Primordial Stone Fragment

Afternoon.

Training Hall.

"Teacher Wei, I've broken through. I'm at Primary Level Two now."

Luo Yan reported his progress truthfully.

Wei Fenghua nodded. "Half a month to Level Two, and with Observing Mountains and Seas at that—the pace is indeed swift."

"You used quite a bit of 'Calming Agent,' didn't you?"

Luo Yan nodded.

"It's rare for you to be willing to invest so heavily. Very well, then you can begin cultivating the second layer now."

"Primary Level Two mainly involves letting Primal Energy permeate every inch of your flesh, every strand of muscle."

"Making them as tough as mountains."

"The key points of cultivation are..."

Just like last time.

Wei Fenghua explained in detail.

Luo Yan listened quietly.

Then it was time for him to train on his own, with Wei Fenghua offering guidance on the side.

After the training session ended.

Wei Fenghua said, "Don't train too hard over the next two days. Get plenty of rest."

"Once you enter the Forbidden Land, you'll need your wits about you for many things."

"Besides, cultivation requires both diligence and proper rest."

"Haste makes waste."

Luo Yan took note.

On Saturday and Sunday, the Academy had no classes.

Luo Yan didn't want to waste time.

But he also remembered Teacher Wei's instructions and didn't push himself to the limit.

Thus, after two full days of rest.

Monday arrived.

Early this morning.

The New Students gathered on the training field.

They were waiting for their instructor to arrive.

Suddenly, everyone felt the ground tremble.

Then, several mechs entered the field.

Among them were three humanoid mechs, but one was like a giant wolf.

That wolf-shaped mech was predominantly deep black, adorned with vivid red patterns.

Like flames.

Many students gasped softly.

"It's a 'Demon Mech.'"

Luo Yan recalled the mech lesson from Teacher Zhao Yidan.

That teacher had said there were three types of mechs.

The most common were humanoid mechs, called 'Mystic Machines.'

Then there were non-humanoid mechs, called 'Demon Mechs.'

'Demon Mechs' were relatively difficult to control, because even with the Empathy System, their non-humanoid form made them extremely hard to pilot.

Besides these two types of mechs.

There was also a third type.

But Teacher Zhao didn't go into detail.

She merely glossed over it with the word 'classified.'

At that moment, an iron-black humanoid mech decorated with bright yellow patterns and components stepped forward two paces.

This mech had an extremely heavy build, especially its two arms.

They were unusually thick and long, reaching past its knees.

Clearly, the Outer Armor exceeded standard specifications, and it was equipped with a special Weapon System.

After it stopped, the cockpit door at the back of its head opened, and a pilot climbed out.

A Mech Master!

The figure looked down from on high, sweeping his gaze across the crowd.

His eyes lingered on Luo Yan for two seconds.

Then Wei Fenghua's voice rang out: "These are our academy's mechs, and the ones piloting them are our third-year students."

"They are responsible for guarding the academy personnel, and at the same time, this is also an important test for them."

Wei Fenghua pointed at the pilot in the black heavy mech and said: "He Hao, third-year student, Visualization Technique level: Intermediate Level Three."

"He is the captain of this squad."

"The mech he pilots is: Mystic Machine, Black Thunder."

"Black Thunder, height 85.47 meters, weight 1,987 tons, operating system 'Horizon' Generation 3, main engine 'Thunderlight', four auxiliary engines."

Then his finger moved.

It landed on the pilot emerging from the wolf-shaped mech.

It was a girl.

She sat on the mech with her legs together and boldly blew a kiss at the new students.

"Su Jiu, third-year student, Visualization Technique level: Intermediate Level Two."

"Vice Captain."

"Her mech is Demon Mech, Greedy Wolf."

"Greedy Wolf, weight 1,685 tons, operating system same as above, main engine 'Wolf Pack', nine auxiliary engines."

After Wei Fenghua finished introducing the remaining two Mech Masters to everyone, He gave the order.

"Move out."

Moments later, a convoy drove out of 'Hundred Battles Academy'.

Inside the vehicles, most of the new students were very excited.

It made Luo Yan feel like he was back on a school-organized trip from his old academy.

After boarding, each person was given a suitcase.

Wei Fenghua said: "What you have in your hands now is the equipment the academy is distributing to you."

"It includes a set of field Combat Suit, a set of light armor, plus a gun, ammunition, a Military Saber, and emergency medical supplies."

"These things won't be enough to deal with Giant Beasts, and they won't be of much use even if you run into a swarm of parasites."

"But if you happen to bump into one or two Giant Beast parasites, they might still come in handy."

"So, gear up now."

The girls in the carriage couldn't help but exclaim: "Right here?"

"Doesn't that just give the boys a free show?"

Wei Fenghua said expressionlessly: "Once you enter the Forbidden Land and step onto the Battlefield."

"You'll see plenty of things more brutal than this."

"If you don't want to die, then shut up and stop wasting time."

Sitting in the back row, A girl opened her suitcase, then, without another word, took off her outer clothes.

With an indifferent expression, she changed into the camouflage Combat Suit.

"Lin Wei is so impressive, she's not afraid of being taken advantage of at all."

"Of course, she's the second place in the Academy Exam, she's definitely not ordinary."

A few girls whispered among themselves.

Luo Yan looked toward the girl who ranked just below him in the Academy Exam.

Lin Wei was tall and slender.

Her black hair was tied up in a high Ponytail.

On her left earlobe, she wore a Ruby Earring.

Her eyes were indifferent, as if nothing could spark her interest.

