“Rankings?” Luo Feng looked at the towering black dragon and the names on its scales, unable to resist asking, “What is the point of ranking people?”
Yang Hui glanced at him with a smile. “Do you think entering the elite training camp means you can relax, or that you are already a strong expert of this era? Ridiculous. The competition inside this elite training camp is far more intense than anywhere else. Your ranking determines the benefits you receive.”
“For example, treasures excavated from ancient civilization ruins, unique items, who gets to use them?”
“The higher your ranking, the more resources you get access to.”
“As for the bottom three positions, if someone stays in the bottom three for three consecutive periods, they will be eliminated,” Yang Hui said.
Luo Feng was greatly shocked. He had not known that even in the elite training camp, people could be eliminated.
“You do not need to ask further. Once you pass the B level assessment, you will understand many of the rules. If you do not pass, there is no point asking anyway.” Yang Hui looked up at the giant black dragon carving. “Have you not noticed what is most special about this black dragon?”
“Its aura,” Heng Xia said.
“Its presence,” Luo Feng said.
They had both been intimidated by it earlier. Being stared at by the dragon felt like being targeted by a beast even more terrifying than a high level lord class Iron Armoured Dragon, causing uncontrollable fear. Even when seeing an Iron Armoured Dragon, Luo Feng had never felt such dread.
“In fact, this is a real SS class, king level beast. A black dragon born from a volcano. It was later killed by the Hall Master, and its two dragon eyes were taken and placed into this sculpture.”
“This entire dragon sculpture is made from extremely valuable materials, but the most precious part is naturally those eyes, the real eyes of the black dragon.”
“When it was designed, the dragon eyes were positioned facing the entrance. So whenever someone enters and looks up, they will be frightened by them.” Yang Hui said with a slightly proud smile. “Just those eyes alone are worth over ten billion.”
Luo Feng and Heng Xia exchanged a glance.
Good heavens. They actually used the eyes of a real black dragon as part of a sculpture.
Brutal.
“Follow me. Remember, do not wander off,” Yang Hui instructed.
“Yes.”
Luo Feng and Heng Xia followed him with their backpacks.
The entire training camp looked like a dreamlike ancient palace complex rather than a training facility. Precious flowers and trees, small bridges over flowing water. Aside from a few main halls, there were elegant buildings scattered around. Occasionally, they saw young men and women in loose training uniforms walking out of the buildings.
These youths included men and women, white, black, and yellow races.
“Look, those young people over there are the official members of the elite training camp,” Yang Hui said, pointing toward the central structure of the camp, a massive nine storey tower. Although it only had nine floors, it was as tall as a normal twenty storey building. “They are all heading there. That building is called the Nine Layer Tower.”
“The Nine Layer Tower is where all training and learning takes place. Special training rooms are also located there.”
“Inside the camp, apart from sleeping, students basically spend all their time in the Nine Layer Tower.”
As they walked through the camp, Luo Feng and Heng Xia behaved very carefully. After all, they were not members yet. Every official student they saw had a very different presence compared to ordinary martial artists outside. This was the gathering place of the world’s most monstrous geniuses.
“One hundred and eighty two students. Every year, thirty to forty graduate, and another thirty to forty are recruited,” Yang Hui said as he walked. “But two thirds of the admissions come from our Extreme Martial Arts Dojo basic training camp. Only one third is recruited from around the world.”
Luo Feng suddenly understood.
No wonder.
Out of thirty or so slots each year, two thirds come from the basic training camp, meaning only around ten or so are recruited globally.
“So Heng Xia, after entering the basic training camp, you still have a chance to enter the elite training camp. However, there are far more students in the basic camp, so competition is very fierce. Work hard,” Yang Hui said.
“Understood,” Heng Xia replied, eyes bright.
The basic training camp lasted three years, while the elite training camp lasted five years.
“Heng Xia, stay here and do not wander. I will take Luo Feng inside to handle registration,” Yang Hui said.
The villa they entered was two storeys high, with completely ancient style furniture.
