Chapter 78: Training Camp Opens

"All trainee prodigies, please enter orderly using your identity cards and proceed to the Central Plaza for assembly! Repeat: All trainee prodigies..."

"Assembly! Repeat: All trainee prodigies..."

Everyone moved instantly; Jiang Xia and the others followed the crowd into the training camp.

The interior scene was even more astonishing than the outside: along both sides of the main thoroughfare, a transparent training pod appeared every hundred meters.

Unmanned drones hovered overhead, patrolling back and forth, their undersides bearing signs reading "No Private Fights" and "Resource Zone: Turn Left."

On a distant platform, several martial cultivators in military uniforms observed the grounds through telescopes, their aura calm and heavy—clearly the camp’s instructors.

The Central Plaza was already crowded with hundreds of prodigies; soon, a middle-aged man in a major general’s uniform stepped onto the central podium.

His face was stern, the stars on his shoulders glinting in the sunlight, and the scabbard of the sword at his waist bore three large characters: "Demon Suppression Army."

The man’s gaze swept across the crowd, and the previously noisy plaza fell silent instantly.

"I am Major General Zhao Gang, chief instructor of this prodigy training camp."

His voice was not loud, yet it carried a piercing force, "First, welcome all of Itachi to the training camp. Here, Itachi will undergo indefinite intensive training."

"Only those who pass the final assessment will receive the minimum rank of Demon Suppression Army Captain; those who perform exceptionally may be promoted at discretion!"

A stir erupted below the stage; many prodigies’ eyes gleamed with excitement—Captain rank, a honor many dreamed of.

Zhao Gang raised a hand to quiet them, then continued: "But I must warn Itachi: this camp is not a greenhouse—it is a furnace!"

"Here, there is no family protection, no powerful faction backing Itachi—only strength is the sole passkey!"

"The camp is divided into four classes: Class A, Class B, Class C, and Class D."

"Class assignment is based on four criteria: theory, cultivation base, potential, and combat performance. Tests will be conducted shortly; results will be announced in one hour."

"Class A students may enter the Spirit Liquid Pool for body tempering once daily, use a top-tier cultivation chamber once weekly, and have the chance to receive direct guidance from semi-sage-level experts."

"Class B students receive half the resources: one weekly visit to an advanced cultivation chamber!"

"Class C students receive half of Class B’s resources, eligible only for standard treatment: access to ordinary cultivation chambers. Class D students may use only basic training facilities, with resources amounting to one-tenth of Class A’s!"

"The only way to advance classes is through challenge: each week, a class challenge tournament will be held. Lower-class students may challenge higher-class students; victory swaps your class, defeat deducts this month’s resources!"

"Lastly, and most importantly: lethal attacks are strictly forbidden within the camp, but injuries are inevitable."

"If Itachi cannot endure it, Itachi may submit an application to withdraw at any time—but once Itachi withdraw, Itachi will permanently lose eligibility to join the Demon Suppression Army!"

Zhao Gang’s words rang with finality; the prodigies below displayed varied expressions—some brimming with determination, others showing hesitation.

"Enough on rules. Now, everyone proceed to the testing zone in order of your rankings!"

At Zhao Gang’s command, the prodigies moved orderly toward the testing zone on the plaza’s eastern side.

Jiang Xia and the others followed the line; Wang Teng nervously rubbed his hands: "Old Xia, which class do Itachi think I’ll get? With my cultivation, I’m probably headed for Class D."

"Don’t worry," Jiang Xia patted his shoulder, "the test isn’t just about cultivation base—it’s about potential."

"Your spell arts are highly unusual—your potential is more than enough for Class A."

"Enough, the test is starting!" Ye Lingxi pointed to the floating screen now displaying "Testing Zone Entrance," "Hurry up, don’t be late!"

The testing zone was divided into two areas: theoretical test and combat test.

The theoretical test took place in a modern teaching building; each examination room was equipped with an intelligent proctoring system, requiring candidates to answer questions on demonic beast habits, ability usage, and Shanhai Pass defense systems on terminals.

Wang Teng stared at the screen filled with dense questions, his face falling: "Oh no, oh no—I can’t remember these demonic beasts’ weaknesses! Old Xia, help me..."

"Do it yourself," Jiang Xia said without looking up, his fingers swiftly sliding across the screen.

He had studied ample theoretical knowledge at the Literary Dao Academy, and with his Sharingan’s perfect recall, these questions were no challenge for him.

Ling Zhantian beside him couldn’t help laughing: "Fatso, Itachi never listened when your teachers told Itachi to read more—now Itachi’re panicking?"

Wang Teng pouted but gritted his teeth and answered the questions, occasionally sneaking glances at Jiang Xia’s screen—only to be startled back to attention by the intelligent proctoring system’s warning chime.

One hour later, the theoretical test ended. Candidates gradually exited the teaching building and headed toward the combat test arena at the camp’s center.

The combat test area consisted of three rooms: Cultivation Base Detection Room, Potential Assessment Room, and Combat Simulation Room.

Jiang Xia entered the Cultivation Base Detection Room first—a massive crystal ball stood at the center, beside which a researcher in a white lab coat stood.

"Place your hand on the crystal ball and channel your spiritual energy," the researcher said flatly.

Jiang Xia obeyed, placing his right hand on the cold crystal ball and slowly channeling his spiritual energy inward.

The crystal ball instantly glowed golden, the light intensifying until a character formed at its apex: "Wu Zong Initial Stage," with a smaller line beneath: "Spiritual Energy Purity: 99%, far exceeding peers."

The researcher’s eyes flickered with surprise; he quickly recorded it on his tablet: "Jiang Xia, Wu Zong Initial Stage, spiritual energy purity 99%, excellent. Next!"

Next came the Potential Assessment Room. The room held no instruments—only an elderly man seated cross-legged on a mat, eyes closed.

The old man looked unremarkable, yet his aura was even denser than Zhao Gang’s.

"Come here," the old man opened his eyes, fixing his gaze on Jiang Xia with scrutiny.

Jiang Xia stepped forward; the old man extended a hand and lightly placed it on his shoulder.

Instantly, Jiang Xia felt his body laid bare—his spiritual energy flow, ability fluctuations, even the aura of the jade seal and jade pendant at his third eye—all perceived with perfect clarity.

The old man’s eyes gleamed with rare interest; he withdrew his hand and said slowly: "Dual abilities (eye technique + wood affinity), internal treasure guarding your core—potential is limitless. Rating: S+."

Jiang Xia’s heart leapt—could the "treasure" he mentioned be the jade seal? He kept his expression calm, bowed respectfully to the old man, and turned to leave the room.

The combat test arena was a vast semicircular structure housing ten independent virtual combat pods.

Candidates entered the pods to fight virtual demonic beasts generated by the system; scores were assigned based on combat performance.

"Next, candidate #7, Jiang Xia!" the announcer’s voice echoed.

Jiang Xia stepped into the combat pod; the door sealed shut. A virtual screen popped up: "Select demonic beast tier: Peak Fourth Rank, Early Fifth Rank, Mid Fifth Rank, Late Fifth Rank, King Rank Initial Stage."

"King Rank Initial Stage," Jiang Xia selected the highest tier without hesitation—he knew that to enter Class A, he needed a performance that would stun everyone.