Chương 122: War God — Chapter 122 - Instructor: Why Do I Feel Like I'm the Greenhorn Recruit Here?

"Biluo Water City is a D-rank unmanaged zone in the coastal area of Eastern Yue."

"You're all new students at Tiandu University. You may have done your homework, but as your instructor, I still need to brief you." A maglev truck carried over twenty freshmen. A middle-aged man in military uniform, dark-skinned and built like a mountain, began to speak:"My name is Lu Tieshan."

"I'm the chief instructor for this expedition."

"I'm responsible for guiding all your actions in the unmanaged zone." Lu Tieshan, currently serving in Tiandu City's Tenth Unit, looked at the twenty-odd greenhorns before him. Something nostalgic flickered in his eyes. As a peak fourth-realm military warrior, this wasn't his first time as an instructor. Every year, the military received invitations from Tiandu City's major universities.

"Biluo Water City formed over 10 years ago when the town of Chishui was overrun and submerged by beasts."

"Its Malevolent Qi contamination level stays around 40% year-round."

"Initially, it was only an E-rank unmanaged zone." Lu Tieshan spoke as if reciting from memory.

"Later, many warriors worked to purge it, but for unknown reasons, the Malevolent Qi resurges every few years. It also attracts beasts from other relics."

"By now, it's gradually been upgraded to a C-rank unmanaged zone."

"Unlike relics, unmanaged zones are vast, with unpredictable beasts. The ruins of the old town provide excellent cover. Beasts hiding in those crumbling buildings can burst out from angles you'll never see coming!"

"There's no guarding against it."

"As for terrain, those who did their homework should know."

"Seventy percent of Biluo Water City is water, all of it corrupted by Malevolent Qi."

"Under the influence of Malevolent Qi, your movement underwater will be severely hindered, and your martial technique power will drop significantly!"

"Your military training requirement: survive in Biluo Water City for three days, then return safely!"

"You also need to collect Poison Smoke Vine and kill E-rank aquatic beasts to earn credits." The freshmen nodded, eyes bright with eagerness.

"Also, you may encounter senior students cultivating Secret Skills in the water." Lu Tieshan swept his gaze across them.

"Don't mind them. Focus on yourselves." At that moment, Wang Xian spoke up:"Instructor, when Chishui Town was overrun, were there any survivors?"

"Senior, I know about this!" A freshman grinned.

"The timing was unusual. Beast tides broke out everywhere at once. Tiandu City could only organize civilian warriors for rescue."

"Unfortunately, the beast tide in Chishui Town was too powerful... the hastily assembled warriors were comparatively weak." His voice dropped:"Almost no one survived. Even the rescue warriors were buried there." The words landed. Over twenty freshmen drew sharp breaths.

"There were survivors." Instructor Lu said flatly.

"For example, Chi Jiuyou, a third-year at Tiandu University. He's one of the survivors from Chishui Town. Now he's not only president of the Blade Arts Association, but also holds a commissioned officer rank in the Tiandu Military. He's a role model for you." The freshmen's eyes lit up.

"I know him! Senior Chi is incredible. His talent is ordinary, but in his second year he defeated several third-year seniors, winning cross-realm battles as a second-realm warrior, and became president of the Blade Arts Association!"

"That's not all! Senior Chi was in Biluo Water City during his first military training too. Apparently he single-handedly killed a D-rank beast in Poison Vine Ghost Alley, a Rotting Vine Poison Crab with over 2, 000 life force points. He was still second-realm then, with less than 600!" If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

"He could cross realms to kill a zone elite beast in Biluo Water City?"

"Is that real?" The freshmen buzzed with discussion. Lu Tieshan smiled:"It's real. He wasn't alone. Three or four other freshmen helped."

"So if you want to take on any elite beasts in the three major zones, learning to cooperate and fight together is exactly what I'm here to train you on."

"If you succeed, you'll earn plenty of credits."

"This is optional. No pressure."

"Also..." Lu Tieshan looked at Wang Xian, a faint smile on his face:"Your strength is considerable, but in Biluo Water City, you may not bring out even half of it."

"Furthermore, most beasts in Biluo Water City aren't native. They're extra-dimensional beasts, born with Malevolent Qi in their bodies. Their strength is formidable. Add the terrain advantage, and even killing a few dozen would be difficult for you."

"So, caution first." Wang Xian smiled and nodded without denying it.

"As for the rest of you." Lu Tieshan looked at the other freshmen.

"Don't think about going one-on-one against those E-rank beasts. Kill them together! Maximize your abilities." The freshmen nodded. Before long, the maglev truck descended from the floating Tiandu University, left the city, and arrived at the coast. A half-submerged city came into view. Where sky met water, once-towering buildings had been eaten through by tainted water, riddled with holes. Countless streets were overgrown with seaweed. A desolate atmosphere hit them.

