"Rolando, how many points did you win this time?"
"Yeah, how many did you win? Let us see."
Smiling, the two flew over to Rolando's side. Seeing that the light screen in front of him had yet to vanish, they craned their necks to look.
But when they saw what was displayed on the screen, their expressions changed drastically!
"Lost!"
"How is that possible?!"
The reason for their reaction was that the screen clearly stated Rolando had lost, and he had lost 50 points!
One trainee was so stunned by the contents of the screen that he was momentarily speechless. "Rolando, you..."
"What happened, Rolando? How did you lose so many points?"
The other trainee was astonished. He had not expected Rolando to wager so many points, only to lose!
"I lost! And I lost fair and square!"
Coming back to his senses, Rolando answered their questions in a grave voice. "That newcomer is a Planetary Level domain genius, one who appears only once every hundred years or so at the Stellar Training Camp!"
"What?!"
"A Planetary Level domain genius!"
The two were shocked and found it hard to believe!
A Planetary Level domain genius was an incomparably dazzling talent, yet they had actually run into one.
A genius of that caliber would be courted by every major power in the medium-sized universe country they came from. Even lofty Domain Lords and World Lords might personally recruit him!
Even in the Sand Sea Planet Stellar Training Camp, where geniuses abounded, it had been over a thousand years since the last Planetary Level domain genius had appeared.
One trainee asked, "Since he's a Planetary Level domain genius, why did you gamble with him? And gamble so much?"
"Yeah!"
The other trainee echoed, "Fifty points is equivalent to the reward from half a Trial Mission."
"Ah..."
Rolando sighed. "At first, I didn't know he was a Planetary Level domain genius.
"When I saw that he was at the eighth rank of Planetary Level, I thought he was just a direct descendant of some great family. But who would've thought..."
As he said this, regret showed on his face. "Originally, I only planned to wager 20 points.
"But that newcomer had some tricks. He claimed 20 points was too little and suggested betting half our initial points instead—50 points. He even asked whether I dared.
"At the time, I thought I had a high chance of beating a newcomer with my strength, so I agreed.
"As you can see, I lost."
Rolando shook his head helplessly. "I didn't know he was a Planetary Level domain genius. Since we were both Spirit Readers, I wanted to use my advantage in close combat to defeat him quickly.
"But the moment I got close, he unleashed his domain. I was caught completely off guard and instantly defeated!"
After hearing Rolando's explanation and learning the full story, the two trainees looked at each other. They could see sympathy in each other's eyes.
They had thought Lak, who had been thoroughly trounced, was unlucky enough. They had not expected Rolando to be even more unfortunate!
Rolando had coveted the newcomer's points, never imagining that the other party was a Planetary Level domain genius who had also been eyeing his points—and wanted even more of them!
"This time, you lost..."
One trainee intended to comfort Rolando, but a flash of white light swept past the corner of his eye.
He stopped speaking and turned to look, only to see a black-haired youth whose face still carried a hint of childishness appear.
He's so young?
He looked at his companion in confusion, only to find the same expression on the other's face.
Now they understood why Rolando had fallen for it. This newcomer's appearance was far too deceptive!
Seeing two people beside the blue-haired young man Rolando, Li Qi asked, "Are you Rolando's friends?"
"Yes!"
Questioned by a Planetary Level domain genius, the two instinctively nodded.
Li Qi wore an apologetic smile. "I have something to discuss with Rolando. You two..."
"Oh! We have something to do."
"You two talk!"
The two answered one after the other, then turned into two streaks of white light and departed.
Watching them vanish so quickly, Rolando's teeth ached. Those two bastards!
Li Qi smiled. "Let's talk."
"I don't think we have anything to talk about!"
Looking at the smiling newcomer before him, Rolando thought of the 50 points that had left him.
Li Qi's smile remained unchanged. "Twenty points."
"Hm?"
Rolando was confused. "What 20 points?"
"I'll use 20 points to buy intelligence on the Stellar Training Camp."
"Why should I sell it to you?"
Rolando's expression shifted slightly. This newcomer is sharp. He already knows to gather intelligence on the Stellar Training Camp.
"Twenty points for nothing. I think plenty of senior trainees would be willing to earn them."
Li Qi looked unconcerned. "I came to you because we happened to be face-to-face. If you don't want to sell, I can find someone else."
Rolando struggled inwardly. He had already lost 50 points. If he could not recover some of his losses, he would be taking a terrible loss.
Especially when he thought of this newcomer using the 20 points that should have been his to buy intelligence from other senior trainees, he felt like he was bleeding money!
