In the abandoned building, quite a few disciples were still asking questions about the inner parts of the deep mountains. Commissioner Lu Chuan answered as many as he could, even going so far as to give responses that technically violated the rules of Di Hua. From Lu Chuan's perspective, this training exercise was really going too far. He didn't believe a group of inexperienced rookies could perform exceptionally well against real ghost creatures.
Naturally, many disciples had already begun seeking out strong teammates among the newcomers, or those with similar abilities, to form squads and increase their chances of passing the training.
At first, Jiang Peng, a newcomer from the Physical Training Academy looking for Yu Jing, had already formed a team of four. They had planned to see if Yu Jing was willing to join them, only to find that Yu Jing was currently teamed up with the troublesome Yu family members. So, they gave up on trying to recruit him.
Here, everyone knew that Yu Xiaoxiao was different, and no one approached her for team-ups.
Until, finally, someone took the initiative to approach Yu Xiaoxiao — the silver-haired newcomer who had previously asked a startling question that made Yu Xiaoxiao feel uneasy.
"Miss Yu, would you be interested in teaming up with me? The two of us could easily kill two ghosts within seven days and each earn ten points ahead of schedule."
"I'm not interested." Yu Xiaoxiao didn't even glance at him.
"What a pity. Since Miss Yu is so stubborn, I won't force it. See you next time."
The silver-haired newcomer didn't insist. Before leaving, he cast a glance at the inconspicuous Yu Jing standing beside Yu Xiaoxiao, noticing the research institute work badge hanging from his neck, and showed a faint look of interest.
After the silver-haired newcomer left, Yu Jing asked, "Do you know that guy?"
"No. He's very unpleasant. We have to be careful. If we're unlucky and encounter him during the training, he might attack us," Yu Xiaoxiao replied.
"Hmm."
Because Yu Xiaoxiao was not used to interacting with others, Yu Jing handed their team list to Commissioner Lu Chuan at the central area during a crowded moment. When Lu Chuan received the list, he looked curiously at Yu Jing, who had teamed up alone with the Yu family descendants, then his gaze shifted to Yu Jing's right arm, hidden beneath his sleeve.
"Plant modification?" Lu Chuan asked, ignoring the line of disciples behind him.
"Plant gene grafting technology," Yu Jing immediately responded with the technical term provided by Commissioner Liang's dossier.
"What kind of plant?"
"Ivy."
"The plant's abilities match your personality. Seems you're Commissioner Liang's disciple?"
"Yes. All my work at the institute has been taken care of by Commissioner Liang."
Yu Jing was straightforward in this exchange, and Lu Chuan couldn't detect anything suspicious.
"Although Commissioner Liang wasn't the specialist of the Mechanical Academy when I was a disciple, he helped me fundamentally. Since you're his disciple, when you queue to enter the teleportation point later, make sure you're last. I'll share some insider info with you—though it might cost me half a month's salary, it's a small favor for Commissioner Liang."
Lu Chuan's words were conveyed to Yu Jing alone through a special method. Since many newcomers were still submitting team lists, it wasn't appropriate to talk too long here.
As the clock struck midnight, the central round platform that had registered the points card automatically sank into the ground. In its place appeared a sophisticated circular teleportation device, signaling the official start of the training.
All participants, organized by teams, queued up. Their carried items were confiscated before stepping into the teleportation array that would transport them to the deep mountain training zone.
"Miss Yu, I'll go ahead first."
The silver-haired newcomer, traveling solo, waved lightly at Yu Xiaoxiao before stepping into the teleportation device with a casual, relaxed demeanor. Following Commissioner Lu Chuan's instructions, Yu Jing and Yu Xiaoxiao's two-person team stayed at the end of the line.
As the two walked toward the center, Lu Chuan quietly transmitted to them:
"Each academy's commissioner has selected one low-level ghost creature and released it into the mountain area. Most chose easily manageable ghosts with low intelligence, partly due to the number of newcomers this year and partly because we've suppressed their abilities to a degree. But there's one stubborn person among us who didn't follow that rule. Because of this, there is a highly intelligent and extremely deadly ghost creature lurking in the deep mountains."
"If you come across a building that looks like an inn, don't stop for a moment—escape the scene as fast as you can. The faster, the better. The building is under my surveillance. Besides, if I say more, Di Hua will accuse me of favoritism toward disciples. Just do your best to survive."
As Lu Chuan finished speaking and placed his palm on Yu Jing's shoulder, he noticed the serious expression on Yu Jing's face.
"Deep Mountain Inn? And a bell…" Yu Jing involuntarily muttered the words.
"Did Commissioner Liang tell you this?" Lu Chuan asked, somewhat surprised that Yu Jing knew about it.
"No, I experienced it while traveling to Di Hua by car…"
At that moment, an alarm sounded from the abandoned building, cutting off Yu Jing's words.
"Training supervisor Lu Chuan is warned for violating rules."
Lu Chuan's face darkened as he waved for Yu Jing to hurry into the teleportation point.
As the teleportation began, Lu Chuan sent one final message:
"Have you already been targeted? If you survive, Di Hua will value you highly. Go and try to change your fate."
"Whirr!"
The sound of spatial teleportation buzzed in Yu Jing's ears. It was his first time passing through this kind of teleportation array. His body felt as if it were being torn apart, but he managed to hold back from crying out.
When the teleportation ended, before him lay the pitch-black deep mountain forest. Above, the heavy midday rain continued to pour relentlessly, as if it would never stop—even throughout the entire seven days of training.
"Where is this?!"
Yu Jing's palm pressed against the trunk of a massive tree wide enough for five people to embrace. Turning his head back, he saw, several hundred meters away on the mountainside, a faint glow of light. The firelight revealed a thin wisp of smoke curling upward into the night sky. The scene matched perfectly with the memories in Yu Jing's mind—only difference was that beside him now was Yu Xiaoxiao.
"Let's go up and take shelter from the rain," Yu Xiaoxiao whispered.
"Up there is…"
"The inn Commissioner Lu Chuan mentioned, right? Humans can only break their limits when facing danger. I have to become stronger than Mom."
Just as Yu Xiaoxiao began to walk upward, Yu Jing grabbed her arm.
"Wait. I'm not saying we shouldn't go. I just want to run a test. From the tone and content of Lu Chuan's last words, I don't think I can escape this ordeal. So I want to use this as a test."
"Fine, I'll go with you." Yu Xiaoxiao didn't resist at all when Yu Jing held her arm.
Yu Jing walked through the forest parallel to the direction of the inn, marking the trees beside him every five meters or so.
It was exactly midnight. Though faint firelight flickered above, the overwhelming darkness still wrapped around them, threatening to swallow them at any moment. Cold rain dripped down their bodies, and Yu Jing forced himself to suppress the fear rising inside him.