After returning to his dorm, Fang Zhou lay on his bed and opened his personal terminal.
He wanted to learn more about the Simulation Battlefield and Professional permissions.
The Simulation Battlefield was a Mirror Space created by the Sea City Military Academy to hone students' combat abilities. It was a product combining Professional Skills with Blue Star's high technology and had been developed just a few years ago.
In the Simulation Battlefield, students could project their Attributes, Skills, and Equipment in a one-to-one ratio. They could then engage in battles with various Otherworld monsters under different battlefield environments.
Of course, operating the Simulation Battlefield required massive resources. Students who wanted to use it for training not only faced daily entry limits but also had to pay contribution points.
To encourage the students, the academy had also set up various Easter eggs in the Simulation Battlefield, occasionally dropping rewards like contribution points, Equipment, Cultivation Resources, and even Skill Books.
Each Simulation Battlefield also had its own first-clear and speedrun leaderboards, with those ranked highest receiving generous rewards.
Fang Zhou raised an eyebrow, intrigued. Isn't this just like a dungeon in an online game?
He also searched for information on Professional permissions.
The Human Alliance divided permissions into S, A, B, C, D, E, and F ranks based on a Professional's strength, military rank, and contributions to humanity.
For new recruits like Fang Zhou who had just Awakened, their permissions were naturally at the lowest rank: F.
The resources available for exchange were also scarce, consisting of only some Apprentice-level Skill Books, subpar Equipment, and the like.
However, as long as one's permission rank increased, rare materials like the Soul Calming Potion, dedicated Meditation rooms, and Otherworld Monster Crystal Cores would become available for exchange.
Looking at the dazzling exchange list, Fang Zhou let out a soft breath and silently made up his mind.
In the next month, he had to comprehensively increase his Combat Ability and strive to perform outstandingly in the Simulation Battlefield to earn a spot in Sea City Military Academy's specialized training program.
His guiding principle had always been to advance steadily and build up his strength before making a move.
His Skeleton Clone, fighting for its life in the Undead Realm, had to be cautious and prioritize stability above all else.
However, his main body, safe in the rear echelon of the academy, was free from the pressure of life-or-death struggles. Here, he had to strike hard and advance courageously.
The peaceful days at the academy would only last for the first year or two; afterward, they would have to carry out various real combat missions.
The more resources he could secure during this limited window of safety, the stronger he would become, and the greater his chances of survival in the brutal battles to come.
...
In the afternoon, seventy percent of the Combat Professional students went to their physical training class, while the other thirty percent, composed of Magic Professionals and Support Professionals, went to Meditation class.
The Meditation class was taught by a female instructor named Shen Hongyu, who claimed to be a Silver Lower Rank [Flame Mage].
What was particularly eye-catching were Instructor Shen's prosthetic legs, which, paired with her fiery red Mage Robe, created a powerful visual impact.
The Meditation Method varied for each Profession, so Shen Hongyu couldn't provide specific guidance. Her main role was to maintain the [Concentration Array] and [Spiritual Perception Device] in the meditation classroom.
The [Concentration Array] had an effect similar to the Soothing Mushroom, capable of reducing soul fatigue and extending Meditation time.
The [Spiritual Perception Device] could scan and monitor the students' Meditation progress.
After all, the students were all rookies, and it was impossible for them to mobilize their Spiritual Power perfectly every time. They definitely needed a teacher to watch over them.
In the quiet meditation classroom, Shen Hongyu glanced at the [Spiritual Perception Device]. As expected, the Meditation efficiency of students with Rare Professions is significantly faster than the others.
Shen Hongyu saw that Bai Xiaochan, a [Chanting String], had already visualized nearly half of a guqin's body in her mind.
At this rate, she should successfully master the basics in less than two days.
Meanwhile, the [Storm Mage] Gu Zhiqiu's progress was even more astounding; he had already visualized the crucial eye of the tornado imagery.
At the same time, the vast majority of ordinary Magic and Support Professionals had only just begun to visualize the framework of their respective imagery. It would take them at least five to seven days to master the basics.
Shen Hongyu felt a wave of emotion. She recalled how, twenty years ago, it had taken her a full half-month to master the basics of her Meditation Method. At the time, her achievement was considered far ahead of her peers.
The main reason for the difference, of course, was technological advancement. Students' Cultivation efficiency was becoming faster and faster, with each generation stronger than the last. But even so, one couldn't ignore the exceptional Talent of Bai Xiaochan and Gu Zhiqiu, who were in a league of their own.
Just as she was lost in these thoughts, her gaze swept randomly across the room. It landed on Fang Zhou in the corner, who was pretending to meditate while actually controlling his Skeleton Clone, and her expression suddenly froze.
Holy crap, a complete Skeleton Imagery! He's already mastered the basics of the Meditation Method? What kind of monster is he?
Fang Zhou, who was busy killing monsters and grinding levels in the Burial Wilderness, suddenly felt his Soul Fire flicker. He sensed someone was watching him.
He quickly thrust his spear to kill the skeleton in front of him, retracted his consciousness, and opened his eyes to see Instructor Shen Hongyu staring at him, stunned.
Has my progress with the Meditation Method been exposed?
His thoughts raced, and Fang Zhou quickly understood the situation.
But it wasn't a big deal. Didn't that guide mention that the senior Undead Mage, Su Xinyan, also mastered the basics in just one day?
Being just a *little* bit more outstanding than her should be acceptable, right?
Thus, Fang Zhou offered a polite smile, then closed his eyes and continued meditating.
Shen Hongyu silently withdrew her gaze, her heart already in turmoil.
Is he the Fang Zhou that Lu Hu mentioned to Principal Su? He mastered the basics of the Meditation Method in less than a day, and without any resources to help him. His Talent is probably far more terrifying than Major Xinyan's!
Recalling Principal Su's question from last night—"What makes Fang Zhou so special?"—Shen Hongyu quietly swallowed. She felt a strange premonition.
Is Principal Su about to be completely proven wrong by Fang Zhou?
As the Meditation class instructor, she had to record the students' results accurately. She hoped Principal Su would be mentally prepared when he saw the report.
After two hours passed, the Meditation class concluded, and the [Concentration Array] automatically shut down.
Fang Zhou returned his focus to his main body, feeling delighted that the sense of spiritual fatigue was much weaker than usual.
The [Concentration Array] was really useful, but unfortunately, it could only be experienced for free during Meditation class. Using it at any other time required contribution points.
He then checked the afternoon's gains from his Skeleton Clone's level grinding:
Main Body [Attributes]: Strength 1.3, Constitution 1.2, Agility 1.2, Spirit 2.2
Clone [Attributes]: Strength 4, Constitution 3, Agility 3, Spirit 2
[Soul Power]: 11
The newborn Skeletons on the outskirts were providing less and less Skeleton Essence, and even the rate at which he acquired Soul Power had slowed considerably.
Fang Zhou frowned slightly. He decided he needed to quickly choose some powerful Skills for his Clone to ensure it could enter the depths of the Burial Wilderness with overwhelming force.
At this moment, Shen Hongyu coughed lightly, addressing the students below, who were still eager for more, "Class, your performance was quite good. On average, you've completed about one-sixth of the introductory process.
"Those of you who are behind need to pick up the pace. You can ask Fang Zhou, Gu Zhiqiu, and Bai Xiaochan for advice. Their progress is very fast."
After speaking, she glanced at Fang Zhou one last time before turning to leave the classroom.