Eleven eleven

Within Polluted Star Harbor lies a gathering place used for docking and waiting, alongside a small marketplace. This area primarily sells simple exploration supplies such as temporary storage space tokens, nutritional supplements, and basic capsule pods. Of course, these items were already included on the personal checklist issued by the Junior Academy before departure. Barring any unforeseen events, they would remain here for the next seven days, and each person’s preparations were more than sufficient.

Without much hesitation, after briefly explaining the map, the lead instructor formally guided the students into the First Mountain Range.

“Deploy your mimetic forms and stay vigilant for dangerous contaminated plants,” the instructor warned.

The surface of Polluted Star was characterized by a fairly ordinary forest polluted landscape, covered everywhere by tainted green vegetation. Twisted vines rooted themselves in ominous gray-black soil, their shadows clawing and writhing like demons.

The mountain range stretched endlessly, its terminus nowhere in sight.

In fact, the First Mountain Range was merely the outermost frontier of the forest-polluted planet.

Besides the insectoid species, the Polluted Star was mainly inhabited by mutation creatures contaminated by insect venom, predominantly mutant plants. If humans failed to cleanse the planet in time, the insect venom would seep into the planetary core, eroding the planet completely into an insect world.

“This Polluted Star’s danger level isn’t high. Dormant volcanoes run beneath, occasionally causing minor earthquakes. The First Mountain Range is mostly inhabited by zero-rank insectoids. Occasionally, rank-one insectoids appear near the edges. The innermost Third Mountain Range has scattered rank-one insectoids, but zero- and first-rank predominate.”

Hong Nian spread out the map. “Our training on this Polluted Star will only cover the First Mountain Range and its outskirts. No need to be nervous; as long as you stay alert and respond carefully, you won’t face life-threatening danger.”

Yuan Hanshuang listened attentively as they walked, noticing Xiao Yunmeng glance her way. She immediately straightened and greeted, “Hello, Teacher Xiao!”

Over the past two years, Xiao Yunmeng had quietly been looking out for her. Although this fiery-spirited female teacher rarely spoke of it, Yuan Hanshuang was fully aware. Hence, in front of these teachers, she no longer displayed the slouchy attitude she had upon enrolling, but instead showed great respect.

“You applied for a separate route for this practical training?”

Yuan Hanshuang nodded. “Yes.”

Most Junior Academy students did not have high mimetic levels or fast cultivation speed, so their strength was limited. To accommodate more students, teachers led practical training only within the First Mountain Range. Those wanting to venture deeper had to apply for a separate route.

“With your current strength, following us wouldn’t help you improve much. Choosing an independent route is wise,” Xiao Yunmeng said. “By the way, have you decided which academy you’ll attend after graduation?”

“Not yet,” Yuan Hanshuang replied, feeling a pang in her heart but covering it with a laugh.

The Junior Academy’s graduation requirements were straightforward: students didn’t need to complete all three years sequentially. Given her current talent level, she could graduate early and move on to the Intermediate Academy.

Yet Yuan Hanshuang did not want to. First, because there was no Intermediate Academy on Star 1999; attending one meant traveling to another planet, and the ticket price was daunting. Second, she had already reached a level at the Junior Academy where she enjoyed tuition-free education and unlimited access to the cafeteria—a top-tier benefit—so why start over at the Intermediate?

Furthermore, beyond their innate strength, true prestige came from the Seven Grand Advanced Academies. Many gifted individuals from noble or wealthy families hired tutors at home until their knowledge and skills sufficed to pass the advanced entrance exams, entering prestigious academies for refinement.

The Empire provided extensive welfare policies for gifted individuals from humble backgrounds, so Yuan Hanshuang’s plan was simple: save money for two more years, excel in the entrance exams, and aim for an advanced academy scholarship to develop alongside her father on the Central Star.

“Alright,” Xiao Yunmeng said without pressing further. “As long as you know what you’re doing.”

“Although the danger here is low and you’re strong enough to walk confidently, don’t venture into the depths of the Third Mountain Range. Avoid the areas I circled on the map, and always prioritize safety.”

She discreetly handed over a small personal supply pack. “Keep this safe. It contains some concentrated nutrient solution. You always eat a lot—don’t forget to return to the star harbor on the last day for the reunion.”

The Junior Academy lacked sufficient instructors to individually care for every student.

Hunting insectoids and polluted creatures was an essential course for gifted individuals, and the fledglings always had to take this step themselves. Xiao Yunmeng knew Yuan Hanshuang was clever and often pulled off remarkable feats, but her cautious nature meant she wouldn’t take reckless risks, so the teacher felt somewhat at ease.

“Thank you, Teacher,” Yuan Hanshuang said, placing the pack into her space token and pulling out a temperature-controlled box. “Teacher Xiao, these are some snacks I made myself.”

