The second stage of the pile-standing training was very different from the first.
Previously, the focus had been on physical endurance and the strength of one's Spirit Power.
Now, however, the focus shifted entirely toward control and stability.
At this stage, brute strength alone was no longer enough.
What truly mattered was technique.
Gradually, many of the trainees began to display their individual abilities.
Among them, Shen Moran's performance was particularly eye-catching.
She stood lightly on the wooden pole, her body appearing almost weightless.
Her movements were graceful and calm, as if she were floating in the air.
A faint blue aura of Spirit Power flowed around her body, slowly forming a gentle, invisible force.
The energy wrapped around her like soft wind.
Under its influence, her body seemed to lose all weight.
Her eyelids lowered slightly as she entered a state of deep tranquility.
It looked as though she had merged with the surrounding environment.
In another direction, Shao Han displayed a completely different style.
A faint chill spread from the soles of his feet.
Slowly, the cold energy covered the entire wooden pole beneath him.
It connected his body, the pole, and the ground itself into a single stable structure.
A faint layer of frost formed.
Shao Han smiled confidently.
Then he glanced forward.
His gaze landed on Zhao Mu, who stood several poles ahead.
"This time…"
"You won't beat me."
Not only Shen Moran and Shao Han had improved.
Several other trainees also began displaying unusual transformations in their Spirit Power.
Their energy began showing clear distinct characteristics.
Instructor Xie Yingxue quietly observed the scene.
She slowly nodded.
"The manifestation of Spirit Power characteristics."
"As expected of trainees with B-rank Talent or higher."
"Their comprehension ability is truly impressive."
Normally, Spirit Power existed in its most basic form—a pure sky-blue energy.
However, as a Spirit Power user's Combat Level increased, their energy gradually evolved.
Depending on the user's natural affinity, Spirit Power could develop specific properties.
For example:
Fire
Ice
Water
Space
Lightning
This transformation was known as Characteristic Manifestation.
However, it was not something beginners could achieve easily.
Among all the trainees present, only those with B-rank talent or higher possessed the qualifications to reach this stage.
The reason was simple.
As special recruits, they received exclusive privileges.
Each of them was granted a customized Intermediate Combat Technique designed specifically for their talents.
Meanwhile, the A-Rank special recruit Lu Yan had received something even more extraordinary.
He had been granted half of an Advanced Combat Technique.
In reality, fairness had always been relative.
Those with greater talent would inevitably receive greater opportunities.
While the others focused on showing their abilities…
Zhao Mu paid absolutely no attention to them.
He was completely immersed in his own world.
His breathing was slow and steady.
His body remained perfectly still.
The blazing midday sun scorched the training field.
The temperature had nearly reached forty degrees Celsius.
Yet Zhao Mu felt no discomfort.
His mind was calm.
"Inhale…"
"Inhale…"
"Exhale…"
His breathing rhythm remained steady and precise.
Unknowingly, this harsh training environment had become the perfect place for him to practice his Turtle Breathing Technique.
The technique required absolute calmness and stability.
And standing on the wooden pole under such intense heat forced him into exactly that state.
Zhao Mu felt pleasantly surprised.
Qingfeng Camp truly lives up to its reputation.
At first glance, the training methods seemed brutal and torturous.
But in reality, they were incredibly beneficial for newcomers who had just stepped into the Spirit Power user world.
For a moment, even the normally fierce instructors—Zhang Biao and Xu Zhixiong—seemed almost kind and generous.
At the beginning of the exercise, every trainee struggled just to maintain balance on the three-meter-high wooden poles.
But as time passed, some trainees began reaching their limits.
Less than half an hour later—
Someone finally failed.
"Ah!"
A startled cry rang out.
A trainee lost his balance and fell from the pole.
Because he was already exhausted, the fall hit him hard.
He clutched his waist, his face twisted in pain.
But sympathy did not exist in this training camp.
A member of the Discipline Department immediately walked over.
Without hesitation—
He kicked the fallen trainee.
"Get up!"
"One hundred push-ups!"
Then he turned to the other trainees and shouted loudly.
