"Student Ye Tian, are you absolutely certain about registering for the trial?"
Teacher Yue Cheng's weathered face creased with concern as he studied the young man before him. "Martial Apprentice status technically qualifies you, but anyone below five hundred pounds of strength... well, the mortality rate speaks for itself."
The warning carried the weight of experience. How many eager students had this teacher watched march toward their deaths, convinced they could beat impossible odds through luck alone?
"Even without genuine fierce beasts in that wilderness section, the remaining baby monsters can tear apart most Martial Apprentices like wet paper. Fresh graduates are insects compared to creatures born for violence. Numbers help, but only if your teammates don't panic and scatter at the first sign of blood."
"I've already formed a group, Teacher. Teamwork should give us decent chances at success."
The lie rolled off Ye Tian's tongue with practiced ease. Better to let the instructor assume he'd found competent allies than reveal his true solo intentions.
"Your funeral." Yue Cheng's shoulders sagged with resignation. "Registration requires signing a death waiver. Once that contract is complete, Fifth Academy accepts zero responsibility for your demise in the trial zone. Clear?"
"Understood."
Ye Tian's signature flowed across the document without hesitation. Legal formalities couldn't compare to the opportunities waiting in that valley.
"Ten days from now, arrive at Training Ground Five before eight in the morning. Transport leaves on schedule—miss it, and you forfeit your slot."
"Yes, Teacher."
Success. The first hurdle cleared.
Ten days remained for preparation, and every hour mattered. Confidence was useful, but weakness remained weakness. Equipment could bridge some gaps between life and death.
This era imposed no weapon restrictions—anyone could carry blades openly without permits or paperwork. Classification systems divided armaments into distinct tiers: ordinary steel weapons served basic needs, while Yuan Force materials created proper Yuan Weapons that channeled martial energy with supernatural efficiency.
Yuan Weapons cost fortunes beyond his reach, and honestly, basic versions offered minimal advantages over quality steel. The real benefits required master-crafted equipment far above his current level.
The weapon shop's selection impressed him despite budget constraints. Fine iron construction, properly balanced, with edges that gleamed like silver fire under lamplight.
One curved saber. One composite bow. Two dozen arrows with steel points.
Total cost: five thousand yuan—enough to live comfortably for an entire year.
His savings dropped from twenty thousand to fifteen thousand in a single transaction, but survival demanded investment.
Ten days dissolved like morning mist.
Ye Yu received carefully edited information about an "academy event" requiring three days away from home. Her trusting acceptance squeezed his chest with guilt, but the alternative—watching her panic about his real destination—was unthinkable.
Training Ground Five, Early Morning
Nearly one hundred students clustered in excited groups when Ye Tian arrived, but more buses were still approaching. Final count would probably reach one hundred sixty participants.
"Fierce beast blood creates powerful motivation for students without natural talent," he murmured, scanning the crowd with tactical interest.
"Ye Tian! Thought you weren't coming!"
Zhang Bao's familiar voice cut through the general chatter.
"Never said I couldn't participate. Just preferred working independently."
"You found a master to sponsor you?" Zhang Bao's eyes widened with sudden understanding. "That explains the confidence! No wonder you rejected our group."
Ye Tian maintained strategic silence, letting Zhang Bao draw his own conclusions. Misunderstandings served as excellent camouflage.
Thirty minutes later, the full assembly gathered—one hundred sixty students total. Most displayed Inferior talent grades, with ages ranging well into their twenties. Veterans who'd spent years grinding through Martial Apprentice bottlenecks, desperate for any advantage that might finally push them toward Martial Artist status.
Young faces like his were rare. Youth suggested insufficient strength, and insufficient strength meant death.
But death was democracy's purest expression. Everyone faced identical odds regardless of age, background, or family connections. Only power mattered in the end.
"All students board the vehicles! Departure in five minutes!"
Several buses materialized—designs similar to pre-apocalypse transportation, but clearly modified for this era's unique requirements.
Wonder filled student faces as they approached the strange machines. These vehicles existed only in history textbooks for most participants.
"Teacher, how do these function? Current atmospheric conditions should prevent old-world technology from operating!"
"Yuan Force engines—the latest breakthrough from advanced bases. Linhai's leadership recently acquired the designs through resource trading. Currently restricted to Martial Artist purchases, but civilian models will appear soon enough."
"Yuan Force propulsion..."
Collective amazement rippled through the crowd as they climbed aboard. The buses lurched into motion with barely perceptible vibration, heading toward the base's outer perimeter.
One hour of smooth travel brought them to the main gate. Beyond lay true wilderness—territory where fierce beasts ruled absolutely and human life measured in heartbeats rather than years.
Panic flickered across multiple faces as the buses crossed into uncontrolled territory. These Martial Apprentices possessed no defense against genuine monsters. One encounter meant guaranteed slaughter.
"Relax," the lead teacher announced with amused confidence. "Linhai's strongest warriors cleared this entire region recently. Three-mile radius completely sanitized. Our destination sits one mile ahead—maximum security zone."
Relief replaced terror as students processed the reassuring information. Over ten teacher escorts provided additional protection, each carrying Martial Artist credentials that could handle emergency situations.
A valley emerged from rolling hills as their destination finally appeared.
"Welcome to the trial grounds."
Multiple buses from other academies already occupied the parking area. Competition had arrived first.
"Fifth Academy students? Seriously?"
Mocking laughter erupted from a cluster of well-dressed teenagers near the valley entrance.
"This garbage institution actually sent participants? Are they planning mass suicide for entertainment value?"
"Fifth Academy students probably never experienced real combat. Meanwhile, First Academy regularly captures live beasts for practical training. Our battle experience is leagues beyond these sheltered children—they'll probably wet themselves at the first monster sighting."
"Easy on the insults. Fifth Academy's dean commands serious respect within Linhai's power structure. Offending him creates unnecessary political complications."
The taunts came exclusively from First Academy students—the only group with enough superiority to justify such arrogance. Other institutions were marginally better than Fifth Academy at best.
"Arrogant bastards..."
Fifth Academy students seethed with impotent rage, but none dared confront their tormentors directly. Everyone understood the vast gulf separating their abilities.
Ye Tian's attention focused like a predator spotting prey.
His copying ability had recharged completely during the past month. One more talent could be acquired, and First Academy students offered premium genetic material.
Elementary talent minimum. Possibly Intermediate grades among their elite members.
Heat coursed through his veins as anticipation built toward explosive levels.
This trial would change everything.
[End of Chapter 7]