"Hero profession?" Gu Ning was a bit surprised. "I thought the best template a newly promoted Awakener could get was only the Elite Enhancement class?"
Su Xiaoxiao shook her head. "I've read an exclusive interview with Wan Zhen. He awakened at 15 and started out as an Elite Enhancement 'Pegasus Knight.' Later, by some twist of fate, he triggered a second job change and ultimately achieved the Hero profession. By the time he became the top scorer in the college entrance exam, he was already level 4."
"That so-called 'twist of fate' is basically family blessing," Li Ling said. "See? That's why I say being the top scorer isn't easy. To stand out from tens of thousands of talented Awakeners—there's no shortcut."
"Hm, I awakened pretty late, so my raw power is behind for now," Gu Ning said. "I need to level up fast… I remember I still have one chance to enter the Borderland 'Dead Bone Mountains,' right? Can I go now?"
"The Borderlands aren't open all the time, especially the exploration-combat types. If I recall, they open once every three months." Li Ling glanced at Su Xiaoxiao. "Xiaoxiao, you probably know better than me."
"Yeah, let me check the time." Su Xiaoxiao pulled out her personal terminal and summoned her assistant to look it up. Soon she confirmed, "The Dead Bone Mountains reopen on May 15th. You still have about ten days to prepare if you sign up now."
"Where's the entrance to the Borderlands?" Gu Ning felt a surge of urgency and planned to leave early.
The critical level-up point for intermediate Awakeners is going from level 3 to 4—this is when a second job change is easiest to trigger!
Unlike other privileged second-generation Awakeners with family blessings and rare spirit realm artifacts handed down from elders, Gu Ning had no such advantages.He needed to grow strong quickly and snatch that vital heart tissue from the Borderlands controlled by the Super Star Alliance!
Seeing Gu Ning's eagerness, Li Ling and Su Xiaoxiao both smiled.
"No need to rush out early. There are Borderland entrances in all seven major zones," Su Xiaoxiao explained.The Dead Bone Mountains Borderland is controlled by the Chinese military, which has set up spatial portals in every one of the seven zones.
So Gu Ning didn't need to travel elsewhere. He only had to go to the special military base in the Jiangnan zone and enter the Dead Bone Mountains Borderland through the spatial portal there.
"That's pretty convenient…" Gu Ning nodded silently, then opened a book titled Modern and Contemporary European History and focused on reading.
…
Time flew by, and soon it was May 15—the day the Dead Bone Mountains Borderland opened.
Jiangnan Base City, western suburbs.Special Military Base.
The main hall was filled with Awakeners from all over.
All were level 3 or below, classified as lower-tier Awakeners. Some were active military personnel, others members of militia-like groups such as the Divine Strategy Army, and many were civilians who had paid hefty spirit energy fees to gain entry.
Gu Ning, who got in for free, heard the steep spirit energy entry fee and quietly thought to himself that joining a large organization came with many perks—provided you were a key talent like those in the Genius Camp.
"Gu Ning!" Suddenly, a familiar voice called out.
He closed his book and turned to see Qilin and two other young Awakeners he didn't know, looking his way.
The three came over.
"Gu Ning, I heard from Sister Ling that you're also exploring the Dead Bone Mountains Borderland this time. Finally, I get to meet you," Qilin said with a smile.
Qilin's social skill maxed out, he introduced, "This is Taurus, an elite Monk class. And this guy…"
"Mad Dog."A pale-faced boy with dark circles under his eyes stared directly at Gu Ning, unbothered by the others' looks.
"Hello," Gu Ning nodded and gave a polite smile, then returned to his book.
"Uh…" Qilin was momentarily speechless. He'd meant to invite Gu Ning to team up for the Borderland expedition but now didn't know what to say.
"Forget it. Gu Ning signed up for the exam too. His fundamentals are weak, so he's busy studying. Let's not disturb him," Qilin whispered to the other three.
The short, muscular "Taurus," with a shiny shaved head, smirked and said,"Whatever, our trio is enough—tank, DPS, support. Why bother with a level 1? Sharing loot gets tricky…"
The hall buzzed noisily, but Gu Ning was undistracted, focused on his book.
"Everyone's here, right? Quiet down,"A voice rang from the north side of the hall, on the steps of the corridor entrance.
The speaker was an Awakener officer with a calm tone yet undeniable authority. The chatter quickly died down.
"I'm Xiang Yinghua, military skills instructor at the Changkong Special Base. Call me Instructor Xiang."Xiang scanned the crowd and spoke firmly, "You should know the rules already. But to avoid trouble, I'll reiterate the discipline for entering the Dead Bone Mountains Borderland:
"First, only level 3 or below Awakeners may enter."Second, no personal communication devices allowed. You must carry the military-issued spirit energy cameras, which must remain on at all times."Third, the Borderland is open for ten days only. When it closes, everyone must exit immediately—no lingering!"Do you understand?"
Sparse responses of "Understood" echoed unevenly.
Xiang raised his eyebrows but held back, then said loudly,"Pick up your spirit cameras by registration number, then line up at the entrance for inspection. Numbers 1 to 10, step forward!"
The hall erupted again.
Gu Ning was familiar with the three rules. Su Xiaoxiao had explained them and their reasons.
The Dead Bone Mountains Borderland is a mid-sized spirit realm zone—an intersection between the Dark Region and the real world. The Dark Region's level cap matches level 3 Awakeners and below, so the Borderland enforces the same limit. No level 4 or above allowed.
During exploration, all must keep the military cameras on—easy to understand since the military treasures this Borderland and needs to monitor for sabotage attempts. Though damaging a Borderland is no easy feat.
The Borderland is beyond the reach of ordinary law, but in case of serious disputes—which could escalate to Awakener faction wars—recordings help authorities mediate and rule.
The last rule—everyone must leave when it closes—is for the Borderland's "maintenance."Spirit realm zones have a special trait: if no Awakeners are present, time inside accelerates relative to the real world.
The Borderland follows this too. When all leave and it closes, time speeds up. The three-month closure period outside might equal three years or more inside.
During this long "rest period," new spirit herbs grow, deathly cold energies spawn new monsters, and unwitting spirit creatures wander in through cracks, joining the new monster groups.
This "maintenance period" ensures fresh resources for the next exploration round.
Gu Ning quickly received his spirit energy camera—it was number 97.
"Add me as a friend! Friends on the cameras can track each other. If you're in trouble inside, you can find us," Qilin whispered.
Gu Ning added him, appreciating Qilin's friendly nature and social skills.
Actually, it was also because of Gu Ning's potential. From his legendary exploits in the White Bone Dungeon, Qilin was convinced Gu Ning would be in the main force for the second phase.
As for the current two-level difference, a few Borderland explorations would close the gap.
Mad Dog also pulled out a spirit camera and exchanged friend requests with Gu Ning, surprising Qilin and Taurus.
Taurus hesitated but also added Gu Ning—otherwise the tension would be too obvious.
The military inspection was straightforward: show ID and set your profession level to "display" mode. No other info needed.
The inspecting Awakener sergeant glanced at Gu Ning's face, briefly surprised. After checking his ID and seeing he was a Genius Camp member of the Divine Strategy Army, his expression softened.
Seeing Gu Ning was only level 1, the sergeant warned,"Be careful inside. Kill a few lone skeleton soldiers on the outskirts. If you meet enemies you can't beat, retreat quickly—no life risk. Everyone gets this map; take one."
Gu Ning took the map, thanked him, and stepped into the spatial portal's light screen with nine others from the same registration batch.