Entering Wild Boar Forest

Shi Wei shook his head, his expression turning serious. "That Yang Yu managed to reach this level on the very day he awakened. He must have awakened some incredibly powerful talent."

"That should be it."

The Principal nodded in agreement, but then his tone shifted, worry rising between his brows. "But talent is only talent in the end."

"He's still a D-rank Warrior. His attribute growth is too low—that's a fatal flaw."

"Reaching Level 30 and completing his first class advancement before the college entrance exams will be as hard as climbing to heaven."

Shi Wei deeply agreed.

"You're right. A profession's rank is what truly matters."

"High-rank professions have high attributes and powerful skills. They might be surpassed early on by people who awaken powerful talents, but the further one progresses, the more obvious the advantages of one's profession become."

"Besides... talents can be awakened later in life."

The Principal sighed. "Can't profession ranks also be raised later?"

Shi Wei gave a bitter smile. "It's too difficult. That requires heaven-defying treasures or an enormous amount of resources. How could people from a small place like ours even dare to dream of that?"

"The only opportunity is during the first class advancement at Level 30..."

"But the success rate... is practically zero."

The two fell silent.

They both understood that being a D-rank profession was like a heavy shackle, firmly locking down Yang Yu's future.

After a long while, the Principal finally sighed. "That's why the admission standards of those top universities are so shrewd."

"They only accept Bronze Professioners who have completed their first class advancement."

"That single requirement keeps countless students with decent talents but low-ranked professions firmly outside the gates."

A hover taxi sped along the smooth city road.

The view outside gradually changed from towering buildings to low houses and endless farmland.

The air also held less of the city's clamor and more of the wilderness's freshness.

The driver was an honest-looking middle-aged man in his forties.

He glanced at Yang Yu several times through the rearview mirror.

Seeing that Yang Yu was not even fully equipped, he could not help speaking up.

"Young man, judging by how you're dressed, you're a professional who just awakened, right?"

"Yeah." Yang Yu nodded.

"Going to Wild Boar Forest alone?" the driver asked again.

"Yeah."

The driver sighed, concern appearing on his face.

"Young man, I'm not trying to meddle. You just left Novice Village, and you're already heading outside the city alone. That's too dangerous."

"Wild Boar Forest may only be a low-level leveling area, but it isn't very peaceful."

Yang Yu grew interested. "Oh? How is it not peaceful, sir?"

Seeing that Yang Yu did not seem like one of those arrogant hotheads and was willing to listen to advice, the driver began talking freely.

"Sigh, what else could it be? It's all about fighting over resources."

"The area west of the city has basically been taken over by a battle group called Greedy Wolf."

"Greedy Wolf Battle Group?" Yang Yu repeated the name.

"That's right!" The driver looked indignant.

"They're just a rabble made up of thugs and hooligans! I heard they used to run with gangs, and they're vicious and ruthless."

"They rely on their numbers to set up checkpoints at the entrance to the Wild Boar Cave Dungeon and collect fees."

"Want to go in and level up? Fine, pay protection money first! Five hundred per person!"

"Find something good inside? If they spot it, you're in even worse trouble. They'll snatch it by force! If you dare resist, getting your legs broken would be the least of it. They might even kill you and dump your body in the wilderness, and no one would ever know!"

The more the driver spoke, the angrier he became.

"Doesn't the official side do anything about it?" Yang Yu asked.

"Do anything? How?" The driver gave a bitter smile.

"The wilderness outside the city is huge. The official side simply doesn't have enough manpower. And those guys are slippery. The moment they see an official patrol coming, they immediately pretend to be decent people. Once the patrol leaves, they show up again."

"Besides, matters between professionals happen outside the city. Even if someone dies, the official side usually turns a blind eye."

"After all, this world is ruled by fists in the end."

After listening, Yang Yu roughly understood the situation.

This Greedy Wolf Battle Group was apparently a group of local bullies entrenched outside Novice Village.

They specialized in bullying newcomers like him, those who had just set out into the world without backgrounds or strength.

He asked curiously, "Then what levels are they around?"

"They're mostly professionals in the Level 10s, but their boss might be Level 20!" the driver replied.

Yang Yu nodded.

That put his mind at ease.

As long as he did not run into that Level 20 professional, with his current attack power, anyone he met would be instantly killed.

Hopefully, they won't come looking for trouble with me.

Seeing that he was completely unmoved, the driver knew there was no use saying more and could only sigh inwardly.

Another young man who didn't know the immensity of heaven and earth.

I hope he's lucky enough to survive.

The car soon arrived at the checkpoint west of the city.

The towering city wall completely separated the city from the wilderness.

Guards in standard armor stood watch at the gate with weapons in hand, conducting strict inspections on everyone entering and leaving.

The taxi could go no further.

Yang Yu paid the fare and got out.

"Young man, take care!" The driver could not help giving him one last reminder.

"Mm."

Yang Yu waved at him, then walked straight toward the checkpoint.

After a simple identity registration and information check, he smoothly passed through the city gate.

Rumble!

The enormous gate slowly closed behind him.

At that instant, Yang Yu felt as though the entire world had changed.

The comfort and order of the city vanished without a trace.

In their place was a primitive, desolate atmosphere filled with danger.

Before him stretched an endless wilderness, overgrown with weeds and littered with jagged rocks.

The forest in the distance resembled a crouching beast, silently lying in wait.

The air was filled with the scent of earth and rotting vegetation. From time to time, he could also hear the howls of unknown monsters in the distance.

This was the true face of the world.

A world governed by the Law of the Jungle, filled with the unknown and danger.

Not only was Yang Yu unafraid, the blood in his veins began to faintly boil instead.

He took a deep breath of the wild-scented air, identified the direction, and strode toward Wild Boar Forest.

The roads through the wilderness were not easy to travel.

After walking for more than half an hour, Yang Yu finally saw a dense forest in the distance.

That should be the Wild Boar Forest the Homeroom Teacher had mentioned.

"Sister Leng Yuan, look, another newbie is coming over." A somewhat young male voice rang out, carrying a faint trace of concern.

"Mm." Another voice answered, a woman's voice—cool and crisp.

Yang Yu looked toward the source of the voices and saw two people standing on a hillside.

They both wore identical black combat uniforms. On their chests was a silver shield insignia engraved with the character for "Dragon."

This was the emblem of the Dragon Kingdom Official Professioner Association.

The speaker was a young man in his early twenties, leaning against a rock.

Beside him stood a tall woman.

She appeared to be around twenty-five or twenty-six years old. She had neat short hair and delicate features, but her expression was as cold as ice.

Her gaze rested lightly on Yang Yu.

"He only has one piece of decent equipment, yet he's entering Wild Boar Forest alone. That's a little risky." The young man spoke again, his voice neither loud nor soft. "Sister Leng Yuan, I heard an Elite-grade Wild Boar King might spawn in the forest tonight. Should we... remind him?"

The woman called Leng Yuan kept her eyes on Yang Yu, her tone calm and even.

"Remind him of what?"

"That members of the Greedy Wolf Battle Group are active nearby?"

"Or remind him that it's common sense to choose one's area carefully when one lacks strength?"

Her words were clear. She had obviously intended for Yang Yu to hear them.