Trial Ground

At the academy gates, Lu Shen scanned the vicinity and noticed the absence of fellow students, making his furrow brow in confusion.

"Am I early?"

Lu Shen wondered, as he scanned the area for any signs of his classmates. As he ventured further into the courtyard, a figure caught his eye. Someone was approaching him from the opposite direction.

"Oh, you're here for the trial?" asked the old man.

"Yes, I am"

"Then you should head to the back of the academy gate. There are buses waiting there and you can board one of them."

"That was the case and that's why I didn't see any students at the gate" Lu Shen thought to himself as he looked at the old man, who appeared to be about 50 years old and he was wearing a black suit.

"Thank you for the directions, sir" Lu Shen said gratefully before heading towards where the buses was.

"Strange boy, I didn't see any friends around him. Most shocking thing is that he seems quite strong, though I can only see his realm at early Refinement" the old man mused to himself.

"Intriguing. If he does great in this trial, then we might have another candidate performing greatly this time"

He said this because, as a great general during the battles against demon beasts in his prime age, he had gained vast experience and keen insight into assessing one's strength. he murmured before disappearing in a flash.

The old man only saw the Lu Shen realm at early Refinement because after Lu Shen mastering the Silent Breath Technique to a small success, he could adjust his realm as he pleased.

.....

Lu Shen scanned the whole place after getting on a random bus but he didn't see any familiar students from his class.

"I might be on a different bus than that of my class, anyway there is no one I care about. I should select a seat" Lu Shen thought as he looked for an empty seat.

Soon, he found one at the back of the bus and took it. As he settled into his seat, he noticed a girl nearby. To his surprise, it was none other than the mysterious girl, Feng Yue. She appeared to be taking a short rest, her eyes closed.

"Why is she here, and why do our paths keep crossing?" 

"Shit, no, what am I thinking? She's out of my league, but she is beautiful" Lu Shen felt conflicted.

Staring at the beautiful girl, various thoughts raced through Lu Shen's mind. Uncertain of how to approach in this situation, he hesitated. Accustomed to being alone and aware of her mysterious background, he decided to simply take a seat and close his eyes.

....

Feng Yue opened her eyes, observing Lu Shen closing his eyes without a word. She couldn't help but notice the similarities between them both seemingly separate from their class, with their powers seemingly increasing.

Every time she met Lu Shen, she could feel the increase in his strength because of her bloodline skill. She could sense the aura of a person and even though Lu Shen concealed his aura, she could feel it, Lu Shen's aura similar to her own.

Feng Yue's bloodline skill lets her sense the aura around people, making it easy for her to tell how strong they are and if they have bad intention toward her. This special sense helps her quickly understand power levels of other people.

"Hmm, him again" she thought and she didn't care. She simply ignored Lu Shen, just as he ignored her.

If Lu Shen knew the thoughts running through Feng Yue's cold yet beautiful mind, he might have found the courage to speak to her freely without care of her background.

Similar to Lu Shen, Fang Yue had experienced isolation due to her background and her unique bloodline skill, making it difficult for her to form friendships. Despite this, she remained alert to her surroundings, always ready to defend herself.

An uncomfortable silence settled between them as they stayed quiet, surrounded by the sounds of students. An air of awkward tension surrounded them as they struggled to start a conversation.

Lu Shen found himself unsure of how to approach talking to this girl, while Feng Yue, similarly at a loss for words, remained silent. Finally, Lu Shen couldn't bear to stay quiet in this awkwardness.

"You are in a team or not?"

"Oh, no team for me" Feng Yue responded.

Listening to Feng Yue's brief response, Lu Shen couldn't help but ponder.

'With that strength, she might not need a team'

After their exchange, silence descended once again, with only the faint whispering of the wind breaking the stillness, leaving both of them uncertain of what to do next.

"Anyway, Lu Shen, you better be careful of Tangsu Ming" Feng Yue spoke up suddenly.

"I've heard some students say that he's very cruel toward those he doesn't like"

"But I haven't had any fights with them" Lu Shen said in confusion.

"True, you haven't had any direct conflicts with them" Feng Yue agreed.

"But sometimes, just showing one's potential can be enough to make certain people feel threatened or resentful."

"I think Tangsu Ming feels threatened by you potentially taking his place as the top scorer and being from a prestigious clan, he likes to act high and mighty. You, coming from a humble background, challenging him might make him even more hostile. So, be careful."

"Thanks for the heads up, and you should be careful too," Lu Shen responded, feeling grateful towards Feng Yue.

"no needed"

"Why do you need the book on history of Nexus planted for?"

"for..."

As the two loners began to talk, Lu Shen learned from Feng Yue that she hadn't left her home base since childhood and yet she had a deep love for adventure. So she was reading the history of Nexus planet to learn about the present condition.

He found it strange that she lacked common knowledge about the current situation of the continent and planets, despite being from a powerful clan. However, he refrained from asking her, seeing Feng Yue's reluctance to discuss the matter.

