Chapter 136: Survival, Hunt, and Escape (Modified)

Chapter 136: Survival, Hunt, and Escape (Modified)



"Haitang, you stay, everyone else can leave now!" Ms. Shen's voice echoed in the office, and the other students began to disperse.

Soon, only Song Haitang and Ms. Shen remained in the office.

"Haitang, the school's intention is that this championship depends entirely on you. If you feel that two slots are not enough, you can have more!" Ms. Shen explained.

No wonder she wanted to speak to Song Haitang privately.

Song Haitang was about to say that she had enough, as she would invite only her father.

However, just as she was about to speak, she changed her mind, "Teacher, I need some time to think about it."

She was thinking about Zhao Zheng.

Even if she didn't need the slot, what if Zhao Zheng did?

Ms. Shen nodded and reminded her, "Because of your presence, many believe that this year's championship team will belong to True Martial University. So, many are eyeing the slots for our school."

"You should decide on your invitees as soon as possible so that the school can make timely arrangements."

"I understand," Song Haitang replied.

...

After leaving Ms. Shen's office, Zhao Zheng couldn't stop thinking about one question.

Was the highest reward for the fifth layer of the Spirit Realm just the championship?

If that was the only reward, he wasn't impressed! He considered calling Old Chu to ask, but since Old Chu would be lecturing about the fifth layer the next day, Zhao Zheng decided against it.

He began to think about whom he should invite with the two slots.

The first person who came to mind was his grandfather, Grandpa Zhao.

Although spectators could only earn 20 Spirit Energy Points, for a relatively weak Extraordinary Being, these points were still valuable.

Zhao Zheng believed that even if his grandfather didn't need them, he would still want the free 20 points.

Why wasn't his first thought about his parents? Because Zhao Zheng's parents were ordinary people, not Extraordinary Beings.

Even if he invited them, they wouldn't be able to enter the Spirit Realm.

Zhao Zheng then called his grandfather.

"Grandpa?"

"Yes, my dear grandson, how are you doing at school?"

"I'm doing great, Grandpa! I just got an SSS-Class Task Evaluation yesterday."

"Haha, I saw the news, my grandson is truly remarkable!"

"Grandpa, I called because I have something to discuss with you."

"Oh? Do you need money? Send me your account number, and I'll transfer it right away."

"It's not about money... It's about the fifth layer of the Spirit Realm. The teacher mentioned that it's a university-wide competition, and as a main player, I have two spectator invitations. Grandpa, do you want to come and watch? If I win, you'll even get a reward of 20 Spirit Energy Points!"

"Oh? Your school gave you two slots? True Martial University is quite generous! But I'm too old for this, and those 20 points would be wasted on me... Dear grandson, why don't you give this slot to your older brother?"

Zhao Zheng was an only child, so when Grandpa Zhao mentioned his older brother, he was referring to Zhao Zheng's eldest cousin.

Hearing this, Zhao Zheng quickly replied, "Grandpa, I have two slots! I'll definitely give one to my cousin, and the other can be for you. You can come together with him."

Despite Zhao Zheng's insistence, Grandpa Zhao on the other phone remained unmoved, saying that at his age, even if he got the 20 points, it would be a waste. He'd rather leave it for someone else and let Zhao Zheng owe him a favor.

After much persuasion, Grandpa Zhao still refused to budge.

Finally, Zhao Zheng gave up.

Just as he hung up the phone, it rang again.

It was Song Haitang calling.

"Haitang?"

Song Haitang got straight to the point, "Zhao Zheng, do you have enough slots? If not, let me know."

Zhao Zheng immediately understood that Song Haitang had an unlimited number of slots.

She was calling to offer him one if needed.

"I have enough. I was planning to invite my cousin and grandfather, but Grandpa Zhao doesn't want to come. So, I still have one slot left!"

Song Haitang replied, "In the next ten days, if you need more slots, just let me know."

"Okay, I will."

...

The call ended, and Zhao Zheng left school, returning to his apartment.

As he took out his keys to unlock the door, he heard movement behind him.

Turning around, he saw that the leader of the Zodiac Bureau, Qin Muyin, had already opened the door.

"Qin, what a coincidence!" Zhao Zheng greeted her and asked, "Are you heading out?"