Scattered bone fragments, metal wreckage, poison vines writhing between high-rises, and fish-shaped beasts drifting through the water formed a scene like an underwater apocalypse. Looking out, there was no end in sight. This was a medium-sized D-rank unmanaged zone. In size, Malevolent Qi density, beast variety, and terrain complexity, it far surpassed a same-rank relic.

"Poison Vine Ghost Alley, Bone-Burning Water Tomb, Malevolent-Suppressing Water Marsh."

"Our training zone is Poison Vine Ghost Alley, at the outer edge of Biluo Water City."

"On my command, put on your military uniforms and follow me into the entrance!" The truck stopped at the shore. All around, other teams were entering the large relic from various directions. The freshmen held their breath, gripped their weapons, and followed Lu Tieshan inside. The moment they entered, the surrounding water closed in. A first-realm warrior could circulate elemental force internally to sustain respiration, with little need to breathe air. They could easily remain underwater for extended periods.

Just like when Wang Xian had cultivated his Secret Skill in the Abyssal Pool, the core zone of the B-rank relic Tiger Roar Pool.

'The Malevolent Qi density here is quite a bit lower than Tiger Roar Pool...'

'The water pressure is less than the cold pool, but given how vast this place is, it's an excellent location for cultivating Surging Wave Force.' Wang Xian thought to himself. His objective was the Rotting Marsh Croc-Turtle at the central core of the three major zones. He'd need to find an opportunity to go alone. Otherwise, the instructor would never lead students to challenge such a dangerous beast. Suddenly, 'Hm, this is actually here...' As if spotting something, Wang Xian paused thoughtfully, then walked over.

At the same time:"Everyone steady! Get into formation!" Lu Tieshan barked at the twenty freshmen who'd just entered and were already stumbling.

"The underwater environment is harsh terrain you'll inevitably face when dealing with beasts! You'll have to adapt sooner or later!"

"Many Secret Skills you'll cultivate in the future require similar terrain."

"Look at you, stumbling all over."

"Like this, forget killing beasts. You can't even pick up materials!"

"Talent, use your talent!"

"Your talent abilities can help you resist the Malevolent Qi in the water and stabilize your footing!" The freshmen had a moment of realization, faces flushed, and began activating their talents. Especially those with physical constitution-type talents or water-element-related talents improved noticeably right away. Only then did Lu Tieshan give a slight nod. He thought for a moment, then looked toward Wang Xian at the back of the group.

Without a talent, resisting water pressure and Malevolent Qi was far more difficult. Old Martial Arts practitioners, in this environment, tended to suffer a much greater drop in combat power compared to New Martial Arts practitioners. At that moment, Lu Tieshan looked toward Wang Xian and gave a slight start. Wang Xian had walked into an alley, apparently searching for something in a corner. After a moment, he pulled out a vine, cut off a section with his blade, and squeezed out pale green sap.

"What is that?" Lu Tieshan walked over, surprised.

"Oh... Instructor." Wang Xian collected the pale green sap into a bottle and smiled.

"I noticed there's a Dark Water Tree here. I've heard the sap from this tree is remarkably effective against certain toxins."

"Poison Vine Ghost Alley will have many venomous beasts and vines. I'm collecting some in advance. It might come in handy."

"Is that so?" Lu Tieshan was somewhat taken aback. Dark Water Trees weren't common in aquatic relics. He'd never heard of this.

"By the way." Wang Xian suddenly said, "I noticed there seems to be Blood Marrow Root in this area. If the fruit of the Blood Marrow Root gets enveloped by toxic gas from Poison Smoke Vine in the water, it could produce large quantities of blood mist."

"This mist can seep through a warrior's pores, causing them to lose elemental force and leaving their body weak." Lu Tieshan was taken aback. He'd never heard of that. Besides, had this situation ever occurred here? He'd heard of Blood Marrow Root and Poison Smoke Vine, but that their fruit, when enveloped by toxic gas, could produce blood mist was the first he'd heard of it.

"Taking some Dark Water Tree sap can also guard against that blood mist." Wang Xian continued. Lu Tieshan smiled:"This situation you're describing... I've never really seen it..."

"It's relatively rare..." Wang Xian could only say. The other freshmen looked on curiously. The words had barely fallen. Suddenly, wisps of mist began spreading from all around. Pale blood-colored water mist surged in from all directions. Seeing this, Lu Tieshan's expression changed drastically. He stared at Wang Xian in utter shock.

"Instructor, what... what is this..." A freshman panicked.

"It's the blood mist..." Lu Tieshan furrowed his brow and shot Wang Xian a glance. A ridiculous thought rose in his mind: What the hell. Why do I feel like I'm the greenhorn here...