32: cooperate

"What should I do? I'm only Rank 3 'Body'. I was lucky to even be recruited into Luo Jiang Academy. I feel like Brother Qing was talking about me."

"Me too."

Many people unconsciously projected themselves into the situation.

There were many in the group who were only Rank 3 'Martial' or 'Spirit', along with some special recruits who were Rank 2 'Technique'. These people were destined for the Lower Academy.

Li Fangnan was also thinking. In Linhai County, he actually hadn't been qualified for recruitment because Jiang Peng only went there on a whim and stated he would only accept Rank 3 'Technique'. Li Fangnan wasn't originally under consideration.

But because of his grandfather's connections, he was still brought along.

Before coming, Li Fangnan believed he wouldn't be weaker than anyone else. Once he obtained a high-level Qi Absorption Method, he would surely rise.

But over these past two days, he had been hit hard by Xiao Weiqing—crushed in almost every aspect.

Luo Jiang Academy was indeed full of Geniuses.

Li Fangnan: "Brother Qing, since you put it that way, you must have a countermeasure, right? Please guide us."

"Yeah, Brother Qing, teach us."

Xiao Weiqing said, "I wouldn't dare call it guidance, but I have some immature ideas for everyone's reference."

"I noticed that in the assessment area, many geographical locations are pocket-shaped. You can make use of those."

Zhu Dong: "Tell us more."

"It's the same method I used this afternoon, but you can block the mouth of the pocket. If any Dragon Fish over three feet long come by, let them go. Don't let them get a single bit of Spiritual Qi from you. For Dragon Fish under three feet, lure them into the pocket."

"Then you'll have a relatively safe and enclosed space, giving you enough time to outwit those Dragon Fish under three feet. There will always be a chance to catch them. You can fail countless times, but the Dragon Fish only needs to fail once."

Li Fangnan said, "I've seen the terrain you mentioned, but how can one person do it? It would take at least dozens of people."

"Cooperation."

"Cooperation?"

"Yes."

"Won't this be considered cheating?"

Xiao Weiqing said, "No. The assessment only states that transferring Dragon Fish and points is not allowed; it doesn't say you can't cooperate. There are quite a few of those special pocket terrains, and many even look man-made. I think they're meant for us to use for cooperation."

Zhu Dong said, "Makes sense. Otherwise, with our current strength, I really can't think of any other way to earn points."

"I think we can try it tomorrow morning, because based on this morning's situation, we probably wouldn't catch any Dragon Fish anyway."

"Sure, I think it's worth a try too."

Zhu Dong's words gained everyone's approval.

Trying wasn't a bad thing.

Qin Sheng said, "Then it's settled. In the morning, those of us with points will go try the method Xiao Weiqing mentioned. The rest will go feed the Dragon Fish fry. Once you have points, join us."

"Good."

Having said what needed to be said, Xiao Weiqing left the group and continued to Cultivate.

Yesterday, his Qi Fire had been refined to 136 strands. Tonight, he would strive for 170... The third day.

Early morning.

The new Trainees of Luo Jiang Academy.

Like a surging tide, they moved toward the harbor and boarded the aircraft to the Dragon Fish Platform.

Everyone was already familiar with the routine—those who needed to rent fishing rods did so, and those who needed to feed Dragon Fish fry did so.

Xiao Weiqing arrived at yesterday's Dragon Fish Platform and continued to domesticate his small Dragon Fish. He wondered if the ones from yesterday were still there.

It would be best if they were; if not, he would have to spend some extra effort.

Qin Sheng and the others took over a dozen people and found a pocket terrain like the one Xiao Weiqing had described.

However, they were a bit short-handed. It would have been better if there were twenty more people.

Qin Sheng said, "This is the spot. Let's try it first. If anyone's Spiritual Qi is low and they need to recover, speak up in advance. Everyone work hard this morning; it'll be much easier in the afternoon with more people."