"No! I was specifically waiting for you." Qin Muyin said.

"Oh?" Zhao Zheng was taken aback, then asked, "Sister Qin, are you waiting for me because you need something?"

"There is something I need to discuss..."

"Just say it, Sister Qin. If I can help, I definitely won't refuse."

Zhao Zheng's words sounded nice, but they were merely polite.

If it were something difficult for him, he would definitely decline.

"In that case, I'll be straightforward."

Qin Muyin smiled and said, "I heard that you've been selected as a participant for the fifth-layer Spirit Realm among the new students next month. I also heard that your school is offering two spectator slots for each participating member?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Zheng immediately understood Qin Muyin's intention.

It was clear that she had her eyes on his slot.

As for how Qin Muyin obtained this information, there was no need to ask.

As a member of the Zodiac Bureau, she had access to numerous information channels.

Moreover, there were quite a few Zodiac Bureau members within True Martial University, secretly protecting Song Haitang. It was only natural for Qin Muyin, as a colleague, to receive such news.

"Sister Qin, do you want one of the spectator slots?" Zhao Zheng asked directly.

"Yes!" Qin Muyin nodded and said, "I don't know if it's convenient for you, but if it is, can you give me a spectator slot? I'm willing to pay for it."

Zhao Zheng didn't agree right away; instead, he asked, "Sister Qin, you're a member of the Zodiac Bureau. If you contact the school, they should give you a slot, right?"

Qin Muyin showed a helpless smile, "You're thinking too simply! Do you know how sought-after the slots for the fifth-layer Spirit Realm at True Martial University are? All the big shots are here, and we small fries don't even get a chance."

Zhao Zheng was surprised, "Just for 20 Spirit Energy Points? Moreover, no one can guarantee a championship win!"

"First of all, let me correct the first point. 20 Spirit Energy Points is already quite a lot."

Qin Muyin explained, "Many Extraordinary Beings find it difficult to enhance their attributes through training once they reach a certain level. Additionally, the Spirit Realms beyond the tenth layer are becoming increasingly dangerous, making it harder to obtain Spirit Energy Points... At this stage, not only 20, but even a single Spirit Energy Point is hard to come by."

"This is also why those Extraordinary Artifacts that enhance strength are so expensive and hard to obtain!"

Zhao Zheng nodded in agreement.

Perhaps it was because he found it too easy to acquire attributes, which made him somewhat dismissive of the 20 Spirit Energy Points...

Qin Muyin continued, "Secondly, with the presence of the genius Song Haitang, your True Martial University is now a hot favorite for the championship. Who wouldn't be tempted by the 20 Spirit Energy Points that are practically handed to you? Who wouldn't want them?"

"So, your university's principal must be having a headache now, with so many people seeking those slots."

"I even heard that a big shot suggested dividing your True Martial University into groups, keeping only 100 new students, and offering the remaining slots as a contribution... As for the 50-plus new students who would be divided, they would be sent to other schools."

"This suggestion received a lot of support but was rejected by your principal."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Zheng furrowed his brows.

He hadn't expected so much commotion over the True Martial University's slots.

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"Little Brother Zhao, now you should understand how precious your slot is, right?"

Hearing Qin Muyin's voice, Zhao Zheng immediately responded, "Actually, I have one slot left, and I'll give it to you, Sister Qin!"

After Grandpa Zhao indicated he wouldn't come, Zhao Zheng had no idea who to give his extra slot to.

Classmates?

They were all new students and didn't need his slot.

Give it to friends and family?

Sorry, Zhao Zheng's social circle was small, and there weren't many Extraordinary Beings within it, aside from his family and Song Haitang, the Song President.

With Song Haitang around, he didn't need to worry about the Song President's slot.

Since Qin Muyin asked, giving her the slot was fine.

After all, she had been "protecting" him for a long time, and even if there was no credit, there was effort.

"Really?"

Qin Muyin's pretty face lit up with joy, "I'm truly grateful."

"How much? Name your price, Little Brother Zhao!"

"What price...?" Zhao Zheng waved his hand and said, "Sister Qin, don't mention it. Besides, I feel a bit guilty having you here to protect me. A slot is just a small compensation for your hard work."

