Military Training

The moment Ling Yun arrived at the athletic field, a blend of grass and summer morning dust rushed into his face.

At a glance, he saw that the new Grade One students had already gathered in groups of three or five at their respective class positions. The commotion was tinged with anticipation for military training and a hint of nervousness.

He quickly found his class's formation.

Just as he had taken his place, a figure came charging over in a whirlwind. It was Zhou Da.

He circled Ling Yun once, his eyes wide and round, his tone as sour as if he had just gnawed on ten lemons. "Damn! No way, Brother Yun? How can you still look so handsome with this sack-like military uniform hanging off you? Is there any justice in this world?"

The Ling Yun before him had a tall, straight figure that somehow gave the loose military uniform a sharp, neat look. The contours of his brows and eyes, visible beneath the brim of his cap, were strikingly defined. Among the slightly bulky-looking freshmen, he stood out sharply.

Ling Yun laughed and patted Zhou Da's chubby shoulder. "Da Zi, stop howling. It's a fact that you can't learn my handsomeness, but your unique aura of a Collaborationist Army commander is something ordinary people couldn't imitate either."

As the two joked around, Ling Yun caught sight of a familiar figure from the corner of his eye. Jiang Yingqing had also arrived at the athletic field.

She was wearing an oversized camouflage uniform as well, but her tall figure and neat ponytail gave her a different kind of dashing air.

The sunlight outlined her exquisite profile. The coolness in her demeanor, blended with vigorous vitality, kept her conspicuous even among the crowd.

Almost at the same time, Jiang Yingqing also spotted Ling Yun—the face that was far too outstanding among the crowd and always drew attention at first sight.

The corners of her lips lifted slightly, and she walked straight over.

Seeing this, Zhou Da displayed remarkable tact. He gave a "heh heh" and quickly moved several steps away from Ling Yun, pretending to study the ants on the ground.

"Ling Yun," Jiang Yingqing said when she reached him, her clear eyes carrying a trace of curiosity. "How did your conversation with my sister go yesterday?"

"It went pretty well. We got along quite nicely."

Ling Yun explained naturally.

Jiang Yingqing's delicate brows furrowed slightly. She clearly didn't believe him. "Really? The Ice Queen who never speaks more than three sentences to strangers? How could you possibly get along with her?"

"Could it be," Ling Yun said, blinking with a teasing smile, "that your sister isn't aloof, but just a little socially anxious?"

"Socially anxious?" Jiang Yingqing looked as if she had heard the wildest thing in the world.

"My sister? I'm her biological sister! How could I not know what she's like? Besides, even if she really were socially anxious, that would make it even less likely for her to voice-chat and play games with you!"

She shook her head decisively.

"Experience is the best teacher." Ling Yun shrugged and turned his gaze toward the entrance of the athletic field. "If you really don't believe me, just ask your sister yourself when you get home. Won't you know then?"

Jiang Yingqing was about to press him further when a short, forceful whistle cut through the noise of the athletic field.

A squad of instructors in crisp military uniforms marched in, their steps perfectly synchronized and full of vigor. Their appearance instantly silenced the entire athletic field.

Before long, an instructor about one meter seventy-five tall, with a posture straight as a pine, walked toward their class.

He had a square face, healthy bronze skin, and a pair of eyes as sharp as an eagle's. When he swept his gaze over them, it carried the tenacity and composure unique to a soldier.

He stopped before the formation and introduced himself in a booming voice. "Hello, students! I'm your instructor for this military training, Cheng Yuanzhou, from the Air Force!"

Ling Yun knew that although Cheng Yuanzhou was in the Air Force, he wasn't a pilot. After all, pilots made up an extremely small proportion of the Air Force, less than ten percent.

At that moment, the familiar electronic voice rang out in Ling Yun's mind once more:

[Beep! First Sect of Ning City has expended enormous resources to specially invite the Steward Elder of the Heavenly Firmament Pavilion to temper the host's body through intensive training. The purpose is to lay the strongest possible foundation for your future path of cultivation. Host, please display outstanding potential during the training and win the Steward Elder's recognition!]

[Mission Reward: Qi Cultivation Chapter of the God-Demon Body Refining Art.]

"Body-refining cultivation technique?" Ling Yun's heart stirred slightly, and he asked in confusion, "System, as cultivators advance in realm, doesn't their physical constitution naturally improve? Why do I still need to practice body refinement separately?"

