If the effects were real, then for those cultivating Combat Aura, the Potato Chips and Bacon Sandwiches were obviously the premier choices.

  Refining Combat Aura and Physique were both essential for warriors. Comparatively, physical constitution wasn't quite as critical for mages.

  "I'll try the chips first then." Jing Qingyun, representing the skeptics, was the first to pull out his Spirit Crystals.

  He tore open the bag and ate a single chip.

  Instantly, the rich aroma and robust flavor unique to the chips conquered him completely.

  "This... this smells incredible."

  "Yeah, it smells better than any dish I've ever eaten."

  Guimian and the others chimed in, nodding in agreement.

  Just as they were happily munching away, Zhong Lingyun’s voice cut through the air.

  "Everyone, assemble! I am now going to announce the mission for this off-site training."

  Once she had everyone’s attention, Zhong Lingyun leisurely placed her own bag of chips down and cleared her throat twice.

  "Mission One: Enter the Single Player Mode of the Combat Strength Enhancement Arena and challenge any opponent. The minimum requirement: Survive for 10 minutes without being defeated."

  "Mission Two: Enter the Multiplayer Mode. All nine of you will form a team to challenge three opponents. The minimum requirement: Survive for 10 minutes without being defeated."

  This criteria was the result of a joint decision by Gu Pingchuan, Meng Xiangyu, and Wu Zuozhou.

  Having tested both Single Player and Multiplayer modes themselves, they knew exactly how terrifying the opponents were. Expecting these Academy students—who couldn't even pass their graduation assessments—to defeat those monsters was unrealistic.

  The only viable goal was to see how long they could last.

  However, Zhong Lingyun naturally didn't voice the Principals' thoughtful considerations.

  Among the nine students, only Ying Feng and Ying Xue had experienced the Arena. The others, upon hearing the mission details, immediately exploded in protest.

  "What? We just have to survive for ten minutes to complete the mission?"

  "That’s too perfunctory!"

  "And the second mission is nine of us against three of them, and we still only need to survive ten minutes? Instructor Zhong, did you misspeak?"

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  "Exactly! We should be required to defeat them within ten minutes!"

  The loudest protester was Jing Qingyun, the very student who had failed his graduation assessment three times.

  In terms of comprehensive strength, Jing Qingyun was indeed the strongest of the nine. Very few 3rd-year students could match him.

  Having been at Brilliant Academy for so long, he had heard stories of past off-site trainings. Usually, they involved hunting specific high-level magical beasts, surviving in dangerous zones, or gathering rare natural treasures guarded by monsters. There had even been cases where students encountered mutated beasts and had to adapt to changing mission parameters.

  But coming to a remote shop for training? That was a first.

  And now, the mission was merely to "not lose" for ten minutes?

  Who were they looking down on?

  Although Jing Qingyun didn't know what the Combat Strength Enhancement Arena was, nor who the opponents were, he didn't believe they could be that strong. After all, this was just training, not a death match. The Academy wouldn't possibly pit them against Grandmaster Rank opponents—that would just be asking them to surrender.

  And where would the Academy even find so many Grandmasters to spar with them?

  It wasn't just Jing Qingyun; even Wuji, Guimian, and the others felt insulted. They were the elites of their respective years. The Academy’s dismissive attitude angered them.

  "So, what you're saying is... you want to defeat your opponents?" Zhong Lingyun didn't get angry. Instead, she raised an eyebrow and asked with a tone of intrigue.

  She’s scheming!

  That was Ying Feng’s first reaction.

  He never expected that Instructor Zhong, whom he had always considered mature and steady, had such a "belly black" (manipulative) side.

  "Of course! If we don't defeat our opponents, how can we achieve the purpose of our training?" Jing Qingyun declared, his voice ringing with righteous conviction.

  "We're doomed," Ying Feng cried internally.

  "Does this guy have brain damage?" Ying Xue muttered softly beside him.

  Defeating an opponent in the Arena? As far as they knew, only Kael had ever achieved that consistently. Well, Gu Pingchuan had managed to beat the Guardian Knight in Single Player once.

  But for Jing Qingyun and this group? They were walking into a massacre.

  True to form, Zhong Lingyun’s brow lifted slightly, and a sly smile flashed across her lips. She looked at the others. "Do the rest of you feel the same way?"

  "Naturally. Although we aren't as strong as Senior Qingyun, we know that talent cannot be forged without hardship," Guimian immediately voiced his support. Mo Hei and Mo Bai nodded in agreement.

  Wuji felt something was off about Zhong Lingyun’s tone, but she nodded nonetheless. "Correct. Since this is off-site training, we must show results."

  Seeing Wuji nod, Shuangshuang blindly followed suit.

  Ying Xue and Ke Minglang knew you couldn't fight the will of the masses, so they could only smile bitterly.

  Only Ying Feng attempted a desperate struggle. "Instructor Zhong, please don't! You can raise the survival time to twenty minutes! We really can't beat them!"

  "Coward," Guimian sneered at Ying Feng.

  "I really don't understand how a soft egg like you managed to turn the tide in the martial arts arena," Mo Hei mocked.

  "Junior Ying Feng, there is no need to be afraid. The purpose of training is to temper us. No matter how hard the task, as long as we give it our all, we can complete it," Jing Qingyun said, his tone dripping with self-righteousness.

  It sounded like encouragement, but it was a backhanded compliment implying Ying Feng was scared.

  Ying Xue patted her brother’s shoulder helplessly. "Forget it. This training mission is ruined."

  Wuji stared at Ying Feng for a long moment before asking, "Do you know something we don't?"

  "I know nothing. You'll understand everything the moment you enter the Arena," Ying Feng replied flatly. He didn't care about their mockery anymore. He had already accepted his fate.