Full-Time Public Enemy-Chapter 762 - 522: The Statue of the God_2

"I just didn't expect the war to break out before we had a chance to investigate."

"We don't know how many more of these statues there are on this planet, but there's definitely one place where they exist."

Director Xue spoke, then opened another holographic projection. It seemed to show mining operations that had inadvertently broken into an underground ruin. The ruins looked unmistakably like the remnants of a temple from an alien civilization.

"The location of these ruins is right in the active war zone between the ground forces and the Insect Race. Find the statue, and you can withdraw."

Chen Gu raised his hand high and voiced his concern. "This is too dangerous for us. We're not just dealing with the Alien Insect Race in the midst of battle, but as you saw earlier, that statue could likely trigger mutations in us. Why would the Principal arrange such a practical exercise?"

Director Xue looked at Chen Gu intently and said, "The Principal has his reasons, which we cannot fathom. All you need to do is complete this practical course; the credits awarded for it are very high."

Chen Gu pursed his lips. He was convinced there was some "scheme" behind this; it's just that the old charlatan Principal wouldn't say, and no one could force it out of him.

Chen Gu raised his hand again, still somewhat reluctant. "Why not let military professionals handle this mission?"

Director Xue couldn't provide an answer. That's just how the Principal arranged it; he didn't explain it to me either. You keep asking me, but who can I ask?

She gave Chen Gu an annoyed look. "How about I call the Principal right now so you can question him yourself?"

Chen Gu flinched, chickening out. "I will comply with the Principal's arrangements."

The academy's spacecraft had already navigated around the battlefield and was approaching the planet for landing when Chen Gu's phone suddenly rang.

Director Xue shot Chen Gu a reproving glance. He scratched his head with an awkward smile, but his expression turned strange when he saw the caller.

Marshal Bai. And the Principal.

Director Xue could only manage a wry smile. I had just challenged this kid, suggesting he call the Principal to question him directly, and he didn't dare. Now the Principal himself was calling...

Chen Gu answered the call. Two holographic projections appeared: Bai Yunpeng and the Principal.

With the multi-person call connected, Bai Yunpeng looked thoroughly displeased. Gritting his teeth, he pointed at the Principal's image. "If I weren't worried you'd recklessly come after me later, I'd have cursed you out by now!"

Chen Gu quickly said, "I'll take this call somewhere else."

A Ninth Power Level bigshot wouldn't want to lose face, right? Being berated by Marshal Bai in front of so many students... he might take it out on me later and make things difficult for me.

Everyone said the Principal was a Star Sea sage, a top-tier powerhouse. But Chen Gu knew his Principal was truly petty... Otherwise, why would he have personally rushed off to the Star State that one time? And why would he have encouraged Aviloya to make that second trip to the Star State?

The Principal remained as composed as ever, waiting until Chen Gu had slipped into an empty room before speaking. "It's really not a big deal. You tacticians are just too thin-skinned."

You dare say tacticians are the thin-skinned ones?

Bai Yunpeng, feeling exasperated, said, "That's an extremely high-intensity war zone! Half the planet's surface is swarming with those bugs! Sending these kids there—isn't that a death sentence?"

"And you know how bizarre that thing is! Given their Energy Levels, facing something like that is still a death sentence!"

"I don't care what a Star Sea sage like you is thinking. This batch of students includes descendants of my old acquaintances, children from allied families, and Chen Gu!"

"My people will arrive soon. They must operate together."

"Otherwise, I'll report you to the Elders' Council! Even if the Elders' Council can't control you, I'll obstruct you within the military. Don't expect any cooperation or support from the armed forces for any of your future operations."

"Be serious! I mean every word. This isn't a tactical bluff!"

Tactical bluff—in layman's terms... just trying to scare someone with empty threats.

The Principal waved his hand impatiently. "Alright, alright. You've sent your people, so be it. As I said, it's not a big deal. I genuinely just forgot to tell you. If you want to participate, go ahead. I don't object."

"Forgot to tell me..." Bai Yunpeng was speechless. People say we tacticians are thick-skinned and ruthless, but I think you, a Ninth Power Level individual, are the one who lies without batting an eye!

