Training 3

Page 1/3

The Male Birth Plan was implemented due to the extreme imbalance between male and female birth rates. To ensure humanity’s continued propagation, selected individuals within the plan were assigned reproductive duties.

There were still free men in society: those working at research institutes or in the guard squads, enjoying welfare equal to women; those from powerful clans who could pay hefty child-support taxes; and those who spent their entire lives fighting in the guard squads.

But even if a mother insisted stubbornly, enduring ostracism from neighbors in an attempt to protect her son, he still could not safeguard himself.

Relatives were not allowed to pay the child-support tax.

This tax was paid by the man’s family as a settlement fee to prevent the woman’s side from despising her husband’s family for the cost of accommodation.

Therefore, he needed a reliable wife’s clan.

The next day, everyone assembled.

“Cat,” a girl who liked him greeted warmly.

“Hmm,” Nan Cat responded cutely.

“Cat, can I hug you?” Yan Yan asked.

“Sure.” Nan Cat was a little surprised but didn’t refuse.

The girl embraced him.

“Cat, I don’t know how you feel about Yuan Jinxing, but please don’t betray me or us.”

Nan Cat’s expression turned cold.

“I am not your possession.”

“I really don’t want to hurt you,” she patted him on the back.

At parting, Qin whispered softly by his cheek, “I love you.”

Nan Cat did not expect to be teased and restrained his anger.

“Let’s go, don’t be late,” she said, returning to her friends.

Nan Cat felt uncomfortable inside but composed himself.

Arriving at Xichuan Ridge, he finally saw Yuan Jinxing.

“Yuan Jinxing,” Nan Cat greeted her cheerfully as if nothing had happened.

“Hmm,” Yuan Jinxing replied coldly.

Those in the team felt reassured by her tact.

“Let’s go, Cat,” they became even more brazen.

Nan Cat brushed their hands aside and walked beside Yuan Jinxing.

The others’ expressions naturally soured.

“Yuan Jinxing, let’s go.” He carefully took her hand, and she gripped it firmly.

“Let’s go.” After subtle observations, Yuan Jinxing understood Nan Cat’s predicament. Perhaps it was her very presence that caused him to be targeted.

Because of this, she couldn’t bear it.

Nan Cat breathed a sigh of relief.

“Yuan Jinxing, you’d better protect him well!” The hostile gazes from behind were unmistakable.

“You can always challenge the Yuan family,” she said fearlessly, her gaze defiant.

When she mentioned her family background, the others’ faces changed and they became more restrained.

Yue Chuan frowned as he watched her retreating figure.

Spectators who loved stirring up trouble couldn’t help but mutter, “What’s so great about her!”

“Exactly!”

“Look at how smug she is!”

Hearing the gossip behind her, Yuan Jinxing turned back nonchalantly.

“Say whatever you want. I’ll report it truthfully.”

The others instantly fell silent, pretending nothing had happened.

“We were talking about them.”

“Yue Chuan, this time I won’t run away.” Yuan Jinxing looked at Yue Chuan.

He was surprised, then raised his chin.

“All right.” She smiled with a victorious confidence.

“This is the real you, the niece of Captain Lan, just as it should be!”

The air was thick with tension.

“Prepare to depart!”

In the training ground, low-level ancient creatures were confined. Different levels corresponded to different scores. Scores below thirty-six meant assignment to logistics. Nan Cat’s role was commander, and the entire team needed to reach 4000 points to pass.

Killing a G-level ancient creature earned three points, accumulating from there. An A-level creature was worth 2187 points.

Yuan Jinxing either had to score 4000 points herself so Nan Cat wouldn’t have to rely on anyone, or she would have to apologize and let Nan Cat command the team to collectively reach 4000 points.

The operation lasted three days.

The dense, complex jungle had complicated paths, but by studying the habits of the ancient creatures, their general habitats could be inferred.

Page 2/3

“Yuan Jinxing, I’m dragging you down.” Nan Cat was feeling downcast.

“It began because of me.” Yuan Jinxing observed from the grass.

Several groups had set their sights near the water source.

No matter how strange the creatures’ habits, they needed water. Waiting here was risky but potentially rewarding.

“If they hadn’t flirted with me, I wouldn’t have had this falling out,” Nan Cat began to blame himself.

