Chapter 23: The Evolution Academy

Tap, tap, tap, tap!
Over a hundred fully armed members of the Shadow Legion marched in with synchronized steps, clearly intent on escorting the 312 students to their departure. Faced with this chilling, ruthless force, many students who had been bold and brash just moments before instantly lost their nerve.

Only now did the students truly understand—this was no game. This was reality.

“I don’t want to be an Evolver anymore, I want to give up!”

“I’m sorry, I was wrong! I didn’t mean to be unpatriotic, I’m just so afraid!”

Wei Zheng sneered coldly, “It doesn’t matter. Any students who are afraid may leave now. The future of our nation doesn’t need cowards to protect it. But if you walk out of these gates and change your mind, you’ll be a deserter. That’s a disgrace to our country. I will see to it that you’re sent to a military tribunal, you’ll face imprisonment, and your integrity will be marred forever. Society will look down on you!”

“Sorry! I’m sorry!”

In an instant, the 312 students who had chosen to evolve dwindled to just 152. Merely the sight of soldiers with guns had terrified them so; it spoke volumes about the fragility of their hearts.

Wei Zheng’s tone was flat. “One hundred and fifty-two. Now, is there anyone else who wishes to run?”

“Wait!” A sudden female voice rang out.

A striking girl with flowing hair and a remarkable presence ran over from the Traditional Section. It was none other than Ye Zhiyan, the class president from Chen Mo’s class.

Ye Zhiyan came from a wealthy family. Even if she never worked a day in her life, she could live comfortably, but such a life felt meaningless to her. She had hesitated for a long time, torn between adventure and comfort. However, seeing Chen Mo, Ding Yan, and Chen Mo’s younger sister Ning Xuan laughing and playing, utterly unafraid, made the usually competitive Ye Zhiyan feel ashamed. If they weren’t afraid, what right did she have to be? Moreover, if she chose the traditional path, she feared the distance between herself and Chen Mo would only grow wider.

In the end, Ye Zhiyan steeled herself and rushed forward. “Instructor, may I change my choice? I want to become an Evolver!”

“Oh?” For once, Wei Zheng let out a curious sound. He hadn’t expected anyone to change their mind and join the ranks of the evolved.

“Of course. But think carefully—this decision is final.”

Ye Zhiyan glanced toward Chen Mo, clenched her fists, and declared, “I’ve decided. I won’t change my mind!”

Under the gaze of over a thousand students, the 153 who chose evolution boarded the waiting buses outside the school. Apparently, the state had overestimated the students’ courage; there were ten buses prepared, each capable of holding fifty people, but only three were needed. The other seven departed empty.

…

Pingli Secondary School was the finest in Star City, perhaps in all of Xiangnan Province. Through the bus window, Chen Mo gazed at the large traditional sign reading “Pingli Secondary School,” instantly sensing the weight of history and culture.

Founded in 1906, Pingli’s origins as Pingli Academy had produced countless talents and made immense contributions to the founding of New China.

“Brother, am I dreaming? We’re really going to Pingli Secondary,” Ning Xuan blinked her eyes adorably. Just last month she’d vowed to study hard and try to get into Pingli, yet fate had performed its magic—they had leapt from Star City’s worst Fourteenth Middle School straight to the very best.

“That’s right, you must be dreaming. Here, let me pinch your cheek and wake you up.” With that, Chen Mo reached out to pinch Ning Xuan’s round little face.

“Ouch, ouch, ouch! You big meanie, you did that on purpose!”

Chen Mo noticed not only their own school’s three buses, but also several from other schools. He realized they were gathering all the Evolvers together for training.

Dozens of buses rolled into Pingli’s gates, and the students, like country folk entering a grand estate, burst into excited screams and exclamations.

“Wow, look! That’s Pingli Academy—they say it’s over a century old!”

“Look, an outdoor football stadium! I heard it’s the biggest in the province, can seat twenty thousand, and hosts all the big student events.”

“And the library—six stories high! Bigger than some universities’!”

“What’s that glowing thing at the library entrance?”

“You don’t know? That’s the Sphere of Evolution!”

Many of those who hadn’t chosen evolution suddenly realized what it was—the Sphere of Evolution.

After circling the campus, the buses finally stopped at the parking lot. The students, both excited and nervous, poured out. The principal of Pingli Secondary, Wang Anding, along with over a hundred teachers, stood in a neat line to welcome them.

Wei Zheng, clad once more in his white cloak and antlered mask, appeared and announced in a deep voice, “Teachers of Pingli, please lead all students to assemble at the stadium!”

His words carried more authority than even the principal’s; the teachers eagerly herded the students after them like enthusiastic tour guides.

Soon, the 1,800 students from over twenty schools, plus the 200 who remained from Pingli itself, made a perfect 2,000, standing formation by school on the athletic field.

As soon as Chen Mo entered the stadium, he noticed a white orb floating in midair at its center—the Sphere of Evolution. Together with the one at the library, there were now two.

Opening the Wisdom Touchscreen, he could see three red spheres on the map nearby: one in the library, active from 6:00 to 6:30 a.m.; one in the stadium, active from 12:00 to 12:30 p.m.; and one, apparently inside Pingli Academy, active from 10:00 to 10:30 p.m. No wonder all the Evolvers were gathered here; three Spheres of Evolution made this place a vital strategic site.

Wei Zheng stood before the assembled students, four others in white cloaks, skintight suits, and peculiar masks behind him—members of White Cloud and Cang Dog, and Pingli’s instructors. Wei Zheng was the chief instructor.

Wei Zheng took up the microphone. “Very well. Everyone is here. I won’t waste words. Three things: First, aside from the 200 who volunteered to remain, all other Pingli students have been sent to branch schools. From now on, this entire school is for Evolvers only. There are four such schools in Star City, and thousands across the nation—we call them Evolution Schools. Second, now that you are here, there is no turning back. You will follow strict military standards and obey the four instructors behind me. All students will live on campus, with one day off each month. An