Chapter 9: The Isolation Zone – A Test of Strategy and Survival

The middle-aged teacher walked down from the podium, handing out two sheets of paper to each examinee.

When he reached Li Yang, he adjusted his glasses again.

However, he said nothing.

There was just an undeniable curiosity in his eyes.

A physique value of 90 was unheard of in Huangcheng.

But across the entire Donghua Province, there were already 20 such individuals this year alone.

However, the other 19 were all well-known prodigies.

They had been highly regarded across Donghua Province since high school.

When they achieved this physique value during the military academy assessment, no one was particularly surprised.

Only Li Yang was a complete dark horse this year.

That was what made people even more curious.

The middle-aged teacher was professional and did not say much.

After placing the “Special Isolation Zone Entry Guidelines” in front of her, he returned to the podium.

Li Yang did not notice any of this.

She was fully focused on the “Entry Guidelines”, carefully reading each word.

This world was nothing like the peaceful era of her previous life.

Here, there existed the Star Realm, which harbored immense, hidden dangers.

There were mutated creatures tainted by starlight.

And there were also Starbearers, individuals wielding extraordinary powers.

Ordinary people could live safely under the protection of Starbearers.

But once someone chose to apply for a military academy, it meant facing the dangers of this world head-on.

Military academy students were the reserve force of the military.

In this world, soldiers held a position of high honor along with an immense burden of responsibility.

Li Yang had long since come to terms with this.

She had no other path to take anyway.

The system warning was always there, glaring at her only one year left to live.

The “Special Isolation Zone Entry Guidelines” provided a detailed overview of potential dangers.

At the end of each warning, one line was repeated as long as you press the emergency beacon, an instructor will immediately come to your rescue.

However, this will automatically count as your withdrawal from the assessment.

The Special Isolation Zone was rated Two-Star difficulty.

For examinees who had yet to absorb Star Energy into their bodies, this was an extremely high challenge.

Thus, the assessment requirement was simple survive for three days inside, by any means necessary.

Even if someone found a doghole and hid for three days, it would count as passing.

The reason they still had to sign this “Life and Death Contract” was that every year, there were students who refused to quit, even when facing death.

Some even got themselves killed before the instructors had time to intervene.

The dangers of a military academy were evident from the very first combat assessment.

To enter a military academy, one needed not just strength but the courage and determination to face life and death.

Yet, as Li Yang looked at the two sheets of paper, what she thought was

“Is this really an ‘Entry Guide’?”

“This is basically a survival handbook!”

Less than two minutes later, some students had already signed, pressed their fingerprints, and submitted the form.

Gradually, more followed.

Li Yang, of course, did not submit hers.

Submit?

No way.

There was too much important information in this document she had to memorize it word for word!

As more students handed in their forms, the remaining ones began to feel pressured.

One after another, they bravely signed, pressed their fingerprints, and confidently turned in the “Entry Guidelines”.

Since they were qualified to apply to a top military academy, it meant they already had courage and resolve.

They wouldn’t be scared off so easily.

Ten minutes later, the first student to submit, Chen Song, muttered, “So what if she has a high physique value? Such a coward.”

The round-faced girl, Xu Wenpei, frowned.

“She’s just being cautious!”

Chen Song scoffed.

“Isn’t caution just another word for cowardice?”

Xu Wenpei retorted, “This assessment is about survival.

If caution wasn’t important, why would they structure it as a survival test?”

Chen Song was momentarily speechless.

But after a brief pause, he still grumbled, “I don’t see anything special about her.

She probably just got lucky and ended up with that physique value.”

Within Group 8, the nine examinees had already started forming factions before the test even began.

Chen Song had a physique value of 88.

He was from the provincial capital, with excellent conditions in every aspect.

Aside from Li Yang, he had the highest physique value, so naturally, he disliked her.

Xu Wenpei was from a smaller city.

Her physique value was only 84, but back in her high school, she had been a top student.

After coming to the provincial capital, however, she found herself somewhat lacking.

Still, she had a proud personality and refused to attach herself to the capital city students.

Within Group 8, the three provincial capital students naturally grouped together.

Among the other six, three sided with Xu Wenpei, seeking mutual support.

The remaining three leaned toward Chen Song, thinking it was better to follow a strong leader.

After twenty minutes, Chen Song was getting impatient.

“Is she refusing to sign?”

The middle-aged teacher simply replied, “Seven minutes remaining.”

Chen Song folded his arms and scoffed.

“She’ll never accomplish anything at this rate.”

Even Xu Wenpei, who had defended Li Yang earlier, found herself at a loss for words.

It was taking way too long.

It had already been 23 minutes was she really not going to sign?

Despite having a physique value of 90, Li Yang’s situation was undeniably unique.

A completely untrained civilian suddenly being thrown into a Two-Star Special Isolation Zone, faced with such a dangerous “Entry Guide” maybe she really was afraid.

After all, not everyone had the courage to face life and death.

Twenty-five minutes.

Twenty-six minutes.

With only two minutes left, Chen Song rolled his eyes.

“If she’s going to quit, she should just do it already and stop wasting everyone’s time!”

The middle-aged teacher calmly replied, “She’s not wasting time.

The rule states 30 minutes.

Only after that will we move to the isolation zone.”

Li Yang had almost finished memorizing everything.

But since there was still time, she figured a bit more revision wouldn’t hurt.

With 30 seconds remaining, the middle-aged teacher gave a final reminder.

Li Yang quickly signed her name, pressed her fingerprint, and handed the form to the invigilator.

