Chapter 128

Amidst the constant questions from his classmates, Alec looked at Qin Su, God Su remained calm. Alec felt much more at ease and finally answered everyone's questions, "Wagakubo Planet."

During the previous lottery, he was able to stand out from many combat squad Class Monitor and draw Qin Su, but today, among so many ordinary planets and locations, he drew a less ordinary planet.

Alec didn't know whether his luck was good or bad.

Fearing others would think he had bad luck, he quickly added before anyone could speak, as if trying to save face. "Besides me, there are twenty-eight other classes from the Class of 25 that, like me, drew Wagakubo Planet as the Purge location for this mission."

Maybe, perhaps... it really wasn't just bad luck?

Everyone was taken aback, and they nervously whispered among themselves based on their respective impressions of the Wagakubo Planet.

"Oh no, it's an underwater operation, but I can't swim. All that training these past few days has been for nothing?"

"I also..."

"I heard that Vagakupo can swim from birth. Nachi, is that true, since you live in Vagakupo?"

"It's not that exaggerated. They were all trained by being thrown into the water. Besides, the Combat Suits we wore in Vagakupo were designed for underwater operations. Once Combat Suits and connected the control system to the Optical Brain, even if we couldn't swim, we could use our brains to keep ourselves from drowning."

Qin Su had already memorized the basic data of all the planets that could be found in this world.

There are so many different kinds of planets, and the on-site investigation is still ongoing... After listening to Alec's words, countless basic information about the Wagakubo Planet flashed through Qin Su's mind.

On the StarNet, the Wagakubo Planet become a 'celebrity' planet because of its lifestyle, which is completely different from other planets.

The Wagakubo Planet has no land, only water. Unlike other planets, it doesn't have enough oxygen in the air for humans to survive. Instead, the water is full of oxygen, and all the insects that can survive in Vagakupo live underwater.

The local inhabitants of Vagakupo have not evolved organs like those of insects and fish that allow them to breathe freely in water, and still live in countless buildings that Hover in the air and powered by energy.

The cost of oxygen extracted from the water gradually increases from low to high. The price of oxygen in Vagakupo is determined by the oxygen supply system. The buildings closest to the water are cheaper than high-rise buildings and are generally inhabited by ordinary people. The higher the building, the wealthier the residents are.

Due to the unique nature of Vagakupo, many of the superstructures there were purchased by inhabitants of other planets and are rarely occupied, remaining vacant.

Residents living on the lower floors made a living by catching fish in the water and selling them to residents on the upper floors.

Therefore, although the insect habitats on the Wagakubo Planet do not conflict with the planet's local inhabitants, the excessive proliferation of insects without restraint will encroach on and squeeze the living space of fish, leading to a decrease in the types and numbers of fish and making it impossible to provide enough food for the inhabitants of Wagakubo Planet.

To provide enough space for fish, the Wagakubo Planet, which is under Federation jurisdiction, conducts about four insect Purge operations each year.

So...

Qin Su pulled himself out of his thoughts and glanced at the students in both classes. From the constant chatter among them, he could tell that many of them couldn't swim.

The most urgent thing is to learn to swim.

Although, as the students said, the Combat Suits would allow them to survive in water even if they couldn't swim, however...

Alec said that 28 other classes were also selected this time, which means that this time it is highly likely that the area-based Purge will be carried out, just like at the end of last semester.

Anyone who cannot swim and relies solely on their Combat Suit to maintain balance and avoid drowning in the water will have their ability to lead a team affected.

What he wants is a level of combat ability that allows for free movement in water and is not much different from that on land.

In order to achieve his goal and ensure that he would never mess up his team and damage his reputation, Qin Su ruthlessly chose to make things difficult for his classmates.

The Fourth Military Academy has plenty of swimming pools, and they're free to use. Why not take advantage of them? Once you've used them, you won't regret it. Just consider it another skill that you can learn for free.

Snap--

Having made up his mind, Qin Su raised his hand and clapped it.

