Chapter 219

Chapter 219

Putting aside the login space that was cut in half, the survivors each found their own reasons to be joyful.

As expected of the wealthy Gold Academy, everyone received a treasure chest, and Ji Xinghai also watched Chacha and Jila open their golden chests.

Goodness, one opened to reveal a first-generation practice mecha, while the other uncovered a complete set of simulation mecha training pods. Together, their findings could propel their civilization's mecha research forward. With Ji Xinghai bringing Tatta along, the future development of planetary technological strength was promising.

"Looking forward to meeting you in the Academy Battle." Song came over to shake hands with Ji Xinghai, followed by Feng, a brotherly figure.

"We will definitely meet again," Duo Xi also approached, accompanied by her versatile assistant, Lai Duoduo.

They were convinced of Ji Xinghai's top ranking and were willing to form good ties. They had gotten along well on this journey, and if they encountered each other in the Academy Battle, they might even form a temporary team.

With the example of Tea Koo Civilization before them, no one dared to underestimate the upcoming Academy Battle, which would undoubtedly be more challenging than what they had experienced.

Given the dangers of the Academy Battle, having more friends meant more support.

Ji Xinghai naturally did not refuse such goodwill. The Academy Battle allowed only three participants, so having potential teammates was beneficial. Moreover, these people from the two academies seemed trustworthy, despite his lack of social skills. For the sake of his home, he could suppress his lone wolf nature.

Seeing the friendly exchanges, members of the three academies temporarily set aside their past grievances and took the opportunity to chat with those they wished to know better.

The settlement was imminent; this farewell might be the last.

Finally, the trial ended. After hurried goodbyes, everyone returned to their respective academies. The top ten from Hungry Academy appeared in their settlement space, but just as their faces lit up with joy, an unfamiliar electronic voice announced:

"Hungry Academy's Ji Xinghai, due to multiple academy reports, is suspected of colluding with Hungry Academy. Your rewards for this trial have been settled. You will enter this year's Academy Battle as an external participant. If you survive until the end, you will gain official entry into the next Academy Battle..."

What?

"Bastard, how dare you question our student? Reporting out of jealousy is unacceptable...%%￥￥##..." An angry electronic voice interrupted, clearly from Hungry Academy itself.

The students' faces fell as if struck by lightning. In their minds, Hungry Academy had always been a high-profile antagonist, but this didn't sound quite right.

It sounded rather unintelligent.

"Do you have any evidence?"

As the other party involved, Ji Xinghai remained remarkably calm, even feeling a bit eager.

Although he didn't understand why this year's Academy Battle hadn't started yet, getting it done sooner was preferable. Of course, he still needed to fight for his rights: "Making decisions without evidence violates regulations. Where is fairness and reason?"

He began with a mild tone, then shifted: "Are the privileged academies afraid of newcomers sharing the spoils, so they can report anyone at will?

"If that's the case, you're not just suppressing Hungry Academy; you're suppressing all lower-tier academies. Are you trying to destroy the foundation of advancement between academies or the entire system?

"Lower-tier academies aren't just Hungry Academy."

After a few seconds, the electronic voice reappeared: "After thorough review, Ji Xinghai's spirit body has surpassed the level of a primary civilization..."

"Just tell me if I'm genuine," Ji Xinghai interrupted, "as a native human representing our civilization, entering the academy—does that pose a problem? Is it legal?"

Before the voice could respond, Hungry Academy eagerly chimed in: "Completely legal, no problem!"

"..."

"..." From the billions of viewers outside.

Well, unexpected, to say the least, leaving the initial fury stuck in the barrel.

"If you want me to participate in this year's Academy Battle as an external participant, fine. But proving there was no collusion and only giving me a chance isn't enough!"

More compensation is needed!

"Yes! Not enough!" Hungry Academy immediately agreed, "Otherwise, I'll spread this around to my billion-plus lower-tier friends! This is too much!"

"..."

"What do you suggest?" the electronic voice asked dryly.

"I don't want a mere chance; this should be the official Academy Battle, starting now. If I fail, the responsibility lies with me, and no retaliation against my civilization."

"Agreed."

Ji Xinghai's expression softened slightly.

"If I succeed, it proves malicious intent and personal vendetta. Each academy must provide treasures worth ten golden chests as compensation."

