The Mission Hall stood in the central area of the academy. It was a three-story stone building, with a timeworn, imposing style. An inscription carved into a stone stele before the entrance read: Temper yourself through missions; prove your path through contribution.
It was a little past nine in the morning, and people were coming and going inside and outside the hall. Students in martial arts uniforms of every color gathered around the bulletin boards to check missions, queued at the windows to turn them in, or discussed how to split the rewards in groups of three or five.
The din of voices, the hurried footsteps, and the occasional sound of an argument all came together in a busy, vibrant scene.
"So many people..." Zhao Tie Zhu looked at the sight before him and nervously hunched his shoulders.
Zhou Ming pushed up his glasses and glanced around the hall. "According to the academy records, the Mission Hall posts three to five hundred missions a day. They cover more than a dozen categories, including hunting, gathering, escorting, and investigations. On average, over a thousand students come here each day to accept or turn in missions."
"Brother Fan, what should we take?" Chen Dahu asked bluntly.
Lin Fan didn't answer right away. He looked around first.
Three enormous crystal screens hung on the wall facing the main entrance, scrolling through mission details. The area below was divided into three sections by mission difficulty: Easy (White), Difficult (Blue), and Dangerous (Red).
The Easy section was packed with new and returning students. Most of the missions involved gathering, cleaning, or delivering messages, with rewards ranging from 5 to 20 Academic Credits.
There were fewer people in the Difficult section. Most of the students looking there were at least 2nd-rank Martial Artists. The missions involved hunting 2nd Tier Demonic Beasts, exploring designated areas, and the like, with rewards of 30 to 100 Academic Credits.
The Dangerous section was almost deserted. Occasionally, an upper-year student would glance at it before hurrying away. The missions there offered hundreds of Academic Credits at a time, but their details were enough to make anyone's heart skip a beat: "Investigate abnormal beast activity in Black Wind Valley (suspected 3rd Tier Demonic Beast sightings)", "Hunt down an escaped Martial Artist (peak 2nd rank, skilled in assassination)"...
"Let's check the Easy section first," Lin Fan said.
The four squeezed in front of the white screen.
A dense list of missions scrolled by:
[Mission Number: W-0371]
[Details: Clear out 1st Tier Demonic Beasts called "Steel Tooth Rats" within three kilometers west of the academy. Reward: 8 Academic Credits per rat]
[Requirement: Return with each rat's intact tail as proof]
[Eligibility: 1st-rank Martial Artist or above; teams recommended]
[Mission Number: C-0215]
[Details: Gather 10 stalks of "Glow Grass." Reward: 5 Academic Credits per stalk]
[Location: Southeastern outskirts of Qingmu Forest]
[Special Note: Glow Grass shines at night. Departure at dusk is recommended]
[Mission Number: D-0089]
[Details: Deliver a letter to "Hundred Herbs Hall" in the East District of Jiangnan City. Reward: 12 Academic Credits]
[Deadline: Complete today]
Lin Fan skimmed the missions, weighing the options.
The Steel Tooth Rat mission was suitable for gaining Combat Experience, but the rewards were low. The Glow Grass mission required entering Qingmu Forest, which would give them a chance to get familiar with the practical training environment ahead of time. The delivery mission was simple but would waste time, so he ruled it out.
"Take W-0371 and C-0215," Lin Fan decided.
"Both of them?" Zhou Ming asked in surprise. "The Steel Tooth Rat mission is around the academy, while the Glow Grass mission is in Qingmu Forest. They're in opposite directions. We can't make both in one day, can we?"
"We'll split them over two days," Lin Fan explained. "We'll clear out Steel Tooth Rats this afternoon and gather Glow Grass tomorrow. That way, we can earn Academic Credits, get used to Qingmu Forest, and gain Combat Experience."
Chen Dahu's eyes lit up. "Brother Fan, you've thought it all through!"
Zhao Tie Zhu looked worried. "B-but I heard that even though Steel Tooth Rats are only 1st Tier, they often show up in groups. They're dangerous."
"That's why we need a team." Lin Fan looked at the three of them. "Besides, you need combat experience."
He spoke plainly, but the three understood that it was true.
