At 10 PM, at the 18th Login Gate Base in River City, China, within the Data Research Institute.

A dozen researchers were comparing data on the computers in front of them. In the center of the hall hung a massive LCD screen, displaying the status of newcomers in the Newcomer Trial.

After a moment of scrolling, the screen showed a large number of red names, marked as "Eliminated."

At this moment, an officer, accompanied by four or five subordinates, entered the institute.

Among those subordinates was the female instructor who had guided the newcomers today.

The researchers, upon seeing the visitors, were about to stand up when the officer raised his hand, gently pressing his palm down, "Continue with your work."

The person in charge, a gray-haired man, hurried over, "Commander, you're still up so late?"

The visitor was none other than Wei Ying, the commander of the Seventh Army in the River City Military District!

Wei Ying nodded with a smile. He first glanced at the big screen, and upon seeing the screen filled with red names, a trace of regret flashed in his eyes.

He then warmly asked the person in charge, "Isn't everyone else still working too, Old Li? How's the trial going?"

Old Li immediately began to report.

"This time, a total of 423 people participated in the Newcomer Trial, of which 288 are returning newcomers, and 145 are first-time participants."

"Nine and a half hours into the trial, 173 people have been eliminated, most of whom are first-time participants."

Wei Ying nodded gravely, "The first day is always the hardest, especially for newcomers... Oh, Little Lu, make sure to provide psychological counseling for those eliminated."

"Experiencing death in the Calling is indistinguishable from reality, and not everyone can endure such pain. Elimination is a double blow to these young people's minds and bodies, and they need proper counseling."

"Go to the counseling station now and take a look."

A young soldier behind Wei Ying stood at attention and saluted, "Yes, sir!" He then turned and jogged away.

Old Li continued, "Of the remaining 350 people, all have completed their class change, with 213 encountering beasts and narrowly escaping... The trial area is even more dangerous at night; who knows how many will be left by morning."

Wei Ying nodded, this situation was similar to previous years.

"Old Li, is there anyone we should pay special attention to?"

"There is!" Old Li perked up immediately, "According to the data transmitted back by the Data Watch, this time there's one Martial Apprentice and two Soldiers!"

"Oh? A Martial Apprentice and two Soldiers?" Even Wei Ying seemed a bit surprised this time.

Martial Apprentice and Soldier materials are distributed internally by the military, and obtaining these materials requires passing through multiple layers of military selection before participating in the centralized trial at the No. 1 Login Gate.

These newcomers logging in at local gates indicate they are not from the military, and the materials must have been acquired from the Black Market.

In the Black Market, Martial Apprentice and Soldier materials are extremely rare, with only one Martial Apprentice material appearing in a decade!

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"Have we found the corresponding newcomer information?"

Old Li said, "Based on the data transmitted by their Data Watches, the Martial Apprentice is Xia Shu, the eldest son of Xia Haoyu, chairman of Perpetual Energy. The two Soldiers are Sun Lu from the Sun family of Perpetual Energy and Zhu Ting from the Zhu family."

"Adding those who completed their class change in previous years, we have Huang Wei from the Huang family of Black Tortoise Military Engineering as a Martial Apprentice, and two other Soldiers. This time, there are two Martial Apprentices and four Soldiers in the Newcomer Trial!"

Wei Ying nodded, understanding that Perpetual Energy and Black Tortoise Military Engineering were essentially half-military, so it was understandable that their children obtained these materials.

"Earlier this year, under the leadership of the War God Temple of China, we conquered parts of the new area 'Dark Wasteland,' indeed resulting in more Martial Apprentice and Soldier class change materials. Various centralized cities have reported a surge in newcomers class changing to Martial Apprentices and Soldiers in recent trials."

The female officer said excitedly, "With more Martial Apprentices and Soldiers, our competitiveness on the international stage will be stronger!"

"And in the future, we'll have more people joining the fight against the Beast God!"

Wei Ying shook his head with a smile, "Lanlan, you're still too optimistic. Although we are developing, so are other countries. With the expansion of pioneering areas, the number of combat professions in other countries is also increasing."

"As far as I know, some countries have even developed entirely new professions, so the situation we face remains quite severe."

"As for dealing with the Beast God, reaching the Transcendent stage is a long way off for these newcomers."

After being corrected by the commander, Lanlan lowered her head in embarrassment, realizing she had been too quick to celebrate.

Wei Ying turned to Old Li again, "Old Li, is there any other information?"

Old Li thought for a moment and said, "From the data transmitted by the Data Watches, that's about all we can see... Oh, there's one more thing." He glanced at Lanlan.

"Lanlan, your sister Nuannuan has been in the same location as another newcomer since 9 PM, possibly indicating they're working as a team."

"Teaming up?" Su Lanlan's eyes widened in anger, "I've repeatedly told her not to team up! Not to team up! Did that brat just ignore my words?!"