"Agreed." "If I succeed, it shows your bias, causing me great mental distress. In addition to the rewards from this Academy Battle, let my civilization bypass exams and join the primary cosmic civilization community, and elevate Hungry Academy by three ranks."

"Oh!" Hungry Academy was speechless with excitement.

"No bypassing exams, no elevation," the electronic voice stated coldly.

"Alright, let's compromise. In addition to the exam rewards, give my civilization an extra century of safe development. Increase Hungry Academy's resource allocation by three levels based on its current rewards. No retaliation against my civilization or Hungry Academy for any reason. I need a binding contract outlining these terms."

Ji Xinghai stared intently at something, his eyes revealing a hidden madness—suggesting he would go to any lengths to cause trouble for the mastermind behind the scenes if his demands weren't met.

Viewers saw his mental value, already at 72, plummet to 59 within seconds, continuing to drop to 57, 56, 55...

"Don't do anything rash!" the audience outside worried, with his parents especially tense.

Ji Xinghai waited silently for the final decision.

If they agreed, the contract would be established, and the matter resolved.

If they didn't, caution was warranted...

He cherished the days he could return home and missed his parents dearly. But if forced to make a choice, he could also abandon this cumbersome body and use the sacrifice of his spiritual form to teach them what pain truly was.

Perhaps a lifetime of wandering was all for this moment.

He wanted his family behind him to be safe and sound. As long as they were well, he could stay away, as if he had never returned.

"Alright."

No one knew how long it took—perhaps just a few seconds, perhaps several minutes—before there was finally a response. Along with the response came a mysterious contract.

Ji Xinghai slowly exhaled. "Alright. Now is the time for the exam settlement. Once everything is over, I'll leave here to participate in the Academy Battle."

"Brother Hai..." No one spoke in front of the screen; they were still processing the information, their minds in a mess.

"Can I go with you?!" Kira suddenly interjected.

"I'll go too." Another student raised their hand. "Isn't there a third slot?"

But the electronic voice only replied with one sentence: "No."

"I appreciate everyone's intentions, but I'll go alone this time. Please take these items back to my hometown for me. One is my teacher, one is my youngling, and another is a tomb guardian from another civilization. Treat them well."

He said this to an unseen camera, the path ahead shrouded in white mist. He had to settle his affairs. Even though Tatta was a chip, no one should bully him for being alone.

The world fell silent as viewers watching the screen shed tears, each drop hitting the table.

"Don't worry, Brother Hai. You'll be fine! We'll protect your teacher!"

"Brother Hai, come back safely soon. We're all waiting for you."

What kind of situation is this? Haven't you seen a genius before, damn it?

"Wait!" Just when everyone thought it was over, the Hungry Academy's electronic voice sounded again. "Ji Xinghai will be participating in the Academy Battle alone, losing the advantage of having companions. He cannot go without a navigator. His navigator must be a mentor from our academy. Rest assured, everything will follow the rules."

Ji Xinghai had agreed to those conditions, so there was no reason not to agree to this one. The voice responded with another "Alright," and that settled it.

That presence did not appear again, but the previously cheerful atmosphere of the settlement was gone. Even Chacha and Kira, who had won golden treasure chests, showed no joy.

They felt the helplessness and frustration of the Cha Ku civilization facing such power.

The weak have no right to speak. If it weren't for the Hungry Academy standing up for them, they might have been wiped out without any explanation.

Ji Xinghai, however, seemed quite pleased, his eyes narrowing with happiness: He could return home two months earlier and had secured substantial compensation.

"What's wrong with you guys? Aren't you happy?" he asked.

"Ji, I'm sorry. We're just too useless," the usually proud Kira said dejectedly. She had intended to secure one of the three slots but now could only watch Ji Xinghai fight alone. She felt guilty and the pain of being weak.

"What's the big deal? Isn't it better to end things sooner? If you're upset about not being able to participate, don't feel bad. The success or failure of a civilization shouldn't rest on an individual. Their evaluation method is simply too simplistic and brutal. Besides, we're behind now, but not forever. Come on, let's open the prize."

He pulled open the champion's grand prize package, and golden light and rainbow petals flew out, accompanied by a dazzling display of colors. This flashy effect suddenly shattered the somber mood.

"Congratulations to student Ji Xinghai for taking the undisputed first place in this exam. As a special reward, the academy grants a Star-Level Safety Shield.

