C21 Amethyst Woods!

Xiao Juncai was a cultivator at the Guide Spirit Realm, a level far surpassing the Body Tempering Realm. His presence in the group meant that the journey ahead was likely to be without worries.

Xiao Juncai offered a slight smile, his gaze lingering on Luo Shuining a bit longer than the rest. He hadn't expected to find such a beauty among his classmates.

"You must be the class monitor, Luo Shuining. Don't worry, as long as you follow my lead, I'll ensure everyone's safety."

"Thank you, Senior Brother Xiao!" Luo Shuining replied, her joy evident.

"Students, we meet again," came a voice as clear as a bell, signaling the arrival of several figures onto the high platform ahead. Leading them was none other than Director Chang Qing Song!

The murmurs and whispers below ceased immediately, giving way to silence.

"Some of you are already familiar with what's to come, but let me remind you, this field training will be tougher and more perilous than any before," the director announced.

The students' expressions turned serious at his words.

"The greater the danger, the greater the opportunity. As we near the end of the term, this will be your last assessment for the year. The outcomes will catch the eye of many sects across the whole of Udrealor! That's the external opportunity. Secondly, the location for today's training is none other than the Amethyst Woods, deep within the Amethyst Range. This ancient forest is rife with spirit animals and poisonous creatures. For safety, we'll stick to the parts of the forest that have been previously explored. But even so, Starfall Academy cannot fully guarantee the safety of these areas – not even 70%!"

A collective gasp rose from the crowd.

The Amethyst Range, not far from Traessey City, was familiar to many students, though they had only frolicked in its outer reaches and never ventured deep within, where the Amethyst Woods lay.

The Amethyst Woods, also known as the Ancient Forest, was a vast domain rumored to house ancient, formidable beasts. Its sheer scale and the lurking dangers meant that even Starfall Academy only dared to explore its fringes. There were tales of a Spirit King Realm expert from a major sect who, in defiance of warnings, wreaked havoc in the woods, cutting down trees and slaughtering spirit animals. His arrogance was met with a swift end when a shadowy figure sent him flying with a single palm strike. By the time he was found, his body was beyond recognition, beyond any hope of survival.

No one had anticipated that Starfall Academy's examination would take place in the Amethyst Woods this time!

"Each of you must carefully consider whether to go or not. You're grown now, and you must realize that this is the real world, this is what it means to be a cultivator! You must choose your own path based on your strength and decide your future accordingly," declared Department Head Chang Qing Song with gravity.

"If you choose not to participate, you may return to the classroom now. During my speech, you are still free to decide whether to stay or go. If you opt out, simply leave on your own accord."

The students fell into a hushed silence.

The gravity in Chang Qing Song's voice only underscored the seriousness of the situation. Their lives could genuinely be at risk! Starfall Academy, with its formidable reputation, had been magnanimous in disclosing the dangers of each mission and offering them a choice. Should anyone perish, there would be no one to blame or seek retribution for them.

Doubts began to creep into the minds of some students.

They had grown too comfortable at Starfall Academy. They had come to learn, not to gamble with their lives.

Luo Shuining bit her lip and glanced at Chen Xing, who appeared utterly unfazed by the announcement. Resolute, she turned her gaze forward, having made her decision.

Eventually, one student stepped out first.

"This decision is too abrupt. I can't risk my life without informing my parents and giving it thorough consideration."

"I feel the same. As the son of a direct line in my family, my absence would be felt. The family cannot afford to lose me."

"If there were time to discuss with my family, I might consider it. But this suddenness leaves me no choice. Perhaps next time, I will join you."

Before long, nearly a quarter of the students had departed.

Those who remained had either a steadfast resolve or were quietly awaiting further information before making their decision.

"Very well," Chang Qing Song nodded, surveying the room. This was the first time such an assessment had been conducted and certainly the most stringent. In the future, even if similar assessments were to occur, participants would be better mentally prepared. Often, sudden decisions leave no room for careful deliberation.

He waved his hand, and numerous orbs of light soared from his sleeves, landing in the hands of each student.

"This is an alarm, one of the safety measures our academy has implemented for your protection. If you encounter danger, press the button on this device, and a mentor will come to your aid. However, you must carefully consider when to use it, and whether you'll have the opportunity to do so. First, pressing this alarm button means you forfeit the assessment. Second, even though a mentor will be dispatched, they will need time to reach you. Before their arrival, your survival is in your own hands."

