Chapter 63

For Earthlings, the news of the Da Yu Empire's trials was far out of reach. They only knew that the End Times had given birth to a new era, and then powerful figures emerged to protect their gathering places. As for what exactly happened, only a select few knew.

One by one, students were guided onto the spacecraft. In this trial, 237 students participated, but only 150 returned alive, meaning 87 students died. When the data was reported to Xiken Malduo, his expression remained calm. This mortality rate was not high.

Any trial had a 50% mortality rate, and as long as it was kept below 50%, it was acceptable. Of course, a slight exceedance was not questioned, unless certain nobles' children died.

Many students of Granie's level were elated; they had only planned to secure a place and return alive. However, the strongest students from the academy, especially those in the second batch, were very displeased, their faces grim and unappealing.

Among the Earthlings, Zhang Dingtian and Bai Xue were exceptionally admitted into the Da Yu Empire. Both had cross-border combat capabilities and innate talents, allowing them to directly join the Imperial Court's Thirteen Teams. Zhou Shan and Wu Sheng were also allowed to join the Da Yu Empire but declined, wanting to stay on Earth.

Xiken Malduo did not mind; these two were far inferior to Zhang Dingtian and Bai Xue. Even if they joined the empire, they would only be ordinary soldiers.

Besides them, the only other Earthling to join the Da Yu Empire was the Indian ascetic Shi Wuzhang, who was the only one, apart from Zhang Dingtian and Bai Xue, to be exceptionally admitted.

Lu Yin was treated for two hours before his chest wound was controlled.

When he opened his eyes, he saw Zhang Dingtian and Bai Xue.

"How are you feeling?" Lu Yin asked weakly.

Zhang Dingtian's tone was low, "It's over. Earth remains unchanged. The Da Yu Empire will continue to monitor and send soldiers to clear the zombies. Lu Yin, thank you."

"Thank you," Bai Xue said gratefully.

Lu Yin coughed, got up, and looked out at the passing clouds. "Are we leaving?"

Zhang Dingtian nodded. "Zhou Shan and Wu Sheng decided to stay on Earth. Besides us three, the only other Earthling to join the Da Yu Empire is the Indian ascetic Shi Wuzhang."

Lu Yin was surprised. "An Indian ascetic? Is he very powerful?"

Zhang Dingtian admired, "He's a remarkable person. You can see for yourself. He's outside. The Da Yu Empire will arrange for us to join the Astral Hall."

Lu Yin walked out of the treatment room and immediately saw the Indian ascetic. He was truly unique—barefoot, wearing only half a garment, his body a dark bronze, extremely thin, almost skeletal. At first glance, he looked like a finely crafted bronze statue. More importantly, his right hand was raised high, and it was unclear how long it had been raised. It was already withered and deformed, more like a branch than a hand. His beard was wrapped around his withered right hand in circles.

People passing by were all surprised.

Lu Yin was taken aback. "This is the Indian ascetic Shi Wuzhang?"

Zhang Dingtian, a man of strong will, also found Shi Wuzhang strange. Bai Xue was even more so, and Lu Yin thought she was even scared.

"He is Shi Wuzhang, the only person on Earth to break through to the Exploration Realm without receiving the Green Universe's gift. He defeated Hedian and possesses the strength of the academy's strongest," Zhang Dingtian said solemnly.

Lu Yin was puzzled. "How did he become a cultivator?" With his appearance, it would be difficult for him to fight even a mutated beast, let alone a human.

"I don't know; he hasn't spoken," Zhang Dingtian said.

"This question, I can answer for you," Xiken Malduo said, approaching. The people around him immediately bowed.

Zhang Dingtian and Bai Xue were indifferent. They joined the Da Yu Empire to become stronger and had no particular feelings toward it, neither good nor bad. After all, the planet's evolution was brought by the Green Universe, not the Da Yu Empire.

Lu Yin looked at Xiken Malduo and asked, "You seem different toward me. Why?"

Xiken Malduo smiled. "I will explain. The spacecraft is about to leave Earth. Is there anything you need to arrange?"

Lu Yin pondered and said, "Go to Jinling and bring a person named Xu San. He's my little brother."