The middle-aged teacher glanced at the “Entry Guidelines” in front of him and smiled meaningfully.

The two sheets of paper were covered in dense underlines, key markings, and even scattered question marks.

Compared to everyone else’s clean, untouched pages, Li Yang had practically dissected and absorbed every bit of the “Entry Guidelines”.

The middle-aged teacher suddenly asked, “What is the sixth rule?”

Li Yang was still mentally reciting the text.

Out of instinct, she responded, “The sixth rule states that the ground in the isolation zone is not necessarily safe.

Damp areas are breeding grounds for fungal organisms.

If you encounter a Two-Star mutant fungus, press the emergency beacon immediately…”

The middle-aged teacher’s smile deepened.

But he did not say anything more.

Xu Wenpei, who was sharp-minded, asked in surprise, “Li Yang, did you actually memorize the ‘Entry Guidelines’?”

Li Yang: “……”

The rest of Group 8 turned their heads in unison, eyes wide with shock.

The middle-aged teacher coughed lightly and said, “Time’s up.

Let’s head to the isolation zone together.”

It wasn’t just their group.

Other groups were also moving out.

Each group of ten students boarded a vehicle, with invigilators escorting them to the entrance of the isolation zone.

Twenty groups entered through different entrances an indication of how vast the isolation zone truly was.

On the way, Xu Wenpei couldn’t help but ask, “Li Yang, did you really memorize the ‘Entry Guidelines’?”

Chen Song sneered, “She probably has no knowledge of the isolation zone.

She had to memorize every single word just to get a grasp on basic survival.”

Hearing this, Li Yang suddenly understood.

So that’s why everyone submitted their forms so quickly.

To them, all this information was common sense.

That made sense.

She had come from a small city and was ignorant of many things.

Indeed, there is always someone stronger, always a greater world beyond one’s own.

Staying humble and low-key is the way to go.

Li Yang replied earnestly, “I wasn’t familiar with the isolation zone, so I wanted to study the details carefully.

That way, I could feel more prepared.”

She spoke sincerely, sounding like an innocent fool.

The examinees who had been curiously staring at her quickly lost interest and sat back down.

So she really knew nothing after all.

90 physique points? So what?

She didn’t even know basic common knowledge!

Still, a few students began to second-guess themselves especially those who had skimmed through the guidelines without paying close attention.

“Wait… what exactly was written in the ‘Entry Guidelines’?

It really was just basic survival tips for the isolation zone, right?

The key takeaway was to press the emergency beacon if in danger…”

Even Chen Song started doubting whether he had overlooked something important.

Soon, they arrived at the isolation zone entrance.

The invigilator repeated the safety guidelines once more, emphasizing, “If you press the emergency beacon, an instructor will come to your aid immediately.

Please exercise caution and cherish your lives.”

The examinees straightened up and saluted albeit somewhat sloppily.

The invigilator returned a proper military salute and said, “Good luck!”

Li Yang turned to face the Special Isolation Zone.

It was an enclosed jungle.

The surrounding walls were made of a unique alloy, likely designed to prevent mutated creatures inside from escaping and threatening nearby towns.

With a click, a small gate opened.

Group 8 lined up according to their physique values.

Unsurprisingly, Li Yang stood at the front.

Was she going to be the first to enter?

She felt a slight rush of nervousness.

Chen Song, standing right behind her, naturally noticed how her shoulders tensed and how she clenched her fists.

He scoffed inwardly.

“As expected, just a coward who’s never seen the world.”

Seeing her reaction, the slight unease he had felt earlier completely disappeared.

The ‘Entry Guidelines’ must have been a psychological test.

He had already spotted the surveillance cameras in the classroom.

His decisive and fearless approach signing and submitting the form immediately must have earned him extra points!

A soldier should possess such courage and determination!

Li Yang took a deep breath and stepped into the Special Isolation Zone.

Outside the gate, the air was fresh.

Inside, it was immediately thick and murky a mix of rot and humidity filled her nose.

It took her a moment to adjust before she could breathe smoothly.

She quickly scanned her surroundings.

Jungle.

Vegetation.

Li Yang had already noticed this detail when reading the ‘Entry Guidelines’.

Now, she was even more certain.

Her lips curved slightly.

“As expected, it’s a mutant plant-type isolation zone!”

Chen Song stepped in after her, followed by the rest of Group 8.

Xu Wenpei looked around in confusion.

“Where’s Li Yang?”

Chen Song sneered.

“She must have run off to hide already.”

Xu Wenpei frowned.

“She’s not going to stick with the group?”

By now, Group 8 had naturally split into two teams Chen Song’s group and Xu Wenpei’s group.

Since this was a survival test, sticking together seemed like the best approach.

The more people there were, the easier it would be to watch each other’s backs and survive longer inside the zone.

Xu Wenpei had originally planned to recruit Li Yang into their group.

But now, Li Yang was nowhere to be seen.

She had, indeed, run off.

Li Yang had memorized the 19th rule from the ‘Entry Guidelines’:

“The isolation zone is highly sensitive to large concentrations of foreign scents.

If you encounter danger, press the emergency beacon immediately.”

At first glance, this seemed ordinary.

But upon closer examination, the real message was clear

Avoid gathering in groups.

A high concentration of foreign scents could attract danger.

Analyzing further

Avoid forming teams.

Since she was the first to enter, she had the responsibility to set an example.

This was not just for herself but for the other examinees in Group 8 as well.

So, Li Yang immediately distanced herself from the entrance, putting as much space as possible between herself and the others.

Teaming up?

Not a chance.

Surely, the other examinees understood this “common sense” too!