Linjiang Base, the living room TV was broadcasting the morning news.
"Only five days left on the countdown for the Martial Exam. This year, the number of examinees at Linjiang Base has reached a record high. According to official data, the number of applicants has reached 150,000..."
Xiaoyue blew on a spoonful of preserved egg and lean pork congee and suddenly spoke.
"Mom, how come Dad forgot to call Xiaoyue these past few days?"
"Your dad, he's probably been quite busy recently. The summer holiday is about to start, and by then you'll be able to see him every day. When that time comes, let him make delicious food for Xiaoyue every day, how about that?"
Jiang Miaomiao rubbed her daughter's head, thinking Su Mu was likely busy settling into his new job.
"Alright, alright. Mom, what is the Martial Exam?"
"The Martial Exam is a chance to leap through the dragon gate. If you pass, you can become a powerful martial artist."
"Just like Dad?"
"Yes, just like Dad."
"Then Xiaoyue will also take the Martial Exam in the future and leap through the dragon gate..."
Xiaoyue was very excited, but before she could finish speaking, she started coughing. Jiang Miaomiao quickly patted her daughter's back, a look of worry flashing in her eyes. Xiaoyue's health had never been good, perhaps she wasn't suited to be a martial artist...
...
"So this is the Alien Race Battlefield? It's not as scary as the fans said; Little Black loves to exaggerate."
"But the battlefield is isolated from the outside world, and there's no internet to stream live. Otherwise, the live show's effect would be amazing."
The short-haired girl in white pouted and used her hand to tidy her bangs, assembled her camera, and started recording a Vlog.
"Hello everyone! I'm Xiao Xiangcai, the food blogger. Right now, I'm on the perilous Alien Race Battlefield. The specific location is the Alien Race Battlefield guarded by the South China Shenjiang Martial Arts University..."
"Responding to the requests of many family members, this is also a venture I have long awaited. I can't wait to discover the unique foods on the battlefield. Let's go, please follow along with Xiao Xiangcai!"
Xiao Xiangcai moved forward, and soon a white pillar of light appeared before her.
"Lucky! There's someone ahead, family members, I'm going to say hello."
After entering the Alien Race Battlefield through the space channel, you will be randomly teleported once in the area surrounding the entrance. Normally, you don't immediately encounter alien races.
The only thing to be cautious about is the attacks of fierce beasts, because humans and aliens are both outsiders, whereas fierce beasts are the original inhabitants of these alternate spaces.
As for distinguishing friends from foes, it's quite simple.
Humans' teleportation light is blue and white, while the aliens' is red.
A dizzying sensation from weightlessness dissipated, the feeling of solid ground was reassuring, but Su Mu immediately tensed up as he heard something approaching him.
Without hesitation, he opened his eyes and drew his blade at the first opportunity.
Clang!
The glaring cold light forced the approaching person to retreat.
"Uncle, don't get excited, it's one of us!"
After fully unsheathing Cold Moon, Su Mu focused, realizing it was a young girl in white. He was momentarily stunned. His first thought was where did this kid come from; are high schoolers allowed on the battlefield now?
Brave indeed...
"Are you... live streaming?"
"You can't live stream on a battlefield, so I'm just shooting a Vlog." The little girl shook her head and turned to record herself and Su Mu together.
"Family members, this is our first comrade we've met, a handsome uncle?"
"Hello uncle, I'm a food blogger, Xiao Xiangcai. Have you heard of me?"
The girl's hopeful gaze was met with Su Mu shaking his head directly, his attention focused on observing the surroundings. They were currently in a barren land of yellow earth.
Looking up, a blood moon hung in the sky, adding to a feeling of oppression with the low-hanging sky.
"Oh, then how do I address you, uncle?"
Su Mu ignored her and distanced himself a little. After confirming there was nothing unusual around, he kept an eye on the girl while taking out a map and checking the current coordinates shown on the war order to determine their direction.
The only way to leave the battlefield is to reach the human base camp and use the space channel to leave.
The Shenjiang Martial Arts University is guarding a newly emerged micro battleground, which currently has only one base camp set up.
Their luck wasn't very good; this place was sixty kilometers from the base camp, requiring crossing the Little Mist Mountain Range, which is a Level Two Resource Point, home to Second Level Fierce Beasts and Second Level Spirit Grass.
