Forbidden Zone of the Human Race

Chapter 35 Special Class

The next morning, Xiang Ning rose early. He was an entirely different person from the one that took the physical examination yesterday. First, his cultivation had advanced from tier one, six-star to seven-star, approximately in its late stage. Secondly, he was now a spiritual cultivator. As long as he didn’t venture too deep into the wilderness, he should be able to survive. 

He was still puzzled by the Tyrant Spider in the mine, because only low-ranked beasts appeared in the vicinity of Marsh City. Tyrant Spiders were difficult even for tier three martial artists; one shouldn’t have appeared here. Although the cave was in the suburbs, there were military personnel guarding the city so he wasn’t sure how the spider had entered. 

After some thinking, Xiang Ning gave up. No matter how tight a net is, there will always be fish that slip through. The Savage Sand Rat and adolescent Tyrant Spider could be such cases. 

He quickly washed up. He had gotten out of bed an hour early when it was still mostly dark out, aiming to check out the cave again in hopes of finding clues to how he was rescued. 

When he arrived, he stood speechless. The entire mine had collapsed and he couldn’t enter at all. This was Xiang Ning’s income source! How would he live without mining? 

If other people knew a tier one, seven-star martial artist had such a thought, they would look down on him. A martial artist had many options ahead of them. Even if he were to become a physical laborer, he would earn more than a regular person! Another option was to become the bodyguard of someone influential. That was good money as well. But the most secure, not to mention the least shady, job was to join the military. The main line of defense against fearsome beasts was still the military, but as freelance martial artists had grown stronger in recent decades, they could participate in tasks assigned by the military and receive great compensation in the end. 

Xiang Ning prioritized the military option, because both Xiang Xiaoyu and he would live in a much safer environment. Plus, he had talent in cultural subjects. Taking the safe path of getting into a university, learning about technology, then becoming a technician in the military was a good plan. Martial arts and science were simultaneously developed in this era, and the product of that integration was the spiritual cultivator. 

As for other career paths… he had never been close to becoming a martial artist so he’d never even thought about those careers. Everything was different now. 

“Fine, it’s fine. I’ll just become a sparring partner at the dojo instead of mining for spirit stones. It’s a thousand dollars each session, and I can improve my skills too.” Xiang Ning fell into deep thought as he slowly walked home. 

At home, Xiang Xiaoyu was already awake. When she saw him return, she asked, “Big brother, what’s the matter?” 

“Nothing, I just went out for a walk. Let’s get breakfast on the way to school today,” he chuckled. 

Xiang Xiaoyu’s eyes sparkled. “I want soup dumplings from the stall next to our school gates!” 

“Alright, we’ll leave when you’re ready.” Xiang Ning had been making several times more money than he used to, so it was time for them to change up their diets. Xiang Xiaoyu was a growing teenager and needed proper nutrition to grow well, or Xiang Ning would be blamed for it in the future.

At a little past seven, Xiang Ning and Xiaoyu entered a small eatery opposite the school. According to the locals, the place had been operating since the Great Disaster days and had only become more famous since then. They made absolutely delicious food. 

After breakfast, they left for their own classes. 

When Xiang Ning arrived at the upper secondary area, his attention was attracted by soldiers in camouflage standing in the field. He was in awe. “Such potent vitalities, similar to the Withered Wolf, or even stronger. Based on this, they’re at least tier four martial artists.” 

By the time he arrived in class, it was already filled. Most of his classmates looked at him with perplexed expressions—especially Zhang Cheng, whose brows were tightly furrowed. But he ignored the attention. In reality, he didn’t think he was all that powerful. After all, he had just almost been killed by the spider in the cave! 

After some time, Su Muhan and Mu Xiao stepped into the classroom and the bustling class immediately fell silent. 

Su Muhan turned to the students and announced, “I’m sure everyone is aware of yesterday’s physical exam results. If your name is called, please be informed that your afternoon class schedules will be altered from today onward.” 

As expected, she called out the four names from yesterday. The morning class remained the same—this was an important age for students to learn human values, as well as cultural subjects. 

Many students cast admiring gazes at the four. Barely a hundred students had achieved the Martial Artist stage in their form. Most were still in the Physical Tempering stage. 

Mu Xiao looked at his students with a complex expression. When it came to admiration, the youth naturally admired those better than them, but there were two sides to everything.… Sometimes, being ordinary could be better. He briefed the four students on their afternoon meeting spot, then gave them a few notes and an identity card, then left.

Soon, the morning class ended. Xiang Ning didn’t eat with his little sister this time. 

…

“Xiang Ning, are you heading there alone? Let’s go to the dojo together,” came Li Zimo’s voice. Xiang Ning was currently taking a plant-decorated path on campus. He hadn’t truly toured the place since he arrived. 

Xiang Ning turned and saw Li Zimo and Liu Ruoxue. They seemed to spend a lot of time together. “Yep, I’m alone… or am I?” He grinned. 

Li Zimo and Liu Ruoxue didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, so settled for being confused. 

“Do you know what’s happening?” Xiang Ning asked after coughing drily. These two must know something, given their expressions yesterday. 

“Uh… they’re launching an Advanced Class that includes lectures and practical sessions usually meant for students at Martial University. We’re their first batch of students,” said Li Zimo. He hadn’t expected Xiang Ning to be this… funny. 

“Why’re they doing this?” Xiang Ning was puzzled. Martial University was different from other regular universities. They only accepted martial artists, with a minimum qualification of tier two. Spiritual cultivators also had a similar minimum qualification for entry, which he already knew. 

“I heard the fearsome beasts have been evolving faster these years, and stampedes have grown more frequent. To maintain our defenses, the Federation government has brought the nations together to train the youth.” 

Xiang Ning nodded. He had learned about that from the news; Tranquil City’s defenses had almost been broken through that day. 

Very soon, the three of them arrived at the dojo. A soldier at the entrance stopped them, so they fished out their IDs. After checking them, the soldier said, “Gather in Conference Room 3.” 

Conference Room 3 was located on the first floor; they entered without a word.