Two hours later, Wang Xu and the others returned near the train.
The faintly purple energy barrier opened, and a middle-aged man who looked like an officer stood before them, smiling, "Welcome back alive."
The middle-aged officer did not seem to be joking; his tone was sincere, obviously pleased that Wang Xu and the others returned safely.
Wang Xu handed over the backpack and arranged for the injured to be taken to the infirmary, finally letting out a sigh of relief.
A moment later, the middle-aged officer returned, smiling as he said, "The insect beast fragments in the backpack have been counted and verified as authentic. Congratulations, Wang Xu, Tang Yan, and Ying Xing, you three have passed the graduation trial. You have one month to prepare, and in a month, we will send someone to guide you to the battle group's base."
Ying Xing was expressionless. As a Tier Five trainee, joining the Genius Battle Group was a given, requiring no trial. However, being suppressed by Willens just now with no ability to fight back left him discontent.
Wang Xu and Tang Yan, on the other hand, were somewhat excited. The Genius Battle Group was something challenging for them, and passing the trial was the greatest proof of their strength.
"By the way, shouldn't Senior Sister Yun and Senior Brother Li Ming have high points? Why didn't they pass the test?" Tang Yan asked.
The middle-aged officer smiled warmly, "Let me tell you a few things in advance, to avoid any confusion."
"The Genius Battle Group's system is very simple, divided into various groups. After entering, you need to first join one of the groups, and then take on various tasks. Tasks grant contribution points, which can be exchanged for technology weapons, armor equipment, medicine resources, or even invite a 'Master Level' expert to be your coach for one-on-one guidance."
Upon hearing this, Wang Xu's eyes lit up. The Points from the Extreme Ancient Hall could be used to exchange for things, so the earlier items did not interest him, but the last sentence, "You can invite a 'Master Level' expert to be a coach for one-on-one instruction," was what Wang Xu truly yearned for.
The 'Master Level' title can only be obtained by a Tier Seven Genetic Warrior, each powerful beyond compare, capable of tearing apart A-level weapons with bare hands, their power terrifying beyond words.
Having such a coach would certainly accelerate both Ancient Martial Arts and Realm Cultivation by a significant margin!
A single piece of advice from a renowned teacher can save years of detours, which is the power of having a strong coach.
"...Contribution points are tempting, but the missions are not easy. What you've experienced as trials is just one of the task regions."
"The field that the Genius Battle Group aims to conquer is the world outside the barrier, where there is no so-called law. You will face terrifying insect beasts and sinister human nature. The graduation trial is just a microcosm of this. If you can't even survive the graduation trial, even if you pass the test, what's the use? It's the same as sending you to die for nothing."
The middle-aged officer's tone was profound, and Wang Xu fully understood. The graduation trial was but one adventure area of the Genius Battle Group, and it was the simplest. If one could be so injured even in such a venture, how could they complete missions in the future?
Li Ming, Yun Yang, and others, although from the Inner Courtyard with talents surpassing Wang Xu and Zhang Xinglin, were rendered immobile if seriously injured in the trial, no different from the dead.
The Genius Battle Group wants not dead geniuses but living champions!
Phew!
Suddenly, a strong smell of blood wafted over, and a black figure appeared not far away, approaching the train.
Zhang Xinglin.
Zhang Xinglin was covered in blood, unsure if it was his own or someone else's, with blood staining his face. His gaze was cold and emotionless, and even from afar, Wang Xu could feel the surging murderous intent, startling his heart.
How many has he killed?
The intense murderous aura made Tang Yan and the middle-aged officer turn their heads to look. Tang Yan's face turned pale, but the middle-aged officer remained unfazed, still smiling warmly as he said, "Welcome back alive."
Zhang Xinglin, with two large backpacks as tall as a person on his shoulders, so stuffed they seemed ready to burst, casually tossed the backpacks onto the train and walked inside.
The middle-aged officer waved his hand, and two attendants dragged the backpacks away for counting.
As soon as Zhang Xinglin got back on the train, he took back his space ring and changed into clean clothes. Despite this, he still couldn't hide the strong smell of blood emanating from his body.
A moment later, an attendant whispered a few words into the middle-aged officer's ear, who nodded in response.
