At first Zhao Mu hadn't understood what Meng Qiuqiu meant—until they arrived at Qingfeng Camp.
This time they entered through a completely different gate.
It wasn't the trial grounds, but the actual camp area.
After crossing an immense forest, Zhao Mu's ears were assaulted by earth-shaking shouts.
Moments later, over a hundred straight-backed Spirit Energy Users burst from the woods like tigers charging downhill.
All wore black training uniforms, and—strangely—each carried a five- or six-hundred-pound boulder on his back, yet they sprinted effortlessly while chanting slogans.
"Guard our soil, protect our borders, hearts of steel! Edge of Qingfeng, safeguard the realm!"
Bearing such weight with flesh and blood was clearly grueling; every one of them erupted with powerful spirit energy, shouting the anthem, sweat pouring down their faces.
Zhao Mu saw at a glance that the lowest among them was Battle Rank 6, though some had already reached the Second Spirit-Energy Stage—Private.
Meng Qiuqiu watched them and said, "Judging by their uniforms, they're Primary Camp Trainees."
Zhao Mu arched a brow; he wasn't familiar with the rules here.
Meng Qiuqiu, ever well-informed, began explaining Qingfeng Camp's system.
"Qingfeng Camp is divided into three stages: Primary Camp, Intermediate Camp, and Advanced Camp."
"You can tell by the badge on their shoulders: one Small Sword for Primary, two for Intermediate, three for Advanced."
Zhao Mu said, "So it's like moving up through school grades?"
Meng Qiuqiu shook his head.
"Not quite. Higher camps get greater privileges—access to top-tier alloy weapons, downloads of Advanced Combat Techniques, and enrollment in specialized depth courses."
"But promotion from Primary to Intermediate—or Intermediate to Advanced—requires passing strict assessments!"
"As far as I know, Military Martial Specialization School runs on a credit system. I checked ahead: Primary to Intermediate demands a thousand credits within five years."
"Once you have the credits you move up; if you still don't after five years, you get shipped to the front. At least you'll serve there as a junior officer."
Meng Qiuqiu counted on his fingers. "Intermediate to Advanced gives you three years—but you need five thousand points to qualify!"
Zhao Mu was startled. "That big a jump?"
Meng Qiuqiu nodded. "Exactly. Only Advanced Camp Trainees can officially call themselves 'Qingfeng Camp' cadets; they carry the camp's banner."
He squinted, gazing in reverence at the vast Qingfeng base outside the car window.
"From what I hear, Advanced Camp never exceeds fifty Trainees."
"Graduates from Intermediate get sent to the front as mid-level commanders, while Advanced Trainees enjoy huge privileges."
"They can pick their future unit and are courted by every faction—say, becoming a VIP's personal guard and shooting straight to the top."
"Only one thing decides it: credits!"
Meng Qiuqiu shrugged. "Of course, around here credits equal strength."
Zhao Mu understood now; watching those Trainees strain under their stones, he realized why they trained so hard.
Joining Qingfeng Camp wasn't the finish line—only the starting block.
Meng Qiuqiu's luxury ride halted before a colossal iron gate. Several Discipline Inspection Unit members blocked the way; the leading Cadet Soldier raised a hand, face like steel, and coldly declared, "Military zone—civilian vehicles stop here!"
Zhao Mu, Meng Qiuqiu, and Zhuo Yun stepped out. Facing the towering gate and the wire-topped walls, they knew this training base would be home for a long time.
They passed identity checks and crossed the threshold.
The little fatty carried a backpack as big as himself, huffing and puffing.
Zhao Mu couldn't help asking, "Moving house?"
Meng Qiuqiu said mysteriously, "You don't get it. After check-in we're confined for a month with no outside access—if you don't stock up you'll suffer."
Zhao Mu's eyes widened. "We're Cadet Soldiers—isn't bringing all this stuff against regs?"
Meng Qiuqiu gave two smug snorts.
"You still don't get it. I scoped Qingfeng Camp out long ago."
A flicker of fake profundity flashed in his eyes.
"Qingfeng trains elites with brutal standards. They don't haze for fun—meet the bar and you can gorge on every resource the Empire showers on the strong."
"Slack off and you're out, shipped to the front. Who'd dare loaf here?"
Finally he looked Zhao Mu dead in the eye. "My best bud, remember: Qingfeng isn't a normal barracks. It forges powerful Spirit Power Users. Rigid rules would only shackle them."
"So drop your old ideas about army life."
Zhao Mu nodded, digesting it.
On ordinary battlefields you need obedient war machines, not thinkers.
But Spirit Power Users are different.
A top-tier Spirit Power User is an army of one—sometimes a match for an entire nation's forces.
Frost and flame lay waste to mountains and seas; wind and thunder cleave the gates of heaven.
The Emperor's wrath sunders the cosmos; the Empress overturns a thousand stars.
Those lines speak of the Empire's Four Pillars and Dual Supremes—beings beyond conventional armies.
Inside the base they met the Discipline Inspection Unit guiding newcomers.
Coldly they pointed the way: "New-cadet dorm is ahead—turn left at Building 5. Report to the Life-Instructor and collect your gear."
Zhao Mu's trio thanked them and reached the dorm block.
There they saw other new arrivals—faces familiar from the trials.
In the first-floor lobby sat Instructor Xie Yingxue behind the Front Desk, Gold-rimmed Glasses on, calmly registering everyone.
They stepped up; Zhao Mu beamed. "Instructor Xie, we're here to report!"
Her face had been frosty and businesslike, yet when she saw Zhao Mu it softened into a warm smile.
"Zhao Mu, you made it. Sign here."
She slid the register toward him.
"You're in Dormitory 207," she reminded.
Zhao Mu glanced at the list—four names in 207.
Besides himself, two others were strikingly familiar.
Meng Qiuer and Zhuo Yun.
Zhao Mu shot them a look; Meng Qiuqiu secretly winked.
Zhao Mu chuckled and signed his name.
After registration they received daily supplies and training uniforms, then headed upstairs.
Zhao Mu asked, "Meng Qiuqiu, how did you swing getting all three of us in the same room?"
Meng Qiuqiu grinned. "My family donated two buildings to Qingfeng Camp."
Zhao Mu: "…"
After several seconds of silence he gave a big thumbs-up. "Awesome!"
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)