Age of Evolution

When everyone stood under the Star Fruit Tree and looked up, they felt even more the majestic shock of the tree.

Standing under it, the canopy of the tree blocked the view all around, making it impossible to see the edge. Roughly estimated, the diameter of the tree canopy was probably at least a hundred kilometers.

Chief Instructor Guo MO stood under the tree and said to all the students, “After three days of adjustments, our God Generals Training Camp is about to officially begin. Now before you lies the Star Fruit Tree. On the trunk, three artificially built paths lead to the top of the canopy, and now you can see.”

Everyone’s eyes were focused on the trunk, and indeed they saw rings of roads spiraling up along the trunk. These were steps cut out of the bark, about five meters wide, but this width didn’t even penetrate the bark, showing how thick the trunk was.

Also, there was a platform at every four hundred meters of height, which was probably used for resting.

“You must all know by now that there are rankings between bases and individuals, and the specific method of ranking is through climbing the heavenly ladder. This time, there are a total of 300 new students, with one hundred each for advanced, intermediate, and beginner levels. Each time, five people from each group, for a total of twenty batches, will climb the ladder.”

“You all see those five platforms, right? Starting from four hundred meters, then eight hundred meters, twelve hundred meters, sixteen hundred meters, and two tnousand meters, tnere are twe plattorms In total. However, tney are not there for you to rest, but to test you.”

The martial artists were all stunned, having thought that the so-called test was just climbing the tree. After all, going up to a height of two thousand meters would require walking six to seven thousand meters by foot, which would be a great test of their physical strength.

“If any of you think it’s just about climbing the tree, then you’re thinking too simply. The God Generals Training Camp is cultivating talents, and first of all, such a person cannot be a fool. Temperament, courage, willpower, strength, bravery, etc. are all our focused testing points. Someone with inherently evil nature cannot become a member of the God Generals Training Camp.”

Some martial artists didn’t take it too seriously, questioning how one could know whether someone is evil or righteous, as this was difficult to discern.

Guo MO continued, “Don’t think we have no way of testing. On each of the five platforms, there are fifteen virtual helmets, just like the helmets you use to practice secret techniques daily. After wearing the helmet, martial artists will enter the virtual environment and won’t even be able to distinguish it from reality, thinking they are in a real world. That’s the virtual technology.”

The martial artists all nodded, as they were not strangers to the virtual environment they entered when practicing secret techniques with helmets.

“The first platform tests whether a martial artist is inherently evil or righteous. You can be cold-blooded and ruthless, but a martial artist must have a basic sense of right and wrong. If someone is truly evil by nature, it will be difficult to pass this test. Such a martial artist will not be accepted into the God Generals Training Camp, and if you can’t pass, you will be eliminated!” While Guo MO didn’t give out any specific test details, the martial artists became nervous.

Human nature is the most unpredictable. What if they are truly evil by nature?

“So, the first test is about good and evil, which is the most basic thing. The second test is bravery, which tests whether a martial artist has the courage to fight when facing danger. This is also a basic quality that all martial artists must possess. If you can’t pass, you will be eliminated.”

“The third test is called willpower. I would like to congratulate those who reach this stage. In this test, there is a character within the virtual helmet, the national hero Yan Qiyue, whom I believe you all must have heard of.”

The martial artists all nodded, as there was no big name they were unaware of.

“Yan Qiyue was also once a graduate of this God Generals Training Camp. He recorded a video to test later martial artists, which is now presented in the virtual helmet. So, when the time comes, you will be able to meet him. The person who will test your willpower is he himself.”

Everyone’s faces showed joy at the prospect of seeing Yan Qiyue in person, which was a praiseworthy event since he was a figure from centuries ago.

“The fourth test is called strength. In this test, martial artists would have to officially fight in a virtual environment, where the environment would automatically simulate combat based on your neural reactions. The test would be so realistic that you wouldn’t be able to tell the difference. So, this test focuses most on martial artists’ strength, and at that time, the virtual system would automatically score you.”

“The fifth test is about choices. This test will dig into a martial artist’s innermost fears and see the choices they make when facing the most critical moments. The system will automatically score.”

“I also want to tell you that besides the fifth test, the first to fourth tests inside the virtual helmet will have their images reflected on this big screen. This means that each person’s performance in the virtual environment will be displayed, showing fairness.”

At this time, in front of the martial artists’ gathering point, a huge screen was erected, and images quickly appeared on it.

There were fifteen small images on the big screen, corresponding to each person climbing the heavenly ladder.

“Does this mean that everything we do in the virtual environment will be shown on this screen?” A martial artist asked.

“Yes, that’s the current virtual technology. You don’t know you’re in the virtual environment, but we do, and cheating is impossible.”

“Then why can’t the fifth test be shown?” Another martial artist asked.

