Chapter 36

"Unfortunately, this is pure metal armor, not a power armor." Jiang Li sighed. The power armor he saw when capturing the Illusory Fox had a power system that allowed for flight and gliding, and when worn, it greatly increased one's strength and agility, significantly boosting combat effectiveness.

These metal armors, although identical to power armors, actually had no power system; they were just models, like cars without engines.

As the students were putting on the armors, the first instructor and the principal were chatting on a high platform in the square, while the mayor had already left.

"General Song, how are the students this time?" the principal asked.

"Very good, extremely high quality," General Song nodded. "Especially those ten, if they join our army and are trained, they can definitely be granted the rank of 'Major General.' I have been cultivating for forty years, and I still can't match them. However, to get into the Starlight University, they still need to make a final push. To be honest, the requirements of Starlight University are too extreme. I could pass the physical test now, but I would definitely fail the cultural exam. Actually, this special training is mainly for those ten; the rest are just filling in the numbers."

General Song was very strong in physical fitness, martial arts, and boxing, but unfortunately, he didn't qualify for Starlight University. First, after joining the military, he focused entirely on martial arts and failed the cultural exam. Second, Starlight University set the exam age at 20, and those over the age limit couldn't take the exam.

The older one gets, the less malleable they become.

"We should give them a chance. After all, they have potential, and who knows, they might suddenly understand something." The principal quickly defended. "This time, the parents of the students with 0.9 vitality have contributed a lot. For this cooperation between the school and the military, the school will definitely pay."

"I know that. A 0.9 vitality is already very excellent, and they can serve as ordinary instructors in the military. I don't mean to look down on those students," General Song said. "I have already arranged a devilish training program to stimulate their potential. We'll see if they can endure it."

A super-large military flying car stopped in a valley surrounded by vast mountains.

The mountains were continuous, with tall trees blocking out the sky, creating a dense and wild atmosphere. The distant sounds of wild beasts echoed through the forest.

On the outskirts of the mountains, there was a huge electric fence, marked as a military restricted area.

After the unification of humanity, the Earth and its environment were extensively treated. After two hundred years of governance, such primeval forests were common. When humanity possessed the ability to jump through wormholes and various biotechnologies were rapidly developing, even a small amount of plant growth liquid could make plants grow wildly.

Now, the living environment on Earth was excellent, and the terrain had changed significantly.

"From now on, you will undergo brutal field training!"

A hundred students, all wearing armor, got out of the car and arrived in the valley. General Song looked at them and said, "This is our military base, simulating the harsh environment of an alien planet. One of the exams for Starlight University involves the government sending you to outer space for practical combat assessment. Only after passing the assessment will you officially become students of Starlight University."

Everyone listened quietly.

"To be honest, the exams for Starlight University get more brutal each year. Thirty years ago, I was also part of the assessment and was sent to an alien battlefield, nearly losing my life. I didn't pass the exam!" General Song said. "Every student at Starlight University is a warrior who has been tempered through countless trials. I can tell you that you are far from enough to become a student there! Ouyang Xing!"

"Here!"

Ouyang Xing stepped forward.

"Are you the strongest student in the school, with a vitality of 1.1?"

"Yes!"

Bang!

General Song punched Ouyang Xing hard, and the armor made a deafening sound, but Ouyang Xing only staggered slightly and didn't step back.

"Good!" General Song praised. "But according to our military analysis, your chances of getting into Starlight University are not 100%, and you might even die in the final practical assessment! This is your best opportunity for practical training! In this military restricted area, there are countless alien creatures and fierce beasts. You will face attacks and casualties. You can still withdraw now."

"We will not withdraw!"

The hundred students were all elites selected from 800,000 students. This was a rare opportunity to train in a military restricted area, and none of them would back down. Even if they came from wealthy families, they wouldn't have such a training opportunity, at most practicing in virtual machines.

However, virtual machines were still virtual, and how could they compare to real combat?

This real training would greatly benefit their mental fortitude.

"You will carry enough food and water and enter the jungle for a ten-day training period! The armor you wear will protect you from harm. Alien creatures are very fierce, and human flesh cannot withstand them. Of course, if you want to feel the pain, you can take off the armor, but only if you're not afraid of dying!"

General Song continued, "There are also benefits to your training. In the depths of this jungle, many alien creatures are valuable. After you kill them, you can obtain their materials, which will be your wealth."

"Oh..."