"This device also functions as a radar. Once you enter the Amethyst Woods, it will display the Starfall Signets that our mentors from Starfall Academy have placed. Each location with a Starfall Signet offers a chance to find valuable treasures. The first to reach these will have the opportunity to claim the resources there. Ultimately, the number of Starfall Signets you possess upon your return will determine the winner."

Chang Qing Song narrowed his eyes, adding, "One more thing—you must remain inside for a full twenty-five days!"

"What? Twenty-five days?" The initial information was digestible, but the last statement caused an uproar among the students.

"That's an incredibly long time! This must be the longest field assessment ever!"

"Even if you're quick and manage to collect many signets early on, you'll still need to hunker down to avoid attacks from spirit animals!" This realization sent a chill through the crowd.

And it wasn't just spirit animals they had to worry about.

They also had to be vigilant against attacks from fellow students! Who's to say the Starfall Signets you gather will remain yours until the end? The final outcome, which determines the selection by various factions and impacts everyone's future, will be based on the number of signets you hold. No one will show you mercy!

Thus, the twenty-five days are not just about fostering self-sufficiency; they're designed to intensify the competition among students.

"Alright! The decision for twenty-five days was made after consultation with the school's leadership. We originally planned for thirty days! Having reduced it by five days is already quite generous," Chang Qing Song stated, patting his palm for emphasis.

"Of course, you're free to come forward voluntarily, but that will be considered a forfeiture of your training. Additionally, students are forbidden from killing one another. Should it be discovered that a student has intentionally killed another, severe punishment will ensue!"

"So, we're allowed to steal Starfall Signets, just not kill for them?" Chen Xing stroked his chin thoughtfully. The wordplay was quite clever and not without its charm.

"Next, those who remain will be grouped by class. Please proceed in order to the teleportation platform! This device will transport you to the outskirts of the Amethyst Woods, within the Amethyst Range. There, instructors and another teleportation platform will be waiting for you. The training will officially commence at two o'clock this afternoon!"

"Also, I'd like to give a shout-out to our teleportation array, masterfully crafted by Master Wang Yun, the Chess Saint of Starfall Academy. It's incredibly stable, ensuring a comfortable journey for everyone." Chang Qing Song's hearty laughter lightened the mood.

Subsequently, the students proceeded to the teleportation array in groups. A flash of light later, they were whisked away. Some looked visibly pale—not from the teleportation, but from the realization that their classes were now short of members, putting them at a natural disadvantage!

"Haha! We've struck gold this time! Originally, it was just the two of us at a disadvantage, but now with Xiao joining us, not only are we at full strength, but we're also significantly more powerful than the other teams!" Luo Shuining's laughter rang out, clear and refreshing as a mountain spring.

Is that so?

Chen Xing chuckled silently to himself. The team's support was measured individually in the end—a clever move by the director of instruction.

The trio stepped forward, and as the Starfall Academy instructors activated the array, a fierce white light filled their eyes. In an instant, they were transformed into orbs of light and vanished. Moments later, when they reopened their eyes, they found themselves on the outskirts of the Amethyst Woods.

"So, this is the Amethyst Woods..." Luo Shuining gasped in awe at the sight before her. The trees were verdant, the ground blanketed with wild grasses, and the trails were all but invisible. Countless insects crawled in the underbrush, their chorus adding to the sense of ancient wilderness.

"This is just the outskirts," Chen Xing remarked, seemingly unfazed. Regardless of his experiences a hundred millennia ago, even the original Chen Xing had visited this area. The Chen family had always depended on the medicinal herbs from the Amethyst Range for their livelihood, occasionally passing through.

"Have you ever been inside?"

"No, well... As a child, I ventured into the Amethyst Woods once during an adventure game."

Chen Xing was somewhat taken aback; these were the original Chen Xing's memories. They had been buried so deep that he hadn't thought of them until Luo Shuining jogged his memory. The recollection was faint and hazy.

"You've been to the Amethyst Woods before?"

Luo Shuining spun around, her surprise evident. She had mentioned it offhandedly and hadn't expected Chen Xing to confirm it.

"Yes, I nearly got lost, but luckily I didn't run into any spirit animals. Eventually, I made my way to the edge and was found by people my father had sent."

"You were in the Amethyst Ancient Forest! Your luck was incredible!" Luo Shuining marveled.

...

"Lucky indeed, but who knows if your luck will hold up this time!" A shadowy gaze settled on Chen Xing, brimming with a chilling intent to kill.