Chapter 87: Not Forced, But Encouraged (310 Seeking Subscriptions!)

As for the students' reactions, Ji Huai had anticipated them.

He stood with his arms crossed, wearing the expression of "I'm waiting for you to quiet down."

The students gradually realized that Ji Mo Wang was right before them, and they quickly quieted down again.

"This practical combat exam is indeed more dangerous than the last one." Ji Huai spoke slowly, "Last time, the demon beasts you faced were of average strength, except for the tenth group, which unexpectedly encountered an Advanced Demon Beast; the other groups' missions were quite easy."

"But this time, I'm telling you clearly: there are Advanced Demon Beasts in Qingwang Shan, and not just one."

"The Special Affairs Group will still do its utmost to ensure your safety, but accidents and casualties cannot be completely ruled out, so, just like last time, participation in the practical combat exam is voluntary."

"However…" Ji Huai drew out his voice slightly, "Before you make your final decision, I still need to make the key information of this exam clear."

Besides Ji Huai's voice, there was no other sound in the field.

Everyone perked up their ears, wanting to hear the complete key information before making a decision.

For trainee-level players, the most urgent need at present is naturally to advance.

Ji Huai's following words caused the students in the ranks to involuntarily whisper among themselves.

This time, even Qin Chuan could not hide his surprise.

"Furthermore, in this practical combat exam, besides obtaining the corresponding exam score, you will also receive rewards according to your ranking in the exam results."

It would be better to fight alone.

He immediately became interested.

If he were assigned a few trainee-level teammates, he would have to watch their safety while taking the exam.

There are actually rewards?

"The remaining examinees will receive experience gems in varying amounts according to their exam scores."

"The rankings for trainee-level and formal-level players are separate; the trainee-level player who ranks first in this exam will receive a low-level resource, which can be freely chosen from the list provided by the Special Affairs Group."

For formal-level players, the significance of starlight equipment material is equally important.

"First, in this practical combat exam, trainee-level and formal-level players will be tested separately." Ji Huai spoke slowly, "Trainee-level players will still be randomly grouped for the exam, while formal-level players will not form teams and will take the exam individually."

"The formal-level player who ranks first in this exam will receive a piece of starlight equipment material, which can be freely chosen from the list provided by the Special Affairs Group."

Because of this, Ji Huai had not mentioned it to him beforehand.

As soon as these words were spoken, an uproar erupted.

After all, at present only the two of them have reached formal-level at Second Middle School.

As for experience gems, the more the better.

Qin Chuan's expression remained calm; he had already known this since last night.

After a formal-level player upgrades their contracted spirit beast to level 20, the power gap with trainee-level players is indeed considerable, making joint action unsuitable.

Without keeping the students waiting long, Ji Huai immediately announced the ranking rewards.

Upon hearing this, many people in the field couldn't help but glance toward Qin Chuan and Zhu Yuxi.

Even if it cannot be used now, it will definitely be needed after advancement, and it will surely be in short supply when used.

Even a player like Qin Chuan, who is district top rank, cannot immediately max out his second contracted spirit beast after advancement; one can imagine that reaching the Elite Tier will make upgrades even more difficult.

After Ji Huai announced the ranking rewards, even Qin Chuan found his breathing involuntarily grow a bit heavier.

He now possesses four pieces of starlight equipment material.

With a talent like the Gnomon, Qin Chuan naturally would not lightly forge starlight equipment; he aims to gather nine pieces of starlight equipment material to craft a piece of starlight equipment bearing the strongest possible affix.

Therefore, he still needs five more pieces of starlight equipment material.

If he obtains first place, he will be one step closer to that goal.

A low-level resource is currently worth two to three hundred thousand, while a piece of starlight equipment material is worth over a million!

Qin Chuan's gaze instantly became firm and sharp.

He has firmly decided to secure this first place!

"Now you can consider whether to participate." Seeing the expression he wanted on the students' faces, Ji Huai's eyes flickered with a barely perceptible smile.

Is Qingwang Shan dangerous?

Of course it is.

But the world has changed so greatly that no one can remain aloof.

The Yanhuang State will do its utmost to guarantee every citizen's safety, but when citizens themselves grow stronger, they can help safeguard the lives of more groups in need of protection.

Some people first become strong so that, in the future, everyone will be strong and everyone will be like a dragon.

And nurturing the new generation is of paramount importance.

Before the advent of the Dream World, high schools and universities already had military training.

Now that the Dream World has descended, supernatural forces run rampant across the globe; even the flowers in greenhouses ought to breathe a breath of blood‑tinged air.

Will not compel, but will encourage.

Those who stand out in repeated practical combat exams will naturally receive extra attention and cultivation; this is recognition of their courage and ability.

Half an hour's time quickly passed.

Perhaps the generous rewards stimulated everyone's courage; when Ji Huai asked whether to participate, eighty percent of the students stood up, more than last time.

After announcing that everyone should gather at the playground at nine o'clock the next morning, Ji Huai gestured for the crowd to disperse.

Thereafter, he carried two unsharpened blades and walked toward Qin Chuan.

The fact that Ji Huai gives Qin Chuan extra tutoring every night has long been known to the other students.

After breaking through to formal-level, Zhu Yuxi proactively approached Ji Huai, hoping to also stay and attend lectures.

Ji Huai did not object.

But after just one night, she gave up on her own.

For Zhu Yuxi, whose family is well‑off, there are too many avenues to learn weapon techniques; there's no need for her to seek out hardship.

So, Ji Huai's special favor ultimately only Qin Chuan was fortunate enough to enjoy.

He casually took the long sword, and before the other classmates had walked far, Qin Chuan had already assumed his stance.

Ji Huai's sword whistled over in the next instant, the tip pointing straight at Qin Chuan's chest; even without using any supernatural ability, his powerful physique alone made this strike enough to shatter rock.

Qin Chuan's expression tightened instantly, he gripped the long sword with both hands, then sharply blocked to the side, slightly deflecting the attack while using the recoil to step back to the other side, narrowly avoiding the blade.

The thrusting long sword instantly turned, its blade now facing Qin Chuan, changing from a forward thrust to a horizontal slash; before the blade even arrived, Qin Chuan already felt the gust of wind blowing toward him.

Although the edge had not been sharpened, the blade is still the blade; it is thinner than the back, with a smaller contact area, so under the same slash its power is naturally greater.

「Clang—」

Accompanied by a clang of metal, Qin Chuan gripped the sword hilt with one hand, pressed his palm against the blade's back with the other, and in the moment he blocked the slash, he was flung uncontrollably backward two or three meters.

Before he could steady himself, Ji Huai, calm and composed, had already lunged forward.

「Clang clang clang—」

Again three sounds rang out, and Qin Chuan was struck on the shoulder by a blade.

Although Ji Huai pulled his strength in time, avoiding injury to bones and tendons, it still hurt enough to make him grit his teeth.

The classmates who had not yet left the sports field each cast sympathetic glances.

(End of chapter)