[Host, please think carefully. When you broke through to the Qi Cultivation Middle Stage, your strength did not increase.]

The system's words jolted him awake. It was true! After entering the Qi Cultivation Middle Stage, aside from awakening Spiritual Sense, the strength of his sinews, bones, flesh, and blood seemed to have reached some invisible bottleneck and no longer increased.

[The growth of a cultivator's strength centers on the use of spiritual energy, the evolution of the Nascent Soul, and comprehension of the laws. The physical body, as the "vessel" that bears everything, will not automatically undergo a substantial leap with each increase in realm.]

[The explosive increase in strength the host felt upon first entering the Qi Cultivation Realm was actually the effect of Marrow Cleansing and Tendon Transformation, which excavated the potential of his mortal body to the theoretical human limit.]

[Throughout the countless heavens and myriad worlds, true prodigies all practice Dual Cultivation of Magic and Body! Otherwise, if an enemy skilled in close-quarters combat breaks through to your side, then no matter how profound your techniques are, you may still face the danger of dying on the spot! Body refinement is the foundation of survival and strength!]

The system's explanation was cold and clear. Ling Yun understood at once: cultivation wasn't merely the path of a spellcaster. It was also the perfect fusion of a mage and a warrior.

The physical body was the Treasure Raft for Crossing the World, as well as the Shield for Protecting the Dao!

"I understand. I accept the mission!" Ling Yun replied decisively in his heart.

On the first day of military training, the content was relatively basic: standing at attention and standing at ease.

However, with his Top-tier Comprehension, every one of Ling Yun's movements was as precise as a textbook.

When Instructor Cheng Yuanzhou ordered them to stand at attention, Ling Yun's posture was straight as a spear, his center of gravity steady as a mountain, and his focused gaze level with the front. His standard military posture seemed to have been carved into his very bones.

This outstanding performance immediately caught Cheng Yuanzhou's attention.

He walked up to Ling Yun, his sharp gaze carrying approval, and asked loudly, "What's your name, student?"

"Reporting to the instructor, Ling Yun!"

"Excellent!" Cheng Yuanzhou's voice rang across the athletic field. "Everyone, look carefully at Student Ling Yun! From head to toe, every detail of his military posture is exemplary! This is the standard! Everyone, align yourselves with Student Ling Yun!"

[Beep! The host has initially displayed extraordinary physical qualities through his perfect military posture, gaining the preliminary attention and recognition of the Steward Elder (observing from the shadows). Mission complete!]

[Rewards issued: Qi Cultivation Chapter of the God-Demon Body Refining Art (temporarily stored in the system space).]

[Additional reward (due to the host's outstanding performance, far exceeding expectations): Body Tempering Pill ×4 (temporarily stored in the system space).]

Don't claim them yet. I'll deal with it after I get home.

Ling Yun repeated the thought silently. His expression remained unchanged, and he continued maintaining his perfect military posture.

As time passed, the sun climbed higher. The scorching sunlight poured over the athletic field without obstruction, and sweat began soaking through the backs of the students' camouflage uniforms.

The air was filled with heat and the scent of grass steaming beneath the sun.

"Everyone—dismiss in place! Rest for fifteen minutes!"

Cheng Yuanzhou checked his watch and, considering that it was the first day and the weather was gradually heating up, gave the order for a break at an appropriate time.

The students felt as if they had been pardoned and hurried to find shady places to sit.

Quite a few curious students gathered around Cheng Yuanzhou.

When they learned that this Air Force instructor had never flown a plane, they were all astonished and bombarded him with questions about life in the military and amusing training stories.

Cheng Yuanzhou also grinned and showed them his Honor of Kings rank on his phone—Glory King. This instantly brought him closer to the group of gaming youths and shattered their stereotypical impression that soldiers were "isolated from the world."

At that moment, an unusually burly student squeezed through. He had broad shoulders and a thick back, and he looked incredibly strong.

He was the class's Shot Put Specialist, Niu Li.

He scratched his head and said to Cheng Yuanzhou, "Instructor Cheng, I heard pull-ups are basic training in the military? How about you and me... have a little contest?"

Cheng Yuanzhou laughed heartily and slapped Niu Li's sturdy arm. "Sure, kid! Back in the military, I was one of the best when it came to the horizontal bar! Come on, let's loosen up!"

The two of them went to the horizontal bar at the edge of the athletic field.

