At the edge of Celestia Plaza, many students from other classes at the Martial Academy looked on with envy at the Elite Class students who were about to depart.
For every student who enters the Celestia Martial Academy, setting foot on Celestia is their ultimate goal.
Entering Celestia may hold many dangers, but also countless opportunities. On Celestia Plaza, nearly everyone who has reached the Innate stage has once entered Celestia.
Moreover, some scholars and vigilant experts predict that sooner or later, the fiend beasts of Celestia will break through the protective walls of Celestia Plaza. Once the beasts breach the plaza's defenses, everyone inside may face only one fate—death.
Some even believe that, given the beasts' intelligence rivaling humans, they will eventually head to Earth. If those fiend beasts truly reach Earth, it would be disaster upon disaster, and humanity could face extinction.
Some have considered moving Celestia out of the solar system, but this is nothing more than a fantasy. Celestia is shrouded by a protective formation, its true size still unknown. To relocate Celestia beyond the solar system is mere wishful thinking.
Entering Celestia early to advance one's cultivation is seen as an extra path to survival in case disaster strikes. This is a shared understanding among all Martial Academy students.
"This trial will last one month. I wish you all great success. Now, I will open the gates of Celestia Plaza's protective wall and escort you to Celestia." Master Thomas Zeng finished speaking and waved his hand.
A green line appeared on the ground of Earth Departure Plaza. Jade Yu and Skyler Wang walked along it, one in the middle, one at the rear. The Innate expert Victor Wu led the way, following the green line out of Celestia Plaza.
"Zoe, don't envy them. One day, we'll also walk that green line and enter Celestia." Ron Tao stepped up to Zoe Shen, his tone enthusiastic.
Martial artists all possess an unconscious self-confidence. This self-assurance keeps fear at bay. To go from an ordinary person to someone who can punch with over a thousand kilograms of force—many students believe even a tiger could be felled with a single blow.
Especially for the few students at the half-step Earth stage—just one step away from breaking through. They were even more eager to find opportunities on Celestia and rise above the crowd.
In fact, Joe Di’s thoughts weren’t much different from most students—he was also here seeking opportunities. What set him apart was that, after experiencing many things and learning a lot, he knew there were far stronger people in this world.
Three hours later, the group finally saw vibrant green ahead. Before them stretched a vast forest, with a narrow man-made path extending from their feet, disappearing into the distance.
Victor Wu, who had been silent at the front, stopped and turned to the group. “Classmates, Celestia has only a few developed areas—almost all of it is primal forest. From the moment we enter, stay alert. Watch your surroundings and your footing. If you’re bitten by a venomous snake or other poisonous creature, there’s little hope for rescue. Also, spread out a bit—two per row, with some space between each pair.”
The Elite Class students clearly respected Victor Wu much more than Jade Yu. When Victor spoke, everyone listened attentively.
Victor Wu didn’t say much more. After warning them of the dangers, he turned and continued walking.
Once in the primal forest, the group followed Victor Wu’s instructions and spread out. Frank Pang naturally walked beside Joe Di.
Upon entering the forest, their vision was limited to just a dozen meters. Beyond that, dense shrubbery, towering trees, or huge moss-covered boulders blocked their view.
After half an hour, besides the sound of footsteps, everyone could hear the distant roars of fiend beasts.
The more nervous students drew their weapons—mostly sabers, swords, and spears.
Perhaps because sabers are the most lethal and best for hacking, nearly half the students wielded sabers.
“Joe Di, what do you think of my weapon?” Frank Pang, whose cultivation was relatively low, was much less nervous than the others.
Frank Pang also drew a saber—over a meter long. In terms of looks, even ten of Joe Di’s cleavers couldn’t compare to Frank’s saber.
Joe Di hadn’t studied weapons much, but seeing Frank’s saber, he could tell it cost a fortune.
“Nice weapon. Why did you always keep it wrapped up before?” Joe Di was honest—Frank’s saber couldn’t compare to his own cleaver, but it looked much better.
“Heh, I didn’t want to discourage you. Good thing you’re tough—you don’t seem bothered by my prized saber.” Frank Pang grinned, lovingly stroking his blade.
After speaking, he subconsciously glanced at the cleaver Joe Di wore at his waist. He thought to himself that he’d never wear such an ugly knife, not even if his life depended on it.
“Ah…” Before Joe Di could reply to Frank Pang, a startled cry made everyone freeze in their tracks.
“He Tai was bitten by a snake!” a student shouted at once.
“What happened?” Skyler Wang rushed to the student’s side. A half-meter-long colorful snake was biting the student’s calf.
Skyler Wang drew his saber and slashed down.
“Don’t move.” Victor Wu grabbed the back of Skyler Wang’s saber. Skyler felt as if his blade was stuck and couldn’t budge an inch.
Skyler Wang was shocked. He was late Earth stage and knew there was a gap between him and the innate stage, but he hadn’t expected it to be so vast.
If a profound-level expert slashed down, with his strength, he could never catch the blade’s back.
To catch the back of a saber swung by an Earth stage expert at full speed was no easy feat.
Victor Wu’s move gave everyone a direct impression of an innate expert’s power, but soon everyone’s attention shifted to He Tai. The snake still clung to He Tai’s leg, his face pale and his breathing labored.
“Dean, He Tai’s been bitten! We should kill the snake right away!” Jade Yu ran over anxiously, puzzled why Victor Wu wouldn’t let Skyler Wang kill the snake.
Joe Di also saw the snake on He Tai’s calf and knew Victor Wu was right.
This snake was called the Seven-Color Viper—extremely venomous, even deadlier than the one that bit Yvonne Yu. It had seven markings, not arranged in a pretty pattern but in a disturbing way that made people uneasy.
After biting, the Seven-Color Viper would never let go—only releasing when its victim died. If you killed it while it was biting, its venom would rush straight to the heart, killing the victim instantly.
“Let me.” Victor Wu slapped He Tai’s calf, sending a strong force that made the viper release its bite. Before it could fall, Victor chopped off its head with a blade of energy.
Victor Wu’s strike killed the viper instantly. It rolled a few times and died. At the same time, He Tai lost consciousness.
Victor Wu took out a bottle, placed a pill in He Tai’s mouth, but just as he was about to speak, a series of murderous roars came from the distance, drawing nearer with a rumbling sound.
“Move! Speed up and follow me!” Victor Wu said, leaving the original path and leading the group into the forest.
Skyler Wang quickly picked up He Tai and shouted, “Everyone, follow the dean and leave quickly! Frank Pang, help with He Tai’s bag!”
(End of today's update.)