"Congratulations!"
"You've just earned another thirty minutes of training!"
The entire group stiffened instantly.
One person's mistake meant everyone had to suffer.
If several people fell…
Wouldn't the training last forever?
Some trainees tried to comfort themselves.
They're probably bluffing.
They just want to scare us.
Meanwhile, the fallen trainee gritted his teeth and began doing push-ups.
Fortunately, he had decent physical fitness.
Even though he struggled, he eventually completed all one hundred.
However, the punishment did not end there.
After finishing, he had to climb back onto the wooden pole and continue the exercise.
At the edge of the training field, Zhang Biao and Xu Zhixiong stood casually chatting and laughing.
They looked completely unconcerned.
Instructor Xie Yingxue remained standing under the shade of a tree.
She quietly recorded notes with an indifferent expression.
Another hour passed quickly.
It was now noon.
The sun hung directly overhead.
Its scorching rays made the entire training ground feel like an oven.
Most trainees believed the training should end soon.
After all, it was already lunchtime.
Determined to avoid further punishment, everyone gritted their teeth and endured the pain.
No one wanted to be the next person to fall.
However…
Looking at the relaxed expressions of Zhang Biao and Xu Zhixiong—
There was absolutely no sign that the training would end.
Suddenly, someone noticed something.
Zhang Biao waved toward a Discipline Department member.
The man jogged over.
After receiving instructions, he quickly ran away.
Seeing the instructors finally take action, many trainees felt a spark of hope.
Maybe they're preparing lunch.
Maybe the training will end soon.
But their hope was shattered ten minutes later.
The Discipline Department member returned carrying a plastic bag.
Then the three instructors called Bai Meimei over.
They sat comfortably in the shade.
And began eating lunch.
Right there.
In front of everyone.
The trainees were stunned.
The instructors were eating…
Yet they didn't call the trainees to rest.
Which meant only one thing.
The training wasn't over.
The tiny hope in their hearts collapsed instantly.
Not long after, another trainee lost his balance.
His mental state had already been unstable.
The intense heat and pressure finally pushed him past his limit.
He fell from the pole.
The scorching ground burned his palms as he tried to stand up.
But before he could recover—
The Discipline Department member had already arrived.
"What kind of trash are you!"
The man kicked him mercilessly.
"Get up!"
"Push-ups!"
Then came the terrifying announcement again.
"Another thirty minutes added!"
Despair began spreading through the crowd.
More and more trainees realized the true cruelty of this system.
It was a collective punishment system.
Every mistake would affect everyone.
Meanwhile, Zhao Mu stood quietly on the third pole in the first row.
His eyes remained closed.
He deliberately blocked out all external distractions.
For him, this level of training was extremely easy.
Whenever one leg became tired, he calmly shifted his weight to the other.
The wooden pole beneath him remained completely steady.
It didn't even shake slightly.
Thump.
Thump.
Under the blazing sun, more trainees continued falling.
Most of them had performed poorly in the first round.
Their bodies had not fully recovered.
Naturally, the second round became even more exhausting.
Every person who fell meant another thirty minutes added.
By rough calculation—
If seven people fell…
The total extra training time would reach three and a half hours.
And the worst part was—
No one knew when the instructors planned to stop.
Meanwhile, the instructors continued eating leisurely.
They didn't even glance at the trainees.
Seeing this, everyone finally understood a terrifying truth.
The extra training was not a bluff.
If the required time was not completed today—
The training would never end.
No one would pity them.
In this boot camp, the only person they could rely on…
Was themselves.
Zhao Mu slowly opened his eyes.
He could feel the oppressive atmosphere spreading across the training field.
The tension among the trainees was becoming unbearable.
He frowned slightly.
This won't work.
After the boot camp, he still planned to visit the Engineering Department.
He wanted to ask Teacher Liang for guidance about Spirit Pattern Drawing.
But at this rate—
More and more trainees would continue falling.
If that happened, the training might never end.
Which meant no one would pass this stage.
After thinking for a moment—
Zhao Mu quietly made a decision.
Something needed to change.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)