At this time, Xie Xingyan, who had just departed from Imperial Capital Star, was still unaware that the greatest crisis in this world was already drawing near.
Her squad was currently in a conference room aboard their starship, discussing the upcoming defensive battle.
This time, the battleground was chosen to be the Shiyu Jungle of Yuanlin Star. Each pair of squads would be randomly matched: one side assigned as the defenders of the treasure, and the other side as the attackers trying to seize it.
Within a three-day time limit, if the attackers managed to seize the treasure or eliminate the defending team, then the attacking squad members would be graded individually by the instructors according to their contributions.
The losing side, however, would be forced into the next stage—the exotic beast points competition. Every student would be equipped with a wristband, and only by earning 100 points could they successfully graduate.
On average, scores from the first round were higher than those from the second, so everyone was determined to secure victory early.
What's more, the first round was relatively less difficult, but fighting another squad was no simple matter—especially since the Shiyu Jungle was an environment of shifting danger.
Not only were there unpredictable and ferocious exotic beasts lurking everywhere, but many mutated plant-killers as well. The terrain was complex, and the weather itself was volatile and unpredictable.
Of course, to ensure the students' safety, every team was equipped with a holographic recording lens to fully monitor their performance during the trial.
Additionally, each squad would have an instructor secretly watching over them from a distance, though the students were not informed of this.
The purpose was to prevent them from leaning on their teachers, and to push them to complete the trial with their own initiative.
If any student encountered an emergency, they also had a "withdraw" button. However, if more than half the team pressed it, then the entire squad would be disqualified and forced into the second stage.
Inside the meeting room, Xie Xingyan was laying out the upcoming arrangements with her teammates.
"Captain, I've already researched the information about the battleground and sent it to your terminals."
"Thanks, Emil. Good work. As for the intel on the opposing squads, sort and compile it as soon as possible. This task is very important."
She had entrusted the task of gathering and analyzing all kinds of data to Emil, the teammate she trusted most.
Of course, she would later cross-check everything herself to ensure no mistakes slipped through.
"As for the rest of you: Sayer, your personal combat ability is strong. Like before, dedicate half your day to giving Dalman strike training to sharpen his crisis response skills."
"Li Yuanyuan, I recall you're on good terms with a lot of people. You'll be in charge of scouting out other teams' strategies. Just do your best."
"Wait—captain, if we're all working, then what about you?"
The one who blurted this out was Dalman, who always spoke bluntly. To a narrow-minded person, his words might have sounded like an attempt to sow discord.
"As for me, I'll be preparing the potions for this trial, as well as any other items we can legally take into the Shiyu Jungle."
"If anyone has more suggestions, speak up."
"Captain, aren't we going to make a battle plan now?"
This time, it was Li Yuanyuan, who had been silent until now, raising her voice with apparent concern for tactics.
"No rush. We haven't drawn our mission yet, nor do we know our opponents. Drafting a plan now would be meaningless."
"Indeed. Without knowing the enemy, a plan would be wasted effort—and besides, the strategies for defenders and attackers are completely different."
After that brief discussion, the squad's first meeting formally ended.
A few days later, Xie Xingyan received her personal terminal notification: their mission was to act as the defending side, guarding a treasure chest given to them by the school.
During the trial, the chest had to be kept with them at all times. They could not leave it in any place for more than fifteen minutes, nor could it be stored in a spatial button. Otherwise, the mission would be judged a failure.
At the jungle's entry point, each team's belongings were inspected by instructors. Everyone was limited to carrying only basic potions, nutrient solutions, laser swords, and nano-tents. All other items were strictly prohibited.
At this point, Xie Xingyan realized her opponents were none other than the squad led by Xie Xingyuan—her own brother. Truly, enemies on a narrow road.
All these years, she had largely ignored him, and he had not gone out of his way to trouble her. Yet fate had arranged for them to clash head-on here.
This complicated things. In his squad, only one was from Class B's pharmacology division; the rest were from Class A's mecha warrior program.
In terms of raw strength, her squad couldn't compare.
But they were the defenders. Their task wasn't to defeat the enemy, but to successfully evade them.
At the start, defenders had a thirty-minute head start to hide. Both sides entered from the same entry point in the Shiyu Jungle.
Leading her team into the mysterious forest, Xie Xingyan glanced back. Behind them, Xie Xingyuan watched their retreating figures with eyes full of certainty.
To him, facing his sister's squad was practically an insult—how could such a weak team possibly last a day? The outcome was already obvious.
"Captain, which way should we hide?"
"Not far. We'll head to the nearest swamp."
"But aren't we the defending team? Won't that make us easy to find?"
"That's the point. Everyone assumes we'll flee deep into the jungle. By staying close, at the swamp, we'll be safer—as long as we don't disturb the beasts there, it'll be a natural shelter."
"Also, everyone wrap your boots with the large non-toxic leaves here. That way, our tracks will be much harder to follow."
Everyone obeyed her orders without complaint. There wasn't a single teammate stirring up trouble.
On the way, Xie Xingyan deliberately kept to the rear, her eyes on Li Yuanyuan, just in case she tried anything.
She had once tried probing Li Yuanyuan with her mental abilities, but found the girl's memory obscured by a dangerous black mist. It was impossible to glean anything.
This discovery set off loud alarms in her mind. The more something was hidden, the more it meant there was a deeper scheme at play.
Still, she dared not try a direct mental strike. If it rebounded, the consequences could be dire.
Later, Xie Xingyan would look back on this and feel grateful she hadn't acted rashly—otherwise the aftermath would have been disastrous.
Meanwhile, Xie Xingyuan's squad immediately pushed deeper into the forest. With their overwhelming strength, they assumed the other team would flee far.
By now, night had fallen on the Shiyu Jungle. They had been inside for three hours.
Every nerve was tense—the defenders had to fend off hostile beasts, avoid poisonous plants, and remain vigilant against their hunters.
Thousands of kilometers away, Direna suddenly froze. She sniffed the air, catching a familiar scent, and let out an excited, guttural screech:
"Full speed ahead! I've caught the scent of my little snack!"
"Yes, my Queen!"
At that very moment, Li Yuanyuan quietly scattered a pinch of colorless, odorless powder from her hand. Feeling the air stir with a familiar ripple, her lips curved into a cold, cruel smile.