In the following few days, the Academy informed the two teams of exchange students about the training.
They were to head outside the Safe Zone to complete their training mission without any safety measures.
For these students who had only recently entered the Middle-Rank, this was undoubtedly a huge challenge.
Therefore, the Academy gave the students a few days to prepare fully for this training.
At the exchange student meeting, Imperial Capital Academy's Dean Song He explained the important points to note for this training.
Looking at Song He in the main seat, Cheng Xiao slightly frowned.
As a transmigator, he naturally wouldn't forget such an important figure.
Song He was the high and mighty Dean of Imperial Capital Academy, and also the culprit behind harming his own students multiple times.
In the original work, Song He knew the identity of the Ice Calamity Qin Yu'er, yet still chose to let her join the National Government Team.
Ultimately, this led to Qin Yu'er's Calamity identity being exposed, resulting in her being sanctioned by the Yi Cai Yuan (Tribunal) and sealed on Tian Shan (Mountains)!
Facing the situation of a Calamity, the Dean of Mingzhu Academy, Fu Yuanzhang, chose to protect Ding Yumin.
It wasn't until after Fu Yuanzhang's death that Ding Yumin was targeted by malicious individuals.
The difference between the two was like heaven and earth!
Secondly, regarding this exchange student training, Song He clearly knew that Lu Nian had gone completely insane, yet still chose to inform the other party of the training location.
This resulted in both training teams being harmed by Lu Nian, and several students were even killed on the spot by Lu Nian to silence them!
Even later, during the summoning of the Forbidden Curse Alliance, Song He still suggested that Mu Ningxue go.
"Holding a high position and being a Super-Rank cultivator himself, it's not yet time to deal with him completely," Cheng Xiao thought to himself.
Soon, Song He finished explaining the important matters.
"You must remember, a single person's strength is ultimately limited. Outside the Safe Zone, the most important things are teamwork and working together!
"I hope that students from both Academies can help each other and return safely!"
Cheng Xiao: ...
...
The two exchange student teams got ready and boarded a flight to a city near Jinlin City.
Just a few hours after the team left, a man wearing a military coat walked into Song He's office.
Song He calmly poured a cup of tea for Commander Lu Nian:
"Commander Lu, the instructors from Mingzhu Academy have already rejected your experimental request. Are you still not planning to give up?"
Lu Nian drank the hot tea in one gulp and said softly:
"Dean Song He, as you know, the experiment has reached its final stage. How could I possibly be willing to give up?"
"But the experiment was ultimately prohibited by the Magic Association and the military. What you're doing doesn't conform to the rules," Song He said with a helpless expression.
"Rules? I only know the importance of this experiment, Dean Song He. You also understand that this experiment is almost related to the fate of all humanity!"
Lu Nian's tone was agitated: "Mages have been suppressed by demons for years, isn't it because of physical issues?
"The demon experiment can perfectly solve this problem. It can not only give mages powerful demonic physiques but also provide a boost to magic!
"This research is our human race's ultimate technique against the demon empire. The military also agreed to the research back then, but they retreated after encountering some setbacks.
"But which magic's creation wasn't born after paying a heavy price? Dean Song He, we are only one step away!!!"
Song He listened to Lu Nian's words and remained silent for a long time:
"I understand everything you've said, but you should also be clear that if you continue, you'll be going against the Magic Association!"
Lu Nian frowned tightly, lowering his voice slightly:
"I've considered that point as well. The events that follow will be borne by me, Lu Nian, and my subordinates!
"As for Dean Song He, you merely informed me of my younger brother Lu Zhenghe's training location, nothing more!"
Song He slowly took a sip of tea, raised his aged eyes, and looked at Lu Nian:
"The training location is in Jinlin City."
Hearing this, Lu Nian said nothing, turned around, and left.
After leaving Imperial Capital Academy, Lu Nian took out a silver magic recording pen from his pocket.
The magic recording pen had recorded the content of his conversation with Song He just now.
"You hypocritical old man, you want to stay out of it? It's not that easy!"
...
After the team got off the plane, vehicles could no longer be used, otherwise, they would be discovered by a large number of demons outside the Safe Zone in minutes.
The rest could only be done on foot. Along the way, many scattered small demons would appear, but they were easily dealt with.
Since everyone was bored, Jingjing, the female academic expert, started explaining the situation around Jinlin City and the potential dangers they might encounter to her teammates.
After Jingjing finished speaking, she occasionally looked towards Cheng Xiao, only to find that he wasn't paying attention to her at all.
Cheng Xiao's strength was obvious to everyone, and she had experienced it firsthand!
Jingjing naturally couldn't refuse a man who exuded such a sense of security, but unfortunately, he completely ignored her.
"If we follow the abandoned tracks, we can basically reach Jinlin City!" Jingjing summarized.
In the past, the railway belonged to the Safe Zone.
But with the destruction of Jinlin City, the areas the railway extended to also became the territory of demons.
After so many years, it was normal for the railway to be abandoned.
In short, for the team now, the railway was like an automatic navigation; following it to the end would lead them to Jinlin City.
The team hadn't walked long before an extremely dense tunnel appeared ahead.
Jinlin City had become the territory of demons, and places like tunnels were natural nests in the eyes of demons.
Many demons hidden in dark places would specifically look for abandoned tunnels as their nests.
Just standing outside the tunnel and looking at the eerie weeds made one's heart tremble.
"This tunnel is two kilometers long, and it's basically certain that demons inhabit it. Now there are two choices: either climb over the mountain or directly fight our way through."
Jingjing looked at her teammates, seemingly asking for their opinions.
"Let's just fight our way through. There's no need to be so conservative," Lu Zhenghe said.
"Indeed, if we climb over the mountain, it will delay us for at least half a day," Zheng Bingxiao also agreed.
"Captain, what do you think?" Jingjing looked at Mu Ningxue, asking for her opinion.
Everyone could offer suggestions, but the final decision-making power was still held by the Captain.
Mu Ningxue didn't answer immediately but looked at Cheng Xiao, as if giving the decision-making power to Cheng Xiao.
"Climbing over the mountain is indeed troublesome, and no one wants to waste time, so let's just fight our way through," Cheng Xiao said.
"Then let's fight our way through," Mu Ningxue echoed.
This scene made Lu Zhenghe frown tightly.
Why did Mu Ningxue have to ask for Cheng Xiao's opinion before making a decision?
In this way, wouldn't Cheng Xiao become the only person in the team with decision-making power?
Damn it, he's just a bit stronger, what's so great about that!
Lu Zhenghe had a crush on Mu Ningxue, so he was naturally displeased that the person he liked listened to Cheng Xiao's opinion like a little girlfriend.