Chapter 197: Final Sprint

The first round of the internal test for Breaking Dawn concluded with an overwhelming victory for the blue team, led by Mu Qing and her five teammates.

After the match ended, everyone exited the custom map "Twisted Forest."

The screen transitioned into a long black screen as they waited to exit the game.

After about ten minutes, a semi-transparent screen appeared in front of everyone, including Feng Qi, who was spectating.

The screen displayed the battle statistics for the match.

In addition to the kill count comparison, there were statistics on team damage output, individual damage output, damage taken, assist kills, healing numbers, buff status values, and so on.

By scrolling down the screen, players could see their individual spell usage and efficiency as well.

Each player's overall performance was also rated.

The rating was divided into seven tiers (S, A, B, C, D, E, F), ranked from highest to lowest.

Furthermore, the title of "Best Player" was awarded to the player with the highest overall rating, and this title appeared as a pendant next to their game name.

There was no surprise in this match.

Mu Qing received an S rating and earned the "Best Player" pendant.

Everyone accepted this without any objections.

They continued to scroll through the battle statistics, examining the details of their performance during the match.

From these statistics, they could clearly see their contributions and shortcomings, allowing them to make targeted improvements in future training.

At the bottom of the battle statistics window, there was an option for match replay.

Since this was a custom mode match, there was no change in the ranking points.

After clicking "Exit," Feng Qi created a group chat in the friends list and pulled all the students into the chat.

Feng Qi: How did you all feel?

Lin Ran: I've been emotionally wrecked. It was a complete one-sided crushing. It felt like pure torture. Next time, I want to be on the same team as Mu Qing.

Jia Yi: +1

Yang Xiaoxin: +2

Yan Fu: +3

Hui Xu: +10086

Lü Yue: This game is really meaningful. Although there is no "Sword Intent" to use in the game, this back-to-basics training has really helped improve my sword skills. Can we play another round?

Hui Xu: @Lü Yue, big brother, stop. It's almost dinner time.

Mu Qing: It's pretty fun. I feel like controlling my strength in the game is easier than in real life. In real life, I always have to hold back, which feels awkward. But in the game, I can just let it all go. (smiling face.jpg)

Hui Xu: @Mu Qing, after you've been tormenting us, you say something so casual? How can you say such Versailles things? Don't you feel guilty? Can you even sleep at night?

Cai Guo: Haha, it's my first time feeling this happy as a support. Mu Qing is just too strong. Love her, love her, what a godly teammate.

Xu Hongyun: I was just a bystander the whole time. They told me to protect Cai Guo, but I was just standing there the whole time. I wanted to contribute to the team too. (T_T)

Jia Yi: This game is great, but the unbalanced combat really makes you go crazy. Thankfully, there will be a ranking system later. Otherwise, playing a few rounds every day would either mean crushing newbies or being crushed. If you're unlucky and face someone like Mu Qing who can totally steamroll you, your mentality would definitely collapse.

Xia Long: (grinning big.jpg) @Yan Fu, after dinner let's start another custom match and have a 1v1 to settle the score.

…

After some casual chatting, Feng Qi glanced at the time.

It was already 5:30.

He motioned for everyone to get ready for dinner and then opened the function options list and clicked on "Exit Game."

About five minutes later, he slowly opened his eyes.

The nutrient solution in the game pod began to visibly decrease.

These nutrient solutions were disposable. After the player left the game pod, the used solution was directed to the sewage pipes and could not be reused, so it had to be replenished regularly.

Since the nutrient solution was a diluted product produced by the Crimson Research Institute, it was relatively cheap and could sustain a player for three days of normal gameplay.

However, the nutrient solution only replenished nutrition; it did not curb hunger.

When the nutrient solution in the game pod was emptied, the connecting tubes attached to the game server automatically detached and were stored away.

As the game pod opened upward, Feng Qi bent over and stepped out of the pod.

Turning around, he saw that Lin Ran and the others' game pods were also opening, and they were all stepping out one by one.

"Let's change clothes first, then head to the cafeteria for dinner. After that, we'll continue training," Feng Qi said as he walked toward a nearby room.

Lin Ran and the others immediately followed him.

As for Mu Qing, Cai Guo, and Yang Xiaoxin, they went to another room to change clothes.

Ten minutes later, everyone gathered outside the gymnasium and started walking toward the academy's dining hall.

