The island, shrouded in white mist, storms, and whirlpools, had changed dramatically compared to before.
With the combined efforts of hundreds of Awakened, various construction machinery, and a few engineering puppets, the base was almost fully built, if not completely.
Many training equipment and facilities were transported directly from the headquarters' secret realm, some even entire buildings.
Luo Jianxing didn't quite understand how they were transported. He only saw the base changing daily, with transformations that were nothing short of earth-shattering.
And it wasn't just cold, sterile buildings here.
In the center of the island, a massive pit had suddenly appeared a few days prior, as if blasted out by some immense power, yet its edges were incredibly smooth and neat. By today, this huge crater had transformed into a lake. Sunlight shimmered on its surface, and fish could be seen swimming within. Pavilions and boardwalks were built along its banks, with weeping willows swaying gently. If Luo Jianxing hadn't witnessed the island's changes day by day, he would never have believed that just a week ago, it was vast stretches of barren land.
This was the speed of Xin Huo, the change of the new era!
And he, as one of the first graduates of the Xin Huo training camp, would teach the newcomers what it meant to be a senior!
Ahem, he was mainly in charge of the welcome reception.
"Let's go, I can't wait to see the surprised expressions of the newbies," Luo Jianxing said.
He handed over the finishing touches of controlling the诡器 Bai Wu Zhi Jing to another official Xin Huo member, then beckoned, leading over a dozen staff from the 'Newcomer Reception' to the airport.
Xin Huo recruited newcomers very differently from the Investigation Bureau.
The Investigation Bureau was currently selecting only from university students, with plans to gradually expand the scope. Xin Huo's selection had no prerequisites; anyone, regardless of age or gender, could be chosen. Among the newcomers arriving at the base were pure novices, 'insiders' with some understanding of the mystical world, and even诡邪 hunters who were already part of the circle.
But whether they were ordinary novices or诡邪 hunters, in Luo Jianxing's eyes, they were all tender newcomers.
Today, they would understand what strength, reality, organization, and responsibility were.
...
At the airport,
With a low roar, the plane landed on the spacious runway. The spoilers on the wings popped up with a bang, and the plane decelerated, gliding to a complete stop shortly after.
The cabin door opened, and the newcomers filed out, descending the stairs.
"Newcomers, welcome to the Xin Huo Pacific Training Base."
"You will spend a very unforgettable time here."
Luo Jianxing raised his lips, spreading his arms.
A unique aura of power emanated from him, stirring the wind and scattering the dust.
Seeing the newcomers stunned, Luo Jianxing felt a surge of pleasure, like taking a gulp of iced drink on a hot summer day.
This was the joy of a master.
He maintained a faint smile and, as he led Ye Luo and others to the newcomer reception area by car, he said, "You students should have all read the instructions about newcomer training on your phones. If you haven't, don't ask; that's your own problem."
Luo Jianxing clasped his arms and scanned their faces.
"I'll go over a few things now."
"First, your phones will be activated. After activation, you'll be able to use most of their functions, take on some low-level missions, and exchange for many magical items or time in special cultivation grounds."
"But to obtain these things, a prerequisite is needed... yes, contribution points."
"In our training base, contribution points are everything! As long as you have enough contribution points, you can even awaken immediately if you wish."
Hiss—
Many people's breathing quickened.
The most captivating matter in all of Dong Huang, and even the world, was awakening!
Xin Huo indeed had a way to awaken, and it seemed to be achievable in one step!
"Then, how can we get contribution points? Can we exchange them with Huang Yuan? Can one hundred million buy... can it exchange for an awakening slot?" a lavishly dressed teenager asked impatiently.
Luo Jianxing almost lost his composure.
Were today's youths so wealthy? Damn it, as the director of the reception, how could he be stumped by a mere youngster? Moreover...
The corners of his mouth curled up into a disdainful sneer.
"Hmph, times have changed, young man. Precious contribution points are not something that can be exchanged for with Huang Yuan. Not only can they not be exchanged, but trading contribution points and any attempt to take shortcuts are strictly forbidden."
"If you want to earn contribution points? Then show your determination. The organization has provided you with three channels to obtain them."
"The first is that as new trainees, you will receive a varying amount of contribution points. The reason for the variation is that some of you are ordinary people, while others are already first-level Awakened. Your strength and rating differ, so your treatment will naturally differ."
"If you feel your treatment is low, then compete for it. Everything in the training base is about performance!"
"Those who perform excellently in training will receive rewards from the organization, as well as awards for Best Progress, Rookie of the Year, trial breakthroughs, and other bonuses."
"This is the second way to earn contribution points, and the most suitable one for you. The third is, yes, some of you have already noticed. You can earn some contribution points by picking up missions from the mission module on your student phones."