Given her current state, coaxing food from her was nearly impossible.

This proved Yuan Hanshuang’s genuine affection for Teacher Xiao.

After finishing these tasks, she glanced back at the group of students trailing her eagerly and instructed, “Stick close to the teacher and stay safe. Remember the minimum target I set: each of you must submit at least ten zero-rank crystal cores to me, and the group must hand in at least three first-rank cores. Otherwise, your training load doubles when we return.”

Hong Nian stood nearby with arms crossed, watching the scene like a spectator. “Not bad, you little ones even set up separate training tasks. Good, this lets us see what your make-believe special training has achieved.”

This comment stirred dissatisfaction among the nearby students.

The teachers at the Junior Academy knew about Yuan Hanshuang secretly coaching students and sneered at it, doubting what a teenager instructor could accomplish.

The students attending the special training hated hearing this.

Though their leader maintained strict discipline during training and harshly reprimanded those who failed, she was reliable! She shared secret cultivation techniques and ancient martial arts freely and even made delicious little cakes.

After a month, the trainees were so exhausted they fell asleep as soon as their heads touched pillows, dreaming of training. Yet their strength visibly improved at a pace surpassing a year of solo practice.

If doubt lingered at first, after a month of grueling training, all participants were completely convinced and deeply admired Yuan Hanshuang.

But being stared at by a crowd with shining eyes made Yuan Hanshuang quite uncomfortable. “Alright, alright, follow Teacher Hong quickly.”

The whole class chorused, “Got it, leader! We won’t let you down!”

Privately, they exchanged a knowing glance: everyone understood their leader was all talk but actually dependable.

Yuan Hanshuang didn’t notice their sly expressions and snorted. “See you in seven days.”

With that, she waved and strode deeper into the First Mountain Range.

Once she left, Gu Deze silently followed behind.

The man in the black suit trailing them furrowed his brows. “Weren’t you supposed to compete with the young master? Our young master’s time is tight; don’t think you can waste it.”

Before Yuan Hanshuang could respond, Gu Deze’s expression darkened.

He turned and said coldly, “He’s the opponent I’ve chosen. Show some respect.”

Clearly, the black suits hadn’t expected the usually quiet Gu Deze to suddenly confront them. His relatives had tried flattering the judges, but here he was arguing with a mere girl.

As tensions reached a stalemate, a smiling middle-aged man stepped forward.

He seemed to be the leader of the suits, first apologizing to Gu Deze, then having his subordinates apologize to Yuan Hanshuang, and finally casually remarking:

“Young master, please don’t be angry. This is a critical moment in the main family’s assessment. Your parents are very much looking forward to it. Let’s not spoil the harmony.”

Though the words sounded conciliatory, the emphasis on “main family assessment” and “parents” made the subtext clear even to a fool.

With Gu Deze’s temper, he would never tolerate this.

Yuan Hanshuang prepared to enjoy the spectacle but saw Gu Deze merely glance at them without outburst, then silently approach her.

The youth stood before her, fists clenched. “You promised me a duel.”

Sensing his bad mood, Yuan Hanshuang shrugged. “I never said no, and I’m not running away. What’s the rush? We should find a quiet place first.”

Gu Deze said nothing.

After walking a while, Yuan Hanshuang noticed him silently trailing her, his expression listless.

Honestly, this kid was usually arrogant and domineering, so his quietness today felt strange.

She knew it had to do with the black suits.

Since earlier, she had sensed faint, invasive gazes directed at her, laced with obvious disdain—deeply unpleasant.

They gradually entered the outskirts of the First Mountain Range. After a half-hour trek, Yuan Hanshuang stopped.

She surveyed the surroundings and nodded in satisfaction.

“Here’s fine. Going further means facing insectoids.”

Ahead lay a fairly wide clearing blanketed with fallen leaves—quiet and spacious enough to move freely.

Since they had agreed beforehand, the two silently took positions on opposite sides of the clearing, quickly summoning their spiritual mimetic forms and synchronizing to prepare for their duel.

Suddenly, a sharp, piercing shriek echoed from the forest depths.

An earthquake followed, shaking the ground.

Everyone swiftly synced their mimetic forms to steady themselves.

“Hiss—”

The shrieks continued, like nails scratching on steel.

Then, beneath the piled leaves, pairs of green compound eyes glowed—countless and eerie.

“What’s going on?” Peng Shi, leader of the black suits, was the first to notice the danger.

Experienced, he immediately recognized a swarm of burrowing insects had emerged.

Burrowing insects were the lowest-rank insectoid species, mostly rank zero or one. They had hard black shells and powerful front pincers, low intelligence, and posed little threat—typical beginner hunting targets.

