The North

Although the entire Tianshu Class received an invitation, only five people finally decided to go: Chen Guan, An Changqing, Long Ao, Su Yuehe, and Liu Feiyu.

Liu Feiyu's decision to go was unexpected to everyone, including Situ Ming. However, no one knew what Liu Feiyu had said to him, but Situ Ming ultimately agreed.

The day of departure arrived quickly. The academy granted special approval for the five of them, simplifying all procedures.

The day before their departure, an unexpected figure appeared downstairs at the dormitory, surprising both An Changqing and Long Ao.

"Teacher Li?"

An Changqing looked at the burly figure and called out in pleasant surprise.

Just standing there, the person exuded a mountain-like oppressive presence.

His aura was more restrained and profound than before. That near-death experience allowed him to complete an unknown transformation, and Chen Guan's 280,000 had also been subtly enhancing his strength.

He walked over and patted An Changqing on the shoulder. "I know everything now. Sorry for making you all worry."

Perhaps due to the life-and-death experience, or perhaps because this was personal time, Li Yan's face lacked its usual coldness and looked much gentler.

He then turned to Long Ao and slapped him on the back, making a muffled thud. "You too, don't just charge around blindly all day. Use your brain more."

Finally, he walked up to Chen Guan.

His large hand, twice as broad and thick as an ordinary person's, landed heavily on Chen Guan's shoulder.

Li Yan's voice was deep and powerful. "The First Sequence Class is not like the academy. You need to protect yourself well."

Chen Guan nodded. "Rest assured, Teacher."

He was about to say something else when Li Yan suddenly changed the subject.

His tone became hesitant, and confusion revealed itself in his bell-like eyes.

He scratched his head, as if muttering to himself, yet also as if asking him.

"It's strange to say, but after being seriously ill, my memory has gotten worse."

Li Yan frowned. "That day in the hospital, after the principal came to see me... I always feel like I forgot something incredibly important. Every time I try to remember, my head hurts."

He looked up and stared straight at Chen Guan. "It feels like... someone doesn't want me to remember."

The air downstairs in the dormitory became so dead silent at that moment that you could hear a pin drop.

Alarm bells rang loudly in Chen Guan's heart, but his expression remained calm and collected.

His tone was full of concern. "Teacher, you have just recovered from a serious illness. Don't think about too many complicated things. The doctor said you need to rest quietly. Letting your imagination run wild isn't good for your recovery."

Li Yan stared at him for a few seconds, his probing gaze sharp enough to pierce through his skin.

Ultimately, he gave a rare smile, and the bit of confusion on his face dissipated.

"You're right. I won't think about it anymore."

"For some reasons, I'll be leaving the school in a while. By then, there should be a new teacher coming to teach you all. Don't forget me."

Chen Guan watched the retreating figure of Li Yan as he turned and walked away.

It wasn't until the figure disappeared around the corner that he slowly breathed a sigh of relief.

He was suspected.

The shock of the near-death moment had perhaps left an indelible mark deep within Li Yan's subconscious.

It seemed that he needed to be more cautious in his future actions.

At least until he could sweep away everything, he should lay low.

...

The next day, an airship hovered above Huaqing Academy.

Besides the five of them, there was no one else.

An expressionless young man stood before them, wearing a black combat uniform. He took the initiative to introduce himself.

"I am the person in charge of receiving you this time. My codename is Black Crow."

"Before we reach our destination, it is necessary for me to explain a few basic principles of this training camp."

He held up one finger.

"First, the codename for this training camp is Crucible. The location is the First Academy behind the Northern Great Wall defense line."

He held up a second finger.

"Second, this training camp has drafted eighteen-year-old geniuses from all over the country. The training period is three months, and based on estimates, no more than ten will ultimately remain."

Black Crow held up a third finger, the temperature in his tone dropping a few degrees.

"Third, and most importantly, in the Crucible, there are no simulations, no stopping at the point of contact. You will face real demonic beasts, real battlefields, and..."

He paused and twitched the corners of his mouth, the curve holding not a shred of warmth.

"...equally real death. I must remind you that this year is far more dangerous than previous years."

His gaze swept across the faces of the five people one by one, and finally he said, "Last time, out of the three sent from Huaqing, one graduated successfully, one died, and one was advised to withdraw halfway. The Great Wall doesn't need greenhouse flowers, but sharp blades capable of fighting in blood. If anyone wants to quit now, I can send you back immediately. It is not shameful."

He chuckled lightly. "At the very least, we won't laugh at you to your faces."

The cabin was dead silent.

There was no sign of flinching on An Changqing and Long Ao's faces.

Su Yuehe didn't speak. Her mother didn't support her coming, but in order to solve some troubles she carried, she still chose to come.

Hopefully, it wouldn't disappoint her.

Liu Feiyu was still the same as always. The First Sequence was his opportunity. Stretching his neck out meant a knife, and pulling it back meant a knife, so what did he have to be cowardly about.

"Very good." Black Crow nodded, satisfied with their reactions. "It seems you have all prepared yourselves."

After speaking, he said no more, turning and walking toward the cockpit.

The airship gave a slight jolt and began to accelerate.

Outside the window, the sea of clouds retreated rapidly.

As the altitude climbed, the temperature plummeted, and fine snowflakes began to drift outside the window.

The earth was covered in boundless white.

Continuous snow-capped mountains outlined the spine of a giant dragon, stretching all the way to the end of their field of vision.

An unknown amount of time passed before the airship's speed began to slow down.

Through the porthole, a magnificently breathtaking building that rendered them speechless came into view.

It was situated within the embrace of a massive mountain range. Half of it was embedded in the mountain, while the other half was a ferocious fortress forged of steel and alloy.

Countless faint blue light bands flowed among the building complex, becoming the lifeblood of this steel city and emitting a low hum.

"Look at that holographic projection at the very top," An Changqing's voice carried a tone of awe. "Those are all heroes who sacrificed themselves at the Great Wall. Every face represents a legend."

On that giant holographic projection, which was a thousand meters tall, the faces of heroes were playing on loop.

They were either drawing their swords toward the sky or standing tall upon a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood.

Majestic, solemn, iron-blooded, futuristic.

These distinctly different styles merged perfectly here.

The airship slowly landed on the tarmac.

The cabin door opened, and a cold wind mixed with ice, snow, and the heavy smell of gunpowder poured in.

Chen Guan, carrying a black coffin on his back, walked down the ramp.

On the tarmac, dozens of teenage boys and girls from all over the country were already standing.

They gathered in twos and threes, with clear boundaries between groups.

Everyone had a powerful aura, exuding the sharpness of an unsheathed sword.

These were his future classmates.

Chen Guan's gaze swept across the area, finally pausing briefly on the two most conspicuous people in the crowd.

One was a red-haired girl resting with her eyes closed, her arms wrapped around a massive battle axe. The weapon was completely disproportionate to her figure, and she wore a wild, untamed expression.

The other was an impeccably dressed silver-haired youth, who cast a flippant gaze over each of the newcomers.