The Instructor grinned wide, his face splitting open. "Kid. You've got some serious luck. Congratulations on drawing the top lot. Plenty of others wanted to face me as an opponent, and they didn't even get the chance."

Qin Fen extended the numbered token in his hand, speaking with grand generosity. "I'm willing to donate this excellent opportunity to someone else."

The other recruits immediately scrambled away from him. In an instant, within a three-meter radius of Qin Fen's body, not a single person could be found.

Qin Fen grinned again. "It seems everyone is keen to demonstrate great character."

The Instructor let out a cold laugh. "We'll see how long that sharp tongue of yours lasts. Choose! I'll accept whatever you choose as your challenge, just to give you a chance to prove you aren't trash."

Almost everyone looked at Qin Fen with pity. Although the Instructor hadn't revealed much of his strength yet, it was clear he was far beyond the capabilities of these new recruits.

"We can compete in anything?" Qin Fen confirmed once more.

"That's right. Anything at all."

Having confirmed the answer, Qin Fen leaned close to the Instructor and whispered, "Then let's compete to see who is better looking."

The Instructor, whose face had been set in a grim sneer, froze. He stared blankly at this recruit, who didn't appear slick or deceitful from the outside, yet had proposed a competition so completely unexpected.

Qin Fen looked at the stunned Instructor and said casually, "Instructor, I believe I've won." Hahahahahaha..."

The dazed Instructor suddenly erupted into thunderous laughter. He slapped Qin Fen heavily on the shoulder, acting like an old, close friend. "Kid, you've got guts. But consequences for getting away with something like this are pretty severe."

"I know," Qin Fen replied dismissively. "I came here precisely to receive the strictest training. To have you dislike me is my honor. I imagine, under those circumstances, you certainly won't be holding back on me during the drills."

A flicker of admiration and curiosity touched the Instructor's brow. The soldiers who usually came here for training were all full of fiery enthusiasm. A soldier whose demeanor was this calm, yet held a distinct, alternative kind of fervor, was truly rare—exceptionally rare.

Many recruits stared at Qin Fen strangely. What had this recruit said to the Instructor that allowed him to pass the test so easily? Did he have some powerful military backing, using connections to subdue this instructor?

To everyone's surprise, Qin Fen was the first to complete the assessment. He leisurely carried his M134 back to the shade of the large tree, quietly observing the duels of the others.

Defeat meant being sorted into the 'Trash Group.' No one wanted to become trash at the very beginning of the intensive training. Everyone was arguing heatedly with their assigned opponent over what kind of contest to hold.

Qin Fen began to understand why Squad Leader Hao and the others had said the training here was quite something.

Both parties in any contest would naturally want to use their specialization. In that case, the Instructor wouldn't even need to consult those so-called data reports on file.

The fifty percent 'trash' classification rate was far crueler than the punishment Squad Leader Hao inflicted on the last few soldiers every day during military training.

Bang...

A young soldier in the crowd was sent flying in an arc, slamming into a tree trunk and dislodging dozens of leaves. He slid down the bark, continuously foaming white froth from his mouth.

The one who struck him was the female soldier who had crushed the venomous snake earlier. It was just a simple side-kick that sent her opponent flying into unconsciousness.

Instantly taking down a Four-Star Martial Artist, the female soldier acted as if she had done something utterly trivial. She remained as quiet as she had been initially, returning to her perch on a branch to look down upon the majority of the stunned recruits.

Qin Fen also regarded the female soldier with considerable surprise. In that fleeting moment of combat, he hadn't sensed any flow or release of Zhenqi from her at all. It seemed that kick was purely the output of brute, physical force.

Dragon-Elephant Prajna Art? Nine Bulls and Two Tigers' Strength? Qin Fen gently shook his head, dismissing his own guesses. Neither of those techniques should manifest in this manner.

"Are you certain you want to fight me?"

In the crowd, Du Zhanpeng looked at the hostile Du Peng before him with an indescribable air of disdain.

"Yes."

Du Peng's voice was low and steady, yet the usually calm man was trembling, unsure if it was excitement or fear.

Du Zhanpeng shrugged indifferently, spreading his hands casually. "You have surprisingly good luck. You weren't qualified to challenge me. Thanks to the Instructor, you've been given this chance. Fine! It's certainly been uncomfortable being stared at by a stray dog every day. Today, I’ll soil my hands by teaching you a lesson, so you understand the difference between a noble, superior bloodline and a mongrel..."

Du Zhanpeng hadn't even finished speaking before Du Peng moved. His speed was astonishing, yet lacked the fierce, imposing aura Qin Fen possessed; his entire presence was like a swan in mid-dance. His right hand’s five fingers were pressed tightly together, and the sound of his fingertips slicing through the air could be heard.

Qin Fen’s leisurely expression instantly became grave. Though he hadn't seen the specific fist technique Du Peng was using, he had heard of its name more than once: the Formless Waterfowl Art!

This Formless Waterfowl Art was divided into three systems: Movement Technique, Fist Technique, and Internal Cultivation. The Fist Technique was a typical tearing style of combat, which Instructor Butcher championed as the most dazzlingly cruel form of fist fighting.

Butcher’s Heart Plucking Hand was a peerless skill created by mimicking the profound principle of the Formless Waterfowl Fist: the Formless Tiger Rending Dragon.