"This shield can block three apocalyptic-level meteor strikes or attacks from advanced civilizations.

"Do you wish to activate the planetary shield?

"3, 2, 1, default activation.

"You have activated the planetary shield. Please continue to excel in your next exam and achieve even greater success!"

"...” Not that he was complaining, but the Hungry Academy really needed to improve its aesthetics.

However, he now realized the benefits of having an academy that supported him. They were ensuring that the rear was stable to prevent any impact on his future performance.

A shield capable of blocking three apocalyptic meteor strikes and attacks from advanced civilizations couldn't be cheap.

Ji Xinghai increasingly felt that the intervention was beneficial. Not only did he secure additional compensation, but he also forced the Hungry Academy to give him their best equipment.

He could already anticipate receiving more gifts during the individual settlements.

Sure enough, when they entered the individual settlement space, the originally two-page "menu" became a thick stack of over twenty pages, filled with both familiar and new items.

None of the students made a move.

The unexpected appearance and interference of the mysterious force had caught them off guard, leaving them preoccupied. They waited for Ji Xinghai to make the first purchase, and if points could be traded, they would have given him all their points.

Huh? Can points be transferred?

"Ding, you received 890 points."

"Ding, you received 760 points."

"Ding..."

Ji Xinghai was speechless, watching his points exceed ten thousand. "Too much. I actually have some confidence. Keep your points; you might need them next time..."

"No 'next time,'" Bill gritted his teeth. "You will return safely. There is no next exam for us."

"Exactly. This damned exam should have ended long ago. I have nothing else but these useless points. Oh, right, and these equipment cards."

The reminder prompted the students, and soon a stack of equipment cards appeared on Ji Xinghai's table. Such generosity was overwhelming. "Enough. I'm used to my own equipment."

"Just keep them, Ji. What if they come in handy?" Students choose their equipment cards just half an hour before entering the exam. What if they prove useful? So none of them wanted to take them back.

Ji Xinghai had no choice but to accept their goodwill.

With over ten thousand points, he could buy a third of the equipment cards. He briefly flipped through them, finding a variety of types listed on the "menu." It seemed the Hungry Academy didn't know much about the upcoming Academy Battle. Looking at his five-digit points, he decided it would be a waste not to use them.

Ji Xinghai now possesses several equipment cards: one is the ultimate version of Ten Miles of Red Makeup, which can no longer evolve or fuse, and the other two are Master of Deception and Delicious Carnival.

He also has a 'Ring of Sovereignty' that ignores space and time.

Given the numerous equipment options provided by the Hungry Academy, it's clear that most battles within the academy involve the use of equipment cards.

His equipment slot has been upgraded to hold four cards, and there must be other students who have upgraded theirs to five or even six slots. The academy might impose restrictions in this regard during battles.

To be safe, he decided to continue enhancing these three cards—technically, two, since Ten Miles of Red Makeup cannot be upgraded further.

Skill Reset Cards, Fusion Cards, Lucky Stones, Currency Conversion Cards, upgradable buildings, Lucky Blind Boxes... Ji Xinghai waved his hand and used almost all his points to upgrade Master of Deception and Delicious Carnival.

Temporary ID Card: When you're out and about, your identity is what you make it. As long as it's logically sound, you can set specific details for your background. Although it's just a temporary ID, it's entirely legal and can withstand scrutiny. No more being treated like an illegal!

Amazing Food House: A food house that upgrades through earning a certain currency. Its produce comes with special effects. The more dishes the owner unlocks and the higher their level, the more precious and advanced the effects become. Still envious of others' personal systems? Now you have one too!

"Can we leave now?"

Just as Ji Xinghai was contentedly looking at his three ultimate equipment cards, silently admiring his work, that annoying electronic voice appeared again, causing all the students to frown.

"Isn't the settlement not finished yet?" Kira, sitting closest, couldn't help but snap. Knowing they had to bow down, but feeling resentful nonetheless.

"It's okay," Ji Xinghai reassured them, "I'll be back soon."

His calm demeanor slightly eased the students' frustration. If it were him...

"Come back soon."

He paused, vaguely remembering that when he left this world as a child, his parents' last words were 'come back soon.'

"...Okay."

He said okay, and then his figure gradually faded until it vanished completely.