A Spar

After the tests, those who passed were already reserve Navy soldiers.

But did you think that was it?

No, this was just the beginning!

Reserve Navy soldiers, while still part of the Navy, were merely grunts. They hadn't undergone training and couldn't even be deployed.

The real trials were about to begin!

To select the outstanding individuals.

The Navy was, after all, a place that valued strength. As long as your talent and strength were sufficient, you would receive treatment that others didn't.

Training resources, insights, and techniques would be personally guided!

You would even be taught the Navy's Rokushiki and Two-Color Haki hands-on.

Of course, it was impossible for anyone in a Navy branch to teach Rokushiki and Two-Color Haki. Only at the legendary new recruit training camp at Navy Headquarters could you possibly be taught.

A few days later, the trials began.

These trials were essentially just combat.

Combat between newcomers.

The final dozen or so individuals would be selected for focused training as new talents.

Furthermore, it was rumored that a Navy Headquarters trial ship would arrive in two months. At that time, anyone with a spot could accompany it to the holy land of all Navy members—Navy Headquarters!

In short, the better you performed and the higher your talent, the greater your chances of heading to Navy Headquarters.

After a series of matches, it went without saying that Yun Ye naturally won every single one. His effortless demeanor made it seem as though he hadn't even exerted himself.

And indeed, he hadn't. He hadn't even used the most basic White Lightning, so he clearly wasn't serious.

The burly youth Lun Lian'er also won with ease. His fighting style was incredibly rough, lacking any real technique, relying almost entirely on his physique to overpower opponents.

In the later rounds, Yun Ye and Lun Lian'er faced each other.

Upon seeing these two individuals, who had performed well in the tests, finally meet, the others became interested.

One person laughed and said, "Who do you think will win between them?"

Another person looked at the arena and shook his head, "One excels in speed, the other in strength. It's hard to say."

"I bet the stronger one, Lun Lian'er, will win!"

"Why?"

"Are you stupid? Although Yun Ye is fast, his attack power isn't strong. He probably can't even break through Lun Lian'er's defense."

"That's not necessarily true. Lun Lian'er might not be able to hit Yun Ye. As long as Yun Ye keeps wearing down Lun Lian'er's stamina, that's enough."

"Alright, stop arguing. We'll know by watching."

"They've already started."

These people, who had been chattering initially, became focused as soon as the two began to fight.

The Navy officers on the side also turned their attention this way.

A Captain spoke, "Who do you think will win between these two youngsters?"

Another Lieutenant smiled and said, "It's probably Lun Lian'er. His physique is no joke. Even I, purely in terms of strength, probably wouldn't be his match."

"This kid truly has exceptional talent, possessing a great physique! He might become a pillar of the Navy in the future!"

"Haha, so everyone favors Lun Lian'er? I think so too. Although Yun Ye has a unique advantage in speed, and he might learn Soru from Rokushiki in the future, he's probably no match for Lun Lian'er right now."

"That's true, the gap in physique is significant."

Most people in the arena did not expect Yun Ye to win.

At this stage, where no combat techniques were known, someone with a stronger physique would undoubtedly have the advantage.

Yun Ye, with his keen senses, naturally heard the discussions around him, but he paid them no mind.

Perhaps they were all right.

At this stage, Yun Ye's physique was indeed inferior to Lun Lian'er's. However, in many situations, the outcome of a battle was determined by numerous factors.

If Yun Ye were to get even slightly serious, he would have dozens of ways to finish off Lun Lian'er in an instant...

"Haha, my friend, we meet again! I saw you just now, and I didn't expect you to be so formidable! You truly are the opponent I was looking for!"

Lun Lian'er seemed overjoyed to see Yun Ye.

The people on this island were very insular; they would ignore you and keep their distance when you tried to talk to them.

Even though he had shown them a friendly smile, they remained so unwelcoming and unfriendly.

Yun Ye was the first person to speak to him, which moved him greatly.

He considered Yun Ye a friend!

Then, upon seeing how outstanding Yun Ye was, Lun Lian'er immediately regarded this newfound friend as a formidable rival!

My mother always said that a good rival makes you strive to improve!

Therefore, Lun Jin'er's gaze towards Yun Ye was filled with fighting spirit!

Lun Lian'er was over two meters tall, nearly three meters. Compared to him, Yun Ye, at just over 1.8 meters, looked like a small fry, appearing weak and fragile.

A rival I've chosen?

Yun Ye felt a sense of bewilderment. This guy was quite forward. He knew it from the moment they first started talking, but when had he become his rival?

And why was his fighting spirit suddenly so high?

It was baffling.

"You're Lun Jin'er, right? Let's start quickly, there are others waiting," Yun Ye said calmly, his demeanor composed.

"Then, Brother Yun Ye, be careful!"

Lun Jin'er's eyes sharpened. His originally ferocious face became even more terrifying, causing those around him to involuntarily flinch.

"What terrifying eyes. Was this guy really not some gangster boss before? He's really scary!"

"This guy can scare many people with just his looks!"

The surrounding people grumbled. Lun Jin'er's face was simply too ferocious; he might get arrested by the Navy just for showing his face outside.

Lun Jin'er charged forward like a bull, the sound of his feet hitting the ground exceptionally loud. His charge was full of momentum!

He swung his fist, as big as a sand pot, and punched towards Yun Ye!

Yun Ye's body flickered, and he dodged it directly.

Lun Jin'er, having missed his attack, quickly reacted and raised his fist again, punching out.

Yun Ye dodged again.

"You want to drain my stamina? It's useless. I can last all day with you like this!"

Lun Jin'er roared, taking a big stride forward, raising his fist, and powerfully punching towards Yun Ye's chest.

"Straightforward attacks like these can't hit me!" Yun Ye shook his head, his body lightly dodging once more.

"As expected of the rival I've chosen, he's so troublesome!"

Lun Jin'er remained unfazed, perhaps lacking a few screws loose, as he completely disregarded Yun Ye's words and continued to punch.

Yun Ye was a bit speechless. He shook his head slightly, "I'm getting serious now, pay attention."

After speaking, he seized an opening in Lun Jin'er's attack, executed Flash Step, dodged, and appeared behind Lun Jin'er, delivering a kick.

With a 'bang', Lun Jin'er threw a punch, shifting his center of gravity forward. Combined with Yun Ye's kick, his body became unstable, staggering forward. It felt like a force was pushing him from behind. Finally, one of his feet stepped out of bounds.

"I concede," Yun Ye said, turning to leave.

"I lost?"

Looking at his foot that had stepped out of bounds, Lun Jin'er was a bit dazed. But soon, his eyes brightened again: "So strong! As expected, you are the rival I've recognized. I will definitely work hard to surpass you!"

Yun Ye: "..."

The others who witnessed this scene were also a bit confused.

"I don't quite understand, Lun Jin'er lost just like that?"

"Wasn't it just a simple kick? Why was Lun Jin'er kicked out of bounds?"

"Did Lun Jin'er go easy on him?"

"Or was this an accident?"