[One month after the opening of the Starry Sky Ladder Ranking Competition, Heavenly Martial Training Base, Public Area Plaza]
The morning sun crossed the clouds above the Heavenly Martial Training Base and shone upon the plaza paved with anti-slip bricks, reflecting a soft golden light.
A few remaining dew drops clung to the stone pillars surrounding the plaza, and the air carried the scent of food wafting from the residential area on the east side.
A few early-arriving trainees, seeing that they still had time, began discussing among themselves the purpose behind the Otter Administrator gathering them all today.
As time ticked by, the originally bustling plaza quickly became lively.
Five hundred contestants stood neatly in the center of the plaza, quietly waiting for the administrator who had summoned them to appear.
Compared to the confusion they felt a month ago, their eyes now held a touch more composure.
The month-long adaptation period had made them understand that every training device and every supply of Star Energy in the Heavenly Martial Training Base were cultivation resources that were desperately sought after outside.
Many people still had shallow bruises from training on their arms, but no one showed fatigue.
"Everyone, long time no see."
In the center of the plaza, a suspended platform suddenly emerged from the ground.
After a flash of white light, the Otter Administrator jumped out from the platform, a half-eaten grilled fish dangling from its mouth.
Its round body was encased in a black suit embroidered with star patterns, and it held a golden bell in its paw, looking completely harmless.
But not a single person dared to underestimate this 'small pet' that appeared utterly unthreatening.
Because after a month of immersion, everyone knew that this seemingly cute and clumsy little creature was, in its true form, a terrifying Calamity-level Star Beast.
It was an existence that, once unleashed, would make the entire New Federation tremble.
Its appearance instantly silenced the plaza, making even the swoosh of the wind against the flags exceptionally clear.
The Otter Administrator didn't pay much attention to this.
After finishing the grilled fish in its mouth, it shook its tail contentedly and raised the golden bell in its paw.
Ding-a-ling!
The crisp sound of the bell spread like ripples, instantly covering the entire plaza.
As the bell sound subsided, the Otter Administrator raised its paw and pointed towards the sky.
The next second, a pale blue beam of Star Energy shot towards the clouds. After bursting open in mid-air, it condensed into the phantom of a mist-shrouded island.
The island was covered in dense vegetation, and the surging black tide along the coastline could be faintly seen.
"This is the trial ground you will be heading to soon: the Fallen Zone, Longevity Island."
Whoosh!
Upon hearing the three words 'Fallen Zone,' a suppressed gasp immediately swept through the crowd. Some people even subconsciously took half a step back, their faces filled with shock.
They immediately pulled out their terminal screens and frantically searched for information about 'Longevity Island.' However, due to its classified nature, most of them found nothing.
While they didn't know the actual situation of 'Longevity Island,' they were acutely aware of what the three words 'Fallen Zone' implied.
Thinking of the complex environment and the powerful and vicious Star Beasts within the Fallen Zone, the faces of some trainees turned pale.
Considering their own strength and their apprehension about the Fallen Zone, a boy wearing a Yellow-level training uniform looked up at the Otter Administrator and couldn't help but exclaim, "Administrator, isn't it too soon to send us into a Fallen Zone now?"
"Too soon?"
The Otter Administrator slurped its oily fingers and replied with a smile, "It's not too soon. There are people who, at your age, were already leading teams to conquer one Fallen Zone after another. Many of you are older than he was back then. How is it too soon?"
Hearing this, everyone knew the administrator was referring to the President of the General Association, Enite, the legendary figure of the New Federation who was hailed as the strongest Star Envoy of the current era.
But could they be compared to Enite?
Were they even worthy???
Perhaps to make its statement more convincing and to justify the rationality of this trial.
The Otter Administrator lowered its head and looked in the direction where Tendo stood, chuckling: "Besides, some among you have already completed Fallen Zone exploration early, so in my opinion, this arrangement is just right."
Hearing the Otter Administrator's words, everyone immediately looked toward Tendo.
At the same time, the anime's camera focused on Tendo.
Through the special filter characteristic of a theatrical release, Tendo was seen wearing a black Explorer uniform, his face expressionless.
Beside him, Caroline was lowering her head, sorting out the data on her tactical tablet, while Jing Liuli looked as if she hadn't gotten enough sleep.
Although Tendo didn't speak, his unique 'art style,' different from others, immediately made him the focal point of the scene.
Silence spoke louder than words.
It was at this moment that a brief 'flashback segment' was inserted into the scene.
[Flashback Segment: One Week Ago, Fallen Zone Exploration and Countermeasure Bureau]
In the Countermeasure Bureau's cold, metallic office area, Federal Commissioner Smith pushed a document across the table and frowned, saying, "Inherit the 'Dawn' team? That's impossible, unless you can independently conquer a Fallen Zone."
This requirement was undoubtedly extremely harsh for a group of 'newcomers' who had only recently passed the Explorer assessment.
It also demonstrated how much the Countermeasure Bureau disliked the idea of the legendary 'Dawn' team falling into the hands of others.
However, contrary to Commissioner Smith's expectation, Tendo neither objected to his requirement nor engaged in excessive discussion. He simply took a 'Fallen Zone Data' file from the table in front of him.
[Fallen Zone: Barren Bone Canyon]
[Danger Level: A+]
[Note: Moderate density of Star Beasts, suspected presence of a Calamity-level Star Beast, Fallen Zone rules unknown]
"This one. I'll give you the result in a week."
As Tendo took the Fallen Zone data, the scene of the anime switched again.
When it reappeared, it was inside a strange canyon.
Inside the canyon, black, jagged rocks stood everywhere, the air filled with the stench of Star Beasts, and countless indistinct Star Beasts, like fiends from hell, rushed toward Tendo in the center of the canyon.
In response, Tendo immediately activated Sage Mode. Golden patterns flowed across the surface of his skin, and a casual wave of his hand could sweep away large numbers of Star Beasts.
Caroline's Quantum Probe acted like an invisible 'omniscience network,' accurately relaying various intelligence on the canyon to everyone's minds.
Jeremiah's Frost froze the canyon's stream, forming natural barriers that blocked the escape routes of most Star Beasts.
As for Jing Liuli... she was half-lying on a Phantasy Dream Pillow, suspended in mid-air, fast asleep!
Following the scene focusing on the four individuals, the next shot was of Commissioner Smith receiving the news that the 'Barren Bone Canyon conquest was complete.'
Although he was reluctant to admit it, Tendo and the others had proven their qualification to inherit the 'Dawn Explorer Team' with their own strength.
Of course, had it not been for a certain person's nod of approval, even if they had accomplished all this, they would not have so easily gained the right to use the name of the legendary 'Dawn' Explorer Team.
It could only be said that the water here runs very deep.