75: The College's Structure

The grouping list for the Abyss Frontline Trial was like a massive rock thrown into a calm lake, sending ripples across the electronic bulletin boards of Donghuang Academy. Students gathered before the light screens, searching for their own names with excitement, nervousness, or contemplation, evaluating their future teammates and opponents.

Chen Long's team was naturally the center of attention. The list clearly displayed names like Shi Lie, Zhai Yingying, and other top students from Class One. This team assembled formidable attackers, precise controllers, and solid defenders—a luxurious configuration unanimously recognized as the top seed team for this trial, carrying the Academy's greatest expectations.

Meanwhile, Lu Guangming's name appeared in a team with a rather balanced, even somewhat "standard" configuration. The captain slot bore his own name, with team members including Wang Pang, Su Xiaowan, the Spirit Sensing user Wang Anyu, and the Spirit-type controller Sun Xiaohui.

This grouping was clearly the result of careful deliberation, dispersing the newly promoted A-rank combatant Lu Guangming to avoid excessive concentration of power, while also considering ability synergy—Wang Pang's frontal assault, Su Xiaowan's healing support, Wang Anyu's early warning and reconnaissance, Sun Xiaohui's control, all centered around Lu Guangming, the seemingly well-rounded A-rank core. In theory, this was sufficient to handle most situations.

Lu Guangming himself glanced at the list, his heart remaining unperturbed. For him, the grouping simply meant he would need to spare a bit of attention for these few teammates' safety amidst the impending chaos, and figure out how to "slack off" more reasonably and less suspiciously under everyone's watchful eyes. The real challenge was never the trial itself.

His mind had already sunk into the system interface only he could perceive.

【source energy value: 30/200】

"Still 20 points short..." This number was like an invisible kitten, scratching lightly yet persistently at his heart, bringing an itch mixed with anticipation and anxiety.

A mere 20 points of energy! That coveted 【backpack】 function would unlock! For someone already accustomed to the conveniences of a "System-style" life, not having a personal storage space was pure torment. No longer worrying about where to safely store manifested trinkets, unable to freely switch "equipment" during combat—this sense of constraint made him deeply uncomfortable.

This 20-point energy gap was like a clear directive, causing his gaze upon the bustling campus to unconsciously adopt a "top-tier headhunter" filter. He needed new, efficient "energy sources," more high-quality units that could continuously "generate power" for him.

Taking advantage of a rare free afternoon, Lu Guangming, hands in his pockets with Little Pudding—its light concealed, disguised as an exquisite doll—perched on his shoulder, began wandering aimlessly through the vast Donghuang Academy like the most ordinary idle student.

His steps seemed lazy and casual, his gaze seemingly unfocused, but his 110-point Spirit Sensing attribute operated like the most precise biological radar, fully deployed, silently permeating every corner of the academy, meticulously capturing and analyzing the hidden arteries within this colossal institution and the varying intensities of energy Auras emanating from countless individuals.

Donghuang Academy covered an extremely vast area. It was less a school for cultivating Ability Users and more a fully functional, self-contained micro-city.

The overall architectural style cleverly blended the sleek lines of modern technology with the upturned eaves and brackets of classical Eastern design. The main structures, built from high-strength alloy frames and energy-conducting materials, were adorned with traditional motifs. Faintly visible energy circuits flowed quietly like veins beneath special building materials, providing power and protection for the entire academy.

The Combat Class area was undoubtedly the beating heart of the academy, located in the central region. Training grounds of various specifications were scattered like stars, ranging from the most basic, equipment-filled massive physical training halls to ability adaptation arenas capable of simulating environments like deserts, snowfields, deep seas, and even weak Abyssal pressure.

The air was perpetually tinged with the faint ozone smell left by various energy collisions, the scent of sweat, and the metallic odor of equipment friction. Here, students sweated profusely, honing their bodies and stimulating their potential.

It was worth noting that not all Combat Class students were brutes solely pursuing extreme destruction. Among them were masters like Zhai Yingying, who used Telekinesis for exquisite battlefield control, or supports like Su Xiaowan, who focused light-type abilities on healing and assistance. They would all play indispensable, fixed roles in future team operations.