If they took a detour, they'd need to travel west through the Oblique Wind Plain. The plain is flat and open terrain, which the instructors at Practical Combat Academy had specifically noted as a place where one might encounter alien races.
Compared to the aliens, Su Mu preferred to face fierce beasts. With his current strength, facing Second Level Fierce Beasts by being cautious would likely avoid any accidents.
Su Mu quickly determined the route he needed to take next.
"Little one, let's go."
Su Mu sheathed Cold Moon and started walking forward. The little girl was a bit annoyed, "Uncle, why won't you answer my questions? Also, I'm not called Little One, you can call me Xiao Xiangcai."
"I won't joke with my life. I'm going to cross Little Mist Mountain to reach the base camp. You can come with me, or we can part ways here. Good luck."
The unparalleled genius who created the Third-Turned Refining Technique perished on the battlefield; Su Mu always reminded himself that he was just an ordinary person, being cautious couldn't be too much.
He was very weak; sometimes it was better to let go of the tendency to help others and respect others' destinies.
There was a wife and child at home looking forward to his return.
After speaking, Su Mu left. The little girl turned the camera onto herself and made a face at the lens.
"Family members, this uncle has zero gentlemanly manners, a downright stubborn and arrogant wolf. Family, I'll just call him Uncle Wolf. In Xiao Xiangcai's book, Uncle Wolf is a completely derogatory nickname."
"But, Uncle Wolf does make a bit of sense. Let's follow his steps to the base camp together."
"What kind of unique food might await us at the base camp? Family, stay tuned!"
"Uncle Wolf, you're so fast, please wait for me."
On the road, the little girl held up her camera hoping Su Mu would acknowledge her a bit, but after many failed attempts, she sensibly refrained from asking further, and started filming the scenery along the way. Both of them were martial artists, their steps light and swift.
Soon, green appeared beneath their feet, and the soil became damp and muddy. Su Mu knelt down, grabbed a handful of soil and smelled it. A mist-covered mountain range loomed ahead.
Su Mu rummaged in his backpack and took out a spray bottle, applying it over himself and then handing it over.
"Anti-venom spray for snakes and scorpions."
The little girl's eyes lit up at the mention of it; Uncle Wolf might be arrogant and stubborn, but he seemed experienced and unexpectedly reliable?
She eagerly sprayed it over herself for a while. Su Mu nodded subtly; this little girl wasn't a fool; if she understood human language, there was hope.
"First Level Martial Artist?"
"Yeah, barely reached the First Level Initial Stage not long ago." She said, revealing a pair of small tiger teeth proudly.
"Not preparing for the Martial Exam?"
Looking even more prideful, she patted her small chest, "I'm already a First Level Martial Artist, what's the point in preparing for the Martial Exam, and there's still a few days left."
"Stay close to me later; Little Mist Mountain is a Level Two Resource Point, I can't spare any distraction."
"Level Two?! Are you saying there are Second Level Fierce Beasts around? Aren't we supposed to be near the base camp after teleporting here?"
The little girl's throat bobbed at the mention, truthfully, she hadn't wanted to enter the battlefield, but her fans had kept encouraging her, even threatening to unfollow if she didn't go.
So she looked up some information online, learning that after teleporting in, she'd be near the base camp, which gave her a little scheme. She planned to just hang around the base camp and casually film some clips once she got to the battlefield.
"Wolf, Uncle Wolf, do we have to cross this mountain?"
"Of course, and it's not because I'm scared... I'm just thinking, the mountain looks high and might be difficult. Perhaps there's a better route?"
"If you want to shoot an interview with an alien uncle for your Vlog, you could take the detour west."
Su Mu showed a broad grin.
What?!!!
Interview... an alien uncle?
The other side would probably tear her apart and swallow her whole!
The little girl was quite scared, shaking her head like a rattle, "In that case, I'll pass, Uncle Wolf please try to slow down a bit."
"I'll stay right behind you, Uncle Wolf. Little One will put the camera away and won't hold you back at all." Little One instantly became obedient.
Once she finished speaking, an unexpected change occurred.
A heavy humming sound filled the sky, ripples like water waves spread across the heavens, and the entire battlefield trembled, as if space was on the verge of shattering.
Panic quickly spread throughout the battlefield.
Far west, in the alien base camp.
The alien race stood ready, led by a tall alien with dark red skin holding a spear, who flashed a cruel smile.
"Finally... let the hunt begin!"