Chapter 9

The middle-aged teacher stepped down from the podium and handed each candidate two sheets of paper. When he reached Li Yang, he adjusted his glasses again but said nothing more, though his eyes behind the lenses betrayed a hint of curiosity.

A physique score of 90 was unparalleled in Huang City, but across the entire Donghua Province, there were twenty such individuals this year alone.

However, the other nineteen were all renowned prodigies, well-known throughout the province since high school. When they took the military academy’s comprehensive test, it was no surprise that they achieved such a physique score.

Only Li Yang was a dark horse who emerged suddenly this year, which made her all the more intriguing.

The middle-aged teacher, adhering to professional ethics, said nothing further. After placing the "Special Isolation Zone Entry Notice" down, he returned to the podium.

Li Yang paid no attention to the murmurs around her; she focused intently on the "Entry Notice," reading every word carefully.

This world was far from the peaceful era she had known in her past life. Here existed the "Star Realm," fraught with immense dangers; mutated creatures corrupted by starlight; and Starbearers—individuals who wielded extraordinary abilities.

Ordinary people could live peaceful lives under the protection of Starbearers, but choosing to apply to the military academy meant confronting the perilous side of this world.

Military cadets were the reserve forces of the army.

Soldiers in this world held a lofty status and bore heavy responsibilities.

Li Yang had long come to terms with these facts, and she had no other path to take. The system’s stark reminder hung before her—her lifespan was limited to just one year.

The "Special Isolation Zone Entry Notice" detailed the potential dangers, each item followed by a sentence stating that pressing the rescue device would immediately summon an instructor for aid, and the candidate would automatically withdraw from the test.

The Special Isolation Zone was rated two stars, a challenge of great difficulty for candidates who had not yet integrated star energy into their bodies.

Therefore, the requirement for this test was simple: survive for three days within the zone by any means necessary—even hiding in a dog’s burrow would suffice.

The reason for signing this “life-and-death contract” was that, over the years, some students had refused to quit even in the face of death, and some had recklessly endangered themselves to the point that invigilators could not rescue them in time.

The danger of the military academy was already starkly revealed in this practical test.

Getting admitted required not only sufficient ability but also the courage and resolve to face life and death head-on.

Yet, as Li Yang stared at the two sheets of paper, her thoughts were different—

This was hardly an "Entry Notice" for a Special Isolation Zone; it was densely packed survival strategies!

Within less than two minutes, someone signed, stamped their fingerprint, and submitted their papers; others followed suit.

Li Yang, naturally, did not submit hers.

Why submit when there was so much crucial information? She intended to memorize it all!

Watching others hand in their papers, the remaining candidates, afraid of falling behind, bravely signed and stamped their fingerprints and handed in their forms.

Since they qualified to apply for the top military academy, their courage and resolve were unquestionable—they would not be frightened.

Ten minutes later, Chen Song, who had submitted first, muttered, “So what if she has a high physique score? She’s just a coward.”

The round-faced girl Xu Wenpei, who had just submitted, responded, “She’s just being cautious!”

Chen Song scoffed, “Cautious just means cowardly.”

Xu Wenpei argued back, “This practical test is all about caution; otherwise, why call it a survival mode?”

Chen Song was momentarily stunned by her retort but still said irritably, “Anyway, there’s nothing special about her—a stroke of luck got her that high physique score.”

The nine candidates in Group 8 had already begun to form factions before the test even started.

Chen Song’s physique score was 88, and coming from the provincial capital with good overall conditions, he was the second highest after Li Yang, which made him dislike her even more.

Xu Wenpei was from a smaller city with a physique score of only 84. She was an honor student in her high school but felt somewhat outclassed in the provincial capital. Proud by nature, she refused to cling to the provincial candidates.

Among the nine in Group 8, the three from the provincial capital naturally grouped together; of the other six, three joined Xu Wenpei for support, while the other three leaned toward Chen Song’s group, seeking shelter under a big tree.

More than twenty minutes passed before Chen Song grew impatient. “Is she refusing to sign?”

The middle-aged teacher replied, “There are still seven minutes left.”

Chen Song crossed his arms and snorted, “With her, what could she possibly achieve?”

Even Xu Wenpei, who had defended Li Yang before, found it hard to say anything else. Twenty-three minutes had passed—surely she wasn’t really refusing to sign?

Despite Li Yang’s 90 physique points, her situation was truly unique.

Ordinary people without systematic training might indeed feel fear when suddenly faced with a two-star Special Isolation Zone and an entry notice filled with dangers.

Not everyone possessed the courage to face life and death.

Twenty-five minutes.

Twenty-six minutes.

With only two minutes left, Chen Song rolled his eyes. “If you’re going to give up, do it quickly. Don’t waste everyone’s time!”

The middle-aged teacher said, “It’s not wasting time. The rule is thirty minutes, and everyone will enter the isolation zone together when the time is up.”

