The sweltering summer, the irritating chirping of cicadas, and the scorching air wrapped around everyone like hot water; even hiding under the shade of trees left them drenched in sweat.
Moreover, large numbers of mosquitoes and insects constantly flew around, biting the skin of the Trial Participants.
Many of these insects were venomous, causing bumps of various sizes to appear on the skin after a bite, filling the Trial Participants with fear.
At this point, the second objective of the trial—Wilderness Environmental Adaptation Capability—was officially revealed.
The Qingfeng Camp trains elites, elites who can maintain combat capability even on battlefields littered with corpses and possessing extremely harsh environments.
This environment wouldn't even count as an appetizer on a battlefield.
If they can't adapt to this, how can they talk about going into battle and killing enemies?
Zhang Biao and the others held their lunch boxes, leisurely sitting on chairs, eating lunch while observing everything in the Trial Ground.
"This trial has only truly begun now!"
"The night will be more dangerous and exhausting. I wonder what kind of surprises these little guys will bring them."
Shao Han and Shen Moran did not go back to rest; they remained in the Monitoring Room, observing the movements within the Trial Ground.
Shao Han was waiting for the Golden Elephant City team to begin their operation.
As of now, the Golden Elephant City team has suffered 3 casualties, with 50 people remaining. The number tags they have seized already exceed 300!
This type of Large Corps-style combat achieves overwhelming victory against any opponent they encounter.
They even eliminated a "Seed Participant," according to Zhou Haoyu and Li Zixuan, earlier in the morning.
"Very good, keep this up. When dozens of people swarm you, Zhao Mu, no matter how skilled a fighter you are, how many can you take down?"
Shao Han's heart began to beat faster. He was already eager to see the look of unwillingness and despair in Zhao Mu's eyes when he was eliminated and driven out of the Qingfeng Camp gates!
...And what was Zhao Mu doing at this moment?
He was resting.
That's right, even if others were exhausted and sleepy, they dared not close their eyes for a moment.
But he was lying on the Treetop Canopy and began his Meditation.
Meditation is a way to quickly recover physical strength and energy on the battlefield; deep Meditation can achieve the same effect as Sleep.
Crucially, the Meditation of a Spirit Energy User can also restore depleted Spiritual Power.
The area within 100 meters of his tree had long been set up with simple traps using branches, pebbles, and vines.
Once someone approached, a sound would immediately be triggered to alert him.
Therefore, Zhao Mu was not trembling with fear like the other Rookies.
The demon clown floated beside him, eagerly holding up the Proficiency Notification Sign.
[Night Vision]: Life Skill, Proficiency 31.03... Through Zhao Mu's continuous practice, the ability of Night Vision was constantly increasing.
Even with a black veil covering his eyes, he could clearly see the surrounding scenery, including the minute details.
So-called Night Vision is essentially improving the ability of one's eyes to capture faint light in the darkness.
Time passed slowly, and after a while, the sounds of fighting gradually drifted over from afar again.
Still, some people couldn't hold back and wanted to launch an attack while others were exhausted.
Zhao Mu was not anxious at all; he was waiting for a signal.
Unconsciously, time reached dusk, and no one actively approached the area where Zhao Mu was located.
At this point, over a thousand people had already been eliminated within the Trial Ground!
The population density was greatly reduced, and no one dared to easily leave their familiar area, fearing they might encounter a trap.
The red sun sank in the west, the daylight dimmed, and the sunset glow was as red as fire.
"Time's up. Entering Phase Two: Narrow the Battle Circle!"
Xu Zhixiong said.
"Clang! Clang! Clang!"
Urgent and loud chimes rang out, startling the crows into flight. This was also a reminder to all Trial Participants that they must quickly enter the range of the Second Battle Circle, or they would be directly eliminated!
Zhao Mu took off his Eye Mask. He glanced at the sky; the forest was already dim due to the dense trees.
At seven o'clock in the afternoon, although there was still residual sunset light, it was already indistinguishable from nighttime deep inside the jungle.
Zhao Mu glanced at the demon clown; the Proficiency of [Night Vision] had reached 36. He only needed to concentrate his gaze to find that although it wasn't as bright as day, everything was clearly visible.
Zhao Mu stretched. He had rested very comfortably this afternoon, keeping his spirit and physical strength in the most perfect condition.
Zhao Mu grabbed his heavenly halberd and leaped down from the Treetop Canopy!
Two clusters of Clear Wind supported his legs, landing on the thick layer of dead leaves without making much noise.
"It's dark. The real hunt begins!"
Rustling sounds came from his ears—loud and dense.
It wasn't fierce beasts appearing, but Trial Participants located in the outer areas, rushing toward the Second Battle Circle.
Zhao Mu carried the heavenly halberd on his back and held a bow and arrow, moving through the woods with incredible speed, like a phantom of the night.
[Walking - Light and Agile Steps]: Life Skill, Proficiency 159.
The Light and Agile Steps ability was too strong; his pace was extremely fast, and the movement was minimal.
Zhao Mu suddenly realized that on a real battlefield, when his spirit was more focused, even the rate of Skill Proficiency increase accelerated significantly!
This discovery made him a little excited, and he wouldn't waste this great opportunity!
Soon, a target appeared in his sight. That Trial Participant was running forward, low to the ground, using bushes and thickets for cover.
It was too dark in the forest, so this action was perfectly fine. He wasn't afraid of being targeted by an Archer, because he didn't think anyone could shoot an arrow in such a dark environment!
Yet, he didn't know that one person had drawn their bow and notched an arrow, seeing everything as clearly as if it were daytime.
Zhao Mu drew the two-hundred-jin Short Bow to its limit and shot an arrow from above toward the Trial Participant who was moving in a serpentine pattern.
[Archery]: Proficiency 92. Without using Spiritual Power, this is comparable to the level of a top marksman in the current era!
At this moment, Zhao Mu's arrows could be said to hit the mark every time.
The opponent was caught off guard and had not activated their Protective Spiritual Power, because Spirit Energy would form light radiation, making him a living target in the dark night.
Precisely because of his caution, the arrow struck him directly in the chest. The immense force sent him flying backward, and a large mouthful of blood spurted out!
Zhao Mu had already rushed down like a specter, pressing the halberd against his neck, completing the action in one fluid motion!
The Trial Participant coughed up large amounts of blood. Without Protective Spiritual Power, he simply could not withstand Zhao Mu's arrow.
He handed over his number tag, then quickly summoned the Giant Eagle to take him out for treatment.
Zhao Mu did not stop for a moment, moving on to another location, because the appearance of the Giant Eagle would expose his position.
He quickly found a new target.
Only this time, it wasn't a Lone Wolf, but five Trial Participants moving together!
Zhao Mu stood in the darkness, blending into the night. The Turtle Breathing Technique slowed his Breathing and heartbeat, making him resemble a tree.
Five Trial Participants: two Shield and Sword Wielders, two Spearmen, and one Archer.
This familiar configuration immediately reminded Zhao Mu who they were—members of the Golden Elephant City Large Corps.
Zhao Mu slowly narrowed his eyes like a night owl. He noticed that during nighttime operations, the Large Corps could not maintain the same discipline as during the daytime.
Because there were no signs of other five-person teams around this five-person team.
"The biggest Plunderer Team in Phase One of the Trial Ground. They must have quite a few number tags, right?"
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)