"However, you are only trainees now, and you cannot take on many missions. Diligently training and cultivating is what you should be doing at this stage."
"A word of advice: the strong always remain strong."
"Work hard to become stronger, newcomers. I'll be waiting for you on the road ahead."
Luo Jianxing smiled.
Looking at these newcomers, he felt as if he were back to when he was a newcomer himself... Oh, it was only a little over a month ago. Never mind.
Luo Jianxing led the newcomers to familiarize themselves with a few important areas – the dormitory area and the dining area.
As for the training areas? There were too many; instructors would guide them later.
"All dormitories are single rooms, equipped with bedding, toothbrushes, clothes, etc. They are all brand new. Of course, if you want anything extra, you can buy it on the island, but... the only currency usable here is contribution points."
"Training courses will begin tomorrow. You are free to move around today. Oh, and there's a welcome ceremony specifically arranged for you this afternoon to broaden your horizons."
Luo Jianxing and his group departed.
He had another batch of newcomers to guide.
Well, the truly exciting part was in the afternoon; it would surely leave an unforgettable memory for the newcomers. He was really looking forward to it!
...
Ye Luo walked into his single dormitory room.
The interior decoration was simple and unpretentious, but for him, it was already luxurious. Compared to the four-person, six-person, or twelve-person dormitories in university, the conditions here were more than generous.
He heard that the decorations and furniture in the room could be changed according to one's preference.
The prerequisite was having sufficient contribution points.
Ye Luo himself would certainly not use precious contribution points for meaningless things. His purpose in coming here was to cultivate and become stronger, to possess the power to protect his family.
Harsh conditions would be more appropriate... Uh, but the current conditions didn't seem harsh at all.
"Accommodation is completely free, as is food, with unlimited supply as long as you don't waste food."
"Most of the cultivation facilities here can be used freely, and you will receive a new trainee fund weekly. These contribution points can be used to exchange for more valuable items and opportunities."
He had heard this from Senior Sister Nan at the Baiyun City office.
Just now, that very strong man had emphasized it again. With a mixture of nervousness and anticipation, Ye Luo opened the built-in exchange list app on his student phone.
He heard that what they, as trainees, could exchange was only a small portion of it.
To exchange for more, they had to work hard and contribute, raising their honor level within the organization. He seemed to be level zero now? Uh... below zero.
Below unofficial, at the trainee level, and among the trainee level, he was a newcomer.
But, the items displayed in the exchange list were dazzling. Especially the efficacy descriptions; Ye Luo's eyes widened after a couple of glances, unable to look away, his breathing gradually quickening.
"Physical enhancement potion. Just one bottle can significantly improve physique without any side effects."
"Skill Seed. It contains various skill inheritances. After using it and practicing regularly, you can gain additional abilities besides your awakened ability! Hiss—"
"It can also be used to purchase powerful awakened weapons, special foods, tickets to special cultivation grounds, and so on."
"Are these all real?"
The descriptions of the effects were too exaggerated, especially the Skill Seed, which could grant additional abilities and seemed to have no limitations!
Was this reasonable? This was almost cheating!
But Ye Luo didn't think it was fake. There was no point in deceiving a pure novice like him, besides...
"The prices listed here are too cheap. For things like the physical enhancement potion and basic awakened weapons, I can buy them directly."
"Coming to this Xin Huo training base is definitely the most correct decision of my life!"
Ye Luo felt fortunate.
He certainly wouldn't have been able to obtain these treasures during his training at the Investigation Bureau. However, the Investigation Bureau was the core department of Dong Huang, so they must have similar secret medicines and skill seeds. Perhaps he would have a chance to obtain them after becoming a full-time member.
Ye Luo met a few fellow residents, all newcomers who had arrived at the base in the same batch.
They were not only from Baiyun Province but also from Yunling Province, Baichuan Province, Huangdu, and other places. In total, this batch of trainees numbered several hundred, including a small number of foreigners.
In the afternoon,
This batch of newcomers gathered at the designated location, their faces filled with anticipation.
"Newcomer welcome ceremony! Will there be talent shows or something?"
"Heh, you're overthinking it. This is a training base, not some ivory tower campus."
"I heard that at the Investigation Bureau's training welcome ceremony, some Awakened masters demonstrated their skills. Will it be like that here too? Finally, I'll get to see an Awakened in action."
Ye Luo was also looking forward to it.
Although he was an Awakened, the types of awakened abilities were numerous, each with its own characteristics. He wanted to see more, and besides, it was a welcome ceremony specially arranged for them by the Xin Huo organization, so it must have something special.
In the crowd, newcomers looked expectant, excited, or expressionless.
Luo Jianxing strode over, scanning the faces of hundreds of newcomers.
His lips curved upwards; he, too, was filled with anticipation.
"Let's go, newcomers. From now on, you will personally experience what the reality of the world is."