In any team-based competition, defeat was never an individual burden—it was a shared consequence. When a team lost, the damage spread across every member, affecting not just their rankings but also their morale and reputation. Still, even in a collective failure, there was always someone expected to shoulder the blame.
And more often than not, that responsibility fell squarely on the captain.
Shao Han understood this better than anyone.
As the appointed leader of his team, he had initially seen the Boot Camp as an opportunity—a stage upon which he could display his strength, earn valuable points, and establish his authority among the new trainees. He had imagined admiration, respect, perhaps even a hint of fear from his peers.
Instead, what he received was humiliation.
Time and again, Zhao Mu had outperformed him, dismantling his confidence piece by piece. What was meant to be his moment of triumph had instead turned into a public spectacle of failure. In the eyes of many trainees, Shao Han had become nothing more than a joke.
The assistant instructor showed him no leniency.
"Move faster!" the instructor barked, his tone sharp and impatient, as though urging along a stubborn animal rather than a human trainee.
Shao Han staggered forward, his legs trembling, his breath ragged. Each step felt heavier than the last, as though his body had turned to lead. The course stretched endlessly before him, and the mocking gazes of onlookers burned into his back like invisible flames.
It took him several exhausting hours to finally complete the run.
By the time he crossed the finish line, his vision was blurred, his chest heaving violently. He collapsed onto the ground, sprawled out like a lifeless corpse, gasping for air.
No applause came.
No encouragement.
Aside from a few loyal followers who hovered nearby, no one approached him. Even his own teammates quietly distanced themselves, unwilling to be associated with his disgrace.
The contrast could not have been more striking.
On that day's Boot Camp evaluation, Zhao Mu's team had taken first place without question. Not only that, but Zhao Mu himself had achieved the highest individual score.
His name echoed across the training grounds, carried by whispers of admiration and astonishment.
The Instructors' Decision
That evening, after training had concluded, three figures made their way toward the principal's office.
Instructors Xie Yingxue, Zhang Biao, and Xu Zhixiong.
Their expressions were serious, their steps purposeful.
Inside the office, the principal sat behind his desk, reviewing documents. When he looked up and saw the three instructors entering together, a flicker of surprise crossed his face.
It was rare—extremely rare—for multiple instructors to jointly recommend a single trainee.
"What brings all three of you here?" he asked, leaning back slightly in his chair.
Instructor Xie Yingxue stepped forward. Her gold-rimmed glasses caught the light as she spoke, her voice calm yet resolute.
"Trainee Zhao Mu has demonstrated exceptional performance during training. We believe he possesses outstanding talent and immense potential. Therefore, we request that he be granted the status of a [Seed] Trainee."
The principal's brows lifted slightly.
"Zhao Mu…" he murmured, clearly familiar with the name.
He studied the three instructors carefully, his gaze sharp and probing.
"Are you certain?" he asked. "You're basing this judgment solely on Boot Camp performance?"
His tone grew more serious.
"You should know that this is only the early stage of training. Many talented individuals have yet to reveal their full capabilities. For instance, that A-rank trainee, Lu Yan."
He tapped his cane lightly against the floor.
"The true strength of a Spirit Power User lies in their spiritual power. These preliminary exercises are merely a foundation—they are not a reliable measure of future potential."
The implication was clear.
Speed, strength, and clever tactics were not enough to warrant special treatment.
Zhao Mu's current achievements, impressive as they might seem, should not outweigh the inherent advantages of higher-ranked talents.
Zhang Biao stepped forward, his expression firm.
"But Zhao Mu has already successfully depicted a usable first-grade Jinhai Spirit Rune Diagram Path."
Silence fell over the room.
For a brief moment, the principal did not respond.
Then—
"What did you say?"
His voice sharpened, and his eyes widened in disbelief. The hand gripping his cane tightened unconsciously.
"Repeat that."
Xu Zhixiong nodded, his tone steady.
"We witnessed it ourselves. He drew the Spirit Rune Diagram Path stroke by stroke, and it activated successfully."
The principal's composure wavered.
This was no small matter.
To fully grasp the significance of this achievement, one had to understand the complexity of Jinhai Manufacturing. Even seasoned practitioners required years of study and practice to master basic rune construction.
And yet—
Zhao Mu had accomplished this in less than a month.
It was an absurd notion.
A miracle.
Or perhaps… a genius beyond conventional understanding.
Xu Zhixiong continued, locking eyes with the principal.
"Your Excellency, we firmly believe that Zhao Mu has the potential to become at least a Third-Rank Jinhai Master."
This time, the principal could not remain seated.
He rose abruptly from his chair, his expression filled with shock.
