Song Siqi had not expected this.
Not even for a moment.
The instant Zhao Mu moved, everything changed.
The heavenly halberd in Zhao Mu's hands roared through the air like a descending comet. Though it weighed only fifty catties, once infused with dense Spirit Power, its destructive force multiplied several times over—easily reaching the impact of several hundred catties.
It was no longer just a weapon.
It was a battering ram.
A force meant to crush everything in its path.
The halberd swept horizontally, tearing through the air with a deafening whistle as it came crashing toward Song Siqi.
His pupils shrank instantly.
Block? Impossible.
His instincts screamed at him.
If he tried to block that attack head-on, his arms would be shattered on the spot.
There was only one option—
Dodge.
Without hesitation, Song Siqi bent his body backward at an extreme angle. His spine curved unnaturally as he leaned away, barely avoiding the halberd's devastating arc.
The weapon passed inches from his chest.
For a split second—
He thought he had succeeded.
But Zhao Mu's attack didn't end there.
Not even close.
Before Song Siqi could regain his footing or launch a counterattack, Zhao Mu's body shifted again.
A powerful leg rose high into the air—
Like a battle axe poised to fall.
Then—
It came crashing down.
"Boom!"
Zhao Mu's foot slammed directly onto Song Siqi's chest.
The impact was terrifying.
To Song Siqi, it felt as though a massive boulder had fallen from the sky and crushed him without mercy.
His entire body was driven downward.
"Crack!"
The sound was sharp.
Clear.
Unmistakable.
Bones breaking.
His back smashed against the bluestone floor of the Training Hall with a thunderous impact. Dust rose slightly from the ground, and faint cracks spread across the stone beneath him.
"Pfft!"
Song Siqi spat out a mouthful of fresh blood.
His vision blurred.
His chest burned with unbearable pain.
Yet his eyes remained locked on Zhao Mu—on the man standing over him, pressing him down without the slightest trace of effort.
He tried to move.
Tried to raise his blade.
But the moment he exerted even a fraction of strength, a tearing pain shot through his ribs, making his entire body tremble uncontrollably.
"Cough… cough…"
Bloody foam bubbled from his lips.
Around them—
Voices erupted.
"Impressive! That junior is only at Battle Rank 3, yet he can display such power. Truly a genius."
"With time, he'll definitely become someone extraordinary."
"And look at the one beneath him… Combat Level 6, yet completely crushed. What a disgrace."
"So many people witnessed this… he's completely lost face."
Each word struck Song Siqi like a blade.
His face flushed red—not from exertion, but from humiliation.
In the end—
He could no longer bear it.
His eyes closed.
Feigning unconsciousness seemed like the only escape.
A Cruel Reminder
Zhao Mu raised an eyebrow.
He wasn't fooled.
Slowly—
He pressed his foot down harder.
"Hey," he said lazily, "are you alright?"
"Cough—!"
The pressure increased.
Song Siqi's body twitched violently. The pain forced him to abandon his act immediately.
He opened his eyes, his voice weak and trembling.
"Zhao… Zhao Mu… take your foot off…"
From the sidelines, Chen Tang stepped forward, unable to stay silent any longer.
"Zhao Mu, this is just a spar between recruits. There's no need to go this far, right? Let him go—he still has training later."
Zhao Mu tilted his head slightly, looking almost innocent.
"I wasn't even using much force."
He shrugged.
"He just collapsed on his own."
Then he glanced down again, his gaze turning sharp.
"But… Song Siqi…"
His tone dropped.
"Did you forget something?"
Song Siqi's body stiffened.
He knew exactly what Zhao Mu meant.
But saying it—
In front of everyone—
Was unbearable.
Still—
The crushing weight on his chest left him no choice.
"I… surrender…"
The words came out hoarsely.
Only then did Zhao Mu lift his foot.
Humiliation
Freedom came—but not relief.
Before Song Siqi could even react, Zhao Mu casually kicked his blade away, ensuring he had no chance to retaliate.
