Chapter 4

The boy in the photo frame is Wang Xu's younger brother, named Wang Jun.

Ten years ago, the Second Safe Zone was invaded by a wave of insectoids. Millions of these creatures launched a frenzied assault on the safe zone, and the energy barrier was on the verge of collapse. Human warriors stepped forward, but all of them were killed by the insectoids.

Without the protection, the civilians had no choice but to flee. When the energy barrier shattered, the wave of insectoids swept through. At that time, Wang Xu was only eight years old and had no means to protect himself. The fleeing crowd was densely packed, all trying to board the train to the Sixth Safe Zone.

After much hardship, Wang Xu managed to board the train, only to realize that his younger brother, who was two years younger, had disappeared, swallowed by the massive crowd. His mother went mad, wanting to get off the train, but his father held her down tightly, his eyes red with tears.

Thus, Wang Jun was separated from them, and it has been ten years since then. Initially, his parents tried to search for him, but it was like looking for a needle in a haystack. They spent all their savings and, to make a living, had to temporarily give up the search.

Even now, Wang Xu dares not mention his brother in front of his parents, unwilling to stir up their painful memories.

"Brother, rest assured, as long as you are still alive, I will definitely find you!" Wang Xu's eyes were filled with determination.

...

The next morning, Wang Xu said goodbye to his parents and headed to the Genetic Academy.

Wang Xu attends the Martial Arts class at the Genetic Academy. Today is the monthly academy trial, where all genetic warriors of the second rank and above must participate. Of course, you can choose not to participate, but then you won't get the training resources for that month.

The current academy is different from the past, with Martial Arts and Cultural classes. The Cultural class has a tight schedule, with daily book reading and knowledge learning to earn a place in university. The Martial Arts class, on the other hand, has a flexible schedule, with a large amount of time spent on practicing ancient martial arts. Talented students have a bright future ahead.

The academy provides a certain amount of training resources to Martial Arts class students each month to help them train, but the condition is that they must participate in the academy trial.

The requirements for the trial are simple—hunt insectoids!

All students must face the insectoids head-on, using their own strength or team strength to kill them. This is a trial, but it is also a battle of life and death.

The trial is fraught with danger, even life-threatening. Every year, dozens of genetic warriors die at the hands of insectoids, even with the academy's protective measures to minimize casualties. If the students faced the insectoids alone, the outcome would be even more dire.

Life and death are inevitable, and the students who participate in the trial are prepared to fight to the death.

Because only by surviving the trial can they become stronger!

"Brother Wang!"

"Brother Wang!"

After entering the Genetic Academy, Wang Xu walked towards the Martial Arts class. From a distance, he saw someone waving at him. They were his classmates, and Wang Xu smiled and waved back.

A muscular man and a small, thin man were both Wang Xu's classmates in the Martial Arts class and his teammates for the trial.

Most people choose to act in teams during the trial for better safety, but there are also proud individuals who choose to act alone. However, these individuals are often surrounded and attacked by envious classmates, who forcibly take all their spoils.

Wang Xu ranks third on the points list, and his strength is undeniable. Many people want to team up with him, but he only chooses a team of three, politely declining the others.

The more people there are, the fewer spoils each person gets, and there's no guarantee that someone won't stab you in the back.

"Brother Wang, I heard you were hospitalized a few days ago? How are you? Can you participate in the trial?" The small, thin man is named Zhou Ge, also a third-rank genetic warrior.

"It's just a minor injury, nothing serious." Wang Xu smiled. He understood Zhou Ge's concern. They were facing insectoids, which have no mercy or sympathy and don't care if you are injured. To insectoids, only killing matters.

"Brother Wang, I heard this trial is very strict, set in a C-level area. The difficulty will likely increase," the muscular man, Song Zhen, said. Despite his muscular appearance, he is the smartest in the team and an expert in virtual networks and intelligence.

C-level area?

Wang Xu frowned slightly. Normally, trials are set in D-level areas where first to third-rank insectoids roam. As long as you don't encounter dozens of insectoids attacking together, there are no casualties among the students.

But this time, going to a C-level area with fourth-rank elite insectoids is like pushing the students into a fire pit.

Just as Wang Xu was about to speak, he noticed Song Zhen's gaze was peculiar, looking behind him. Wang Xu turned around and saw Tang Yan walking from a distance.

Tang Yan was dressed in a simple white outfit, like a fairy who has emerged from the dust. If it weren't for the facts, no one would believe she is ranked in the top ten on the points list, having hunted nearly a hundred insectoids and with blood on her hands.

However, Wang Xu's eyes narrowed as he saw Xu Yuan following Tang Yan. Xu Yuan felt Wang Xu's gaze and looked back, his eyes full of disdain, making Wang Xu's face darken as he turned away.

Zhou Ge and Song Zhen also saw Xu Yuan, their faces showing anger. During the last trial, they could have earned over a hundred points, but on the way back to the base, they were intercepted by Xu Yuan's team, who forcibly took half of their spoils, reducing their training resources by half.

