Black White Forest

It was nearly noon before Grandpa Lei finally extricated himself from the crowd of aunties.

Looking at Xu Jiang's darkened expression, he smiled and patted him on the shoulder. "I remember, your name is Xu Jiang, right? I didn't expect you to actually come."

Xu Jiang replied irritably, "Yeah! I didn't expect you to be such an improper instructor."

"How could that be? I'm very proper." Grandpa Lei lit a cigarette, turned to glance at the aunties in the distance, and could not help smiling.

After blowing out a smoke ring and pouring hot water into his teacup, Grandpa Lei said leisurely, "To be honest, I've taught quite a few students. But someone as persistent as you is rare."

Xu Jiang frowned slightly. "Rare? Don't people come to learn when the classes are free?"

"They do! Aren't they right there?" Grandpa Lei pointed at the distant aunties. "This is like a supermarket giving away eggs. It's much stranger to see a young man like you fighting to get some."

"..." Xu Jiang was left speechless by the comparison.

The training only lasted three days. Wanting to quickly master the essentials of combat was simply wishful thinking.

So, more accurately, this was just a skills training class privately run by idle old men, allowing those mech engineers with poor talent to acquire a trade and make a living.

Xu Jiang shook his head regretfully. It seemed he had been too naive to place his hopes on a free class. This trip had been for nothing.

Just as he was about to turn and leave, Grandpa Lei called him back.

"Hey, hey~~ Don't leave! Let's talk some more. I have an opportunity here that can rapidly improve your strength. It's just a little dangerous. Do you want to try?"

Xu Jiang looked at him warily. "An opportunity? You're not plotting something, are you?"

"Of course not. Other than your kidneys, nothing on your body is worth much. What bad ideas could I possibly have?" Grandpa Lei slung an arm around his shoulders and led him to a corner.

He offered him a cigarette, but Xu Jiang waved it away, so Grandpa Lei smoked it himself.

"You've heard of Black White Forest, right? A Spirit Domain that anyone above Level 5 can't enter—the training ground for newcomers."

"I've heard of it, but it requires a slot. What, can you get me one?"

"Of course. Not only can I get you a slot, I'll also throw in some ammunition. What do you think?" Grandpa Lei raised his eyebrows. The offer was extremely tempting.

But unsolicited favors usually hid ulterior motives. Xu Jiang did not think Grandpa Lei's given name was simply "Feng."

Grandpa Lei chuckled and spoke bluntly.

"I'm helping you only as an investment. Did you think I was really just having fun in my old age? Slots aren't worth much, and bullets aren't worth much either. But if you really become famous and achieve greatness, that favor will be worth a great deal."

So he was a speculator!

Talent could not determine a person's future. Hard work, willpower, and combat instincts were all important, and those things often could not be judged through data.

Grandpa Lei's classes were meant to pick up overlooked rejects, giving them a chance to work hard while also giving himself a chance to place a bet.

By offering help in a time of need at a tiny cost, as long as he succeeded even once, the returns would be limitless.

Xu Jiang did not hesitate any longer and nodded. "All right, I'll go. When does it open?"

"Tomorrow, so you don't have much time to prepare. If you have any questions, you can ask me now."

"Okay, then teach me first. How do I turn off the safety on this gun?"

"...How about I only invest thirty bullets in you? It seems like you won't be able to use any more than that."

Grandpa Lei was not a philanthropist, after all. What he gave was only an opportunity.

Only those who seized opportunities could receive further support.

So Xu Jiang had to go to Black White Forest tomorrow. He only had half a day to prepare.

Fortunately, his mech was very hardworking. The moment Qianji and the Desert Eagle got home, they began diligently cultivating and meditating—no eating, drinking, relieving themselves, or sleeping. Absolute 007 model workers.

As for Xu Jiang, after some thought, he decided to take out all the money he had earned from odd jobs and go have a good meal outside.

After all, he would be risking his life tomorrow. One misstep, and it might be the last meal of his life. No matter what, he had to feast on chicken, duck, fish, and meat.

"Boss, one bowl of Yuxiang Rousi Noodles, with an egg and a duck leg. Deliver it to the internet café upstairs." Xu Jiang ordered his extravagant meal, went up to the second floor, and arrived at a familiar place.

Though this was another world, places like internet cafés were certainly indispensable.

Even if wealthy families had computers at home, nothing could replace the thrill of five friends sitting together at an internet café.

The moment he stepped inside, he heard a burst of commotion.

"I told you not to pick Zhongli for top lane, but you wouldn't listen. Mammoth's flip combo wrecked you, didn't it?"

"Can you blame me? That Li Bai kept coming to gank me. I was already trying to kite him."

"You kite like a pile of shit. Is it really that hard to practice Gnar?"

What a vibrant scene. He really missed the days when he and his friends used to queue together in groups of five!

But Xu Jiang was about to face a trial of life and death, so naturally, he could not indulge in online games.

Time was too tight. He could not improve his combat power much, but he could still browse the internet for intelligence and reference materials before setting out.

Spirit Domains were trial grounds that had descended alongside the natural disasters. Entering one meant entering an entirely different world, with both dangers and fortuitous encounters.

Black White Forest, meanwhile, was known as a beginner Spirit Domain. Entrants could not exceed Level 5, and clearing it was considered a mandatory certification for professionals.

If someone could not even pass this, they might as well honestly go home and deliver takeout.

After looking up the most basic information, Xu Jiang spent a little money to subscribe online to the hottest strategy guide.

"I Cleared Black White Forest"—Author: Great God Yutian.

This several-hundred-thousand-word epic told the story of how one struggled and fought in Black White Forest, gradually growing over fifteen days of trials from a rookie into a survival master.

The various details were described wonderfully, and reading it was enormously beneficial.

Xu Jiang was very confident. On this Spirit Domain expedition, he would definitely clear it smoothly.

Early the next morning, Xu Jiang arrived at the bustling commercial street in the south of the city as agreed.

To be honest, this place was quite far from the city center. The reason it could be so prosperous was entirely because of the Spirit Domain.

Before he even arrived, he could hear vendors shouting from far away, "Level 1 equipment with Level 100 attributes! Come take a look, everyone! Buy it and you're guaranteed to clear it. If you don't buy it, you deserve to die in there!"

There were many peddlers, and their boasts were loud, but that had nothing to do with Xu Jiang because he had no money. Last night's feast had drained all his savings, and he had even borrowed money from a friend for breakfast that morning.

Looking around, Xu Jiang quickly found Grandpa Lei. At the moment, he was putting on the air of a famous teacher as he comforted the crowd of aunties seeing their examinees off.

When he saw Xu Jiang approaching, he reluctantly returned to being serious.

"You're here! These are the supply packs I prepared for you. They're enough to last you three days inside."

"Only three days?" Xu Jiang asked in shock. "Aren't we going in for fifteen days of training?"

Hearing the question, Grandpa Lei revealed a half-smiling expression and asked, "Where did you hear about a fifteen-day trial?"

"Here!" Xu Jiang opened his mech's data tablet and displayed the Great God Yutian guide he had downloaded.

A gratified smile appeared on Grandpa Lei's face. "Thank you for supporting the official version. I have to say, young people these days have such good mindsets—they still have the mood to read novels before heading into battle."

Damn it, which bastard was misleading people like this?!