"Wow..."

Many students started discussing.

"Tch, what's the big deal, we're paying for it ourselves," the last few students thought resentfully.

Their families had paid a lot of money to get them into the key training program. This time, the school paid the military a lot to train the students, so they were spending their own money, and even killing more alien creatures wouldn't help.

Only Jiang Li nodded secretly; this was a benefit for him.

"Ten days from now, you must gather at the entrance of another military base!" General Song showed them a map. "That entrance is about 300 kilometers away from here in a straight line!"

"300 kilometers in a straight line?"

Everyone was shocked. The mountains were high and continuous, and as the saying goes, "Looking at a mountain can kill a horse." It might take much longer to walk. A straight-line distance of 300 kilometers could mean a real journey of over a thousand kilometers.

"Last point!"

General Song's face turned grim. "In this military base, there is a special creature, an alien warrior. The main purpose of your jungle training is to kill them. The more you kill, the better your ranking will be. The one who kills the most will be the top of the training and will receive a reward of 100,000 star coins worth of military medicine!"

"What? Kill people!"

"Make us kill people?"...

Many students were shocked, never expecting such a brutal training.

According to records, Earth humans have discovered hundreds of life-bearing planets through wormhole jumps. Besides encountering various alien monsters, some planets are inhabited by humans.

For example, the Great Dream Heart Sutra that Jiang Li obtained came from a very powerful cultivation planet.

On that planet, there was no technology, and humans couldn't travel through space, but the resources were abundant, and the number of cultivation experts was vast. Even with a technological advantage, humans couldn't conquer it.

Of course, humans were already invincible.

Because Earth humans could traverse the vast universe, while the warriors on that planet, despite their power, couldn't cross the stars.

However, the humans on other planets were still humans, and today, the brutal training involved killing!

Many students' hearts tightened.

In modern society, killing was almost impossible, even for the wealthy. The right to life was enshrined in the highest law. Although society still had its dark sides, no student educated in the system was a bloodthirsty monster.

Jiang Li had never killed anyone and didn't want to.

"What? Are you afraid?" General Song's eyes were sharp, and a cold glance made everyone feel a chill.

General Song had definitely killed before.

"For the sake of humanity, all non-Earth human races are our enemies. This universe is cold and follows the law of the jungle. To grow, humans need to conquer and plunder!" He looked at the group, his face showing clear disdain. "Why do Earth humans have a good life? It's because of the battles fought by human elites! Every prosperous era is accompanied by blood and fire. Retract your mercy! There is no mercy in the universe!"

Everyone understood the logic.

Jiang Li knew that the entire universe indeed had no mercy. In the past, Earth nations had engaged in cruel wars for survival and interests, and killing was necessary.

"If anyone is unwilling, you can withdraw now!"

General Song said.

"We will not withdraw!"

No one withdrew.

"Since that's the case, let's begin! It's 12:00 PM now. Ten days from now, you must appear at the other exit, at the same time!"

General Song's order marked the official start of the trial.

Whoosh!

A figure quickly darted into the jungle and disappeared in an instant.

It was the school's top expert, Ouyang Xing!

He was above everyone else and didn't want to team up with anyone.

"Jiang Li, let's go in," Luo Han approached Jiang Li. "This military restricted jungle is extremely dangerous. It's better to have more people to watch each other's backs."

"Jiang Li, team up with me." Xue Ling's voice was loud, drawing many people's attention. Jiang Li felt many burning gazes on him, as if they wanted to burn him.

Luo Han and Xue Ling were the two major goddesses of the school. Normally, even a slight word from one of them would make boys feel honored. Now, both goddesses wanted to team up with Jiang Li?

Teaming up for the trial was a great opportunity to build rapport.

"Let's all go together. This trial seems very brutal. We can take the opportunity to compete, and I'll be the judge. Let's see who performs better," Jiang Li thought for a moment. He knew it was difficult to handle the situation, as refusing any "goddess" would hurt their pride and create a rift. It was better to team up together.

"Okay." Xue Ling's eyes sparkled. She had long wanted to compete with Luo Han. "Luo Han, do you dare to compete with me and see who is better this time?"

"No problem!"

Luo Han was casual. "Jiang Li, you be the judge. Let's go."

"Let's go!"

The three seemed to have a默契 (默契 means默契, which can be translated as 'unspoken understanding' or 'chemistry') and suddenly rushed out.