Adjacent to the Combat Class area were the teaching building clusters for the Auxiliary and Support Classes. The atmosphere here was less severe than the combat zone, carrying more precision calculation and order.

The Auxiliary Class primarily trained specialists in areas like energy amplification, status purification, and barrier deployment/maintenance. The Support Class focused more on critical logistical support fields such as intelligence analysis, tactical planning and simulation, Spirit-Conductor Equipment maintenance and modification, and advanced battlefield first aid.

They were the sturdy backbone ensuring the frontline Combat Class could focus without distraction, unleashing 100% or even 120% of their strength—the true lubricant and force multiplier of any team.

Further away lay an independent area tightly protected by multiple invisible barriers—the Research Institute.

Several towering silver-white towers stood like silent giants, piercing the sky like sharp swords. That was the forefront of ability-based fundamental science and applied technology for the academy, and indeed the entire Xia Nation.

Researchers in white lab coats could be seen hurrying about all day. They were responsible for analyzing the intrinsic principles of abilities, developing new Spirit-Conductor Equipment and potions, deeply researching the characteristics and enigmatic rules of Abyssal power, attempting to understand and counter threats at their root.

Ordinary students couldn't even approach without strict approval. An atmosphere of quiet, mysterious focus on the unknown pervaded the area, distinct from the rest of the academy.

The central hub governing all this was the Administration Center, located at the academy's highest point, overlooking the entire campus panorama.

It was a majestic complex building housing the academy's management, senior faculty, and strategic decision-making departments.

The academy's operational strategies, allocation of vast resources, external negotiations and maneuvering, and even direct accountability to the "Single Digits" at the pinnacle of power—all major directives emanated from there.

Lu Guangming's Spirit Sensing faintly captured the presence of several Auras there, obscure as the Abyss yet undoubtedly immensely powerful, standing guard over the academy like immovable pillars. "The Single Digits..." he mused inwardly, with a trace of imperceptible sympathy.

"Single Digits, busy as dogs, having to protect the academy while tackling dangerous Otherworld projections... it's practically inhuman work... If only they could become my players, at least they wouldn't have to work around the clock like this." This thought flashed by, tinged with a capitalist's naivety and cruelty.

After wandering aimlessly for a long time, Lu Guangming gained a more intuitive and profound understanding of Donghuang Academy's depth and operational model.

It was like a meticulously designed, interlocking ecosystem, methodically cultivating the various specialized talents necessary to face future crises.

"There are plenty of talents, but finding suitable 'workers' isn't easy." Lu Guangming sighed softly, his gaze sweeping over those orthodox geniuses with determined eyes, high fighting Spirit, pure hearts set on protecting the nation, and beliefs so pure they almost glowed.

These people had overly firm convictions and often keen minds. They might question the system's origin, probe its underlying meaning, or even take uncontrollable actions for the sake of "greater good."

They weren't suitable to become the special players he urgently needed—those who existed purely for the efficient "farming" of source energy.

He needed "talent" in another sense—sometimes they would expressionlessly kill a passing chicken just because of a system quest. The system's bottom line was their bottom line. That was better.

They understood better how to exploit rules, pursued efficiency and results more keenly, and their mindset was closer to... well, closer to that of a pure game player.

They could complete quests for rewards, study system mechanics to maximize benefits, temporarily refrain from questioning the grand narrative behind it all, and focus solely on "playing" this real-life "game" well.

At that moment, his gaze inadvertently swept over an inconspicuous corner of the academy's internal public bulletin board. Besides official notices, it was messily plastered with club activity announcements and private transaction posts.

Among them, a flashily designed poster for a "Campus Ability Battle Tournament (Casual)" caught his attention. Below the poster listed the names of some informal tournament winners and the often less-than-"orthodox" tactics they were famous for.

One name, accompanied by the note "Master of Scummy Terrain Manipulation," caused Lu Guangming's consistently placid brow to twitch slightly.

Perhaps... the target he was looking for wasn't on those radiant, highly-anticipated formal stages and training grounds.