Along the way, the conversation was dominated by discussions about Breaking Dawn. Even Lü Yue, who was usually quiet and reserved, showed keen interest and casually suggested, "Why don't we pull an all-nighter tonight?"

Their firsthand experience had unveiled the profound significance behind the game. Problems that had plagued universities for years—particularly the lack of effective training methods for combat scenarios—would soon be resolved with the implementation of Breaking Dawn.

Beyond that, this game could significantly enhance a cultivator's mastery over techniques and refine their combat instincts. Thus, they, like Feng Qi, were brimming with anticipation for its official release.

They could already envision the grand scenes of numerous cultivators participating in ranked competitive matches. The thought alone was exhilarating.

Feng Qi, walking at the back of the group, smiled as he watched the chatter. Breaking Dawn, more than just a game, was a training ground for humanity's warriors, a fusion of entertainment and strategic preparation.

This was precisely why he was so eager to bring it to fruition. The groundwork was now laid; he only needed the seeds he had planted to grow and flourish, carving out a new future in the river of history. His hope for the future was unwavering.

By the time they arrived at the dining hall, it was already past six o'clock.

Hungry, everyone grabbed their trays and began picking their meals. Being autumn, the cafeteria had introduced a seasonal delicacy: hairy crabs. Unlike before the calamities, the crabs of this era were farm-raised yet equally delectable.

The self-serve crab station was bustling with students. To meet the demand, the chefs at the back of the cafeteria worked diligently, frequently bringing out steaming pots of freshly prepared crabs.

Not one to miss out on such a treat, Feng Qi promptly picked three crabs from the freshly served pot and placed them on his tray. The crabs disappeared quickly; a pot would barely hit the serving station before it was emptied.

Eating hairy crabs wouldn't be complete without a proper dipping sauce, or they'd lose their "soul." Feng Qi headed to the condiment section in the middle of the cafeteria and grabbed a small bowl. He mixed some pre-chopped scallions, ginger, garlic, and red chili peppers, then added soy sauce and vinegar. With a quick stir using communal chopsticks, he carried his tray to the dining hall's northern corner and took a seat.

Shortly after, Lin Ran, Mu Qing, and the other students arrived one by one. The northern corner of the dining hall had become their informal gathering spot.

Feng Qi was a man who took his food seriously. Grabbing a crab, he noticed its shell glistening with a layer of golden oil that had seeped from within. A light sniff revealed a faint, sweet aroma.

The ingredients supplied to Star City Academy were always of the highest quality. Suppliers reserved their best products for the academy's students because these young individuals represented the future of humanity. Thus, every crab served was top-tier.

Unbinding the string that held the crab's claws, he deftly removed the crab's stomach, gills, heart, and intestines before splitting the crab in half. Dipping it lightly in the sauce, he took a bite.

October male crabs were plump, filled with creamy roe and juicy meat. The steaming process locked in their natural flavors, and Feng Qi savored the sweetness of the crab meat as it broke apart into tender strands in his mouth. One bite left a fragrant aftertaste lingering.

He quickly devoured the first crab, meticulously extracting every bit of meat, even from the claws. Then came the second crab, and the third.

The three crabs on his tray were gone in no time. Though not entirely satisfied, he decided to focus on filling his stomach first and savoring the flavors later.

After about thirty minutes of eating, most of the group put down their utensils, their faces reflecting satisfaction. Only Feng Qi and Mu Qing continued eating.

After finishing his plate, Feng Qi returned to the serving station for another round of crabs. He enjoyed his meal while waiting for Mu Qing to finish hers.

The academy's logistics team had clearly anticipated the students' enthusiasm for crabs. There was an abundant supply, though the chef team struggled to keep up with the demand.

By the time the clock struck 7:20, Mu Qing finally stopped eating, her face glowing with a satisfied, slightly dazed smile.

"Let's take a walk on the track first," Feng Qi suggested as he stood, tray in hand. "At eight, we'll log back into Breaking Dawn for combat training. I'll also reassign the red and blue teams for the next round."

Ten minutes later, Lin Ran and the others stood up as well, following Feng Qi to the tray return area.

Exiting the cafeteria, they were greeted by the night sky, shrouded in darkness. The campus streetlights had already turned on, casting a warm reddish glow and attracting swarms of mosquitoes that danced around the lights in clusters.

Feng Qi led the group to the sports field, where they strolled and chatted idly. By eight o'clock, they returned to the gymnasium.