The crisp sound of a slap drew the attention of the chattering students to him. Qin Su naturally lowered his hand and said calmly, "Come with me to the U-12L Training Ground."

If my memory serves me right, that training ground had the largest swimming pool in the entire Fourth Military Academy.

In keeping with their studious spirit of "let's learn first, no matter what," they secured a spot in the swimming pool before it was filled with students from other classes.

As soon as Qin Su finished speaking, although everyone had different thoughts, those who had become accustomed to responding to Qin Su's orders over the past week all responded.

After Qin Su finished speaking, he ignored the chorus of "received" behind him, turned around, and walked away.

The students from both classes quickly followed.

They knew the place had a swimming pool, so Qin Su didn't need to say much; everyone understood his meaning and didn't feel much resistance.

Even if you can't swim, you can stay afloat in the water wearing Combat Suit.

Upon arriving at their destination, as the students looked at the spacious, azure swimming pool behind them, Qin Su asked, "Raise your hand if you can swim."

In an instant, less than a third of the students in both classes raised their hands.

Qin Su: "..."

Less than he had imagined.

Qin Su quickly counted the number of people who couldn't swim Optical Brain, then connected with the robots in the facility and instructed them to move an equal number of Anti-Drowning Rings over.

The robot began the moving process, and Qin Su said, "Put them all down."

While the students put their hands down, Qin Su quickly matched the list of students who had raised their hands to indicate they could swim with the list of the remaining students from the two classes who could not swim, according to their ability and gender, preparing to announce the list together when the robot brought him the things he needed.

The students from the two classes looked at each other in bewilderment. "..."

'After Qin Su told those who could swim to put their hands down, he remained silent. Was he dissatisfied because there were too few people who could swim?'

Thinking of this, the students from both classes who couldn't swim lowered their eyes uneasily.

They didn't want it to be like this either.

Aside from planets that naturally have water sources that don't require multiple filtration and disinfection processes, most other planets have water that is polluted to varying degrees, making water resources precious and diversion filtration and recycling systems extremely expensive.

Swimming lessons, which require a vast amount of water, are extremely expensive. Take Ikelios Planet, where the Fourth Military Academy is located, for example. Not to mention high-end swimming pools, even the most ordinary swimming pool outside charges between 130,000 and 170,000 Star Coins for a minimum of ten lessons.

Advanced swimming lessons cost up to a million Star Coins, something they couldn't even dream of.

In other words, the Fourth Military Academy has a complete system for diverting, collecting, filtering, and recycling water, which students can use for free without spending any Star Coins.

Besides, spending so many Star Coins to learn to swim is completely unnecessary. After leaving the Fourth Military Academy, they will never need free and plentiful water again. Given their consumption habits developed since childhood, even if they are lucky enough to have some money in the future, they will not spend so much money to make swimming a part of their entertainment. It's as if learning it is useless to them.

Qin Su's silence made the students in both classes who couldn't swim increasingly uneasy.

Just as they were lost in thought, a deep, gurgling sound came from behind them.

Normally, they wouldn't bother with such a faint sound, but now everyone looked at the source of the sound as if they had seen a savior.

"What's this?"

Many people were puzzled as they looked at the neatly stacked, loop-like transparent, soft tubular objects inside the robot's box.

"It's Anti-Drowning Ring," He Muzhi replied to his classmates, having just used one.

"Really? I've never heard of this place at the swimming pool."

"Let me search."

"This... why does it show that it's an outdated lifesaving method that was only used many years ago?"

They couldn't understand why Qin Su would leave his perfectly good Combat Suit unused and instead dig out this old equipment from somewhere.

Even if Qin Su heard it, he pretended not to hear the students' hushed chirping and calmly announced the list in the group chat:

"Everyone who can't swim, put on a drowning prevention ring and find your group leader according to the list. The group leader is responsible for teaching their group members how to swim before 10 p. m. tonight."

"Five minutes to prepare. Change into your regular swimsuits." Qin Su emphasized, his tone threatening. "If you don't want to be kicked in after five minutes, everyone has to get in the water. Understand?"

