Four-Person Squad

On the road, a Land Rover drove across flat ground.

Director Liu was still driving, with Xiao Yuan in the passenger seat, his tall frame seeming to have nowhere to put his feet.

In the back were Qi Tian, Fang Bai, and A Xiu.

All the special enrollment students the Martial Academy was picking up this time had arrived!

However, the atmosphere among them was a bit strange.

Fang Bai closed his eyes, lost in thought.

Qi Tian in the middle still had swelling on his face, his shifty eyes darting around.

A Xiu on the side tilted her head, staring out the window blankly, one small hand clutching the Crescent Pendant around her neck.

Fang Bai was currently immersed in the System Space, looking at his Virtual Panel.

There were ten days left until the deadline for his mission.

Seeing the excellence of his teammates, Fang Bai couldn't say he wasn't anxious.

But as long as he could kill Demonic Beasts, he could quickly catch up!

Thinking of this, Fang Bai suddenly asked Director Liu, who was driving, "Director, what exactly is the content of our assessment this time?"

Director Liu chuckled, "Naturally, it's killing Demonic Beasts!"

As soon as he said this, everyone else in the car tensed up.

Killing Demonic Beasts?

"Wait, we're going to kill Demonic Beasts right from the start? Isn't that just sending ourselves to our deaths?"

Qi Tian reacted with shock.

Among them, he had the most experience with Demonic Beasts and naturally knew what that meant.

They were all rookies with no practical combat experience!

Director Liu smiled, "Don't worry, we're not asking you to go to the front lines, just to deal with some of the lowest-grade mutated Demonic Beasts."

He continued, "Fang Bai applied for the Second Year Assessment, and this standard actually fits the assessment's content."

Qi Tian looked at Fang Bai in disbelief, "No way, Old Bai, you actually applied for the Second Year Assessment?"

Fang Bai asked, confused, "Is there a problem with that?"

"A huge problem! Do you even understand the Martial Academy? Do you know what kind of people are in the second year? You, a First Order Beginner with no training, dare to charge to the front lines? You're this guy! (thumbs up)"

In Qi Tian's opinion, Fang Bai was the weakest in their group, and a newcomer who hadn't experienced any brutal beatings. Facing Demonic Beasts like this was no different from suicide.

Fang Bai shrugged, "We have to face it sooner or later, so why panic?"

Qi Tian's expression was strange, "Do you know what kind of monsters pass the second-year assessment at the Martial Academy?"

Fang Bai was puzzled.

Qi Tian pointed to himself and A Xiu, "People like us."

Fang Bai: "..."

A Xiu glanced at him but said nothing.

Director Liu glanced in the rearview mirror and chuckled, "Qi Tian is right, which is why I confirmed with you several times back then."

Fang Bai's mouth twitched. He had to admit he was a little nervous now. Based on this, it might even be difficult for him to take down an ordinary Demonic Beast on his own. However, he had no other choice. Compared to the System self-destructing and dying an unclear death, dying in battle was more glorious.

Qi Tian looked at Fang Bai with some sympathy, "Old Bai, good luck. I'll burn paper for you this time next year."

Fang Bai's face was full of black lines, "Get lost!"

"Um, let me say, all four of you will be undergoing the Second Year Assessment!"

Director Liu's leisurely voice drifted over.

Hearing this, Qi Tian's face stiffened, and then his eyes widened, "What the hell?!"

Director Liu smiled, "I've already requested approval from above. Because your situation is special, being special enrollment students, the academy has decided to give you a trial. Of course, the first year is already full, so you only have the path to advance to the second year."

"Damn it! You can't play us like this!"

Qi Tian wailed.

A Xiu glanced at him, displeased, "You're so noisy!"

Qi Tian lowered his voice and looked at Director Liu, trying to negotiate, "Old Liu, my uncle is the vice-dean. If I happen to die, he'll definitely hold someone accountable."

The subtext was: Can you turn a blind eye and let me pass the assessment through the back door?

Director Liu revealed a strange smile, "I'm sorry, having you all participate in the assessment together was your uncle's idea!"

"Nani?!"

Qi Tian immediately broke down, "Damn his second great-uncle, Qi Baichuan! He clearly wants to kill me to inherit my fortune!"

Director Liu's lips curled up, "Since you want to join the Martial Academy, you must be prepared to face danger at any time. The Martial Academy isn't a place anyone can enter."

Qi Tian deflated completely, "I was careless. I should have stayed in the villa and enjoyed life."

Everyone seemed calm about the upcoming assessment, except for Qi Tian.

Fang Bai had no choice.

Xiao Yuan was illiterate and didn't understand anything.

A Xiu, on the other hand, was indifferent.

Fang Bai patted Qi Tian on the shoulder and said, "Old Qi, just accept it. Let's go through this together, maybe we'll have a chance."

Qi Tian slumped back in his seat, resigned, and said, "Don't talk to me, I want to be alone."

"Who's alone?"

If you think this book is good, remember to add it to your bookshelf so you don't lose it next time.

Xiao Yuan simply turned his head to look.

Qi Tian: "..."

Fang Bai chuckled, then asked, "Director, can you give us a hint about this assessment!"

Director Liu glanced at him and slowly said, "You might not know this, but recently, there have been many spatial fluctuations in various areas outside Magic City."

"Spatial fluctuations?"

Fang Bai and Qi Tian's expressions turned serious.