“That’s simple. The fifth test digs into a martial artist’s deepest fears, which involves personal privacy. We must keep it secret for you. Would you want your deepest fears to be exposed to others? Wouldn’t that leave a weakness for your enemies?”

Guo Mo’s rhetorical question left all the martial artists speechless. Indeed, whose heart doesn’t have a little secret? Maybe some martial artists are extremely skilled but go weak at the knees when facing a cockroach. No one wants their secrets to be revealed to the public, especially martial artists.

“The system will score you based on your performance in the virtual environment. In the end, the person with the highest score after passing all five tests will win first place, of course, in each of the three groups. And the final ranking will determine the results of your base’s God Generals Training

Camp this session.”

“How are the scores calculated?” A martial artist asked.

“It’s quite simple. If a base city has a team ranked first, they get an additional 30 points, second place gets 20 points, third place gets 10 points, and fourth and fifth place get 5 points. Sixth to tenth place each get 3 points. The base city with the highest total points will be ranked first.”

Everyone understood the rules, but someone asked: “Are there any rewards for high rankings?”

“The reward for the base city is that it will have more slots in the future, and individual rewards will only be given to the top three members of each team. One point corresponds to a cash reward of one billion!”

“Wow!”

Many martial artists exclaimed in unison. In this case, even if you are third in a team, you can still get ten billion in cash, right?

Although these elite war generals weren’t too poor, the sum of ten billion was still very tempting for many of them.

“Alright, now that the basic rules have been explained, leaders of each base city, please gather your teams and begin drawing numbers. The number you draw indicates the order in which you will start climbing. Remember, those who draw numbers 1 to 15 are in the first wave, and so on, until the final wave, with those drawing numbers 286 to 300. Clear?”

The martial artists all understood, and the people from each base city gathered together, as they’d have to cheer on their hometown teams later.

Lin Zhen quickly drew his number, which turned out to be 298!

“It’s pretty late indeed, the last wave. Well, I’ll just enjoy the show first.’

The people from Ice City Base City sat together. At this time, Zhang Yue came over to Lin Zhen: “Idol, look, I got the number 20.”

“That’s great, you’ll be in the second wave. I don’t know if my number 298 can even be in today’s competition.”

There were quite a few people busy on the big screen side, and once the numbers were all issued, Guo MO said: “Get ready. Turn on the big screen and broadcast everyone’s climbing process and their experience inside the virtual environment. Remember to be quick once you’re on the platform. There will be staff providing you with virtual helmets for assessment. If you take too long, you’ll be eliminated.”

The big screen lit up, and fifteen small screens appeared immediately.

“Everyone, remember to wear your metal number plates. Now, please welcome participants 1 to 15 to the front. The climbing is about to begin.”

Each team leader began to ask if anyone from their base city had been drawn within the first fifteen numbers.

Lin Zhen took a look, and indeed, it seemed like everyone from Ice City was someone he knew.

Advanced War General Lou Qingfeng, number 4.

Intermediate War General Wu Ming, number 10.

Junior War General Shen Yuhua, number 12.

Zhang Yue looked at Shen Yuhua and said to Lin Zhen, “Lin Zhen, this guy

seems to be a member of your Gale team, right? I remember seeing him on the video against the Russians.”

“Yes, he’s from the same martial arts school as me.” Lin Zhen nodded.

“Although your strength is formidable, Lin Zhen, I don’t have high hopes for this guy. I hope he doesn’t embarrass himself once he’s up there. We can’t let Ice City lose face.”

Guan Shanyue was also at the front line to cheer them on: “You guys give it your all. The virtual environment is nothing to be afraid of. Just go for it, and remember, you represent Ice City. Also, I must tell you something. As your leader, I’m actually an Ice City native too. If you perform well, I can earn a lot of bonus money, so don’t mess it up for me!”

Lou Qingfeng and the others nodded in agreement, with Lou Qingfeng even giving Lin Zhen a glance.

His mission here, ordered by Li Wanfeng, was to take the opportunity to kill Lin Zhen. However, Lou Qingfeng’s thoughts began to change after he arrived at this place.

Li Wanfeng was just a War God, and if Lou Qingfeng could successfully graduate from the God Generals Training Camp, he would also become a War God, as well as a Spiritual Mind Master. Why would he need to follow Li Wanfeng’s orders?

As for killing Lin Zhen, if there was an opportunity, Lou Qingfeng would do it, but he wouldn’t force himself to take action if there was no suitable chance.

Soon, fifteen people gathered and each stood by one of the three designated channels.

“Remember, flying is not allowed during the climbing process, even if you’re a spiritual mind master. Otherwise, you’ll be disqualified.. Begin!” At Guo Mo’s command, the fifteen elite war generals simultaneously started to climb the giant tree trunk at a rapid pace!