I Became the Alchemy Master by Picking Up Trash-Chapter 85 - 84: Preliminary Round (Part 2)

Harlessas Hall, the giant light screen is divided into over seven hundred small blocks, providing real-time monitoring of all participating teams’ activities.

Wen Dao took a sip of hot tea and lazily asked, "Have all the teams been teleported inside?"

Luo Jun, while casually filing his nails, answered nonchalantly, "Hmm, some quick ones have already collected Crystal Stones."

"Is that so, not bad."

Wen Dao held the cup handle with one hand and supported the bottom with the other, fearing it would break again. Managing to wheedle a Crystal Cup from Elder Ji was the pinnacle of his life achievements. Without exaggeration, this cup represented his verbal battles against intellectuals, a trophy meant to be taken to the grave. He couldn’t let it break.

"Which team has been teleported the furthest away? Can they still compete?"

Every year, there are unlucky students who get teleported to places too far to possibly complete the competition or end up in a Star Beast den and have no choice but to forfeit.

Luo Jun chuckled, pointed at a corner of the large screen, and said gleefully, "The unlucky ones are over there this year, Principal, you see for yourself!"

"It’s them, huh?"

Wen Dao rubbed his eyes, confirmed his vision, and felt a sense of regret. This team had a complete range of professions, and all four members had high talents. Before the competition, they were favorites to win, but unfortunately, luck wasn’t on their side.

"Teacher Luo, lift the signal block on their AI, call them back." Since nothing could be done anymore, there’s no need to wait until disqualification after seven days. The Star Beast Forest is dangerous; it’s wise to teleport them back soon.

Luo Jun didn’t move, staring at the screen at the few teenagers, saying, "Principal, let’s make a bet, let’s wager a high-grade Energy Stone; I say they will definitely advance."

"Oh—?"

Wen Dao’s eyes darted, he stared at the small screen at the four for a while, then suddenly laughed: "Hehe, isn’t it a coincidence! I also think they aren’t likely to give up easily, Teacher Luo, if we see it the same way, there’s no need for a bet, right."

Luo Jun: "..."

What a load of crap! Just now he asked her to call them, but hearing about a bet, he changed his mind? She figured it out; when it comes to money, this old geezer wouldn’t get involved!

"Eh? Why are they heading north? Isn’t that getting farther away?" Professor Zhou Song of the Rune Department adjusted his semi-circular spectacles, asking in surprise, "Could they have got the direction wrong?"

In the forest, determining direction is basic for talisman masters. Qi Ming is a student of his department—if he makes such a basic mistake, might as well drop out, it’d ruin the Rune Department’s reputation!

"No, they want to go to Peterson River first, then use the river, letting it carry them downstream!" Wen Dao, worthy of being the principal, swiftly guessed Li Xing and their team’s plan.

"Tsk, these kids, they’re way too bold! Don’t they know the water system is more dangerous than land? Even the low-level Water Beasts’ evasion instincts could give them a headache!" Director Jin of the Healing Master Department shook his head, not approving of the students’ adventurous acts.

Wen Dao also thinks ’Team Defiance’ might be rushing things, but they haven’t breached the competition rules, and the school has no right to interfere with their decisions. He could only ask, "Professor Zhou, have all students’ Transmission Arrays been checked?"

"Principal, rest assured, I’ve personally checked every Transmission Array; there’s absolutely no problem." The old professor adjusted his glasses again, looking somewhat proud. In terms of Teleportation Array mastery, in all Harlesas, he ranks second, no one dares to claim first.

On every participating student’s school uniform is a small Teleportation Array, which can transport students to a safe location in case of danger—it’s the school’s amulet for students, greatly reducing casualty rates.

Wen Dao nodded: "That’s good. Since they haven’t given up, let’s continue watching the show."

The wedge formation is the combat team’s most commonly used advancement tactic: one leads at the front, two on the sides, and the weakest positioned in the middle of the team for protection.

There’s an unwritten rule: the central position belongs to the Healing Master because their numbers are fewest, and compared to martial masters and talisman masters, Healing Masters have more fragile physiques, needing protection.

The Healing Master of ’Team Defiance’ is Li Xing; she could one-shot a level-twelve Mad Goblin—involving her in the middle is a waste of Combat Power. Hence, Qi Ming was elected as the "team darling" by three votes, replacing Li Xing, taking the central position.

All the way, Qi Ming continuously released spiritual power, determined direction, directing where Li Xing in the wedge position should advance. Sometimes, before he said to turn, Li Xing adjusted direction automatically, leaving Qi Ming puzzled.

After running for several hours, they finally heard the sound of rushing water, turned past a dense forest, and a river so wide it seemed impossible to see the opposite shore suddenly appeared before the four.

Cui Tianxiao’s eyes widened: "What the hell, is this a river?"

Can’t blame Cui Tianxiao for being surprised; even Li Xing didn’t expect the thin, winding line on the map to turn out as such a flowing, abundant watercourse.

Ye Qingting: "Peterson River during the flood season is three times wider than usual, and the water level has also risen considerably. High water level benefits us, the raft won’t hit the bottom and fall apart. Let’s go, cut trees!"

Ye Qingting turned back to the dense woods, beginning to chop. The others joined in crafting rafts.

Li Xing wielded the Heavenly Wolf Saber, backed by the tempered physique from the Eternal Green Technique; she was practically a chopping machine devoid of emotions.

With a gentle swing of the saber, a large tree was cut in half. After a few more chops, the logs were transformed into appropriately thick and thin planks. Li Xing felt she’d just warmed up when the planks had piled on the ground.

Qi Ming’s Golden Elemental Spirit also found its place, releasing Elemental Power, crafting numerous boat nails. Cui Tianxiao and Ye Qingting were responsible for firmly nailing Li Xing’s chopped planks together.

Originally, the four just planned to make a raft for temporary use, but since the planks Li Xing chopped were so plentiful and precise, even roasted to a nice waterproof charred finish.

With handy materials, the work flowed smoothly, and in a short time, they crafted a wooden boat, even fitted with a cabin.

The four pushed the wooden boat into the water, jumped on board, and embarked on their drifting adventure on Peterson River.

//Eh, is this live stream still active? ’Team Defiance’ hasn’t forfeited yet?//

//Are they just giving up and dragging until the competition ends?//

//Any activity not aiming for the championship is a scam! Strongly demand the admin to close this live stream, stop deceiving viewers!//

//Everyone, stop arguing; haven’t you noticed they’re preparing to cross the river?//

//They really did build a boat; I must say, the craftsmanship is amazing!//

//We’re here anyway, let’s watch and see.//

//Makes sense, money’s spent, just consider it wilderness survival watching.//

...