Reducing training resources by half means that their progress for the month will be very slow. For genetic warriors who believe in strength, it's like cutting off their means of livelihood. How could they not be angry?

If Wang Xu hadn't been there, they probably wouldn't have earned any points and would have received the minimum training resources.

Though they were angry, they had to endure it. The power behind Xu Yuan was too great, and they were no match for him.

"Master Xu!"

"Master Xu!"

"..."

Seeing Xu Yuan arrive, several third-rank genetic warriors hurriedly greeted him respectfully. They belonged to Xu Yuan's team and received training resources from his family, so they naturally followed his lead.

Moreover, everyone knew Xu Yuan's background. If they could connect with such a powerful figure, their future would be bright.

In an instant, half of the dozen third-rank genetic warriors stood behind Xu Yuan. Xu Yuan nodded at them, feeling extremely satisfied, and looked at Wang Xu with a challenging gaze, as if saying, "Hmph! Even if you are stronger than me, I can still crush you like an ant!"

Tang Yan saw Wang Xu first, but he quickly turned away, seemingly not wanting to acknowledge her, making her hesitate and swallow her greeting.

Suddenly, a bloody smell filled the air, and a black figure appeared.

"Zhang Xinglin!"

Black clothes, black eyes, black hair, black shoes—everything was black, with only his eyes visible.

He is Zhang Xinglin, the top-ranked expert on the points list, known as the "madman" by everyone.

Seeing Zhang Xinglin walk by, carrying a bloody scent, Xu Yuan frowned but didn't dare to say anything disrespectful.

Zhang Xinglin's family is much more powerful than Xu Yuan's Xu family. If not for Zhang Xinglin's insistence on not accepting family support, he would not be participating in the academy trial but would be training in the globally renowned "Genius Combat Team" for ancient martial arts.

"Brother Wang." Suddenly, Zhang Xinglin spoke, his gaze on Wang Xu.

Everyone was surprised. Zhang Xinglin rarely came to the academy and only appeared during the monthly trial. He was always a lone wolf and rarely spoke. No one expected him to speak, let alone to his rival, Wang Xu.

"What is it?" Wang Xu was also surprised but quickly regained his composure.

"Would you consider adding me to your team?" Zhang Xinglin's words shocked the students.

Zhang Xinglin, who always acted alone, voluntarily asking to join a team? This was highly unusual.

But Wang Xu understood why Zhang Xinglin was asking. This trial is different from the D-level area; it is a C-level area with fourth-rank elite insectoids. Even if Zhang Xinglin is a genius, he cannot face fourth-rank insectoids with third-rank strength, and he might not even be able to escape. Joining a team would greatly increase safety.

Zhang Xinglin is a wise person, not a reckless brute. Wang Xu nodded, "Since Brother Zhang has spoken, I welcome you with open arms."

Suddenly, Wang Xu's team gained a top-ranked expert, and the team's strength increased dramatically.

"Wang Xu, how about adding me to your team?" Tang Yan suddenly spoke.

Wang Xu was taken aback, but seeing Xu Yuan's face turn green with anger, he smiled and said, "Of course, no problem."

The students looked at Wang Xu enviously. First, the top-ranked Zhang Xinglin joined, and then the top-ten Tang Yan joined. It was a dream come true.

But everyone knew their limits. Zhang Xinglin and Tang Yan joined because they had the strength, while they did not, so they could only envy.

"Wang Xu... I will make you die, die a very, very painful death!"

Xu Yuan's eyes were filled with venom. He didn't care if Zhang Xinglin joined Wang Xu's team, but Tang Yan absolutely could not join!

Tang Yan had long been marked as his exclusive territory, and he would not allow anyone else to touch her. At this moment, Xu Yuan's murderous intent flared up!

"Everyone!"

At this moment, a middle-aged man with a fierce scar on his face walked over. He is the coach of the Martial Arts class, named Cui Qiang, nicknamed "Cui Eight Knives." He is a powerful sixth-rank genetic warrior, famous for his two snow-white sabers. He is called Cui Eight Knives because he practices the ancient martial art "Eight Knives Slash," and he once wiped out a large area of insectoids, earning him a place as a coach at the Genetic Academy.

As soon as Cui Eight Knives spoke, everyone immediately formed three neat rows, not daring to be the slightest bit lazy.

"You have participated in the trial many times and know the rules, but there are some rules you must remember."

"First: Once you enter the insectoid area, you are responsible for your own life and death!"

"Second: Students are absolutely not allowed to kill each other!"

"Third: Insectoid corpses are not allowed to be taken away privately!"

After stating the three points, Cui Eight Knives looked at everyone with a cold gaze, "Do you understand the rules?"

"Understood!" Everyone shouted in unison.

Then, without further ado, Cui Eight Knives turned and left. The students knew they were heading to the trial area and hurriedly followed him.