Three years? Two hundred thousand?

Qi Lao San was a master of the tease. After successfully piquing everyone's interest, he flipped his attitude and changed the subject, chatting about other topics with a grin, never mentioning the Magic Tools.

At this, the students could only curse him inwardly for being a scoundrel.

The carriage swayed and rocked. Those who hadn't rested well before drifted off to sleep without realizing it.

Xu Fang, as the temporary vice-class monitor, shamelessly abused his power and occupied the largest spot. He rested his backpack behind his head and comfortably closed his eyes.

Concentrate, enter the Spiritual World.

After a month, his stardust had changed significantly from before. It had visibly doubled in size, emitting a dazzling radiance.

Demonic Energy churned within the stardust like waves, and seven golden Star Seeds, riding the crests, crashed about inside the stardust.

Each time a Star Seed was about to break out of the stardust, it would be blocked by a transparent thin film. This was the bottleneck of the Intermediate level. Breaking through this bottleneck would allow the stardust to transform into a Nebula, advancing him to Intermediate Mage.

Buzz buzz buzz!

[Star Seed] has initiated a protest against you and thrown a large mass of Demonic Energy.

"Alright, alright, don't rush your dad. I'll feed you all soon enough," Xu Fang placated them.

This past month, he hadn't been on the city walls killing undead. Instead, he had gone to the Magic Association to study Magic Tool crafting.

This was specially approved by the Judge Shi Zheng. In his own words, inspiration was important, but a solid foundation was also indispensable.

What if, one day, Xu Fang came up with a divine artifact capable of killing a Monarch, but couldn't craft it himself? If he tried to explain it to others, it would be like a teapot pouring chiaotzu – completely useless, wouldn't that be a huge loss?

Xu Fang happily went along with it, but the Star Seeds threw a fit.

Before, they ate Remnant Souls like they were meals, and every few days, they could even get a Servant level Spirit Essence to improve their lives.

And now? Nothing at all!

Dad, we're hungry! Dad, we're hungry! We want to eat, we want to live. We've had enough of this ascetic life without even a taste of meat!

Xu Fang quickly appeased them, making a slew of promises. He guaranteed an unlimited supply of Remnant Souls from now on, vowing to let them eat until they couldn't anymore, to break through Intermediate level three within three days, and Intermediate level within a semester. The whole family would work together towards prosperity. Only then did these little guys become cheerful again.

"It's like being both a father and a mother."

"These are just seven. When they become forty-nine, three hundred and forty-three... tsk tsk."

Truly, a happy kind of trouble.

Clang clang clang!

"Everyone, disembark!" "Quick, quick, hurry up!" "Stop sleeping, we've arrived!"

After about an hour, the vehicle slowed down. Before it had even stopped, Xu Fang heard the grating sound of metal basins clanging against each other outside, along with bursts of clamor.

Qi Lao San had also shed his amiable demeanor from the journey, his expression fierce as he herded the students out like chickens.

By the time everyone had lined up and surveyed their surroundings, their hearts sank halfway.

What was this... a boundless wasteland, littered with pits and rocks. The sparse grass was as thin as Shi Zheng's hair, scattered in patches.

The city wall stood behind them. Unlike the grandeur of other places, this section of the wall was exceptionally dilapidated, mottled with age, its edges chipped and corners broken.

"Caw! Caw! Caw!"

An unknown black bird, with a chilling cry, flapped its wings and took flight. It landed on a grave mound, then turned to glance at the students.

Although the midday sun was blinding, everyone felt a chilling breeze seeping down their necks.

"I thought there'd be a welcoming ceremony..." a student mumbled. "This is too desolate." "Aren't we supposed to fight on the city walls? Why are we going outside the city?" "Where's the mess hall? It'd be good to grab something to eat."

The students whispered amongst themselves. Before the military training began, they had also looked up many guides online, but none matched what they were seeing now.

The new recruit company commander, He Ming, had already arrived. His uniform was crisp, and he looked coldly at the noisy crowd. Under the pressure of his gaze, the students gradually quieted down.

Beside He Ming stood a man with a kind face, the political instructor Li Yi.

Li Yi said with a smile, "The children are all here. Come, let's distribute the supplies."

Eight boxes, one for each class, were placed at the very front.

The crowd stirred again, especially those in the back who couldn't see clearly what was inside, craning their necks to get a better look.

Soon, the boxes were opened, and the contents were handed out to everyone. To their great disappointment, Xu Fang looked at the black sphere in his hand and found it familiar no matter how he looked at it.

"What's this?" "An iron ball?" "I thought it was a Magic Tool..."

"Is it a Magic Tool? We'll know if we try it!"

He Ming said coldly, "If you want to die, you can completely infuse your Demonic Energy into it. It will only take less than five seconds, and everyone within ten meters, including you, will die."

Student: "!!!"

The person who was holding it just now trembled and almost threw the hot potato away.

"Haha, everyone doesn't need to be too scared," Li Yi chuckled. "As some students might have guessed, this is a Magic Tool. It was researched and developed by the Bell Tower Magic Association and the Forbidden Army working together for a full three years. It's called a 'Bomb'."

Xu Fang's lips twitched imperceptibly.

Three years, my ass. He's lying as if it were the truth... Of course, He Ming and Li Yi actually believe it.

"After three years of continuous adjustment and testing, the power of this bomb is enough to rival a Fire Seed · Burst!" Li Yi added, "Everyone, as long as they can circulate Demonic Energy, at any time, any place, regardless of how much Demonic Energy they have, can release it!"

A chorus of "What the fuck" erupted from the crowd. Rivaling Fire Seed · Burst, and everyone can use it!?

And one must know that Magic Tools rely on Demonic Energy to drive them, especially Demon Slaying Tools. Enough Demonic Energy must be infused to unleash their true power.

For a Primary Level One Mage, even if they obtained a Demon Slaying Tool, at most they could release a Primary Level Two Magic. Don't even think about more.

But this little iron ball actually broke that curse!

For a moment, the eyes of the crowd turned fervent as they looked at the bomb.

If they had a hundred or so bombs on them, wouldn't they be invincible? Why bother thinking about the underworld, or cultivating any damn magic?

"I know what you're thinking, but it's best not to get your hopes up," He Ming doused them with a bucket of cold water. "This single bomb is worth two hundred thousand. Furthermore, bombs are controlled items and are not allowed to circulate outside. They can only be distributed by superiors. You absolutely cannot buy them with money."

Two hundred thousand!?

Xu Fang was about to curse. Damn it, they weren't even trying to fool people this hard. The most crucial part was that the people around him actually felt the price was fair!

Was this reasonable?

Rich guys were a minority, after all. Most students, upon receiving a treasure worth two hundred thousand, would immediately put it away, determined not to use it unless absolutely necessary.

Xu Fang casually pocketed it. I can make this thing myself with my bare hands.

"We've got the items. Now, let's get down to business."

"According to the traditions of the Lin Tong Military Region, we have an obligation to tell every greenhorn who comes in what kind of enemies they will face here!"