up their shelter.
"Wait, we have an insect beast approaching!" With that statement, everyone immediately became alert.
During field trials, one needed to be acutely aware of danger; even the slightest sign of disturbance required vigilance.
"I see it; it's a second-tier red-shelled insect beast. I'll take care of it," Zhang Xinglin quickly zeroed in on a target. Wang Xu and the others were taken aback, as they hadn't seen any sign of the insect beast, but Zhang Xinglin had.
The red-shelled flying insect was a second-tier beast, relatively weak. However, its hearing was extremely acute, and the noise created by Wang Xu and their group had startled it. Though the red-shelled flying insect posed them no threat, they couldn't take it lightly; if it summoned other beasts, they could find themselves in dire straits.
Without delay, Zhang Xinglin dashed into the forest, leaving Wang Xu and the rest to continue setting up their shelter.
A sudden silence enveloped them when the insect beast's screech abruptly ceased, and the feeling of being targeted vanished. Zhang Xinglin re-emerged from the forest, a few specks of blood staining his black attire.
...…
In the Jump Room
A massive screen was segmented into dozens of images, showcasing various teams' trial progress.
"He Shi, you're quite generous!"
The four instructors stood before the screen, and upon seeing He Shi's students in action, the alluring young woman gasped in surprise.
In the footage, He Shi's students had begun hunting insect beasts, but what was astounding was that each of them held a blue vial in their hands.
The enchanting woman recognized these vials as the expensive "Body Strengthening Agents." The potency of these agents was notably high, accompanied by severe side effects, and the government prohibited their circulation in the market; only the black market offered them.
Each body strengthening agent cost ten thousand Earth coins, which wasn't an issue for instructors, yet seeing the students equipped with several bottles was shocking; together, it amounted to hundreds of thousands or even millions!
This was just one trial, yet He Shi was willing to spend such a fortune—no wonder the enchanting woman was astonished.
"Hmph! What's a million in body strengthening agents to me? Just a drop in the bucket," He Shi scoffed, appearing entirely indifferent, as if the amount was negligible to him.
The enchanting woman glanced over at Cui Badiao, realizing that He Shi's extravagant spending was aimed at competing directly against Cui Badiao for a better ranking on the leaderboard this time.
Cui Badiao maintained a neutral expression, fully aware of He Shi's motives: to uproot Wang Xu and the others from their leaderboard positions and seize the top spots.
Moreover, it was about securing the coveted single spot available each year for entry into the "Inner Courtyard."
The instructors had long passed their prime for cultivation and lacked eligibility for the Inner Courtyard, but it opened up one extra spot each year for the most outstanding instructor.
This year, the two most likely contenders for that spot were Cui Badiao and He Shi, both vying to enter the Inner Courtyard.
Once admitted to the Inner Courtyard, even a less talented individual would emerge as at least a seventh-tier gene warrior—a coveted "Grandmaster," greatly enhancing their status!
Despite the fourth class's long-standing dominance of the leaderboard, He Shi was equally skilled in the eyes of the Inner Courtyard, with this particular trial being crucial in determining who would join.
Cui Badiao's face darkened, clearly caught off guard by He Shi's audacious move to invest so heavily.
"Hey, Cui Badiao, after all this time competing, it's time we settle the score," He Shi felt an inner sense of satisfaction at Cui Badiao's somber demeanor.
Old Feng and the enchanting woman exchanged glances, knowing that He Shi's hefty investment in this trial almost guaranteed his success.