At the Martial Arts Academy, having no combat experience meant having no fighting ability. And fighting ability determined how far you could go.
"Come on. Let's go to the mission window."
A line of more than ten people stood in front of the mission window, most of them new students. Lin Fan and the others joined the end of the queue.
An argument broke out up ahead.
"Why won't you let me take it? I passed the assessment. I'm a 1st-rank Martial Artist!" an excited, thin, tall male student said.
The staff member behind the window was a woman in her thirties. She wore an impassive expression. "Proof?"
"What proof?"
"A Martial Artist badge or an academy-certified cultivation assessment report." The woman's tone was flat. "The Mission Hall's rules require proof of ability before accepting combat missions, to prevent needless casualties."
The tall student flushed. "I... I just enrolled. I haven't gotten my badge yet, and I haven't received my assessment report..."
"Then get certified at the Martial Artist Association, or come back after the monthly assessment." The woman looked away. "Next."
The tall student left dejectedly as the people behind him whispered among themselves.
"Those rules are way too rigid."
"They're actually there to protect new students. Last year, a new student overestimated himself, took a mission, and died in the Wilderness. His family made a huge fuss."
"But then how are we new students supposed to earn Academic Credits...?"
The line inched forward.
When it was Lin Fan's turn, the woman didn't even look up. "Student ID. Which missions?"
Lin Fan handed over his student ID. "W-0371 and C-0215."
The woman took the ID and swiped it over the nearby device. Its screen lit up, displaying Lin Fan's information:
[Name: Lin Fan]
[Class: Regular Class Three]
[Assessment Result: First]
[Cultivation Evaluation: 1st-rank Martial Apprentice (pending formal assessment)]
[Academic Credits Balance: 100]
[Eligible Mission Level: Easy]
When she saw "Assessment Result: First," the woman raised her eyes, though her expression remained unchanged.
"You can take both missions, but the rules require you to prove you have the strength of a 1st-rank Martial Artist," she said. "Or you need an upper-year student to vouch for you."
Lin Fan frowned. This rule was a hassle.
"I'll vouch for him," Chen Dahu suddenly said. "My dad is Chen Dashan of the Thunder Hunting Group. I can vouch that Lin Fan is capable of taking combat missions."
The woman looked at Chen Dahu. "You're Chen Dashan's son?"
"Yes."
She tapped at the device, apparently checking something. After a moment, she nodded. "Chen Dashan has a good record with the association, so you can vouch for him. But if the mission fails or anyone is hurt, the guarantor will have to bear part of the responsibility."
"I understand," Chen Dahu said without hesitation.
Lin Fan glanced at Chen Dahu but said nothing. He would remember this kindness.
"All right. The missions are yours." The woman returned Lin Fan's student ID. "W-0371 requires you to bring back Steel Tooth Rat tails as proof. Each one earns 8 Academic Credits, with no upper limit. C-0215 requires intact Glow Grass. Damaged plants won't count. Both missions have a three-day deadline and will expire automatically if you're late."
"One more thing," the woman added, unusually talkative. "Steel Tooth Rats are low-tier Demonic Beasts, but their habit of living in groups makes them dangerous. I recommend a team of at least four, with at least one person assigned to keep watch. Three new students died on this mission last year."
She spoke in a matter-of-fact tone, but Zhou Ming and Zhao Tie Zhu both went pale.
"Thanks for the warning," Lin Fan said with a nod.
The four left the window and went to a corner of the hall.
Lin Fan opened his Status Panel to check the mission status:
[Academy Mission Accepted: Clear out Steel Tooth Rats (0/∞)] [Academy Mission Accepted: Gather Glow Grass (0/10)] [Side Mission "Team Bonding" Progress Updated: Lin Fan (53), Chen Dahu (8), Zhou Ming (2), Zhao Tie Zhu (1), Average Combat Experience: 16]
They were still short of the target of 30, but the battle this afternoon should give them a good boost.
"Are we going now?" Chen Dahu asked.
"Let's prepare first," Lin Fan said. "Zhou Ming, how much do you know about Steel Tooth Rats?"
