134: Hopeless Sea?

The sand table map in front of Shen Bei was quite large.

Behind Blade City, there were several other cities standing.

The area further back was marked “Unknown”.

This was mainly because human Martial Artists simply couldn't explore that far.

On one hand, the area was too vast, seemingly boundless, with all sorts of terrain.

On the other hand, it was exceptionally dangerous; to explore, one had to bypass the cities.

This meant that if they were discovered by the Stranger and their retreat was cut off, they would be caught in a pincer attack, unable to withdraw to a safe zone in time.

The Sea of Hopelessness map Shen Bei obtained from Fang Ming was also a hand-drawn version.

It was somewhat similar to the Mediterranean environment on Earth.

There were also various islands distributed in the sea.

But the problem was… where did the land part connect?

According to Shen Bei's analysis, this Sea of Hopelessness map was definitely a topographical map from within a domestic Permanent Dungeon.

If it were a foreign Permanent Dungeon, it wouldn't have fallen into Fang Ming's hands.

Perhaps Fang Ming had explored it in the Permanent Dungeon himself.

If he chose to hand it over to the country, he would undoubtedly receive a huge reward.

Having a map meant having strategic space, which was very significant.

But given Fang Ming's identity as a Headhunter Tribe member, he naturally wouldn't hand it over to the country.

That's why Nine Lives Raven was attracted to it.

“Could it be that the Sea of Hopelessness map doesn't connect in the Luan County Earth Cave?”

Shen Bei stroked his chin, meticulously comparing every inch.

It should be known that the closest Permanent Dungeon to Lingnan City was in Luan County.

Fang Ming most likely entered through the Luan County Earth Cave.

At the same time, Shen Bei was also a little worried; if even Fang Ming could infiltrate the Permanent Dungeon, it showed that the country's background checks on Martial Artists were not thorough enough.

Or rather, some members of the Tianqi cult and Headhunter Tribe were simply too well hidden.

Soon.

Shen Bei discovered a missing part on the sand table map in the upper left corner, near Qianlin City.

Shen Bei pointed and asked, “What's the situation with this place?”

A teacher replied somewhat awkwardly, “It hit the wall when it was being carried over, and a piece broke off.”

“Here it is.” The teacher pulled out a piece of foam from below: “Mainly, you guys are also active near Qianjin Camp, so it doesn't matter if it fell off.”

But when this piece of foam was connected to Qianlin City, Shen Bei's eyes suddenly lit up!

The northwest corner area extending from Qianlin City perfectly connected with the land map of the Sea of Hopelessness!

Shen Bei clearly remembered that it was an S-shaped mountain range.

Once this mountain range was crossed, it was the Sea of Hopelessness!

Shen Bei pointed to the area marked “Unknown” in the northwest corner and asked, “What kind of terrain is here?”

Principal Zhang took a moment to look and said with some regret:

“Currently, there's no exploration data. Or rather, there's some data, but not enough to support constructing a map. It's said that someone went there and could smell salt in the air, inferring it to be the Sea of Hopelessness. After all, in foreign Permanent Dungeons, some have explored the sea, so presumably, the seas are connected. But this large mountain here blocks the way and is extremely dangerous. The Vicious Beasts inside are generally up to Eighth Rank, making it impossible to pass.”

Shen Bei calmly responded with an “Oh.”

He felt more confident.

It seemed the Sea of Hopelessness map was real.

This horizontally standing mountain range was indeed impassable.

With Eighth Rank Vicious Beasts everywhere, at least a team of Eighth Rank Martial Warriors would be needed to even have a chance to challenge it.

But challenging is just challenging; whether they could pass was another matter.

Directly confronting an endless horde of Vicious Beasts was no different from seeking death.

But… Fang Ming passed through.

He was only a Third-Rank Martial Artist.

According to the description on the map, to get through, it wasn't about hiking on foot.

Instead, it was about finding another way, going underground…

Finally, Principal Zhang said, “The Ministry of Education is currently negotiating with the military to prepare and distribute some Permanent Dungeon textbooks for everyone to read and deepen their understanding…”

“Alright, that's all for today. Just keep it in mind.”

“As for when exactly we will depart for the Luan County Earth Cave, we will follow instructions from above and decide on another day.”

Students sighed and left the auditorium.

Shen Bei was still taking photos of the sand table, especially the route leading to Qianlin City, not missing any details.

Professor Gu Xinrou said with a puzzled expression, “Were you zoning out just now?”

Shen Bei didn't even look up, snapping away with his camera: “No, I wasn't.”

“Then why are you taking pictures of Qianlin City? You're supposed to be active in the Forward Camp, and the closest city is Blade City.”

