That night, everyone was quite resentful. The main problem was Chen Gu; he was such a killjoy. So many girls came up to chat, but he'd coldly dismiss them in just a few words. A bunch of vigorous young men, in the prime of their lives, just sitting in a nightclub drinking.

What's so good about this crappy drink? Isn't every bottle in my cellar better than what they have here?

By the time it dragged past ten o'clock, with Chen Gu there, everyone realized there really was no chance. So, they egged each other on and pushed Qiao Shuangyi forward. You stirred up this mess, you fix it!

Qiao Shuangyi approached with a forced smile. "Brother Chen, you look tired. Why don't you go back and rest?"

Chen Gu stood up. "Sure, I'll head back."

"Great, great, I'll arrange the car for you. We'll finish the rest of this booze."

Chen Gu had long seen through his little scheme and revealed a smile. I told you guys you'd have a better time if I didn't come, but you just wouldn't listen.

"Alright, I'm off," he said.

No sooner had Chen Gu stepped out of the nightclub's main entrance than Qiao Shuangyi became aggressively extravagant. "The most expensive drink you have here – bring me ten dozen!"

If looks didn't cut it, money would have to compensate, and that worked too.

「...」

When Chen Gu came out, he suddenly caught sight of a familiar figure heading towards him with an intimidating air. He quickly ducked to the side. As soon as the person dashed into the nightclub, he hurriedly came out, got into his car, and left.

Back at the hotel, he still felt a bit "scared after the fact"; he'd nearly been caught. Right, right, right. In the future, I should hang out less with bad students like Qiao Shuangyi.

Wang Chengqian charged into the Great H and dragged Qiao Shuangyi and a few others out...

With heads drooping, Qiao Shuangyi and the others were thoroughly scolded by Wang Chengqian, cursing inwardly, Who betrayed us?!

「...」

There weren't many people from Huai Shan Branch School; they all fit into one bus.

After driving for two hours, the bus had already entered an uninhabited area. A few more hours passed, and it slowly made its way into a military-controlled zone.

Eventually, it stopped at a modern military base.

By this time, the freshmen had a sneaking suspicion that this so-called "military training" was no simple matter.

The only ones in the know were Chen Gu and Bai Zhijin. Chen Gu wasn't one to gossip. Bai Zhijin didn't mix with the other students at all, still maintaining his "integrity" by not initiating conversation with those students from wealthy and noble families. Throughout the journey, he sat quietly in a corner by himself, so naturally, no information leaked out.

After entering the base, Wang Chengqian negotiated with a colonel to get weapons.

The base allocated an entire barracks to them. Given that Wang Chengqian likely had some military background, he swiftly set up a command center within the barracks.

"Okay, sit down everyone, we don't have much time," he said.

Once all the students were seated, Wang Chengqian waved his hand. WHOOSH! A holographic image appeared in the middle of the group.

This thing looked quite grotesque—somewhat like a lizard but with grayish-brown skin. Its limbs resembled those of an insect, and underneath each arm grew four slightly shorter claws.

It was clearly a beast, yet it stood upright like a person.

Its mouth bristled with fangs, and its eyes were blood red.

Some of the freshmen showed expressions of fear on their faces.

"These are Subterraneans, the targets of our freshman military training mission," he explained.

About the Indigenous Reservation, these freshmen from illustrious families had all heard something or other. However, Wang Chengqian went over it in detail again before getting to the main point: "Our task is not to eliminate the Subterraneans; we can't do that. Our mission is to figure out the current strength of the Subterraneans, to prepare for the military's cleanup operation.

"In simple terms, we are a reconnaissance team," he said.

Then, with a twist of his hand, he presented a full view of the Subterranean's image to the students. "This is an ordinary male Subterranean warrior. Their physical condition is about one and a half times that of a normal human male. Whether it be strength, speed, or agility, they are all superior to our elite warriors."

WHOOSH!

The image vanished, replaced by one of a seemingly aged Subterranean adorned with various rough gemstones on its neck, head, and wrists.

"This is a Subterranean Shaman," Wang Chengqian explained. "Compared to the Subterranean warriors, they are even more dangerous. They possess special abilities, similar to a combination of our own Quantum Wizards and Nuclear Explosion Nuns."

"As of now, we still do not know the source of the Subterranean Shamans' abilities. However, the most powerful Shaman we have encountered is equivalent to our Fifth Energy Level."

"Male Subterraneans are warriors with low status within their tribes, while females are Shamans who can awaken special powers and hold high status."

Then, he opened another holographic map. "This is wilderness area number 64 on Maoshi Star that we plan to infiltrate."

On the map, mountains undulated, and dense vegetation covered the ground. Under the shelter of shrubs and grass, pitch-black caves were exposed.

"We will divide into four groups, working together with a scouting team from the military to infiltrate from four different directions. Remember, your duty is to scout, to ascertain the enemy's strength, and not to engage recklessly!"

Wang Chengqian was also going to personally participate this time. Originally, there were twelve students, meant for groups of three. Now that one had died, he had to fill the spot.

Qiao Shuangyi immediately raised his hand. "Teacher, I want to be in the same group as Chen Gu."

Wang Chengqian gave him a glance, the brash teacher feeling he'd lost some face. What? You actually want to be grouped with Chen Gu? Am I, a dignified Fifth Energy Level teacher, not worthy of your allegiance?

"This mission is extremely dangerous. Are you sure you want to be in the same group as Chen Gu?"

Hurry into this teacher's embrace, cling to my thigh! A Fifth Energy Level master will protect you!

"I'm sure," said Qiao Shuangyi, oblivious to Wang Chengqian's hints. "Please grant my request, Teacher."

"Alright," Wang Chengqian waved his hand. "You two will be in one group."

The rest of the grouping proceeded as normal, with many students wanting to be in Teacher Wang Chengqian's group, satisfying his vanity to a great extent.

However, what slightly annoyed Wang Chengqian was that Chen Gu was almost as sought-after as he was!

After all, Chen Gu was Third Energy Level, second only to Wang Chengqian among those present.

Lin Xiaochen, unable to secure one of the two thigh-hugging spots beside Teacher Wang, quickly latched onto Chen Gu's thigh instead, filling up Chen Gu's group.

When the groups were finally formed, Bai Zhijin was left over.

Bai Zhijin looked calm on the surface, but his eyes, filled with unwillingness, humiliation, and anger, betrayed his inner turmoil.

The remaining group had only two people, yet they didn't take the initiative to invite Bai Zhijin.

Although they were freshmen, their families had prepared some items for them, knowing about the military training. Bai Zhijin, with no backing, was clearly the weakest among them and a potential drag.

Wang Chengqian had no choice but to assign him to that group.

The two freshmen, though reluctant to have Bai Zhijin, were also the ones picked last and had no choice.

Yet Bai Zhijin, inwardly seething with rage, walked over and sat down firmly beside the two. He had already silently vowed: During the mission, I'll definitely show you all what I'm made of!

"Alright, collect your weapons. Get ready. We'll set off after lunch," he declared.

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