52: The trial begins

“No worries, you just need to do as I say.”

“Yes.”

Li Ning and Wang Jing bowed and departed.

Liu Jiangyi’s brows were tightly furrowed.

He knew very well that convincing the leading teachers of the Medical Academy to cooperate with the Combat Academy was only the beginning.

What truly determined the trial’s outcome were the students of the two academies.

The accumulated resentment between the students was far deeper than that between the teachers.

After all, it was their lives on the line; the teachers were powerful and most could retreat safely.

So even if the teachers from both academies wanted their students to cooperate, in the face of true life-and-death crises, whether they could avoid betraying each other and trust each other still required time to change.

“Jiang Ge, thank you…”

Shen Bing’s grateful voice pulled Liu Jiangyi’s thoughts back to reality.

Liu Jiangyi shook his head and sighed, “It’s just the beginning. There’s no need for excessive thanks.”

“I still have some prestige in the Medical Academy, so once we enter the Dimensional Trial Grounds, the Medical Academy will definitely be more cooperative with me there.”

“I’ve done almost everything I can. How the Combat Academy students act is up to you.”

“Understood, I will do my best!” Shen Bing nodded heavily, her eyes filled with determination.

…

The convoy set off.

Half an hour later, the convoy arrived at its destination.

City 39 Dimensional Trial Grounds Teleportation Platform.

Huge steel girders crisscrossed, gleaming with a cold metallic luster.

Above, several massive energy rings floated.

Below, the teleportation platform, large enough to accommodate hundreds of people, was empty.

In the center of the teleportation platform, a Formation flickering with runes was in a semi-activated state, not rapidly rotating as Liu Jiangyi had first seen it.

Around the teleportation platform, a hundred men and women in black uniforms, bearing black Dragon badges on their chests, had sealed off a 300-meter radius around the platform.

They all exuded an aura of stern killing intent; they were members of City 39’s Demon Suppression Division!

In front of the teleportation platform.

Director Shen Wanqian of the Demon Suppression Division stood there alone, yet he was like an unshakeable mountain!

300 meters away, countless city residents in ragged clothes looked enviously at the students disembarking from the bus.

They were spirited and distinguished, forming a stark contrast to these people who could barely afford food and wore tattered clothes.

In City 39, 50 percent of the population was so poor they couldn't even afford food!

Of the remaining 50 percent, 20 percent were people who could just manage to eat their fill and have a place to live.

Of the last 30 percent, 10 percent were those who possessed extensive knowledge and lived prosperous lives through non-Martial Arts means.

The other 20 percent were all Martial Artists!

Martial Artists were high above, absolutely the true power holders of City 39!

Even the lowest-ranked First-Grade Martial Artist stood out among the large number of ordinary and poor people.

“These are the true elites of City 39!”

“If I had also been admitted to the Martial Arts Academy, why would I have fallen to this?”

“My son was admitted to the Martial Arts Academy this year. I came here to earn his tuition for the second year. Even if I die, I must make my son as excellent as them!”

“These are the future pillars of City 39!”

“Bah! Just a bunch of lucky fellows, what’s there to be so smug about?”

Some praised, some cursed, some sighed, some felt sad.

In short, no one didn’t envy those who could enter the Martial Arts Academy.

In City 39, entering the Martial Arts Academy was absolutely a glorious achievement!

…

“Director Shen, we meet again.”

Liu Jiangyi and Shen Bing were in the lead car, naturally being the first to get off and approach Shen Wanqian.

“Brother Liu!”

Shen Wanqian excitedly stepped forward and grasped Liu Jiangyi’s hand, “Initially, when I heard Bing’er was going to the Dimensional Trial Grounds, as a father, I was a bit worried.”

“But when Bing’er told me you were also going, Brother Liu, my hanging heart immediately settled.”

“With Brother Liu there, Bing’er will surely return safely.”

“Hahaha, of course, Brother Shen.”

“Hahahaha, Brother!”

“Brother!”

Shen Wanqian proactively called him ‘Brother Liu’ to shorten the distance, and Liu Jiangyi immediately reciprocated by calling him ‘Brother Shen.’

This exchange of titles between them also signified a further step in their relationship.

Behind them.

Those who had gotten off the cars were all stunned to see Liu Jiangyi shaking hands so warmly with Shen Wanqian.

“Holy crap! Director Liu actually knows Director Shen?”

“Looking at them, Director Shen seems to have a good relationship with Director Liu?”

“But it’s not surprising for a distinguished person like Director Liu to know Director Shen!”

“Since Director Liu and Director Shen are on such good terms, do you think Director Shen will send people from the Demon Suppression Division to assist us?”

They only saw Shen Wanqian and Liu Jiangyi greeting each other warmly, without noticing the relationship between Shen Bing and Shen Wanqian.

Shen Bing deliberately kept her distance from Shen Wanqian, clearly not wanting others to know their relationship.

Liu Jiangyi was not surprised by this.

If the Combat Academy’s higher-ups knew about Shen Bing and Shen Wanqian’s relationship, would they still dare to use Shen Bing?

They probably wouldn’t dare even with ten times the courage.

“Brother Liu, recently, Dimensional Storms have been erupting frequently within the Dimensional Trial Grounds. Logically, it’s not a suitable time to enter for trials.”

“But the Martial Arts Academy’s traditions are hard to change, so I had no choice but to agree.”

“However, for the safety of City 39’s future hopes, I believe my Demon Suppression Division should still do something.”

With that, Shen Wanqian waved his hand to the side.

The next moment, two men and one woman, three members of the Demon Suppression Division in black uniforms, quickly walked over from the side.

All three exuded the aura of a Seventh-Grade Martial Artist, appearing quite extraordinary.

“These three will be under your command, Brother Liu, for the rest of today. No matter what, Brother Liu, you must ensure the students’ safety.”

Shen Wanqian kept emphasizing the students’ safety.

But Liu Jiangyi knew perfectly well that what he truly cared about was Shen Bing’s safety.

Otherwise, why didn’t he send people to accompany the Martial Arts Academy’s previous trials?

Dimensional Storms were indeed dangerous.

But every year, Dimensional Storms intensified in winter.

When did they start intensifying in summer?

Wasn’t this just pure nonsense?

However, Liu Jiangyi naturally had no reason to refuse this unexpected protection.

He bowed and said, “Brother Shen’s consideration is thorough. On behalf of all the Martial Arts Academy students participating in the trial, I thank Brother Shen for his help.”

“Hahaha, you’re too kind, Brother Liu.”

Shen Wanqian glanced at Shen Bing one last time, took a deep breath, and said, “It’s getting late, let’s depart.”

“Alright!”

Liu Jiangyi nodded heavily and led the students, who had already formed neat lines behind him, to stride onto the teleportation platform.