“Rank?” Luo Feng looked at the names engraved on the black dragon’s scales and could not help asking, “What is ranking for?”
Yang Hui smiled at him. “Do you think entering the elite training camp means you can relax, or that you are already a powerhouse of this world? Ridiculous. The competition intensity here is far greater than anywhere else. Your rank determines the resources you can enjoy.”
“For example, treasures unearthed from ancient civilisation ruins, unique items, who gets to use them?”
“The higher your rank, the more resources you obtain.”
“As for the bottom three positions, if someone remains in the bottom three for three consecutive cycles, they will be eliminated,” Yang Hui said.
Luo Feng was greatly shocked. He had not known that even in the elite training camp, students could be eliminated.
“You do not need to ask further. Once you pass the B level assessment, you will understand many rules. If you fail, there is no point asking.” Yang Hui looked up at the giant black dragon sculpture. “Have you noticed what is most special about this dragon?”
“Its aura,” Heng Xia said.
“Its presence,” Luo Feng said.
Earlier, both of them had been stunned by it. Being stared at by the dragon felt like being locked onto by a beast even more terrifying than a high level lord class Iron Armoured Dragon. It made one instinctively tremble with fear. Even when facing 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 killed by the Hall Master, and its two dragon eyes were taken and embedded into this sculpture.”
“The entire sculpture is made from extremely valuable materials. The most precious part is naturally those eyes, the real eyes of the black dragon.”
“When it was designed, the dragon eyes were aimed at the entrance. So anyone who enters and looks up will be startled,” Yang Hui said with a slightly proud smile. “Those eyes alone are worth over ten billion.”
Luo Feng and Heng Xia exchanged a look.
Good heavens, they actually used the eyes of a real black dragon as part of a sculpture.
Brutal.
“Follow me. Do not wander off,” Yang Hui instructed.
“Yes.”
They followed him.
The entire training camp looked more like a dreamlike ancient palace complex than a training facility. Precious flowers and trees, small bridges over flowing water. Aside from a few main halls, there were elegant pavilions everywhere. Occasionally, they saw young men and women in loose training uniforms walking out.
These youths included men and women, of all races.
“Look, those young people over there are official elite training camp members,” Yang Hui said, pointing toward the central structure, a massive nine storey tower. Although only nine floors, it was as tall as a twenty storey building. “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 there.”
“Inside the camp, apart from sleeping, students basically stay in the Nine Layer Tower.”
As they walked, Luo Feng and Heng Xia behaved very cautiously. Every official student they saw had a completely different aura from ordinary martial artists outside. This was truly 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. “But two thirds of recruits come from our Extreme Martial Arts Dojo basic training camp. Only one third come from the outside world.”
No wonder.
Out of around thirty admissions each year, two thirds from the basic camp leaves only about ten spots for the entire world.
“So Heng Xia, after entering the basic training camp, you still have a chance to enter the elite training camp. But competition there is even more intense,” Yang Hui said.
“Understood,” Heng Xia replied, eyes shining.
The basic training camp lasted three years, while the elite training camp lasted five.
“Heng Xia, stay here. Do not wander. I will take Luo Feng to handle registration,” Yang Hui said.
They entered a two storey villa, fully furnished in ancient style.
“Because the Hall Master is Chinese and loves ancient culture, the entire Hongning Base City was built in ancient style. Even the furniture here imitates ancient designs, so you will not find sofas or televisions,” Yang Hui said with a smile. “Fortunately, computers are provided.”
Luo Feng was speechless.
No television, no washing machines. At least there was electricity.
“Rest here. If you need food, just call and it will be delivered,” Yang Hui said. “Do not wander today. Tomorrow at noon, I will bring you to the Nine Layer Tower for the B level assessment. Only after passing will you officially become a member. If you fail, you will be sent to the basic training camp.”
“Understood,” Luo Feng nodded.
Soon after, Yang Hui left.
The villa became quiet, leaving Luo Feng alone. He went upstairs, placed his backpack in the study, then stepped onto the balcony.
“So this is the world’s number one training camp?” he murmured, leaning on the wooden railing.
A stream flowed below toward a lake in the distance.
“Hey, Chinese guy?” a voice came from below.
Luo Feng looked down. A yellow skinned young man in a white training uniform stood there, holding a steel spear.
“Yes,” Luo Feng replied.
“My name is Tian Qiong, from Northeast Base City.”
“I am Luo Feng, from Jiangnan Base City,” he replied.
Tian Qiong smiled. “Looks like you are here for the entrance assessment. Work hard. There are quite a few Chinese here. After you officially enter, we can gather.”
He walked toward the Nine Layer Tower, occasionally practising spear techniques.
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.
Just a casual thrust felt like the surrounding air was being drawn 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.”
He suddenly realised how terrifying this place was.
Every single person here was a monster among monsters.
Without enough strength, he would not even qualify to stand here.
“I must secure my position here, otherwise how can I challenge the Blood Shadow and Venom Scorpion high level War Gods?”
“But first, I must pass the B level assessment.”
……
That night, Luo Feng trained in genetic energy cultivation and rested.
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 at noon. Looks like a storm is coming,” Yang Hui said. “Ready?”
“Yes.”
“No need for weapons. Come empty handed,” Yang Hui said.
They headed toward the Nine Layer Tower.
The tower was enormous, over 150 metres in width and length. Inside it looked futuristic, with alloy floors and constant training sounds.
They took the elevator to the ninth floor.
The doors opened into a large hall. Young men and women sat casually, speaking different languages. Many looked at Luo Feng.
“Chinese?”
“Yes,” Luo Feng nodded.
“Good luck.”
A black girl nearby scoffed, speaking broken Mandarin.
Under Yang Hui’s guidance, they entered a corridor of rooms and finally reached a dim chamber.
Lights turned on.
Two sofas stood inside, each with a deep blue helmet.
“These helmets imitate the consciousness interface devices from ancient ruins,” Yang Hui explained. “The main system is still that ancient machine buried underground.”
Luo Feng stared. “Virtual space?”
It sounded like science fiction.
“Modern science cannot understand or replicate the core system,” Yang Hui shook his head.
“Put it on. Your consciousness will enter a simulation with 100 percent realism. You will enter the Trial Tower for your B level assessment.”