“Then we wouldn’t have to take such great risks.”

“Many of them are just here to gain experience. Without your command, the difficulty doubles. And you shouldn’t blame yourself; they shouldn’t be so biased against boys.” Yuan Jinxing understood clearly. Their glances didn’t treat Nan Cat as an independent individual; it was a terrible situation.

“It would be better if you had higher innate skills. You’re a great girl.” Nan Cat felt much better.

“It’s not about ifs, Cat. Things depend on effort. Don’t yearn for roads you haven’t walked. You’re doing well.” Yuan Jinxing encouraged him.

“From my observations, there are many animals here but few ancient creatures. This is probably a borderline area. The larger water source is far away, likely deep and rich in species.” Nan Cat analyzed.

“Let’s find it before Yue Chuan and the others react.”

“Good.” Yuan Jinxing had a heavy load, but with Nan Cat, things were easier.

Shortly after entering the jungle, a swamp nearby extended long tentacle-like appendages, several of them, each tipped with rows of sharp teeth, lunging at them.

Middle Silurian Water God Worms.

“Clang clang,” Yuan Jinxing sliced one in half with her longsword. These creatures were tenacious; the suction cups on their backs writhed as they struggled to get up.

Yuan Jinxing cut the worms into seven or eight pieces, leaving them to die.

Three F-level Water God Worms were killed, and two escaped.

A total of 27 points.

The recorder logged the score.

These low-level creatures were easy to handle; F-level was equivalent to Q-level in difficulty.

Several giant Kerkeiguo Clawbugs perched on the trees, from the Middle Cambrian, their red shells conspicuous, shaped like clovers but with huge serrated mouthparts and slender tails.

They crept closer with rustling noises.

These diverse insects were revolting.

Killing them all only yielded 27 points—far from the goal.

They searched and fought along the way for two days with little success. The others also tirelessly sought higher-level creatures.

On the third day, they found a vast lake, its water turning an ominous dark green—clearly a deepwater lake.

Flying above were predatory Cactus Dian’s Bugs, with pink, oval-shaped wings, each segment bearing two wings, resembling a string of flying lanterns.

Many Torch Bugs lurked in the sand, and Opabinia Sea Scorpions occasionally swam on the surface.

Inside the water lurked even more disgusting creatures.

“Burn the Torch Bugs on the shore. The smoke will attract many people. You pretend to enter the water to cause panic, making them think you’re racing ahead. When they chase you into the water, we’ll gain the advantage.” Nan Cat proposed the plan.

Burning Torch Bugs required combustible material, so they gathered dry wood and fallen leaves piled on the shore.

They had to be careful not to get bitten by the Torch Bugs.

As the fire blazed in the wind, smoke curled and indeed attracted a crowd.

Yuan Jinxing’s score rose.

A single C-level Torch Bug was highly toxic, biting prey and burrowing inside; their lethality earned them C-level status.

About thirty Torch Bugs on the beach translated to 2430 points, plus the previous 108 points, leaving 1462 points to reach the goal. Next were B-level at 729 points—though difficult, killing two plus some E-level creatures would ensure success.

They had seized the initiative.

“Thanks to you, Nan Cat.” Yuan Jinxing stood on a cliff overlooking the lake below.

Once the spectators gathered, she suddenly leapt.

With a splash, she disappeared beneath the surface.

“Yuan Jinxing’s after the Plesiosaur! We can’t let her take it alone!”

The crowd surged into the water excitedly.

The Cactus Dian’s Bugs scattered in fright.

When Opabinia Sea Scorpions approached, Yuan Jinxing hid in a shadowed recess at the cliff’s water entry, surfacing stealthily.

Yue Chuan’s team also sent some into the water; Yue Chuan waited on shore, lying in wait.

Though expected not to act hastily, Yuan Jinxing couldn’t help but feel disappointed.

After half an hour, a deep, muffled roar echoed from underwater—something had disturbed a creature below.

What was it?

Everyone braced.

A massive Borg Plesiosaur burst from the water, its colossal form blotting out the sky, invigorating the onlookers.

“Get ready!” Yue Chuan summoned a silver spear, its light shimmering like moonlight.