“Because the Hall Master is Chinese and loves ancient Chinese culture, the entire Hongning Base City was built in an ancient style. Even inside this training camp, everything, including furniture, follows that tradition. So you will not find sofas or televisions here,” Yang Hui said with a smile. “Fortunately, computers are still provided.”
Luo Feng was speechless.
No televisions, no washing machines. At least there were power sockets and lights.
“You can rest here. If you need anything to eat, just call and it will be delivered,” Yang Hui said. “Do not wander today. Tomorrow at noon, I will take you to the Nine Layer Tower for the B level assessment. Only after passing will you officially become a member of the elite training camp. If you fail, you will be sent to the basic training camp instead.”
Luo Feng nodded. “Understood.”
Soon after, Yang Hui left.
The quiet villa was left with only Luo Feng. He went upstairs, placed his backpack in the study, then walked out onto the balcony overlooking the camp.
“So this is the world’s number one training camp?” he murmured, resting his hands on the wooden railing.
A small stream flowed below, leading toward a distant lake.
“Hey, Chinese guy?” a voice called from below in standard Mandarin.
Luo Feng looked down. A yellow skinned young man in a white training uniform stood there, holding a steel spear and smiling.
“Yes,” Luo Feng replied.
“My name is Tian Qiong, from the Northeast Base City,” the young man said.
“I am Luo Feng, from Jiangnan Base City,” he replied with a smile.
Tian Qiong smiled. “Looks like you are here for the entrance test? Work hard. There are quite a few of us Chinese here. After you officially enter, we can gather together.”
He then walked toward the Nine Layer Tower, occasionally practising spear movements as he went.
Whoosh.
The sound of air being pierced made Luo Feng’s expression change.
“This person’s spear technique is far stronger than Zhang Ke’s,” he thought in shock. His current eyesight was already extremely sharp, yet that casual thrust felt as if the surrounding air was being compressed toward the spear tip.
“My blade technique, even though I named it Thunderbolt, is still only at a superficial level. Compared to him, I am far behind,” Luo Feng thought seriously.
Just one random student already surpassed him so clearly in weapon technique.
He suddenly realised.
Everyone here was a monster among monsters from around the world.
If he could not secure a stable position here, how could he ever challenge the Blood Shadow and Venom Scorpion high level War Gods?
But first, he had to pass the B level assessment.
……
That night, Luo Feng trained in genetic energy cultivation and rested properly.
At 11 am the next day, he ate a large meal. At 11:50, War God Yang Hui arrived.
“Bad weather today. It is already dark in the middle of the day. Looks like there will be a storm,” Yang Hui said as he entered.
“Ready to go?” he asked.
“Yes,” Luo Feng replied.
“No need to bring weapons or combat suits. Go empty handed,” Yang Hui said.
They headed toward the Nine Layer Tower.
The Nine Layer Tower was a massive structure, each floor about six metres high, and over 150 metres in width and length. From the outside it looked classical, but inside it was highly technological, with alloy floors and constant sounds of air explosions and training shouts.
They took the elevator to the ninth floor.
The doors opened to a spacious hall. Young men and women were sitting casually, speaking different languages. Many looked toward Luo Feng.
“Chinese?”
“Yes,” Luo Feng replied.
“Good luck,” someone shouted.
A black girl nearby scoffed and said in broken Mandarin, “Dream on.”
Under Yang Hui’s guidance, they entered a corridor lined with large rooms. Eventually they reached a dim room.
Lights turned on.
Two sofas were inside, each with a deep blue helmet placed on them.
“These helmets were created by human scientists after much effort, imitating the consciousness interface devices found in ancient ruins,” Yang Hui explained. “We can only replicate the basic interface. The main virtual space server is still that ancient machine buried underground for who knows how long.”
Luo Feng stared at the helmet. “Virtual space?”
It sounded like something out of science fiction.
“This virtual server cannot be understood or replicated by modern science,” Yang Hui shook his head.
“Put it on. Your consciousness will enter a simulation with 100 percent realism, identical to the real world. Inside, you will enter the Trial Tower for your B level assessment.”