Zhao Mu and the other three finished breakfast together in the cafeteria before heading toward the designated training ground in the Southeast Area.
It was not yet seven o'clock, but more than a hundred freshmen had already begun to gather.
Everyone wore the same black training uniform. The dark fabric gave the entire field a solemn, unified appearance. Small groups formed naturally—some chatting casually, others observing their surroundings with curiosity and excitement.
Meng Qiuqiu suddenly nudged Zhao Mu's arm and subtly gestured forward with his chin.
Following his gaze, Zhao Mu saw a group of girls walking toward the training ground. Their laughter rang clear and bright, like silver bells cutting through the cool morning air.
Although they were dressed in identical training uniforms, their youthful faces and lively expressions stood out sharply. Many of the young men present couldn't help glancing their way, their fatigue swept aside by the refreshing sight.
Zhao Mu immediately spotted Shen Moran among them.
She walked beside a high-spirited girl with twin ponytails. The two stood at the center of the group without even trying. Their confidence and natural charisma made them the focal point.
Zhao Mu remembered the twin-tailed girl. Like Lu Yan, she was one of this year's A-Rank Talent holders. Her name was Mo Guanguan.
As if sensing his gaze, Shen Moran glanced in his direction. For a brief moment, their eyes nearly met.
Then she calmly turned away, as though she hadn't noticed him at all, resuming her cheerful conversation.
Zhao Mu shrugged faintly.
He truly didn't understand why Shen Moran still seemed to carry a subtle trace of hostility toward him. Their breakup had been peaceful. At least, from his perspective, he had done nothing wrong.
He shook his head and dismissed the thought. There were more important matters ahead.
Soon, several acquaintances approached him.
Li Zixuan and Zhou Haoyu were among them. Their talent rankings were average, and they had barely qualified to join Qingfeng Camp. Both were deeply grateful to Zhao Mu for the assistance he had given them during the entrance trial.
Golden Elephant City also walked over, wearing his usual broad, easygoing smile.
"Brother Zhao Mu," he said in a lowered voice, "please keep my ember remains safe. Don't sell them to anyone else. I promise I'll gather the money within a month."
His eyes were fixed nervously on the silver ring on Zhao Mu's finger.
Zhao Mu nodded calmly. "Don't worry. I always keep my word."
Just as they were speaking, a sharp voice interrupted from nearby.
"Golden Elephant City, since when did you get so close to him?"
Zhao Mu didn't need to look to know who it was. The tone alone was irritating enough.
He turned and saw Shao Han walking over, surrounded by several cadet soldiers.
Shao Han addressed Golden Elephant City, but his gaze was clearly fixed on Zhao Mu.
Golden Elephant City chuckled awkwardly. "We're all friends here."
"Hmph."
Shao Han's eyes flickered with disdain before he stepped past them and approached Lu Yan.
He extended his hand confidently.
"My name is Shao Han. My father is Shao Tianyi, deputy commander of the Lujiang City garrison. I am a B-Rank Talent holder, Combat Level 9."
His introduction was deliberate, almost rehearsed. Clearly, he believed these credentials carried weight.
Shao Han had only recently learned that an A-Rank genius had joined the Engineering Department alongside Zhao Mu. He had not expected such competition.
Lu Yan nodded politely and shook his hand.
Shao Han glanced at Zhao Mu again before speaking.
"I hope we can be friends. With your talent, you should associate with true geniuses. There's no need to spend time with people who have terrible talent."
The implication was obvious.
Lu Yan's expression hardened instantly.
"I know very well who my friends are," he replied coolly. "And who are not."
Without hesitation, he released Shao Han's hand and walked over to stand beside Zhao Mu.
The air grew tense.
Zhao Mu narrowed his eyes slightly.
Shao Han's face darkened. Being ignored so publicly was a clear blow to his pride.
"Zhao Mu," Shao Han said sharply, "what exactly are you so proud of? First place in the entrance trial? That's only because real geniuses didn't bother to participate. Don't tell me you truly think your E-Rank Talent can compare to mine."
Zhao Mu's smile remained gentle.
"All I know," he replied evenly, "is that you've never beaten me."
A ripple passed through the surrounding crowd.
Everyone present recognized both names.
Zhao Mu—the first-place winner of the entrance trial.
Shao Han—the deputy commander's son, a B-Rank Talent holder.
The tension between them was palpable. Even casual conversations around the field gradually faded as attention focused on the two.
Shao Han's eyes sharpened.
Over the past weeks, he had trained intensively under his father's personal guidance. His combat strength had improved dramatically. At Combat Level 9, he felt confident he could crush Zhao Mu.
Establishing dominance on the first day of official training would send a powerful message.
But before either could move—
A thunderous roar exploded across the training ground.
"You pumpkins! What kind of mess is this? Are you worms? Line up immediately!"
A crushing aura swept across the field like a sudden storm.
The pressure was so intense that Zhao Mu's collar fluttered violently. Shao Han's rising battle intent was suppressed instantly.
Directly ahead, members of the Discipline Inspection Unit stood in formation.
They wore black training uniforms identical to the freshmen, but bright red armbands marked their authority. Their stance was wide and steady, like a wall of iron.
At the very front stood Vice Minister Bai Meimei.
She wore a black military greatcoat draped over her shoulders, arms crossed over her chest. Her narrow eyes were sharp as blades, scanning the field with predatory intensity.
"Disgusting," she muttered coldly. "I hate noisy pumpkins the most. Yapping like stray dogs with no awareness that you're supposed to be soldiers."
Her voice suddenly rose.
"Let me make one thing clear!"
"Just because you entered Qingfeng Camp does not make you special!"
Her gaze swept over every face.
"Right now, you are nothing but trash. Waste. Maggots!"
Her words struck like hammer blows.
"You think you're ready to fight the Dark Race? You can't even handle ordinary criminals! If you walked into a real battlefield today, you'd die before understanding how!"
A heavy silence fell.
Many freshmen clenched their fists.
They had survived life-and-death trials to enter this camp. They had stood out among countless graduates. Pride still burned in their hearts.
To be reduced to nothing in a few sentences—it was humiliating.
But Bai Meimei saw everything.
The anger. The resentment. The wounded arrogance.
A faint smirk curled at the corner of her lips.
"Anyone who still thinks they're impressive," she continued coldly, "anyone who wants to show off here—I can promise you this."
"You will die a miserable death."
Zhao Mu listened quietly.
He felt no particular reaction.
After enduring Bu Yanhuan's hell-style training, such psychological suppression meant little to him. Compared to that experience, this was mild.
However, many of the others were clearly shaken.
Their faces stiffened. Some looked unwilling, others conflicted.
They had not yet understood what true cruelty felt like.
Bai Meimei's eyes gleamed with satisfaction.
Soon, she thought.
Soon these arrogant pumpkins would understand what real hell was.
And when they did—
They would remember this moment.
The boot camp had officially begun.
And for many of them, the illusion of being "chosen geniuses" was about to be shattered completely.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)