It functioned as a harpoon and was thrown with great force.

The Plesiosaur’s left eye was struck, eliciting a howl before plunging back underwater.

The underwater creatures were swept away by waves, giving the Plesiosaur a chance to evade pursuit. Yuan Jinxing was knocked into the water by the waves, swimming alongside the Plesiosaur.

Page 3/3

Red Fiery Spirits gathered; underwater, bubbling as if boiling.

Yuan Jinxing suddenly injected Fiery Spirits into the Plesiosaur’s body.

The beast writhed in pain, roaring with wide-open jaws, flipping over fiercely.

Yue Chuan used Fiery Spirits to quickly approach the spear in the Plesiosaur’s eye, stepping around it and pulling hard. Blood flowed as he drove the spear deeper into the creature’s body.

The Plesiosaur spun and stopped, belly floating to the surface.

The battle was over.

This strike exhausted nearly all of Yuan Jinxing’s strength but only gained 364.5 points.

She looked at Yue Chuan.

Damn! He stole half the credit!

Those who fought underwater to drive out the Plesiosaur gained no points at all.

Everyone surfaced.

“A wasted effort… damn it!” They sulked as they climbed ashore.

“Yue Chuan! You stole my points!” Yuan Jinxing fumed.

“That was close; luckily, I was fast.” Yue Chuan was indifferent.

Then his expression suddenly changed.

“Yuan Jinxing!” He ran toward her.

Yuan Jinxing felt the water around her surge upward. Turning slightly, she saw only the dark lake.

Yue Chuan had run hard to save her. Though rivals, they were more like friends.

An A-level Brontosaur swallowed the area where Yuan Jinxing was by tens of meters. Yue Chuan dove after her.

“Yuan…” His voice was swallowed by the currents.

Yuan Jinxing was trapped inside the Brontosaur’s mouth; Yue Chuan followed.

“Don’t come any closer.”

Yuan Jinxing used her last strength to push the water away, separating Yue Chuan.

The Brontosaur dragged the Plesiosaur away.

The water churned wildly before all went silent.

“Rescue! Rescue!” Nan Cat shouted, unlocking his wrist device. His points were invalidated, and the rescue was deployed.

“Everyone evacuate the water. Warning: leave the water immediately…” A drone performed the alert as an airship arrived.

“Go, quickly, don’t delay the rescue.” They helped Yue Chuan ashore.

Yuan Jinxing floated inside the Brontosaur’s stomach, mixed with lake water. Thanks to modifications from the R&D department, she could still survive.

Her combat suit protected her well.

Thus, with no sky or earth in sight, she drifted in the pitch-black world, gradually losing consciousness.

Yuan Jinxing’s final score was 2903.5. Other team members scored 500 points each for a total of 2000. Combined with Nan Cat’s points, the team passed with 4903.5.

In the infirmary.

“We still have to rely on us,” Yan Yan said proudly.

Nan Cat turned his head gloomily.

She was not discouraged.

“Be good, nothing will happen.” Seeing Yue Chuan approaching, she left with her friends.

“Is Yuan Jinxing okay?” Yue Chuan asked.

“She’s stable for now,” Nan Cat replied.

“Why do you care so much about her?” He asked curiously.

“Do you think I’m obsessed with winning? To me, a true woman is one who dares to think and act. She did it. From the moment she dared to come back here, I knew she was my good friend.” Yue Chuan rarely explained. “Besides, she’s beautiful—who wouldn’t like her?”

Nan Cat was surprised; girls’ thoughts were strange. Why not just be straightforward friends?

“You can join our team too.”

Yue Chuan had wanted to invite Yuan Jinxing, but she soon received a mission and left.

Yue Chuan’s Soho Squad was dispatched to Lan City, leaving a note:

Yuan Jinxing, when I first saw you, I felt like I saw the woman in Auntie’s portrait—your mother.

Auntie was close to your mother, and I attended the funeral. I felt very sorry, but you are much stronger than we thought.

Keep it up, Yuan Jinxing—you promised to protect everyone.

If you want, you’re welcome to join Soho Squad. Suzhou Lotus Pond is where Auntie first met your mother.

When Yuan Jinxing woke and read it, she was deeply moved.

“Mom, I have a very good friend now.”