Chapter 365 Selection Criteria

"Let's put the outside matters aside for now." Chief Zhang steered the conversation back on track, looking at Commander Qi and Chen Jianguo.

"The selection and preparation for the one hundred slots must begin immediately; this is our top priority right now."

"The initial draft of the plan has been approved by the higher-ups." Commander Qi pushed a document to the center of the table.

"I divided the candidates into three main categories."

"The first category is combat personnel. They come from the most elite special forces in the cultivation world, and are required to be absolutely loyal, have outstanding willpower, high spiritual roots, and rich experience in wilderness survival and combat."

"The second category is researchers. Top scientists from various research institutes, covering fields such as materials science, biology, physics, and energy. They are our eyes and brains, responsible for deciphering the rules of that world."

"The third category is support personnel. Doctors, array masters, talisman masters, weapon refiners... that is, outstanding students and teachers of the 'Hundred Arts' subject at Yunlan University. They are responsible for logistical support and professional skills development."

Chen Jianguo added, "Regarding supplies, I've already made a list. The highest-strength individual combat uniforms, portable energy analyzers transferred from the post-apocalyptic base, highly compressed food and medicine, and survival kits for various extreme environments. We'll ensure everyone is armed to the teeth."

Both of them were filled with barely suppressed excitement.

A team of 100 top talents, equipped with the most advanced technology, parachutes into a brand new world of cultivation.

Just imagining this scene is enough to get your blood pumping.

"Your direction is off."

Zhou Jue's voice was like a bucket of ice water poured over their heads.

Commander Qi and Chen Jianguo were both stunned and looked at her in confusion.

Zhou Jue stood up and walked to the main screen.

"Commander Qi, Uncle Chen, you are preparing for an expeditionary force."

"But the place we're going to isn't a battlefield."

"On the battlefield, there are laws of war. But in that place, the only law is that there are no laws."

"The law of the jungle—this phrase is not an adjective."

Zhou Jue's gaze swept over the crowd: "A Qi Refining cultivator might be crushed to death and left without a trace just because he glanced at a Foundation Establishment cultivator."

“A village might be slaughtered by a passing demonic cultivator simply because it is near a small spiritual vein, and its remains turned into a soul banner.”

"A sect may be enjoying peace and prosperity today, but tomorrow it could be wiped out by its rivals because of a single martial arts technique."

"When we, a hundred people, got there, there was no time or environment for us to do scientific research or conduct detailed analysis."

"What you're thinking about is how to make them stronger, how to get them to bring back technology."

Zhou Jue held up one finger: "And my first consideration is how to keep them alive."

"Live through the first day, the first month, the first year."

The meeting room was completely silent.

The excitement on Commander Qi and Chen Jianguo's faces had completely faded, replaced by a profound solemnity.

They did indeed oversimplify things and were too idealistic.

"Then... then what should we do?" Chen Jianguo asked in a hoarse voice.

“The strategy needs to be changed.” Zhou Jue said decisively, “We are not going to conquer, not going to explore, we are going to learn, to learn from others.”

"Therefore, the first criterion for selection is not strength, talent, or knowledge."

It's 'lurking'.

“I need a hundred of the best actors who can disguise themselves as members of that world, just like the locals.”

“If our behavior doesn’t conform to the local customs, we could be arrested and interrogated.”

"Even soul searching."

Zhou Jue's words were not an exaggeration. Although they went there with legal status and would not attract attention, if they were to conduct all sorts of strange research under people's noses, there was a possibility of being arrested.

Commander Qi remained silent for a long time before slowly nodding, her gaze towards Zhou Jue now showing more approval. "I understand."

"I will revise the selection plan. Willpower tests, survival simulations, and infiltration/disguise will be the top priorities."

“Furthermore,” Zhou Jue added, “although spiritual root talent is important, the path of physical cultivation is equally important, and as for cultivating immortality through various arts, one can also choose a portion of it.”

"Before going, there will be intensive training, including basic knowledge of the cultivation world and simulations of some potential situations."

"good."

The meeting set the tone once again.

After seeing off Chief Zhang and his group, Zhou Jue returned to his room alone.

She closed her eyes, her thoughts sinking into her mind.

"Brother Tongzi, has there been any result regarding the cultivation world I requested to be filtered?"

"Yes, yes, host!" the system's voice immediately rang out, filled with a triumphant jubilation.

[Based on your requirements: abundant spiritual energy, stable laws, a safe beginner zone, and spiritual energy originating from the same source as Earth...]

The optimal match result has been obtained!

[World Name: Azure Cloud Realm]

This is a standard low-level martial arts cultivation world. The highest combat power is at the Nascent Soul stage, which is still a long way from becoming an immortal. It's very safe!

[Furthermore, this world has a complete ascension system. After reaching the Great Perfection of the Nascent Soul stage, breaking through to the Void Refinement stage will result in ascension to the Middle Martial Cultivation World, the Xuan Yao Realm.]

[The next level of high-level martial arts cultivation world requires one to cultivate to the Great Perfection of the Tribulation Transcending stage, break through to True Immortal, and then reach the Spirit Heaven Realm.]

People from the upper realm generally cannot come to the lower realm. If they do, their cultivation level will be compressed to the highest level of the lower realm, so it is still quite safe.

[The important thing is! Listen, host!] The system's voice was low, as if sharing a secret.

[I've detected that a mid-sized sect on the eastern coast of this world, called the 'Azure Maple Sect,' is holding its inaugural disciple selection ceremony in six local months!]

[Moreover, this recruitment isn't just for talented disciples with spiritual roots, but also for menial disciples! Menial disciples are not required to have a specific background or talent; as long as they are physically capable and can work, they're welcome!]

Zhou Jue's eyes slowly brightened.

Disciple in miscellaneous duties.

This is practically a stealth plan tailor-made for them.

[How about that, host! Aren't I amazing!]

"Impressive," Zhou Jue said sincerely.

"However, there is a selection of apprentices to be held every six months in the local area. We probably won't have enough time for that."

[Host, there's still time! Although you can rest for two years after returning this time, you can also end your vacation early! This is also a newly upgraded feature of mine; you can set off at any time within the two years!]

Zhou Jue exclaimed with delight, "In other words, as long as we postpone the training to the apocalypse, we will have at least six months to prepare!"

Yes, that's right~

This is truly an unexpected delight. I was worried that if she stayed on Blue Star for two years, the spiritual energy would have fully recovered. If the spiritual energy recovered right after she left, and all sorts of dormant beings awakened, that would be...

[Host, it's alright if you missed it in six months. There are definitely other sects that will hold their own selection process.]

"Alright! Send me all the information on the Qingfeng Sect and all the sects and forces in various regions of the Cangyun Realm."

【Okay!】

A massive flow of information instantly flooded her mind.

Zhou Jue sat cross-legged and began to rapidly process the information.

Meanwhile, top-secret files were being retrieved one after another from the highest-level archives across the country.

In the brightly lit office, Commander Qi personally oversaw the operation, with a top-notch team of psychologists, tactical experts, and intelligence analysts in front of her.

On a huge screen, names are scrolling by.

Behind each name lies a legendary military career or a scientific achievement that could change the world.

But right now, these names are just candidates.