CHAPTER 1731: CHAPTER 1732: CLEARING THE TRIAL

The ascending platform below continued to rise slowly and steadily, but by now, everyone had already flown to the top with the help of their ultimate moves and beast companions. They were not surprised by the sealed top cover and began to unleash their prepared ultimate moves, with a sky full of stars appearing before their eyes.

Leaving through the exit, Dou Yanlan and the others commanded their beast companions to prepare their most powerful ultimate moves and blast them towards the depths of the shaft. The white beam of light pierced through the ascending platform from below and shot upward.

The two forces collided, causing a violent explosion that shook the entire earth. However, as the tremors subsided, the color of the shaft faded, finally transforming into a sky-blue, semi-transparent 3D model.

Bright blue dots floated out of the 3D model and dissipated. As the light spots disappeared, the model’s glow became increasingly dim. Dou Yanlan took out the three files, discovering that these too were gradually vanishing.

"It’s over..."

Sighing deeply, Dou Yanlan collapsed on the ground without concern for appearances. The others weren’t any better off. After being chased by that gigantic robot for so long, everyone’s nerves had been stretched to their limit. Had it not been for the thought of completing the trial keeping them going, someone might’ve given up halfway.

Now, knowing the trial was over, as their tension released, fatigue overwhelmed them, leaving them unable to stand. Except Feng Yuan, even Qi Chen lay on the grass panting heavily, and even their beast companions were in similar states.

Seeing Xiao Ji sprawled out on the ground with wings spread, Feng Yuan amusingly poked its belly and bent down to massage it, while Veronia watched the settlement panel pop up in front of them and said,

"Is this...really not a game?"

"Probably just lazily using a game template, since apart from various research institutions, the Data Domain is mostly utilized by Big Cat’s gaming world."

While massaging Xiao Ji, Feng Yuan remarked. This didn’t surprise him; those research institutions likely didn’t have the resources to study simulated combat. After all, the real world has similar methods, and sometimes real-world training is more effective than the somewhat illusionary Data Domain.

The only thing the Data Domain can offer is comparatively dangerous training. With its foundational rules, as long as it doesn’t cause lethal harm, it’s somewhat acceptable. Moreover, outside of special scenarios, even injuries aren’t present.

Everyone was drained simply because the Data Domain doesn’t cater to such aspects. The Data Domain merely ensures no direct harm occurs, but mental stress or hunger, among others, can’t be prevented.

The initial flaws found when the Data Domain was first discovered still exist now. Otherwise, the academy wouldn’t prep ingredients in the Data Domain’s projection area. It’s only because everything within the Data Domain is fake; only with real-world prepared ingredients can student issues due to hunger be avoided.

"You all...did well, this time your speed surpassed Class 1 students’ speed, but for specifics, we’ll need to rely on replay analysis. We’re using the Data Domain for a trial for the first time..."

This was when the teacher walked over, seeing students sprawled all over the ground, discreetly cleared their throat and said. In actuality, based on mutual communication, Class 1’s progress was slightly behind. This time’s trial couldn’t be simply brute forced, causing Class 1 students considerable trouble.

Admittedly, they left fewer clues this time. Without Dou Yanlan’s decent analytical skills and intuition, they could have ended up confronting that gigantic robot head-on.

Considering the design, the killer behind the scenes shouldn’t have appeared before everyone, and the gigantic robot would unleash once that figure boasted about their handiwork and pursue everyone. However, the robot’s strength would be limited at that time.

Additionally, successfully getting through the research facility wouldn’t be easy. Under their designed background, the facility had many more weapons not yet activated. However, Feng Yuan and team prematurely took down the BOSS, causing activation methods exclusive to the BOSS to fail.

Initially, when this solution was added, quite a few teachers opposed. The unrestrained gigantic robot was incredibly powerful, set at Sacred Beast Level strength. If not for constraints such as slow mobility and lack of intelligence, unless Feng Yuan intervened, the students wouldn’t have escaped its grasp.

"Time to tally?"

Yawning, Feng Yuan took out his pre-prepared rations and glanced at Xiao Ji. With Agunas and Big Cat not with him, he had to bring his own supplies, but being lazy, he opted for compressed rations and spirit beast food rather than actual ingredients.

"Aren’t you hungry? Alright, let’s go, Chunhe Garden, on me."

The teacher glanced at Feng Yuan exasperatedly and said. The crowd looked at the teacher in surprise, Zhang Cheng glanced at everyone before struggling to get up and said,

"Use class funds, treat it as a collective activity. I believe no one would object."

"No need; this sum will mean nothing to you in the future."

With a laugh, the teacher declined. These newcomers, having just enrolled and not yet benefiting much from campus team tasks’ rewards, couldn’t allocate focus solely on this small amount.

Second-year students weren’t like this; Spring He Garden or even Jufu Tower wouldn’t seem unaffordable to them. If feeling uneasy, gifting teachers Spiritual Medicine and Materials later settles it.

"Ahem, is there a portion for me?"

At this moment, the staff member finished data collection, walked over, and coyly teased upon hearing the teacher’s words. The teacher glanced at them amusingly and said,

"Certainly, let’s go. I didn’t expect you to finish so soon, luckily Springhe Garden stays open 24 hours. Non-peak hours are fine."

It was already past 8 PM when everyone emerged; dining peak had almost ended. Everyone was in the suburbs, and Springhe Garden mainly faced weekend and holiday crowds. Regular days only drew company gatherings and similar patrons.

Due to its continuous operation, there was no worry about insufficient ingredients occurring. Otherwise, finding a dining spot for such a crowd at this hour would be troublesome.

Feng Yuan, holding Xiao Ji in Eggshell Chicken form, curiously checked his phone map and remarked,

"Springhe Garden seems to be a hotel in a vacation area?"

"It’s a specialty restaurant, but tastes rather mediocre, mainly catering to customers focusing on ambiance."

Glancing at Feng Yuan, the teacher explained. Not knowing Feng Yuan’s gourmet inclinations, some matters needed mentioning upfront to avoid students arguing with establishments over food quality.

"Vacation area?"

Showing an aggressive glint, Feng Yuan seemed to have an idea, while Veronia, speechless, eyeing Feng Yuan remarked,

"You’re not thinking of eliminating Mianlan Manor’s competitors, are you?"

"Hmm?"

"According to my findings, they don’t have direct competition; Mianlan Manor focuses on leisure, whereas Springhe Garden aligns with business aspects. Your action wouldn’t hold much meaning."

While not minding Feng Yuan’s plans, Veronia knew this needed mentioning. Little Crocodile apparently disliked Feng Yuan’s actions and deemed them meaningless.

"Feng Yuan...you..."

Speechless, Qi Chen sighed; this guy was truly...reckless.

"Your grandmother likely disapproves of such methods."

Frowning heavily, Dou Yanlan couldn’t help but say. Feng Yuan’s methods tended to be somewhat...unexpected.

"Tch! Given there’s no direct competition, never mind it then."

Upon hearing the crowd’s words and seeing Feng Yuan’s non-pretentious expression, the teacher simply thought to themselves that they’d almost stirred up huge trouble inadvertently?

However, fortunately, Feng Yuan didn’t continue this topic; although he could do such things, he wouldn’t hold onto them persistently.