The eastern sky had a faint touch of fish belly white, and as the first rays of sunlight spilled onto the sky, the earth gradually brightened.

At this time, located in the center of Shanghai, outside a closed military base strictly forbidden to approach, a dense crowd of people had already gathered.

Preliminary estimates suggest there were at least thirty to forty thousand people.

Among them, many people had gotten up before dawn, quickly washed, and arrived without even eating breakfast, including many students.

Although everyone was chatting idly, the atmosphere wasn't lively, rather somewhat dull and heavy.

Many people's eyes held a faint trace of worry deep inside.

They came here, some to chase stars, for their favorite talented contestants, but more were here to cheer on and bid farewell to the participants.

"Let's hope this time everyone comes back safe and sound."

"How's that possible? There will always be some who..."

"Bad luck, talking about this so early, believe it or not, I'll slap you hard."

Looking at the strictly guarded military base, people whispered to each other.

Unlike other Space Gates, the Jade Seal Space Gate, being the usual venue for the preliminary rounds, naturally had special reasons for its selection.

Inside this Space Gate, there are some special treasures and Secret Realms like the Spiritual Power Pool, Elemental Fruit, and the Land of Enlightenment, as well as some unexplored Human Race Secret Realms.

It is a place every genius yearns to enter.

When the Space Gate first appeared in Shanghai, it attracted nationwide attention.

Many knew about a place called Jade Seal City in the Divine Martial Continent, which had many Secret Realms and treasures.

The battle for the Space Gate's Key that year was especially fierce, with heavy casualties on both the Human Race and Alien Race sides, resulting in a stalemate, and no one obtaining the Key. Decades have passed, and the Key still hasn't appeared.

Both the Human and Alien Races are determined to acquire this Space Gate.

However, Divine Martial Continent is, after all, the Alien Race's base, and eventually, the Space Gate was firmly controlled by the Alien Race.

The Alien Race doesn't allow the Human Race to enter this Space Gate, and if discovered, they will hunt you down for thousands of miles.

Over time, this Space Gate became a forbidden land.

On normal days, without a pass, the Space Gate wouldn't be open to the public.

But today is an exception.

Not only the main forces and substitutes of various teams, but any adventurer could enter this Space Gate.

The Jade Seal Space Gate has a star rating of six.

It suppresses Martial Artists above the Seventh Grade Flying Realm.

Adventurers daring to enter the Space Gate at this time are almost all Sixth Grade Divine Fist Realm, very confident in their strength.

The addition of these adventurers is naturally for resources, and they are bound to compete with the major teams, however, no one stops them.

Because the more people, the stronger the team, the more the Alien Race fears, and the security is more guaranteed.

To enter the Secret Realm, one must pass through Jade Seal City, facing Alien Race's surveillance and ambushes, and some people will stay there forever.

Among them, naturally, also include the team members.

This is also why the onlookers have worried expressions, and the atmosphere seems somewhat heavy and tragic.

The preliminaries are deadly.

The cost of a dazzling talent and rapid strength improvement could very well be their life.

"They're here."

With a loud cheer, buses slowly arrived, and the onlookers cheered loudly.

The thunderous cheers caused people nearby to keep gathering.

Lin Feng, holding the Celestial Punishment Sword, got off the bus, waved to the cheering crowd, then stood still, quietly waiting.

Yun Kai and others seemed somewhat excited and thrilled; the scene indeed stirred one's blood but simultaneously made some uneasy.

Though they weren't unfamiliar with the Alien Race and had battled in the Exotic Realm, this time, they would go to an Alien Race city, and a misstep could lead to their demise.

It's not uncommon for preliminary participants to fall in Jade Seal City, and there was even one year where an entire team perished, both main and substitutes, all eight killed, buried in a foreign land.

Today, many notable figures showed up, with only three Guardians from Shanghai present.

"Alright, all thirteen teams are here."

The speaker was an old man, floating in mid-air with red Spiritual Power Wings.

