Qin Fen’s vision instantly darkened, and the screen reverted to the fighter selection interface. He didn't choose an aircraft immediately, instead pondering the surprised sound the woman made right before she was "smashed" out of the simulation—it sounded strangely like she recognized him. Qin Fen considered that he didn't know many women, and for a moment, he couldn't be sure if she had mistaken him for someone else.

Just then, an angry female voice sounded from outside the cockpit: “That Trash Squad is despicable! They actually rammed a plane! Next time, I absolutely must shoot them down!” “Exactly!

If I see him in person, I’ll beat him up soundly too!” another female soldier chimed in agreement. Qin Fen instinctively shrank his neck. He hadn't expected the person who was knocked out to be in this training area.

He peered cautiously through the glass and caught sight of the angry female soldiers—it was her! The same practitioner of the Jade Maiden Heart Sutra he had encountered on the beach that night, Lin Jiaqi. An unintentional burst of martial aura instinctively radiated out, and Lin Jiaqi, walking down the corridor, sensed someone in the cockpit watching her.

She turned her head reflexively, and her eyes locked directly onto Qin Fen’s. Bad luck! Qin Fen cursed internally.

Lin Jiaqi halted her steps, crossing her arms tightly across her chest as she stared intently at Qin Fen. Her already prominent bosom was even more accentuated under the pressure of her arms, sharply defined against the backdrop of her uniform. With a sigh, Qin Fen shook his head and turned away, refusing to look at her again.

Hadn’t they agreed on the beach that night? If they met again, they would act like strangers. Seeing Qin Fen turn away only fueled Lin Jiaqi’s anger.

He really was a scoundrel. Otherwise, why would he join the Trash Squad? And worse, he was the apprentice of the Trash Captain!

Many male pilots dreamed of becoming the Trash Captain's apprentice, a dream they could only realize in their sleep. Lin Jiaqi didn't move her feet, merely fixing her gaze on Qin Fen inside the cockpit. Lately, she had been deeply affected by her father’s situation.

Being stubborn, she didn't complain much, but she had been dragged by a few close friends to practice aerial combat today, hoping to vent her pent-up frustration. Unexpectedly, it led her to run into Qin Fen again. Coincidentally, Lin Jiaqi had actually been looking for Qin Fen these past two days.

Ever since he saved her on the beach by deflecting an aggressive aura, her practice of the Jade Maiden Heart Sutra had stalled! Every time she tried to cultivate, she felt no progress; in fact, the energy felt dangerously uncontrollable. She had forgotten to ask Qin Fen his name that day, leaving her unable to find him to ask how he helped her and why this aftereffect occurred.

Now, to be publicly insulted by him in the aerial combat network—what a strange fate! Fate? Lin Jiaqi shook her head vigorously.

How could such a complimentary word be applied to their relationship? It was clearly a case of enemies meeting on a narrow road. Being ignored?

Lin Jiaqi wasn't completely unreasonable. Reflecting, she remembered Qin Fen’s actions were merely adhering to the agreement they struck on the beach that night. Tap, tap, tap.

Qin Fen heard the tapping on the glass. Feeling he had nothing to hide, he opened the door and walked out with a casual air. “Excuse me, is there something you need?” Lin Jiaqi didn't answer, simply glancing at the military ID clipped to Qin Fen’s chest before smiling faintly.

“Never mind, I apologize. I mistook you for someone else.” “Oh.” Qin Fen cooperatively nodded back. “No problem.” Back in the cockpit, Qin Fen listened as the departing female soldiers murmured quietly, “That new recruit is quite spirited.” “Yes!

Though a bit young, he has a very masculine air.” “Exactly! Much better than those overly sweet, delicate celebrities.” Qin Fen managed a wry chuckle. This was the first time anyone had compared him to a celebrity.

Logging back into the combat network, the Trash Captain finally began instructing Qin Fen on the basics of aerial combat. After finishing the flight drills, Qin Fen hurried over to Gerile to learn the fundamentals of camouflage. Camouflage was a vast field of knowledge.

