Not Li Juefeng After All

"The location chosen for this Practical Training Hunt is excellent, and this opportunity is rare, which is why everything has been so rushed. We'll be taking armored vehicles out of the city at noon. The secret realm's effects on Qingmu Town may disappear in as little as half a month. Every extra day you hunt is another day of profit. The demon beasts are all within a controllable range of strength, so there's nothing to fear."

"During the hunt, you'd best act around Jiang Qiu. He is the lead student of Field No. 8 and is qualified to make arrangements."

"There are casualties every year during the Practical Training Hunt. There are always students who run off alone and get an arm bitten off by some low-level demon beast that jumps out from who knows where. You'd best value your lives and not be too stupid!"

"Also, half of the reason this prime selection opportunity went to us was because of Jiang Qiu. Don't come back from the hunt without making any progress and waste this opportunity!"

Spittle flew everywhere. Every student in Field No. 8 stared at Jiang Qiu in stunned disbelief, dazed as though the skies had changed after waking from a great dream.

Ranking by martial strength had always been the tradition for the Practical Training Hunt. This year, logically, Li Juefeng should have received first choice.

Yet it had gone to Jiang Qiu?

At the edge of the crowd, Xie Kuang clenched his fists, his expression darkening. Hu Yeye, tucked away in the back, hooked her fingers against her chest as her heartbeat quickened. Before the others, Wang Guanjia's eyes widened as he let out a long breath of turbid air. Beside him, Liu Zili pressed her lips together and clenched her fists, a gleam reflecting in her round pupils.

Complex emotions passed across their faces.

"Hoo..." Jiang Qiu stepped forward, his Bright Sight eyes as clear as water. "I hope everyone can follow my arrangements as much as possible during the Practical Training Hunt."

Taking the lead was both the burden of being Field No. 8's top Outstanding Student and the responsibility that came with receiving a portion of Martial Spirit Incense for participating in the Practical Training Hunt.

But after eighteen years in this life, he had never been able to fit into a group.

Even his qualification to enter Field No. 8 had been earned solely to prepare for the college entrance exam. He did not even know everyone's names. How many of them would truly be willing to follow his arrangements?

Those words were merely a formality.

With that thought, Jiang Qiu unconsciously wanted to turn and glance at Wu Shan beside him to see his expression, but he stopped himself.

"Alright."

A voice suddenly rang out like a jade pebble falling into a clear pool, sending ripples through Jiang Qiu's heart. When he turned his eyes, they landed right on the twin dimples by Liu Zili's mouth.

"Mm."

Wang Guanjia grunted in response. Zhang Shan licked his lips and shouted as well, "We'll listen to Brother Jiang."

At once, more than half the students began calling out, "I'm with Brother Jiang." A few remained hidden toward the back, their voices so soft they sounded like they were trying to muddle through unnoticed.

They had once looked down on Jiang Qiu and even made snide remarks about him while following Xie Kuang around. They truly knew how to go with the tide.

Who could have imagined Jiang Qiu would snatch Li Juefeng's first-choice position right out from under the teachers? Those who had still been wavering that morning now surged over like a burst dam. They wanted to join him too, though guilt made their faces burn. They repeatedly glanced at the eye-catching Jiang Qiu at the front. Fortunately, Jiang Qiu had not noticed them.

"..."

Jiang Qiu swept his gaze over the crowd, then let it settle on Liu Zili again. The corner of his mouth lifted slightly, almost imperceptibly.

"Alright, if there's anything you need to prepare, go back and get it ready. Bring all the necessities for wilderness survival and protection. If you need to buy anything immediately, register with Jiang Qiu now." Wu Shan glanced at the silent, downcast Xie Kuang, then patted Jiang Qiu's right shoulder with his large hand. "A set costs four thousand. There are essential items you won't be able to buy elsewhere in the short term."

"..."

Jiang Qiu looked up at Wu Shan's naturally fierce face, with its missing eye, and his lips twitched faintly.

Four thousand yuan would practically scrape my account balance down to nothing but loose change.

But this was his first time leaving the city. The wilderness was bound to hold countless dangers, and without sufficient preparation, he would surely be at a disadvantage.

After a moment's thought, he asked, "Teacher, doesn't the first-choice student get a subsidy?"

