The ancient return was exposed by his sister's live stream.

One hundred people were divided into ten teams, with ten people in each team. The school offered two options: free team formation and random team assignment.

Team formation is on a first-come, first-served basis, with students inviting their own teammates. Random assignment is done by the system matching players based on their cultivation level, attributes, and special skills.

Most students choose to form their own teams. After all, it feels safer to act with familiar people.

However, a few students opted for random assignment.

Tang Zhou was one of them.

Chen Siyao heard it from Yang Wanqing.

"Nobody wants Tang Zhou in free team formation."

Why?

"Because he's too arrogant. During the selection process, he declared that he would take first place, but he was outshone by Yun Wanlan. His classmates all felt that he was difficult to get along with and were unwilling to team up with him."

"And then?"

"In the end, he chose random assignment. The system matched him with nine teammates."

"Who are these people?"

"They're all rather introverted," Yang Wanqing said. "I guess the system thinks that quiet people are best suited to be grouped together."

Chen Siyao smiled.

The team formation results will be announced on Monday.

Tang Zhou's team number is the seventh team.

Yun Wanlan's team number is the third team.

Yun Wanlan also chose to team up randomly, and her teammates were all randomly matched. She felt it was unnecessary.

Her talent is too high. An absorption rate of 13.5% is unique in the entire Pengcheng Martial Arts Academy. There are too many people who want to team up with her.

On Monday evening, Chen Siyao saw Yun Wanlan across three tables while eating in the cafeteria.

She sat alone in the corner, a bowl of plain porridge and a dish of pickled vegetables in front of her. She ate slowly and quietly.

Chen Siyao looked away.

"Qingqing".

"Um?"

What do you think of Yun Wanlan?

Yang Wanqing thought for a moment.

I can't quite explain it.

"Be specific."

"It's...very cold. But not the kind of cold that's unpleasant."

"What's cold?"

"It's just..." Yang Wanqing gestured, "You can tell by the way she eats. She sits there quietly by herself, and the three tables around her are empty."

Chen Siyao didn't say anything.

"Yao Yao".

"Um?"

"Will your brother take her as his apprentice?"

"No," Chen Siyao said. "My brother said he won't take on any more apprentices."

"What if Yun Wanlan comes looking for your brother?"

"That depends on what my brother thinks."

Yang Wanqing responded with an "oh".

Wednesday morning.

A group of one hundred people gathered in the school square.

Principal Zhou Dehai spoke from the platform.

Chen Siyao and Yang Wanqing stood at the very back of the line.

"Dear students," Zhou Dehai's voice echoed throughout the square through the loudspeaker, "today, you will be heading to the Wutong Mountain Secret Realm for a trial."

"The trial will last for three days."

"Over the next three days, you will fight monsters in the secret realm. The number of monsters killed and their level will be used as the basis for your score."

The champion team will receive a magic weapon, high-level spirit stones, and 1,000 high-level martial arts points. The runner-up and third-place teams will also receive corresponding rewards.

Please remember! Safety first.

"If you encounter a danger that you cannot handle, immediately send a distress signal."

"The local authorities will respond immediately."

After Zhou Dehai finished speaking, Vice Principal Ji Yan took the microphone.

"I'd like to add a few points."

"First, communication within the secret territory may be interfered with. The bracelet's positioning function will be based on the last successful location."

"Secondly, while monsters are highly aggressive, they will not attack humans unless you enter their territory or pose a threat to them."

"third..."

Ji Yan paused for a moment.

Third, don't be greedy.

"Kill count is important, but staying alive is more important."

"If you encounter a monster beyond your capabilities, please evacuate immediately."

"Don't risk your life for points."

After Ji Yan finished speaking, the square was quiet for a few seconds.

Then, the group of one hundred people split into ten teams and walked toward the bus parked at the edge of the square.

Chen Siyao and Yang Wanqing did not follow the main group.

They have a special passage.

"Where is Master?" Yang Wanqing asked.

"I don't know," Chen Siyao said. "He said he wouldn't make it public."

"Then how will he get in?"

"You don't need to worry about his affairs."

"oh."

The two got into a black car.

The driver was from the Secret Service station.

"Ms. Chen, Ms. Yang," the driver turned around, "please fasten your seatbelts."

"Um."

The car started and headed towards Wutong Mountain.

Wutong Mountain is located in the eastern part of Shenzhen, about a 40-minute drive from Shenzhen Gaowu.

When Chen Siyao and Yang Wanqing arrived, they saw the secret realm's outpost.

Rows of military tents stood at the foot of the mountain, with caution tape strung between them. Soldiers in camouflage uniforms moved among the tents, while several helicopters and drones were parked in the distance.

Chen Siyao got out of the car and looked around.

"It's quite large."

"Of course," Yang Wanqing said. "With the Special Affairs Bureau and the military working together, how could it be small?"

The two walked towards the center of the camp.

We met the school's teacher on the way.

"Miss Chen!" A young female teacher ran over. "You've arrived!"

"Yes." Chen Siyao nodded. "Have all the students arrived?"

"We've arrived. All ten squads are ready."

"Then I'll go take a look first."

"Okay, this way please."

The female teacher led the two towards the east side of the camp.

There was a makeshift assembly area. Ten squads, ten men each, stood in neat rows on either side.

Tang Zhou is in the seventh squad.

He stood at the very front of the line, chin slightly raised, looking like he was the best in the world.

Yun Wanlan is in the third squad.

She stood in the middle of the line, keeping a half-meter distance from the people next to her. She didn't speak or look at anyone.

Chen Siyao walked past them.

Tang Zhou noticed her.

"Miss Chen."

Chen Siyao stopped in her tracks.

"Tang Zhou."

"Are you also here to participate in the trial?"

"I guess so."

Will you join us?

"No," Chen Siyao said. "Wan Qing and I acted independently."

Tang Zhou responded with an "oh," a hint of disappointment flashing in his eyes.

He thought Chen Siyao would be working with a certain team, which would give him a chance to shine.

"So where are you planning to go?"

"deep."

"Deep inside?" Tang Zhou frowned. "The monsters there are of a very high level!"

"I know."

Chen Siyao interrupted him.

That's why we're going.

Tang Zhou opened his mouth, but no words came out. Chen Siyao and Yang Wanqing were both guided by a high god; no one knew exactly how high their cultivation levels were, but no one would think they were low.

Chen Siyao continued walking forward.

She paused when she reached the third squad.

Yun Wanlan didn't look at her.

Yun Wanlan was looking elsewhere.

Chen Siyao didn't greet her either.

The two passed each other by.

Yang Wanqing followed behind, muttering softly, "Yaoyao, was she deliberately avoiding looking at you just now?"

"No," Chen Siyao said, "She doesn't care about people."

How did you know?

"Feel."

The equipment area is next to the assembly area.