17: Chapter 17 Real-world Combat

"Hey, Zhang Wen, are you busy?" Director Wang's slightly mysterious voice came from the other end of the phone, carrying a hint of deliberately suppressed excitement. "I have something to tell you—our school managed to secure a spot for a Secret Realm this year, just one. You were the first person I thought of. How about it, are you interested?"

"A Secret Realm?" Zhang Wen rubbed his fingertips against the back of his phone, the matte casing almost heating up under his touch.

It wasn't that he lacked confidence—relying on his SSS-grade Nine Heavens Tribulation Thunder and the Indestructible Thunder Body provided by the System, he would basically be in no danger inside the Secret Realm. But strength was one thing, and the Secret Realm was another. Those posts circulating on the forum were filled with phrases like "Mist-Swallowing Squad," "Rock Wall Monster Insects," and "Instant Kill by Energy Turbulence." Just reading them made one's scalp tingle.

To put it bluntly, he just felt uncertain. It was like someone who had practiced swordsmanship for ten years facing a real battlefield with real blades and guns for the first time. He knew he could fight, yet he couldn't help but wonder: What if? What if he encountered something not written about in the books?

Just as he was staring blankly at the potted pothos on the corner of the table, the System in his mind suddenly spoke up, its tone more certain than usual: "host's current comprehensive combat power assessment: exceeds 78% of Awakeners at the same level. Although the Secret Realm has risks, the host's strength is sufficient to handle the basic areas. It is recommended to go; the bonus to ability advancement from practical combat experience far exceeds theoretical Cultivate, and the System will provide generous rewards based on the host's performance in the Secret Realm."

Zhang Wen's brows twitched. The System's words hit the nail on the head—what he lacked was never strength, but the courage for that final push (mostly it was the rewards ฅ ՞ • ﻌ • ฅ). He took a deep breath and spoke to Director Wang on the other end of the phone, his voice much steadier than before: "Director, I'll go."

"Good lad, I was waiting for those words!" Director Wang's voice on the other end of the phone brightened instantly, carrying a relieved smile. "The time is set for this Saturday at 7:00 AM, and the location is deep within the Wuling Mountains in our Ningjiang District—you know that old forest, right? It's usually sealed off by a barrier, but this time, the authorities have specially approved the lifting of the restriction, opening the outer area specifically for you newcomers."

He paused, his tone deepening with a hint of seriousness: "Remember, only students from the three high schools in our district will participate, with a total of twenty spots. They are all students preparing for the ability college entrance exam just like you. Two senior mentors will lead the team, and safety measures are fully in place, but you must understand the rules—do not trespass into the inner layer barrier, do not privately keep any Secret Realm yields, and press the distress signal immediately if you encounter danger."

Zhang Wen held the phone and gave an "Mm," hearing Director Wang add: "Assemble directly at the entrance of the Wuling Mountains scenic area on Saturday morning; don't be late. By the way, get your ability equipment ready. Although it's the outer area, you can't skimp on the necessary precautions."

Hanging up the phone, Zhang Wen looked at the darkening sky outside the window; the sweat that had broken out on his palms from nervousness had already dried. He had been to the Wuling Mountains; he had gone for a picnic with his family when he was a child. He only remembered the dense forest and deep grass, and the mountain breeze always carrying a damp, earthy smell—who could have imagined that deep within that seemingly ordinary mountain forest, such an unknown world was hidden.

As the faint light of Saturday morning just spilled over the ridge of the Wuling Mountains, Zhang Wen was already standing in front of the inspection station at the entrance of the scenic area.

The metal detector emitted a slight hum, and a red light flickered as it scanned the alloy short blade on his back. The uniformed staff member glanced up at the student ID on his chest and swiped on the tablet: "Lightning-type ability, equipment compliant. Go in, Assembly Point 3."

He nodded, picked up his backpack containing the first-aid kit and energy supplements, and walked through the inspection gate. The mountain breeze was much cooler than in the city, rushing towards him mixed with the scent of pine needles and dew. From the distant forest, a few strange bird calls could be vaguely heard—completely different from what he had heard when he came for a picnic as a child.

