[Heavenly Martial Arts Kirin Tower, Fallen Zone Exploration and Countermeasure Bureau]
In the spacious reception hall of the Countermeasure Bureau, many staff members in grey-blue uniforms were busy sorting through documents. The electronic screen on the wall displayed the latest exploration missions.
From Grade C missions like 'Sand Flow Star Ore Collection' to Grade B missions like 'Red-Haired Omen Zone Mapping,' the dense list of mission entries clearly showed the heavy workload of the Bureau's exploration tasks.
"Liu Ma, are you sure we need to come here this early?"
Outside the Countermeasure Bureau's main entrance, Chen Kong looked at the brightly lit entrance and still felt that Liu Ma was a bit too hasty.
It was only the first week of the adaptation period. Most students would be doing well just to familiarize themselves with their training zones, let alone acquire the Explorer Qualification so early.
Just as Chen Kong finished speaking, Isabelle, who had also been summoned, couldn't help but tease, "Early? I even feel we're a little late."
"Are we?"
Because he had been intensely focused on interacting with the Calamity-grade Ant Queen in the Fallen Zone simulation capsule, Chen Kong had essentially been immersed in the simulation cabins of the Yellow Grade Training Zone this whole time.
As a result, he hadn't interacted much with students from other areas.
He only left the Yellow Grade Training Zone today to come to this public area of the Heavenly Martial Arts Kirin Tower because Liu Ma and the others had contacted him.
Fortunately, his efforts were not entirely without reward.
[Dream Weaver: Sand Flow Ant Queen Star Core (Calamity Grade)]
[Effect 1 · Sand Flow Control: Touched objects can be converted into sand and earth; the user can freely travel through sand and earth (Current range: 30 meters)][Effect 2 · Strength Amplification: When Star Energy is active, Strength increases by 500% (Duration: 3 minutes; Cooldown: 10 minutes)][Effect 3 · Earth/Metal Affinity: Perception of Earth/Metal attribute Star Energy increases by 300%][Special Effect · Ant-Human Transformation (Phase One): The user can freely enlarge or shrink their body size (Upper limit: five times); Star Energy consumption increases with body size increase]
Generally speaking, Chen Kong's Dream Weaver ability could not copy entities whose life level far exceeded his own.
But there were exceptions to everything.
The Ant Queen Star Core in the simulation cabin was in an 'unowned state' after being killed by Enite.
In this state, Chen Kong had a certain probability of successfully copying the Calamity-grade Star Core.
However, this success rate was not high, and the backlash from failure was significant.
Fortunately, since it was a simulation, Chen Kong had almost infinite chances to attempt the contact.
After a full ten simulations, Chen Kong finally succeeded.
And even a fragmented Calamity-grade Star Core brought him a considerable boost.
However, this was one of his biggest trump cards, so he had not told anyone else, not even Liu Ma and the others.
Seeing Chen Kong, who seemed to have been absent for a while and was unaware of external events, the clever Vivian seemed to have guessed something.
But she didn't speak directly, instead making a mental note of the situation.
Liu Ma, on the other hand, immediately explained the reason for gathering everyone.
"Kong, don't be fooled by the one-month adaptation period the training base gave us, or the nominal freedom of action. In reality, anyone who understands the rules of 'climbing the tower' slightly will quickly realize the importance of this 'Explorer's Permit' to us."
"You should know that without the Explorer's Permit, we effectively don't have the qualification to climb the tower! At that point, you're basically considered eliminated by default."
"Therefore, the ability to obtain the Explorer's Permit within one month is, in itself, a test for us, understand?"
Hearing Liu Ma's words, Chen Kong finally realized, scratching his head awkwardly and understanding that he was a bit behind on information.
"So that's it..."
But quickly, Chen Kong realized another issue.
"Wait a minute, if I remember correctly, obtaining the Explorer's Permit requires passing three Fallen Zone simulations, right? Have you all completed them?"
Liu Ma and the others shook their heads.
Indicating that they had not successfully completed the three Fallen Zone simulations so early.
"Then how are you going to take the assessment?"
Hearing this question, Vivian, holding her tactical tablet, provided an explanation.
"Kong, these two conditions are not sequential. The three Fallen Zone simulations can be completed as long as you spend the time."
"And didn't you see the benefits at those simulation shops?"
"Benefits? What benefits?"
Seeing Chen Kong's reaction, Vivian knew this guy hadn't paid attention to the simulation shop rules.
In Chen Kong's incredulous gaze, Vivian displayed the advertisement of one of the Fallen Zone simulation experience shops on her tactical tablet.
[Shop Benefit: Anyone holding a Trainee Explorer's Permit can enjoy a 9.5% discount on simulations before completing the assessment.]
Looking at the benefit, Chen Kong froze.
Then, a scream rang out outside the main entrance.
"No way, why didn't you tell me this earlier!"
A moment later, inside the Countermeasure Bureau lobby.
"Alright, Kong, stop thinking about it. Who knew someone wouldn't carefully check the shop benefits and would rush to participate in the Fallen Zone simulation?"
Looking at the half-smiling Liu Ma, Chen Kong knew he was teasing him and reveling in his misfortune.
However, his Heavenly Martial Coins were already spent; it was too late to regret.
He could only console himself that if he hadn't done the simulation so early, he might have needed more attempts to copy the Calamity-grade Ant Queen Star Core.
Seeing Chen Kong looking utterly ripped off, the Dimension Viewers on Site 13 couldn't help but start commenting.
'What's wrong with Chen Kong? Didn't he know to watch some videos before visiting the shop? (Wry Smile)'
'This fact tells us that haste makes waste.'
'Speaking of which, did Chen Kong complete his plan? I remember he was trying to contact the Calamity-grade Ant Queen in the simulated Fallen Zone, right?'
'I feel like he succeeded. Otherwise, the production team would have released the continuation of that storyline.'
As the comments scrolled, Chen Kong and the others arrived at the front desk.
"Hello, please help us process the application for the Explorer's Permit assessment."
Hearing Liu Ma's words, the staff member at the counter looked up.
"Please present your student IDs. The application fee is 100 Heavenly Martial Coins."
Following the staff member's instructions, Chen Kong and the others quickly completed the initial qualification application process.
After entering Chen Kong's information into the Countermeasure Bureau's data terminal, the staff member gave the four of them a number plate.
"The next batch of qualification assessments will begin in one hour. If you miss this one, you can only participate in the next qualification assessment. Please mind the time."
Liu Ma nodded.
"Thank you for your trouble."
"You're welcome."
To avoid missing the assessment time, Chen Kong and the others immediately followed the staff member's guidance to a waiting lounge.
They waited for the Explorer's Permit assessment to begin.
As soon as they entered the room, Liu Ma and Chen Kong saw several familiar figures.
They were Huan Qianying (Star NO. 30), Mi Yao (Star NO. 13), and Ye Shenlin (Star NO. 5).
Counting these people, there were a total of thirty students from their batch participating in this qualification assessment.
Clearly, it wasn't just Liu Ma and the others who had discovered the importance of the Explorer's Permit; others had discovered it too.
Mi Yao was, as usual, engrossed in his handheld game console, while Ye Shenlin was resting with his eyes closed.
Only Huan Qianying stood up and greeted the four of them upon seeing them.
Seeing these individuals, Chen Kong immediately whispered to Liu Ma, "Liu Ma, do you think this qualification assessment has a quota limit?"