18: Chapter 18 Hunting Preparations

Early the next morning, as the sky began to brighten, a sharp whistle blast rang through the base.

All the students gathered at the training ground.

Instructor Lei stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze sweeping like electricity over the students, who were still bleary-eyed or looking listless from failing to adapt to the environment.

"This morning, combat skills class! This afternoon, monster habits and wilderness danger recognition class!" Instructor Lei's voice was thunderous. "Don't think that coming out into the wild means you can slack off! If you don't know how to exert force, and you don't know where the prey and dangers are, going out there is just serving yourselves as a snack for the monsters!"

The first combat skills class of the morning was taught by Instructor Lei.

"In combat skills class, I only teach what is most practical." Instructor Lei stood in front of the students, a sturdy Rock Giant Bear crouching beside him. "When you encounter monsters in the wild, remember three points: fast, accurate, and ruthless."

He demonstrated a few simple combat moves—elbowing the throat, kicking the knee, locking joints—every strike aimed directly at vital points.

"Your pet beasts are your primary combat power, but you, as Beast Tamers, cannot be a burden yourselves." Instructor Lei said. "At the very least, you must learn to protect yourselves and create opportunities for your pet beasts."

Qin Ce learned very earnestly, and by combining it with his own enhanced physical fitness, he understood and mastered the techniques quickly.

The afternoon cultural class was taught by Teacher Sun Zhengping.

He explained in detail the habits, weaknesses, danger levels, and valuable material parts of several low-tier monsters most common around the training base: the Giant-Legged Rabbit, Blood Wolf, Bone-eating Rat, and Shadow Bat.

"The military has already cleared this training area, and what remains are all black iron rank monsters, suitable for you to practice on." The instructor giving the lecture was a bespectacled administrative officer. "But don't let your guard down—black iron rank monsters in the wild are a completely different concept from the cubs you contracted in the city."

This knowledge was crucial for the upcoming hunt.

After the class ended, Instructor Lei gathered everyone again.

"The most basic theories and techniques that needed to be taught have been taught to you today." Instructor Lei crossed his arms. "Next is practice. Starting tomorrow, one day of class, one day of team hunting. Your final harvest will determine your quality of life every day in the future."

Instructor Lei stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze sweeping over the students with their varied expressions, and grinned. "You've learned the theory, and you've practiced the fancy moves; now is the time to test the results. See that wasteland outside the camp and the small hills behind it? That is your training ground. The area has been roughly marked out with signs; don't run too far. If you get lost or encounter danger you can't handle, you are responsible for yourselves."

"I suggest," he paused, "that you had better operate in teams. Three to five people per team, looking out for each other. With your current half-baked level, if you fight alone, let alone hunting beasts, it would be good if you could even run back alive after encountering anything slightly powerful. Of course, those who are overly confident can try it on their own."

A playful smirk curled at the corner of his mouth. "But I dare bet that most people, even if they form teams, might have to go hungry tonight, and some might even have to borrow food to get by. Alright, enough nonsense. Start forming your teams freely now. Tomorrow, you will enter the training area as teams from different entrances. Remember, you must return before the sun sets every day! The wilderness at night is a completely different story!"

As soon as his voice fell, the crowd immediately became restless. People who were familiar with each other quickly gathered and began to form teams.

The children from wealthy families, relying on their family background and connections, quickly formed sizable teams.

Qin Ce stood where he was, not moving.

Soon, he found himself becoming an isolated island—no one came to ask him to join a team.

On one hand, he was from a commoner background and had no intersection with these wealthy kids; on the other hand, these sheltered youths still had their own arrogance and could not bring themselves to befriend Qin Ce, who had taught them a lesson.

However, there was an exception here.

"Classmate Qin Ce."

A cold and clear voice rang out. Wang Xuan walked over with Zhou Min; she recognized Qin Ce's strength and potential.

"Our team is still short on people. Would you like to join? Operating alone carries relatively high risks. With more people, we can look out for each other."

The other members of the team, including Zhou Min, had subtle expressions when they heard Wang Xuan invite Qin Ce.

Qin Ce was strong, yes, but he was also a troublesome character, and since he was a loner, he might not be easy to get along with.

Qin Ce looked at Wang Xuan and shook his head, politely but firmly refusing. "Thank you for your kindness, Class Monitor. However, I am more used to acting alone. And," he glanced at the expressions of Wang Xuan's team members, "my hunting method might be a bit... special, so joining a team would actually be inconvenient. Take care."

Qin Ce had never intended to join any team. He had too many secrets, and the strength of his pet beast was far beyond these freshmen; joining a team would only tie his hands.

Seeing that his mind was made up, Wang Xuan did not force him further and nodded. "Then take care of yourself." She turned and returned to her own team.

Soon, teams were formed, and filled with excitement, nervousness, or worry, they registered at the base gate.

The next day.

Each team received a simple area map and impatiently poured out of the camp fence, disappearing into the entrances of the wasteland or forest.

Qin Ce was the last one to set off. He unhurriedly checked his equipment.

Then, he summoned his pet beast. It landed on his shoulder and affectionately rubbed against his cheek.

Qin Ce smiled slightly and stepped toward a direction with relatively fewer people.

Instructor Lei and several teaching assistants stood on the high tower at the base gate, watching the backs of the students as they went far away.

"Chief Lei, do you think this batch will make it?" a teaching assistant asked.

Instructor Lei lit a low-quality cigarette, took a drag, and exhaled gray smoke, his eyes indifferent. "Flowers in a greenhouse, they haven't seen blood. If half of them don't come running back crying, that would be good enough. As for the harvest? If they can hunt one or two Giant-Legged Rabbits, that would be considered excellent. Most people will probably have to rely on drinking water to get through tonight."

Remembering the past few batches, he shook his head.

These students had always been protected too well, and their newly contracted pet beasts were mostly in the juvenile stage or the early growth stage. Facing the cunning and ferocious beasts in the wilderness, even the lowest-level ones, it was inevitable that they would be flustered.

Then, he saw Qin Ce, who was acting alone.

"Teacher Sun, that Qin Ce from your class, he's acting alone?" Instructor Lei asked.

Teacher Sun nodded, looking somewhat helpless. "This kid, he has a solitary nature, and his strength is indeed... a bit special."

"Special? Is that the one who beat up over thirty people at the start of school?" Instructor Lei became interested. "I heard his pet beast is not bad. But entering the wilderness alone, isn't that a bit too arrogant?"

Teacher Sun's gaze turned toward Qin Ce, who was walking alone and unhurriedly toward the base gate, his eyes deep. "That Qin Ce might be a bit different."

"Oh? Teacher Sun has such confidence in him?" Instructor Lei raised an eyebrow.

"Just watch."