Prepration for the future

Sister Hua stepped onto the stage and took her place behind the podium, her gaze sweeping over the group of candidates who had successfully passed the initial tests. The low hum of uncertain voices filled the air, but she remained calm, waiting for the crowd to settle, their whispers gradually dying down.

Once the room quieted, Sister Hua gave a nod to Zhang Wei, who promptly left the room. She cleared her throat before addressing the gathered candidates.

"Attention, everyone. I know you're wondering why you're here. First, let's get one thing straight—we are not some shadowy assassination organization."

Her words caught the crowd's attention, their earlier unease shifting into curiosity.

"You've probably heard about the recent surge in destruction and killings," she continued. "The government has passed them off as the work of anti-national groups, but the truth is far more... unsettling."

At that moment, Zhang Wei returned, effortlessly carrying a large monitor, roughly the size of a small theater screen. Most people stared in awe, but Li Huo merely glanced at it, unimpressed.

The screen flickered to life, showing footage of figures dressed in ancient robes, resembling traditional hanfu. These figures moved with terrifying speed, destroying everything in their path with ruthless efficiency. When the footage ended, horrified expressions spread across the room.

"If you think these are just terrorists, you're wrong," Sister Hua said, her voice cold and deliberate. "They look human. They speak like us. But they're not. We don't know where they come from or what they want, but they leave death and destruction wherever they appear."

The gravity of her words settled over the crowd like a heavy blanket, silence replacing any lingering whispers.

"To fight them, we've established this martial academy," she continued. "Our selection process is unlike anything you've experienced. As some of you may have already guessed, this is no ordinary school. We operate under government authority, tasked with preparing a new force to defend against these invaders. Congratulations on passing the test."

She paused, her gaze sweeping across the candidates.

"You have two choices now. First: join us, train in the martial arts, and become protectors of our world. Second: leave now, return to your ordinary lives, and forget you ever heard of this. But know this—once you leave, there is no coming back."

Her tone hardened, and the finality of her words hung in the air.

Li Huo allowed himself a small, internal smile. A classic manipulative speech, he thought. Paint one choice as noble, the other as cowardly.

For him, though, the choice was obvious. Free food, accommodation and a temporary safe place to stay.

As expected, no one stepped forward to leave. The crowd had made their choice, choosing to face the unknown rather than live in constant fear of it.

Sister Hua's expression softened slightly. "Good. Now, please head outside and board the buses.

The candidates moved toward the exit in a slow shuffle, and Li Huo, as always, hung back, observing. Sister Hua caught his eye and gave a brief nod. He acknowledged it before stepping outside.

On the bus, Li Huo took an empty seat, only to have Sha Li—the burly man from earlier—plop down beside him.

"Yo! You passed too, huh?" Sha Li grinned at Li Huo.

Li Huo nodded, offering a minimal response.

"I barely scraped by," Sha Li admitted with a chuckle I barely passed the first level because I hate snakes Sha Li said with a disgusted expression.

But at the next instant he returned to his cheerful expression.

Hey i'm looking forward to how the life in the academy will be back at the orphanage it was just fight for survival because of insufficient funds , and you know I talked with some people here and there it seems they are all orphans ,is the academy giving us a chance to turn our life around Sha Li talked cheerfully and enthusiasticly.

Li Huo looked at sha Li in pity and commented inwardly.idiot they're just using us to become canon fodder in front lines and if they found someone talented it would be cherry on top , they could nurture the talented ones for future use.

Sha Li's conversation was relentless, jumping from one topic to the next. Li Huo responded politely, but with minimal effort, letting Sha Li carry the bulk of the chatter. Sha Li, undeterred, continued to talk about his life, his irrational fear of snakes, and even his taste in women.

Through the haze of Sha Li's voice, Li Huo sifted through faint, fragmented memories from his past life. The details were elusive, each attempt to grasp them sending a dull ache through his head. One memory stood out—he was standing on a hill, making a solemn promise to someone, though the specifics remained blurry. Determined to uncover more, he delved deeper into his thoughts until the truth of that promise finally surfaced.

Leaning back in his bus seat, Li Huo exhaled sharply. Not my concern anymore, he thought. The old him might have cared—might have felt obligated to honor that vow—but things were different now. He wasn't here to play the hero.

An ancient saying echoed in his mind: "No man steps in the same river twice, for it's not the same river, and he's not the same man."

I've come a long way, Li Huo shifted in a more comfortable position on the bus seat, he closed his eyes and thought peacefully,Maybe I'll fulfill that promise from my past life... if the chance arises. If not, it doesn't matter.

After few hours, the bus stopped at a remote location, deep within the wilderness. The academy was far from any trace of civilization. One by one, the students disembarked, and once again, Li Huo was among the last.

Sister Hua was waiting as they lined up.

"These are your ID cards," she said while distributing them. "Do not lose them. They're essential for everything at the academy. You'll also find your dorm assignments on the cards. You're all in the same class, so I expect you to treat each other with respect. Someday, you might fight side by side in a dangerous situation so I expect you to be on friendly terms Hua Rong said with a smile.

Li Huo took his ID, glancing at it briefly he looked at his dorm room and dorm building number, he started walking towards his dorm building. As he walked toward his dorm building, Sha Li also caught up beside him.

"Hey, what's your building number? " Sha Li said curiously.

Li Huo gave a half-smile and said 12.

Sha Li's eyes lit up. "What? Really? Mine is the same.

Li Huo stifled a chuckle.

They both reached the dorm, Li Huo scanned his ID to open the door. Sha Li waved before heading to his own room upstairs.

Inside, Li Huo found a modest but comfortable space: a small living area, a kitchen, a bedroom, a bathroom, and a balcony. It was more than enough.

He dropped onto the bed, his mind already turning to what lay ahead.

If I want to reach the peak of martial arts... I'll have to use that method.