Trading for Intelligence and Conditions for Leaving

"Rolando, how many points did you win this time?"

"Yeah, how many? Let us see."

Smiling, the two flew over to Rolando's side. Seeing that the light screen before him had yet to vanish, they leaned in to look.

But when they saw what was displayed on the light screen, both their expressions changed drastically!

"You lost!"

"How is that possible?!"

They reacted this way because the light screen clearly stated that Rolando had been defeated—and had lost 50 points!

One of the trainees was so stunned by the contents of the screen that he was momentarily at a loss for words. "Rolando, you..."

"What happened, Rolando? How did you lose so many points?"

The other trainee was shocked. He had never expected Rolando to wager so many points, only to lose!

"I lost! And I accept the loss wholeheartedly!"

Regaining his senses, Rolando answered their questions in a deep voice. "That newcomer is a planetary-level domain genius, one that the Stellar Training Camp only produces once every hundred years!"

"What?!"

"A planetary-level domain genius!"

The two looked utterly shocked, barely able to believe it!

What kind of dazzling talent was a planetary-level domain genius? And they had actually encountered one.

A genius of that caliber would be courted by all the major factions in their medium-sized universe nation. Even lofty domain lords and world masters might personally recruit them!

Even in the Sand Sea Planet Stellar Training Camp, which was full of geniuses, the last planetary-level domain genius had appeared over a thousand years ago.

One trainee asked, "If he's a planetary-level domain genius, why did you gamble with him? And for such a huge amount?"

"Exactly!"

The other chimed in, "Fifty points is equivalent to the reward from half a trial mission."

"Sigh..."

Rolando sighed. "At first, I didn't know he was a planetary-level domain genius.

"Seeing that he was at the eighth level of the planetary rank, I thought he was merely a direct descendant of some great family. But who would have thought..."

At this point, regret colored his voice. "Originally, I only intended to wager 20 points.

"But that newcomer had some tricks up his sleeve. He claimed 20 points was too little and suggested betting half our initial points—50 points instead. He even kept asking whether I dared.

"At the time, I thought I had a high chance of beating a newcomer with my strength, so I agreed.

"And 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 defeated in an instant!"

After hearing Rolando's explanation and understanding the whole story, the two trainees looked at each other. They could see the sympathy in each other's eyes.

They had thought Lak, who had been thoroughly thrashed, 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 coveted his points as well—and wanted even more!

"This loss..."

One trainee was about to comfort Rolando when a flash of white light caught the corner of his eye.

He stopped speaking and turned his head, only to see a black-haired youth whose face still carried a trace of childishness appear.

"So young?"

He looked doubtfully at his companion, 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 Rolando, Li Qi asked, "Are you Rolando's friends?"

"Yes!"

Questioned by a planetary-level domain genius, the two nodded instinctively.

Li Qi wore an apologetic smile. "I need to speak with Rolando. You two..."

"Oh! We have something to do."

"You two talk!"

The pair answered one after another, then turned into two streaks of white light and departed.

Watching them vanish so quickly, Rolando felt his teeth ache. Those two bastards!

Li Qi smiled. "Let's talk."

"I don't think we have anything to discuss!"

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 looked puzzled. "What twenty points?"

"I'll use 20 points to buy intelligence about the Stellar Training Camp."

"Why should I sell it to you?"

Rolando's expression changed slightly. This newcomer is sharp. He already knows to gather intelligence about the Stellar Training Camp.

"Twenty points for nothing. I'm sure plenty of old trainees would be willing to earn them."

Li Qi appeared indifferent. "I came to you because we happened to be face-to-face. If you're unwilling, I can buy it from someone else."

Rolando struggled inwardly. He had already lost 50 points. If he could not recover at least some of the loss, he would be suffering a huge loss.

Especially when he thought of this newcomer using the 20 points that should have been his to buy intelligence from other old trainees, he felt like he was losing out terribly!

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 duel invitation for 20 points.

A light screen appeared. Rolando tapped accept, and the two turned into white light and disappeared.

Battle space.

The sky was azure, dotted with white clouds.

The Earth was verdant, an endless grassland stretching into the distance.

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 down 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. You wouldn't go that far over 20 points, would you?"

Though he was somewhat displeased with this newcomer, Rolando had to admit that he was right. He would not break his word over 20 points and needlessly offend a planetary-level domain genius.

Intelligence about the Stellar Training Camp was precious to newcomers but commonplace to old trainees. Selling it for 20 points was well worth it.

Rolando asked, "What intelligence do you want to know?"

Li Qi answered, "Start with the trial missions."

"There are three types of trial missions."

Rolando began explaining. "The simplest are collection missions, mainly involving the gathering of medicinal herbs, minerals, and materials from ferocious beasts.

"These missions are relatively easy. You only need to collect according to the mission requirements. Once you gather enough materials for the basic mission, you receive the base points. To earn more points, you need to complete additional collection objectives."

"Since these missions have no restrictions beyond time, and the collected materials do not overlap much, trainees tend to be peaceful and rarely fight. They are very safe."

After explaining collection missions, Rolando continued, "Slightly more difficult are patrol missions. These involve investigating smuggling within the empire, patrolling the borders, and guarding designated posts.

"Of these, guarding designated posts is the safest, but it takes a long time. The shortest mission duration is one year, the point reward is not high, and there are rarely additional rewards."

Rolando paused, then said, "Border patrols and smuggling investigations are more dangerous, but a universe-level expert serves as the captain. As long as you don't act rashly, safety is guaranteed.

"However, both missions can be extremely dangerous at times. If you encounter a powerful smuggling ship that fiercely resists, someone can die with the slightest mistake.

"I heard that several decades ago, stellar-level domain geniuses from the other two 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. He asked, "What was the name of the stellar-level domain genius who died in battle decades ago?"

"I'm not too sure what his name was."

Rolando was uncertain. "I think it was Ro... Ron?"

Li Qi's heart sank. It really was Second Dad.

He remembered the elders of his family saying that his Second Dad, Ron Royce, had died during a trial mission in the Stellar Training Camp.

Betrayed by a trusted friend, he had faced a universe-level slave trader leader alone. After his wife came to rescue him and was killed, he chose to die fighting. Otherwise, with his strength, he could have escaped completely.

And the person who had betrayed Second Dad had also died in a subsequent trial mission.

Rolando asked in confusion, "Why are you asking about this?"

"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 mortality rate of all trial mission types, and it is called a hunting mission!"

Li Qi frowned and asked, "How high is the mortality rate?"

Rolando's expression turned grim as he answered, "I've only participated in one hunting mission. The mortality rate for that trial mission was over 20%, and that was considered low."

If a mortality rate of over 20% is considered low, then the Stellar Training Camp's 47% mortality rate is real!

Li Qi's heart sank as he asked, "What conditions are required to leave the Stellar Training Camp?"

"Ordinary trainees can leave after completing their first three trial missions within five years. If they choose to remain, they can only leave after completing a hunting mission."

Rolando answered, "Trainees who signed special agreements, as well as trainees born on planets cultivated by the Molten Empire, must complete ten trial missions. That means they must participate in two or three hunting missions before they can leave."

Finally, Rolando added, "There is one other way to leave the Stellar Training Camp..."

If I feel better tomorrow, I should be able to update two chapters.