Chapter 97: Entering the Mountain

Soon, all the new recruits had gathered at the foot of Mount Jinnan.

Instructor Hong stood in front of them with his hands behind his back. After scanning the group, he slowly spoke:

"Next, we will begin extreme training!

Do you see the mountain range behind me? In a moment, I will assign each of you a 35-kilogram load, and your task is to cross this mountain range before dawn tomorrow!"

"Report!" Zheng Zhong shouted.

"Speak!"

"Is this just a normal weighted endurance run?"

"It's not that simple..." Instructor Hong smiled faintly and waved his hand. Suddenly, a swarm of drones flew out from the last bus, each equipped with a paintball gun.

"Your load will have a built-in tracking function. Once the training begins, these drones will enter the mountains and track all of you. If you're hit by the paintball gun, it means failure..."

He paused and continued with a sinister smile:

"And failure will result in a very cruel punishment... very cruel, very cruel, very cruel!"

Instructor Hong's mouth curled into a grin, as if he thought of something amusing. The recruits felt their scalp tingle from his words.

"There are a few rules I need to emphasize," Instructor Hong raised three fingers.

"First, your load can be exchanged with others. If one of you can't keep up, you can transfer part of your load to someone else, and you can take it back at any time. But remember: do not discard the load without permission. If caught, you'll fail immediately!"

"Second, you are not allowed to attack or even touch the drones. You can't carry anything on your body to block the paintball shots, and you can't hide motionless in terrain blind spots. The only thing you can do when facing the drones is... run!"

"Third, you can form groups, but you are not allowed to attack each other or interfere with others' actions."

After finishing these three points, Instructor Hong shouted loudly, "Got it?!"

"Got it!" the recruits responded.

"Everyone, grab your loads and head into the mountains!"

After the command was given, the recruits began taking turns picking up their loads, and each one was given a small tactical knife.

"This knife is for dealing with terrain, not for fighting among yourselves. Remember!" Instructor Han Li, who was distributing the knives, reminded them seriously.

When it was Cao Yuan's turn to receive a knife, Instructor Han Li silently put down the knife and pulled out... a spoon.

"Instructor, this..." Cao Yuan was stunned.

"You can't use knives, and I can't find another weapon for you, so just make do with this for now," Instructor Han Li said, patting him on the shoulder.

Cao Yuan: ...

"While others can use knives to cut through weeds, what can I do with a spoon? Dig a hole for myself?!"

"By the way, that chubby one over there!" Instructor Hong suddenly remembered something and called out to Bai Li Pang Pang, who was about to enter the mountain.

"Hmm?"

"Take off your 'Free Space,' and all the necklaces, bracelets, and beads you're wearing, and hand them over to me for safekeeping," Instructor Hong extended his hand.

Bai Li Pang Pang's body stiffened, and he crossed his hands over his chest protectively, "Instructor... these things are very valuable!"

"...I'm not going to take them. I'll just hold them temporarily, understood? If you go in there and scatter prohibited items everywhere, what's the point of training?" Instructor Hong replied sternly.

"...Alright."

Bai Li Pang Pang reluctantly pulled out a small white pouch from his pocket and handed it over, along with all the trinkets from his body.

"Okay, go on," Instructor Hong said, placing the items carefully in a secure spot and waving him off.

Once all the recruits entered the mountain, Instructor Hong leisurely sat down in a tent he had set up and yawned.

"Instructor Hong, isn't this just a weight endurance run? Why make it so complicated?" Instructor Han Li walked over and sat beside him, puzzled.

"Hehe, this is no ordinary weight endurance run," Instructor Hong smiled.

"Do you really think they can run out of this mountain?"

"Mm?" Instructor Han Li was confused.

"We've already used prohibited items to seal off the entire mountain range. The original terrain has been completely altered."

"You mean..."

Instructor Hong gazed in the direction the recruits had gone, revealing a sly smile:

"The entire mountain range has turned into an inescapable maze. No matter how they run, they won't get out.

So, they will be trapped in this complex maze, endlessly chased by drones, until their stamina is completely drained... This is far more effective than a simple weight endurance run."

Instructor Han Li thought for a moment, then said, "You want to create a sense of hopelessness, but still allow them to exchange loads, testing their mental state while draining their physical stamina, and fostering trust between them?"

"Looks like you really get it, Instructor Han," Instructor Hong gave him a thumbs up.

"But do you really think drones and paintball guns will put enough pressure on them?" Instructor Han Li asked.

Instructor Hong's face twisted into a mysterious smile, "You'll understand when the time comes. The punishment for failure... is far more terrifying than you think."

Mount Jinnan.

Lin Qiye and Cao Yuan, with their loads on their backs, quickly moved through the dense forest. The trees on Mount Jinnan were ancient, tall, and thick, with sunlight filtering through the canopy, creating a primeval jungle-like atmosphere.

"You guys... wait for me!" Bai Li Pang Pang, with his round body, found it difficult to move through the dense vegetation of the mountain.

"This thing is so heavy... how about you two help me carry some?" Bai Li Pang Pang raised his head, looking expectantly at the two ahead.

"No," Lin Qiye rejected him without hesitation.

"Go away," Cao Yuan coldly responded, then turned to Lin Qiye and asked eagerly, "Qiye, how about I carry some for you?"

"...I don't need it."

Bai Li Pang Pang: ...

Buzzing...!!

Just as he finished speaking, the sound of numerous drones buzzing came from behind them, causing Lin Qiye's face to change slightly.

"The drones are here, we need to speed up, or we'll definitely get caught."

Cao Yuan looked around and noticed that the other recruits, who had entered the mountain at the same time, were beginning to scatter. After all, clustering together would only increase the chance of being hit by the drones' paintball guns.

"Ugh, ugh, ugh... you guys go ahead first. This thing is too heavy, I feel like I can't outrun the drones!" Bai Li Pang Pang said with a pitiful expression as the buzzing sound grew louder.

"Are you not afraid of being hit and then facing the punishment?"

"Let the punishment come... it probably won't be too terrifying, right?" Bai Li Pang Pang said uncertainly.