As a Guardian of Shanghai, he gazed at these most outstanding talents from across the country, his expression complex, speaking in a solemn tone, "The National College Glory Battle is the most watched event in the country. You all are exceptionally talented, proud geniuses. Some of you are very confident in your strength, holding your pride."

"Secret Realms are important, enhancing strength is also crucial, but from my experience, life is most important."

"Cherish your life, for when you're dead, all dreams and visions cease to exist."

"This preliminary is just a journey in your life; if you face insurmountable danger, don't be stubborn, don't entertain lucky thoughts; sometimes giving up isn't disgraceful."

"In the Otherworld, you must unite. There, you are each other's only reliance."

"Don't let this journey be the end."

"That's all; you may go now."

There were no blood-boiling cheers, no inspiring encouragement, nor were the Alien Race's cold-bloodedness and danger deliberately emphasized, but more reminiscent of parental advice.

Being a Guardian, the old man had witnessed countless separations by life and death, having lived over a hundred years, experienced everything.

He's not worried about these kids being timid, as it's part of growing up; he fears these kids might be overconfident, like a reckless brute lacking understanding of trade-offs and surrender.

Sometimes, only by giving up can you go further.

These youths before him are all one in ten thousand geniuses, all having the potential to break through to King Level and become Guardians, each extremely important.

And some, like Yun Kai and Ye Qiu, are even more gifted, recognized future children of glory, but even the most monstrous genius, if dead, is nothing.

A few years later, except for parents and relatives, no one would remember their name.

"Kai, why do I feel uneasy?" Little Sister Dong tugged Yun Kai's sleeve, whispering.

Yun Kai looked down at the somewhat nervous Little Sister Dong, patted her head, "Don't be afraid, we have me and Brother Feng!"

"Mhm!"

Looking at Lin Feng's back, Little Sister Dong earnestly nodded, her heart no longer as worried.

"Don't worry, you're just responsible for healing, Brother Qiao will protect you."

Yu Qiao patted his chest confidently, while casting a glance around, somewhat displeased, "Damn, it feels like a farewell party, it's as if everyone is acting like it's a life and death parting, is it necessary to make it so tragic? Even some are crying, crying at a funeral!"

Yu Qiao's grumbling complaints drew many disapproving glances, even some notable figures looked over with furrowed brows, but said nothing.

But it was precisely Yu Qiao's complaint that eased the tense, oppressive mood among the crowd.

"Good luck!"

"Return victorious!"

Amidst a chorus of encouragement, various teams and hundreds of adventurers began entering the military fortress one after another.

Watching the team members slowly disappear from sight, many people's eyes teared up, hands clasped on their chests, silently praying.

Praying for everyone to come back!

"Hope they all come back!"

Watching Lin Feng and his group disappear from view, the coach sighed.

Compared to the coach, Bu Zheng's expression was calm.

If anything, it should be the Alien Race inside Jade Seal City worried about Lin Feng's group.

Just stepping inside the base fortress, high-tech weapons were everywhere.

All aimed at the same target, troops were on patrol, but outside the Jade Seal Space Gate, there weren't any adventurers to be seen.

Once inside the Space Gate, Lin Feng and his party appeared in a clearing, surrounded by many people, standing on a uneven terrain pile of bones, directly facing them just ten meters ahead.

Several hundred skeletal remains lay directly in front of them.

For many, it was no surprise to see these bones, they let out cries of astonishment, their eyes showing a hint of fear.

"A display of power, huh?"

These skeletons didn't bother Lin Feng; what was there to fear from the dead?

There wasn't a military garrison of the Human Race around this Space Gate, unlike other Space Gates, it seemed somewhat desolate.

In the forest not far off, about fifty or sixty meters away, Lin Feng noticed some long-eared figures with single horns and a faint purple in their eyes, Aliens!

These Alien Race members weren't hiding, just standing there, overt with a sense of menace and naked intent to kill.

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