Shen Bei put away his phone, checking the photos one by one: “Who can say for sure?”

Professor Gu Xinrou almost exploded: “I'm warning you, once we're in the Permanent Dungeon, don't wander off, don't mess around! Stick with the main group, that's no place to joke around!”

Shen Bei waved his hand, perfunctorily saying: “Got it.”

…

When Shen Bei walked out of the auditorium.

The Zha Tian Gang Four-person Group was peeking around at the entrance. As soon as they saw Shen Bei, they immediately surrounded him.

Qi Chuanyu asked curiously, “What happened? Why do those second-year students look so gloomy?”

Shen Bei thought for a moment and replied, “Perhaps they realized that being a Martial Artist isn't a good profession.”

Niu Yanben scratched his head: “What do you mean by that, huh?”

Shen Bei quickly explained the decision of the Ministry of Education and the Martial Arts Management Bureau: “Now, for students to obtain Martial Artist status, an additional rigid requirement has been added, and that is…”

The four listened.

Their reaction wasn't too big, but their expressions were somewhat grim.

Qi Chuanyu unconsciously swallowed: “This decision is indeed a bit of a headache.”

But Liao Zhongyang said, “This is the right thing to do! The country needs Martial Artists who can fight, not a group of privileged Martial Artists.”

Du Ziteng coughed: “That's a bit extreme. Different aspirations are understandable. Conversely, if the status of Martial Artists and ordinary people were the same, how many Martial Artists do you think would still break their heads trying to pass the Martial Arts?”

Liao Zhongyang's pupils suddenly contracted, staring at Du Ziteng with an extremely fierce gaze: “Are you implying that the country's guidance and atmosphere have problems?”

Shen Bei pressed his hands down: “It's being corrected.”

Du Ziteng spread his hands, signaling Liao Zhongyang to listen carefully to what Shen Bei said.

Liao Zhongyang frowned in thought: “Anyway, I believe that it's a correct decision for Second-Rank Martial Artists to enter the Permanent Dungeon.”

Shen Bei's laugh was crisp and clear: “No one is objecting.”

Qi Chuanyu then asked, “How are the civilian Martial Artists arranged? They can't just pick on us students, can they?”

Shen Bei shook his head: “The Martial Arts Management Bureau should have other arrangements, right? I don't know the specific situation.”

The Zha Tian Gang Four-person Group exchanged glances, speechless.

Finally, Qi Chuanyu waved his hand: “Don't just stand there, brothers, let's go!”

Shen Bei said, “Treating us to a meal? I'll order!”

Qi Chuanyu rolled his eyes: “Treating us to what? We need to hurry up and train, rush to the front line of the Permanent Dungeon, and show off.”

Niu Yanben gave a thumbs up: “As expected of the strategist, that's f*cking rhyming!”

Shen Bei poured a basin of cold water on them mercilessly: “First-Rank Martial Artists aren't allowed in.”

Liao Zhongyang's eyes were filled with excitement, his resolve and agitation burning like raging flames: “Isn't there still some time before we enter the Permanent Dungeon? A mere Second-Rank Martial Artist, it's not exclusive to you, Shen Bei. Who are you looking down on?”

Watching the Four-person Group rush off to the martial arts hall.

Especially Du Ziteng, he seemed to Cultivate anytime, anywhere.

He turned into a human cannonball, crashing into every tree he saw, causing wood to splinter, leaves to fly, and the green belt to be a mess.

It was as if it could increase his attribute points.

He was chased and cursed by the logistics staff, who threatened to deduct student points.

Shen Bei's mouth twitched.

No one said they wanted to play with you guys.

Why are you guys getting involved?

Shen Bei looked at the time; although it was still early.

He had no desire to do odd jobs anymore.

He hid in the villa, locking the door.

He opened the toilet seat.

Reached in.

Took out the waterproof bag, and pulled out the Sea of Hopelessness map from inside.

Spread it on the table.

Shen Bei imported the photos into the computer and printed them out one by one.

He pieced together the details.

And began to redraw the map.

After a while, Shen Bei found a combination of letters and numbers marked on the Sea of Hopelessness map that he didn't understand, so he deleted it directly.

“What a loss!”

Shen Bei had barely drawn a few strokes when he suddenly remembered that he hadn't properly observed the terrain of the Permanent Dungeon that appeared in the Diaobingshan Coal Mine.

Although he didn't know its exact location within the Permanent Dungeon.

It was still a map fragment, nonetheless.

…

The next day.

Shen Bei went out for breakfast.

But he noticed that many students were acting unusually.

“They… this is…”

Shen Bei hissed, then understood.

It couldn't be, could it?

Seriously, it couldn't be, could it?

“They actually dropped out?”