They both knew about spatial fluctuations; Blue Star's fall was due to their arrival!

Had the demonic beast army invaded?

Director Liu seemed to know what they were thinking and said calmly, "Don't worry. The appearance of spatial fluctuations in various regions of the human race is not a bad thing. Under the resistance of human ancestors, those powerful demonic beasts have been blocked outside the 'wall.' What appears within the territory are only small spatial anomalies, and the demonic beasts inside are not too strong."

"Furthermore, this is not a bad thing for humanity. These spatial anomalies are, in a way, a treasure! Not only are there many low-level demonic beasts inside, killing them can yield many good things through dissection, but besides that, there are also abundant natural treasures within the spatial anomalies that can significantly enhance the overall strength of humanity."

Fang Bai asked doubtfully, "Then wouldn't the emergence of spatial anomalies within the country cause disaster for ordinary people?"

"That's right. Even with our current technology, we cannot predict the exact location of spatial anomaly arrivals 100% of the time, leading to many civilians losing their lives to demonic beasts. That's why we exist!"

"And our mission is to cooperate with the Monster Slaying Army to hunt demonic beasts in the spatial anomalies that appear domestically! Of course, there will be sacrifices, but relatively speaking, it's already a good outcome."

Fang Bai understood.

Director Liu slowly said, "Your assessment location this time is a place called Willow Leaf Town. A C-Class spatial anomaly has appeared there. The Monster Slaying Army has already intervened, and the residents have been evacuated. Your mission is to cooperate with the Monster Slaying Army to clear out the demonic beasts within the spatial anomaly!"

"Ah? Us?"

Fang Bai and the others showed strange expressions.

Were their strengths really not just sending them to be food for the demonic beasts?

Qi Tian said gloomily, "A C-Class spatial anomaly, the strongest demonic beasts inside have reached Third Order, and there's more than one. Not to mention countless other Second Order demonic beasts. Can we really make it back alive?"

Director Liu smiled faintly, "Otherwise, how could it be worthy of the Second Year promotion assessment? Any team casually picked from the Martial Academy's second year can solo a C-Class spatial anomaly."

Fang Bai was a little surprised, he hadn't expected the people in the Martial Academy to be so formidable.

"From now on, you are a team! Cooperate with each other. Fang Bai, you are the captain, responsible for commanding the other three."

Director Liu suddenly announced.

"Ah? Me?"

Fang Bai's mouth twitched, and he said, "Director, I'm the weakest in the team. Are you sure they'll listen to me?"

He was sure about Xiao Yuan, but the other two were more difficult than the last!

Director Liu said with a faint smile, "Being strong doesn't mean you can command. The selection of a captain involves many factors. You have a good head on your shoulders, so you'll be in charge. Your survival rate will be higher."

He had seen it clearly; Fang Bai was the only normal person in the entire team.

For such a team, whether they could develop chemistry was even a question.

Qi Tian shrugged, "I don't mind."

A Xiu thought for a moment and nodded.

Xiao Yuan smiled honestly, "Me too!"

Thus, this peculiar team was born.

Director Liu glanced at the time and said, "There's still half an hour's journey to the destination. You still have some time, so hurry up and get acquainted. After all, in half an hour... you'll be fighting for your lives!"

The atmosphere in the car immediately became heavy.

Fang Bai narrowed his eyes and then said, "Director, stop the car."

Director Liu's lips curved upwards, and he stepped on the brake.

A moment later, the four-person team sat in a circle by the roadside.

Director Liu leaned against the car, watching them with a smile.

Fang Bai spoke first, "Dear classmates, you've all heard that our upcoming assessment carries life risks, so we need to be serious."

Qi Tian suddenly raised his hand to interrupt, "Um... aren't you the most dangerous among us?"

Fang Bai: "..."

He rolled his eyes, "No time for jokes, man. We're on a tight schedule, and we don't know each other well. Let's start by introducing ourselves."

"I'll go first. Fang Bai, Lightning Element awakened. Current level: First Order Beginner. Combat experience: 0."

Xiao Yuan glanced at the others and then gave a simple, honest smile. "My name's Xiao Yuan. I'm~, uh, an Earth Element awakened. What order am I? Let's say First Order. I'm strong and can control earth elements."

"The kind who's really good at playing with mud?"

Qi Tian chuckled, then raised his chin. "This young master is Qi Tian, Qi Tian the Great Sage's Qi Tian. Dual-element awakened, Light Element Second Order, and Wood Element First Order. My skills include [Eight-Part Light Wheel], [Holy Light Ash], and [Healing Technique]."

Fang Bai was a little envious. "Three skills?"

[Eight-Part Light Wheel] sounded like an attack skill, and he had awakened the Wood Element's unique skill, [Healing]. This was undoubtedly very important for the team.

The three of them looked at A Xiu.

She had a poker face, feigning aloofness, and said in a childlike voice, "A Xiu. Space Element awakened, First Order Advanced. My specialty skill is [Teleportation]. My current teleportation range is forty-three meters."

Hearing this skill, Fang Bai and Qi Tian immediately became envious.

This was too heaven-defying!

Fang Bai cleared his throat and then announced loudly, "Since everyone has introduced themselves, we need to cooperate well from now on! Whether we can pass the assessment and successfully enter the Martial Academy depends on this!"

Qi Tian: This young master will pay to get in!

Xiao Yuan: I must work hard! To enter school and learn knowledge!

A Xiu: It doesn't matter.