Chapter 74

In front of the Wild Wolf Castle, the square was even more bustling than the Civic Square of Black Flame City. Zhang Tie only took a cursory glance and found that there were at least eight or nine hundred people on the square. Boys and girls gathered in groups, some haggling over transactions—mostly exchanging food. Girls traded various wild vegetables they had collected for game and meat that the boys had hunted. Others formed small teams, trying to get to know each other or introducing members of their own groups.

At the same time, Zhang Tie noticed that dozens of boys were proudly displaying their muscular arms and thumping their chests in front of groups of girls. To puff up their pitiful biceps, some of these guys, who didn't have much to show, turned red in the face, causing the surrounding girls to giggle and cover their mouths.

This was one of the most attractive aspects of the trial—both boys and girls could freely form trial teams as long as they both agreed. Apart from the requirement that girls must return to the castle by 8 PM, no one would interfere with the free formation of teams. Of course, if something else happened by mutual consent, no one would intervene either. After several years of separate schooling for boys and girls, the school finally let this flood of young people loose, allowing them to mingle freely. Apart from not using force or violating the girls' wishes, there were no limits on their interactions. After all, matters between boys and girls, on a small scale, were their own business, and on a larger scale, they were the foundation of human existence, not something that could be easily controlled.

The process of getting to know each other was initiated by the girls, and the boys had to use all their tricks to attract the girls' attention. The more reserved ones would take the opportunity to get closer while trading items and food. The more brazen ones would directly approach a group of girls and ask, "Ladies, want to form a team? We are very strong. As long as you're with us, we'll make sure you have meat every day!"—most of these guys would receive a bunch of eye rolls. Some lucky and capable guys, who understood women's psychology, would bring their game to the square and loudly invite girls to have dinner with them. These guys had a high success rate.

Not long after arriving at the square, Long Liexue saw a group of boys from No. 2 High School carrying a dead wild boar, proudly marching to the square and putting up a banner inviting girls to have roasted wild boar in the valley that evening. Soon, two groups of girls joined them, and the boys from No. 2 High School, looking like they had been injected with adrenaline, walked away with the two groups of girls. It was then that Zhang Tie understood why the fatso Balie insisted on bringing a pot. Without a doubt, it was for attracting girls later. When it came to cooking, having a pot made a big difference. They would be staying here for two months, and even if you were strong enough to hunt every day, few girls would be able to endure eating roasted meat for two months...

Zhang Tie could almost see the fatso's smirking face!

Apart from getting to know each other, another function of the square was to showcase one's specialties and abilities. Among the items being traded, Zhang Tie was surprised to find that by the third day of the trial, some practical items had already been made. These included bamboo mats, medicine baskets, pillows, and wooden stools, bowls, and basins. Practice indeed was the best way to test talent. Looking at these handmade items, Zhang Tie thought of the pride of the Seventh National Male High School, the genius Hua Clan senior Li Shizhen. It was said that this senior was originally an ordinary, unknown student but shone brightly during the trial, showcasing his talent as a pill master by continuously producing powerful potions for sale, which caused a sensation and propelled him to fame. Therefore, for many schools, this trial was the most crucial time for determining the school's recommendation slots.

If you have advanced to a powerful warrior, then bring back the corpses of those beasts...

If you have the talent of a pill master, then produce those miraculous pills and potions...

If you have skilled hands and special skills, then display what you can make...

Of course, if you are a wimp who lacks the confidence to obtain food in the wild, then go mine and do hard labor. As long as you have strength and can endure hardship, this trial won't let you starve to death. Human society and division of labor always need some hardworking people to do the jobs others are unwilling to do. Not everyone can live in glory and flowers.

At the gate of the outer castle, task notices were posted, and a small group of people were looking at them. Some people looked at the tasks, shook their heads, and left, while others looked delighted and eager to try...

With little effort, Zhang Tie squeezed under the task notice board and looked up at the notice that had clearly been posted not long ago.

The first task was that the Wild Wolf Castle was about to start burning charcoal and needed a large amount of wood. Those who had strength but had not yet hunted anything could take an axe and cut wood, exchanging it for food. Those who were confident in their charcoal-burning skills could apply to join the charcoal-burning team. The method of burning charcoal had been taught in school and was not complicated, providing another way for many people to survive. However, these jobs offered no glory, merely allowing one to survive or get through a few days of hardship.