A Third-Rank Jinhai Master.
In the entire Lujiang City, there was only one individual who had reached that level.
Such a person was revered, respected, and treated as a cornerstone of the empire's strength.
If Qingfeng Camp could produce another…
The implications were enormous.
"Are you absolutely certain?" the principal asked again, his voice lower now, but no less intense.
"The three of us guarantee it," they replied in unison.
The room fell silent once more.
Then, after a long exhale, the principal made his decision.
"Very well."
He straightened, his gaze resolute.
"From this day forward, grant Zhao Mu the permissions of a [Seed] Trainee. He will receive the same level of resources as a B-rank Special Recruit."
A faint smile appeared on Xie Yingxue's lips.
"The Principal is wise," she said softly, adjusting her glasses.
News Reaches Zhao Mu
At that very moment, Zhao Mu was seated in the cafeteria, surrounded by members of the Third Group.
Laughter filled the air around him.
Over time, his teammates had grown closer to him, drawn in by his approachable nature. Zhao Mu treated others with genuine kindness and was always willing to lend a helping hand.
It was this quiet charisma that naturally made people gravitate toward him.
Not far away, Shao Han sat at another table.
The difference between the two scenes was stark.
While Zhao Mu's table buzzed with energy and camaraderie, Shao Han's side felt cold and lifeless. Only two or three followers remained with him, their forced smiles doing little to mask the awkward silence.
Shao Han's expression darkened.
It was happening again.
Just like before.
Back in Martial Training Middle School, Zhao Mu had always overshadowed him. No matter the situation, Shao Han had been reduced to a supporting role.
And now, despite becoming a B-rank Awakened, despite all his efforts…
Nothing had changed.
Why?
Why was an E-rank talent like Zhao Mu still able to surpass him?
The thought gnawed at his mind, filling him with frustration and resentment.
"Boss, there's no need to compare yourself to him," Chen Tang said, trying to reassure him. "An E-rank is still an E-rank. He'll never surpass you."
Shao Han's expression softened slightly.
"That's right…" he muttered.
"I'm a B-rank Special Recruit. My future is far brighter than his."
His confidence returned, if only a little.
"I'm about to break through to Rank 10. Once I step into the [Private] rank, Zhao Mu will have no choice but to look up to me!"
He clenched his fists, as though trying to solidify his belief.
The Call
Meanwhile, Zhao Mu was enjoying his meal, chatting casually with his teammates. His tray was piled high with food, resembling a small mountain.
Qingfeng Camp spared no expense when it came to nutrition. The meals were both balanced and abundant, designed to support intense physical training.
Suddenly—
A notification flashed on his electronic wristband.
Zhao Mu glanced down and froze for a moment.
"It's Instructor Xie," he said.
The conversation around him immediately died down.
Everyone turned to look at him, curiosity written across their faces.
It was unusual for instructors to contact trainees outside of training hours.
And when they did—
It was never for something trivial.
Zhao Mu answered the call promptly.
"Instructor Xie, do you have any instructions?" he asked respectfully.
A light chuckle came from the other end.
"Zhao Mu, congratulations."
His eyes widened slightly.
"We've successfully applied for Seed Trainee status on your behalf. Starting today, your permissions within Qingfeng Camp will be significantly expanded. You'll also receive access to specialized cultivation resources."
For a moment, Zhao Mu was speechless.
Then, a spark of excitement lit up his eyes.
"Thank you, Instructor!" he said earnestly. "I won't let you—or Qingfeng Camp—down."
After ending the call, he quickly accessed his wristband system.
Sure enough—
His permissions had been updated.
A new list appeared before him, detailing the privileges granted to Seed Trainees.
Though the list wasn't extensive, each item carried immense value.
One portion of spirit source for the [Private] rank each month
Access to Rank 2 Training Hall
One Jinhai Manufacturing material package per month
Additionally, several restricted areas within the camp had now been unlocked for him.
Zhao Mu's heart raced.
These were exactly the resources he needed.
He briefly checked whether Intermediate Combat Techniques were available, but the system denied access.
Still, he understood the reasoning.
Qingfeng Camp allocated resources based on a trainee's demonstrated strengths.
Zhao Mu had shown exceptional aptitude in Jinhai Manufacturing—not in combat techniques.
Therefore, his benefits leaned toward materials and spiritual resources.
And honestly—
That suited him perfectly.
With his unique ability, he could evolve Elementary Combat Techniques into Intermediate ones through sheer proficiency.
What he truly lacked were materials.
Now, that problem was solved.
A faint smile appeared on Zhao Mu's face as he looked at the screen.
His journey had just taken a significant step forward.
And this time—
No one could stop him.
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