Facing this ornate attack, Du Zhanpeng did not dodge. He suddenly widened his nostrils and inhaled deeply. His chest expanded repeatedly, and his whole body seemed to gain two inches in height. He delivered a rapid, spinning punch. The air around his arm seemed to be hollowed out, yet he met the tearing attack without fear.

Seven Star Immortal Thunder Art's Force Contention Breathing Technique! Qin Fen’s eyes widened again. Another martial art that couldn't be bought even with vast sums of money!

As Du Peng channeled his qi, he suddenly flashed several meters to the right in a manner that seemingly defied the laws of motion. His legs struck the ground, erupting with another burst of energy, and he shot straight toward Du Zhanpeng's left ribcage. His five fingers separated into an Eagle Claw form.

Du Zhanpeng stood his ground, only his gaze suddenly fixing on a specific corner. Du Peng’s advancing body faltered momentarily. He quickly repositioned his steps, his movement technique shifting—now opening, now closing, now left, now right. His body suddenly retreated several meters before shooting off in another direction. His entire form was like a white swan gracefully dancing on water.

Du Zhanpeng remained stationary for a moment, a faint smile gradually creeping onto his lips. A sharp glint suddenly shot from his eyes. He, who had been unmoving, suddenly moved. He stomped his feet, his whole body exploding forward like a general riding a warhorse on an ancient battlefield. The sound of his body friction with the air was like a warhorse's neigh. His arms, like great axes or battle blades, cleaved down, directly shattering Du Peng's momentum and aiming for his crown.

This strike by Du Zhanpeng was the Seven Star Cavalry Slash, derived from the Seven Star Immortal Thunder Art!

Warhorse, great saber! The Martial Saint Guan Yu, dominating the battlefield, relied only on this combination of horse and blade! Wherever the blade light passed, souls cried out in agony.

How incomparably domineering!

Du Zhanpeng’s Seven Star Cavalry Slash drew directly from the essence of ancient battlefield slaughter. As someone from a military family, he naturally carried an aura of the killing fields.

Du Peng seemed to have anticipated this move. His ankle rotated with an almost eerie contortion, resembling something from Indian yoga. His body forcibly shifted sideways following the bizarre rotation of his ankle. The five fingers he had formed changed their target to Du Zhanpeng’s kidney!

This grab from Du Peng could crush stone; needless to say, the target was flesh and blood.

All these changes were within Du Peng's calculations. To counter the Seven Star Cavalry Slash, he had put immense, arduous effort into mastering that bizarre ankle rotation. Du Zhanpeng’s momentum was already at its peak; changing direction was now almost impossible. He could only choose to retreat!

As soon as Du Peng retreated, his momentum would drop to an unprecedented low. In that instant, he could leap into the air to pursue, unleashing the Formless Waterfowl Fist’s most vicious and gorgeous move—the Vermilion Bird Spreading Wings—to tear both of his opponent's legs off.

"Hah!"

Just as Du Peng felt the dawn of victory approaching, Du Zhanpeng suddenly roared. His arm, transformed into a battle-blade shoulder, suddenly twisted, slicing toward Du Peng's head at an equally incredible angle.

In his haste, Du Peng had no chance for a successful evasion. As he rapidly pulled his legs back, he forced his arms up to meet the Seven Star Cavalry Slash head-on.

Bang...

With a solid collision, Du Peng’s entire body lost balance. His feet completely left the ground as he was sent flying backward.

Du Zhanpeng didn't pause his move for an instant. He stomped his feet again, like an ancient warhorse, kicking up a biting gale as he pursued the falling Du Peng. His raised foot seemed to stomp down on Du Peng’s chest, much like an ancient warhorse trampling infantry on the battlefield.

Many young recruits couldn't bear to watch the moment Du Peng’s ribs were supposed to shatter and covered their eyes. After waiting a few seconds, they found that the expected sounds of breaking bones and screams of agony hadn't materialized. Opening their eyes in curiosity, they saw Du Zhanpeng’s foot hovering half a foot above Du Peng’s chest.

Half-lying on the ground, Du Peng glared up at Du Zhanpeng, his face contorted with rage. His arms, supporting his upper body with great effort, trembled violently. The Seven Star Cavalry Slash had inflicted considerable damage.

Du Zhanpeng looked down upon Du Peng with arrogant superiority, like an ancient monarch observing a common ant.

However, beneath the arrogant monarch’s brow, there was a faint hint of unease. He sensed a very heavy threat lingering not far away.

Not crippling Du Peng wasn't due to the monarch's mercy, but because this arrogant king felt that if he truly stomped down on Du Peng, the six dark muzzles of the guns not far away would immediately unleash their most brilliant metallic roar.

Du Zhanpeng was arrogant, but not foolish. Facing an M134 Minigun, he was confident his current strength couldn't withstand it.

Although he doubted whether Qin Fen, holding the gun, would actually fire, Du Zhanpeng dared not risk testing it with his own body. ps: Today is August 27th. End of the month. Perseverance means victory. I hear many brothers and sisters have the habit of saving their monthly votes until the end of the month. It’s the end of the month now. My performance over these 27 days should be obvious, right? It’s worth using a monthly vote to offer some encouragement, isn't it? Give me your monthly votes. Thank you.