Zhou Ming pushed up his glasses and went into "lecture mode." "Steel Tooth Rats are 1st Tier Earth-attribute Demonic Beasts, about half a meter long. Their teeth are sharp enough to bite through ordinary iron plates. They live in groups, usually five to ten in a pack, and have a basic sense of teamwork. Their weak points are their eyes and bellies. They move at an average speed, but they're nimble when turning."
"What about their attack patterns?" Lin Fan pressed.
"They usually surround their prey, then leap in to bite from several directions at once. Their teeth carry a mild Earth-attribute toxin. If you get bitten, you'll feel numb. It isn't fatal, but it can hinder your movement."
"What about their defenses?"
"Their fur is tough, so ordinary blades and swords can barely hurt them. Their bellies are softer, though. If you have a sharp weapon, you can try attacking there."
After listening, Lin Fan looked at Chen Dahu. "Dahu, did your father teach you how to deal with Demonic Beasts that live in groups?"
"He did." Chen Dahu nodded. "Dad said the most important thing when dealing with a large number of enemies is controlling the battlefield. Either lure them into narrow terrain to limit their numerical advantage, or keep moving so they can't surround you."
"Good." Lin Fan thought for a moment. "We need to prepare a few things: bait, materials for traps, and medicine to relieve paralysis."
"All that costs Academic Credits..." Zhao Tie Zhu said quietly.
"We'll use the 100 Academic Credits we started with," Lin Fan decided. "We have to invest. If we get injured or even killed trying to save a few credits, we'll lose everything."
The four went to the supply exchange on one side of the hall.
Students could exchange Academic Credits for all kinds of items here: weapons, armor, potions, tools, materials...
The prices reminded Lin Fan all over again how precious resources were.
[Mortal Tier Low-grade Short Blade: 30 Academic Credits] [Mortal Tier Low-grade Leather Armor: 50 Academic Credits] [Antidote (General Purpose): 10 Academic Credits/bottle] [Paralysis Relief Potion: 15 Academic Credits/bottle] [Simple Beast Trap: 5 Academic Credits each] [Demonic Beast Bait (favored by rodents): 8 Academic Credits/portion]
Lin Fan quickly did the math.
"Four short blades would cost 120 Academic Credits at 30 each... Too expensive." He shook his head. "We'll use the academy's training weapons for now. They're not as good, but they'll do. We don't need armor yet. Mobility is more important."
In the end, Lin Fan exchanged for: 2 Paralysis Relief Potions (30 Academic Credits), 3 portions of Demonic Beast Bait (24 Academic Credits), 2 Simple Beast Traps (10 Academic Credits), and 2 Hemostatic Bandages (6 Academic Credits).
That came to 70 Academic Credits, leaving them with 30.
"Brother Fan, will this bait really attract Steel Tooth Rats?" Chen Dahu asked, looking at the pack of black, paste-like substance in his hand. It gave off a strange smell.
"We'll find out." Lin Fan distributed the items. "I'll take one potion, and Dahu will take the other. Zhou Ming, you keep the bait and traps and set them up. Tie Zhu, you take the Hemostatic Bandages."
"I... I take the bandages?" Zhao Tie Zhu looked confused.
"If someone gets hurt in a fight, you'll need to treat them right away." Lin Fan looked at him. "That's important work."
Zhao Tie Zhu was stunned for a moment, then nodded firmly. "I understand!"
Once they were ready, the four left the Mission Hall.
The sun was blazing, and it was just past ten.
"Let's go back for our training weapons, then head straight to the Wilderness west of the academy," Lin Fan said. "We'll get there before noon and start clearing them out in the afternoon."
"Brother Fan, shouldn't we come up with a more detailed plan?" Zhou Ming asked.
"We'll adjust our tactics in the field," Lin Fan said. "There's no point in fighting a battle on paper."
As he spoke, he looked at the three of them. "Remember, earning Academic Credits isn't the only purpose of this mission. More importantly, you need to experience real combat, learn to work together, and improve your strength."
"The monthly sparring contest, practical training for new students, future Wilderness hunts... everything is built on strength."
"And strength can only be gained through battle."
The three grew solemn.
They knew Lin Fan was right. In this world, the powerless didn't even have the right to complain.