The moment Qin Fen began exploring it, he realized this was something he found genuinely fascinating. Concealing one’s aura, movement, and form—it had deep connections to the martial arts. Once the round of training concluded, Qin Fen ate dinner alone and returned to the barracks.

He found that none of his comrades, who had collapsed into sleep yesterday from exhaustion, were resting today. They were all chatting animatedly, many sporting fresh injuries. Du Peng was even surrounded by a group, basking in a kind of idolized attention.

“Old Qin, where have you been?” Deng Biao asked excitedly from the bunk opposite Qin Fen. “Those new recruits from Hanzhou came looking for trouble during dinner today!” “Oh? Park Jonghwan?” Qin Fen felt a pang of regret for missing the chance to spar with the disciple of the Hanzhou Martial God and experience authentic Taekwondo firsthand.

What a loss! “No.” Deng Biao waved his hand dismissively. “It was Park Jonghoon, Park Jonghwan’s older brother.

They brought dozens of men, and we had a brawl. That Park Jonghoon actually had Three-Star strength! Our brothers couldn't handle him; we had to summon Pengzi from the gravity room before we finally took the brat down.” Park Jonghoon?

Qin Fen raised an eyebrow. “What about Park Jonghwan?” “Park Jonghwan?” Deng Biao laughed. “I heard the carried-out Park Jonghoon say that his twin brother went into seclusion the moment he entered the recruit camp.

He even warned us to watch out, to book hospital beds early so we wouldn’t be left without a place to lie down when he gets out. Pretty arrogant, huh?” Carried out? Qin Fen glanced at Du Peng, who sat nearby without a scratch.

This man certainly knew how to strike hard. Perhaps the Butcher would like him even more; maybe Qin Fen should recommend him next time. Sensing Qin Fen’s gaze, Du Peng looked up.

Their eyes met, and they shared a subtle, knowing smile—a faint sense of mutual respect mixed with wry acknowledgment. Both understood the slight irony: knocking down an unknown fighter like Park Jonghoon was hardly something to boast about. “Brothers!

The Three-Star God of War Arena opens tonight! Anyone going to watch?” Someone shouted in the barracks. Qin Fen’s interest immediately piqued, his fighting spirit flaring.

It was a perfect chance to observe the Three-Star God of War Arena again, perhaps even win some title or virtual prize he could sell for cash. “Is Qin Fen here?” A pleasant female voice from the doorway silenced the entire barracks instantly. Lin Jiaqi stood at the entrance, clad in a crisp military uniform, her gaze fixed on Qin Fen, who was holding his helmet, ready to enter the Sky Combat Network.

“Old Qin, is that your girlfriend? She’s gorgeous!” Deng Biao whispered into Qin Fen’s ear. The others remained silent, but their eyes betrayed a hint of envy; it was unnatural not to be envious when a beautiful woman came looking for someone at night!

Setting down his helmet, Qin Fen quickly walked to the door. Lin Jiaqi said quietly, “Do you have time?” “Well…” Qin Fen shrugged. “A little later, maybe?

I have something I need to do.” Rejected? Lin Jiaqi was slightly surprised. She wasn't here seeking revenge this time, but to ask Qin Fen to help decipher some martial arts mysteries.

She could only nod. “Alright, about how long?” “Two hours.” Without waiting for Lin Jiaqi to reply, Qin Fen saw the pointer on the barracks clock hit the appointed time. He darted back to his bunk and, before anyone could react, donned his helmet and selected the Three-Star Paid Zone.

“Enter God of War Arena.” With a swift command, Qin Fen’s vision flashed, and he materialized inside. He was in a dense forest. Not far away, a Three-Star martial artist was moving cautiously.

A perfect opportunity! Just as Qin Fen was thinking of testing his newly learned camouflage techniques, someone had delivered themselves right to him. He couldn't let such a prime chance slip away.