Chapter 45

To the right of the camp's main gate, there stands an irregularly shaped large stone monument, inscribed with several large characters—

Yunmeng City Trainee Camp.

On either side of the camp gate, four robust warriors stand, clad in dark-patterned armor, their faces solemn and resolute, exuding a formidable presence. They are likely soldiers sent from the army to protect the trainee camp, and their strength is undoubtedly formidable, at least at the level of martial masters.

The camp's walls are constructed from logs and rocks, about ten meters high, making them quite impressive.

Only in a world where martial arts civilization is flourishing could such a seemingly simple yet grand and imposing wall be built.

Lin Beichen and his three companions followed behind Ding San Shi, and after their identities were verified, they were allowed to enter the camp.

The entire camp covers about twenty acres and is circular in shape.

There are not many buildings, only ten in total, all constructed from black rocks, square and sturdy. They resemble small fortresses more than houses, with thick rock walls capable of withstanding high-intensity attacks, strategically positioned around the inner walls of the camp.

At the center of the camp is a small square.

In the middle of the square stands a cubic stone monument.

The four faces of the monument are smooth and glossy, similar to the stone board at the Third Academy.

The entire camp gives Lin Beichen a feeling that can be described in four words—

Simple, sturdy.

"Ha ha, isn't this the instructor from the Third Academy, Ding San Shi? Heh heh, the representative of the last-ranked provincial academy among the six major primary academies in Yunmeng, the Provincial Third Primary Academy, has finally arrived."

A rather harsh voice pierced the ears of Lin Beichen and his companions.

The speaker was a middle-aged man with a peculiar appearance.

He is described as peculiar because—

He is extremely fat.

If a normal person grows vertically, Lin Beichen strongly suspects that this middle-aged man grows horizontally. His standard-issue swordsman's robe could easily fit four Lin Beichens, but it is completely filled by this middle-aged fat man, with layers of fat almost bursting the robe.

Lin Beichen has never seen anyone so fat.

If this were on Earth, such a fat person would likely crush themselves to death.

But fortunately, in this world, one can cultivate mystic qi, so this middle-aged instructor is not only healthy but also agile, walking like a large, lightweight basketball, almost silently touching the ground.

"I thought it was someone else, but it's the instructor from the Provincial Sixth Academy, Qiu Tian. Heh heh, it's been half a year, and you've gained even more weight."

Ding San Shi responded with a forced smile.

Damn, ruthless.

Lin Beichen had never seen the old instructor be so sharp-tongued and devious.

The atmosphere between the academies is not friendly.

Is the competition so intense?

The pre-selection tournament hasn't officially started, but the moment the two academy leaders met, the tension was palpable, and their words were filled with hostility.

"Go to hell." Qiu Tian, like a fat snake that has been stabbed in a vital spot, angrily retorted: "I've already lost three taels this month. Who says I've gained more weight? You skinny monkey, you should think about how to maintain your Third Academy's ranking and not be overtaken by private schools and gangs."

This fat man is very concerned about his weight.

Ding San Shi laughed and said, "Among the six academies, you are ranked fifth, and your Sixth Academy is not much better than us... fifty steps laughing at a hundred steps."

"Heh heh, our Sixth Academy, although only one rank higher than yours, has seven participants. Ha ha, you only have four, so this time, you will likely return with your feathers ruffled again."

Qiu Tian shot back.

Ding San Shi snorted and said, "Quality over quantity. Your seven people may not match even one from our Third Academy."

"Ha ha, I know that your Third Academy is said to have produced a genius this time, named Lin Beichen. Ha ha, but, don't you know what kind of material your Third Academy's so-called geniuses are? This time, it's even more exaggerated, as even the notorious wastrel Lin Beichen has become a genius of the Third Academy. Ha ha ha, a stinky mud pond indeed produces rotten shrimp..."

Qiu Tian laughed exaggeratedly, his face's fat jiggling up and down.

Lin Beichen was speechless.

Why are you two old men bickering and dragging me into it?

"Hum, we'll see how it goes."

Bickering is meaningless, and Ding San Shi didn't want to waste time on pointless arguments. He ended the conversation with a classic line and led the four students to report at the center of the square.

Qiu Tian and the seven students from the Sixth Academy behind him all laughed with derision.

In Yunmeng City, apart from the prestigious Royal Primary Academy, the other six provincial primary academies have a history of glory, but the Third Academy has completely declined and is now ranked sixth, with no chance of a comeback for over a decade.

This time will be no different.

As long as the Third Academy exists, the Sixth Academy will always worry about having no one to step on.

At the center of the square.

Below the stone monument, behind a stone table, sat a familiar face.

Li Qingxuan.

It seems that this former special observer is one of the main responsible persons for this training camp.

"Third Academy? Name, age, height, and weight."

Li Qingxuan, with a stern face, as if he didn't recognize Lin Beichen and his companions, asked indifferently.

Ding San Shi reported the details of the four students.

"Check, change clothes."

Li Qingxuan waved his hand.

The soldiers standing beside the table divided Lin Beichen and his companions into male and female groups and led them to two different rooms for a very thorough and intimate search.

Not only their clothes but also their hair, boots, and hidden parts of their bodies were checked.

After the inspection, they washed in the hot springs in the rooms.

Then they changed into the uniform semi-leather armor provided by the training camp.

Their original clothes and all personal items were temporarily confiscated and stored by the training camp, to be returned after the pre-selection tournament.

Only their weapons were left with them.

"Very strict."

Lin Beichen, holding his Virtue Sword, couldn't help but marvel.

Walking out of the 'men's changing room,' Lin Beichen immediately attracted many people's attention.

"Who is this? So handsome."

"Which academy? How could I have never noticed such a handsome and tragic young man before?"

"Wow, the same training camp uniform, why does it look so good on this fair-faced guy?"

A chorus of exclamations and comments filled the air.

Lin Beichen smiled.

What is it like to be handsome?

He feels that he is now fully qualified to answer this question.

Finally, my looks are my greatest advantage, ha ha ha.

Lin Beichen, dressed in the training camp uniform, is so handsome it's almost unbelievable.

Wu Xiaofang, who was also considered a fair-faced young man at the Third Academy, now looks ordinary like a beggar on the street compared to Lin Beichen.