Once the charcoal was ready, it would be used for iron smelting. Along with the charcoal kiln, the iron smelting workshop in Wild Wolf Castle would also open. In addition to charcoal, the iron smelting workshop needed iron ore and a bunch of people confident in their smelting and blacksmithing skills. Although smelting and blacksmithing were also technical jobs, they were more advanced than burning charcoal and mining. Those with the skills were encouraged to show off their talents.

The third task was that the lime kiln needed a large number of workers, as lime was essential for processing large quantities of animal hides later.

There were a few more tasks listed, but Zhang Tie had no interest in reading them...

After reading the task notice, Zhang Tie did not linger and directly entered Wild Wolf Castle. Walking through the castle gate and turning right for about 30 meters, he arrived at a small square between the inner and outer castles. There, he saw a small house with a sign that read "Comprehensive Logistics Management Office." In front of the house was a table, and two girls were sitting behind it, chatting. They only looked up to glance at Zhang Tie when he approached. At 15, Zhang Tie was not ugly, but he was not particularly handsome either. He was not short, but he was not tall either. He was just average-looking, not unpleasant to look at. The two girls glanced at him and lost interest, one of them asking in a businesslike tone, "May I help you with something?"

"I'm here to collect a mining pick and a mining basket!" Zhang Tie said calmly.

"You're going to mine?" Zhang Tie's words surprised the two girls, who looked him over again with a strange expression.

"Yes, I've never tried it before, but I think mining should be fun, so I want to experience it during this trial..." Zhang Tie smiled, not at all embarrassed. Seeing his cheerful smile, the strange look in the girls' eyes lessened. They exchanged a glance, as if to say, "These boys really do like to do strange things."

"Alright, please show me your student ID so I can register it..."

Zhang Tie took off the metal student ID from his neck and handed it over. The student ID was issued by the school upon enrollment, one for each student, similar to an ID card for students in Black Flame City. It was not often used, but the school required everyone to bring it for this trial, so Zhang Tie had brought it. Among the boys, there was a saying that wearing the student ID made it easier for the school to identify the bodies of those who died in unfortunate circumstances.

After registering the number on the student ID, the girl returned it to Zhang Tie. "I need to remind you that the mining pick and basket you receive here cannot be damaged. If they are damaged, you will have to pay for them. After receiving them, you must submit at least 100 kilograms of iron ore daily. The iron ore you submit can be exchanged for food. The more you submit, the more food you get. If you submit less than the minimum amount for three consecutive days, you will lose your qualification as a miner and must return the mining pick and basket!"

"Understood, is there anything else I need to know?"

"Do you know the locations of the abandoned iron mines in Wild Wolf Valley?"

"Yes, the nearest one is less than 200 meters below the castle!"

"Then there's no problem. Also, if you don't know how to identify iron ore, you can go to the iron smelting workshop to learn. There are many samples of iron ore there!" The girl pointed in the direction of the small square in the outer castle.

"Got it!"

The requirement of at least 100 kilograms of iron ore per day was very low, which put Zhang Tie at ease. This meant he would have plenty of time to do other things. It seemed that the job of a miner was indeed hard to fill, and this ore quota was designed to help those who were starving get through the difficult times.

After explaining these points, one of the girls turned and entered the adjacent warehouse. In less than half a minute, she came out with a steel mining pick and a mining basket. These items seemed to have been cleaned recently, despite not being used for a year, they were not dirty at all. Zhang Tie put the mining pick into the basket, then slung the basket, which was taller than a child, on his back. He thanked the two girls, waved, and left Wild Wolf Castle with his long spear and this earthy equipment.

This equipment indeed drew many curious glances from people he encountered along the way.

Just as he reached the castle gate, Zhang Tie heard a sarcastic voice beside him, "Oh, who's this fresh-off-the-press miner? Isn't it the guy from our school who's quite daring?"

Zhang Tie turned his head and saw Gris and his lackeys looking down at him with disdain. This was indeed a narrow encounter with an old enemy...