Luo Xia’s voice rang out clearly across the plaza through the megaphone:
“First, the entrance to the Secret Realm will open at eight o’clock and will remain open for seven days. The time flow within this Secret Realm is the same as in reality. You may choose to withdraw at any time, but once you leave, you cannot re-enter.”
“Second, this Secret Realm Summer Camp utilizes a points-based ranking system. We will issue each of you a Points Detector. Once you receive it, input your identity information to bind it; it is for personal use only. As for the specific ways to earn points and how many points each method provides, you will need to explore and discover that for yourselves once you enter the Secret Realm.”
As Luo Xia finished speaking, staff members began distributing the Points Detectors. Liu Yi took hers and entered her identity information. With a soft “beep,” the binding was successful.
Her name immediately appeared in the center of the screen. Preceding her name was the code QL-111, followed by a single digit—0.
The row below displayed several options from left to right: Map, Points Leaderboard, Points Record, and Exit Secret Realm.
Liu Yi gave it a cursory glance before putting the Points Detector away, continuing to focus intently on Luo Xia’s explanation of the other precautions.
“Third, there are supply stations located within the Secret Realm. Obtaining food or lodging at these stations will require points.”
“Fourth, malicious fighting or harming other participants within the Secret Realm is strictly prohibited. Violators will be immediately disqualified and blacklisted by this academy.”
Liu Yi noticed that Luo Xia placed extra emphasis on the words “malicious fighting or harming.”
“Fifth, and most importantly. Participants ranked in the top one hundred can apply to this academy with their first year’s tuition waived.
As for the first-place finisher, if they choose to apply to our academy, not only will their tuition be waived for all three years, but the school will also cover all pet cultivation resources during their three-year tenure.”
This statement caused a stir, and many teenagers began whispering among themselves.
“Three years of free tuition? And all cultivation resources covered? That’s amazing!” A girl wearing a baseball cap pushed her companion’s shoulder, her voice thick with excitement.
“Stop dreaming.” However, the girl beside her remained quite calm. With a faint, ambiguous smile, she said coolly, “I just hope your Thunder-patterned Hound doesn’t decide to electrocute you at a critical moment after we go in.”
Liu Yi wasn’t particularly surprised. Since Qinglan Advanced Beast Taming Academy was investing manpower and resources to host this Secret Realm Summer Camp, they were naturally looking for ways to attract talented individuals to their school.
The reward for first place was indeed very tempting—if she didn’t already have another school she wanted to attend even more.
“Silence!” The Storm Eagle on Luo Xia’s shoulder spread its wings, kicking up a gust of wind.
This sudden movement startled everyone, and the previously noisy scene instantly fell deathly silent.
Seeing this, Luo Xia nodded in satisfaction and continued, “Now, everyone, input your identity information into your Points Detectors to bind them. Once bound, the randomly assigned number in front of your name will be the order in which you enter the Secret Realm when it opens.”
Liu Yi looked down to confirm her number again—QL-111. This meant she would be the 111th person to enter.
She turned her head to look at Baili Jinxuan, who was excitedly waving her Points Detector with a joyful smile on her face.
“QL-43!” Baili Jinxuan turned the screen toward Liu Yi. “Wow, I get to go in before you!”
Then she frowned slightly and said, “Wait, isn’t that unfair to those who go in later?”
Liu Yi smiled and replied, “These numbers are randomly assigned. Since Qinglan Advanced Beast Taming Academy wants to recruit talented people, they’ve likely determined that such a small time difference won’t affect much.”
Just then, Luo Xia’s voice rang out again: “There are ten minutes remaining until the Secret Realm opens. Please check your belongings. Remember, each person is allowed only one standard backpack.”
Liu Yi turned toward a giant light screen on the plaza’s high platform. A countdown had already begun, the red numbers ticking down steadily—
09:58... 09:57...
As the countdown entered the final thirty seconds, the atmosphere in the plaza grew tense.
“5... 4... 3... 2... 1...”
As the final digit slowly dropped, the entire plaza fell into a heavy silence.
Suddenly, a faint humming sound emanated from the back of the plaza.
Immediately following that, a distorted, pale green light curtain unfurled slowly before everyone’s eyes like a gate to an unknown world.
The light curtain appeared somewhat ethereal, but through it, one could vaguely see the hazy image of a forest.
“Participants QL-1 through QL-10, please prepare to enter!” The staff member’s loud shout broke the silence. Her voice echoed across the plaza, making the teenagers’ hearts race with nerves.
The first batch of ten walked toward the pale green light curtain. The moment they touched it, their figures were pulled in by an invisible force and vanished without a trace.
Then came the second batch, the third...
Each group of ten entered the light curtain quickly and orderly.
Finally, it was the turn of the batch containing Baili Jinxuan.
“QL-41 through QL-50!” the staff member shouted again.
Baili Jinxuan waved to Liu Yi and said, “I’m heading in first!”
With that, she ran toward the light curtain with Shadow, her figure soon merging into the pale green light.
Liu Yi watched Baili Jinxuan disappear and said to Ziyue, “It’ll be our turn in just a moment.”
“Bing bing.”
Ziyue nuzzled Liu Yi’s cheek and let out a soft cry.
Time passed minute by minute. Finally, when the staff member called out QL-111 through QL-120, Liu Yi walked toward the light curtain with Ziyue.
The moment she touched the light curtain, Liu Yi felt a slight wave of dizziness. The scene before her eyes seemed to be kneaded by an invisible giant hand, rapidly distorting and shifting.
When her vision cleared, Liu Yi found herself standing at the edge of a dense forest.
The branches and leaves of towering ancient trees blocked most of the sunlight, leaving only scattered patches of light on the leaf-strewn ground. The air was thick with the fresh scent of earth and vegetation.
Ziyue stood alertly by Liu Yi’s side, scanning their surroundings. Her ears twitched slightly as she caught the ambient sounds.
“Bing bing.”
After a short while, Ziyue let out a cry, indicating that she hadn’t detected any immediate anomalies.
Rate on N.U.
