Chapter 75: Battle
As soon as Wang Mian's words fell, dozens of new recruits charged forward. Flames, frost, violent winds, and lasers—attacks of every kind surged in a chaotic storm!
The atmosphere in the training ground exploded like a powder keg set alight!
Baili Paopao shouted twice and stepped forward, preparing to leap into the fray.
Lin QiYe grabbed him without a word and sprinted toward the edge of the training ground!
"QiYe! What are you doing? We need to fight!"
"Are you insane?" Lin QiYe yelled as he ran. "Do you have a weapon? Ours were confiscated when we entered the camp! The five members of the Masked Squad are fully armed—are you planning to fight them barehanded?"
Baili Paopao froze, instinctively patting his pockets. "Well, actually..."
"And besides," Lin QiYe continued, "the Special Squad isn't called 'Special' for nothing! Their combat strength far surpasses ordinary teams. Charging in blind without knowing their forbidden void abilities or tactics is just suicide!"
A glance back confirmed Lin QiYe's fears.
On the training stage, a deep purple vortex had appeared, expanding before the Masked Squad to absorb every attack hurled at them.
Moments later, a pink giant hammer materialized, towering as high as a two-story building. With a fierce gust of wind, it smashed through the air, scattering the recruits like leaves in a storm.
Most of the new recruits finally realized they were outmatched. Those who turned to flee found it was already too late.
The vortex's wielder smirked and gestured sharply. The purple whirlpool reappeared overhead.
"Run now? Too late!" the wielder sneered.
The previously absorbed flames, frost, and wind erupted from the vortex, raining down like bullets. Explosions rocked the stage as fiery blasts and thick smoke engulfed the area.
Baili Paopao swallowed nervously, cold sweat soaking his back. "This... is the strength of the Blazing Realm? How strong are they at full power?"
"That's why they're the Special Squad." Lin QiYe sighed. "Less than a minute in, and they've already incapacitated half the recruits. This is bad..."
Following Lin QiYe's lead, a handful of recruits managed to escape. His quick thinking had spared them from the carnage.
Through the smoke, five gray-cloaked figures emerged. One of them—the wielder of the vortex—looked at the fallen recruits and sneered.
"A bunch of idiots... Looks like this match is ours."
"Don't get cocky." Wang Mian's voice was calm as he observed the fleeing recruits. Turning to a man wearing a crescent-shaped mask, he gave a curt order.
"They'll target the warehouse next. YueGui, block the entrance. We'll encircle them from the outside."
"Understood." YueGui's figure vanished in a flash.
---
**Underground Base of the Training Camp**
Instructors sat before a wall of monitors, shaking their heads as they reviewed the carnage.
"Over ninety recruits down in the first wave. Looks like we overestimated them."
"It's not their fault," another instructor sighed. "The Masked Squad is too powerful. Even at the Blazing Realm level, their experience and coordination are leagues above these rookies."
"True, but let's not forget they're also suppressing their strength," another added. "And with three high-risk forbidden void users and a divine agent among them, it's not exactly a fair match."
"Stop being so pessimistic." Yuan Gang, the commander, finally spoke.
"While the losses are heavy, those with real potential survived. Clearing out dead weight might be a good thing for the recruits."
"Commander," an instructor asked hesitantly, "do you want the recruits to win?"
"No." Yuan Gang shook his head. "Not with *that* guy in play."
He leaned back in his chair, a faint smile on his face.
"I just want to see an exciting battle."
---
"QiYe, slow down! I can't keep up!"
Baili Paopao stumbled after Lin QiYe, panting heavily.
Lin QiYe stopped, raising an eyebrow. "Fine. Stay behind if you want."
He turned to leave, but Baili Paopao scrambled after him, fear etched on his face.
"No way! I'll get caught for sure!"
After tumbling and stumbling, Baili Paopao finally caught up at the warehouse door. He frowned.
"Why's the door closed? Didn't they say we could get our weapons here?"
Lin QiYe's brow furrowed. "They said we could, but they never mentioned the door would be open."
"So... do we have to break it down?" Baili Paopao knocked on the door experimentally. "Feels sturdy..."
Lin QiYe examined the door, his expression darkening.
He turned to Baili Paopao. "What's your forbidden void?"
"I... don't have one!" Baili Paopao declared proudly.
Lin QiYe stared at him, speechless.
How did this guy even make it into the Nightwatchers?
"This is bad," Lin QiYe muttered. "My forbidden void isn't destructive enough to open this door."
Baili Paopao scratched his head. "Oh, that's what you're worried about? Actually, I—"
"Step aside."
A cold voice cut through the tension.
Both men turned to see a tall woman approaching.
Her long red hair fell to her waist, and though she wore the standard recruit uniform, she exuded a commanding presence.
She glanced at Baili Paopao with disdain and walked straight to the door.
"You are...?" Lin QiYe narrowed his eyes.
He recognized her. That morning, when Baili Paopao caused a commotion in the female dorms, she'd been watching coldly from the corridor.
Her sharp gaze back then had left an impression.
"Mo Li," she said simply.
Extending a pale hand, she pressed it against the warehouse door.
The entire structure trembled violently.