Xiken Malduo nodded without further questions, gave an order to his personal terminal, and then said, "I can answer your question." He glanced at Shi Wuzhang and continued, "He is a person of great will. He sat alone amidst a group of fighting mutated beasts, covered in blood, without fear. After the beasts fought, he picked up energy crystals and swallowed them to reach the Exploration Realm. His will is rare, and his inner determination is unimaginable."

Lu Yin and the others were surprised. Sitting alone amidst a battlefield of beasts, still a human, this guy must have been crazy to not be eaten.

"I exceptionally admitted him into the Da Yu Empire. His will has attracted the interest of certain people, and he might have a bright future," Xiken Malduo said to Lu Yin.

At this moment, Shi Wuzhang looked up, his cloudy eyes meeting Lu Yin's. He stood up, barefoot on the cold metal floor, and came to Lu Yin, slowly bowing.

Lu Yin was confused.

"Thank—thank," Shi Wuzhang's voice was hoarse, as if he hadn't spoken in a long time. It was hard to hear.

Lu Yin said, "You're welcome. Your appearance doesn't seem like that of an Indian."

Shi Wuzhang straightened up. "I was born in Huaxia's Zangfeng and practiced in India." He bowed again and left.

Xiken Malduo also left, as he had to handle the aftermath and had many tasks to do.

"Let's go, we can tour the place. This is a super-large spacecraft of the Da Yu Empire, and its value is comparable to an ecological planet," Lu Yin said.

"I won't go. There's a gravity room and a small library here. I want to check them out," Zhang Dingtian said indifferently and left.

Lu Yin looked at Bai Xue, who was stunningly beautiful, a sight that was very comforting.

Bai Xue hadn't recovered from the Liu Shaoge incident. She apologized to Lu Yin and left.

Lu Yin was helpless. Two introverts, he might as well have left Shi Wuzhang behind. His appearance was so intimidating that no one would dare to attack him, and it would be impressive to bring him along.

This super-large spacecraft was named the Perseverance, specifically for transporting trial students. Its range exceeded the Beijing gathering place, and it was equipped with all necessary facilities. There were over a hundred gravity rooms and more than 300 personal spacecraft, all of which were recovered and placed on the Perseverance.

The Perseverance was divided into training areas, mechanical areas, living areas, observation areas, and operation areas. Lu Yin was now in the living area, on the top floor, with a private courtyard, even equipped with a swimming pool and medical facilities. There were only three such residences on the entire Perseverance, and he occupied one, living better than the Salar tree.

Other students lived on the next floor, with hundreds of rooms, each large, but incomparable to Lu Yin's residence.

Lu Yin walked to the next floor, where most residents were students. Staff lived on another side, and soldiers on the lowest floor.

The living area was surrounded by transparent metal, which Lu Yin tested and found to be very hard.

"This metal can only be broken by a strong person who roams the stars. With your strength, you can't even leave a scratch," Xia Luo said, approaching with a gentle smile and looking at Lu Yin.

Lu Yin turned around, puzzled. "Why didn't I see you in the battle in India?"

Xia Luo smiled. "I wasn't interested."

Lu Yin raised an eyebrow. "As a trial student, with your strength, you're not interested in the trial mission? I'm really curious."

Xia Luo walked beside Lu Yin, looking through the metal at the clouds, vaguely seeing a giant turtle's tail sweeping back and forth. "The trial is about achieving the goal, not getting hung up on the mission." He turned to Lu Yin. "Congratulations on defeating the Green Universe. This achievement is enough to make the Da Yu Empire look at you differently."

Lu Yin shrugged. "It was a fluke. I couldn't have defeated him on my own."

"There are no flukes in this universe. Victory is victory. Lu Yin, no, Brother Lu, do you know what it means to defeat a member of the Night Clan?" Xia Luo said with a faint smile.

Lu Yin shook his head.

Xia Luo gazed deeply outside. "It means you have entered the White Night Clan's radar. Unless you don't go to the Inner Universe, if you do, the White Night Clan will target you."

Lu Yin moved his shoulders. "So, I'm in trouble."