Elite Training Camp

Hongning Base City, outside the main gate plaza of the Global Elite Training Camp.

A disc-shaped fighter slowly descended.

Soon after.

Zhou Hao, Zhou Ying'er, and a representative from the Isadona Corporation stepped off the fighter.

"Little genius, Miss Ying'er, my duty is to escort you two to the training camp. In one month, I'll wait for you here and take you to Jiangnan Base City." As the representative spoke, the smile vanished from his face and his expression turned serious. "Little genius, this is the Global Elite Training Camp. Everyone admitted here is an extraordinary genius. You're too young. Although your potential is exceptional, your strength is lower than that of any member here."

"So try to remain humble. Our Chairperson has already arranged a teacher for you. He'll come pick you up shortly."

Zhou Ying'er quickly bowed. "Thank you for escorting us here."

The representative smiled again. "You're too polite, Miss Ying'er."

With that, he turned and unloaded Zhou Hao and Zhou Ying'er's luggage.

"See you in a month." The representative waved, entered the fighter, and left.

Zhou Ying'er stroked Zhou Hao's little head and reminded him, "Don't get arrogant. There are many geniuses here."

Zhou Hao shrugged. "Sis, I haven't even started being arrogant yet."

The two waited for a while.

No one came out from the training camp gates.

Zhou Hao frowned. "Where is he? Why hasn't he come yet?"

Zhou Ying'er could not help saying, "Be patient. This is the Elite Training Camp, and every teacher is busy. Let's keep waiting."

Time passed bit by bit, but the teacher the corporation representative had mentioned still did not appear.

Zhou Hao sat atop a suitcase with his arms folded and his eyes slightly narrowed.

Meanwhile, Zhou Ying'er paced back and forth, glancing at the training camp gates from time to time.

At dusk, the fading light cast long shadows behind Zhou Hao and Zhou Ying'er.

For the first time, Zhou Ying'er's willow-leaf brows furrowed.

Another half hour passed.

Quite a few training camp members who had gone out to fight monsters returned one after another.

"Are you two Chinese?" A Chinese training camp member approached and asked.

Zhou Ying'er quickly nodded. "We're from Jiangnan Base City."

"Then are you newly recruited members this time? Why hasn't anyone taken you inside for testing?" The three Chinese members who had approached wore puzzled expressions.

Normally, newly recruited members would have dedicated guides take them to the Trial Tower in the Nine-story Tower for a trial. Only after passing it could they officially join the Elite Training Camp.

Zhou Ying'er looked embarrassed. "W-we joined the Isadona Corporation directly, and their representative brought us here. He said a teacher would be responsible for receiving us, but that teacher still hasn't come."

One of the women suddenly understood. "What's the name of the teacher who was supposed to receive you..."

Before she could finish.

A man wearing loose white training clothes hurried over. His face was full of apology. "Sorry, sorry. I was teaching several students swordsmanship and nearly forgot to come get you."

When the three Chinese members saw the man, they all called out, "Teacher Xia."

"Don't mind it. Teacher Xia is often like this. When he gets focused, he forgets everything else," the woman who had spoken up to help explained with a smile.

Zhou Ying'er hurriedly waved her hands. "It's fine, it's fine. We haven't been waiting that long."

Xia Jing shook his head shamefully. "It's my fault. I'll treat you to a meal tomorrow. Come on, follow me to the dormitories first."

Zhou Hao watched Teacher Xia's expression. Seeing that he did not seem to be lying, he finally relaxed a little. He stood up, pulled his suitcase, and followed behind.

Xia Jing also helped carry some of the luggage.

The three Chinese members also enthusiastically lent a hand.

After entering the training camp gates, Zhou Hao and Zhou Ying'er immediately saw a gigantic Black Dragon Sculpture nearly fifty meters tall. Its pair of eyes radiated a terrifying dark aura that swept over them.

Zhou Ying'er's face turned pale in fright.

Zhou Hao, however, was not affected in the slightest.

"The eyes of this Black Dragon Sculpture came from an SS-class King-level Monster Black Dragon. Master Hong, the world's strongest person and the chief master of the Limit Martial Hall, killed it himself and took them. Every member who comes to the training camp for the first time gets startled by this sculpture." Wang Ning, the direct descendant of the HR Alliance's Wang Family, said with a smile.

Zhou Ying'er was stunned. "The eyes of a King-level Monster?"

A man beside her wore an expression of worship. "Master Hong is a powerhouse beyond a War God. He has killed many King-level Monsters. This Black Dragon was only one of them."

Walking ahead of them, Xia Jing casually said, "Work hard, and strive to become a powerhouse like Master Hong in the future!"

As they talked, they went around the Black Dragon Sculpture and headed toward the training camp dormitory area.

As they walked, Wang Ning and the other two Chinese members introduced Zhou Hao and Zhou Ying'er to the Nine-story Tower and the rankings represented by the dragon scales on the Black Dragon Sculpture.

Upon reaching the dormitory area, the three left. "Do your best. Once you pass the test and officially join the training camp, we'll celebrate together."

Watching their retreating figures, Zhou Ying'er could not help saying, "I didn't expect the atmosphere at the Elite Training Camp to be so good. Everyone is so welcoming."

