Wang Mingyuan's office.
Su Zhan, Xie Xi, Liu Ziming, Feng Jue, and Xu Hao stood before the desk.
"I called you here to emphasize a few points. This mission is completely different from the previous academy exchange events," Wang Mingyuan said, adjusting his glasses. "Its core purpose is to force you to grow by experiencing the crucible of blood and fire in the shortest possible ti.
Therefore, the academy won't send any teachers to protect you. Once you reach the fortress, everything will depend on yourselves."
Liu Ziming gasped sharply. "What? Teacher, you're really not coming with us? No backup at all?"
"None. This is a firm order."
Wang Mingyuan shook his head. "All decisions, actions, and even life and death will need to be borne by your team alone."
Xie Xi's eyes were serious, but she nodded. "Understood. Self-reliance."
Xu Hao muttered quietly, "Completely on our own..."
Feng Jue tightened his arms around his sword but said nothing.
Su Zhan asked, "Are there any other arrangents, teacher?"
"Yes."
Wang Mingyuan looked at them. "Students from the academy won't be concentrated in one fortress. To maximize training effectiveness, and because everywhere is short-handed, you'll be scattered and assigned to thousands of large and small fortresses along the southern border as teams.
But don't worry, you five as one team won't be separated.
This is a small blessing in misfortune—at least you're familiar with each other and can watch each other's backs."
Hearing this, they all secretly breathed sighs of relief.
In such an unfamiliar and dangerous environnt, if even teammates were separated, that would be true despair.
"Su Zhan, you're now at the Stream Realm, with strength far surpassing theirs. On the battlefield, your survival probability is higher, but your responsibility is also greater."
Wang Mingyuan's gaze fell on Su Zhan. "Don't panic when things happen. Stay calm and judge carefully. Just follow your usual training and combat rhythm. Your performance will determine the fate of the entire team."
Su Zhan t his gaze and nodded solemnly. "I will, teacher."
Liu Ziming imdiately crowded closer. "Brother Su! We'll be relying entirely on you from now on! If you point east, I'll never go west!"
Xu Hao also quickly nodded. "Yes, yes! Brother Su, we'll listen to you!"
Xie Xi didn't speak, but her eyes expressed the sa aning.
Feng Jue used action to indicate his agreent, slightly turning his body toward Su Zhan.
"Alright, that's all I need to tell you. Go back and use the remaining ti to prepare."
Wang Mingyuan's face showed a touch of satisfaction. "Survive, and then beco stronger."
"Yes, teacher!"
The five responded in unison, their expressions becoming extrely serious.
...
Three days passed in the blink of an eye.
Early morning.
Several massive military transport aircraft were parked on Vermilion Bird Academy's square, their fuselages painted with camouflage and numbers.
The engines emitted deep, powerful roars.
A killing aura swept over them.
Su Zhan, Xie Xi, Liu Ziming, Feng Jue, and Xu Hao carried unified combat packs and stood before their designated aircraft's boarding ladder.
Wang Mingyuan and several other teachers stood in the distance, silently seeing them off.
"Let's go."
Su Zhan said this and was the first to step onto the boarding ladder.
The others followed closely behind.
The cabin interior was enormous and already contained many people.
Judging by their clothing and age, they were clearly students from other Awakened academies, also gathered in teams of five to seven people.
Su Zhan's group of five walked into the cabin wearing combat uniforms bearing the Vermilion Bird Academy emblem.
The previously sowhat noisy cabin imdiately quieted considerably.
Countless gazes instantly focused on them.
Low murmurs arose from various corners of the cabin:
"Look! Vermilion Bird people!"
"Vermilion Bird Academy? That one known as one of the Five Great Academies?"
"Hiss... as expected of a top institution, their aura feels different..."
"What's so great about the Five Great Academies? On the front lines, it still cos down to real ability!"
"Don't be stubborn, and there's no need for such unpleasantness. We're all going to risk our lives. If we encounter difficulties, they might actually save us."
...
Liu Ziming subconsciously straightened his back, a hint of pride appearing on his face as he whispered, "See? Our Vermilion Bird reputation really carries weight!"
Xie Xi swept a glance over those murmuring people, expressionlessly found a seat, and sat down.
Feng Jue went even further, completely ignoring them and closing his eyes to rest.
Su Zhan's expression remained calm as he led the team to find so empty seats and sit down.
The atmosphere in the cabin beca sowhat subtle.
Everyone knew that where they were heading would be a real battlefield.
And the people around them were both future comrades and potential competitors.
The transport aircraft's cabin door slowly closed, the engine roar intensified, and a powerful push against their backs was felt...
The aircraft taxied, lifted off, carrying these young Awakened toward the southern border...
Su Zhan's group of five sat in seats against the cabin wall.
Subtle gazes from around them remained focused on them.
Especially the conspicuous Vermilion Bird emblem on their combat uniforms.
After a while.
A boy from the neighboring seat who looked quite clever seed to have mustered his courage, his face wearing a friendly smile.
He moved closer and spoke to Xu Hao, who appeared the most approachable:
"Hey, buddy, are you really from Vermilion Bird Academy? I've long heard of your reputation!"
Xu Hao, being addressed, instinctively looked toward Su Zhan and Xie Xi.
Su Zhan had his eyes closed, resting, as if he hadn't heard.
Xie Xi gave no indication.
The atmosphere imdiately beca sowhat awkward.
The boy's smile stiffened slightly, and he scratched his head, montarily unsure what to say next.
Just then.
Liu Ziming chuckled and proactively turned sideways, acting like old friends. "Hey, brother, good eye! We are indeed from Vermilion Bird Academy."
The boy's eyes lit up, imdiately climbing the conversational ladder. "Amazing, amazing! As expected of the Five Great Academies! What's your na, brother? I'm Qu Xu, from River Lake Academy."
"Liu Ziming!"
Liu Ziming generously gave his na, pointing to his teammates beside him. "These are my teammates, well... they're all quite introverted, not very talkative, sorry about that."
"Understand, understand! Masters all have their personalities!"
Qu Xu quickly expressed understanding. "Brother Liu, do you have any insider information about your trip to South Cang Fortress? I heard things haven't been peaceful there recently?"
"Insider information... well, we do have a little, but, military secrets, can't say much."
Liu Ziming stroked his chin with an air of profundity. "Anyway, when we get there, us academy types should definitely watch out for each other! Those veteran soldiers probably won't be that easy to get along with."
"Brother Liu speaks truth! We're unfamiliar with the place and people, we should stick together!"
Qu Xu nodded deeply in agreent. "If there are any missions or information in the future, let's keep each other inford!"
"No problem! Leave it to !"
Liu Ziming promised with grand assurance.
Liu Ziming and Qu Xu chatted warmly, their voices unavoidably growing louder, attracting the attention of other academy teams nearby.
Seeing that the Vermilion Bird Academy people didn't seem as difficult to approach as imagined, representatives from two other teams hesitated for a mont, then also ca over.
A tall girl with a ponytail spoke first: "Hello, Vermilion Bird classmates! We're from South Mountain Academy, I'm Sun Wei. Just now we heard you talking about watching out for each other at the fortress—that makes sense!
Us student soldiers, being newcors here, really should stick together a bit."
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