The problem was that burrowing insects rarely appeared above ground; they preferred to lurk underground, spreading venom. Usually, they only surfaced when their nests were destroyed. To make matters worse, Peng Shi spotted the leader among them—the eyes a polluted deep green, indicating a high-ranking first-rank insectoid.

“There must be over a hundred burrowing insects.”

Even the black suits hesitated to provoke such a massive swarm; numbers could easily compensate for rank differences.

Yuan Hanshuang frowned. “Maybe the earthquake forced them out.”

“Protect the young master first!”

With the situation urgent, Peng Shi ordered his men to sync their mimetic forms.

Spiritual mimetic forms naturally intimidated insectoids. Seeing humans ready to attack, the tension escalated, and the insectoid encirclement shrank.

The black suits grudgingly protected only Gu Deze, ignoring Yuan Hanshuang’s safety. Gu Deze, however, subtly moved beside her and pulled her into the protective circle.

“Their legs are highly destructive—capable of slicing through small rocks—but their abdomen is a weak point.”

Though this was her first time facing live insectoids, Yuan Hanshuang showed no fear. She quietly recited the burrowing insect’s weaknesses taught in class, eager to act.

At that moment, the burrowing insect leader let out a low howl.

Hearing their leader, the swarm instantly grew alert. They broke the encirclement and clustered together, looking restless.

“What’s happening?”

Peng Shi observed clearly: although aggressive, the insects seemed more defensive.

As both sides stalemated, a long roar sounded from the distant horizon.

“Roar—”

The roar was majestic and intimidating, stirring one’s blood with its power.

The insects’ reaction was immediate.

They crouched low to the ground, corrosive slime dripping from their mouthparts as if in agony.

Peng Shi gasped. “Such a strong suppressive effect—has a high-rank gifted individual arrived?”

A massive black dot emerged in the sky.

It grew larger until everyone could see it clearly.

It was a winged, imposing bone dragon!

A faint blue aura shimmered around it, unmistakably marking its mimetic identity.

“My heavens, a dragon! That was a dragon’s roar!”

“The bone dragon is a legendary powerful presence even among dragons!”

Not only the black suits but also Yuan Hanshuang’s eyes widened as she studied the imposing skeletal dragon whose pupils burned with pale blue flame.

Though the dragon appeared juvenile, its roar already held formidable power and effect.

Incidentally, with her keen eyesight, she spotted a sickly youth riding atop the dragon’s head.

Not the high-rank gifted individual Peng Shi guessed, but undoubtedly a favored prodigy.

“Stop staring and protect the young master! Deal with the burrowing insects!”

Peng Shi quickly regained composure and commanded the black suits into action.

Taking advantage of the insects’ weakened state under suppression, they swiftly slaughtered them one by one.

“Only the highest-grade mythical mimetics naturally exert this kind of pressure on insectoids.”

Even the rare Scarlet Flame Spotted Tiger showed suppression upon hearing the dragon’s roar, proving the bone dragon’s elite status.

Gu Deze did not assist. He remained where he was, watching the black dragon’s departing silhouette with mixed envy.

“That person is S+ rank. A gifted individual awakened to a mythical mimetic is naturally S+ rank.”

Usually, Gu Deze didn’t envy others, but this was an exception—mythical mimetics existed only in legend, and there were fewer than a handful in the entire galaxy.

“Probably a prodigy from some powerful faction. This world doesn’t lack geniuses,” Yuan Hanshuang shrugged, offering no further comment.

Her strongest impression of mythical mimetics was the Bright Son of Light, who had been specially assigned an S+ rank. She had thought the Scarlet Flame Spotted Tiger was strong—but there was always someone stronger.

While high-quality mimetics gave gifted individuals an initial advantage, their effects were not as miraculous as the galaxy’s legends suggested; otherwise, she would never beat Gu Deze so soundly.

“All cleared, young master.”

Soon, the black suits returned with sacks full of burrowing insect crystal cores.

“We scouted ahead. A minor earthquake likely forced the swarm out.”

Insectoid crystal cores functioned like human hearts and had various uses—energy sources, military applications, and more—with both legitimate and black market recycling channels.

To achieve excellent results in this Junior Academy practical training, students had to submit ten zero-rank crystal cores. With this haul, Gu Deze would likely claim first place.

Since rankings held little significance and offered no special rewards, Yuan Hanshuang merely glanced at them and prepared to resume their unfinished duel.

Yet suddenly, her gaze lingered oddly on the sack of crystal cores.

Though ordinary and somewhat shiny, they emitted a strangely enticing aroma, as if summoning all her month-long hunger in a sudden surge.

Yuan Hanshuang: ???

Yuan Hanshuang: !!!

Wait—could it be what she thought?!