Perhaps overly concerned about her sister's safety, Su Lanlan urgently asked, "Professor Li, who is she teaming up with? How strong is the other person?"

Old Li frowned, troubled, "I only know the newcomer is named Jiang Kai, and it's his first time participating in the Newcomer Trial. His Data Watch model is too old, a Golden Compass, which is already obsolete. Without the relevant data, we can only obtain his location."

A crucial piece of information Su Lanlan received was that this guy was participating in the Newcomer Trial for the first time.

"That girl, even if she wants to team up, she should find someone strong, not a newcomer... Is she out of her mind?! She definitely won't pass this time!"

Wei Ying seemed to have a special concern for Su Lanlan, patting her shoulder to comfort her, "Don't jump to conclusions yet; she hasn't been eliminated."

Su Lanlan could only mutter softly, "But it won't be long..."

Wei Ying said nothing more; in this situation, no amount of comfort would help.

"By the way, Old Li, are there any kill records?" Wei Ying changed the topic and asked.

"There are! There are three records of killing Chameleon Land Snakes, two records of Ghost Star Black-Tailed Foxes, and Huang Wei even killed a Ghost Star Six-Clawed Golden Monkey."

Wei Ying squinted slightly, deep in thought, "To be able to kill a Six-Clawed Golden Monkey, pay special attention to this Huang Wei. Also, keep an eye on the others!"

"Yes, Commander!"

Before leaving, Wei Ying paused to look at the list of surviving personnel displayed on the largest screen in the research institute, sighing softly, "Little ones, the trial has just begun, and the more terrifying challenges are yet to come."

"Run as fast as you can, escape the trial area as quickly as possible!"

...

Back when the Fearless One Data Watch was on sale for just 2999, it seemed it wasn't a coincidence...

However, there was an even worse situation.

Zhu, without a Data Watch, was completely unknown to the research institute.

In fact, Su Nuannuan not only teamed up but formed a team of three!

Su Nuannuan's medicine worked quickly, and after some time, Jiang Kai and Zhu's injuries had significantly improved.

During the rest, Su Nuannuan also made two leather shorts for Jiang Kai and Zhu.

Su Nuannuan herself washed up by the river, her face less tired, and the grime on her body gone, revealing a youthful and beautiful girl.

With a beast skin tube top and a beast skin skirt, she even had a bit of a wild look.

The three gathered to discuss their next move.

"I'm mostly fine now, so what's our next step to level up?" Zhu asked.

Jiang Kai also looked at Su Nuannuan, as it was her suggestion, perhaps she had a specific plan.

Su Nuannuan didn't shy away and said, "Among the beasts in the trial area, the easiest to kill is the Land Snake, and with antidotes, it's basically no threat to us."

Jiang Kai nodded in agreement, as they weren't confident in taking down beasts like the Human-Faced Beast.

"As for the specific plan... I haven't thought of one yet," Su Nuannuan said awkwardly.

Jiang Kai chuckled and shook his head. Well, with such a bold suggestion, she probably wouldn't have a detailed plan.

After thinking for a moment, Jiang Kai said, "Land Snakes hunt by sensing vibrations, so we can use that to attract them!"

"And there's one more thing!"

Su Nuannuan and Yuan Zhu both focused on Jiang Kai, waiting for him to continue.

"Large beasts prefer to chase after large groups, so all newcomers are likely moving towards China City. Even if they're not in teams, they're heading in the same general direction."

"If you were a hunter and the prey were all moving in one direction, you'd definitely follow the main group, right?"

Su Nuannuan and Zhu nodded; the reasoning was sound.

"The trial area's map is crescent-shaped. We logged in at the outermost edge, which is the largest area, and the closer to China City, the smaller the area, meaning beasts will be more concentrated."

"So?" Zhu asked.

"So, we go the opposite way!" Jiang Kai said, "This way, we can avoid large beasts like Black Panthers and Shadowless Wolves to the greatest extent! They'll be more focused on chasing the main group and might overlook us. Plus, with a larger area and dispersed beasts, we'll be safer!"

After Jiang Kai's analysis, Su Nuannuan couldn't help but take another look at him.

She had chosen to team up with Jiang Kai and Zhu for several reasons: her own poor condition, and the fact that they had managed to kill a Human-Faced Beast, but she didn't know much about their other abilities.

However, Jiang Kai's plan to go against the grain made her see him in a new light.

Coming back to her senses, Su Nuannuan said, "There's one more thing, Calling experience is distributed based on kills, so I think we should focus on leveling one person first."

After speaking, Su Nuannuan looked at Jiang Kai, "You have a kill record from before, and your upgrades yield the most benefits, so I suggest you level up first."

Zhu immediately agreed, "Yes, Kai, you level up first!"

Jiang Kai didn't refuse; Su Nuannuan's suggestion was the most rational.

Taking a deep breath, Jiang Kai stood up and said to his companions, "Alright, then, let's start hunting now!"