In Soul Return Town, the chilly morning wind swept across the ruins.
Time quietly ticked to 5:59:59 AM.
"Tick-tock~"
As the second hand struck its final tick, the Sky Curtain sound erupted precisely on time!
[Ding! Good morning, brave warriors who survived the global adventure!]
[Welcome everyone! You've successfully survived to the tenth day since your arrival in the Barbaric Realm!]
Today... is destined to be a day that goes down in history! Because the highly anticipated "Newbie Trials" are about to begin!
However, before we officially enter the festivities of the trial, I want to share something from my heart!
The sound from the Sky Curtain suddenly turned somewhat low, as if expressing pity, or perhaps mockery.
That is... please cherish the people in front of you.
Because some things, some people, once gone, can never be brought back.
These abrupt and menacing words sent a chill down the spines of the survivors listening throughout the Barbaric Realm.
Okay, enough with the pointless sentimentality!
[Alright... let's get down to business now!]
[Before entering the trial, the first thing to be tallied and distributed is the long-awaited Novice Rankings!]
[Buzz!]
[1st Place: No Need for Further Explanation]
[Location]: Weird Island (S-class area)
[Battle Record]: Defeat the Lord of Soul Return Town (Demigod- level BOSS) x 1, Kill Soulless Wraiths (Rank B) x 2032!
[Integral]:???
[2nd Place: Needs More Roasting]
[Location]: Polar Icefield (A-Class Area)
[Battle Record]: Killed the Cold Silence Demon Bear King (S-class) x 1
[Points]: 50000
[3rd Place: Eat Now or Get Old]
[Location]: Polar Icefield (A-Class Area)
[Battle Record]: Killed 6 Frosty Demon Bears (Rank B)
[Points]: 30000
On the roof of the main hall of Central Forest Garden.
Jiangnan gazed quietly at the top of the Rankings in the sky and couldn't help but chuckle softly.
"How ironic."
He looked at the words on the Rankings, and only when it came to his turn, when facing the Lord of Soul Return Town, the system's judgment was [Defeat].
Instead of getting [killed] like those unlucky bears below.
However, this was incredibly good news for him!
This completely confirmed his previous suspicions.
The Phoenix Emperor is definitely not completely dead!
Since it wasn't killed, the spirit within the damaged "Mortal Fireworks Painting" painting must still have the potential to be reawakened!
At that very moment, a dazzling blue light materialized out of thin air in Jiangnan's palm.
This is the top reward for yesterday's Novice Ranking!
[Item]: Poseidon III Underwater Navigation Module
[Type]: Parts
[Level]: Top Grade!
[Function]: Can be installed on any Mobile Shelter, giving it perfect diving and the ability to move freely underwater!
[Message]: Want to drown? Did you ask your third brother first?!
Jiangnan looked at the azure-blue metal module in his hand, a glint of light flashing in his eyes.
This thing came at the perfect time!
He was worried about how to lead his men across the dangerous waters of the Barbaric Realm to the Dragon Xia Imperial City in the north.
Once this underwater module is installed on that giant RV, it will be incredibly useful, being both amphibious and capable of navigating both land and water!
And then, in the very next moment...
[Buzz!]
The voice from the Sky Curtain sounded again, but this time, it wasn't a server-wide announcement.
Instead, it's a personalized Pop-up Window for each newcomer who travels from around the world.
[New warriors, would you like to participate in this trial? (Yes/No)]
At the same time.
The Huaxia Second Base, the underground core plaza.
Wan Changzheng gripped the thermos tightly in his hand.
The tea in the cup had long since gone cold, but he was completely unaware.
Those bloodshot eyes remained fixed on the [Blue Star Teleportation Gate] in the center of the plaza, unable to snap out of their daze.
He had been sitting here, listlessly, for an entire night.
"Chief..."
Several guards on duty couldn't bear to watch any longer and stepped forward with concern to persuade him.
"You've been sitting on these cold steps until dawn, why don't you go back and rest for a while?"
"Yes, Chief, this portal is a one-way passage."
"After Elder Xing Wu and the others go in, they will be forcibly teleported back by the Spatial Law after at least 12 hours of survival time."
"There's no point in you just standing here watching."
"Your body can't take this, at least... go to the cafeteria and get a hot meal first?"
Wan Changzheng shook his head, his voice hoarse. "I can still manage, don't worry about me."
He glanced at the soldiers around him, their eyes filled with worry, then suddenly straightened his face, adopted the air of Chief, and shouted sternly.
"What are you all doing gathered here?!"
"I'm afraid I'll order you to immediately change shifts and eat in the canteen!"
"I'll sit here and wait! Anyone who disobeys orders and doesn't leave will receive a major demerit! Do you hear me?!"
The group exchanged bewildered glances and sighed helplessly.
Once the Chief gets stubborn, nothing can change his mind. Since he has already spoken, they had no choice but to salute and turn to change shifts and have their meal.
Watching the soldiers' departing figures, Wan Changzheng turned his head alone and looked back at the teleportation portal, feeling extremely distressed.
He knew better than anyone else in the base the heavy significance behind this hasty and risky reconnaissance mission.
Blue Star is the root of humankind!
This is nothing more than using flesh and blood to forge a path and pave the way for humanity to return to its homeland!
To this end...
Even the most senior figures, considered Pillar of the Nation, can be sacrificed as Pioneer!
The military leadership agreed to Xing Wu personally lead the team into danger because they wanted to clearly tell all the China.
At a time of crisis for the survival of the human race, everyone is equal!
Even the veterans are no exception; they still have to be at the forefront, shedding blood and sacrificing themselves!
So...
Wan Changzheng closed his eyes and prayed fervently in his heart.
I pray that there will be no insurmountable dangers on Blue Star.
I pray that Uncle Xing and the kids from the suicide squad will return safely.
But in the very next moment!
A flurry of hurried footsteps shattered the silence of the square!
"Chief! Chief!!"
Shen Lian, the usually aloof chief engineer of the Think Tank, was so engrossed in running that she didn't even care that she had lost one of her high heels!
She rushed up to Wan Changzheng, panting.
"Something terrible has happened, Chief."
"What's wrong? This isn't like you..."
Wan Changzheng glanced out of the corner of his eye at the military tablet computer Shen Lian handed him...
"Clang!"
The thermos in his hand fell to the ground, splashing tea everywhere.
He froze on the spot!
"What... what's going on?!"
Wan Changzheng pointed at the tablet screen, his voice trembling with shock.
"Why... why is this the location for the beginner's trial?!"
Shen Lian's face also turned pale, and she answered in a solemn tone.
"The specific reason is unclear at the moment, but an urgent telegram just arrived from the Central Base, combining the current intelligence..."
"This trial has already been..."
"A fitting code name was chosen."
What code name?
Wan Changzheng asked in a trembling voice.
"The Fourth Calamity..."
Shen Lian took a deep breath and turned the tablet screen up to Wan Changzheng's full brightness.
What's displayed there is what the Barbaric Realm [Sky Curtain] is currently forcibly pushing to hundreds of millions of newbies worldwide.
That trial announcement was enough to completely overturn existing intelligence!
[The time has come, the trial begins!]
[All warriors who wish to participate in the trial, please make your decision as soon as possible!]
[Overall rating for this trial: F-class to Special-rank]
[Trial Name: The Solitary Watcher]
[Trial scene loading: Blue Star]
[Trial Boss:???]
[Completion Condition: Rescue the only one left on Blue Star, "him"!]
Would you like to participate in the trial? (Yes/No)