"I'm on it." Dr. Meng Ji snapped his fingers, activated the generator, and after disconnecting Chen Gu, immediately conducted another test.

Chen Gu cooperated throughout the process, knowing it was routine.

"The contamination level has increased by three-tenths of one percent." Dr. Meng Ji nodded. "Not bad at all. At this rate, you'll become the high-Energy Level professional with the lowest contamination level."

Upon this announcement, Gong Shuxu and Director Xue simultaneously applauded in congratulations.

Chen Gu also secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Yes, he had encountered the Evil God again this time, and for some unknown reason, it had retreated without a sound or trace. This left him somewhat uneasy.

Only when Dr. Meng Ji declared him problem-free could Chen Gu finally allow himself to feel happy about his advancement to the Third Energy Level. With a grin, he turned to Bai Zhijin, who was waiting nearby, and said, "It's your turn now, good luck!"

This was a sincere blessing; after all, there was neither opposition nor any past grievances between him and Bai Zhijin.

Taking a deep breath, Bai Zhijin stepped forward. With Chen Gu's successful advancement, he felt that "commoners" couldn't afford to appear inferior. Sun Kexin was already dead; he had to succeed to preserve the honor of this cohort's remaining commoners.

When Director Xue, an Eighth Energy Level professional, and Gong Shuxu, a Sixth Energy Level professional, both applauded Chen Gu's successful advancement, it filled Bai Zhijin with envy. At the same time, it also made him understand more clearly how difficult it was to become a professional—truly one step from heaven, the next to hell!

Kou Dingyi quickly made all the arrangements. Bai Zhijin went inside, while Chen Gu and Gong Shuxu watched from the side.

Director Xue was also extremely nervous. If both students from humble backgrounds encountered problems, the Principal would likely be furious. Director Xue was also perplexed by the Principal's stance. The Principal himself came from a distinguished background, so why did he place so much importance on these students from ordinary families, insisting on reserving at least two spots for them each year?

Fortunately, there were no accidents this time. A demonic form flickered around for a moment before being repelled by Bai Zhijin's unwavering conviction, and then the induction ceremony concluded.

After Bai Zhijin came out, Dr. Meng Ji also conducted a contamination check on him. The result was a spiritual purity of 87%. This wasn't particularly good, but not bad either. He was definitely not contaminated. With some careful cultivation, he had a good chance of raising this value back above 90% before his next advancement.

Director Xue secretly sighed in relief and turned to Kou Dingyi with a smile. "We've troubled Wuning Temple this time. For the inconvenience caused to you and Maoshi Star, the Huai Shan Branch School will certainly provide compensation."

Kou Dingyi's face lit up; a favor from the Principal was highly valuable. He feigned modesty, "Hahaha, the Principal is too kind! It is Wuning Temple's honor to be of assistance to the Principal."

The freshman military training had already been delayed for too long. Director Xue, along with Chen Gu and Bai Zhijin, bid farewell to Kou Dingyi and set off to rendezvous with Wang Chengqian and the others.

On the way, Gong Shuxu took Dr. Meng Ji and the others back to the Bureau of Mystic Security.

Sitting in the vehicle, Chen Gu felt a wave of dazed disbelief. I've finally become a Third Energy Level professional! It truly wasn't easy! The resistance this time was greater than any I've faced before. And if the Principal hadn't intervened, Aviloya might still have blocked me.

After these quiet reflections, he shifted his focus to the upcoming freshman military training.

"Director Xue, what exactly is the objective for this freshman military training?" If it had been Ye Feileng, Chen Gu wouldn't have dared to ask. But Director Xue... He seems like a superior one can actually talk to.

Director Xue hesitated for a moment. Recalling the Principal's earlier actions and reactions, he decided to speak. "Even if I don't tell you, you'll find out by tomorrow anyway, so it's no harm telling you now."

"The targets for this freshman military training are the Subterraneans."

Both Chen Gu and Bai Zhijin were hearing this term for the first time, their faces showing a mix of confusion and curiosity.

"The Subterraneans are indigenous intelligent beings of Maoshi Star." Director Xue explained, "Your guess is correct. In this Star Sea, we are not the only intelligent life. There are powerful ones like the Alien Insect Race, and weaker ones like the Subterraneans."

"When our ancestors colonized Maoshi Star, they discovered their existence. However, their interactions were not friendly. The Subterranean civilization was still in a primitive state, at best comparable to our ancestors' Neolithic Age."

"Communication with them proved exceedingly difficult, so war eventually erupted, and the vast majority of Subterraneans were exterminated."

Chen Gu grimaced. This wasn't a war, but rather a unilateral slaughter by the human race. What could a species with a Stone Age civilization do against a Star Sea-faring human civilization?

"During our interstellar colonization, we've encountered many species in situations similar to the Subterraneans. With those capable of communication, peaceful coexistence is naturally preferred. However, most possess low levels of civilization. To date, aside from the Alien Insect Race, the most advanced civilization encountered is only equivalent to our home world's medieval period. They often harbor an innate hostility towards outsiders, leading to the eradication of most such species."

"Some chose to surrender after being defeated in war. For humanitarian reasons, the major Star Nations would designate special reservations on their planets, allowing them to continue their existence there."

"Given the vast chasm between our civilizations, they have no means of integrating into our society. Thus, such an arrangement is considered the best option."

Chen Gu agreed with this point. Unless both are Star Sea-faring civilizations, even basic communication is difficult, let alone peaceful coexistence.

"Yet, these indigenous populations within the reservations are slowly dying out. As far as I know, only three such indigenous protected reservations remain across all major Star Nations. Their populations are dwindling annually and they will vanish completely before long."

Saying this, Director Xue added a specific warning, "The matter of these protected reservations is classified. Don't speak of it carelessly. Besides, even if you did, no one would believe you."

A flicker of pity crossed Bai Zhijin's face, but Chen Gu remained unmoved. This is a struggle between species for the resources of the Star Sea. There is no right or wrong, only the future of one's own kind. The war between humanity and the Alien Insect Race is much the same. Humanity portrays the outbreak of war as a result of the Alien Insect Race's savagery and treachery. Chen Gu had no desire to understand the true situation, nor did he need to. This isn't the time to be a saint.

After a brief introduction, Director Xue returned the topic to the Subterraneans. "Some indigenous species inhabit unique environments that make their complete eradication exceedingly difficult. Remnants always survive and continue to resist. The Subterraneans are one such example."

"They dwell underground, possess extremely robust physiques and tenacious vitality. The subterranean cave networks of Maoshi Star are vast and labyrinthine, and since we cannot simply destroy the planet, they have managed to survive to this day."

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