Perhaps sensing Luo Yan's gaze, Lin Wei looked back.

Her eyes were like stars scattered across the sky, deep and profound.

Luo Yan couldn't read any meaning from them.

So he turned back and opened his own suitcase.

He took off his outer coat.

When Luo Yan took off his coat, a wave of soft gasps rose in the carriage.

Luo Yan's body was covered in scars—some here, some there—and mottled with dark red patches from Red Poison infection, making his physique look quite "ugly."

Luo Yan didn't care about others' gazes at all. He quickly put on his combat suit, fastened his armor, and checked his rifle.

After everyone else had finished changing their equipment, Wei Fenghua spoke: "Once we enter Misty Canyon, you must pay special attention to a plant called the Phoenix Tail Sunflower."

"This is part of the Giant Beast Ecosystem in Forbidden Zone 3."

"The Phoenix Tail Sunflower belongs to the evergreen shrub family and gets its name from its phoenix-tail-like appearance."

"At the same time, it's the favorite food of the Overlord-level giant beast Huan."

"Its scent will attract Huan. When you see it, keep your distance and do not pick it. Understood?"

The students responded one after another.

At that moment, Li Bohang raised his hand and asked, "Teacher, what's the Surface Legion's mission in the forbidden zone this time?"

Wei Fenghua said, "Routine mission: search for Abyssal Vein, collect rare plants and exotic flowers from the forbidden zone to serve as materials for various potions."

"If conditions allow, eliminate some surrounding giant beasts to prevent the forbidden zone from expanding."

Abyssal Vein...

A dark, deep crystal flashed through Luo Yan's mind. Back then, Di Zheng had brought back a piece of Abyssal Vein from Galaxy Stadium, and on the way, it attracted the giant beast Quru.

Xiao Shi had mentioned it before in General Knowledge Class.

Abyssal Vein is a product of the Yanfu space. During the Giant Beast Calamity, it fell from the sky along with the giant beasts cast down to the earth.

Abyssal Vein affects the surface ecology, causing ordinary plants and animals to mutate.

Additionally, giant beasts can evolve by absorbing the energy within Abyssal Vein, raising their rank and level.

That was also why the Taotie in Galaxy Stadium had stayed guarding the Abyssal Vein back then.

Now, every time the Yanfu space opens, Abyssal Vein occasionally falls as well. But according to statistics, the quantity is no longer as great as during the Giant Beast Calamity.

Another boy frowned and said, "Teacher, I don't understand."

"You said giant beasts can evolve through Abyssal Vein, which is why they need it."

"But why do we humans recycle it? Why not just destroy it?"

Wei Fenghua coughed twice, smiled, and said, "It seems Xiao Shi didn't mention this to you. Well, let me tell you."

"We recycle Abyssal Vein because of the Primordial Stone Fragments that might exist within it."

"Primordial Stone Fragments?"

A murmur of confusion rose in the carriage.

Wei Fenghua nodded lightly: "That's right."

"Although Abyssal Vein is something giant beasts love, it occasionally gives birth to a strange stone as white as jade."

"This strange stone can trigger a mutation in the Divine Treasure. Even a Divine Treasure with an otherwise useless effect can become extremely powerful under its influence."

"In some inscriptions discovered in that world, this strange stone is recorded and called the 'Primordial Stone Fragment.'"

Luo Yan's mind and spirit jolted.

He quickly lowered his head.

He finally understood the reason for the mutation of his Qi Gazing Eyes.

And he also knew the origin of that Diamond White Jade.

So back then, what he had obtained was the Primordial Stone Fragment!

At that moment, the convoy had already left the Undercity.

They arrived on the surface.

Harsh sunlight streamed in through the car windows.

The students were momentarily drawn to the sunlight outside.

One by one, they pressed against the windows.

Even the usually aloof Lin Wei turned her head slightly to look outside.

These students were different from Luo Yan.

They had been "cut off from daylight" for years.

Now, finally having the chance to come to the surface, they were naturally excited.

By the shore of the Great Lake, the Academy convoy rendezvoused with the Surface Exploration Legion, and together they drove in a mighty procession toward the Northwest Direction.

Three days later.

The convoy arrived at Forbidden Zone 3, "Misty Canyon."

They entered the canyon at noon.

One second, the sun was blazing outside the car.

The next, the light abruptly dimmed, as if they had stepped into another world.

Luo Yan looked out through the car window.

Although there was almost no mist at the edge of the forbidden zone, when he looked into the distance, his field of vision was filled with gray fog.

Within that thick fog, flashes of lightning occasionally flickered.

Every time lightning struck, it illuminated strange, twisted silhouettes in the dense mist.

It stirred up an inexplicable sense of mystery and danger.

After entering the canyon.

Whether it was the Surface Legion or the Academy convoy.

The escort mechs emerged from their transport bays and walked alongside both sides of the convoy.

Watching these mechs, like Giant Spirit Gods, march alongside them should have made people feel safe.

But after entering the canyon, even the most easygoing student tensed up and fell silent.

Just as Luo Yan thought this "silence" would last until they set up camp—

Suddenly, a broadcast rang out in the carriage: "Attention, a Giant Beast has been detected ahead."

"Now matching with the archive database..."

"...Match complete. The Giant Beast ahead has been identified as a 'Si-beast.'"

"Rank: Lower Tier, Level 3."

"Type: Caterpillar."

"Traits: Immense Strength, Piercing Charge, Shockwave!"

Note: Si, pronounced like the English word "sigh."