Qin Fen remained perfectly composed. The training routine sounded extensive, but the vessel wasn't large; a complete circuit measured about three hundred and fifty meters. Without any added weight, twenty laps were hardly strenuous, nothing compared to the heavy labor back at the construction site or the near-death trials endured in his dreams.

The squad leader from the neighboring first squad continued detailing the afternoon's training schedule, and many faces around him paled further.

Squad Leader Hao managed a strained smile. "Actually, headquarters provided us with two sets of training methods. One is the high-intensity physical training the first squad leader mentioned, and the other is a touring-style regimen."

At that moment, not only the new recruits of the second squad were piqued with curiosity, but those from the first and third squads who overheard Squad Leader Hao’s words also turned their gazes toward him with sudden interest.

"Forget it!" Squad Leader Hao considered it briefly before shaking his head. "I won't elaborate, lest you later accuse me of setting you up."

This tactic of speaking only to withhold information immediately intensified everyone’s interest. Under their expectant stares, Squad Leader Hao spoke slowly, "In fact, the alternative training method allows a new recruit to request a one-on-one match against an instructor. Anyone who manages to defeat their squad leader, or withstand one hundred moves under the squad leader's hands, earns a four-day exemption from training."

Upon hearing this, the new recruits’ eyes instantly lit up. Qin Fen’s lips twitched twice. Without uttering a word, he stood up, took a training roster from Squad Leader Hao’s hand, and immediately began the first item: two hundred push-ups, according to the schedule.

Joining Qin Fen in volunteering for the standard training was the same recruit who had sneered earlier.

Qin Fen felt a degree of surprise. For this young man, carrying an air of arrogance and possessing a rather cold demeanor, to actually opt for military training—had he, too, seen through Squad Leader Hao’s true capabilities?

Squad Leader Hao’s mouth gaped slightly. He stared, astonished, at Qin Fen rapidly executing push-ups. Even the first squad leader, who had been roaring just moments before, ceased his tirade, his eyes fixed on Qin Fen with undeniable shock.

The squad leaders were all veterans. The young man, Du Peng, who had chosen to follow Qin Fen in opting for the standard military drills, exuded the bearing of a perfectly trained soldier in every movement, from his walk to his posture. He was almost certainly a second-generation military offspring, merely going through the motions at a grassroots camp before enrolling in a military academy through the armed forces exam system and being quickly promoted.

Qin Fen was different. There wasn't the slightest trace of military bearing about him. Several squad leaders positioned closer to him regarded him with curious gazes, speculating: Was he choosing military training out of fear, or had he discerned the hidden strength of the assembled squad leaders? This year’s recruit training plan should not have been leaked to ordinary individuals ahead of time.

Strange. Squad Leader Hao instinctively stroked his chin. Despite this being their first meeting, the young man felt oddly familiar.

"I challenge the squad leader!" The most powerfully built recruit in Qin Fen's squad, standing a full one meter ninety tall, stood up.

"I challenge the squad leader too!"

"I challenge the squad leader..."

In an instant, everyone in Second Platoon, Third Company, First Squad, Second Class—except for Qin Fen and the initial recruit who stepped back—felt that the amiable Squad Leader Hao must be easier to handle than the foul-mouthed leaders of the other squads.

"Good, good, good," Squad Leader Hao replied with a simple, honest laugh. "You are all so enthusiastic; I am deeply moved. Don't rush; everyone who signed up will get a chance. Alright then, Deng Biao, you go first."

Deng Biao, the one meter ninety tall man, stepped forward full of excitement. As he passed Qin Fen, he shot a cold sneer, muttering, "Coward."

Qin Fen shook his head with a nonchalant, wry smile. If he had been assigned to a different squad, challenging the leader to waive the training would have been a decent option. The problem was bad luck! The squad leader assigned to them was the strongest among all the leaders present, having already reached the Meteor level! Going up against him wasn't seeking a beating; what was it then?

In the path of martial arts, Warriors from one to four stars were categorized numerically. However, upon reaching five stars, ranks were given unique titles. Five-star and six-star practitioners were collectively known as Meteor-level masters. Above them were Comet-level, Planet-level, Star-level, and even Galaxy-level masters.

It was just that the higher the echelon, the rarer the individuals became; Star-level masters were almost theoretical concepts rather than truly achieved existences.

Generally, those at lower levels found it extremely difficult to see through the disguises adopted by higher-level practitioners. Especially after entering the Meteor level, those who hadn't reached it were almost entirely incapable of discerning the opponent's camouflage.

Qin Fen himself wondered why he could see through the opponent's level, which was far superior to his own, at a glance. Yet, so many strange things had occurred lately that Qin Fen had grown accustomed to the oddities surrounding his own body.

The sound of fists and feet striking flesh erupted on the deck as Deng Biao and Squad Leader Hao began their spar. Qin Fen, still doing push-ups, looked up to watch their fight.

Deng Biao’s strength was indeed impressive; among two-star Warriors, he was quite capable. The fierce Eight Extremes Fist, combined with his robust physique, made his attacks powerful and vigorous, consistently pressing Squad Leader Hao, who was also displaying two-star strength. Every blow seemed to suggest that just one more strike would put Squad Leader Hao down for the count.

The new recruits of the Second Platoon howled excitedly, continuously cheering on Deng Biao. Squad Leader Hao looked increasingly flustered, dodging desperately.

Two recruits from the third squad had already been knocked to the ground. The fight between Deng Biao and Squad Leader Hao remained in that state where it seemed the next hit would floor the leader.

Four new recruits from the third squad were now down. Deng Biao’s speed had noticeably decreased compared to earlier, while Squad Leader Hao still resembled a small boat in a tempest, constantly on the verge of capsizing.

The new recruits of the third squad, now bruised and swollen, were dutifully carrying out the first set of military drills. Deng Biao's fight was still ongoing; he swung his fists, panting heavily.

The Second Platoon recruits, who had been yelling themselves hoarse, found their initial excitement curdling into deep frustration.

A while later, all the new recruits from the other platoons had quietly joined the first training regimen.

As Qin Fen circled the transport vessel, passing the position of the Second Platoon, he saw Deng Biao, gasping for air, get struck squarely in the abdomen by a kick from Squad Leader Hao, causing him to collapse onto the ground, spitting yellow bile.

"Just a hair short, what a shame," Squad Leader Hao wheezed, wiping sweat from his brow with his uniform sleeve, looking with feigned relief at the prone Deng Biao. "Since you lost, you’ll know to execute the first set of drills today. If you want another crack at the second set, you can challenge me again tomorrow. You’re quite good, really; I have high hopes for you."

ps: Recommendation tickets! The early riser Gao Lou has updated again, a double release. I'm heading to Beijing today, so I'm dashing off. Everyone must vote for me! This new book ranking is a crucial stage; I rely on my writing, and you must rely on your votes.