Border Ghosts

Several days later, Upper Capital's top-secret training zone.

Commander Tian stepped into the compound training ground.

The project lead known as "Commander Tian," the academician, came forward with several core researchers to greet him.

Their faces carried uncontrollable excitement and deep dark circles, clearly showing they had worked without rest these past few days.

"How is it?" Commander Tian got straight to the point, his gaze already fixed on the center of the training ground.

There, twelve soldiers were undergoing adaptive training in different simulated environments.

Their movements were swift and coordinated.

"Beyond expectations, Commander Tian!" The academician's voice trembled slightly as he pointed toward one area.

A soldier formed hand seals, and amid a faint puff of smoke, his body—

—turned into the likeness of a researcher beside him, only returning to normal after several seconds.

"They've all mastered the basics of the Three-Body Technique: clones, substitution, and transformation!

They have all passed the assessments for basic chakra extraction and elementary control over chakra condensation!"

Commander Tian nodded slightly. This truly was milestone progress.

His gaze continued sweeping the grounds before suddenly stopping at the large water-obstacle simulation area on one side.

An especially agile soldier stood steadily atop the simulated rushing current!

A faint glow of chakra circulated beneath his feet as the water surged against him.

His body rose and fell slightly with the waves, yet showed no sign of sinking.

"That is Wang Qiang," the academician immediately introduced, pride in his tone.

"Among all the soldiers, his neural reaction speed—

—and his innate affinity for chakra received the highest overall rating.

His progress has also been the fastest, and his chakra control is the most precise and stable.

His water-walking has already reached a remarkably high level."

Commander Tian watched the steady figure on the water, a sharp gleam flashing in his eyes.

Walking on water... this meant that in complex terrain, especially the terrain of the plateau border regions—

—they would gain a mobility advantage that nearly ignored terrain altogether.

Combined with the Three-Body Technique's disguises, clone-based deception, and substitutions for escape...

The outline of a three-dimensional tactical system had already taken clear shape in his mind.

"Very good." Commander Tian's voice was calm and forceful.

"How are their recovery and adaptation progressing?"

"All vital signs are stable. There have been no reports of rejection or adverse reactions.

Their overall physical capabilities have generally increased by roughly one hundred to one hundred and fifty percent.

Their neural reflexes and endurance have improved especially markedly.

Their psychological evaluations are stable, and their fighting spirit is high."

The researcher in charge of medical monitoring reported swiftly.

"That is enough." Commander Tian withdrew his gaze.

He turned to the elderly academician and all the research and support personnel present.

"Comrades, you have worked hard. Your sweat and perseverance have created a miracle."

"Next, the moment for a real combat test often arrives sooner than expected."

He paused, his sharp gaze sweeping across every young and seasoned face.

"The western front. White Elephant is causing trouble again, running wild on our land.

Conventional methods are too heavily constrained. Now, the nation needs a fist.

A fist that can deliver the enemy its hardest blow at the most critical point!"

He pointed at the twelve soldiers on the training ground.

"You."

"Thunder Squad!"

"Present!" All twelve, including Wang Qiang on the water, assembled at top speed.

They stood at attention, heads raised, their burning eyes fixed on Commander Tian.

"An army is raised for a thousand days to be used in a single moment. What you have mastered is unprecedented power.

Now, I want you to use that power where it belongs."

Commander Tian walked before them, his voice low and powerful.

"The mission briefing and specific deployment will be issued later.

What you must do is make the enemy afraid—make them remember deep in their bones.

Some lines come with a price they cannot afford to pay for crossing them! Can you do it?"

"Yes!!!" Twelve voices became one, exploding across the training ground.

"Research and logistics support team!" Commander Tian turned his head.

"Present!" Every researcher, medic, and equipment technician straightened their backs.

"I want you to complete every preparation for Thunder Squad's first combat deployment at the fastest possible speed!

Equipment compatibility checks, energy resupply plans, emergency medical contingencies.

Communications silence and special contact procedures must be foolproof!

There can be no mistakes in their first battle!"

"We guarantee completion of the mission!"

The border.

The plateau night was bitterly cold, and the wind cut across the bare rocks and frozen earth like knives.

Along the border at an altitude of five thousand meters, two outposts faced each other across a valley less than a kilometer wide.

White Elephant's outpost had been built from prefabricated panels and stacked sandbags.

It was drafty, but with two diesel stoves burning inside, it was still fairly warm.

Five White Elephant soldiers gathered around the stoves, their filthy military coats hanging open.

They held cheap liquor in their hands, their faces flushed red by the stove heat and alcohol.

"Tch, did you see the expressions on those Rabbits today?"

A bearded corporal sneered and slapped his thigh hard.

"I almost poked my finger right into their noses!

I said, 'Are your women as soft as you are?

Want me to help inspect them?' Hahahaha!"

A lanky man beside him took a swig of liquor and chimed in:

"Babul is right! I walked straight inside their security line.

I kicked over their lousy sign. What did it say? 'Bear full responsibility for illegal border crossings'?

What a joke! I stood there and took a piss. Other than glaring, what could they do?"

"If you ask me, the Rabbits have no guts. That war decades ago shattered their courage!

Now that they have money and comfortable lives, they are even less willing to fight.

They are afraid of dying! Their soldiers are all pampered young masters, well-fed and warmly dressed. Unlike us..."

He patted his worn-out coat. "But we have spirit! We have faith!"

Babul, who had spoken first, rose unsteadily and staggered over to the observation window.

Pointing at the faint lights of the Rabbit outpost opposite, he said, "Look! They must be cowering inside and shaking right now!

I bet tomorrow we move the outpost fifty meters forward.

They will not dare utter a word! The higher-ups said it themselves—this time, we are testing their bottom line.

They will not dare fire. Bald Eagle is watching internationally!"

"I say we should just occupy it outright!" The lanky man's eyes turned vicious.

"That river-valley pasture is so good. Why should it be theirs just because they say it is?

The map drawn by Lord John Bull back then says so in black and white!"

"Right! Occupy it!"

"Tomorrow, we will smash their lousy camera!"

Filthy insults and arrogant laughter drifted from the outpost, mixing with the wind and scattering into the frigid night sky.

Outside the outpost, two sentries wrapped in thick coats huddled in their guard booth.

Hearing the commotion inside, one of them quietly said to his companion, "They drank too much."

"They do this every day." His companion exhaled white breath.

"If fighting really breaks out, those few inside will be the first to die."

"Do you think the Rabbits will make a move?"

"Who knows... but with this much provocation, something will happen sooner or later."

"Hehe, something happen? Are we supposed to be afraid of those Rabbits?"

"That is true."