This villain is too popular.

Chapter 376 The Qualification Examination for Explorers
[Tianwu Qilin Tower, Bureau of Exploration and Countermeasures in the Occupied Zone]

Inside the spacious countermeasures bureau office, many staff members in gray-blue uniforms were busy organizing documents, while the latest exploration missions scrolled across the electronic screens on the walls.

From the C-level 'Quicksand Star Ore Collection' to the B-level 'Red-haired Ominous Area Survey', the densely packed task items immediately reveal the importance of the Countermeasures Bureau's exploration missions.

"Liu Ma, are you sure we want to come here so early?"

Outside the countermeasures bureau, Chen Kong looked at the brightly lit gate and still felt that Liu Ma had been a bit too hasty.

It's only the first week of the adaptation period. Most trainees are lucky if they can even get familiar with their training area, let alone obtain explorer qualifications so early.

As soon as Chen Kong finished speaking, Isabel, who had also been called over, couldn't help but tease him, "Early? I even feel like we're a little late."

"Have it?"

Engrossed in the simulated environment of the occupied zone, he made contact with the Cataclysmic Queen Ant.

As a result, during this period, Chen Kong was basically immersed in the simulation cabin of the Yellow-level training area.

As a result, he didn't have much contact with students from other places.

Today, he only came to this public area of ​​the Heavenly Martial Qilin Tower because of Liu Ma and others' contact.

Fortunately, his efforts were not entirely in vain.

【Dreamer: Quicksand Queen Ant Core (Catastrophe Level)】

【Effect 1 - Quicksand Control: Objects touched can be transformed into sand, allowing the user to move freely through the sand (current range: 30 meters)】

【Effect 2 - Power Boost: When Star Energy is active, power is increased by 500% (lasts 3 minutes, 10-minute cooldown)】

[Effect 3 - Earth and Metal Affinity: Increases perception of Earth/Metal elemental energies by 300%]

【Special Effect - Ant-Man Transformation (Stage 1): Allows you to freely enlarge or shrink your size (up to five times), with star energy consumption increasing as your size increases】

Generally speaking, a dreamer in the dust and emptiness cannot copy an existence whose life level far exceeds their own.

There are exceptions to everything.

The queen ant core in the simulation chamber was in an 'unclaimed state' after being killed by Ennet.

In this state, DustVoid still has a certain probability of successfully copying a Cataclysmic Star Core.

However, the success rate is actually not high, and the backlash after failure is also significant.

Fortunately, it was a simulation, and Dust had almost unlimited opportunities to make contact.

After ten simulations, Chenkong finally succeeded.

Even the incomplete Cataclysmic Star Core still brought him a significant boost.

However, this is one of his biggest trump cards right now, so he hasn't told anyone else, not even Liu Ma and the others.

Looking at Chen Kong, who seemed to have been missing for some time and knew nothing about the outside world, the clever Vivian seemed to have guessed something.

But she didn't speak up directly; instead, she kept the situation in mind.

On the contrary, Liu Ma, who was standing to the side, directly stated the reason for gathering everyone.

“Kong, don’t be fooled by the fact that the training base gave us a month to adapt. Although we are nominally free to move around, once you have a little understanding of the rules of climbing the tower, you will soon realize the importance of this ‘Explorer’s Certificate’ to us.”

"You should know that without the Explorer's Certificate, we are not qualified to climb the tower, and you will basically be eliminated by default."

"So, whether we can obtain the Explorer's Certificate within a month is itself a test for us, understand?"

Upon hearing Liu Ma's words, Chen Kong finally realized what was happening, scratching his head somewhat awkwardly, understanding that he was a bit behind on the information.

"I see."

But soon, Chen Kong realized a problem.

"Wait a minute, if I remember correctly, obtaining the Explorer's Credentials requires completing three Occupied Zone simulations, right? Have you all finished them?"

Liu Ma and the others shook their heads.

This suggests that they did not actually complete the three simulations of occupied territories so early on.

"So how do you conduct the assessment?"

Upon hearing this question, Vivian, who was standing nearby, offered an explanation while holding up her tactical tablet. "The two conditions are not actually sequential. The simulations of the three occupied zones can be completed as long as you spend the time."

"And didn't you see the perks offered by those virtual stores?"

"Benefits? What benefits?"

Seeing Chen Kong like this, Vivian realized that this guy must not have noticed the rules of the simulation store.

To Chen Kong's disbelief, Vivian used a tactical tablet to show him an advertisement for one of the simulated experience stores in the occupied territories.

[Experience Store Perk: Anyone holding a Trainee Explorer Certificate can enjoy a 9.5% discount on simulations until the assessment is completed.]

Chen Kong was stunned when he saw this benefit.

Then, a scream rang out from outside the gate.

"No, why didn't you tell me about this sooner?!"

A moment later, in the countermeasures bureau hall.

"Alright, Kong, stop thinking about it. Who knew someone would not carefully read the store's benefits and recklessly go to participate in the Occupied Zone simulation?"

Looking at Liu Ma's ambiguous smile, Chen Kong knew perfectly well that he was making fun of him and gloating.

However, he had already spent all his Heavenly Martial Coins, and it was too late to regret it.

He could only console himself that if he hadn't conducted the simulation so early, he might have had to do it several more times to copy the star core of that cataclysmic ant queen.

Seeing Chen Kong looking like he'd suffered a huge loss, the viewers on 13 stations couldn't help but start complaining.

'What's wrong with this guy, Prisoner Kong? Didn't he know to watch some videos before visiting this restaurant? (laughs)'

This fact tells us that haste makes waste.

'By the way, is Prisoner Kong's plan complete? I remember he was supposed to try to contact the Cataclysmic Queen Ant in the simulated occupied zone?'

'It seems like it was a success, otherwise the production team would have released a sequel to that storyline.'

As the comments scrolled by, Chen Kong and the others came to the front.

"Hello, please help us process the assessment application for the Explorer's Certificate."

Upon hearing Liu Ma's words, the receptionist looked up.

"Please show your student ID. The registration fee is 100 Tianwu coins."

Following the staff's instructions, Chen Kong and the others quickly completed the initial qualification certificate application process.

After the information of Chen Kong and the others was entered into the Countermeasures Bureau's data terminal, the staff gave each of the four people a number plate.

"The next batch of qualification assessments will begin in one hour. If you miss this one, you will have to participate in the next qualification assessment. Please pay attention to the time."

Liu Ma nodded.

"sorry to bother you."

"You're welcome."

In order not to miss the assessment time, Chen Kong and the others immediately followed the staff's guidance to a rest hall.

Waiting for the Explorer's Certificate assessment to begin.

As soon as they entered the room, Liu Ma and Chen Kong saw several familiar figures.

They are Huan Qianying (ranked 30th in the StarCraft series), Mi Yao (ranked 13th in the StarCraft series), and Yagami Rin (ranked 5th in the StarCraft series).

Including these people, a total of thirty people from this batch of trainees participated in this qualification assessment.

Clearly, it wasn't just Liu Ma and his group who discovered the importance of the Explorer's Token; others did as well.

As always, Mi Yao kept his head down playing the game console, while Yagami Rin closed his eyes to rest.

Only Huan Qianying stood up and greeted the four of them after seeing them.

Upon seeing these people, Chen Kong immediately whispered to Liu Ma, "Liu Ma, do you think there's a limit to the number of people eligible for this qualification assessment?"

(End of this chapter)