If Star City Academy's library was the busiest place at night, then the gymnasium was undoubtedly the second. Students on the path of physical cultivation frequently came here in the evenings for specialized training.

If not for the gym's superior soundproofing, anyone walking by at night would still hear the shouts and groans of students engaged in intense exercises.

Following the corridor within the gymnasium, they arrived at Room 1019. Feng Qi flipped on the lights, and everyone entered the changing area to put on their game suits.

A new round of combat training was about to begin.

The previous training session had made Feng Qi acutely aware of Mu Qing's significant impact as a game-changer. Therefore, after logging into the game and creating a custom room, he placed himself, Mu Qing, and Lin Ran on the red team while assigning the other ten students to the blue team.

Joining the fray personally, Feng Qi intended not only to train Lü Yue and the others in real combat scenarios but also to hone his own skills. As for the disparity in strength between the two sides, with Mu Qing in the mix, Feng Qi wasn't particularly worried.

The goal of the upcoming session was to enhance the team's coordination and teach the students how to find their optimal roles in a group setting.

After about 20 minutes of preparation and setup, the match officially began. This time, the randomized map was Cloud Peak Ridge. The map featured mountaintops shrouded in thick clouds, with a crimson sun hanging in the sky, creating a breathtakingly beautiful scene.

The new battle commenced amidst this picturesque landscape.

Over the next two days, Feng Qi led the students through intense simulated combat training. Each match was immediately followed by another. Other than class and meal breaks, they spent the rest of their time in Room 1019 of the gymnasium.

The results of the training were evident. Each student gradually found their role within the team.

Lü Yue and Yang Xiaoxin emerged as the team's primary damage dealers.

Yan Yue took on the role of the team's main tank, enduring heavy damage for his teammates.

The Xia brothers became supporting players, assisting the primary damage dealers in their offensive maneuvers.

Cai Guo, as the sole healer, was tasked with providing buffs, healing injuries, and restoring stamina.

Xu Hongyun and Hui Xu were assigned to protect the rear line, refraining from initiating attacks unless absolutely necessary. They also prioritized sacrificing themselves when needed to protect the core damage dealers.

Lastly, Jia Yi played a unique role as the team's "special support." Specializing in formation techniques, he could adapt his abilities to either assist or attack. He was also capable of using formations to counter enemy spell attacks or set up traps for ambushes.

Over the two days, the team's awareness of group dynamics matured significantly, and their coordination improved noticeably.

Initially, their voice chat channels were filled with complaints and blame-shifting. Everyone, except for the usually quiet Lü Yue, blamed their defeats on their "pig teammates" rather than acknowledging their own shortcomings. After every match, arguments broke out as they hurled verbal jabs at one another.

This was, of course, not what Feng Qi wanted to see.

Thus, after each match, he would debrief the team alongside Lin Ran and Mu Qing. Together, they analyzed why the team had failed, identified areas for improvement, and provided targeted advice.

Through such rigorous training, the group's ability to work together in team battles improved by leaps and bounds. They learned to quickly determine their roles and responsibilities at the start of a fight rather than running around aimlessly like headless chickens.

The intense training sessions also yielded significant progress in the students' spellcasting proficiency.

Take Cai Guo, for instance. Over the two days, she repeatedly practiced casting a buff spell called Spirit of Nature. She gradually mastered its release mechanism, and when she attempted to replicate the spell's trajectory outside the game, she succeeded one or two times out of ten.

While the spell's simplicity played a role in her progress, it also demonstrated that Breaking Dawn was an effective tool for helping players (or cultivators) enhance their spellcasting precision and even learn new spells altogether.

On the third day, with only two days remaining until the Freshman Championship, Feng Qi adjusted the training method. This time, he moved Lin Ran, Mu Qing, and himself to the spectator seats, while setting up 200 AI opponents for the students to face.

Although the AI lacked intelligence and struggled to display optimal combat effectiveness in a simulation as realistic as the game, they compensated with sheer numbers and flawless spellcasting precision.

The Freshman Championship featured other participating classes with numbers several times greater than their combat-oriented Class Three. This exercise was designed to prepare the students for battling outnumbered.

The results were remarkable. The training of the past few days bore fruit as Lü Yue and the others performed exceptionally well against the 200 AI opponents.

In seven matches, they managed to win two—a feat accomplished without Lü Yue utilizing his sword aura techniques.

These victories bolstered Feng Qi's confidence in the upcoming Freshman Championship.