Forbidden Zone of the Human Race

Chapter 67 Fortress Three

When Xiang Ning arrived at school, he felt the tension in the atmosphere. He saw Fang Rou waiting at the gates. 

“Good morning, you’re early today,” smiled Xiang Ning. As a part-time student, he had to arrive twenty minutes earlier than the rest of the students. The gates had just opened and the other students were either still eating breakfast or sleeping. 

“Why wouldn’t I be? You’re the only one left out of forty students,” Fang Rou said, rolling her eyes. 

“What? I’m the last one here?” Xiang Ning was shocked, checking his communicator. It was only 6:50am! Was it broken? 

Fang Rou’s lips curled when she saw him panic, then the smile disappeared. “Instructor Lei told us yesterday that we’d be leaving at seven in the morning. “

He grew even more confused. Seven? Why didn’t he know that? 

“Alright, alright, stop worrying. Get in quick, we need to leave,” said Fang Rou. 

“Oh, alright,” he hurriedly said, following her. 

Indeed there were six massive tanks in school, each of which could fit twelve people, which meant two instructors and ten students. The first and last tanks were filled with instructors, each of them at least a tier three fighter. The students were sent in the remaining four tanks. 

Xiang Ning entered the vehicle, awkwardly apologizing. He still didn’t know when Lei Zhongyuan had said they would leave at seven. However, it wasn’t a big problem. Xiang Ning was delighted to see that the seats were designed in two rows. Opposite his team was Zhang Cheng and Li Minghao’s team. 

“Good morning everyone.” 

Other than Zhang Cheng and Li Minghao, the others nodded and politely greeted him. Only Zhang Cheng and Li Minghao’s expressions darkened. Especially Li Minghao. Why was Xiang Ning looking at him like that? Was that bastard reminiscing about how he had beaten Li Minghao up?! 

“Li Minghao.”

“What?!” 

“Is your nose better?” 

“Hmph!” 

Fury Points +66

Other than Lu Shiyu, everyone on Xiang Ning’s team had their eyes closed as the other team was thrust into an awkward situation. They knew that Li Minghao had beef with Xiang Ning, but he was a strong fighter that they couldn’t beat. However, they still couldn’t stand to see Minghao treated like this, right? 

“Xiang Ning, there’s no need to bully us.” 

“Is there anything wrong with showing concern for a fellow student?” Xiang Ning asked in surprise, as if he was wrongly accused. 

“Uh.…” the other student wasn’t sure what to say, either; he could only pity Li Minghao. The guy had done his best to break through to martial artist, only to realize that another student had gone way ahead of him. 

Li Minghao sat within the increasingly claustrophobic space sulking, desperately wanting to jump off. But after some thought, he let the matter go. First, he didn’t know how to open the door. And second, he must participate in this activity. If he didn’t, he would be seen as weaker than his nemesis! Also, perhaps he could watch the bastard being eaten by a beast in the wilderness? 

He wouldn’t miss that chance for the world! 

His glare slowly relaxed, imagining the scene with glee as he ignored Xiang Ning. 

Xiang Ning wasn’t unreasonable, either. He was just joking around and didn’t intend to provoke Li Minghao further. 

As time passed, all the students grew drowsy within the shaky tank. Even Xiang Ning fell asleep. 

A few hours later, he felt his shoulders aching. His eyes sprang open and he looked around. It was Fang Rou—half of her body leaned on him, her face red and brows slightly knitted. She wasn’t sleeping well at all; but then again, being able to fall asleep in this shaky vehicle was already a feat. 

To his right was Lu Shiyu, who seemed relaxed. Although he had only known her for a few days, he liked her sweet and quirky personality. She had a faint smile on her lips. How was she sleeping so peacefully here? 

Xiang Ning smiled and shook his head, forgetting that most people could only dream of being in his position right now. 

Li Minghao wasn’t asleep. He squinted, glaring at Xiang Ning as he privately cursed the bastard. This was a part-time student! How did he attract a goddess like Fang Rou? And that utterly beautiful transfer student, too? Did girls really like guys like him? 

As he thought about it, the vehicle suddenly braked. Everyone leaned forward while Xiang Ning reacted by quickly bracing his feet on the seats in front of him, locking himself in place as he grabbed both girls. 

A sudden wave of grumbles sounded as the tank’s door slowly opened. Every sleepy student instantly snapped awake. They took a look at the open door, then exited the vehicle without a word. 

“Hey, where are we?” Everyone gasped as they looked at the iron fortress surrounding them. 

Xiang Ning was equally astonished. This was the might of the human race, a pinnacle that beasts could never reach. 

They weren’t alone in the iron fortress, either. This place was chockablock with the best fighters of the young generation. 

When the tanks left, the five hundred sixteen- and seventeen-year-olds stood at the center of the fortress, curiously looking around. 

A muscular man stood on a tall platform before them, holding a megaphone while about fifteen other solemn-looking instructors stood next to him. These were the instructors that had been sent to every academy in Marsh City, like Lei Zhongyuan had been sent to theirs. 

“You’re all the best talents of Marsh City’s next generation. I am sure you know why you are here. In the wilderness, you’ll face fearsome beasts. Beasts that won’t hesitate to pounce and kill if they see you. It’s a dangerous place, and you may very well die. That’s why anyone who wishes to leave may leave now. You aren’t criminals, you have a choice here,” Lei Zhongyuan’s voice boomed. 

Some students bit their fingernails, others frowned in deep thought. But no one left. 

“Good, very good. I’ll cut the nonsense then. Teams ranked in the top ten will receive generous prizes. The first place will receive fifty million dollars in cash, while every member will be awarded breathing skills for tier four and under, with an addition of a year’s worth of cultivation resources!” 

Everyone grew excited when they heard of such a grand prize. Such generous resources spent on these eager growing youths could mean raising a few future tier seven masters. 

Xiang Ning was especially excited when he heard about the prizes. He hadn’t forgotten what Lei Zhongyuan had said in school, either—not just the prizes, but also his promise. 

“We’re definitely going to rank in the top ten!”