Chapter 31: Chapter 31

Hunting Grounds Space

"Good morning, everyone. It's another day that just saps all my energy, huh."

On the morning after Shuang Yun returned, Liushu, looking completely dispirited, was dozing off in the classroom.

"Your afternoon classes have been canceled today, as you'll be heading to your first hunting grounds this afternoon. I think everyone should already know this."

"Many teachers have probably already taught you about the hunting grounds. Except for those who weren't paying attention, most of you should have some understanding of it."

"However, as a teacher, it's still my responsibility to go over some things you need to pay attention to in the hunting grounds—even though I'm just a botany teacher."

"The hunting grounds are a kind of alternate space. Once you step inside, it's like entering another world, with new life and scenery, but at the same time, it's full of danger."

"Before entering the hunting grounds, you must wear the school-issued, upgraded version of the Prism. The Prism is the shield device you used during the training matches, so I don't need to say more about that."

"The new version of the Prism will indicate your position in the hunting grounds; once it shatters, it will forcibly pull you out to the exit of the hunting grounds. This is also a measure to guarantee your safety."

"But let me warn you, if you truly provoke some terrifying monster inside the hunting grounds, the Prism might not be of any use—maybe you'll get slapped to death before anything can help. But don't worry, the hunting grounds we're entering are relatively safe, no such thing will be there."

"Before entering the hunting grounds, everyone's mental state must be tested. Anyone with unstable emotions is barred from entry, as most hunting grounds have things that can manipulate the mind. Some monsters can even parasitize those who are mentally fragile and control them to escape from the hunting grounds. Of course, there are no such things in the hunting grounds we're headed to."

"This time, two Hunters will accompany you—their purpose is to serve as a final layer of insurance. The Hunters this time are Miriya and Wei. They'll be entering the hunting grounds with you. This hunting ground isn't particularly dangerous, and with Wei being incredibly strong, you really don't need to be so afraid."

"The hunting grounds are divided into the Outer Area, the Center, and the Depths—the deeper you go, the more dangerous it gets. This time we're only going to the Outer Area."

"That's about all I need to say. You've probably heard the rest from other teachers, but let me just say it again."

"The hunting grounds are full of change. Even though I listed all these safety precautions... you all still need to be careful."

"If you encounter people in the hunting grounds dressed very strangely—like someone in a full mascot suit with bunny ears and carrying a lantern, who happens to be a demon—the first thing you do is turn around and run away as fast as you can without looking back."

"Over-the-top outfits or very beautiful appearances usually mean a top-tier boss inside the hunting grounds."

Liushu finished his introduction to the hunting grounds.

"Today is finally going to bring some excitement to my boring daily life!"

Mo Ying stood excitedly on the school field.

They were about to enter the hunting grounds, and she really was happy.

"Entering the hunting grounds isn't something to be happy about,"

"I think it's interesting!"

Mo Ying's eyes sparkled with little hearts.

Liushu was somewhat helpless.

"Teacher, I heard that you can hire Hunters to go into the hunting grounds with you, is that true?"

Xiya walked up next to Liushu and asked.

"Ah, right. After you graduate, you'll lose Dreamscape Academy's protection and won't have these safety measures anymore. For your own safety, you can sign a ZL contract with a Hunter, letting them protect you. But you'll have to pay the corresponding price—like a large sum of money—and share some of your gains in the hunting grounds with the Hunter."

"You don't need to worry about that now, firstly because this hunting ground is very safe, and second, Wei and Miriya are stronger than most Hunters by a few levels."

"But if after you graduate, you need to enter very dangerous hunting grounds for some reason, you'll have to hire high-level Hunters. Normally, very few people would go alone—that's just asking to die,"

"Alright, everyone quiet down please."

The principal walked onto the platform, and all the students on the field fell silent.

"Now, I am going to conduct a mental test. Please close your eyes,"

Principal Alitos said, spreading her hands as a giant golden magic array spread across the field.

The students closed their eyes.

"Alright, open your eyes," the principal said.

"Everyone, look at your left hand. There is a symbol on your left hand—a red symbol means you cannot enter the hunting grounds, a light blue symbol means you may enter."

As soon as she said this, there was a huge commotion below.

Mo Ying looked at the symbol on her left hand—it was light blue. The same with Xiya and Shuang Yun, of course.

There were about five thousand second-year students in Dreamscape Academy, but half were eliminated here.

Only about two thousand were qualified to enter the hunting grounds.

"Next, those who have qualified, please stand on the left and follow your teachers,"

Liushu lit up a cigarette.

Paying no attention to the wails of the students who weren't chosen, they stood to the left as Wei led them to the school basement.

There, there was a teleportation array.

The students entered the portal in groups.

When Mo Ying and the others stepped onto the teleportation array, they saw that Teacher Liushu remained on the outside.

"Teacher Liushu, aren't you coming?"

"I'll pass. I'm not the Hunter assigned to your group this time. I've said everything I needed to. I'm going to go lie down,"

Liushu said leisurely. The source of thɪs content is novel✶fire.net

The teleportation array activated, and in a blink, Mo Ying and the others were transported somewhere else.

When they opened their eyes again, they found themselves in a different space. There were other students here, but not all two thousand from Dreamscape Academy—only about two hundred people were present in this space.

And, there were some unfamiliar faces they had never seen before.

"The First Imperial Princess of Lixiya, the Rainfall Master," said Xiya, gazing into the distance.

Following her gaze, Shuang Yun and Mo Ying did see the Rainfall Master, with Li Shihe following at her side.

"The Second Imperial Princess, rainfall Tong,"

Shuang Yun recognized another.

It was the second princess standing next to the Rainfall Master, who was also the Rainfall Master's younger sister.

"How do you know her?"

Mo Ying asked curiously.

"I've seen her in the news before... They're like celebrities, after all—they're royalty of Lixiya,"

Shuang Yun explained.

"There are three Imperial Princesses in Lixiya, with the Rainfall Master being the favorite candidate for the throne."

"But I don't see the Third Princess,"

"Maybe she was sent somewhere else, or didn't come,"

They now understood that students brought here by the teleportation array included students from other academies, or other places—it wasn't just students from Dreamscape Academy.

While they were chatting, a gigantic door appeared at the center of the room seemingly out of nowhere.

The door slowly opened, revealing a strange-looking portal.

A girl stepped through from within the door.

"The test results have been announced, and the number of participants confirmed."

From the mechanical voice, it was clear the girl was not human but a machine.

"Once the numbers are confirmed, begin lining up."

Before Mo Ying could even react, she was already standing on the open ground, lined up neatly.

Xiya and Shuang Yun were the same.

It was as if some strange technology—or magic—had taken over.

In less than a second, everyone was standing in neat rows.

"This is your first entry into the hunting grounds. The Recall Prism has already been given to everyone to wear. The Hunters are already inside, but let me emphasize again: the hunting grounds are very dangerous," said the Tianke girl, slowly stepping aside.

"The hunting grounds you are about to enter is: the Third Hunting Grounds, fairyland."