Chapter 55

Xu Jintang snapped out of her thoughts, got up, and went to open the door.

Yan Yuting, standing outside the door, held a slice of toast in his hand, his face beaming with excitement. "Squad leader, you have to try this! This is the second skill effect I evolved after advancing to the Second Tier — Toast Taro Bun!"

"Taro?" Xu Jintang's eyes lit up. "I like this flavor."

She took the bread slice and put it in her mouth. After chewing it a couple of times, the soft, creamy aroma mixed with the sweetness of taro filled her mouth.

Then, an invisible protective barrier slowly covered her entire body.

Xu Jintang was taken aback. "This ability is defensive?"

Yan Yuting put one hand on his hip, raised his index finger with the other and shook it, a smug look on his face. "The Taro Bun's special effect is a 40% damage reduction, lasting for one minute. That is to say, within one minute of eating the Taro Bun, no matter what attack you receive, you will gain a 40% damage reduction buff."

Xu Jintang's eyes widened in astonishment at the effect.

A 40% damage reduction... isn't that practically invincible?

Xue Zhongqi happened to be passing by at that moment, and he looked over with a surprised expression. "Forty percent damage reduction? First Tier ability user hits me, it's like tickling me?"

Yan Yuting nodded. "More or less."

His teammates' progress made Xue Zhongqi feel a renewed sense of crisis. After a moment of silence, he said seriously, "I have a feeling that I should be able to advance to the Second Tier in at most half a month. I need to work even harder."

Xu Jintang had just finished swallowing the bread in his mouth. "..."

Wouldn't that mean that after half a month, she'd be the only one in the team still stuck at First Tier?

Xu Jintang, who had originally planned to take a break, finished his bread and went straight back to the cultivation room. He sat cross-legged and continued to cultivate his spiritual power.

By evening, Xu Jintang and the others had finished their cultivation.

A chef specially hired from the military academy came to the villa to cook for everyone.

While dinner was still being prepared, Xu Jintang suggested, "How about we have a temporary martial arts contest?"

Song Tianqi was the first to raise his hand. "Okay, I agree."

Xue Zhongqi glanced at him suspiciously, "How do you take the test?"

Yan Yuting and Jiang Shiyi came to see it together.

"I'm in a group with Xue Zhongqi and Yuting. Song Tianqi and Shiyi in another group. Our two groups will compete against each other. The team with the most people standing on the stage at the end wins," Xu Jintang replied.

Song Tianqi immediately rolled up his sleeves, "Come on!"

The other three were also eager to try, so they slammed their fists on the table, stood up, and went upstairs to enter the simulated battlefield.

Before the game started, Xu Jintang came up with a bet. "The losing team has to do the dishes."

"No problem!" Song Tianqi readily agreed.

The others nodded in agreement.

Soon, the competition began.

Xu Jintang's eyes calmed down, and he raised his hand to activate the ruby-embroidered hidden arrow, attacking Jiang Shiyi.

Arrows with homing capabilities flew towards them.

Jiang Shiyi instinctively dodged to the side, but to her surprise, the arrow curved and flew towards her again.

Jiang Shiyi was visibly startled and quickly bent down to dodge again.

At this moment, Xue Zhongqi had been eyeing him for a long time, quickly activated the Starlight Chain.

At the same time, Song Tianqi's Scarlet Flame attack arrived.

With the Life Sharing link established, Xue Zhongqi immediately opened his arms to receive the attack from the Scarlet Flame.

The flames struck Xue Zhongqi, which also affected Jiang Shiyi, causing her to pause.

As soon as she stopped, the tracking arrows turned back towards her.

The next second, Jiang Shiyi, who had been shot, and Xue Zhongqi "died" together and left the simulated battlefield.

Song Tianqi was taken aback for a moment, then quickly turned around to be wary of Xu Jintang.

"Squad leader, when did your hidden darts start having a tracking effect?"

Xu Jintang smiled, "Just had it done today, the results are pretty good, right?"

Song Tianqi's expression turned solemn. He raised his hand again to gather his power, and shouted, "Flame Birds in Flight!"

This is the second special ability that the Vermilion Bird Token evolved after he advanced to the Second Tier.

Once activated, it can instantly release five firebirds that attack the enemy and self-destruct.

As five fiery birds flew towards him, Xu Jintang raised his hand again and threw out five arrows, each tracking and shooting at one of the birds.

Taking advantage of Song Tianqi's momentary lapse in attention, she quickly rolled on the ground, caught the toast that Yan Yuting threw to her, and stuffed it into her mouth.

The next second, the five firebirds were pierced by arrows and exploded in all directions, creating a small-scale explosive attack.

Xu Jintang rushed through the smoke and ran towards Song Tianqi.

He raised his leg and kneed him in the lower back. A "crack" was heard, and Song Tianqi cried out in pain, "My back! My back!"

Xu Jintang grabbed his arm and slammed him to the ground.

"I give up! I give up!" Song Tianqi wailed.

After leaving the simulated battlefield, Song Tianqi and Jiang Shiyi both stared at Xu Jintang with strange expressions.

