Yu Jing felt a powerful oppressive aura emanating from Commissioner Lu Chuan as he arrived—an intensity similar to the pressure he'd sensed from Commissioner Liang during their late-night conversation at the research institute after his rebirth.
The handsome and charismatic Commissioner Lu Chuan walked to the center of the dilapidated room, his gaze sweeping over the more than eight hundred newcomers gathered there.
"It really brings back memories. Five years ago, I was just like you, assembled here, sharing the joy of entering the academy with strangers. We formed teams and even friendships, but those who wished to be friends before training ended up as corpses afterward. That left a deep shadow in my heart," Lu Chuan began with a sigh, then adjusted his tone.
"According to Di Hua's arrangements, I will first explain the contents, requirements, and precautions for this training. Your life and death depend on this, so please take it seriously and listen carefully… Honestly, I don't agree with this new trainee training. It causes many talented individuals who didn't need to die to be lost. But this is Di Hua's rule."
"Cough, I might be rambling a bit. Let's get started. This training will still take place within Di Hua's domain, but not inside the academy itself. Instead, it will be held in the deep mountains for a full week. Your only task is to survive out there."
"Deep mountains outside the academy? Isn't training usually conducted within Di Hua?" some trainees familiar with the academy's system asked.
"This year, Di Hua temporarily changed the training requirements. If you have any questions, please save them until the explanation is over," Lu Chuan replied in a relaxed manner, showing no irritation at the interruptions.
He continued, "Di Hua will monitor every newcomer's entire training process in the mountains. For those who survive, your performance during training will determine your rating and, ultimately, your dormitory assignment after enrollment."
"The ratings range from A to E. A corresponds to a luxurious two-person dorm; B is a four-person apartment; C, a standard six-person dorm; D, a regular ten-person dorm; and E means a cramped, shabby twelve-person dorm."
There was a brief stir among the newcomers but they quickly settled down.
"Furthermore, this training includes a pre-study point reward system. Within the deep mountain areas, representatives from me and other academy divisions have each released a low-level ghost creature into different zones, with their abilities somewhat restricted."
"Killing one of these ghosts will grant you 10 points and immediately end your training, earning you the right to live in a luxurious two-person dorm."
"Ten points!" The announcement caused an excited ripple among those who knew about Di Hua's insider information.
"Ten points is a lot. For us first-year newcomers, it's enough to last the entire academic year. My mother told me that points are everything here—you have to get them," Yu Xiao whispered beside Yu Jing.
Commissioner Lu Chuan waited until the chatter died down before continuing.
"This training will allow free team formation. Newcomers can form teams of up to ten people and submit their team list to me before the training starts. Those who don't submit will be considered solo."
"At the start of the training, you will be transported to the mountain zone through this spatial transfer device. Team members will arrive at the same location, and different teams will be placed at least two kilometers apart. If your team kills a ghost creature, the points will be shared equally. However, your individual final rating will be independent of your team's performance."
Lu Chuan paused for a moment before continuing.
"However, as a commissioner who is not very supportive of this training, I advise you not to attempt to kill these ghost creatures together... Unlike the simulated digital enemies you face in the research institute, these are real entities. Even the lowest-level ghosts we've confined in the mountains can kill you rookies as easily as slicing through meat."
"This test uses real ghost creatures, greatly increasing the difficulty. I hope everyone can survive," Lu Chuan said with solemn seriousness, causing many present to draw in a sharp breath. Some were already visibly anxious and uneasy.
"Please listen carefully to the training precautions. The most important rule: no newcomer is allowed to leave the mountain area. Violators will be eliminated."
"Additionally, any discord among teammates in a squad will negatively affect your final evaluation. That covers the basic outline of the training. If you have any questions, feel free to ask. You may also begin forming your teams. Be sure to submit all team lists to me before midnight."
As Commissioner Lu finished speaking, someone immediately raised a hand to ask.
"Commissioner Lu Chuan, are we allowed to bring personal items?"
"No personal items are allowed. Your point cards and all spatial storage devices on your person will be collected by me before teleportation. Even food is prohibited. The only thing you should bring is your will to survive. Of course, if you, like me, have an external device integrated with your body, that is permitted."
Lu Chuan casually shook his mechanical prosthetic arm for emphasis.
At this, many faces in the crowd darkened. Numerous newcomers from great families likely hoped to bring life-saving items to get through the training, and this rule dashed those hopes, filling them with despair.
"May I ask, if another trainee tries to harm me, is it alright to kill them?"
A cold, eerie voice came from the back of the crowd.
Yu Jing, along with most others, turned to look. The questioner was a male trainee about Yu Jing's height—around 1.7 meters—relatively thin and wearing a padded jacket, appearing physically weak. Most striking were his tousled white hair and his bandaged hand exposed to view. His eyes revealed no emotion.
"Don't interact with that person, during training or afterward... he's very dangerous. I wouldn't dare try to kill him," Yu Xiao whispered quietly to Yu Jing. Yu Jing also sensed the unusual aura about this white-haired, mysterious youth. Simply looking at him sent chills down one's spine.
Commissioner Lu Chuan promptly responded to the question:
"The entire training process will be monitored by Di Hua. In principle, internal fighting is prohibited. Trainees who deliberately harm others without cause will face disciplinary action after training, depending on the severity. Those who kill without reason will be immediately eliminated. However, if you are attacked, self-defense is permitted. All final judgments rest with Di Hua's authorities."
"Thank you for your answer, Commissioner Lu Chuan..." came a voice.
Under the tousled white hair, a sinister smile appeared on the young man's face as he slipped away into the shadows.
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