"You still have to pay."

The Outstanding Students from all eight fields went home to prepare. Most headed for the Commoner District with excited smiles on their faces, while a scattered few slipped into the Slum Area, frowning bitterly.

"Four thousand yuan, just gone like that."

Jiang Qiu carried a brand-new black backpack. An ordinary dagger at his waist swayed lightly with his hips as he curled his fingers into his palm one by one. "One backpack, one lighter, a dagger and belt, one kilogram of demon-repelling powder."

"And the injury-healing, fatigue-relieving medicine that accounts for half the value—Blood Boil Liquid."

The crimson liquid sloshed inside the small glass vial he casually pulled out. It gleamed under the sunlight. Though the bottle was no thicker than a thumb, it cost at least two thousand yuan. It was precisely the essential medicine needed for hunting outside the city.

It could heal wounds and replenish blood, while also sharpening one's mind and restoring energy. It could save a life in many situations.

"It's just a little expensive."

Jiang Qiu shook his head and slowly put it back into his pocket.

Turning the corner, he returned home and quickly poured out the medicinal bath wastewater that had been steeping for hours. He took out the new soap and towel he had bought on the way.

Swish, swish, swish—

Basin after basin of clean water turned murky. By the large wooden tub, even a sniff brought the lemon fragrance of soap.

Two hours passed quickly. Once the towel had wiped away the last trails of water droplets along the inner edge of the large tub, Jiang Qiu planted his hands on his hips, his eyes as bright as a mirror wiped clean with tissue. "There's nothing else to prepare. I have just enough time to clean Liu Zili's tub."

He casually took out his phone, and his pupils shook. "It's already twelve. We gather at one in the afternoon. I need to hurry to the school cafeteria and eat."

He glanced at the large wooden tub, slung the backpack over his shoulder, and fastened the new belt with the dagger hanging from it around his waist. "I'll return the tub after the Practical Training Hunt."

Click.

The front door shut. Preparations complete.

On the main road facing No.8 Middle School's gate, one black, cold armored vehicle after another crouched beside the sidewalk like off-road Fierce Tigers. More and more students gathered outside the cordon, the crowd packed tightly together amid noisy chatter.

"Wow, it's time for the Practical Training Hunt again? It's a whole month earlier than last year!"

"Yeah. I heard secret realms have been appearing more frequently outside the city lately. Lots of high schools are fighting over good locations. Wonder what kind of place we managed to get this year."

"Whatever, it should be about the same as in previous years. Just tell me—how many demon beasts do you think Li Juefeng will kill in the end? He's a genius already proficient in the Ancient Martial Arts Spear Technique. No matter what, he should be able to slaughter a hundred, right?"

"Stop arguing, stop arguing—they're coming out!"

As a low shout spread, more and more students turned toward the gates of the Elite Training Hall. Led by the two directors, the teachers walked out at an unhurried pace, their presence as unstoppable as waves breaking apart.

The many students following behind them resembled ancient soldiers. Long spears rested on their shoulders, rising and falling in rows. Most wore black shirts beneath light armor; some even had sturdy shields strapped to their left arms and steel helmets over their heads. Even the few from less fortunate backgrounds had iron plates hanging from their chests, their bearing still sharp and fierce.

At the sight, the ordinary students' eyes blazed like the sun, gleaming with admiration.

But then they noticed one student striding at the front. The hem of his black shirt fluttered in the wind, and a spear with a double-curved blade rested on his shoulder. His bare left arm swung naturally with his steps. Like a lone crane among chickens, he radiated an exceptional air.

"What's going on? Who's that leading the group? It's actually not Li Juefeng!"

"Damn, isn't he even preparing any protective armor? He's going on the Practical Training Hunt with just the most basic backpack, a dagger, and a spear? Since when did our class produce someone like that?"

"So where's Li Juefeng? There's no way he isn't joining the Practical Training Hunt, right? I haven't heard that he was seriously injured."

"You don't get it, do you? Li Juefeng can get five portions of Martial Spirit Incense every month, and he uses them all within a single day. The aftereffects are pretty intense. This Practical Training Hunt was arranged too suddenly, so he's probably still recuperating."

"Then wouldn't that leave him with several fewer days than everyone else?"

"What are you worried about? That's Li Juefeng!"