A little past two in the morning, Zhao Mu quietly returned to the dormitory.
The hallway lights were dim, and the entire building was wrapped in silence. Most of the cadets had long since fallen asleep in preparation for the demanding month ahead.
Zhao Mu moved soundlessly to the bathroom, finished washing up in under ten minutes, and climbed into his upper bunk without disturbing anyone.
According to Qingfeng Camp's official notice, all cadets were required to gather at exactly seven o'clock in the morning at the Southeast Training Ground. From that moment onward, they would enter a full month of intensive, closed-door training.
There would be no leniency.
No excuses.
Only improvement—or elimination.
Zhao Mu lay flat on his back, hands resting lightly on his lower abdomen. His breathing gradually slowed.
To the right of his body floated the demon clown.
It hovered quietly in the air, wearing its usual exaggerated smile. Its painted face remained frozen in a comical grin, but its presence felt neither warm nor cold—simply constant.
When Zhao Mu had first awakened this ability, the sudden appearance of the demon clown had startled him countless times. But now, he had grown completely accustomed to it.
They were partners.
"Demon clown," Zhao Mu spoke softly in his mind, "activate the [Sleep] skill."
The clown raised its oversized white-gloved hand and swiped across an invisible display panel. Lines of text shifted instantly.
[Sleep]: Life Skill
Proficiency: 65
A gentle, invisible wave of drowsiness washed over Zhao Mu.
Within seconds, he drifted into a deep and efficient sleep.
Early Morning Resolve
A little past five in the morning, Zhao Mu's eyes opened.
There was no grogginess. No sluggishness.
He sprang up in one smooth motion, feeling refreshed and energized.
The summer sky outside the window was already pale with early light. A faint golden hue stretched across the horizon.
Zhao Mu hopped down from the upper bunk and quickly changed into his training uniform.
The Qingfeng Camp cadet uniform was primarily black, accented with sharp red stripes running along the sides. On the chest was a sword insignia symbolizing their rank.
Primary Camp cadets wore one sword.
Intermediate Camp wore two.
Advanced Camp wore three.
A simple glance was enough to identify someone's standing.
Hearing movement, Zhuo Yun stirred and threw off his blanket.
"Zhao Mu? You're up already?"
He stared in disbelief. He clearly remembered Zhao Mu returning well after midnight.
Yet here he was, bright-eyed after only a few hours of sleep.
What kind of physique was this?
"The morning air is perfect for training," Zhao Mu replied with a relaxed smile. "Can't waste it."
Zhuo Yun's expression turned serious.
"Then I won't fall behind either!"
He immediately jumped out of bed and began changing.
Lu Yan, awakened by the noise, sat up silently. Unlike Zhuo Yun, he said nothing—but his movements were swift and decisive.
Only Meng Qiuqiu remained motionless.
The chubby boy clutched a pillow tightly, snoring softly, entirely lost in his dreams.
The three finished washing up and exchanged a glance.
"Let him sleep," Zhao Mu said. "We'll wake him later."
They headed downstairs together.
The Monster's Pace
After a brief warm-up, Zhao Mu stepped onto the track.
He inhaled deeply, feeling the cool air fill his lungs, and began running.
[Walking – Light and Agile Steps]
Life Skill
Proficiency: 173
Life Skills were fundamentally different from spiritual abilities. They strengthened the body's core attributes—speed, endurance, coordination.
Such improvements were difficult to replicate through spiritual techniques alone.
At this stage, Zhao Mu's natural speed, relying purely on physical ability, was already comparable to movement-type combat techniques used by many Spirit Power Users.
Zhuo Yun and Lu Yan instinctively followed him.
The events of the previous night at the Training Hall had left a deep impression on them. It wasn't merely Zhao Mu's strength that stood out.
It was his will.
His relentless drive.
Who else would return late at night and still rise before dawn to train?
His determination exerted an invisible influence on those around him.
"Keep up," Zhao Mu said lightly, increasing his pace.
"Don't worry," Zhuo Yun grinned. "I train at home all the time."
Lu Yan remained silent—but his eyes were sharp and focused.
The pace quickened.
Gradually, the steady long-distance run shifted into something far more intense.
Without warning, Zhao Mu accelerated into a full sprint.
The transition was seamless.
Zhuo Yun's eyes widened.
"Wait—what?!"
Lu Yan clenched his teeth and pushed forward.
But within minutes, both were gasping heavily.
Their lungs burned.
Their legs felt like lead.
Meanwhile, Zhao Mu's figure grew smaller in the distance.
"I can't… keep up…" Zhuo Yun bent over, hands on his knees.
Lu Yan's chest rose and fell violently. "The difference in physical conditioning… it's huge."
They exchanged glances.
Monster.
That was the only word that fit.
Up ahead, Zhao Mu noticed their absence.
He shook his head slightly.
"Sorry," he muttered to himself. "But I can't slow down."
To raise the proficiency of [Light and Agile Steps], he needed continuous usage. Consistent high-speed movement.
Waiting would only waste precious time.
Half an hour later—
Zhao Mu completed twenty kilometers.
His body radiated heat in the cool morning air. Thin wisps of steam rose faintly from his shoulders.
He wiped sweat from his forehead with a towel and felt invigorated rather than exhausted.
Meanwhile, Zhuo Yun and Lu Yan had yet to finish even half that distance.
Meditation and Growth
Without resting long, Zhao Mu moved to a quiet patch of grass.
He sat cross-legged, spine straight, and closed his eyes.
[Spiritual Energy Rotation]
Proficiency: 148
Spiritual energy flowed steadily through his meridians.
His breathing slowed.
His heart rate stabilized.
By the time Zhuo Yun and Lu Yan finally completed their lap and returned, Zhao Mu had already finished two rounds of meditation.
Both of them collapsed onto the grass.
"How… are you human?" Zhuo Yun panted.
Zhao Mu opened his eyes and smiled.
"Feels good, right?"
Zhuo Yun wiped sweat from his brow.
"I've run twenty kilometers before… but never like this. You crushed me."
Usually, he could run ten kilometers in twenty minutes without much difficulty.
But today, seeing Zhao Mu finish twenty and immediately begin meditating had ignited something competitive inside him.
He had pushed himself to his limit.
"And I broke my personal best for ten kilometers," Zhuo Yun admitted with a grin. "Guess I'll have to train with you more often."
Lu Yan lay flat on the grass, drenched in sweat.
After a long silence, he said quietly:
"I'm joining too."
There was no envy in his voice.
Only determination.
Zhao Mu checked the time.
Six o'clock.
"We should wake Meng Qiuqiu," he said.
"On the first day of intensive training, the instructors will definitely single someone out as an example."
Zhuo Yun nodded grimly.
"And if that someone is him…"
They could already imagine the scene.
Zhuo Yun activated his electronic wristband and called Meng Qiuqiu.
After several rings, a groggy voice answered.
"Huh… where are you guys?"
"In the cafeteria soon," Zhao Mu replied with a laugh. "Hurry up. Eat quickly. We're heading to the Southeast Training Ground."
He paused before adding:
"Be mentally prepared. Today won't be easy."
The month of intensive training was about to begin.
And for Zhao Mu—
It was merely another opportunity to evolve.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)