Chapter 18: Reborn Master Writer 10

"Well, generally speaking, it requires a marathon-like distance, and completing it within the allotted time counts as success." Mu Yin was speechless. So, this is how physical fitness is tested? Fine, that works too. Then came the combat test.

The combat test involved not only sparring with people but also hunting wild beasts. Mu Yin passed both smoothly. Afterward, there was a mental power assessment. During the test, she intentionally restrained her output, yet still managed to reach an A-grade.

Having passed the assessment, she received a badge to be worn on her wrist. Only Explorers possessing this badge are permitted to leave the energy shield that envelops human cities; otherwise, exit is impossible. As for the paths between cities, they are also covered by specialized energy shields.

Having secured what she wanted, Mu Yin prepared to head into the wilderness to take a look. She took a bus alone to the city’s edge, ready to venture out. Unlike the peaceful atmosphere inside the city, this area resembled a sentry post, bristling with precautions and defenses.

However, it was not desolate; on the contrary, it was quite prosperous. There were many shops selling all sorts of defensive gear and weapons, as well as various items retrieved from the outside by Explorer teams.

Mu Yin thought for a moment and bought several supplies, such as a tent for camping, weapons for offense, compressed food, and other small items like a frying pan, a ladle-pot (which could serve as both a water scoop and a pot), and a lighter—things she hadn't prepared before.

Beyond that, her biggest expenditure was a small, portable energy shield, which cost her several million credits. She also spent a significant amount on the energy source required for the device. Although it was useful, it was energy-intensive. Mu Yin looked at the so-called "energy" and couldn't quite identify it; it felt like spiritual energy, yet it wasn't pure. She decided to dismantle it once she was outside to study it. Fortunately, her manga royalties had been substantial, though most of them were now being squandered.

Once prepared, she packed everything into a large backpack and walked to the single main gate. Watching several teams go through the exit procedures—which essentially meant scanning their Explorer badges at the gate—she understood what to do, stepped forward, and joined the queue.

When it was finally her turn, she approached the side and reached out to scan her badge, only to be stopped. "Wait, you're by yourself?"

The speaker was the soldier guarding the checkpoint. Mu Yin nodded. "Is there a problem?"

"You are a newly registered Explorer. Under the rules, you aren't allowed to go out and hunt alone. It would be best for you to join an Explorer team," the soldier told her.

"Uh, I'm fine on my own," Mu Yin said, her mouth twitching. She had no desire to join a team of strangers.

"No, that’s not allowed," the soldier insisted.

"Hey, you in front, if you can't go out, don't block the way!" People behind her started urging her to move. After being rushed several times and facing the soldier’s firm refusal to let her pass alone, she had no choice but to step aside to let others through.

"Old Chen, what are you looking at?" In a convoy behind her, the driver saw Old Chen in the passenger seat staring outside and couldn't help but ask.

"Nothing, just spotted a reckless rookie," Old Chen replied.

"Oh? There are still rookies with a death wish these days?" The driver became interested. "Which one?"

"There, that girl," Old Chen said, pointing in Mu Yin's direction.

"And a girl at that," the driver lamented.

"Alright, the people in front have moved, let's keep up, they're pushing us from behind," a team member behind them shouted.

"Oh, right, let's go." The driver immediately started the vehicle and moved forward.

Mu Yin asked several teams if they could take her along, promising she would act independently once outside the base, but they all refused. If a team member suffered casualties, it would deduct points from the Explorer team’s record. The policy was meant to prevent rookies like Mu Yin from going out to die.

After being rejected repeatedly, Mu Yin felt deflated. Did she really have to go to the Explorer Guild and form a team with other novices just to get out? Honestly, why was it such a hassle?

"Yo, little girl, need some help?" Just as Mu Yin was about to give up, someone in a vehicle next to her spoke.

"I want to go out, but they say I'm not allowed to leave without joining a team," Mu Yin said, her voice listless and devoid of hope.

"Fine," a low male voice responded.

"Our boss agreed. Get in the car," the driver said, pausing for a moment before waving her over when he noticed Mu Yin hadn't reacted.

"Ah? You agreed?" Mu Yin finally realized what happened and turned around, her face filled with surprise.

"Yes, but we will only take you outside; we won't be looking after you," said a woman with an intellectual appearance, adjusting her glasses after Mu Yin boarded.

"That's enough, thank you," Mu Yin replied. She felt this was perfect, as she didn't intend to do anything specific other than explore the state of the world's spiritual energy recovery.

Mu Yin surveyed the group. It was a troop transport truck—the kind used by the military. Inside were over a dozen people, mostly men, but with four female members. Aside from the woman who had spoken, who looked like a logistics officer, the other three carried as much muscle and ferocity as the men.

It appeared to be a battle-hardened Explorer team. A man with a strong presence sat with perfect posture; he was handsome and presumably their captain. He gave a nod upon seeing Mu Yin, and she nodded back without a word. She tapped her badge against their team emblem, completing the temporary registration.

They passed through the gate smoothly. Once outside, Mu Yin said, "Alright, you can let me off here. Thank you."

"Very well." The captain nodded, the vehicle stopped, and Mu Yin hopped out, thanked them again, and ran to the side of the road to let them leave.

"Good luck then," the driver waved, though he didn't hold out much hope.

Mu Yin understood their attitude but didn't take it to heart. She sensed the environment; indeed, the spiritual energy was much denser, but it was only slightly better than the Age of Dharma Decline—hardly what one would expect after a hundred years of spiritual recovery.

She summoned her ability. It worked, but it felt heavily suppressed. It was roughly the same as before—she could conjure items into reality. Unlike the current world where people could manifest what they needed instantly using their abilities, her own power had eventually evolved to the level of the *Journey to the West*, where she could conjure items out of thin air.