Conflict

Inside the walls, mountains rose high, buildings stretched endlessly, and there were even huge martial arts arenas, training towers, and some oddly shaped facilities.

The airship landed in a plaza at the entrance to the area. Quite a few people had already gathered there, standing in several clearly divided groups. The atmosphere between them was subtle, charged with scrutiny and the scent of competition.

Xiao Wuhen led Lin Ming down from the airship, immediately drawing many gazes.

Clearly, Xiao Wuhen, this young and formidable inspector, was quite "famous" within the martial arts hall.

"Well, if it isn't our great Inspector Xiao from South River. Here to 'send talent' to the Special Training Camp again this year?"

A voice dripping with obvious mockery rang out from beside another airship that had just landed.

A middle-aged man a few years older than Xiao Wuhen approached with three young people in tow. He wore a dark navy martial outfit, had a stern face, and eyes as sharp as an eagle's.

The three young people, two men and one woman, all carried capable auras and arrogant looks. Their gazes at Lin Ming were filled with undisguised scrutiny and... a trace of contempt.

The speaker was the man in the dark navy outfit, Wang Tian, inspector of East Forest Base City.

"Those 'geniuses' South River sent in last year got beaten until they cried for their parents in the Special Training Camp. Have those who withdrew early recovered from their injuries? Did you bring fresh punching bags this year?"

Xiao Wuhen's face darkened, and a flash of anger passed through his eyes. South River Base City's results in the Special Training Camp last year had indeed been poor. Several promising recruits had suffered severe injuries and withdrawn early, becoming a sore point for him.

Wang