"Elite Training Camp members come from all over the world. As Chinese, it's only natural that they stick together. You're Chinese too, so it's normal for them to be more welcoming," Xia Jing said as he opened two dorm rooms and placed the luggage in his hands inside.

He looked at Zhou Hao and Zhou Ying'er. "Stay here tonight. After I take you for testing tomorrow, we'll go to where the members live."

Zhou Ying'er's heart tightened. "Teacher Xia, what if we don't pass the test..."

Xia Jing directly interrupted her. "Don't worry. Your situation is special. This is just a routine test to get an understanding of your strength. Even if you fail, you won't be sent back."

At that point, his tone suddenly changed. "But don't think that means you can relax. Competition at the Global Elite Training Camp is extremely fierce. Chairperson Isadora may value Zhou Hao's potential, but if your performance is too poor, she will still revoke the benefits she previously promised you."

"Teacher Xia, we understand!" Zhou Ying'er nodded heavily, clenching her delicate fists as she silently vowed to work twice as hard.

Seeing that Zhou Hao remained unmoved, Xia Jing could not help reminding him, "Zhou Hao, your sister's talent is actually average. So whether she can enjoy the same resources depends on your performance from now on. Having good genetic talent doesn't mean everything, especially in this Elite Training Camp. The points ranking is everything!"

Only then did Zhou Hao nod. "Got it."

Xia Jing said nothing more and soon left the dormitory.

"Xiao Hao, don't put too much pressure on yourself," Zhou Ying'er comforted him.

"Sis, you're worrying too much. I don't feel the slightest bit of pressure. You're the one who should relax. Since we've entered the Elite Training Camp, I won't let anyone drive you away." Zhou Hao's little face was filled with seriousness.

Zhou Ying'er kissed Zhou Hao on the forehead. "My little brother really knows how to care for me."

Grrr~

Zhou Hao's stomach let out an embarrassing growl.

Zhou Ying'er burst into laughter. "Good thing Mom stuffed us with plenty of food before we left. Otherwise, we siblings would have gone hungry tonight."

Zhou Hao plopped down beside the bed and rubbed his stomach. "That Xia whatever is way too unreliable. He made us wait so long, and he didn't even offer to treat us to dinner tonight. We have to wait until tomorrow."

"Enough complaining. Didn't you hear Wang Ning? Teacher Xia gets very focused when teaching students. That's a good thing." As Zhou Ying'er spoke, she took out a large bag of snacks from the luggage.

Zhou Hao glanced around the old-fashioned room and soon spotted a telephone. He got up and walked over to it, noticing an introduction beside it. "Sis, stop eating snacks. If we call from here, there are dedicated staff who'll deliver food."

Zhou Ying'er walked over and was surprised when she saw it. "There really are."

Before long.

A large table was filled with sumptuous dishes.

After they finished eating.

Zhou Hao let out a satisfied burp. "Not bad."

Zhou Ying'er also praised, "As expected of the Elite Training Camp. Even the food is this good."

At noon the next day.

Xia Jing did not forget to treat them to a meal.

After eating, he brought Zhou Hao and Zhou Ying'er to the Nine-story Tower.

"All members of the Elite Training Camp, aside from sleeping, basically spend all their time in the Nine-story Tower. There's the Trial Tower, the Gravity Room, the Challenge Room, and other cultivation facilities inside. This time, you'll be going to the Trial Tower..." While riding the elevator, Xia Jing continuously introduced the Nine-story Tower.

When they arrived at the top floor, the ninth floor.

After exiting the elevator, Zhou Hao and Zhou Ying'er saw a spacious hall.

There were cushion-like mats in the hall, where several men and women sat casually. Some were Chinese, some were Black, and some were white.

When they saw Xia Jing.

They all greeted him.

"Teacher Xia, who are these two?" A white man asked.

"New members joining the training camp. I'm taking them for testing," Xia Jing said casually.

After hearing that, the seated people all revealed surprised expressions. "Teacher Xia, you're personally taking them?"

"Yes, they'll be my students from now on."

The moment those words came out.

They were even more surprised.

"I know! These two must be Zhou Hao and Zhou Ying'er from Jiangnan Base City in China!" someone with well-informed connections shouted.

Only then did the others realize, and their gazes all shifted to Zhou Hao.

"Wow, a four-year-old Beginner General. That's impressive."

"His physical genetic quality is strong, that's all. It's not like his Combat Power amplification or swordsmanship level is high. Let's talk after he fulfills the conditions set by the HR Alliance Chairperson!"

"A little kid who hasn't even grown hair yet. I bet he can't do it."

"Just watch. It won't be long before they go back with their tails between their legs."

Zhou Hao listened to their undisguised comments without the slightest change in expression.

Zhou Ying'er, however, covered Zhou Hao's ears.

At the very back of the hall was a passageway, with rooms lining both sides.

Xia Jing led the two into the passageway and toward the innermost room. "Don't take it to heart. As I said before, competition in the training camp is intense. For the HR Alliance Chairperson to agree to give you both the same resource benefits, she would inevitably have to pay a price by reducing the time other members could use cultivation facilities such as the Gravity Room and Trial Tower. No one would welcome you in that situation."

"Thank you, Teacher Xia. We understand." Zhou Ying'er had experienced such things before and did not mind.

PS: Thanks to Huajiu 1 for the 500-coin reward, and thanks to Luoye z Suifeng for the 100-coin reward.