Below the mission announcement, there is a prominent supplementary note. "This mission requires participants to form teams of at least three. The academy does not mandate specific teams, but encourages strong partnerships among Zero Class students to maximize mission completion and ensure student safety."
Xiao Han was facing the light screen in his cave, going through the newly released notice word by word. Red Ridge Mountain Range, new discovery, energy crystal vein—these words circled in his mind.
He felt that this matter was not so simple. The border, the beast horde, the rare mineral veins—all these things together seemed strange no matter how you looked at it.
Especially with its frighteningly high difficulty rating and the setting where the mentor is there but doesn't participate, there's probably a lot more to it than meets the eye.
Just as he was pondering this, that voice, which was all too familiar to him, suddenly popped into his head.
"Ding! The host faces a crucial decision; the God-Level Choice System has been activated!"
Option 1: Follow the trend and join a super team formed by the top three students in the Core Sequence (such as Long Aotian, Ye Wuchen, etc. if they participate). Leveraging their strength and influence, you can reliably complete the mission and obtain the academy's basic rewards. Additional rewards: 10 Qi-Strengthening Pills, 1 Grade 3 Martial Skill Experience Scroll. Mission Risk: Low.
Option Two: Take a risky approach. Form your own or join a marginalized team that no one believes in, and who might even be seen as cannon fodder. The mission will be fraught with unknowns and immense risks, but if you can turn the tide, you'll have the chance to uncover the deeper secrets of the Red Ridge Mountain Range. Bonus Rewards: One special exploration permit for the core area of the Red Ridge Mountain Range, and one random rare cultivation technique fragment. Mission Risk: Extremely High!
When he heard the system finish reading, the corners of his mouth inexplicably curled up.
Which one is the safest option?
When did he ever walk that road? Wouldn't that be like sending a starving wild animal to chew on grass roots?
Strengthening Essence Pill? Rank 3 Martial Arts Scroll? To be honest, these things make little difference to him right now, whether he has them or not.
The rewards from option two—the exploration permit for the core area of the Red Ridge Mountain Range and the random rare cultivation technique fragment—are all incredibly tempting.
The core area is often where treasures are hidden. Fragments of cultivation techniques might just give one of his signature skills a boost.
High risk?
If the risk is low, where does the big benefit come from?
"I choose option two," he said to himself without the slightest hesitation.
"Ding! Host has completed selection! The God-Level Choice System kindly reminds you: There's a reason why marginal teams are marginal. Please keep your eyes open when choosing teammates. After all, it's not the god-like opponents you should fear, but... hehe, you know what I mean!"
The system's tone suggested it was enjoying the drama.
Xiao Han ignored it, stood up, and walked to the entrance of the cave. He pushed open the heavy stone door, and the sunlight outside dazzled his eyes.
The Red Ridge Mountain Range.
He took a breath, and he could almost smell the anxiety and restlessness of the other trainees around him because of the mission. But he felt quite calm, even a little expectant.
Those who were lurking in the shadows watching him certainly wouldn't let this opportunity slip by, would they?
Perfect timing! He also wanted to see just how much of a surprise those guys who thought they were so great would be to the skills he'd been secretly accumulating over this period.
As for teammates...
He didn't specifically look at anyone, but merely glanced at the figures outside who were hurrying by or huddled together discussing in hushed tones.
A fringe team? That might be interesting.
As soon as the mission announcement was posted, the entire Zero Class, and even the top classes, started to stir.
Those who were already outstanding and had strong family backgrounds acted quickly, immediately starting to form cliques. The top few in the Core Sequence, like Long Aotian and Ye Wuchen, were surrounded by rings of people, all wanting to curry favor with them.
Before long, several formidable-looking teams emerged, quite intimidating, making those around them envious.
Xiao Han, the newly emerged top-ranked member of the Core Sequence and a rising star, should theoretically be a highly sought-after talent by all sides.
To everyone's surprise, he didn't make a move. He neither tried to curry favor with those seemingly powerful teams nor mentioned forming his own.
He strolled leisurely between the cave and the training ground, as if this momentous event that could turn the academy upside down had nothing to do with him.
His calm demeanor was completely baffling to everyone.
"What is Xiao Han up to? He wouldn't be thinking of going alone, would he? That's way too daring!"
"Did you get injured in the secret realm last time? Haven't you recovered yet?"
"I think he's just putting on airs. He's the core player, so it's normal for him to act a bit high-handed."
During this period, there were indeed some students who were ranked lower in the Core Sequence, or top students in the key classes who thought they were good, who mustered up the courage to come to him and try to invite him to join the team.
"Senior Brother Xiao, although our team doesn't have any particularly outstanding members, our teamwork is excellent. If you were to join us, it would be like adding wings to a tiger!" said a student from the top class enthusiastically.
Xiao Han smiled and replied politely, "Thanks, I have other plans."
He refused decisively and without any hesitation, leaving the already uneasy inviters leaving dejected. Those watching were even more bewildered.
Just as everyone was speculating about which strong team Xiao Han would join, or whether they themselves would form a top-tier team, an even more jaw-dropping piece of news caused an uproar in Zero Class — Xiao Han had actually joined a team they had never even heard of, a team that was arguably the worst in Zero Class!
The people in this team, compared to the dazzling group of geniuses in Zero Class, are really not up to par.
Captain Zhang Dali Martial Master Realm Fourth Level. His Martial Soul is a B-grade defensive Thick Earth Savage Bear. He is honest, but a bit clumsy in combat.
Team member Li Min is at the Martial Master Realm Fourth Level. Her Martial Soul is a C-grade support-type Words of Sweet Rain, which can heal and buff, but its effectiveness is limited in head-on confrontations. She is also a bit timid.
Team member Wang Hu at the Martial Master Realm Fourth Level. His Martial Soul is a B-grade speed-type Phantom Shadow Civet Cat. He's fast, but his attack power is lacking. He's also a bit slippery and not aggressive enough.
These three were typical marginal figures in Zero Class, with mediocre abilities and no special background. Usually, when the academy organized missions, they were either the last to be able to form a team, or they were the ones left over by other teams.
When Xiao Han calmly walked up to the three men and expressed his willingness to join their team, not only were Zhang Dali other two dumbfounded, as if they had seen a ghost, but all the students around who heard about it were also petrified on the spot.