He had only seen swimming styles on this planet in videos, never actually learned or observed them, so this was a good opportunity to learn from them.

Unlike protective suits specifically designed for underwater operations, the Anti-Drowning Ring is simply placed around the neck. Upon activation, it connects to the user's Optical Brain, and the ring changes from colorless to blue.

When suffocation is detected, that is, when the Optical Brain that complements the user's brain is in an unconscious and uncontrolled state, the Anti-Drowning Ring will pull the user's body forcefully, making the head float to the surface of the water immediately. Even in an unconscious state, the mouth and nose can maintain breathing, thus solving the drowning problem.

The reason it was phased out, besides the invention of mindless protective suits like underwater work suits that can be used without knowing how to swim, and new instruments that can keep swimmers dignified by allowing them to lie flat on the surface of the water when they are found to be drowning, was also because the sight of people being dragged out of the water while using Anti-Drowning Ring was too ridiculous and they resisted using it.

Qin Su pulled out his best swimming skills, thinking that his classmates, like him, were stubbornly concerned with saving face, and perhaps this would motivate them to learn to swim quickly because they didn't want to lose face in front of so many people?

"!"

"Receive!"

"Understood!"

Everyone tensed up and responded in succession. They hadn't expected that they would not only have to learn, but also have to learn with a collar on their necks.

Wearing Underwater Combat Suits to practice underwater combat... that's laughable. Given Qin Su's current approach to them, Qin Su most likely thinks they're not even worthy.

'Is a mere collar really useful?'

On the other hand, did Qin Su kick him personally? Was it a real kick or a fake one? Could he deliberately stay put and wait to be kicked?

'No, no, no... With Qin Su's strength, he might not just be kicked into the water, but sent flying. That wouldn't leave a good impression on Qin Su either, so let's just forget about it.'

Thinking about it this way, many people suppressed their dangerous thoughts and behaved themselves.

[Everyone: What? Qin Su personally kicked it? Is there really such a good thing?]

[What are you babbling about? Kick me!]

[Everyone's thoughts: Qin Su is going to reward me! Actions: I dare not (honest and docile. jpg)]

[That's right, those of us who are truly free-spirited in our hearts but timid and hesitant in our words are like this; we only dare to fantasize about it in our hearts.]

Regardless of their thoughts, as soon as Qin Su finished speaking, the students from both classes walked to the robot's enclosure, took out their Anti-Drowning Rings, and put them around their necks. With a click, as the Anti-Drowning Rings glowed with a faint blue light, their eyes skillfully scanned the red names marked on the list, and they looked up to find their group leaders.

At the same time, based on the students' current positions, Qin Su estimated the area where the students would go into the water later and found a high observation platform in the approximate central area.

Qin Su sat down and looked around. Below him, most of the heads were illuminated by the faint blue light.

"..."

He now understands why Anti-Drowning Rings have been phased out. If it's nighttime and the lights aren't on, a head with a faint glow shining from below floating on the surface of the pool, with no visible body, is terrifying enough to scare a person to death.

After thinking for a moment, Qin Su activated the solo Comic Capture Camera.

Learning by yourself is still learning, and the Viewers won't watch for nothing, so they can learn a thing or two too.

After changing into regular swimsuits, everyone saw Qin Su sitting calmly on the high platform and felt a slight sense of regret.

Looks like I won't have the chance to admire Qin Su's swimming style.

Despite the regret, everyone readily accepted it, subconsciously assuming that Qin Su must be observing their learning progress from above, just like the previous week.

After all, with Qin Su's omnipotent abilities, he must be able to swim and so on, so he doesn't need to learn at all.

Why doesn't Brother Su go swimming?

[Are you trying to see Baby 1 play? You clearly just want to see Baby 1 dressed like everyone else, I don't even want to call you out on it.]

[Of course Su Bao needs to be up there to keep track of everyone's abilities. He wouldn't be secretly learning just because he doesn't know how, would he?]