Li Yang had almost memorized the notice by now, but a little extra review wouldn’t hurt.

With thirty seconds left, the teacher reminded them.

Only then did Li Yang quickly sign her name, stamp her fingerprint, and hand the papers to the invigilator.

The teacher glanced at the notice in front of him and smiled meaningfully.

Both sheets were densely marked with underlines, highlighted points, and casually drawn question marks.

Compared with the others’ clean papers, Li Yang had clearly dissected and thoroughly absorbed the notice.

Suddenly, the teacher asked, “What is the sixth item?”

Still reciting quietly, Li Yang instinctively answered, “The sixth item states that the ground in the isolation zone is not necessarily safe. Damp areas are breeding grounds for fungal organisms. If you encounter two-star mutated fungal plants, press the rescue device immediately…”

The teacher’s eyes shone with deeper amusement but he said no more.

Xu Wenpei, quick-witted, asked in surprise, “Li Yang, did you actually memorize the entire Entry Notice?”

Li Yang was silent.

The rest of Group 8 gasped and turned to look at her in astonishment.

The teacher cleared his throat. “Time’s up. Let’s proceed to the isolation zone.”

Not only Group 8 but all other groups mobilized.

Groups of ten boarded vehicles, escorted by invigilators to the isolation zone entrance.

The twenty groups entered through different gates, a testament to the enormous size of the zone.

On the way, Xu Wenpei couldn’t help but ask Li Yang again, “Did you really memorize the Entry Notice?”

Chen Song sneered coldly, “She’s never even been to an isolation zone before. She has to memorize every word because she doesn’t understand the basics.”

Hearing this, Li Yang suddenly understood.

No wonder the others submitted so quickly—these were all common knowledge to them.

That made sense; she was from a small city and lacked exposure.

Indeed, there are always those better than you; one must remain modest and low-key.

Li Yang said sincerely, almost naively, “I really don’t understand the isolation zone, so I wanted to study it carefully to feel reassured.”

The curious candidates who had been watching her quietly sat back down.

She truly was ignorant of the basics.

So what if she had 90 physique points? She didn’t even know the fundamentals!

Yet, some candidates who had studied the notice carefully muttered to themselves, “What exactly was in the Entry Notice again? It was common knowledge about the isolation zone—just remember to press the rescue device.”

Even Chen Song doubted if he had missed something.

Soon, they arrived at the isolation zone entrance.

The invigilators reiterated the safety instructions and emphasized, “Pressing the rescue device will guarantee an instructor’s rescue. Please be cautious and treasure your lives.”

The candidates all became solemn and gave a somewhat irregular military salute.

The invigilators returned a formal salute, saying, “Take care!”

Li Yang looked toward the Special Isolation Zone—an enclosed jungle surrounded by walls made of a special, sturdy alloy designed to prevent the mutated creatures inside from escaping and threatening nearby towns.

With a click, a small door opened. Group 8 lined up according to physique scores.

Li Yang stood undisputedly at the front.

Was she the first to enter?

She felt a little nervous.

Chen Song was right behind her and saw the tension in her stiff back and clenched fists. He sneered inwardly, “Just as I thought—an inexperienced coward.”

Her demeanor eased his own unease.

The Entry Notice posed no problem—it was a psychological test. He had seen the surveillance in the classroom, and his decisive, fearless signing would surely earn him extra points!

Soldiers should have such courage and resolve!

Li Yang took a deep breath and strode into the Special Isolation Zone.

Outside the door, the air was fresh; inside, it instantly turned foul.

A mix of rot and dampness hit her face. She had to adjust slightly before breathing smoothly, then quickly scanned her surroundings.

Jungle and vegetation.

Having read the Entry Notice, she was delighted: this was indeed a zone of alien plants!

Chen Song and the others entered one after another. Xu Wenpei looked around in surprise. “Where’s Li Yang?”

Chen Song sneered, “She’s probably run off to hide already.”

Xu Wenpei asked, “Isn’t she going to act with the group?”

Group 8 had clearly split into two teams: Chen Song’s and Xu Wenpei’s.

Since this was survival mode, sticking together would surely be better—there’s strength in numbers, and mutual support would help them endure longer.

Xu Wenpei had wanted to pull Li Yang into her team but found she was nowhere to be seen.

Indeed, Li Yang had gone far away, keeping in mind the nineteenth item in the Entry Notice: “The isolation zone is very sensitive to large amounts of foreign scent. If danger arises, press the rescue device immediately.”

At first glance, this seemed unremarkable, but upon reflection, it meant—don’t crowd together; large gatherings attract danger.

More precisely—don’t form teams.

As the first to enter, Li Yang had a duty to set an example.

This was for her own safety and for the sake of her group members as well. So she led the way, distancing herself as much as possible from the entrance and the others.

Teaming up was out of the question—and no doubt the other candidates knew this “common knowledge” too.