As elderly has said when people destined to meet come together, feelings are bound to arise. So as Lu Shen and Feng Yue opened up to each other, they didn't develop romantic feelings but they did grow closer, becoming friend for time being.

...

...

After traveling for more than two hours, they finally reached their destination.

As they arrived at the destination, students and teachers began to make their way to their respective classes and teaching areas.

"Lu Shen, Feng Yue, where were you?" Teacher Tang asked in concern.

Lu Shen and Feng Yue froze as they heard the question from behind them. They turned around to face Teacher Tang, their expressions a mix of guilt.

"Sorry, sir, we didn't know, so we got on a random bus" Lu Shen and Fang Yue said simultaneously.

"It's good that you're safely here now. Follow me"

he leading them towards their designated area in the camp. So both of them followed Teacher Tang to the big ground where many students were waiting anxiously.

"You two go to that line and wait for the teacher to announce something" Teacher Tang said before walking toward the camp tent.

Lu Shen nodded towards Feng Yue before walking over to the line. He chose a spot to stand, and Feng Yue followed suit. After some time, finally, a man arrived. He shouted using spiritual energy to produce a loud sound that echoed across the camp.

"All three hundred students present here"

"All of you must know that in this dangerous world, without strength, you are nothing. You must have the guts to face demon beasts in this wilderness."

"I am saying this because if you are not careful, some of you may get killed in this trial. So, be cautious out there. You will all be given a watch device to track your rank as students and how many monsters you have killed"

"The most important part is that no one is allowed to kill fellow students, or else they will be punished by the academy and may even be killed, regardless of whether they are the son of a warrior or from powerful clan" he said seriously.

After saying that, he gestured with his hand, throwing something into the sky. As it soared, it emitted a radiant light that spread out and descended upon the students.

Lu Shen examined the watch in his hand, recognizing it as the Void Watch. Furthermore, the Void Watch could serve as his identification in the future, signifying his status and accomplishments.

In this world, technology is far more advanced than that of the blue planet, mainly due to the presence of spiritual qi. Additionally, the demon's parts used in developing new technology. Dark Soul Armaments Company is leading in the production of technology. Void watch was their latest production technology. Which runs on spiritual energy, and warriors only need to infuse their spiritual energy. Even low level warriors can use it, which is why it has become costly and famous all over the world.

"So the teacher used the space ring on his hand to distribute each student this watch and this watch costs almost $10,000 in the market" 

"So, all of you must have received the Void Watch. Let's start the trial. If any of you want to quit, just press the quit option on your ranking form in the watch and remember, all of you must stay in the wilderness for half a month, and the trial has now begun. You all can go to the wilderness now" teacher said before entering the tent...

"Do you want to form a team? Come here" a student called out.

"I have a middle grade bloodline and can be in your team" another student offered.

"Yes, welcome" the first student replied.

"Come here, get the map of the wilderness safe area map

for 5 dollar, cash" someone else announced.

"Give me!"

"I'm a beautiful girl, who will protect me? Come!"

All the students began to produce noises and some even offered different things to make the trial more lively. As for the strong students and those already in teams, they began to head towards the wilderness. Tangsu Ming and his group, Feng Yue and Lu Shen did the same.

....

Lu Shen ventured from the open space into the dense forest, where all he could see were plants of different species surrounding him. After traveling for some time, Lu Shen took out his Dragon bone blade and other A-grade blades, positioning himself to fight any beast that might cross his path.

With his senses heightened and his weapons at the ready, Lu Shen activated his stealth skill, concealing his presence as he moved deeper into the forest in search of demonic beasts. After traveling for some time, Lu Shen finally encountered a lone wolf. he approached the creature and checking its status carefully.

The Blood Wolf had bloody red fur all over its body, and its eyes were as red as bloody gems.

[Demon Beast: Bloody Wolf

Race: Demon

Affinity: Earth

Rank: 1(early)

Strength Power: 40

Endurance: 40

Agility: 54

Skill: Bite]

Lu Shen's heart pounded as he looked at the Blood Wolf. Channeling his spiritual energy around his body and his recent small success with the Golden Body techniques had made his body iron strong. For an early rank one demon beast, he could easily kill them.

Sensing someone's presence, the wolf growled, baring its sharp teeth and its blood red eyes locked onto Lu Shen. With a swift motion, Lu Shen dashed forward, trying to land a powerful punch at the wolf's neck.

The wolf leaped to the side, Lu Shen narrowly avoiding the strike and countered with a swipe of its powerful claws. Lu Shen ducked just in time, feeling the rush of air as the claws missed his head by inches.

The wolf lunged again, but Lu Shen was ready. He summoned his Bloodline skill, Wood Bind, and roots erupted from the ground, entangling the wolf's legs and holding it in place. Seizing the opportunity, Lu Shen delivered a series of rapid strikes to the wolf's body. The force of his blows, combined with his recent increases in power, finally brought the beast down.

"howl"

Breathing heavily, Lu Shen stood over the fallen beast.