[They caught an honest man and started bullying him.]

Qin Su: "..."

There are so many "prophet" comments in the live chat, it's a real stab in the back.

Just as he thought, people who can't swim and have never been to the underwater world will feel afraid of water if they don't have protective clothing and can't move freely in the water with technology.

These feelings may lessen even if we wear protective suits in the future, but they will not disappear.

His purpose today is to help everyone learn to swim, gain some ability to control the water, and reduce or overcome the fear of being underwater caused by not being able to swim.

After everyone has learned to swim, getting used to underwater combat will likely be more effective than if they can't swim at all.

Five minutes passed in the blink of an eye. Although they really wanted to be kicked, they had the desire but not the courage. Even those who couldn't swim obediently jumped into the water like dumplings being dropped into boiling water, encouraged by their group leader and under the cold, threatening gaze of Qin Su looking down from the platform.

Fortunately, there was a shallow area, so even those who couldn't swim could stand on the bottom of the pool and keep their heads above water.

He Muzhi wasn't very satisfied today. He used to be able to take on ten people at once, but today he ended up teaching about the same number of students as his classmates.

But that doesn't matter. The teachers are the same, but they learn at different speeds. He can still stand out in the crowd, right under Qin Su's nose.

The five Alphas opposite He Muzhi, who couldn't swim, felt their scalps tingle from He Muzhi's stare.

"What kind of looks are you giving us? It's creepy."

"Yes, He Muzhi, please don't do this, I'm scared."

He Muzhi smiled, his voice low but firm. "Naturally, it's the look of someone who will learn it to the point of exhaustion, as long as they don't die trying."

"Watch carefully, everyone." After saying that, He Muzhi plunged into the water to demonstrate before his classmates could react.

Under Qin Su's imposing gaze, everyone in the water felt that Qin Su was watching their learning and teaching progress, so they all focused intently and dared not lose their attention.

There are quite a few people like He Muzhi's group around.

Seeing everyone moving around in the diving area, Qin Su lowered his eyes to observe carefully, both learning from them and recording their swimming skills and progress, so as to make arrangements for later practical exercises.

Within ten minutes, students from both classes gradually discovered the purpose of the Anti-Drowning Rings.

"Wait, how did I get to the surface? What just happened?"

"Holy crap, Jiaba, you looked so bewildered when you were forcibly dragged out of the water, hahaha..."

"Like a lifeless fish that has been caught on a fishing rod."

"That's a bit ridiculous, is that something to say?"

"Ahhh, don't laugh!"

The thought of being exposed to Qin Su in this state made Jiaba feel terrible. She secretly resolved to be more careful and cautious next time and try her best not to embarrass herself in front of Qin Su again.

I've personally witnessed how undignified it is to be dragged out of the water by Anti-Drowning Ring. Although everyone laughs on the surface, what they really think is similar to Jiaba thinking.

When they're not around Qin Su, their image doesn't matter. But when they're around Qin Su... they have to be a little more careful about their image.

Because they didn't want to embarrass themselves, although they inevitably laughed and joked while learning, they became more careful and attentive, trying their best to minimize any embarrassing situations.

The fact that "it's not shameful to be in front of Qin Su" unconsciously overshadowed the beginner's fear of water.

Qin Su was propping his chin up on his hand, seemingly observing with lowered eyes but actually eavesdropping, watching, and learning without fail. "..."

Everyone cares about saving face; otherwise, how could they have been assigned to the same group?

Qin Su had assumed that the students would spend the entire morning in the shallow water, but he greatly underestimated their learning abilities and their desire for challenge.

Just two hours later, some students went to the Deep-Water Zone.

Some students even dived and held their breath in Deep-Water Zone.

Qin Su silently timed the students who were holding their breath underwater without any breathing aids. He easily discovered that the actual results matched the data he had checked: any Interstellar People could hold their breath underwater longer than Earthling.

"..."

Fortunately, he was cautious and didn't go into the water; otherwise, his posture and the length of time he could have held his breath would have easily given him away.