Unable to bear such a loss, Rolando agreed. "Twenty points! I'll sell you the intelligence!"
"Then let's change locations."
As Li Qi spoke, he sent a wager invitation for 20 points.
A light screen popped up. Rolando clicked accept, and the two disappeared in white light.
Battle Space.
The sky was azure, dotted with white clouds.
The Earth was lush green, an endless grassland.
Li Qi slowly descended from the sky and sat cross-legged on the grass.
On the other side, Rolando flew over quickly. Seeing Li Qi on the ground, he flew toward him.
He landed opposite Li Qi and asked, "Aren't you afraid I'll go back on my word?"
Li Qi smiled. "You're a genius who entered the Stellar Training Camp, after all. You wouldn't break your word over 20 points, would you?"
Though he was somewhat displeased with this newcomer, Rolando had to admit he was right. He would not break his word over 20 points and needlessly offend a Planetary Level domain genius.
Intelligence on the Stellar Training Camp was extremely valuable to newcomers, but ordinary knowledge to senior trainees. Selling it for 20 points was a very worthwhile deal.
Rolando asked, "What intelligence do you want to know?"
Li Qi answered, "Let's start with the Trial Missions."
"There are three types of Trial Missions."
Rolando began explaining. "The simplest is the Collection Mission, mainly involving the gathering of medicinal herbs, minerals, and materials from ferocious beasts.
"These missions are relatively simple. You only need to collect according to the mission requirements. Once you gather enough materials for the basic mission, you receive the base points. If you want more points, you need to complete additional collection objectives."
"Since these missions have no restrictions other than time, and the collected materials do not overlap much, trainees are generally peaceful and rarely fight. They are therefore very safe."
After finishing with Collection Missions, Rolando continued, "The slightly more difficult missions are Patrol Missions. These involve investigating smuggling within the empire, patrolling the borders, and standing guard at designated posts.
"Among these missions, standing guard at designated posts is the safest, but it takes a long time. The shortest mission duration is one year, the point rewards are low, and there are rarely any additional rewards."
Rolando paused before continuing, "Border patrols and smuggling investigations are more dangerous, but Universe Level experts serve as team captains. As long as you do not act rashly, your safety is guaranteed.
"However, those two missions can sometimes be extremely dangerous. If you encounter a powerful smuggling ship that fiercely resists, someone can die from the slightest mistake.
"I heard that several decades ago, Stellar Level domain geniuses from two other Stellar Training Camps died during a border patrol mission. Because of that, the empire wiped out the Domain Lord family behind that smuggling ship."
Hearing this, Li Qi's heart tightened, and he asked, "What was the name of the Stellar Level domain genius who died in battle decades ago?"
"I'm not really sure what his name was."
Rolando sounded uncertain. "I think it was Ron... Ron, perhaps."
Li Qi's heart sank. So it really was Second Father.
He remembered the elders of his family saying that his Second Father, Ron Royce, had died during a Trial Mission in the Stellar Training Camp.
Abandoned by a trusted friend, he had faced a Universe Level slave trader leader alone. Later, after his wife came to rescue him and was killed, he chose to die fighting. Otherwise, with his strength, he could have escaped.
And the person who had betrayed Second Father had also died in a later Trial Mission.
Rolando asked in confusion, "Why are you asking about this?"
"It's nothing. I was just asking."
Li Qi shook his head. "Continue."
Rolando was somewhat suspicious, but he did not press the matter.
After composing himself, he said gravely, "The third type of Trial Mission is extremely dangerous. It has the highest casualty rate among all Trial Mission types, and it is called the Hunting Mission!"
Li Qi frowned and asked, "How high is the casualty rate?"
Rolando answered with an ugly expression, "I've only participated in one Hunting Mission. That Trial Mission had a casualty rate of over 20%, and that was considered low."
Over a 20% casualty rate is considered low. Then the Stellar Training Camp's 47% casualty rate is real!
Li Qi's heart sank as he asked, "What conditions must be met to leave the Stellar Training Camp?"
"Ordinary trainees can leave after completing their first three Trial Missions within five years. Those who choose to stay must complete a Hunting Mission before they can leave."
Rolando replied, "Trainees who signed special agreements, as well as those born on planets cultivated by the Molten Empire, must complete ten Trial Missions. In other words, they need to participate in two or three Hunting Missions before they can leave."
Finally, Rolando added, "There is another way to leave the Stellar Training Camp..."
If I'm feeling better tomorrow, I should be able to post two chapters.
Before you continue