If they wanted resources, wanted to grow stronger, and wanted to protect themselves and those they cared about, they had to compete, struggle, and fight.
Even if the road ahead led to danger—or death.
"Let's go." Lin Fan set off first.
The four headed toward the dorms to grab their weapons and set out.
Behind them, through a window on the second floor of the Mission Hall, Zhang Qiming watched them quietly as they walked away.
He held a report with the details of Lin Fan's assessment: Strength: 1,200 pounds; speed: broke the civilian record; breakthrough under pressure during actual combat...
"Lin Fan..." Zhang Qiming murmured. "Let's see if your actual combat ability lives up to these numbers."
Beside him stood a middle-aged man in a black martial arts uniform: Elder Sun, the academy's disciplinary elder.
"Teacher Zhang, are you keeping a close eye on this student?" Elder Sun asked.
"First place in the assessment. He's worth watching," Zhang Qiming said. "But more importantly, his fighting style is interesting."
"Oh?"
"Look at his results." Zhang Qiming pointed to the report. "For the strength test, he started with the most standard opening stance from the Basic Fist Technique. In the speed test, his footwork was a variation of the Basic Footwork. And when he broke through in actual combat, he was still using the Basic Fist Technique."
"What's the problem with that?" Elder Sun asked, puzzled.
"The problem is that it's too textbook." A spark of interest flashed in Zhang Qiming's eyes. "It's as if... he's practiced it countless times, taking the most basic skills to the absolute limit."
"Having a solid foundation is a good thing."
"But if a poor boy with few resources can train his basic skills to that level..." Zhang Qiming paused. "Then 'solid foundation' isn't enough to explain it."
Elder Sun looked thoughtful.
"I've already asked the academy to retrieve Lin Fan's whereabouts from the month before he enrolled," Zhang Qiming said. "I want to know how he trained."
"Do you suspect he's hiding his strength? Or that he had some kind of fortuitous encounter?"
"No." Zhang Qiming shook his head. "I just think there may be a quality in this student that we've overlooked."
He gazed out the window. Lin Fan and the others had already disappeared at the end of the road.
"A quality... that belongs to a true Martial Artist."
Building 7, Room 203, East District.
Lin Fan took the training short blade issued by the academy from beneath his bed. Its blade was made of ordinary refined iron and wasn't sharpened, but it was sturdy enough.
Chen Dahu took a training longsword, Zhou Ming chose a light short sword, and Zhao Tie Zhu took a shield and a short club—equipment his father had used in the past.
"Check your gear. We leave in five minutes," Lin Fan said.
The four quickly checked their weapons, potions, and trap materials.
Lin Fan used the time to check his Status Panel again.
[Basic Fist Technique: Mastery Level (2012/5000)] [Basic Footwork: Mastery Level (1561/5000)] [Basic Breathing Technique: Mastery Level (1255/5000)] [Combat Experience: 53]
They were still a ways from Minor Accomplishment Level, but this afternoon's battle should help them make good progress.
More importantly, the side quest required his teammates to improve their Combat Experience.
They needed an average of 30 points. That meant Chen Dahu had to raise his score from 8 to at least 30, Zhou Ming had to go from 2 to 30, and Zhao Tie Zhu had to go from 1 to 30.
That would take a lot of fighting.
I hope there are plenty of Steel Tooth Rats, Lin Fan thought.
"Brother Fan, we're ready!" Chen Dahu's voice interrupted his thoughts.
Lin Fan looked up and saw that all three were fully equipped and ready to go.
Zhou Ming looked a little nervous, but his eyes were determined. Zhao Tie Zhu's hand trembled slightly as he gripped his shield, but he stood up straight. Chen Dahu, meanwhile, looked excited and eager to give it a try.
"Remember a few things," Lin Fan reminded them one last time. "First, follow orders. Second, cover each other. Third, don't get greedy for credit. Fourth, safety comes first."
"Yes!" the three answered in unison.
"Let's go."
Lin Fan pushed open the dormitory door, and sunlight spilled across the corridor.
The four boys' first team mission was about to begin.
And they had no idea that this seemingly simple cleanup mission would far exceed their expectations.
Before you continue