Just as Qin Su's heart was filled with relief, footsteps and voices came from afar at the stadium.

Based on past experience, Qin Su had long anticipated that others would come, and when choosing a high observation position, he deliberately chose a location that correctly indicated the direction of the entrance.

This way, he could see who came in through the entrance with just a glance, and because he wasn't facing them directly, he avoided the hassle of greeting them.

The students from the two classes in the pool below also noticed the commotion and looked towards the figure.

Qin Su suppressed the urge to turn his head, maintaining his gaze fixed on the pool, and asked calmly, "What are you looking at?"

There were no words of blame, it seemed like just a simple inquiry, and Qin Su's tone was flat, a very ordinary question. But the people below sensed Qin Su's dissatisfaction, and they quickly looked away, forcing themselves to temporarily suppress their desire to watch the show, 'ignoring everything else and focusing solely on learning to swim'.

The other classes spotted Qin Su sitting high up from a distance and instinctively activated their Optical Brain's camera functions, zooming in to see things invisible to the naked eye.

Qin Su stood to the side, as if he hadn't seen them come in, his eyes fixed on the ground below.

They followed Qin Su's gaze and saw a group of people wearing only ordinary swimming suits and glowing rings around their necks, splashing around in the water.

Other classes. "..."

After learning that they, like Alec, had been drawn to be located on Wagakubo Planet for this Purge mission, they made inquiries from various sources and finally found out Qin Su's current destination from his teachers and classmates.

They came over following the scent.

They had assumed that Qin Su would have the students from Class 6 and Class 66 learn underwater combat in this venue with the largest swimming pool, but the situation they were seeing was different from what they had imagined. They never expected that Qin Su would have the students from Class 6 and Class 66 learn to swim.

This was unexpected by some people.

"Isn't there an Underwater Combat Suit? Why is Qin Su wasting his time? Wasting time is one thing, but instead of using better protective clothing and drowning prevention equipment, he's using ordinary Anti-Drowning Rings that few people use. I really don't understand Qin Su's thinking."

"I guess Qin Su probably wants to take this opportunity to teach non-swimmers to swim. Everything is made of ordinary or even outdated equipment. Qin Su probably thinks that even if they leave the Fourth Military Academy in the future, they will still be able to afford to buy swimming equipment if they want to swim? After all, those Anti-Drowning Rings are the cheapest."

"Qin Su is really amazing, I love him so much! Even at a time like this, he's still thinking about us ordinary students!"

"So... does that mean there are a lot of people in our class who can't swim?"

"Is that even a question? I don't know how."

"Me too... this is quite a luxurious form of entertainment."

"Why think so much? Let's learn first. Based on past experience, no matter what Qin Su's reasons are, he wouldn't possibly cheat anyone."

I wholeheartedly support this!

After a lively discussion, the group of people marched in and occupied the other waters, tacitly making the same choice as Qin Su.

Other classes that were not in the same Training Ground but were also assigned the same Purge location followed suit upon hearing the news.

The staff member in charge of managing the equipment looked at the Anti-Drowning Ring had been stored away for who knows how many years but were constantly being taken out of the warehouse, and muttered to himself in bewilderment, "Fashion is cyclical, and this year swimming is also going for a retro trend?"

[No, no, no, it's the wind blowing from Qin Su.]

[Other classes: What? Qin Su specifically asked us to use this? We've learned it!]

[If this gets out, I feel like Anti-Drowning Rings, which were rarely used before, will become popular again.]

[Whether to return it or not, from Su Bao's perspective, it's really funny to be only grabbed by the neck.]

Class 6) and (Class 66), which were in the same venue, quickly discovered that other classes were imitating them, and a sense of crisis instantly arose.

"?"

"What do they mean? Are they copying us?"

"To put it bluntly, it's a deliberate imitation, an attempt to show Qin Su that they outperformed us under equal conditions—a blatant provocation!"

"We (Class 66) also stood in a position unrelated to Qin Su, so how could we not know what they were thinking?"