"Hmph!" He snorted in dissatisfaction and terminated the call.

Chen Gu hesitated, wondering if he should take this opportunity to ask the Principal about the true purpose of this practical exercise. But the Principal simply raised his hand and, with a click, ended the call.

Chen Gu pouted. He understood the Principal's meaning: He simply doesn't want to tell me!

After leaving the room, Chen Gu received another message from Marshal Bai: "You must be extremely careful! That thing is very peculiar."

"The people I've sent this time are all experts. If you're not confident, stick close to them, or send me a signal directly, and I'll dispatch a team to bring you back."

A wave of warmth spread through Chen Gu's heart. Marshal Bai is still looking out for me.

Moments later, the spacecraft entered the planet's atmosphere. Its outer shell abraded violently against the air. After the ship's structure dampened the friction, Chen Gu and the others only felt a slight vibration.

The other students were already in their seats, buckled up. Chen Gu also returned to his seat, but a question lingered in his mind: The Principal wouldn't send his students to their deaths without a reason.

Judging from past practical exercises, the Principal's arrangements had always been quite fitting. They served as effective training, with the danger level just a notch above the students' capabilities—challenging, but not genuinely insurmountable.

Perhaps... the Principal is hinting that this thing isn't as dangerous as we imagine?

BOOM—

The spacecraft touched down. Inside, maglev tracks swiftly delivered individual Mechas to the front of the students' safety seats.

The students stood up, and the Mechas automatically flew over, equipping themselves onto their bodies.

Director Xue's voice, sounding somewhat urgent, came over the communication channel: "Ninety seconds to detach from the mothership!"

"The location of the temple ruins has been sent to each of you. You can proceed as a single group or form smaller teams as you see fit."

"Within a thirty-kilometer radius of our landing site, there are five Insect Race swarms. They've already detected you. Calculations indicate that two of these swarms include flying units and will reach this location within ten minutes. The ground swarms will arrive within half an hour."

"Alright, good luck to you all!"

"Find the statue quickly, and come back alive—all of you."

CLANG, CLANG, CLANG...

One by one, the individual Mechas leaped from the spacecraft. The spacecraft, without waiting for the students to reach a safe distance, sealed its hatch, increased engine power, and sped away without a backward glance.

The few students who deployed last were blasted several hundred meters by the engine wash, their pristine Mechas instantly marred with ugly scratches. They looked quite disheveled.

Qiao Shuangyi stuck close to Chen Gu, repeatedly waving to Shangguan Yuqing. "Hurry over here!"

Then, in a flurry, all the other students rushed to Chen Gu's side!

Qiao Shuangyi: "..."

Lin Xiaochen's eyes glinted. "I propose we split into teams and make it a competition! Let's see who finds the statue first."

Several students immediately agreed. "Yeah, we'll team up with Chen Gu. Lin Xiaochen, why don't you lead another team?"

Lin Xiaochen: "..."

My dear classmates, where is your integrity and pride? You are all the favored children of heaven! How did you stoop to latching onto a strong player, just like me and Fatty Qiao?

The students all grinned at Qiao Shuangyi and Lin Xiaochen. Thinking of leaving us behind? Not a chance!

Who among us doesn't have some family connections? Was it hard to find out Chen Gu is the first multi-class professional in history?

Even Bai Zhijin, from a supposedly "humble family," had heard this from his roommates.

"Let's move." Chen Gu activated his navigation system. It highlighted a location several hundred kilometers away—a red dot, silently pulsing. That was the temple ruins.

"Xiaochen, launch the satellite," Chen Gu ordered. Lin Xiaochen immediately deployed a personal reconnaissance satellite concealed within his Mecha. Just like last time, these had been provided by their respective families.

Soon, the satellite transmitted reconnaissance images of the surrounding area. They could see swarms of Insect Race converging on them rapidly.

Chen Gu chose a direction. "That way!" He then took the lead, dashing forward. This was no time to conserve energy; their Mechas skimmed low across the ground, breaking out of the forming encirclement just before the Insect Race closed in.