Several days later, Upper Capital's top-secret training zone.
Commander Tian stepped into the compound training ground.
The project leader, the academician, came forward with several core researchers to greet Commander Tian.
Their faces bore irrepressible 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 adaptation 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—
—changed into the likeness of a researcher standing nearby, only returning to normal after several seconds.
"They have all mastered the Clone, Substitution, and Transformation techniques within the Three-Body Technique!
They have all passed the assessment for basic chakra extraction and preliminary control over chakra condensation!"
Commander Tian nodded slightly. This truly was a milestone advancement.
Then his gaze continued sweeping the area before suddenly stopping at the large water-obstacle simulation zone on one side of the training ground.
One particularly agile soldier stood firmly atop the simulated rushing water!
A faint glow of chakra flowed beneath his feet as he endured the current surging below.
His body rose and fell slightly with the waves, yet showed no sign whatsoever of sinking.
"That is Wang Qiang," the academician immediately introduced, pride evident in his voice.
"Among all the soldiers, his neural reaction speed—
—and his natural affinity for chakra have the highest combined rating.
His current progress is also the fastest, and his chakra control is the most refined and stable.
His water-walking ability has already reached a highly impressive level."
Commander Tian watched the steady figure on the water, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.
Walking on water... this meant that in complex terrain, especially across the plateau borderlands—
—they would possess a mobility advantage that nearly ignored terrain altogether.
Combined with the Three-Body Technique's disguises, clone-based deception, and substitution escapes...
The outline of a three-dimensional tactical system had already emerged clearly in his mind.
"Very good." Commander Tian's voice was steady and forceful.
"How are their recovery and adaptation conditions?"
"All vital signs are stable. There have been no reports of rejection or adverse reactions.
Overall physical fitness has generally improved by around one hundred to one hundred fifty percent.
Neural reflexes and endurance have improved especially significantly.
Psychological evaluations are stable, and their fighting spirit is high."
The researcher responsible for medical monitoring reported quickly.
"That is enough." Commander Tian withdrew his gaze.
He turned toward 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 combat testing often arrives sooner than expected."
He paused, his sharp gaze sweeping across every youthful and weathered face.
"The western front—White Elephant has started acting up again, running wild on our land.
Conventional measures come with too many constraints. Now, the nation needs a fist.
A fist that can deliver the enemy its fiercest blow at the most critical moment!"
He pointed at the twelve soldiers on the training ground.
"It is you."
"Thunder Squad!"
"Present!" All twelve, including Wang Qiang still on the water, assembled at top speed.
They stood at attention, heads raised, their blazing eyes fixed on Commander Tian.
"Train soldiers for a thousand days, use them for 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 in their bones.
Some lines carry a price they cannot bear once crossed! Can you do it?"
"Yes!!!" Twelve voices merged as one, exploding through the training ground.
"Research and logistical support team!" Commander Tian turned his head.
"Present!" Every researcher, medic, and equipment technician straightened their backs.
"I need you to complete every preparation for Thunder Squad's first combat deployment at the fastest possible speed!
Equipment compatibility inspections, energy resupply plans, emergency medical contingencies.
Communications silence and special contact procedures must be flawless!
Their first battle cannot be allowed to fail!"
"We guarantee completion of the mission!"
Border.
The plateau night was bitterly cold, and the wind cut across bare rock and frozen soil 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 piled sandbags.
It was drafty, but two diesel stoves burned inside, making it fairly warm.
Five White Elephant soldiers gathered around the stoves, their filthy greatcoats hanging open.
They held cheap liquor in their hands, their faces flushed red by the fire and alcohol.
"Tsk, did you see the looks on those Rabbits' faces today?"
A bearded corporal sneered and slapped his thigh hard.
"I was one finger away from jabbing them right in the nose!
I said, 'Are your women as soft as you are?
Want me to inspect them for you? Hahahaha!'"
A lanky man beside him gulped down liquor and chimed in:
"Babul is right! I walked straight inside their sentry line.
I kicked over their lousy sign—the one that said unauthorized border crossing was at one's own risk.
It was hilarious! I stood there and took a piss. What could they do besides glare at me?"
"If you ask me, the Rabbits have no guts. That war decades ago shattered their courage!
Now that they have money and live good lives, they are even less willing to fight.
They're afraid of dying! Their soldiers are all pampered young masters, well-fed and warmly dressed, unlike us..."
He patted his tattered coat. "But we have spirit! We have faith!"
Babul, the first to speak, rose to his feet and staggered toward the observation window.
He pointed at the faint lights of Rabbit Outpost across from them. "Look! They must be cowering inside and trembling right now!
I bet tomorrow we can move our outpost fifty meters forward—
—and they will not dare make a peep! 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!" 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 John Bull drew back then is right there in black and white!"
"Yeah! Take it!"
"Tomorrow, we'll go smash their lousy camera!"
Obscene insults and arrogant laughter drifted out of the outpost, mixing with the wind and scattering into the freezing night sky.
Outside the outpost, two sentries wrapped in thick overcoats huddled in their guard post.
Hearing the commotion inside, one of them said quietly to his companion, "They have had too much to drink."
"Every day is like this." His companion exhaled white mist.
"If a real fight breaks out, those guys 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."
"Heh heh, something happen? Are we supposed to be afraid of those Rabbits?"
"True."