"Congratulations, Zhang Xinglin, you've passed the graduation trial and become a member of the Genius Battle Group. Someone will come to guide you in a month," the middle-aged officer said with a gentle smile.
Zhang Xinglin nodded expressionlessly, not even glancing at Wang Xu and Tang Yan, closing his eyes to rest.
"Alright, everyone from the Seventh Safe Zone is here. Let's depart," ordered the middle-aged officer as the train gradually began to move.
......
"Dad, Mom!"
Upon exiting the train, Wang Xu bid farewell to Tang Yan and headed straight home.
Wang Zhenguo was entertaining guests at home, with his mother Lin Hui busy in the kitchen. Upon seeing Wang Xu return, smiles lit up their faces.
"Xu'Er is back!"
The warmth of home, the affectionate greetings upon returning, made a stream of warmth flow through Wang Xu's heart.
This is home; it requires no excess words, no excessive glances, just a gentle greeting is enough.
"This is Wang's son, right? Truly exceptional!" the guest praised upon seeing Wang Xu.
Wang Zhenguo felt very gratified; no parent dislikes hearing their child praised, and Wang Xu was truly capable.
"Brother Chen, don't speak too highly of him, lest he becomes arrogant," Wang Zhenguo said.
"Hehe." Wang Xu rubbed his nose.
"By the way, my daughter is eighteen this year. How about we match them up, Brother Wang?" Brother Chen suggested.
"Hmm, that does need some consideration. Xu'Er is already nineteen; it's time to think about such things. How about this, Brother Chen, let's arrange a time to meet," Wang Zhenguo mused.
Wang Xu was embarrassed, thinking that at only nineteen, it was too soon to discuss marriage.
"Haha, I'd be thrilled. The more I look at Wang Xu, the more I like him. It's decided then!" Brother Chen laughed heartily.
Wang Xu shook his head in admiration, went to the bathroom to take a shower, and changed into clean clothes.
"Ding!"
As soon as he turned on the computer, a mechanical notification sounded with an email.
"Trainee Wang Xu, congratulations on successfully passing the Genius Battle Group trial. We will provide you with a set of B-level armor and 10,000 contribution points. You can select your desired items through the 'Warband Mall' online. Below are your unique account credentials, please do not disclose them to anyone else. Wishing you a pleasant life!"
A free gift of B-level armor? The Genius Battle Group is quite generous.
However, it's good timing as Wang Xu's armor had worn out during the graduation trial, with durability below 20%, needing a new purchase.
Immediately, Wang Xu logged into the Warband Mall's website, entered his account credentials, and selected B-level armor and weapons.
Moments later.
"The Genius Battle Group really is outstanding; their stock of armor and weapons is abundant, even more types of low-priced items than in the Extreme Ancient Hall," Wang Xu remarked.
The Extreme Ancient Hall's mall is for the strong to browse, with most equipment being high-priced, while the Genius Battle Group was specially built for those at Wang Xu's level, with more suitable gear for him.
"Though there's a lot, but truly valuable ones are too expensive. Even with 10,000 contribution points, you can't purchase A-level weapons." Upon seeing this, Wang Xu couldn't help but complain.
The Points from the Extreme Ancient Hall were valuable due to their difficulty to obtain, thus holding small numbers and exchange rates. In contrast, the Genius Battle Group's contribution points had a high exchange rate; an ordinary Tier Three insect beast rewarded 30 points in the Extreme Ancient Hall, but 100 points in the Genius Battle Group, more than triple.
This situation directly led to the 10,000 contribution points being less valuable than the Extreme Ancient Hall's 3,000 Points gift.
Closing the webpage, Wang Xu planned to save up these contribution points to buy A-level armor or S-level weapons.
......
Time flew by, and a month passed by in the blink of an eye.
Over this month, Wang Xu gained a lot. The "core" within him had been shattered and reformed five times, and with the care of several senior brothers in the Extreme Ancient Hall, he experienced an adventure outside the Safe Zone, but the journey was too smooth, to his disappointment.
"Is this Mr. Wang Xu?" one day, a man resembling an officer inquired politely.
"The guide?"
"Yes, the month is up, and I've been ordered to guide you to the Genius Battle Group."
Wang Xu immediately stood up.
"Let's go!"