Then, with exaggerated kindness, Zhao Mu extended a hand and pulled him up.
"Oh my, Student Song Siqi," Zhao Mu said with a faint smile, "why push yourself like this?"
"You're clearly not strong enough, yet you insist on challenging others."
He clicked his tongue lightly.
"I didn't mean to hurt you. It's just that… you're too fragile."
"You start coughing blood at the slightest touch. How can that be my fault?"
Every word dripped with mockery.
Song Siqi's hand trembled as he pointed at Zhao Mu.
His chest rose and fell violently.
Anger surged.
Humiliation burned.
But his body—
Couldn't keep up.
His vision darkened.
And this time—
He truly lost consciousness.
Aftermath
Zhao Mu released him without care, letting his body collapse onto the ground.
"Hey," he called out lazily, "take him to the infirmary."
Chen Tang gritted his teeth but said nothing. He stepped forward, lifting Song Siqi carefully.
As he turned to leave—
Zhao Mu's voice drifted from behind.
"Tell Shao Han something for me."
"If he's unhappy…"
"He should come himself."
"Don't send trash to die."
Chen Tang's body froze.
His fists clenched.
But in the end—
He said nothing.
He simply lowered his head and left.
Calm After the Storm
As if nothing had happened, Zhao Mu picked up his heavenly halberd again.
He spun it lightly in his hand.
Then—
He resumed training.
Each movement precise.
Each strike powerful.
To him—
The previous fight meant nothing.
Just another routine spar.
The Infirmary
Meanwhile, Chen Tang rushed Song Siqi to the infirmary.
The medics quickly assessed his condition.
Severe.
His sternum had been crushed.
Though his life was not in danger, recovery would be slow without specialized treatment from a Spirit Power physician.
And such physicians—
Had no interest in petty conflicts between recruits.
Chen Tang immediately contacted Shao Han.
Not long after—
Shao Han arrived.
Rising Tension
Shao Han stood beside the bed, his expression dark.
Behind him, several followers remained silent.
"Boss," Chen Tang said angrily, "Zhao Mu went too far! We only wanted to stand up for you—who knew he'd cripple Song Siqi like this?"
Shao Han didn't respond immediately.
His gaze lingered on Song Siqi's injuries.
Then—
His eyes turned cold.
"Zhao Mu…"
He repeated the name slowly.
This wasn't the first time.
And his patience—
Was wearing thin.
"Isn't he just an E-rank talent?" one follower muttered. "How is he this strong?"
"Until we fully master Spirit Power… we should avoid provoking him," another added.
Song Siqi groaned weakly.
"Boss… you must avenge me…"
Shao Han looked at him.
Cold.
Sharp.
"Who told you to provoke him?"
The question hit like a hammer.
Song Siqi froze.
His gaze shifted away.
He had acted on his own.
Hoping to gain recognition.
To step on Zhao Mu and rise.
Shao Han snorted.
"We're still in boot camp. If something goes wrong and affects training, do you think the instructors will spare you?"
"If I wanted to deal with Zhao Mu, I would have done it myself."
"Why would I need you?"
Chen Tang hesitated.
"Then… are we just going to let him act so arrogantly?"
Shao Han clasped his hands behind his back.
"He's only at Battle Rank 3."
"I'm already Combat Level 9."
"A fight between us?"
He shook his head.
"Even if I win… it wouldn't be worth mentioning."
His tone carried confidence.
Not fear.
In his eyes—
Zhao Mu was nothing more than a brute.
Strong.
But simple.
"I'll deal with him," Shao Han said quietly.
"When the time is right."
A Different Path
Elsewhere—
In the Engineering Department—
Shen Moran stood at the entrance.
After washing up, she had come here quietly.
To her—
This place was sacred.
Jinhai Manufacturing was not just a skill.
It was a calling.
Taking a deep breath, she calmed her mind before stepping inside.
"I must complete a full Spirit Rune Diagram within a month," she murmured.
Her eyes were filled with determination.
While others fought for strength—
She would carve her own path.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)