Niu Li took a deep breath and leaped up, grabbing the bar. Relying on his powerful upper-body strength, he grunted his way through ten fairly standard pull-ups—his chin passing the bar without his body swaying—before dropping back to the ground and gasping for breath.

"Not bad! Really not bad!"

Cheng Yuanzhou praised him sincerely, giving Niu Li's shoulder a forceful pat. "There aren't many students who can do ten with such proper form! You've got an excellent foundation!"

Cheng Yuanzhou's praise made Niu Li rather pleased with himself.

Then it was Cheng Yuanzhou's turn. He leaped up effortlessly, his movements fluid and rhythmic. Every pull was filled with explosive power, while he controlled his descent perfectly.

He did a full thirty in one go before landing steadily. His breathing was even, and there was only a faint sheen of sweat on his forehead.

"That's about enough." He smiled at the watching students. "I could do a few more, but I'd better save some strength for this afternoon's training. We're not doing an extreme challenge."

Watching the instructor's effortless performance, Niu Li's face grew hot. The little pride he had felt moments earlier vanished instantly.

"Is there anyone else who wants to try?"

Cheng Yuanzhou swept his gaze over the crowd and asked in a ringing voice.

As soon as he finished speaking, a slender yet upright figure stepped forward—it was Jiang Yingqing.

Seeing this, Niu Li, despite his own embarrassment, couldn't help saying, "Student Jiang, don't be fooled by the fact that I only did ten. That's already impressive among ordinary people! Want me to teach you some techniques?"

His tone carried a hint of wanting to save face.

"Thanks, but no need."

Jiang Yingqing declined politely, her voice clear. "I should be able to do a few."

She walked up to the horizontal bar and lightly leaped, her slender fingers gripping the bar firmly.

Then, under everyone's astonished gazes, she began pulling herself up.

Her movements weren't fast, but they were extremely standard and steady. She exerted herself fully each time, her chin passing the bar with ease.

One, two, five, ten... It wasn't until the twentieth that she finally dropped lightly to the ground. Her cheeks were slightly flushed, her breathing a little hurried, but her eyes were bright.

"Whoa!" Cheng Yuanzhou couldn't help cheering, his eyes full of admiration. "This female student truly proves that women are no weaker than men! Your strength and control are both excellent! You're stronger than every male student who's gone up so far! You must train regularly, right?"

"Yes." Jiang Yingqing was a little embarrassed by the praise and smoothed back the wisps of hair dampened by sweat against her forehead.

"I especially like Rock Climbing. I go to a climbing gym every week, and pull-ups are basic training."

The lines of her arms were even and firm, clearly the result of long-term exercise.

When the boys in the class heard the instructor say that she was "stronger than every male student," they felt a little unwilling to concede. But when they looked at Jiang Yingqing's twenty flawless repetitions and Niu Li's ten, they could only swallow their words in silence. The gap in strength was right there for all to see.

As for Niu Li, his mentality completely collapsed. He wished he could find a crack in the ground and crawl into it.

If I'd known this would happen, I shouldn't have tried to show off!

He regretfully scratched at his hair and instinctively searched through the crowd. Suddenly, his eyes lit up!

"Brother Yun!"

As if he had grasped a lifeline, Niu Li shouted at the top of his lungs. His voice was full of anticipation and encouragement. "It's up to you, Brother Yun!"

That single shout instantly ignited hope in all the boys! That was right! How had they forgotten this great god?

Ling Yun! The guy who looked unfairly handsome even in a sack, whose military posture had been held up by the instructor as the standard, and whose strength was unfathomable!

Swish! Dozens of eyes from the entire class, filled with curiosity, anticipation, and the excitement of watching a spectacle, focused in unison on Ling Yun, who was sitting beneath a tree and drinking water.

Watching Ling Yun instantly become the center of attention, Zhou Da nudged the classmate beside him with his elbow. He lowered his voice, his confident smile carrying the certainty of "just as expected." "Tsk, see that? Everything's in place! Our Brother Yun is about to put on a show!"

Ling Yun set down his water cup and slowly rose to his feet under the blazing gazes of the entire class and the intense, interested scrutiny of Instructor Cheng Yuanzhou.

His face showed little expression. He merely rolled his wrists, then strode toward the horizontal bar hanging quietly in the center of the athletic field.

But in his heart, he thought, I can show off again soon. This feels great!