The stone path under his feet was dampened by the morning dew, gleaming with a cold light. After walking about a hundred meters, he saw a blue tent set up on the open ground ahead. Director Wang was standing in front of the tent, counting the number of people, his voice as loud as ever.

"Hey, Zhang Wen! Over here!" Director Wang spotted him at a glance and waved him over, the mentor badge on his wrist flashing in the morning light. "We were just waiting for you, come over and sign in quickly. Look, these students are from the Third and Fifth High Schools, all of whom are entering the Secret Realm together this time."

Zhang Wen looked in the direction he pointed. A dozen people were already standing around the tent, gathering in twos and threes. Some were adjusting the distress signal on their wrists, while others were whispering about something, their eyes filled with a mix of nervousness and excitement. He walked over quickly and took the registration form handed by Director Wang. As his pen tip touched the paper, he heard someone behind him give a soft "Oh"—it was a girl with a high ponytail, who was curiously examining his hand.

Only then did he realize that because of his nervousness, a few faint wisps of electric light were unconsciously lingering around his fingertips.

"Zhang Wen?"

A clear, cold female voice came from behind him, carrying a hint of uncertainty.

Zhang Wen paused, subconsciously turning his head.

The morning light fell just right on the newcomer's hair tips, outlining a soft golden edge. The girl was wearing black combat gear designed for movement, holding a long whip wrapped in runes; it was none other than Chen Nianchu.

Her eyes lit up, and she walked up quickly, the corners of her mouth curving into a shallow arc: "It really is you! I saw you from afar and thought you looked familiar, I didn't expect to run into you here."

Zhang Wen finally realized fully, his heart slightly surprised—was it not her? Chen Nianchu, who had teamed up with him to hunt the Frost Prison Demon Spider last time.

"What a coincidence." He nodded and smiled, "I didn't expect you to be a participant in this Secret Realm trip too."

"Isn't it?" Chen Nianchu flicked her wrist, and the runes at the end of the long whip flashed with a faint light. "I heard there's an Ice-type energy concentration area in the Wuling Mountains Secret Realm this time, so I specifically secured a spot. How about you? Lightning-type abilities might be affected in such a damp environment, right?"

Her tone was natural, as if they were discussing the most ordinary thing, without a trace of the awkwardness that might come after a life-or-death struggle. The tension Zhang Wen felt due to the unfamiliar environment unknowingly eased a little.

"It doesn't matter." Zhang Wen shrugged, the electric light at his fingertips flashing with the movement. "I'm just here to practice, to adapt to the practical combat environment in advance and gain some experience for the ability college entrance exam."

Chen Nianchu raised an eyebrow, about to respond, but then seemed to remember something, her tone becoming more serious: "By the way, I haven't properly thanked you for last time." She looked up at Zhang Wen, her eyes reflecting the clear radiance of the mountain mist. "If it weren't for you killing the Frost Prison Demon Spider, I might not have been able to absorb its core so smoothly, let alone reach the Initial Blooming Realm so quickly."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Wen subconsciously focused his senses. Indeed, the aura on Chen Nianchu was much more solid than when they last met. Wisps of cold air lingered around her, carrying the unique fluctuations characteristic of the early stage of the Initial Blooming Realm. What was even rarer was her A-grade talent, "Frost Blade Ice Heart"—it could condense energy into indestructible ice blades while maintaining absolute calm during battle. In terms of potential alone, she ranked among the top high school seniors in the entire Ningjiang District.

He secretly compared them in his heart: this combat power was probably on par with his own, who was also at the early stage of the Initial Blooming Realm, Diminutive for Ding Siyi. One was the sharp, unstoppable Ice-type, and the other was the fierce, explosive Fire-type. If they were to truly face off, it would likely be a hard-fought battle between equals.

"It was just a small effort." Zhang Wen withdrew his thoughts and smiled. "Your Foundation was already solid; a Breakthrough was just a matter of time."

Just as Chen Nianchu was about to say something else, Director Wang not far away was already holding the list and shouting aloud: "Everyone is here! Come over and assemble, the barrier entrance will open in five minutes!"