Outwitting Dragon Fish over three feet at the mouth of the pocket was definitely harder work, but with about ten of them, they could hold the mouth if they endured. It was all for points—they would give it their all.

"Let's go! We must avenge our shame today."

"Right, at least catch one Dragon Fish."

As summer approached, the weather grew hotter.

On a section of the Dragon Fish Platform on the Luo River, figures moved about. Thousands of people held fishing rods, constantly casting and reeling, occasionally pulling up a Dragon Fish.

The red sun in the sky rose and set.

A day passed in the blink of an eye.

The third day of the assessment was about to come to a close.

At this time, the Anqiu City group was buzzing with excitement.

People were constantly posting photos of the Dragon Fish they had caught.

"I caught one! One foot seven, 26 points, Hahaha..."

"I finally don't have to feed Dragon Fish fry anymore. If I had to feed them any more, I'd have to use my toes. This wasn't easy for me."

"Tell me about it. One foot three—it's more exciting to me than a three-foot-one catch. I'm finally off the mark."

Xiao Weiqing said, "Looks like everyone had a good harvest today."

"Thanks to Brother Qing, more than half of us here had a harvest today. Tomorrow, we finally don't have to feed Dragon Fish fry."

"Exactly. Last night I even dreamed about Dragon Fish nibbling on my fingers. Thanks, Brother Qing."

They had tried Xiao Weiqing's method today, and it was indeed effective. By noon, many people had already caught Dragon Fish.

In the afternoon, the remaining Trainees from Anqiu City joined in, and the effect was even more obvious.

Batches of smaller Dragon Fish were lured into the pocket. After nurturing them for an hour, they caught a third of the Dragon Fish.

If they hadn't been afraid of scaring the Dragon Fish away, they would have caught even more.

If they had this kind of harvest every day, at least ten of them could join the Middle Academy. One only needed 400 points to enter the Middle Academy.

"Brother Qing is incredible!"

"Brother Qing, how was your harvest today?"

Xiao Weiqing posted a photo of the Dragon Fish he caught in the group.

"Not bad. Two. One is two feet nine, the other is three feet four."

"Wow, amazing!"

"90 plus 140, minus the 30 for the rod, a net profit of 200 points. Brother Qing, the Upper Academy is in sight."

"That's for sure. Brother Qing will definitely enter the Upper Academy with ease."

Xiao Weiqing said, "I don't know how the next few days will go, but thanks for the kind words."

...Night fell.

After everyone had dinner.

Representatives from Luohe City, Donglin City, and Yueshan City suddenly arrived at Building L11, saying they had something to discuss.

Anqiu City sent a few people to meet them in the first-floor lobby.

Qin Sheng said, "Is there something you need?"

Fang Lingyun from Luohe City spoke:

"Indeed. After three days at the Dragon Fish Platform, I think Anqiu City is well aware of the current situation."

"No need to deny it. Near the end of today, I saw you were already experimenting with cooperation, and you, Qin Sheng, even succeeded in catching a two-foot-five Dragon Fish. Many people saw the harvest your Anqiu City reaped."

Fang Lingyun was direct. He was referring to the attempt Qin Sheng and the others made in the afternoon based on Xiao Weiqing's speculation. Although it wasn't perfect, it proved to be feasible and highly effective.

Qin Sheng and the others were indeed planning to pick a better geographical location tomorrow.

Qin Sheng said with a straight face, "And?"

"Let's cooperate and maximize our advantage."

Qin Sheng and Xiao Weiqing looked at each other. "Tell us your thoughts."

Fang Lingyun said, "It's simple. Each of our cities will provide people proportionally to expand the area. For the remaining central fishing area, we'll pick a few of the strongest people to compete based on their own abilities."

"This way, it's possible to ensure we have a chance to enter the Upper Academy. Even if we can't get into the Upper Academy, we can still enter the Middle Academy."

"Then what about the rest of the people?"