CHAPTER 76: CHAPTER 76: CAUSE OF DEATH: TOO VALUABLE

Linjiang City, Jiuyi Mountain National Forest Park.

Today is Saturday. Xu Lan brought seven rookies from the Fighting Center to the foot of the mountain. After visiting the largest Iron Feather Chicken farm in the city, the official training began.

"When you become Professional Martial Artists, you’ll likely enter the Grotto Heaven, undertaking various exploration missions. And during the Phoenix Cup, for the team battle project assessment, the venue will also be set in an artificial Secret Realm. So from now on, you need to start training your wilderness survival skills."

Xu Lan stated this.

Under Xu Lan’s urging, Ye Qingzhou, Xu Yuebing, Leon, Lu Yifan, Miao Yi, Hou Fei, and Yuh Shouping all started checking their packs and supplies.

"The food in your backpacks is only enough for you for two days, but you’re supposed to survive more than seven days in Jiuyi Mountain."

Xu Lan quickly reminded everyone, "Don’t be careless, although this artificial Secret Realm in Jiuyi Mountain doesn’t generally pose huge risks, it’s easy to encounter accidents if you’re not careful."

Ye Qingzhou was puzzled, "A Secret Realm can be man-made?"

Xu Lan explained with a smile, "It’s time to give you a little common knowledge about Professional Level Martial Artists."

"So-called Grotto Heaven is essentially a miniature world of its own, with its own ecosystem and geography, quite different from the real world of Blue Star."

"As for Secret Realms, these are actually special areas within the Grotto Heaven, often with a high concentration of Primordial Qi and very dangerous."

"As the Grotto Heaven has existed longer, our human world has also begun to be affected, and some areas near the Grotto Heaven have gradually transformed into Secret Realms. And as research deepens, we have also discovered that this transformation can be guided."

Ye Qingzhou nodded at the words, "Got it, an artificial Secret Realm is essentially where people guide the Primordial Qi flowing from the Grotto Heaven, transforming a designated area into a Secret Realm."

"That’s right. This involves knowledge of Arrays, which I’m not quite clear about. If you’re interested, you can learn about it when you go to university."

Xu Lan then reminded once again, "In your packs, there’s a satellite locator. If anyone encounters difficulties, you can press the distress button, and the rescue team will arrive within ten minutes."

Although Xu Lan didn’t mention what penalties would follow a distress call, all those present knew it meant early disqualification.

Soon, all seven shouldered their packs and ventured into the vast forest ahead.

Under the influence of Primordial Qi, Jiuyi Mountain’s ecosystem had undergone considerable changes.

Both animals and plants had become highly spiritual, evolving into various unique life forms.

Among these, the most dangerous were the snakes!

Even before the advent of the Grotto Heaven Secret Realm, Jiuyi Mountain was a paradise for snakes, and now, nourished and transformed by Primordial Qi, the snakes here became even more dangerous.

Even though Professional Level Martial Artists would regularly clear out the area, danger could not be completely eliminated.

Hiss~

A black snake as thick as an arm appeared unexpectedly in front of Ye Qingzhou and his group. Its body, four meters long, coiled on a rock, continuously flicking its tongue and hissing.

Clearly, it didn’t like being disturbed by strangers, and was issuing a warning.

Lu Yifan, seeing the gleaming scales on the black snake, quickly became nervous and gestured for everyone to detour, "This is an Iron-Scaled Snake; its scales are tougher than steel. While its venom isn’t lethal, it can paralyze you. Be careful!"

Ye Qingzhou took a step forward, "Is this snake valuable?"

"Its crest and scales are quite valuable..."

Whoosh~

A Sword Point issued forth, and the Iron-Scaled Snake was no more.

Cause of death: Value.

Ye Qingzhou stepped forward to pick up the snake corpse. To avoid damaging the Iron-Scaled Snake’s crest, which could decrease its value, the earlier Sword Qi attack was delivered with finesse.

Then, with a Sword Point, he induced Sword Qi, making a gentle cut on the snake’s belly and began to meticulously process the snake’s body: skinning, removing tendons, disassembling the bones.

"Lunch for today is settled."

Using tree branches, he skewered the cut-up snake meat and, invoking the Fire’s Inner Breath, roasted it until crispy and golden, sprinkling some pepper salt he carried for seasoning.

Soon, a delicious dish was ready.

"A thousand bucks per skewer, you can put it on the tab for now. Anyone want to eat?"

"Me me me!"

Leon, practically drooling, grabbed two skewers and started devouring them.

The others, even Hou Fei who regarded Ye Qingzhou as a rival, all obediently forked out the money to buy two skewers of grilled snake meat, given that it could reduce the food consumption from their packs.

They knew well that they still had to stay here for a full seven days!

For the next three days, the seven-member team faced numerous crises without any real danger.

They also encountered various mutated snake species like the Iron-Scaled Snake, Flying Arrow Snake, and Rock Python, with the Iron-Scaled Snake being the easiest to handle.

Compared to the Flying Arrow Snake, which hid in corners to ambush, and the Rock Python, which camouflaged as rocks waiting for prey to deliver themselves, the Iron-Scaled Snake, which warned intruders with a hiss, was just like a well-behaved baby.

However, in the end, they all met the same fate, ending up in Ye Qingzhou’s backpack.

The scales and crests of the Iron-Scaled Snakes, the bones and venomous fangs of the Flying Arrow Snakes, and the "Snake Pearls" inside the Rock Pythons were all highly valuable treasures.

Ye Qingzhou even began to complain, "The pack the teacher gave is too small; it can’t hold much at all."

Xu Yuebing was speechless, "This guy, we’re here for specialized training, not to stock up goods. Can you stop shoving every random valuable thing into your backpack?"

In Xu Yuebing’s eyes, Ye Qingzhou was like a scavenger who never let a single valuable item pass by.

While the two were in their daily bickering, a rustling noise suddenly arose around them.

Danger!

Ye Qingzhou pointed out a Finger, Sword Qi shooting forth, killing an incoming Flying Arrow Snake in mid-air targeting Xu Yuebing.

However, the crisis was far from over. Xu Yuebing looked ahead, her face turning pale, "This is bad, it’s a snake tide!"

Clusters of Rock Pythons, Iron-Scaled Snakes, and Flying Arrow Snakes surged like a tide, instantly shattering their formation!

In the critical moment, Ye Qingzhou dropped his backpack, grabbed Xu Yuebing’s hand, and used a Soaring Step to leap away from the snake tide.

Upon landing, he immediately instructed Xu Yuebing, "You go meet up with Leon first, I’ll be right behind."

"Alright."

As soon as Xu Yuebing left, Ye Qingzhou looked behind, "Are you not coming out yet?"

"Impressive, you even noticed us,"

Yuan Hao applauded, his figure now within Ye Qingzhou’s sight.

Right beside him was Snake Woman, one of the distinguished Six Talents, who had just orchestrated the snake tide attack.

Ye Qingzhou gave them a glance, then sighed slightly, "You made me lose three million; let’s hope your lives are worth that much."