Qin Muyin gave Zhao Zheng a meaningful look, then smiled, "In that case, I won't stand on ceremony.

"Alright, it's settled then. Starting next month, you'll join me at the school."

...

The next day.

Morning.

Zhao Zheng arrived at school early, ready to hear Old Chu's lecture on the official content of the fifth layer of the Spirit Realm.

At 8 o'clock sharp, the class bell rang.

Old Chu arrived in the classroom right on time.

"The fifth layer of the Spirit Realm, officially known as the Challenge Realm!"

"Since it's a challenge realm, you'll undoubtedly face various stages and obstacles!"

"However, within the Challenge Realm, there are three distinct modes: Survival Mode, Hunt Mode, and Escape Mode!"

"Each of these modes is unique!"

"In Survival Mode, you don't need to hunt down monsters; you only need to survive for a sufficient amount of time to advance to the next level. This mode is relatively simple, but the points earned per level are also fewer."

"Hunt Mode, as the name suggests, requires you to hunt down a certain number of monsters within a limited time to progress. It is the second most difficult mode, and the points earned are based on the number of monsters killed by the participants."

"The most challenging is Escape Mode, where participants must escape from a room filled with traps within a set time limit. The points earned are the highest among the three modes."

"These three modes are different, and Escape Mode is the most dangerous among them. However, the probability of encountering it is not high unless you're particularly unlucky."

The students were surprised to hear Old Chu's explanation. They never expected the fifth layer of the Spirit Realm to have such a gameplay mechanism.

The Spirit Realm truly is a mysterious place.

"After entering the Spirit Realm, the challenge mode cannot be chosen freely; it will be determined by a draw among the ten participating members!"

"For example, if four out of ten members draw Survival Mode, and Hunt Mode and Escape Mode each have three votes, then Survival Mode will be automatically selected."

"If there are four votes for Survival, four for Hunt, and two for Escape, then the team can choose between Survival and Hunt."

"In simple terms, whichever mode has the most votes in the draw, that's the mode they'll have to face."

"The total mission time for the fifth layer of the Spirit Realm is four hours, making it one of the shorter missions."

"All participating teams must strive to earn as many points as possible within these four hours."

"The final ranking will be calculated based on these points."

...

After class.

Old Chu asked Zhao Zheng and two other class members who were also participating in the competition to stay behind.

"Starting tomorrow, you don't need to attend my classes. Teacher Shen from Class A will be teaching you about the knowledge points for these three modes."

"These are essential details, so make sure to listen carefully."

The three of them nodded in agreement.

As Old Chu was about to leave, Zhao Zheng quickly called out, "Old Chu, wait a moment."

Old Chu didn't mind Zhao Zheng's informal address and asked, "Zhao Zheng, do you have any other questions?"

"Well, I was wondering if the highest reward in the fifth layer of the Spirit Realm is the 275 Spirit Energy Points for the champions, or is there an even greater reward?"

Old Chu was taken aback by this question and replied, "The champions receive 275 Spirit Energy Points, and the member who contributes the most will also earn a Superhuman Artifact. Isn't that enough?"

"Um... I was just curious," Zhao Zheng said.

After some thought, Old Chu continued, "There is indeed a greater reward. After becoming champions, you can choose to challenge the Unknown Stage, but it's incredibly dangerous, and I strongly advise against it."

This was the first time Old Chu had used such a strong word as "advise against."

Zhao Zheng was surprised.

Old Chu appeared strict, but he was quite approachable. Usually, he respected the students and offered suggestions rather than making decisions for them.

"The challenge of the Unknown Stage takes place in a separate space, so no one knows what it entails."

Old Chu continued, "Many champion teams have chosen to challenge the Unknown Stage, but none have returned..."

"That's why I advise against it! I'm sure Teacher Shen feels the same."

As he spoke, Old Chu's expression became unusually grave.

...

A moment later.

Zhao Zheng returned to the apartment.

He began contemplating how to conceal his strength in the fifth layer of the Spirit Realm while still securing the championship.

Additionally, he wondered if he should challenge the Unknown Stage after becoming champions.

According to Old Chu, no one had ever successfully challenged the Unknown Stage, and the consequence of failure was never returning.

Indeed, it sounded incredibly dangerous.

...

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end