The ten-kilometer weighted run wound its way along a rugged mountain path, forming a wide looping circuit that stretched across uneven terrain.
The instructors themselves did not accompany the trainees.
Instead, members of the Discipline Department followed closely behind, acting as supervisors. Their role was simple—to maintain order, enforce discipline, and ensure no one slacked off.
In practice, however…
They were far harsher than necessary.
"Did you stuff donkey hair in your ears?! Didn't you hear me telling you to run faster?!"
"If this were the battlefield, would you stop halfway and wait for the enemy to kill you?!"
"I've never seen such useless trash! Get up and move!"
The shouts rang out constantly, echoing across the mountain path.
Without the instructors present to restrain them, the Discipline Department members became even more aggressive, venting their authority without hesitation.
Most of them were young—barely in their twenties.
Some had come from the Primary Camp.
Others were veterans of the Intermediate Camp.
Normally, they were responsible for maintaining order within Qingfeng Camp.
But during this New Recruit Boot Camp, a portion of them had been reassigned as temporary assistant instructors.
And they were enjoying it.
After all, this was a rare opportunity.
A group of inexperienced recruits—
Weak, struggling, and unable to fight back—
Was the perfect outlet for their pent-up frustration.
Zhao Mu ignored the noise.
On his shoulder rested a massive Egg Stone, weighing over a hundred catties.
Yet—
He ran as if it weighed nothing.
His breathing was steady.
His steps were light.
It was as though the previous grueling training sessions had never even happened.
Before long, he caught up with the group ahead.
Among them—
He spotted Mo Guanguan.
Her condition was far from ideal.
Her legs trembled with every step, as though filled with molten lead.
Her breathing was ragged.
Her face flushed red under the scorching sun.
Yet—
Her eyes burned fiercely.
Like flames refusing to extinguish.
Zhao Mu jogged closer, glancing at her briefly.
After a moment, he asked casually,
"How are you holding up? Can you still continue?"
The moment Mo Guanguan saw him—
Her anger flared instantly.
If it weren't for you… would I be suffering like this?
But she refused to show weakness.
"Hmph! This level of training?"
"What's it to me?"
Zhao Mu nodded calmly.
"I see. That's good."
And just like that—
He sped up.
Passing her effortlessly.
Mo Guanguan froze for a moment.
Then—
Her face twisted with frustration.
Zhao Mu was carrying a stone twice as heavy as hers.
Yet he moved with ease.
His long strides widened the gap between them in seconds.
"That arrogant idiot!"
"Don't get too proud!"
"Sooner or later, I'll teach you a lesson!"
Her thoughts burned with indignation.
But her body—
Could barely keep up.
Further ahead—
Zhao Mu passed Shen Moran.
She turned her head to look at him.
But Zhao Mu didn't even spare her a glance.
He ran straight past.
Without hesitation.
Without acknowledgment.
A faint frown appeared on Shen Moran's face.
A trace of dissatisfaction stirred within her.
Even if they were no longer together—
Did their past mean nothing?
Couldn't they at least remain friends?
What she didn't understand was—
Zhao Mu had already drawn a clear line.
In his world—
There was no such thing as friendship after separation.
Once a relationship ended—
It ended completely.
The past belonged to the past.
And he had no intention of being entangled in it again.
Zhao Mu surged ahead, quickly leaving the rest behind.
He was already far in the lead.
Several Discipline Department members noticed him.
Their expressions varied.
Some were surprised.
Others… displeased.
And a few—
Were jealous.
After all—
The only difference between them and these recruits was time.
Seeing someone like Zhao Mu—
Someone who surpassed expectations so effortlessly—
Was a reminder of their own limitations.
Naturally—
It stirred resentment.
Some of them even began looking for faults.
Trying to find a reason to target him.
To bring him down.
But Zhao Mu's performance was flawless.
His speed.
His endurance.
The sheer weight he carried.
There was nothing to criticize.
He had taken first place decisively.
For the first kilometer—
Most trainees could still keep up.
Even if they struggled, they could grit their teeth and maintain pace.
But by the second kilometer—
The formation began to break.
The weaker ones started to fall behind.
Their bodies trembled.
Their breathing became erratic.
And for some—
Their limits had already arrived.
There was a saying—
When pushed to the extreme, change occurs.
When the body reached its limit—
The mind awakened.
In this state—
Many trainees found themselves entering a strange condition.
Their consciousness blurred.
Their perception distorted.
And unexpectedly—
They began to connect with the Subspace.
Meditation.
In ancient times, the first individuals to access the Subspace were known as witches.
They relied on extreme conditions—
Even hallucinogenic substances—
To bridge the gap between spirit and the unknown.
Now—
These trainees were doing something similar.
Their bodies collapsed under pressure.
But their minds—
Became active.
If they wanted to continue—
They had no choice.
They had to meditate.
At the rear of the group—
Lin Meier struggled desperately.
Her teeth clenched tightly.
Her legs felt like they were rooted to the ground.
Every step required immense effort.
The summer sun blazed overhead.
The exposed training path radiated heat.
The air shimmered.
Her vision blurred.
Her thoughts grew sluggish.
"No…"
"I can't fall here…"
Her voice echoed within her mind.
"I've come too far…"
"I can't fail now…"
"I have to become stronger…"
"I have to change my destiny…"
Her body was already at its limit.
Several times—
She nearly lost consciousness.
But each time—
She dragged herself back.
Within that brief moment of collapse—
Her spirit underwent a fierce internal struggle.
Then—
Suddenly—
Something changed.
A cool sensation surged through her body.
Like a spring emerging in a desert.
Her mind cleared.
Her eyes snapped open.
"I… succeeded?"
She had entered a meditative state.
Her spiritual power replenished.
Her body felt lighter.
The burden on her shoulder—
Seemed reduced.
Excitement filled her heart.
Even though her body remained exhausted—
This breakthrough made everything worthwhile.
Across the course—
More trainees experienced similar moments.
Breaking their limits.
Connecting to the Subspace.
Gaining strength.
But—
Not everyone succeeded.
Some—
Collapsed completely.
"They're useless."
Bai Meimei frowned as she observed the fallen trainees.
"Carry them away."
Those who fainted—
Were immediately eliminated.
Their scores—
Reduced to zero.
The remaining trainees felt a chill.
They realized something.
Failure here—
Was not just about pride.
It carried consequences.
As the run continued—
More breakthroughs occurred.
But—
More people were eliminated as well.
Meanwhile—
Zhao Mu remained indifferent.
If he wanted to meditate—
He could do so anytime.
With the Turtle Breathing Technique, he could calm his mind in any environment.
He didn't need extreme conditions.
To him—
This training held little value.
At best—
It was an opportunity.
To refine his movement techniques.
To practice agility.
To accumulate points.
"…Might as well finish quickly."
Just as he was about to accelerate—
A sharp voice rang out from behind.
"Get up!"
Zhao Mu slowed slightly.
"How can you be A-rank and collapse before even reaching halfway?!"
"Do you feel no shame?!"
"You dare accept Qingfeng Camp's privileges with this level of performance?!"
Zhao Mu turned his head.
Something—
Had caught his attention.
And the run—
Was about to become far more interesting.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)
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