Xue Zhongqi glanced over curiously, "When did your hidden arrow develop a tracking effect?"

Xu Jintang smiled slightly and replied mysteriously, "I went to great lengths to obtain the Tracking Inscription."

Xue Zhongqi looked surprised. "Tracking Inscription are incredibly rare, practically priceless. You managed to get your hands on one. You're really rich."

Yan Yuting was also shocked, "Is this what they mean by 'money can make the devil turn the millstone'?"

Just then, the chef finished preparing dinner and called everyone over to eat.

Xu Jintang waved his hand, "The losing team, remember to wash the dishes later."

"I understand," Song Tianqi replied listlessly.

After dinner, Xue Zhongqi began to subtly inquire about how Xu Jintang had obtained the Tracking Inscription.

"Sis, if you really have a way, could you get one for me too? I need it."

Xu Jintang, holding her rice bowl, glanced at him and said, "Let me make it clear beforehand, this inscription isn't cheap."

"Name your price," Xue Zhongqi generously.

Xu Jintang pondered for a moment, "Twenty thousand star coins."

"So cheap!" Xue Zhongqi exclaimed in surprise. "Give me five, and I'll transfer the money to you right away."

Xu Jintang, who had just been struggling financially, suddenly became well-off again. "Okay, I'll give you the things in a couple of days."

Two days later, Xu Jintang secretly created the Tracking Inscription and gave it to Xue Zhongqi.

Her account balance also rebounded.

A week or so of peaceful self-study and self-cultivation went by quickly.

Zhuang Silin, who had been keeping quiet, suddenly visited the villa dormitory early in the morning.

Xu Jintang and the other four stood in a neat row, waiting for Zhuang Silin's next instructions.

Zhuang Silin cut straight to the point. "You've all heard of military internships, right? It's been a month since you enrolled, and the military academy leadership plans to send your class of first-year students to various Border Defense Star City for a two-week internship. The five of you will also be participating."

Xu Jintang asked, "When we participate in the internship, will we also have to go to the battlefield?"

"Of course not," Zhuang Silin explained calmly. "Trainee soldiers aren't sent to the actual battlefield; they mostly stay in the rear to support logistics. The purpose of this internship is simply to let you understand what a real army and battlefield are like."

After thinking for a moment, Zhuang Silin added, "The battlefield is ever-changing. In case of any unforeseen circumstances, you must strictly abide by the rules and regulations of the military camp during this internship. Do not act recklessly."

Chapter 55

"Yes!" Xu Jintang and the other four answered in unison.

"Pack your things. The five of you will depart for Sector S Border Defense Star City first thing tomorrow morning. Also, you can take the Leikedasi school badge with you; it can protect your lives if necessary." After giving the instructions, Zhuang Silin turned and left, quickly disappearing into the villa.

Xu Jintang withdrew his gaze, and a Leikedasi school badge quickly appeared in his palm. This was a badge that every new student was required to receive after enrollment.

She had heard from others before that the school emblem of Leikedasi was actually a small defensive artifact.

When students encounter danger, the magical artifact will automatically activate its protection mode.

"This trip will last for half a month, so everyone should make the most of it and eat well. I heard that life is particularly tough in the Border Defense Star City; it's hard to even get a hot meal, and most people rely on IV fluids to fill their stomachs." Yan Yuting sighed softly, seemingly not very excited about this internship.

Xue Zhongqi's expression was quite serious. "Instead of focusing on good food, I suggest you prepare more defensive items. Border Defense Star City is very close to the war zone. If the situation becomes tense one day, forget about food, even survival will be a problem."

Song Tianqi scratched the back of his head. "Probably not? The military academy is sending us out for internships at this time; it should still be safe over there."

"Who can accurately predict the outcome of a war?" Xue Zhongqi remained cautious.

Jiang Shiyi nodded silently, "It's always good to be cautious."

Xu Jintang didn't refute it; no matter what, preserving one's own life is the most important thing.

After receiving the internship assignment, Xu Jintang and the other four began packing their luggage separately in the afternoon.

The internship will last for half a month, Xu Jintang plans to bring more nutritional supplements and snacks.

As for life-saving treasures...

Nothing reassured her more than Brother Long, her trump card for survival.

The next day, the sky gradually brightened.

Xu Jintang and his group of five arrived at the cosmic hub station in the Federation Star Region on time.

Zhuang Silin personally escorted the five people to the outside of the aircraft and instructed them, "The situation in the Sector S Border Defense Star City isn't too tense. Once you get there, senior students who have already graduated from Leikedasi will meet you. If you have any questions, just ask them."

"Also, I look forward to your successful completion of your internship and safe return to school."

Xu Jintang and his four companions exchanged glances and said in unison, "We guarantee to complete the mission!"

After saying goodbye, Xu Jintang turned and stepped onto the stairs leading to the cabin.

The aircraft cabin door slowly closed, Xu Jintang, who had already entered the rest area, began searching for the medical team. "Is there anyone who can treat motion sickness? Someone here is motion sick!"

Song Tianqi leaned to one side with a look of surprise, muttering to himself, "So even a tough guy like the squad leader gets airsick."